[Elecraft] Horrible Audio

[Mike]

Brian wrote:

> My K1, #1205, has almost unbearable audio.  The audio is very muddy,
> no clarity to it at all. It's like it's muffled almost.

You have **definitely** got something wrong.  The audio clarity,
quality, and volume through the phone jack should be very good.  The
K1/K2 internal speaker, however, has been known to produce some bad
sounding audio if the speaker frame were bent or twisted slightly.

> I should have spent more time using a K1 before blowing $500 on
> this one.

That may be a premature assessment.  Wait until you have your K1 working
properly before judging.  I've had a K1 for 20 months, with all options
and circuit mods, and I love mine.  I know of no better multi-band
backpacking rig.

> Also, the tuning knob, yuck. Are there any mods to improve the
> movement so it doesn't feel like I'm tuning my tuna tin?

I found the VFO pot tuning to be too easy, so I added a couple of
hand-cut felt layers between the front panel and the back of the VFO
knob to provide some resistance.  IMO, much better.

> Tried to install the KAT1 tonight as well, that was futile...
> I got to ATU menu and there is the dreaded "---"

Time to talk to Garry at Elecraft.

> Then the part that baffles me.  The KAT1 comes with a 3 hole and a 10
> hole block.  These are already installed on the filter board (4 band).

The two-band filter boards don't (or didn't) come with the ATU
connectors, so the required connectors were supplied with the KAT1.

> The KAT1 doesn't fit ... Just how the heck  are you supposed to
> install those standoffs anyway?

The best idea I found was one that Tom, N0SS, reported to the list:  Put
a piece of a thin rubber band in the standoff and screw the standoff
onto the bottom of the KAT1.  That will hold the KAT1, the screw, and
the standoff together for any future removal and installation.

You might also want to read the K1 part of the K1/K1 common questions
section under Builder's Resources at the Elecraft site.  It is compiled
by Doug, VE3MCF, and is IMO the single most informative respository of
K1 and K2 lore that I know about.

I understand your frustration.  I for one am always surprised when
something I put together works as expected right off the bat.

Mike / KK5F