Re: [Elecraft] Any progress on K3 modules?

[Ed Cole]

Howard-WA4PSC. and all:

Just had a personal experience that show this:  I ordered 15 ferrite 
beads in an order to Digi-Key on April-18, this year.  They were 
back-ordered  an I received notice they are shipping them, today!  Only 
a four month delay.  Good thing I hadn't started on that 1200w amplifier 
kit, yet.


73, Ed - KL7uW
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Re: [Elecraft] Any progress on K3 modules?

[Howard Hoyt via Elecraft]

Hi Pete,

These supply-line delays are world-wide.  We had put an order into the 
factory for another run of our Kx33 Low-RFI power supplies...in March.  
We just received approval samples yesterday, and by paranoid sheer luck 
we had ordered far enough in advance so we should not run out before the 
order arrives.


Predicting stock ordering has become a guessing game.  For the last 30 
years all I had to do was run the sales numbers to get a per month 
average, forecast that forward and plan an order to overlap by a 
comfortable margin.  Now it is more of a case of trying to get into a 
manufacturing queue as early as possible even if it means having excess 
stock for a while...which recently it has not.


I have empathy for Elecraft, I live in the same space these days...

Cheers & 73,
Howie / WA4PSC
proaudioeng.com

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Re: [Elecraft] Any progress on K3 modules?

[Ed Cole]

Group 3:
KXV3B, KBPF3A, P3TX Monitor, KAT3A:, KPA3A, 10-14 weeks
---

Rough calculation from May 1 to August 20 is 15 weeks, so if parts 
arrived as was predicted in May, these should be in production.


I'm on the waiting list for a KXV3B.  After all the discussion on the 
sensitivity of this module to taking a hit, I decided to have a backup 
for my KXV3A.


It failed unexpectedly in 2020 and was repaired for me by Elecraft 
(taking about two months).


This module is essential for my eme use of digital modes.  This is 90% 
of my use of my K3.


73, Ed - KL7UW
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Re: [Elecraft] Any progress on K3 modules?

[Pete Smith N4ZR]

Thanks, don't know how I missed that.  I understand just how frustrating 
the supply problems are, but keep hoping.


73, Pete N4ZR
Check out the new Reverse Beacon Network
web server at <https://reversebeacon.net>.
For spots, please use your favorite
"retail" DX cluster.

On 8/19/2022 9:39 PM, n6...@outlook.com wrote:

Pete,
On May 1st Eric posted the update shown below. The KIO3B upgrade kit is in his 
'group 2' item b;

From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net  on behalf 
of Eric Swartz 
Sent: Sunday, May 1, 2022 11:46 PM
To: EleCraft mail list 
Subject: [Elecraft] K3/K3S Options Last time buy update

Hi Everyone,

I apologize for not posting this update last week. It was quite busy
at Elecraft HQ, plus I had two unexpected visits to the dentist. (Lots of
fun :-)

As you know by now, the logistics and parts production shortage problems
caused by the COVID pandemic have caused huge production problems for us
and the rest of the electronics industry, car manufacturers etc. The delay
getting the K3/K3S Options status out has primarily been due to the fact
that our Elecraft production, purchasing and engineering teams, in addition
to their normal day to day tasks, they have also been heavily focused on
working together to find production quantities of parts (and alternate
parts) for our primary product lines (K4, K4D, KX2, KX3, KPA500, KPA1500,
KXPA100 etc.)  This is a herculean task, with new shortages popping up
every week. Even 'confirmed' scheduled parts ordered 12 months in advance
from major distributors can suddenly not show up on time. So far we have
been successful dodging these issues, finding alternate suppliers, locating
alternate parts, buying larger quantities of hard-to-get parts for
inventory etc. This has kept our primary products moving out the door in
steadily increasing quantities each month, (Feb. and March were record
months) but it also has slowed us from working on finding and purchasing
all the parts for the last run of K3/K3S options. That said, we are now
focusing more directly on this and have been successful getting many of the
critical K3/K3S option parts in house.   Below is our current Status.

I've initially broken the options into 5 groups with estimated shipping
dates, depending on which options we are currently focused on, parts we
already have in stock, expected parts delivery times, certainty of
acquiring parts, manufacturing time and how close we are to having all
parts for each option in house.  Dates will get firmer in general as we
move forward.

