[Elecraft] A modest proposal...

[Don Wilhelm]

Jim,

You printed the manual locally, and if you count the ink and paper, that 
cost you more than ordering an extra manual from Elecraft - and unless 
you went to the trouble of printing it double-sided (and no sheets stuck 
together in the process), you had twice as many sheets of paper.  I 
think that is false economy (if the intent is economy).

That said, I really like the .pdf files of the manual - mainly because 
they can be called up without searching through a stack of paper manuals 
(yes, I have a file for each Elecraft product manual).  They are great 
when you are doing a search - that is easy to accomplish and works quite 
nicely.  I have those files on a networked file server so I can access 
them from any computer in the house - the workbench is not in the same 
place as the hamshack, and I answer email from yet another computer, so 
that give me access to those reference files at any location I choose.

However, when doing assembly or troubleshooting, I find no substitute 
for a printed manual and printed schematics.  I cannot do that 
effectively on a computer screen.  The printed manual is essential for 
me at the workbench.  I think many others are the same - we need both, 
each has its own purpose - Elecraft is doing it right - don't monkey 
with what works and works quite well.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 8/20/2011 9:41 PM, Jim Miller KG0KP wrote:
> I went online and downloaded and printed my own assembly manual.  I had read
> it completely twice before my K3 arrived.