[Elecraft] Elecraft K3 Final Build Assessment and First On Air Testing

[Nick Palomba]

Elecraft K3 Final Build Assessment and First On Air Testing

So the Elecraft K3 build is finished ☺ Yes it has been a long process for me
but only because of my time and schedule. I think this is a project you
could finish in a weekend if you really put dedication into it but I’m not
sure you would want to. I will explain this as I go along…

The first questions I got were why would you do this? There are so many
radios out there to purchase and some could argue many better. Well, that’s
subjective of course and I’m a big fan of my Yeasu 1000mp, which I believe
is my third one. I also love what Icom is doing with their new rigs but I
remember a hobby that I used to table and build circuit boards, solder
resisters and diodes and even build a Heathkit or two. I wanted to regain
that experience in the hobby…. Get on air with something I assembled and
tuned… something my hands were inside and I know where everything is and
could replace if needed. How comfortable would you be installing a filter in
your radio? I could do it in 10 mins now ☺ so that is a big part of the why.

The second part – FUN. Yes, if you read my posts you will see some
frustration in my build. There are a few reasons but one is I was sick
during the first phase… I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis and was in
the midst of an episode when I was doing the first few days of assembly.
Take that out and I think you would find that I was having much more fun. ☺
Also – I have a really busy with work, life and family so I wanted something
that I could have to sit down and take my mind away. This project seemed
like a great one.

So here are the videos of assembly if you haven’t seen them and then I will
provide you my overall thoughts below:



http://nicktoday.com/elecraft-k3-final-build-assessment-and-first-on-air-tes
ting/