[Elecraft] why I already love the KX1

[Andrew Moore]

There are plenty comments about how we love the new KX1, but I'm interested 
to hear *why*.  Here's my own version.

I'm a big fan of simplicity, almost to the point of minimalism, but I like 
simple products to be logical and well thought out, well engineered, and 
well built.  Elecraft has done an excellent job meeting these 
specifications with the K1 and K2.  I guess that no matter how great a 
product we think we have, we're always asking for incrementally better -- 
minor tweaks and improvements to meet our specific needs.

I operate, almost exclusively, a 20 kHz segment of 40 meter CW near the 
lower end, and I occasionally venture to 30 meters and 80 meters, but 
rarely.  I operate mostly from two locations: the desk in my home office 
during the evenings, and receive-only (for the most part) in the car while 
driving around.  So I wanted a rig -- only one -- that I could easily 
transport from the car to the house.  I also wanted battery operation, 
mostly so I could eliminate an external supply, and so I wouldn't have to 
couple a transceiver to the noisy alternator in the car.  I wanted a 
built-in keyer so I could eliminate an external box and wiring -- up to 50 
WPM internally, and 70 externally -- well that does the trick!  I will 
fully utilize 70 WPM, even at QRP.  And the KX1's tiny paddles allow me to 
leave my other paddles on the desk -- again, less to carry back and 
forth.  CW audio announcements and lighted frequency display make for easy 
operation while driving -- something that wasn't so easy on the K1, despite 
that rig's very simple controls.  Top-mounted controls/display again are 
well suited to mobile operating.  After using the K1 and K2, I much 
preferred the K2's rotary encoder and variable tuning rates -- this makes a 
huge difference in the "feel" of tuning.

Wants: ability to build an external amp (maybe to 15-20 watts) for the 
desk-bound operation, and a noise blanker if it doesn't already have 
one.  That'd make a huge difference (make or break) for mobile op.  This 
could easily be my ideal rig.  I've already placed my order.

Eric and Wayne -- thank you and congratulations on a third terrific 
transceiver.  This is a wake-up call to other manufacturers.  A real David 
and Goliath story!

--Andrew, NV1B