[Elecraft] The KX1 - a personal 'hands on' view

[Dave-KK7SS]

G'Day All,

I have the good fortune to be selected as one of the Field
Testers for the new KX1 portable transceiver, and thought
the group would be interested in my (personal) opinions....
Please bear in mind that this was a Field Test unit and some
things may change before it gets to you!!

I will not give the specs here, because you can get  all the
details at:-
http://www.wlwcraft.com/KX1/KX1.htm

In usual great Elecraft style, the kit comes immaculately
packed.. resistors in one bag, caps, in another, etc.. First
thing I did was to unwrap the case and check it over...
Then I did the recommended Inventory check, which  helped me
get over my usual "component shock" or my usual feeling of
"How am I going to put all that in there??".

BTW - Let me state, up front, that I have wear trifocals and
my hands tremble a bit.!! So if I can do it, so can you  <g>

The component density is a bit more than the K1 or K2 but
not *too* dense and the three (only 3) Surface Mount Devices
were pre-mounted.  I used .025" solder and a fine tipped
temperature controlled Iron (Weller WES50) and only had to
switch to a thicker tip to mount the (sturdy) BNC antenna
connector.

I pre-sorted the components. Some I put into groups. The
semiconductors and capacitors I put into 'coin' envelopes,
with the component name and number written on the outside.
This paid off in the later stages..

The only tools I needed were the ubiquitous soldering
Iron, flush cutters, fine nose pliers,small screw driver, a
DVM and a small ruler with mm and 1/16th inch gradations.

The component assembly order seemed random at first but, it
made a lot more sense as I progressed through the build.

I took my time during the build, checked every components'
value as I put it in and checked my soldering after it was
in. Progress was slow but sure.

Guess what Folks!!  Only four (count 'em --4!!) toroids to
wind... it wouldn't be an Elecraft if it didn't have toroids
<G>

The KX1 has three main checking points;
The first is after the control section is built, I got the
"Warm Fuzzies" when the 3 character LED lit up and displayed
the expected values. This was very encouraging.
The next two check points are after the receive section is
built and finally when all is complete.

Alignment consisted of setting three trimmer capacitors and
setting one trimmer resistor -- that's all!!

What's it like "On the Air"...  I've only had it a short
while, but..
The receiver is *HOT*... on a par with the K2....  I could
choose between CW, USB and LSB on both bands - but it only
transmits on CW. And it's been designed that, if you have
the SSB signal tuned in, and transmit on CW, the other guy
hears you at whatever you've set your CW pitch to be. This
means that cross mode contacts are a 'breeze' - no more
wondering how much off-set to dial in.
The variable crystal filter is a bonus -- especially last
night with the California QSO Party crowding the bands..

I tried it on a 14V supply and on Alkaline batteries,
Receive current was as specified at 32 mA.
Power out on 14.0 V was 4 - 4.5 W into a 50 Ohm dummy load,
and on 9.0V was 1.8 - 2.2 into a 50 Ohm dummy load.

Oh! I nearly forgot. Last night I lay in bed listening to
the BBC, Radio Hilversum and  Radio Japan on 20 ft of wire
tacked to the ceiling!!
Yes! It also covers the 49, 41, 31, 25,21 and 19M Bands!!!
Receiving AM on *selectable* sidebands meant I had an
alternative if there was interference.

All this and it fits in your Jacket pocket, With a pair of
earbuds and about 25 ft of wire, I have a *completely*
transportable transceiver in my pocket

For the sight impaired - there is an option to give out data
in CW to signal each and every button push there is !!!
Haven't tried that yet,

Am I Happy.... You Betcha!!

Try it --- You'll like it!!  <G>


--
73 de Dave, KK7SS
"REAL Hams wind Toroids"
K2 #3597
KX1 #13
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