[Elecraft] Ham Qualifications, Customer Service

[Ed Cole]

I bought my K3/10 in 2010 (SN 4340).  Didn't realize that was only two 
years after launch of the radio "We started selling the K3 in early 
2008-per Wayne".

radio has performed well over the last 12 years.  Only one failure of 
the KIO3A board which I opted to have Elecraft repair (two months in 
2020; height of Covis issues).  I did upgrade my two synth boards and 
upgraded the general band filter to add 630m use.

Recently, in light of comments about the KIO3 board, I ordered a KIO3B 
as backup spare (just in case as computer I/F is critical for my use of 
the K3 on digital modes - eme).

Since I run in transverter mode most of the time, little actual usage of 
the 10w modules have transpired.  Now running 6m-eme at 3w still ought 
to be gentle on the transistors (I drive a MRF-1K50H LDMOS final amp).

Surface-mount repair tasks one's abilities in eyesight and finger 
control (I did s-m repair for over twenty years, professionally and 
getting difficult as I age).  So I understand the comments about 
self-repair of much of today's electronics.

When I was working in a commercial shop we had a rule about deciding 
repair or replace: if repair costs equal or exceeded 50% of replacement 
we would recommend replacement.  Then there were always the customer 
with 1950's stuff wanting repair with no hope of finding replacement 
parts (eg vibrator PS).

Note on SSB compression, I've run at 20 with no complaints of distortion 
or splatter.  I do not do "combat contesting" or "aggressive DX", so 
that seems a good setting.  Audio drive also at 20 using Heil mic.

Spending money on ham radio at advanced age is a difficult choice.  But 
I decided to renovate my 12x38 foot storage building into a ham 
shack/workshop this summer (looking like $15K with most work done by 
contractor).  But moving out of 11x12 spare bedroom will be nice 
(emptying the storage bldg is not).

73, Ed - KL7UW