[Elecraft] KX1 news

[Wayne Burdick]

We now have a second KX1 up and running, this one built from the production PC
boards. Ron D'Eau Claire (AC7AC) built this unit as he was writing the assembly
part of the KX1 manual. According to Ron, it worked perfectly the first time.

With this completed, we're ready to start field test, which will run for about 2
weeks, starting late next week. We have about 10 field testers (sorry, no more
field-test slots), who will help us find any manual errors, firmware issues, etc.

Late last night I made the first 30-m QSO on a KX1, using the prototype KXB30
module. I was using the KX1's internal ATU and a 50' random wire (the KXAT1
tunes up the random wire in under 2 seconds on all three bands). With a 14-V
supply, the KX1 was putting out nearly 5 watts on 30 m.

Finally, I made a last-minute change to the KXPD1 plug-in keyer paddle to
improve field reliability. Those of you who saw the KX1 at Hamcon or at Field
Day probably noticed that the paddle is secured using a thumb screw. I nearly
lost this item on a few occasions, so I've re-designed it as a custom "captive"
thumb screw. It can now be threaded into the KXPD1 bracket so it can't be lost.
The machined aluminum bracket was redesigned at the same time to accommodate the
new thumb screw.

73,
Wayne
N6KR


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