[Elecraft] Re: This is one reason we consider the four-band K1 to be an ideal home QRP CWrig

[giuliano]

I think this is a new reason:
 you can convert your K1 into a QRP CW / SSB transceiver

see: http://it.geocities.com/giulianoi0cg/k1_page.html
73
Giuliano I0CG


> Message: 44
> From: "Mike Morrow" <kk5f@earthlink.net>
> To: <elecraft@mailman.qth.net>
> Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2003 22:48:17 -0600
> Subject: [Elecraft] Re:  This is one reason we consider the four-band K1
to be an ideal home QRP CWrig
>
> N2XE wrote:
>
> > I think it's pretty funny that only 6 months ago we were all singing the
> > praises for the K1 in backpack applications.
>
> I agree.  The K1 remains an excellent *outdoor* rig, even though the KX1
has
> eclipsed it in the minds of some.  I find *no* reason to agree with
postings
> which claim that the KX1 is a more "refined" K1.  In reality the reverse
is
> true, if RF performance is of any importance in a radio.  The K1 is a
small
> and lightweight unit.
>
> I always search 15 meters first when turning on my K1.  Even with the
> current sunspot conditions, every once in a while 15 meters is a fantastic
> band, especially for a *portable* rig and antenna.  When the sunspot cycle
> is good, 15 meters is THE band for QRP ops.  Due, I'm sure, to DDS chip
> clocking limitations, the KX1 does not have 15 meters.  I'd choose a K1
for
> many reasons, but none so important as its 15 meter coverage.
>
> I am also one who is unconvinced that top mounted controls are "trail
> friendly" at all.  I prefer the traditional controls, yet I recognize that
> it is easier and less expensive to produce a top mount control system like
> the KX1 than a front mount like the K1.
>
> When outdoors, I need a radio that will cover the standard AM/FM broadcast
> bands, therefore I carry a Sony ICF-7600G-series or a Grundig YB-300 to
get
> great standard AM/FM and shortwave AM (and SSB with the Sony) coverage.
I
> don't need my QRP rig to provide just some of that coverage.
>
> From what I gather from KX1 reports, and  from the use of my S.W.L.
> DSW-20/30/40 DDS rigs, the only area where the KX1 provides superior *RF*
> performance as a CW ham band rig is VFO stability.  A DDS chip will always
> be more temperature-stable than  a L-C VFO.  Yet I've always been pleased
at
> how temperature stable my K1 is.
>
> As others have mentioned, the K1 RF power output, audio (and speaker)
> output, crystal filter, SFDR/IMD, and ATU performance is better.  The K1
> four-band filter board covers 40, 30, and any two of the 20, 17, or 15
meter
> bands.  Additionally, a two-band board can be installed for 80 and
whichever
> of the 20, 17, or 15 meter bands weren't built into the four-band board,
to
> give six band coverage.
>
> All that said, I *do* intend to get a KX1.  Ignoring the lack of 15 meter
> coverage, I'd say that the KX1 is a very neat and capable design.  I'm
> waiting for someone to produce a clamshell-type cover for the KX1 that
will
> prevent the controls from getting mashed in a pack.  Such protection *is*
> needed for a truely "trail friendly" design.  I'd even like to have
> something like that for the front panel of my K1.
>
> 73
> Mike / KK5F