[Elecraft] Re: K1 RIT Tuning ?

[Lee Bahr]

I just ordered a K1 kit which should arrive this Friday.  I've been looking
at the mods which are posted on line and comparing them to the version F
manual which is on line.  I think I have marked the manual up in order to
logically build the radio.  (I have both the 4 band and 2 band modules to
construct).

My question is:  If I use the 150 Khz main tuning option, what will be my
RIT tuning +/- (approx) if I use the kit's 39 pf C7 cap?  I'd like 1.5 khz
and not 4 Khz as some have posted in the past you will get with the standard
cap.  Has Elecraft done anything to RIT or is it still 4 Khz +/-  out of the
box?  (I'm not sure if C2 or C2A makes a difference in RIT tuning rate).  I
see one post says change C7 from 39 pf to 15 pf  to reduce RIT from 4 Khz
+/- to 1.3 Khz +/- .  Then I see all kinds of fast/slow Khz changes per
degree rotation using different diodes/resistors  schemes etc.  I'd
appreciate anyone's comments on this.  I think I could be happy with a 1 1/2
Khz +/- RIT.  (I plan to build it up with 150 Khz main tuning frequency
coverage if this matters).

I'm also going to rig up 4 Ultra Brite Green LEDs for some display lighting.
I purchased a magnetic N.O. burglar alarm switch (3/8" round  x 1 1/4 long)
to turn the display lighting ON and OFF.  The switch is normally open but
when you put steel near it, the switch closes.  I am going to mount this in
the top left front corner of the radio so when you place a small steel
washer on top of the aluminum cover in this area, the switch will close and
the LEDs will come on.  I tried all this this morning using a scrap of
aluminum, my switch, and a steel washer hooked to a Analog Ohm Meter.  I put
the switch on one side of the aluminum plate and the switch was open.  When
I put the steel washer on the other side of the aluminum plate, close to the
switch, the switch closed!  THIS WILL WORK !!!  As a side benefit, the
slight magnetic field from the switch kind of holds the washer from moving
once placed in position.  (I know, don't put a magnetic field near the VFO
inductor.  The magnet in the switch is not too strong).

Thanks.

Lee, w0vt
Houston