[Elecraft] K1: most countries worked? solar panel recommendat ions?

[Wallace, Andy]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Wayne Burdick [mailto:n6kr@elecraft.com]
> 
> I was thumbing through my log and noticed that I'd found time 
> to squeeze in QSOs with some 50 countries on my prototype K1.
> Wonder if anyone has worked DXCC (or greater) on their ow K1 yet? 

I am sure others have, but that was one of my goals with #1073 when
I got it in January, 2002. I didn't think I'd do it, with a 35'
randomwire at home, but I did! Thanks to your KAT1 of course. 

I'm on the East Coast so it's a factor. Best distance seems to be 
R1ANZ, Mirnyy Base, Antarctica. I cheated on that one -- had a 75'
random at the seacoast for it. 

You can get a QRP DXCC award from the ARRL, which does NOT require
you to send cards in:

http://www.arrl.org/awards/dxcc/qrp/

Note also that you don't need to be an ARRL member to get the award.

Bottom line: the K1 is not the DXCC limitation - it's up the operator
and his antenna. 

> We might want to offer an accessory solar
> panel at some point, which is quite practical with the K1 
> because of the low current drain. 

An excellent idea! I wonder if a KBT1A could be a possibility, using
some sort of rechargeable cell at >12V to boost the K1 power a bit. 
But a solar cell which could handle the K1 is a super idea. 

Andy