[Elecraft] Q: PowerPole connectors

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

The K3 is a "no solder" kit. You don't touch a soldering iron to build it
and get it on the air. 

But, if you make up your own power cables, antenna cables, microphone
cables, computer interface cables, etc., you either need to buy them
preassembled, buy crimp type cables with the proper tools, or get out a
soldering iron.

For those builders who don't already have a suitable power cable handy and
who aren't adverse to a little soldering, Elecraft included a separate power
cable kit gratis with the K3. 

Elecraft does recommend soldering the Anderson connectors although many
folks crimp them just fine. The issue with crimping is doing it properly.
For those who aren't experienced with the technique or who don't have the
proper, good quality crimping tools, soldering is much more likely to
produce the required low-resistance contact between cable and connector
terminal. 

Ron AC7AC