[Elecraft] Kit or factory assembled K3? and what options?

[Peter Hedberg]

For a Nano second I thought about a self-build but when I considered time
verses cost it was a no brainer for me.  My new K3 and P3 will be delivered
in a couple of days and  a couple of hours after that I will have it on the
air.  I wasn't at all concerned about my ability to assemble the parts and
pieces but  I really like instant gratification so for me to pay the little
extra to have the factory do the assembly and testing made sense for me.   I
pretty much knew what I wanted in the way of accessories but I wasn't real
clear on the filter choices.  Their customer service guru Harold knew the
questions to ask and he walked me through what would be best for my type of
operating.   In the end he even saved me some dollars over my original
choices.

Congratulations Bill on passing the general and extra in one sitting and
welcome to our world.  It's a fantastic place!  

73 - Pete - K7WTG



-----Original Message-----
From: Bill Blomgren [mailto:billblom at nc.rr.com] 
Sent: Monday, May 27, 2013 2:52 PM
To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Elecraft] Kit or factory assembled K3? and what options?


I've built LOTS of electronics over the years... but frankly I'm not sure I
have enough time to build a K3.. (which is what I'm currently looking
at..) - or a KX3.

My problem: deciding which options will be useful.  I've never "done" hf... 
I've been a broadcaster (with 20kw into 4" heliax with an antenna "way up
thereeeeee.." or a pile of verticals that I never have to touch because the
tuning was done correctly N years ago....  I had the Tech for 2 months, and
with my background splurged on taking both the general and extra.. and
somehow managed to pass both.  (Thanks to the DurHamFest and their VE's!)

I'm not sure what will be needed at this point.  Right now, I don't 'do' 
code. Never learned it.  I will eventually pick it up, but not right at
first... Computer? but of course... That's the sort of stuff I do for a
living, so morse from keyboard? No issue.  Reading what comes back?  The
computer can handle that.

Pactor?  Shoot.. I'm a tcp/ip junkie... it's not IP, but it is a packet from
point A to someplace else.. Can do.

Other that that.. I'm really not sure what options will be required in a 100
watt/living in an apartment with resulting ugly antenna issue world will
need.  Obviously the antenna tuner, but what else is everyone finding
useful. (I can skip the 2 meter add on for the time being... probably can
find a 6 meter antenna I can fudge into functionality.. SOMETHING for 20 to
6 meters perhaps...or 20 through 10... Again, not sure what will be needed.

Naturally, if you ask Elecraft, you will get a system with every possible
bell and whistle.. but.... is it all something a newb will use? 

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