On Tue, 30 Sep 2014 20:12:26 EDT, Foxs Mercantile
wrote:

One recent manufacturer comes to mind offering "kits," but what
they really are, are pre assembled boards you mount to a sub
chassis and connect the wiring harness to them.

If you mean Elecraft, they still offer honest-to-god component kits
for substantial products like the K2 in both 10W and 100W versions.
The K3 series is sub-assemblies but how many hams have the skill and
equipment to do proper SMT assemblies? Even then, the "assembler" has
to do considerable alignment and testing after assembly.

Disclaimer: I have no pecuniary interest in Elecraft other than being
a very satisfied customer.

73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane
Elecraft K2/100 s/n 5402

From a Clearing in the Silicon Forest
Beaverton (Washington County) Oregon