[Elecraft] K1 bail

[COLIN WHITMORE]

I have the K1 tilt stand (KTS1) and it is a excellent stand worth the pur=
chase. However, there are times that I would prefer not to carry around t=
his complex of a stand so I came up with a couple of alternatives. One ut=
ilizes parts of the KTS1 and makes a sturdy compact stand, the other is s=
imple, cheap, and works!

Alt #1 - Take a piece of bar stock measuring 3/4" X 1/2" X 5-3/8". Drill =
and tap the ends to accept the two holes (and associated screws) on the e=
nd of the long arms of the KTS1. Using the hardware from the KTS1 to secu=
re the bar stock to the arms forming a "U".

This compact stand can be flipped over the top and positioned so that the=
 bar stock is stowed behind the radio and above the antenna jack (as a bo=
nus, it protects the antenna jack in this position). To set the tilt angl=
e simply loosen the screws securing the arms to the K1 and flip the "U" s=
o that the bar stock is now below the K1 and tighten the screws to hold t=
he desired angle. I use a rubberband wrapped about midway up the arms to =
give the K1 something to rest against and this prevents the K1 from sinki=
ng to the table.

Alt #2 - "The Never Fail Cheap & Dirty K1 Bail"; (with apologies to Tom, =
N=D8SS, and his probe) Take a piece of 15" long by 3/32 - 1/8" diameter s=
olid wire (a coat hanger works great!). Slide two 1/2" X 1/8" ID vacuum h=
ose (any auto parts store) to the middle of the wire. Starting from the m=
iddle measure 2-5/8" each way and bend 90 degrees. You now have a square =
"U", with the base measuring 5-1/4". From the corners of the "U" measure =
3-1/2" and bend 90 degrees so that if the "U" is lying flat on a table, t=
he two bends you just made would stick straight UP from the table. Now, m=
easure from those just completed bends 1-1/4" and make a 90 degree bend s=
uch that the ends of the wire are now facing each other. Clip the ends of=
 the wire about 3/8" away from these just completed bends. These little s=
tubs will fit into the screw holes on the K1 that are designed for the ti=
lt stand. When you first complete this stand take the top cover off to en=
sure that there are no interference's with the KNB1 or the KBT1 when the =
bail is installed. Trim accordingly. Slide the two rubber hose pieces to =
the corners. These are the feet of the bail.

This compact stand can be flipped beneath the radio where the bottom of t=
he bail can be snapped against the rear of the radio and beneath the ante=
nna jack for stowage. To use simply flip the bail forward and use a rubbe=
rband mounted three-quarters the way up the parallel arms to secure the r=
adio at the desired viewing angle.

When using the K1 in my camper or at home I prefer the full-blown KTS1. I=
t's secure, robust and holds the K1 at many viewing angles while keeping =
the cables/jacks off the table surface. Tent camping or operating from th=
e soccer field I like either of the alternatives because they are compact=
 and simple, though keep in mind that the back of the K1 rests against th=
e ground.

72 ES GD,
N=D8YGY
Colin

K1 - #942
K2 - #2833 (just have the RF board to complete!)


--- StripMime Report -- processed MIME parts ---
multipart/alternative
  text/plain (text body -- kept)
  text/html
The reason this message is shown is because the post was in HTML
or had an attachment. Attachments are not allowed.
Please post in Plain-Text only.---