Elecraft K3 Build Project

[n1ic]

Elecraft K3 Build Assembly Day 6

Elecraft K3 Build Assembly Day 6

And so it starts – Elecraft K3 World Famous Build – I really expected the radio to not take it’s form so quickly for some reason my expectation was that it would take much longer for it to actually look like a radio.

I was really humbled my the pour out from people that I got on my refection’s email regarding the type of feedback I was getting from others on this build. I really do love this Ham Radio community it has been part of my life for a long time and will continue to be with all the great feedback I have gotten.

Elecraft K3 Build Assembly Day 6 - NickToday Blog | NickToday Blog

 

[n1ic]

Elecraft K3 Assembly Front Panel – Day 7

http://nicktoday.com/elecraft-k3-assembly-front-panel-day-7/

As assembly continues on the Elecraft K3 today was time to finish the back connectors and the start on the front panel – I was trying a new camera and camera position so let me say up front I’m not happy with the video but overall it will give you the view of the assembly process I was going though.

 

[n1ic]

Elecraft K3 Build Front Faceplate installation – Day 8

Elecraft K3 Build Front Faceplate installation – Day 8



So the build continues and since I was so unhappy with the last videos camera position and quality I tired something new that I believe worked out much better for your viewing.



This part of the installation requires some patience as you have to really work on the knobs for sure but also the DSP board as well as taking the sides off and putting them back on after front faceplate installation. I’m wondering why the decision was made to put them on in the first place if this step was coming and if they really did need to be taken off completely or just loosen to make this section work.




Elecraft K3 Build Front Faceplate installation

 

[n1ic]

Power on testing video - hope you enjoy:

Elecraft K3 Project Power On Test – Day 9

So first thing I will say in this post is I got some feedback that my posts were coming across, as I might not have been having fun with this build. I am going to leave the overall impressions for my final summary posts but one thing I wanted to point out during this build I was sick and there were a few days I wasn’t myself.

Elecraft K3 Project Power On Test - Day 9 - NickToday Blog | NickToday Blog

 

[n1ic]

Elecraft K3 Build – Boards and Speaker Day 10

Assembly continues after the power on test everything was fine so let’s finish up this rig build. I didn’t have a full night to work so I’m going to get as far as I could. Looks like there are a few boards that need to be installed that mount to the front heat shield and then a few more on the main board.

Elecraft K3 Build - Boards and Speaker Day 10 - NickToday Blog | NickToday Blog

 

[n1ic]

Elecraft K3 – Assembly Complete Ready for Testing – Day 11



On to final assembly of the Elecraft K3 – there didn’t seem like much left to do before testing so I had some time the other night to finish up. There were a few parts here that were a little frustrating – mostly to do with the heat sink for the 100-Watt Amp. It was something that got put in early on in the steps that gets in the way when you have large hands for some of the more delicate work that has to be done after this.

Elecraft K3 - Assembly Complete Ready for Testing - Day 11 - NickToday Blog | NickToday Blog

 

[n1ic]

Elecraft K3 Final Build Assessment and First On Air Testing

Elecraft K3 Final Build Assessment and First On Air Testing

So the Elecraft K3 build is finished ☺ Yes it has been a long process for me but only because of my time and schedule. I think this is a project you could finish in a weekend if you really put dedication into it but I’m not sure you would want to. I will explain this as I go along…

The first questions I got were why would you do this? There are so many radios out there to purchase and some could argue many better. Well, that’s subjective of course and I’m a big fan of my Yeasu 1000mp, which I believe is my third one. I also love what Icom is doing with their new rigs but I remember a hobby that I used to table and build circuit boards, solder resisters and diodes and even build a Heathkit or two. I wanted to regain that experience in the hobby…. Get on air with something I assembled and tuned… something my hands were inside and I know where everything is and could replace if needed. How comfortable would you be installing a filter in your radio? I could do it in 10 mins now ☺ so that is a big part of the why.

The second part – FUN. Yes, if you read my posts you will see some frustration in my build. There are a few reasons but one is I was sick during the first phase… I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis and was in the midst of an episode when I was doing the first few days of assembly. Take that out and I think you would find that I was having much more fun. ☺ Also – I have a really busy with work, life and family so I wanted something that I could have to sit down and take my mind away. This project seemed like a great one.

So here are the videos of assembly if you haven’t seen them and then I will provide you my overall thoughts below:

Elecraft K3 Final Build Assessment and First On Air Testing - NickToday Blog | NickToday Blog