[Elecraft] Lightness of the K3

[Augie Hansen]

K9ZTV wrote:
> For the life of me I can't figure out why you guys are having this 
> problem unless you are using stripped-down versions of the K3 sans 
> amplifier, ATU, etc. which would mean a lighter rig, I suppose.  Or 
> else the surface your K3s are sitting on have been waxed or polished.

My K3 is fully loaded with all currently available options including the 
100 watt PA. It sits on a shelf just above the laptop computer used for 
logging and other functions. I haven't polished the shelf, but it is 
quite smooth.

> I can push and hold any button on the front panel, including those on 
> the left side, and the rig simply doesn't move.  It's sitting smack 
> dab on top of an FT-1000D with all four K3 feet in contact with the 
> painted top, no bail being used, and it is completely 
> rock-squat-dead-immovable with ANY button activation.

Aren't you the lucky one? I ran additional tests the K3's susceptibility 
to sliding by placing it on top of several other rigs and pushing as in 
my earlier "shelf" test. It was unmovable in all of the tests, 
apparently without regard to the cost of the subordinate radio. The 
relative roughness of the painted surfaces gives the feet on the K3 
greater grip than the smooth shelf offers. I'll continue to use the 
plastic shelf liner as it is only 1/32 inch thick and a lot cheaper than 
an FT1K. Other alternatives, such as roughing up the shelf surface with 
sandpaper, don't appeal to me.

Cheers,

Gus Hansen
KB0YH