[Elecraft] Kit or factory assembled K3?

[Fred Jensen]

Hi Dick,

I've built all my Elecraft radios and accessories [K2, KX1, K3, P3, 
KPA500, KAT500, and a W1].  I was 63 when I built the K2, it took a lot 
of concentration and no building if tired or had a glass of wine or a 
beer with dinner.  I banned the vacuum from the room for the duration.

I built my KX1 when I was 64.  Smaller project, tighter quarters, 
equally hard.  I built my K3 [S/N 642] when I was 65.  It's all 
mechanical, but quite a bit of the work required good fine motor 
coordination.  It went OK.

I'm 72 now, about to score another birthday.  I *might* consider 
building a K2, it's all thru-hole parts.  I wouldn't build a KX1.  I 
built my KPA500 a year or so ago, like the K3, it's basically 
mechanical, there are wires and cables to connect.  Again, fine motor 
coordination and reasonably good vision required.  The toroid power xfmr 
is fairly heavy.  KAT500 went together fairly quickly.

If you're 85, you might consider the extra cost of the factory assembled 
unit, especially if you don't have good vision, a way of measuring 
screws, and generally good dexterity with small parts.

Just my experiences, if I live to 86, given the progress of my old 
injuries, I doubt I'd build a K3.

73,

Fred K6DGW
- Northern California Contest Club
- CU in the 2013 Cal QSO Party 5-6 Oct 2013
- www.cqp.org

On 5/26/2013 12:22 PM, Richard W Hemingway wrote:
> One more question: Kit or factory assembled K3?
>
> Thanks for your help. I am practically 86 but I think that I could handle the kit.
>
> Dick, N5XRD