[Elecraft] S/N 1479 Assembly

[Joel Black]

I just finished with the assembly of my new KX3.  A question or two and 
a comment if I may.

First, the ATU does not seem to sit parallel on the stand-offs.  I 
measured the height of each stand-off and they were the same ~11.26mm.  
I *finally* got the coax routed around the relay next to the BNC 
connector and up to the jack on the ATU.  Is the ATU supposed to be 
parallel (maybe "flat" is a better term)?  For reference, the ATU 
appears to sit lower toward the top of the radio than the bottom.

Second, the battery connector inside the radio.  I had a difficult time 
to get it to seat properly.  Yes, I realize it is keyed and I checked 
that several times.  Did anyone else have an issue getting it to seat?  
I finally got a blunt instrument and pressed it on the connector.

My comment.  Taking the paint out of the 4-40 holes was not too 
difficult on the case.  On the legs, that was a different matter 
entirely.  I managed to bugger up the threads on one of them.  I finally 
quit as I was afraid I would break the thumbscrew off in the hole.  
Might it be better to either have a 4-40 tap included or use a harder 
metal for the thumbscrew?  I would have used my 4-40 tap, but it is 
missing out of my set.  I went ahead and was able to get the screw 
re-threaded and put in the case after assembly.  I'm going to blow out 
the radio to make sure no metal filings might have turned loose on the 
screws.

If no one has noticed the thumb-screw issue, I'm not surprised - I'm 
like the Peanuts character, Pig-pen.  Instead of dust following me 
around, it's trouble.  :)

Thanks,
Joel - W4JBB