Digging into KK5IM's book, I see in the advertisement from May 1955 QST
that the KWS-1K is indeed the KWS-1 exciter missing high voltage power
supply and PA tubes. A pair of 6CL6 meant 6 watts RF output if matched
to 50 ohms. It must have included all the PA parts because it was priced
at $1225 while the 32W-1 exciter and low voltage power supply included
the PA tube sockets and the shield box for $895. The $215 367A-2 KIT
included all but the tubes to convert the 32W-1 to KWS-1. Then the
428A-1 was the high voltage power supply for the KWS-1 completely
assembled and wired, priced at $700. The 428A-2 was that same power
supply in kit form for $545.
That advertisement makes it clear that none of these had been shipped
yet. It starts with NOW... but the second paragraph says, "will soon be
available..."
The preceding advertisement from April '55 QST says "are available".
"See your nearest Collins distributor for delivery information."
On page 83, KK5IM says the KWS-1K was intended as a 100 watt exciter.
That would have meant it had a couple 807 or 6146 in place of the
4CX150A PA because the KWS-1 exciter ended with a pair of 6CL6 good for
a whole 6 watts. He says that very few made it out of the factory, and
it did not go into full production. On page 69 he says that at least one
KWS-1K is known to survive. And, "The kit and add-on ideas were quickly
discarded and full production runs of the complete KWS-1 and 75A-4 were
begun... in late 1954."
The 30L-1 moniker on the KWS-1 sneaked into the 55 ARRL Handbook
advertisements before Art had approved the number and none were shipped
with that as far as I know.
Sounds as if the KWS-1K for sale may be one of very few ever made. I
won't be bidding.
73, Jerry, K0CQ
--
Entire content copyright Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer.
Reproduction by permission only.