We will contact customers with currently booked orders (and wait list
customers in some cases) as each option gets close to shipping.  (Please
try to resist calling sales for new updates as they are heavily loaded and
will not have new K3/K3sOption information until the next update comes out.)

Group 1:
a.)  K144XV will be ready to ship within the next week.  (We will start
contacting customers this week).
b.)  K144RFLK: 6-8 weeks if everything goes ok. This board can be
installed after the K144XV is installed. (We're working to get this one
faster, if possible.)

Group 2:  (These two options received the highest quantity of orders)
a.) KSYN3A:  7-12 weeks if there are no last minute surprises. We have been
successful locating and purchasing the primary problem parts, including the
SI570, Pic processor etc.

b.)KIO3BUPKIT: 8-12 weeks

Group 3:
KXV3B, KBPF3A, P3TX Monitor, KAT3A:, KPA3A, 10-14 weeks

Group 4:
K3/0-Mini, K3EXREF, KDVR3.  14-16 weeks est. This may change +/- depending
on parts deliveries and availability.

Group 5:
P3, P3SVGA:   After Group 4.  Working on locating several hard to get
parts.  Will update with estimated ship dates in following status updates
as this becomes better defined.

I will work to post updates every 2-3 weeks as we move forward. As parts
come in we hope some items in groups 2-4 will move to shorter times.

73,
Eric   WA6HHQ


From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net  on behalf 
of Pete Smith N4ZR 
Sent: Wednesday, August 17, 2022 1:58 PM
To: Elecraft List 
Subject: [Elecraft] Any progress on K3 modules?

Has there been any progress on the planned final production run of the
KIO3 Upgrade Kit?  I ordered one just before everything stopped in 2020,
and put my name on the "last chance" list in 2021, but have heard
nothing since.

--
73, Pete N4ZR
Check out the new Reverse Beacon Network
web server at <https://reversebeacon.net>.
For spots, please use your favorite
"retail" DX cluster.

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Re: [Elecraft] Any progress on K3 modules?

[n6...@outlook.com]

Pete,
On May 1st Eric posted the update shown below. The KIO3B upgrade kit is in his 
'group 2' item b;

From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net  on 
behalf of Eric Swartz 
Sent: Sunday, May 1, 2022 11:46 PM
To: EleCraft mail list 
Subject: [Elecraft] K3/K3S Options Last time buy update

Hi Everyone,

I apologize for not posting this update last week. It was quite busy
at Elecraft HQ, plus I had two unexpected visits to the dentist. (Lots of
fun :-)

As you know by now, the logistics and parts production shortage problems
caused by the COVID pandemic have caused huge production problems for us
and the rest of the electronics industry, car manufacturers etc. The delay
getting the K3/K3S Options status out has primarily been due to the fact
that our Elecraft production, purchasing and engineering teams, in addition
to their normal day to day tasks, they have also been heavily focused on
working together to find production quantities of parts (and alternate
parts) for our primary product lines (K4, K4D, KX2, KX3, KPA500, KPA1500,
KXPA100 etc.)  This is a herculean task, with new shortages popping up
every week. Even 'confirmed' scheduled parts ordered 12 months in advance
from major distributors can suddenly not show up on time. So far we have
been successful dodging these issues, finding alternate suppliers, locating
alternate parts, buying larger quantities of hard-to-get parts for
inventory etc. This has kept our primary products moving out the door in
steadily increasing quantities each month, (Feb. and March were record
months) but it also has slowed us from working on finding and purchasing
all the parts for the last run of K3/K3S options. That said, we are now
focusing more directly on this and have been successful getting many of the
critical K3/K3S option parts in house.   Below is our current Status.

I've initially broken the options into 5 groups with estimated shipping
dates, depending on which options we are currently focused on, parts we
already have in stock, expected parts delivery times, certainty of
acquiring parts, manufacturing time and how close we are to having all
parts for each option in house.  Dates will get firmer in general as we
move forward.

We will contact customers with currently booked orders (and wait list
customers in some cases) as each option gets close to shipping.  (Please
try to resist calling sales for new updates as they are heavily loaded and
will not have new K3/K3sOption information until the next update comes out.)

