[Elecraft] Dare I say?

[Rick Hampton]

Hi, John.

You have some valid points, I guess, but they seem to be coming from someone who
bought a KX1 simply because it was an Elecraft kit.  There is certainly nothing wrong
with that, but I bought it because it replaced several larger boxes I had for my
portable QRP station and it does so with features I could only dream of in a much
larger and heavier system.  Finally, I can put my whole station in a small bag and
put it in my backpack, operating from nearly anywhere I want.  When the weather gets
a little warmer, I'll take it to work with me (my teenage kids have nicknamed it, "My
Precious!") and really start enjoying some of those lunchtime trips to Boston Common.

The KX1 is the first Elecraft rig I've purchased and built.  KX1 #358 breathed life a
few days ago with the 30 meter option going in last night and the ATU going in just a
few hours ago.  (The build time for me doesn't reflect the difficulty of the kit.  I
savor the build time as I get to do it so seldom.)  I hope to steal a few minutes
later tonight after the kids go to bed and finally get it on the air.

The fact that a few of the parts were mixed in with some of the others doesn't bother
me too much.  I'm used to kits where nothing is separated.  If Elecraft better
separates parts for the other rigs, great, but the parts count of the KX1 isn't all
that high to begin with.  They were easy to sort and nothing was damaged.

If you build the board for the 30 meter option and the ATU, you'll quickly understand
why the parts have to be installed with height in mind.  This compactness is EXACTLY
what I've been waiting for.  If I didn't mind case size, I would have bought a K1 or
a K2 a long time ago.  I was looking for something extremely portable, not
necessarily a QRP rig that was the easiest to build.  (If you think THIS kit doesn't
have enough room on the board, you should have tried one of the NorCal SMT-1 kits!)

As for construction techniques, Elecraft gives fair warning.  Though I didn't use a
Panavise, they strongly encourage the use of one as they state up front the board
will have to be turned over during construction.  That would also take care of some
of the awkward soldering angles, which I found awkward, but not impossible.  They
also made several other suggestions which I did take.  Many times the right tools
make a big difference between an easy or hard build, or sometimes, total failure.

As for a first kit for a new builder, you're probably right.  You've built a K1 and I
haven't, though it seems to me the K1 wouldn't that much easier to build.  I guess
"clunkyness" and beauty is, like antennas to non-hams, in the eye of the beholder.

Anyway, I hope you grow to better appreciate your rig as you use it.  I have to run.
First comes supper, then family time, and THEN KX1 time!

73,

Rick, WD8KEL

John Mori wrote:

> Hello to all:
>
> I am in the process of building the KX1. I have previously built a K1, a
> K2, and repaired and finished a K2 for an elderly friend. Dare I say that I
> am not as satisfied with this kit as with the others. Why?
>
> 1. I was not happy with the packaging. I really don't like the power
> transistor and other transistors thrown in the bag with the general
> hardware.  What happened to the careful packaging I remember? You have an
> envelope for the serial number sticker but none for the final transistor?
>
> 2. I find the construction "clunky".  I find that I am spending a lot of
> time worrying about the height of the components when it seems that a
> slightly larger case would have solved all the problems. I don't think a
> slightly taller case would have resulted in less sales.
>
> 3. The board needs to be flopped constantly to install the components. It
> is worse than a fish flopping on the bottom of a boat.
>
> 4. It is not a joy to have the board constantly pivoting on the encoder
> shaft.  Many of the solder joints are made at a 45 degree angle. Nothing
> wrong with it I guess, just "clunky".
>
> 5. Finally, I scratch my head at the sequencing of some of the parts in
> terms of room to move the solder iron around.
>
> I have read on this forum that some consider this a good kit for someone's
> first try at kit building. I would rather build a K1 than the KX1.
>
> I have worked one ham who had the KX1 and it did sound great. Maybe that is
> the final reward. However, sometimes small is not better, it is just
> smaller, and "clunkier".
>
> John
> N8TA