[Elecraft] KX1 KXB-3080

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

Nick, G7RZQ wrote:
You can tell why Elecraft prefer the "no wires" design approach, can't
you?    :-)

--------------------------

A "no wires" design is an easier-to-build design and has the fewest chances
of differences between units since pc-board traces place each conductor in
exactly the same position in every unit built, but it does limit the
flexibility of a circuit to change and be modified. 

Elecraft could have stopped to design a whole new pc-board for the KX1 to
come up with a 4-band unit, then sold a new kit that those wanting to add 30
or 80 meters would have to buy and build. The same was true of many mods to
the K2 over the years that have kept the oldest K2s working like the latest
units built by the addition of a few wires, jumpers and "daughter boards". 

In either case the owner wanting to get the latest features would have had
to buy a whole new rig or, at the very least, done a very expensive upgrade
that would have scrapped much of the old rig.

Adding a few wires led to a much quicker, lower cost and still very clean
design.

As the wise Sage observed, "...all things in moderation..." to which the Ham
adds, "...even wires."

Ron AC7AC