[Elecraft] Which k1-2 bands

[danielreynolds]

I've been of the air for a few years, and I have wanted to build a qrp kit almost since my earliest moments in radio. I'd like to get a K1 but need to save up, so I'm thinking of buying a K1-2. I'd like some help picking out two bands - one for lunchtime qso's in the car - and one for evening qso's in the apartment. I live in a 2nd floor apartment with a 34 by 16 ft attic space for an antenna (loop or short dipole). I'm thinking about getting a hamstick (or 2) for the car to use on the go and during lunch breaks. Without starting any major flames about antennas and bands - I'd like to draw upon your operating experience to find out which two bands you think would be the best initial choices for fun qrp operation on the cheap - eventually saving up for a tuner, 4 band module (converting the 2 band module to 80/1?), battery, and noise blanker. The only radio gear I have here is a dx-398 sw receiver with ssb. The K1 will become my main rig for home and occassional trips.

My initial thinking has been 30/17. The hamsticks would require no tuner (especially with the narrow WARC bands) - but any attic antenna would need a tuner (unless I went with a pair of ham sticks with the dipole option on the balcony - comments please).

Also - are there any k1 or k2 skeds I could try to tune into with my rcvr to see which bands might perform best from the apartment in the evening? (helping me take local qrn into consideration)

TNX & 72/73
AA0NI
Daniel Reynolds
Oklahoma City, OK