[Elecraft] KXPD1 Experience

[tomcarolbrown]

Hi All,
Last Saturday I received my KXPD1 paddles in the mail and proceeded to =
assemble them. Very easy 20 or so minute job. I did experience one =
slight problem when attaching one of the paddle halves to the aluminum =
machined part. One of the 4-40 screws didn't grab the threads strong =
enough to compress the split lock washer thus stripping the top part of =
the threads. My solution was to leave the washers off inorder to have =
enough thread to hold that paddle half tightly. I wonder if a better =
design would be to use through screws with lock washers and nuts? That =
might save some cost for threading the machined aluminum block. The =
looks might suffer in that you'd see a nut instead of a screw top but =
maybe a painted nut or nut plate would solve that.

As for operational performance, I found my fist easily adapted to the =
different feel. My first QSO lasted nearly 45 minutes. The touch is =
pretty sensitive but I really like it. I didn't procure the paddle when =
I first ordered the KX1, thinking I would just use my normal shack =
paddle (Vibroplex). After my first trip and use of the KX1 from my kids =
home, I quickly realized carrying the big/heavy paddle and having the =
additional wires to hook it up were an aggravation. I'd strongly =
recommend anyone getting the KX1 with the thought to take it on trips, =
even if not backpacking, seriously consider the KXPD1. They're really =
cool.
73, Tom W0MFQ
KX1 # 307


--- StripMime Report -- processed MIME parts ---
multipart/alternative
  text/plain (text body -- kept)
  text/html
The reason this message is shown is because the post was in HTML
or had an attachment.  Attachments are not allowed.  To learn how
to post in Plain-Text go to: http://www.expita.com/nomime.html  ---