[Elecraft] K1 - Which Bands or KX1 That's the question

[Joseph M. Durnal]

I chose the K1 because I thought it would make a better every day rig
than the KX1 and I wanted a rig that I would use regularly and not
something that I would build, test and put in a box.  There was
something about the form factor that I liked, and when I read the
manuals, I thought the approach to building the K1 was better for a
first time builder like me.

I went with the 2 band model and chose 40 & 15 meters.  I figured
those two bands would be fine at either end of the sun spot cycle for
both US and DX contacts and it makes the portable antenna selection
pretty easy as a 40 meter dipole will work for both.

I also liked the antenna tuner option in the K1, there may be times
where I can't get a good dipole in the air and the K1 tuner is great.
A local ham made a contact with a K1 on 40 meters while tuning up the
lead of his DMM.  I don't have the tuner yet, it is something I plan
to add, but it might be a while since I just ordered a K3 :).

73 de Joseph Durnal NE3R



On Feb 19, 2008 9:52 AM, Curron HILL <kb3drw at msn.com> wrote:
> I am pondering buying or building a K1 or KX1 again.
>
> I am aware of the major differenece, There are a few things that lead me to
> the K1:
>  Better filters,   better autotuner and a few more watts out
> The two things that lead me to the KX1 are:  SWL and 80 40 30 20 meters all
> in one small radio, if the K1 could do those two things it would  be
> perfect.
>
> A couple questions for the group,
> 1.  How easy is it to switch band modules on the K1.  Say I build a 80 17
> module and a 40 30 20 15.  How easy is it to change between those out in the
> field?  It it a 5 minute no alignement job, or a 45 tweek a little exchange?
>
> 2.  If you were building the K1, which bands would you select if you could
> only have one board
> - The 80 and X band - What band would X be?
> - 40 30 20  would you select 15 or 17 and why
> - how important is 80 meters today?
>
> 3. For those who own or have owned both, could you make the same contacts
> with the KX1 as the K1?  How much does difference does the 3 watts extra
> output in the K1 really make?
>
> I love camping, and hiking, but I also will have the radio sitting by my
> easy chair at home tied to the outside dipole.  The size of the K1 does not
> bother me for hiking.  I can carry that and my paddles in a case.  I would
> mostly use it at a picnic table anyway.  So can the KX1 do it all for me, or
> will I rather have the K1.
>
> Thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge,
> 73 de KB3DRW
>
>
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