[Elecraft] K3 sn 699

[Monty Shultes]

After exactly a 6-month wait, my K3 kit arrived Friday April 18.

Saturday it was assembled and basic tests and calibrations completed.  Only the front panel attachment required a little coaxing.  It's an appealing sight when finished.  I did have the broken wire problem on the KBPF3 toroid, but Gary in Support provided repair advice.

Sunday it was on the air.  PSK31 is a favorite mode, so figured out how to use Digipan on my notebook computer with a USB-serial interface.  Two audio cables were needed - that's all, folks.  The PTT via serial port signals is in the K3 firmware.  The acceptance of sound card output without attenuation is in the (hardware and?) firmware.

Sunday also saw the 100-watt module installed and checked out.  The high RF flummoxed the touch pad on my notebook, so installed a USB mouse and all is well.  My old MC-60 desk mic requires full boost on the TX equalizer and "60" on mic gain, but it gets good reports.

Still learning.  Still experimenting.  A very happy communicator.  Only advice so far:  If you've made several Menu or CONFIG changes, turn the power off and back on to be sure they're activated.  And read the reflector!