I am pleased to report that my second K3 #2308 is assembled and working. I am also pleased to report that the overall assembly process and enjoyment of purchase is -improved- as compared to one year ago when I built K3 #272.
Much of this has to do with the assembly manual which has been clarified using a slightly different assembly sequence and added step by step instructions with parts detail at each task. There is a new cabinet finish, an even tighter parts fit, improved preparation of the subassemblies (long leads come pre-clipped in many cases), and of course many firmware improvements in the K3 that came during the past year. There is even a bigger "spare parts" bag. The new K3 operates as a dream, although when first powered up it seemed like a different radio. I did not realize how many customizations I had made to the original radio CONFIG over the last year, little by little. All at once, it's striking. After migrating those specific changes to the new K3, I effectively have K3 "twins". The team at Elecraft has obviously worked very hard over the last year improving their product and processes. The team is also growing, I have noted many new names in the parts bags, each bag contains the identity of the actual assembler of the contents. The RF board also now includes a QA tag with the tech's initials on it. Very FB all around. In addition to "great QSK" which I have heard about TT, Elecraft provides a major focus on the quality assurance process from top to bottom. There is accountability and follow up. All this from a transceiver that would cost $525 in 1975 dollars. That's what I paid for my TS520 at that time! It's such a great value in a tranceiver that is custom built and packaged, each one. Guess these are the good old days. de wb8yqj ______________________________________________________________ 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
