[Elecraft] K3 / K3S Station setup question

[James Bennett]

Jerry,

I’m also a righty and built part of my desk / operating setup. Mine is a little different, as I have a 27” iMac - sitting off to the left. But here’s what my setup is like:

- A 54” wide, 24” deep double pedestal desk with a solid core 80” wide x 32” deep door sitting on top. This gives me a w-i-d-e operating surface.

- The iMac sits off to the left.

On top I build a double high “riser” out of 3/4” oak plywood, faced with oak strips.; the bottom riser is 4-1/2” high x 48” wide. Under it are my two Begali keys - a paddle and a straight key. Also gives me room to slide my wireless keyboard and track pad underneath when not in use.

The upper riser is 5-1/2” high x 20” wide and sits on the left end of the lower riser, basically directly in front of me. Sitting on the second level (the top of the long riser) are, from left to right: K3, P3, KPA500, homebrew 144 MHz 80 watt amp, and an MFJ-4245MV power supply. My KAT500 tuner sits atop the KPA500. This arrangement puts the K3/P3 directly in front of me, and allows me to move the keys around on the desk under them as I want.

On top of that third level, the upper riser, I have sitting an ASUS 23” second monitor, a KX3, and my Tascam external sound card.

The upper surface of each riser is covered by black, non-stick, rubberized, “shelf paper” I got at a fabric store. Keeps stuff from sliding around.

I like having the K3/P3 directly in front of me and the keys under them. I previously had this equipment in place without any risers and was not 100% happy with the layout or the ability to use the equipment easily.

Jim / W6JHB


> On   Monday, Sep 14, 2015, at  Monday, 12:28 PM, ae4pb at carolinaheli.com wrote:
> 
> It's been a while and I'm a huge proponent of measure twice cut once. I'm
> building a hutch for my operating desk. The desk is 4' wide x 28" deep (2'
> 4"). I'm right handed and my primary mode will be CW. I have both a Bencher
> paddle and a generic straight key. I need about 18" wide for my K3S and
> future P3. The K3S is 10"x10"x7.25"(stand extended and air gap above it.
> Planning to use a 1 x or 2 x 12 for the shelf and 1x for the vertical
> supports. 
> 
> Not sure on right to left arrangement with me sitting in the middle. Was
> thinking keys, then P3, then radio, then space to the left. 
> Allowing 3/4" for the end support, 9 inches for the keys to store, 3/4" for
> a vertical support, then 18" or so for the P3, then K3S, the 3/4 for
> vertical Support. That brings me 29.25" from the Right edge leaving 18" (if
> we subtract 3/4" for the end vertical support) for the Eventual AMP. If I
> eventually get the External antenna tuner it will go on top of the shelf or
> on top of the amp directly if it will fit.
> 
> Does this sound like a proper setup to operate CW with the arm on the
> desk..etc.. turn dials with the left hand..etc.. I'll have a laptop/monitors
> on top of the shelf and a smallish keyboard/mouse on the desktop.
> 
> Just trying to get it all worked out so I don't have to remake this thing
> several times.. why re-invent the wheel when someone has already done it
> right? 
> 
> Thanks in advance.
> Jerry Moore
> K3S SN# TBA Wednesday  
> 
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