[Elecraft] K3 New owner 2B Checklist

[Gary Smith]

To my initial question: 

" 
> I'm ordering the K3 100W kit and have a K9AY receiving antenna and 
> will be using a Titan 425 amplifier with it. I have several power 
> supplies I can use with one being the larger Heathkit 13.8 supply 
> which works fine with my TenTec gear. I also have a TenTec power 
> supply which matches with my Omni V. 
> 
> Are there any caveats or unexpected boondoggles I can expect to run 
> into that I might get ready to resolve before it arrives? " 


Jim K9YC was most helpful with my question on using the Titan 425 
with the K3: 

"I have three 425s, and have used them in contesting for years using 
this arrangement, which was a way of doing QSK with virtually any rig 
(the 425 was designed before 1980). 

You do NOT need to do this with the K3 -- the K3 has a built in TX 
delay (adjustable in CONFIG) so that the TX/RX relay in the amp has 
time to switch. So simply set the 425 in PTT mode and feed it the amp 
keying line from the K3. I'm conservative, so I set the delay for 
12ms to give the relay plenty of time to switch. The default is 8ms. 
------------------------------------- 

And Mike AC5P offered the same kind of good suggestion: 


"Gary, The one thing different about the K3 is the DC power input 
connector. This is an Anderson 30A Power Pole connector. I don´t know 
of any other ham gear that uses this type of connector. IMHO, it is 
superior to the Molex type plug/jacks that the others supply. They 
supply one (and one only) connector and 6 ft of #12 DC zip cord. Most 
hams don´t have the special crimp tool, so you will have to solder 
the pins correctly positioned THE FIRST TIME to make it up." 
------------------------------------- 



As to the Amp, I'll be sure to read up on how to find the delay in 
config. Last time I modified anything with "config" was back with 
windoze 95 :) I'm sure that config / setup will be something I will 
be using a fair amount at first & probably when I update and the 
like. 

As to the Power Pole connector, this will be my introduction to them, 
never seen one before. Thus far I've been a dinosaur when it comes to 
new ham gear & my newest anything is 20 years old till now with the 
exception of my K9AY sold by Array and my Ameritron coax switch. 
Wait, I do have a butternut I use for 40 & up that was made in the 
mid 90's... :} 

Any other suggestions regarding a heads up perhaps regarding 
specialty assembly/test equipment I will need to be ready for the k3 
100W kit? 

Thanks for the help! 

73, 

Gary 
KA1J