Trying to grab a moment to post some first impressions - here goes:
- The kit arrived in perfect condition with a complete inventory, no missing parts! Doing the
inventory took me about 90 minutes, but I've done a few Elecraft inventories before...
- I didn't keep good notes on time, but after inventory it took about 5 hours to assemble the basic
K3/10 at a non-hurried rate, and about half an hour to do the alignment and final checks.
- On a windows machine firmware download is easy and quick. You install the downloader and it knows
how to find the server and check versions. The downloader includes a port test to make sure your
serial port is speaking with the K3. Worked perfectly on COM6 (which is more than you can say about
a lot of programs...)
- There were a couple places where the assembly was a little tight and weird. I will say that if you
are forcing it, you may be doing it wrong - and if something won't go where it is supposed to, try
other angles until it does. Taking a step back helps too.
- If you have built a K2, you can do this. The mechanical assembly is similar
enough.
- The part of the assembly process that is most like the K2 is installing the KPA3 100 watt amp -
specifically the early K2... For the K3, you assemble and test it as a 10W radio before you install
the KPA3. Then you disassemble half the rig to put in the KPA3: top and bottom covers, the KNB3, and
so forth. Parts everywhere and a pile of screws! You end up making a lot of changes to the back of
the radio. Needless to say, I also found this part to be the most fun! (OK, the Front Panel was also
a lot of fun to piece together :)
- Be sure to run a complete set of TX Gain calibrations on each band at both 5W and 50W, or it won't
let you transmit!
Operating:
- I took advantage of the CQWW phone this weekend and operated phone only to start. This week is CW
if I can stop working long enough. I'll do RTTY once my connector order comes in and I can hook up FSK.
- The K3 swims in a space formerly occupied by an FT1000D!
- During the CQWW I wanted to practice tuning in difficult and closely spaced phone signals. Good
news: the K3 can do that! I found by just fiddling with the Width and Shift I could pull out a weak
signal hidden by an adjacent strong signal a few 100HZ away. Many voices were readable down to a
1.2KHz width! And the auto notch works like a charm.
- The Monitor works well, and once you read the instructions the Mic Gain and Comp are easy to set.
My hearing has a little trouble figuring out how much Comp is too much, however...
- All my stuff is set up for Yaesu but I had a spare cable for the Goldline which I converted to the
Elecraft pinout by moving two wires. (I like using the boom mic because it forces me to sit up
straight...) Works like a champ.
- Also got it working with the ACOM2000A - the power control makes it easy to nail the 15W necessary
to tune the amp the first time.
- Made a few dozen contacts in the CQWW just for fun. Busting pileups no problem. A cool treat: I
received tonight a video file from V73RY of him working me! I think he just did some video of some
contacts and decided to share them with the stations he worked - but now I know what the K3 sounds
like in Tonga.
That's all for tonight - any questions, fire away! 73 - jeff wk6i
--
Jeff Stai [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Twisted Oak Winery http://www.twistedoak.com/
Winery Blog http://www.elbloggotorcido.com/
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