IMHO there is only one "Perfect Way"........Don't buy a kit let Elecraft build it, burn it in, do setup.
Then I open the box when I get it and in less than 5 min. I'm on the air. Oh yes I've been studying the manuals both the build one and operating one (downloaded printed in 3 ring binder with sheet protectors) like every piece of gear I own. I did build my K2 and KPA500 that is the reason I like Elecraft the option to do so, some things I just want them to do they are very reasonable. The big plus you have more time to operate instead of building. 73, Fred/N0AZZ K3 Ser # 6730--KX3 # 5210--K2/100 # 6470-KAT100 P3/SVGA--KAT500--W2 Amps Elecraft KPA500 HF/6m--Alpha's 9500 HF--87A HF--Mirage B-5030-G 300+w--(2) B-5016-G's 165w 2m -----Original Message----- From: Elecraft [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Jerome Sodus Sent: Sunday, May 04, 2014 8:55 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Kit Wisdom To be on the safe side, wear only cotton clothing; no wool or synthetic clothes. Cotton will be least likely to pick-up any charges. 73 Jerry KM3K KX3 #6088 -----Original Message----- From: Elecraft [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Don Wilhelm Sent: Saturday, May 03, 2014 8:28 PM To: John, 9H5G; [email protected] Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Kit Wisdom John, As for the advice about screwdrivers, yes, get yourself a quality, new #1 phillips. I like the ones from Ace Hardware with the blue handles (Pro Series), and I like the 8 inch length, just because I learned to use that length many, many years ago - pick whatever length you are comfortable with,but do buy a quality screwdriver from a reputable supplier - a bargain bin screwdriver tip is usually not cut with adequate precision. If you can see shiny spots on the corners of the tip, it is not adequate for the task, it will slip and strip your screwheads. My method of judging a phillips tip driver is if it does not hold a 3/16 inch phillips head screw when it is held horizontally, it is time for that screwdriver to be replaced. I take issue with the suggestion to use magnetic holders and the insert bits. I prefer not to have any magnetic tools at my electronics workbench, they attract stray bits of cutoff component leads and other things stick to the tools. YMMV on that one - take your pick. I use several magnetic holders to great benefit in the woodworking shop, but never at the electronics workbench. As for anti-static, yes take measures - a wrist strap is a minimum, if you have an anti-static mat at the workbench, work on that surface, especially when handling unmounted boards. Do NOT work on a completely conducting surface such as a bare metal desktop or cookie sheet, or aluminum foil or whatever - fully conductive surfaces can also create static damage when they contact that fully conductive surface and are a safety hazard if there are live power sources anywhere near. Newspapers misted with a spray of water in addition to the wrist strap can be more effective than a fully conducting surface. If you have no other alternative, cut open one of the black anti-static bags that the boards are packed in, connect it to a 1 megohm resistor with a clip lead, and ground the far end of the 1 megohm resistor to the center screw on an AC receptacle cover plate (your wrist strap can ground to the same place). As has been said about the egg cartons, stay away from most plastic containers for sorting because plastics and foam stuff attracts a static charge. If you need to sort the hardware into the various sizes, use metal tins (Altoids tins?) or paper cups. If you are adept at spotting a screw size and length 'by eye', you can just dump all the hardware into a large box and pick the right ones from there. Those having long term experience with woodworking measurements or metalworking will have that ability. Make such judgements based on what you know about your abilities. 73, Don W3FPR On 5/3/2014 3:51 PM, John, 9H5G wrote: > Gentlemen, > > Thank you for a fantastic list of hints and tips so far! > > As Gary, KI4GGX, pointed out I should have mentioned the options that > I have coming. It's a K3/100 with a KRX3 and a handful of filters. Simple but very effective, I'm sure. > > ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [email protected] ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [email protected] ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [email protected]
