[Elecraft] Something to build

[Dave Johnson]

Larry

I recently built a K1, having built the K2 about a year ago. The "reason"
for wanting a K1 was to go backpacking without having to carry a 6 lb K2! We
all make excuses for building things...

I really enjoyed building the K1, complete with KAT1, tilt stand and both
80/20 two band and 40/30/20/15 four band modules. I deliberately didn't buy
the battery option as I'd heard mixed reports about it being fiddly to
change batteries (a ten cell external pack seems to work just fine with 1800
mA NiMh batteries).

The K1 spent a couple of weeks on the operating bench before the novelty
wore off and I returned my K2 to it's rightful place. I've not powered up
the K1 for a couple of weeks, yet the K2 is used every day. The K2 is just
"spot on" and runs rings around my Kenwood TS-570DG(E), never mind a K1.

In conclusion... if you need to save weight for portable work, foreign
travel, etc. then the K1 is much lighter than a K2 (also no arguments about
lead acid batteries on aircraft with a K1). Otherwise save your money for a
second K2, 100 Watt PA or whatever.

Dave, G4AON
K1 #1154, K2 #1892