[Elecraft] K1 gets it done

[Rob Neece]

There are many more posts about the K2 and the KX1, so here is a K1 story 
for a change.

For my 50th birthday, my XYL wanted to get me a gift I would really 
appreciate, so she asked me if I wanted that radio kit I had been talking 
about -- the K2.  After a day or two of contemplation, I surprised her (and 
some other people) by asking for a K1 instead.  There were two reasons. I 
wanted something I could build and get on the air in a fairly short time 
(free time is scarce here), and more importantly, I didn't really need 
another all-band HF rig for the shack.  If this was to be a traveling rig, 
then smaller would be better, and all-band capability was unnecessary.

The kit was finished a month ago, but problems at home have been keeping me 
off the air for a bit.  Today that was remedied as I was able to operate 
for most of the Homebrew Sprint.  I used the K1 on 15 and 20 m and switched 
to my beloved NorCal 40a for 40 m.  I wouldn't be writing this if I didn't 
think the K1 had done a great job.  It is easy to operate, even with no 
experience.  The receiver did a great job, the audio was lovely, and I was 
able to get clear copy even using the wide filter with multiple stations in 
the pass band.  I worked everyone I heard -- well, a deep fade did abort 
one QSO, but that doesn't count, does it?  The bottom line on this rig is 
that it is going to be a new favorite around here.

I think the K1 occupies a nice niche between the K2 and the KX1, and in my 
shack, it now sits proudly next to the NorCal 40a.

Rob