[Elecraft] RE: k1 battery option and mods

[Philippe]

Hello,

Backlight is really a good option.
After testing a Li-Po battery in my KX-1, I have installed one in my K1 
with a solid state resetting fuse (Li-Po battery can produce more than 
10 A! and burn your rig if no fuse installed). You must open the K1 box 
for battery charge, but with K1 battery option, you can do it without 
any tool in 3 sec.

I think battery option depend on what you want to do with your rig.
If you want to put your rig, your preferred key, your log, in a table, 
then take the time to install a good antenna, etc. external battery is 
OK, but if you want as me put your rig in a walking bag with a small key 
and few meters of wire to operate every time every where, internal 
battery + auto-tuner is the solution.
Example: you are walking with your family in a park and make a short 10 
minute pause. Get your rig from your bag, plug your key, put an 
extremity of the wire in a tree and the other side in the RF output.
Press the ON button, then the TUNE button.Listen, 'QRL?', GO!
Only 1 min. to setup and all the rest for traffic.

Have fun!


Philippe, F5IYJ.

P.S.: As usual, it's a good idea to remove battery from any device when 
you don't use them. As battery option comes with a new cover, you can 
use your k1 as now in the shack and with battery option for backpacking. 
You have just to plug the battery, the speaker and exchange the cover. 
It will take only few minutes.