[Elecraft] K3 S/N 624 progress + ECN 20 Apr

[Fred Jensen]

About to put the front panel on the main chassis, been at this about 3 
hrs today, I think I'll pack it in for the night.  I am really stunned 
by the mechanical engineering in this radio.  All the screw holes have 
lined up perfectly.  I expect to be stunned by the electrical 
engineering as soon as I power it up [and figure out how to use it :-) ].

So far, everything has gone well ... OK, exactly as it should have, the 
assembly docs are really [really!] good.  I kept looking for the phone 
jack until I finally realized it was already attached to the DSP board. 
  I'm really anxious to fire the radio up.  Meanwhile I have my K2/100 
to keep me company.

Things I have learned:

1.  Do the inventory.  Don't bother counting all the screws, washers, 
nuts, and stuff, just sort them into a muffin tin.  There seem to be 
extras.  So far, everything has been there.

2.  Some of the modules have their own hardware packed with them.  There 
seem to be extras there too, just add them to your stash in the muffin tin.

3.  Go slow, read the instructions, and then read them again ... twice 
more.  There are a lot of details in them.

4.  For the rubber feet in the side panel, I recommend the "soap/press 
method."  After I gave up on the "twist method," it went really quickly.

ECN:  Heard N0AR check in on 20, but for me, no N0SS=No QNI.  Never 
heard Kevin or anyone else except a very weak AD?  I was surprised on 
Sat in the MIQP and ONQP to hear WA and OR fairly strong on 20.  I guess 
it dies by 2300Z.  Wish I could make the 40m net more often.

73,

Fred K6DGW
- Northern California Contest Club
- CU in the 2008 Cal QSO Party  4-5 Oct 08
- www.cqp.org