[Elecraft] Katiegram - Stay or go, yes or no (kit or not)

[John]

At 12:36 PM 27/03/08, you wrote:
>>Rethink the kit. I got mine in kit form, #501, and it isn't right yet.

>OTOH, when I received my kit, I was dreading the assembly 
>process.  I have built many kits and home-brew transceivers through 
>the years, so the enjoyment of step-by-step assembly was lost many 
>years ago.  I enjoy the design and modification exercises, but not 
>the assembly.
HI Paul,

I was looking forward to the kit experience, no reservations at all. 
Having built 2 k2's and a K1 and enjoying every minute of it, I was 
ready for the K3. I already had the anti static gear and tools, so 
there was no extra expense involved.

>However, I am now very glad I purchased the K3 kit.  The assembly 
>allowed me to become better acquainted with the transceiver.   I 
>have developed a whole new level of respect for Eric, Wayne and 
>everyone else responsible for the design and product launch.  The 
>turning point for me was after about an hour of assembly time.  At 
>that point, I was getting used to finding all the small hardware, 
>even without measurements, and the work-flow really accelerated. 
>Getting to where the Elecraft group is today was no trivial 
>undertaking and something I could probably spend a lifetime 
>attempting and never get very far.

I enjoyed the assembly too. But here is the point I was making. 
Nothing is perfect 100% of the time. I happened to get the one K3 
that had some problems. It's not like the K1 or 2, with 
voltage/resistance charts and full blown schematics. So unless you 
have the service manual and some higher end test equipment, well, 
back to the factory it goes. That's not a problem either, if you 
don't mind $50 for shipping and insurance, plus the task of packaging 
and shipping. My point was that if you get an assembled K3, factory 
tested and ready to go, your chances of having a problem are about 
zero. A kit K3 could have a problem when shipped or a problem could 
be induced by the builder. Seeing I have #501, and I've not heard of 
any other K3  kit problems, I'd say the odds of having a kit problem 
are about 1 in 500.

>BTW, I have a redux modification of the rear panel SO-239 
>connectors.  I was heavily abused in private e-mail by folks who 
>criticized my photography skills and I hope to do a better job with 
>manual focus when I show the results of the next phase of 
>changes.  I ultimately decided to use two sections of RG-316 coax 
>between the SO-239 panel connectors and the KAT3 board.  I replaced 
>the 0.5" #4 aluminum spacer used to hold the KAT3 firmly in place 
>(also functions to form the return RF path) with a Nylon spacer to 
>force all return RF onto the RG-316 cabling.   Also, if there's any 
>improvement in ANT1 to ANT2 port isolation, I'll pass along the results.

At least you could switch between ANT1 and 2, I couldn't....all I'd 
get is a diagnostic msg saying NO ATU. That's frustrating when you 
have tried two ATU's in the rig.

John
k7up

>Paul, W9AC
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