[Elecraft] K144XV & K3

[John Ragle]

     I installed the K144XV module in my K3/100 last evening and checked 
it over this morning. With 1 mW showing on the front panel, my SX-600 
shows 9 W out into my TE Systems 1452G. This is a "nominal" figure, 
probably good to ~10%.

     The installation goes fairly easily...but boy are there lots of 
screws! The installation manual needs to be updated in a few places, but 
is clear enough. The one minor problem I had was with the connection of 
the TMP cables...the connectors are quite "stiff" and things have to be 
aligned very carefully for the plugs to go in. The cable to IF out from 
the KXV3A is perhaps 1/4" too short. It makes a bend at the K144XV end, 
and it is a little problematic to get it aligned with the jack. I found 
a 5" hemostat to be very helpful, particularly on this one connection; 
my pudgy fingers just didn't fit into the limited space available.

     Needles to say, I continue to be very pleased with the K3. This is 
the first time I've had the cover off, and I was surprised to find the 
box to be quite empty inside. Aren't SM components wonderful! To an old 
geezer like me, the density is quite astonishing.

     I look forward to the end of January, when the rig will get its 
first real work-out.

John Ragle -- W1ZI