[Elecraft] Order of assembly K3 Options

[Don Wilhelm]

Gary,

The main receiver KBPF3 mounts under the KRX3 assembly, so you would 
want to install that first.  The others can be installed in any order.

In any case, it is not difficult to remove the KRX3.  In fact it can be 
lifted out of the K3 by removing only the 2 screws and the TMP connector 
for the input antenna (the other TMP cables can stay plugged in)

73,
Don W3FPR

Gary Smith wrote:
> I ordered the KXV3 with the K3/100 to assemble at the time of 
> purchase but it was back-ordered at the time of shipment and it 
> arrived this week. I have the KRX3 on order and it will be ready for 
> shipment fairly soon. I am going to order the KBPF3 general coverage 
> module and the 1ppm KTCXO3-1 TCXO module to be sent asap if they are 
> in stock.
>
> I found some of the connectors resistant to insertion when putting 
> the K3/100 together. For instance; the ones where you needed to use 
> your thumbs under the RF board to prevent the board from twisting 
> during insertion; I had to use a fair amount of force to get these 
> sockets fully engaged and they usually went in with a snap. Indeed 
> all the pins were full mated and all assemblies installed 100%.
>
> Considering the deliberate latching when inserted, these connectors 
> are re-assuringly secured in place but I remember thinking to myself, 
> 'I do not look foreward to removing them when I wish to add another 
> module.' So I don't want to keep removing and replacing parts back 
> there.
>
> There is one port in the back marked "REF", which now has a plastic 
> plug in place. I don't know if the connector that goes in there is 
> part of the sub receiver as no such connector is with the KXV3 and I 
> seem to have missed mention of it with the assembly of the K3/100 but 
> it looks to be tucked in a freely in-accessible area so perhaps it is 
> part of the RX sub? 
>
> I'd like to install the KRX3 asap but will hold off if I need to 
> remove the boards above the "REF" port.
>
> So from those of you with experience in installing these modules in 
> an already assembled K3/100, in which order should the following 
> modules should be installed so I do not have to remove & reinstall 
> these various strip connectors more often than necessary? 
>
> Again, the modules to be installed at this point are:
>
> KXV3 (now at the QTH & ready for installation)
> KRX3 (on back-order) 
> KBPF3 gen coverage (to be ordered asap)
> 1ppm KTCXO3-1 TCXO (to be ordered asap)
>   
>