[Elecraft] Why I won't purchase K3

[Don Wilhelm]

  David,

Each to his own, but here are some of my thoughts on the subject:

I have long thought that providing a kit with a board for construction 
took much of the thrill out of building a project.  For that reason I 
prefer manhatten construction or "ugly" construction for my small 
projects, it is informative, fun and one can exercise as much creativity 
as desired.  When boards are provided and used, the builder is slaved to 
the parts size choices of the designer as well as the interconnections.  
Any creative changes would involve cutting traces on the board.

For me, kits are for large complex projects, and I will happily live 
with what the designer has created.  For smaller projects, I prefer to 
create my own and use whatever size parts I have in my well-stocked 
junkbox.  The break-point depends on my energy level and available time.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 3/6/2011 11:37 AM, David Gilbert wrote:
> No offense meant (seriously), but I'm not sure why your definition of
> "build it yourself" must include soldering, which I perceive as just as
> mechanical operation as tightening screws.  Yes ... it is a different
> skill requiring dexterity and care, especially in the case of surface
> mount devices, but it bears no more relationship to the electronic
> aspect of a kit than does aligning a connector.  There is just a lot
> more of it to do.
>