[Elecraft] Incremental build /design suggestions?

[Jim Brown]

Some quibbles. First, Elecraft products in the K3 and KX3 generation are 
trivially easy to build. All the modules have been factory aligned and 
tested. They are "screw together" kits.  Unless you have some physical 
disability that prevents you from building it, ALWAYS buy in kit form. 
It takes a day to build the 10W radio, another 3-4 hours for the 100W 
amp. The cost saving, typically around 10%, will buy an accessory or 
roofing filters.

Second, I can't think of a good reason for the TCXO in the K3 unless you 
plan to do something quite special with the radio. The standard clock is 
quite stable. K3s are on lots of DXpeditions, and they are almost always 
within a few Hz of my dial readout for an even kHz.  That is, if they 
say they are going to be on 14,027, they are on 14,027.000  unless they 
slid around to get away from lids.

Third -- I have 1.8 kHz 8-pole roofing filters in my K3s, and I find 
them too narrow. I have a 2.1 kHz filter in my backup radio, and I like 
it better. If I were doing it over, I would choose 2.1 kHz filters.

BTW -- the Elecraft webpage that shows prices is undergoing revision, 
and  is currently missing prices for several important K3 and K3S options.

73, Jim K9YC

On Fri,7/31/2015 11:13 AM, Bob McGraw - K4TAX wrote:
> Here's my basic configuration which is on order at present:
>
> Item Ref.   Price ea.   Qty.  Description
>
> K3S/100-F   $2899.95    1     K3S 100W Xcvr. (Assembled)
> KAT3A-F     $369.95     1     K3S ATU (Fact. Installed)
> KFL3A-1.8K  $139.95     1     K3 1.8 kHz, 8 pole filter
> KFL3A-500   $89.95      1     K3 500 Hz, 5 pole filter
> KTCXO3-1    $119.95     1     K3S TCXO (0.5ppm)
>
> There's lots of room and options to "add on" later.