I recommend that you buy it factory-built, at least for the basic unit. I have two K3's. One I bought second-hand, and one I built. The one I built had a missing major part, which caused a delay, and then didn't work when it was finished. It turned out that there was an unsoldered component on the motherboard, which was undetectable in factory subassembly testing.
Although you save $200 by building it yourself, you really don't learn much in the process, and you have to spend about $25 for an ESD mat. If you have to ship it back to the factory, it will cost you $50 in the USA, and much more from overseas. There is no substitute for the final system tests that the factory-assembled units get. Subassemblies are not tested 100%. Dave Hachadorian, K6LL Yuma, AZ ----- Original Message ----- From: ""Volker Wächter"" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, December 20, 2009 9:03 PM Subject: [Elecraft] kit building or buy ready for use > Hello @ all, > > I do not know what most of you did. > As many others, I am also interested in a K3 Trx. > > what do you recommend ? > > do-it yourself an purchase a kit, or buy it ready for use ? > > as far as I know, elecreft points out that a complete ESD > equipment is > strictly recommended. > > what did you do ? > > 73 de Volker, DD1VW > ______________________________________________________________ > 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 ______________________________________________________________ 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
