[Elecraft] K1-4 & KAT1

[We5f at aol.com]

Hello, Fellow Elecrafters:

I've completed and installed a KAT1 ATU in my K1-4, s/n 1453.  I'm surprised 
and pleased that in addition to effectively tuning the antenna & coax for 
lowest SWR, the ATU acts as a "preselector" and improves the gain of the receiver 
slightly.  All 4 band seem just a bit "brighter" after tuning with the KAT1.

I've read a discussion recently about moving a jumper on P3 on the RF board 
to activate the KAT1.  My instructions don't mention this.  I'm wondering if 
I'm missing something.  My RF board is Rev. E, and my KAT1 manual is Rev. C 
(Jan. 18, 2001).  I did leave one end of resistor R3 unsoldered, as instructed in 
the KAT1 manual.

I observed a few minor "discrepancies" in the KAT1 manual that are not 
covered in the errata.  For example, the manual says to install a 3-pin and a 10-pin 
female connector on the K1 filter board.  However, these parts were already 
installed when I built the K1.  Perhaps the extra connectors were supplied in 
case you had an additional (older?) filter board?  It would be helpful if the 
errata mentioned this.

Now I'm looking forward to my next Elecraft project - "booties" for my K1.  
I'd like to see an Elecraft KPA-1, an external amplifier for the K1, for fixed 
station use.  It would have at least 10 dB gain, with an in/out switch and a 
row of leds to indicate peak power.  I know this will be heresy to some 
Elecrafters, but the extra oomph would help working DX pileups!  Are you listening 
Wayne?

73, Jim K5HO