[Elecraft] K1 enthusiast wonders ??

[Michael Babineau]

Mike Morrow <kk5f at earthlink.net>

 >I had the KBT1 installed for 18 months before permanently removing it. 
  I like the larger original speaker much better than the >micro speaker 
of the KBT1, and I don't like having potential chemical leakage sources 
inside the K1 case.  It's also awkward to >recharge the KBT1 pack.

Mike :

I also have a K1 and the KBT1 is the only option I don't have. I did 
purchase it and build it but didn't
install it for basically the same reasons that you removed yours. I 
ended up selling it eventually.

Based on my experiences with the KX1 and Lithium AA cells, I think if I 
was to consider the KBT1 option
again I would put non-rechargable Lithium cells in the K1 and run the 
Rig at 3W.  Current draw should
be similar to the KX1 so that would give about 20 or so hours of 
operating which is pretty good.
The problem with the KBT1 and rechargables is that NIMH cells don't 
hold a full charge very long
so one has to open the rig up remove, recharge and reinstall the 
batteries prior to each outing which
isn't too convenient.

With my KX1 I most often power it externally with a 10 AA Nimh pack but 
it is nice to have the internal
cells at times and with Lithium cells the shelf life of the batteries 
is very long ... very handy if you
forget to bring the external NiMH pack along, which I have done on 
occasion.

Michael VE3WMB

P.S. I love my KX1 but my K1 stills gets used. I decided to go with the 
K1 for Field Day mainly because of the
extra output power and slightly more robust receiver and I wasn't 
disappointed with how it performed.
If I could only have one QRP CW rig for home and field use it would be 
a K1.