[Elecraft] Stainless Steel Screws

[David Gilbert]

I've really tried to stay out of this one, but ...

I disagree.   I think it IS a matter of "mil-spec" expectations.

Can anyone tell me why the only focus here is on the screws?  The K3 
isn't hermetic ... there are large openings everywhere and the PA fans 
aggressively suck whatever is outside the rig inside the rig.  If you're 
exposing your K3 to an atmosphere malignant enough to corrode the screws 
it seems to me that you have bigger issues to worry about inside the 
rig.  Whether the screws are corroding due to the combination of 
moisture and dissimilar metals (steel and aluminum), or due to the 
combination of moisture and corrosive ions (salt atmosphere, air 
pollution, etc), why wouldn't essentially the same thing be happening to 
the components and circuit boards?

Maybe the stock screws should be thought of as a "fuse" (weakest link) 
to let you know that you're doing something wrong.

Dave   AB7E



On 10/19/2010 10:21 AM, Giulio IW3HVB wrote:
> I'm waiting for the "End of Thread" msg by Wayne....
>
> Anyway IMHO using non-stainless screws on the K3 is a flaw.
> Seen from a producer perspective the difference in costs between the regular
> screws and a stainless bunch is minimal.
> Things become different when you have to prepare kits for substitution.
> In any case why sould it be a flaw? It is not a matter of MIL specs, nor a
> matter of "a radio worth 2000$ should have them".
> It's more a matter of consistency. The K3 is a radio targeted for
> Dxpeditions, field use etc (Elecraft says that!). So it is quite surprising
> the choice about the original screws.
>
> By the way I'm quite happy with my stainless screw, had to change the
> original that became quite rusty after a dxpedition of 1 week in 8Q7 and
> after some contest with the Venice Lagoon Contest Team.
>
> These my 3 cents, for the screws......
>
> 73 de Giulio IW3HVB
>
>
>