[Elecraft] [K3] kit building or buy ready for use

[Radio Amateur N5GE]

On Mon, 21 Dec 2009 08:45:11 -0800 (PST), Bill W4ZV
<btippett at alum.mit.edu> wrote:

Bill is correct about building your own.  Both of my K3's are factory
built #806 and #1055.  #1055 was a trade with a guy who wanted my
Orion II.

If I ever BUY another one I'll build it for the reasons Bill gave.

73,

Tom, N5GE

n5ge at n5ge.com
K3 #806 with SUB RX, K3 #1055, PR6,
XV144, XV432, KRC2,
W1, 2 W2's and other small kits

1 K144XV on order

http://www.n5ge.com
http://www.swotrc.net

>
>
>
>Phil Hystad wrote:
>> 
>> I am also planning on getting the K3 and there is only one thing that is
>> holding up my order right now and that is trying to figure out when I can
>> spend the time to put it together.  But, I am also a little bit wondering
>> if
>> the cost differential of kit versus factory built is worth the learning
>> experience
>> when you contrast that with the hassles of potential problems.
>> 
>
>1.  You've already spent more time reading and writing emails on this list
>than the K3 takes to assemble.
>2.  Some are using $200 for the cost differential.  For the record it's:
>
>K3/100 - $250
>KAT3 - $30
>KRX3 - $50
>
>I've built 3 units with few problems and Elecraft support is absolutely
>phenomenal if you do have problems.  Building your own unit will give you
>confidence to make inevitable update mods.  I've made 10 to #1361 and 7 to
>#2183 so both units are completely updated except for the much-discussed DSP
>exchange (which I'm still undecided on).
>
>73,  Bill