[Elecraft] K3 - APP and the network effect

[Bill W4ZV]

GW0ETF wrote:
> 
> 
> Seems like some folk like making a problem out of a solution with the
> Anderson power connector thing. In addition I can understand Elecraft
> feeling the need to provide upgrade kits for eg the CW rise time mod but
> can't understand why anyone would need to actually buy a custom kit just
> to replace a single smt cap, or a leaded component if an smt is
> unavailable; seems bizarre to me especially for Elecrafters whom I've
> always looked on as an inherently home brew bunch.
> 
> My cw rise time mod took about 10 minutes including finding my strip of
> 100nF smt capacitors and no, I haven't had any problems with my power
> connector.
> 
> 

Yes, some tend to make mountains out of molehills...too much time on our
hands?

Regarding the mods, I found two 33k SMD resistors (marked "333") and a 0.1
uF cap on some old scrap boards that I keep for this purpose.  I got lucky
with the 0.1 uF because it was only the second one I removed!  SMD caps are
unmarked so you either need to know what they are or have a capacitance
meter to measure them.  Any sort of red LED will work but Radio Shack
carries a package of two 3mm LEDs for $1.49 (Catalog #: 276-026), and be
sure to observe polarity! 

It's nearly impossible to damage passive SMD components with heat so you can
use any sort of soldering iron with a small chisel tip (mine is 1.6 mm). 
Removing components from scrap boards is also good practice before you
attempt the same on the K3's beautiful RF board.  You don't want to risk
lifting a trace because of bad technique so practice first.

73,  Bill  W4ZV

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