[Elecraft] KAT3A & KIO3B Upgrade for my K3

[Don Wilhelm]

Joseph,

Get yourself a *new* #1 phillips screwdriver (if your screwdriver tip 
looks shiny, it is worn, throw it away).  If you are trying to use a #2 
(the most common phillips), then get a #1. You may be wise to replace 
the stripped screws.  Consider the Stainless Steel screw kit from 
Elecraft - it may be less expensive than ordering the screws one by one.

Congratulations on finishing the K1.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 1/14/2019 8:36 PM, Joseph M. Durnal wrote:
> KAT3A and KIO3B installed!  Had a scare as I couldn't remove the 
> bottom center screw on the right side panel, it started stripping.  I 
> had this issue on one of the front panel screws about a year ago when 
> I was trying to replace my VFO B encoder.  I was able to get the KAT3A 
> installed without completely removing the right side panel.
>
> I should have spring for over night shipping, I was counting on the 
> USPS to get it to me by Friday, but the package didn't arrive until 
> today.  Elecraft shipped it on Wednesday, but I guess since they 
> aren't Amazon, the USPS doesn't bend over backward for them.
>
> The good news was while waiting for the K3 upgrades, I finally 
> finished soldering the K1.  That's been a 10 year odyssey, that I'll 
> write about at a later date.  I need to find the power cable I made up 
> for it to finish testing and to get it on the air.  That's what 
> happens when you take over 10 years to build a kit.
>
> Back on the subject, ahh, it is nice to have a little less clutter on 
> the desk.  The KAT3A tunes my antenna on all bands, even 160, which 
> was a shock!  Not that I'll be doing much down there with my indoor 
> attic antenna. I might buy one of the custom FSK interfaces, mine 
> looks like something between a spider and a plate of spaghetti.
>
>