[Elecraft] RE: K1 on 12/10 Meters

[Mike Fitzgibbon]

Even if you do put the K1 on 12 or 10 meters the lack of conversion gain 
of the front end ('612 mixer) at those frequencies will make it a bit 
hard of hearing...probably around -115 dBm or so.   I know this from 
building several '612-based rigs for 10 meters.

My suggestion...homebrew a Sierra circuit using an RF amp in the front 
end(J310 works well).   I have also built a rig loosely based on the SST 
for 10 and one with a heterodyne VFO based on the NORCAL 40 for 10 M 
also.  There may be(?) certain trade-offs using an amp in the front end 
running an active mixer but if you can't hear them...

If anyone wants assistance in building such a radio I am cerainly 
willing to lend a hand.

If you have or can get some old K2 IF crystals(the ones that were 
replaced in the "B" upgrade to the higher-Q crystals back a'ways)... 
they still make pretty good filters for a Sierra or NORCAL 40, or 
whatever you can come up with...and you don't have to match/buy new 
ones, although doing that is not a big deal either... if you have a 
freq. counter and scope.

Ten meters is my favorite HF band...isn't it yours?

     Mike Fitz  N0MF