Group 1:
a.)  K144XV will be ready to ship within the next week.  (We will start
contacting customers this week).
b.)  K144RFLK: 6-8 weeks if everything goes ok. This board can be
installed after the K144XV is installed. (We're working to get this one
faster, if possible.)

Group 2:  (These two options received the highest quantity of orders)
a.) KSYN3A:  7-12 weeks if there are no last minute surprises. We have been
successful locating and purchasing the primary problem parts, including the
SI570, Pic processor etc.

b.)KIO3BUPKIT: 8-12 weeks

Group 3:
KXV3B, KBPF3A, P3TX Monitor, KAT3A:, KPA3A, 10-14 weeks

Group 4:
K3/0-Mini, K3EXREF, KDVR3.  14-16 weeks est. This may change +/- depending
on parts deliveries and availability.

Group 5:
P3, P3SVGA:   After Group 4.  Working on locating several hard to get
parts.  Will update with estimated ship dates in following status updates
as this becomes better defined.

I will work to post updates every 2-3 weeks as we move forward. As parts
come in we hope some items in groups 2-4 will move to shorter times.

73,
Eric   WA6HHQ


From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net  on 
behalf of Pete Smith N4ZR 
Sent: Wednesday, August 17, 2022 1:58 PM
To: Elecraft List 
Subject: [Elecraft] Any progress on K3 modules?

Has there been any progress on the planned final production run of the
KIO3 Upgrade Kit?  I ordered one just before everything stopped in 2020,
and put my name on the "last chance" list in 2021, but have heard
nothing since.

--
73, Pete N4ZR
Check out the new Reverse Beacon Network
web server at <https://reversebeacon.net>.
For spots, please use your favorite
"retail" DX cluster.

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Re: [Elecraft] Any progress on K3 modules?

[Pete Smith N4ZR]

That's fine, Wayne.  I understand the problem, but for a while it looked 
like I might be in need of a KIO3 after a lightning hit.  Fortunately, 
that was resolved, but given the known sensitivity of this board (which 
would have been my third replacement) I was praying for a positive answer.


It turned out to be a Windows registry or Device Manager issue (whew) 
which I was able to resolve (though I will never know exactly how hi).


73, Pete N4ZR
Check out the new Reverse Beacon Network
web server at.
For spots, please use your favorite
"retail" DX cluster.

On 8/17/2022 9:00 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote:

Hi Pete,

I just rechecked status on these boards. It looks like the KSYN3 will be the 
first one to be manufactured. I'm not sure about the KIO3. Unfortunately all of 
these modules (like everything from toasters to Teslas) are subject to supply 
chain issues, and in most cases just one or two parts are holding things up.

As each board comes out of the queue we'll post updated status right away.

73,
Wayne
N6KR




Has there been any progress on the planned final production run of the KIO3 Upgrade Kit?  
I ordered one just before everything stopped in 2020, and put my name on the "last 
chance" list in 2021, but have heard nothing since.

--
73, Pete N4ZR




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Re: [Elecraft] Any progress on K3 modules?

[Wayne Burdick]

Hi Pete,

I just rechecked status on these boards. It looks like the KSYN3 will be the 
first one to be manufactured. I'm not sure about the KIO3. Unfortunately all of 
these modules (like everything from toasters to Teslas) are subject to supply 
chain issues, and in most cases just one or two parts are holding things up. 

As each board comes out of the queue we'll post updated status right away.

73,
Wayne
N6KR



> Has there been any progress on the planned final production run of the KIO3 
> Upgrade Kit?  I ordered one just before everything stopped in 2020, and put 
> my name on the "last chance" list in 2021, but have heard nothing since.
> 
> -- 
> 73, Pete N4ZR



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[Elecraft] Any progress on K3 modules?

[Pete Smith N4ZR]

Has there been any progress on the planned final production run of the 
KIO3 Upgrade Kit?  I ordered one just before everything stopped in 2020, 
and put my name on the "last chance" list in 2021, but have heard 
nothing since.


--
73, Pete N4ZR
Check out the new Reverse Beacon Network
web server at .
For spots, please use your favorite
"retail" DX cluster.

__
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