[Elecraft] K1 or KX-1 ???

[Ray & Susan Albers]

Kevin writes,

    The KX1 has great reports: heck I give them all the time during ECN.  They 
work quite well in the hands of the best (Ray, K2HYD and Rick, KL7CW 
please take a bow).  Seems like they can beat their way through pileups to 
get my attention ;)  I never truly believe them when they tell me 3 watts 
but it must be true. 

Thanks for the compliment, Kevin - keep it up and I'll lobby for promoting you from 5th to at least 4th class!

First time I saw a KX-1 it was still an unbuilt kit, but looked so cool I couldn't resist. (BTW I won't mention names to proect the guilty but the ham who showed me the kit still hasn't finished building it!). And I do get great results with simple wires (definitely get the built in tuner!) and an honest 3W with an external gel-cell.

The K1 has more band capabilities (and maybe more power while running on internal batteries?) but is a little bigger with all accessories. But, how about this: when you're car-camping or on a motor trip to visit friends and relatives, take the shoes off your K2 and bring it along. And then get a KX-1 plus maybe a 2.3AH gel-cell (not very heavy) for the the hiking / backpacking trips. And THEN get a K-1 for backup!
73 Ray K2HYD