[Elecraft] Is the KX3 going to be sold as a kit?

[Paul Christensen]

> Perhaps, even Elecraft offered a SMD-kit at a price 3 times of the 
> assembled version, it might not be good enough to earn a reasonable 
> business profit in view of the possible manpower involved. Perhaps, only 
> through hole components kits can maintain some profits.

Another issue is the attrition that occurs when attempting an SMD kit.  For 
this reason, many SMD kits are either not started, or they're abandoned 
shortly after commencement of construction.  I've purchased several SMD kits 
on the used market where perhaps 5% of the kit is completed, and some have 
been poorly constructed.

In the case of a kit like a KX3 that involves many SMD parts, it would 
undoubtedly lead to many unfinished kits and some very unhappy customers, 
most of whom are not good with personal due-diligence.  Even though that 
onus is on the buyer to find what they're up against before the purchase, 
some people will resent the kit supplier when they're left with a box full 
of some very expensive parts and few takers who are willing to finish a 
previously-started kit at a fair price.

Paul, W9AC