[Elecraft] KFL1-4 impressions

[Bob DeVarney WE1U]

Well, just finished up the 4 band filter module, and thought I'd pass along
a few thoughts.

First, when installing all the trimmer caps, make sure the flat side does
line up as shown in figure 1 on page 4 of the KFL1-4 manual... I missed
two... the tuning slots are  now "hot", meaning if you use a metal tuning
tool like a jeweler's screwdriver, they will detune when you remove the
tool... I use a ceramic tool, so no problem. I did not feel like correcting
this problem, so I didn't.

Second, the visual instructions (figure 6 on page 12 of the KFL1-4 manual )
fooled me for T1 and T2... I reversed leads 1 and 4 when inserting in the
board... in my opinion, the darker lead should have been the green wire, NOT
the red wire. Still, I caught this when doing the resistance checks, so no
harm done, and I was able to solder wick the leads and holes out... just
tellin' you up front so's you don't make the same dumb mistake I made.

Lastly, it is IMPERATIVE that you follow the band sequence when performing
the receiver alignment on page 17. "I been in radio all these years, I don't
need to follow no stinkin' instructions...."    I tuned them out of
sequence, and when I got done, had low output on 20, and VERY unstable...
looking on a spectrum analyzer showed no output actually on 20, but it WAS
everywhere else.
When I retuned in proper sequence , (30,40,17/15,20) I now have proper
output on all bands.... including nearly 9 watts on 40! Not bad for a 5 watt
rig. Also the sensitivity is just fine when checked on the IFR-1600 service
monitor.

73 de Bigdog,
WE1U

K1 S/N 364 loaded
K2 S/n 1300 loaded