[Elecraft] Re: KX-1 and 15M

[Mike Fitzgibbon]

With Elecraft now doing SMD I think it will be virtually impossible for 
Wayne et al not to design and build a small pocket-sized radio using 
surface-mount devices.   Maybe a partial kit with factory-built circuits 
for the amps and oscillators, but user-built frequency-specific boards 
like the Sierra kit.  Maybe handi-talkie sized and with user-selectable 
band boards....Maybe with the capacity to hold two, three, five or so 
band-specific boards...  or just one board that can be built with tiny 
toroids(gotta give the toroids haters something to whine about...) and 
set up for just a few bands.

Like I said...I think it will happen, after a time... and the other 
products now in the works are out of the way...I don't think they can 
resist.  After all, small radios and portable operation is a large part 
of the foundation of qrp operations.  Although I have a KX1,  I would be 
interested in a smaller more robust(enclosure) radio that could be 
slipped in the pocket and if my fat ass falls down hiking in the hills 
with it in said pocket...there is still some slim chance of it's 
survival...crush tested to 250 lbs!

Would like to see something other than an active-mixer design, although 
I know current considerations may get in the way of that, although new 
mixers are being developed all the time and will continue to be.  Also, 
modern battery technology has progressed to the point that running 
post-mixer amps and other current-hungry circuitry may be possible now 
or fairly soon with a small package.

This is something I have been thinking about for some time...  Over the 
winter I and another gentleman are planning on attempting to build some 
small 17 M SSB rigs...don't know how far that will get but with me and 
ham radio... it is the journey and not the destination...I like to 
tinker...

       Mike Fitz  N0MF