[Elecraft] KX1 with or without the 3080?

[Don Wilhelm]

Ron,

While the KXB3080 *can* be installed during the initial build of the 
KX1, I would discourage it for all those who have not built one or two 
KX1s previously.
The KX1 requires careful workmanship by itself, and the KXB3080 
(particularly the Low Pass Filter) requires even more careful workmanship.

There is a way to go 'part of the way' with the task which will reduce 
the number of components to be removed to the two LPF toroids.  To go 
that route, build everything through page 42 of the manual *except* 1) 
mount L6 on the bottom of the board and 2) Do not install C26, C1, L7 
and C27.
*then* 3) Follow all the Part I instructions in the KXB3080 manual 
(through page 7) - you will not have to desolder anything, but do not 
forget to cut the trace on the PC board.  Go on to Alignment and Test 
Part II in the KX1 manual.

When you have finished testing the receiver (Alignment and Test - Part 
II) on 20 and 40 meters, go on to complete the rest of the instructions 
in the KX1 manual and complete the transmitter tests on 20 and 40 meters.
After that, build the KXAT1 if you have also ordered that and complete 
its test - the 8030 low pass filter board must fit in the space below 
the tuner, so you should complete the tuner to determine if the KXB3080 
LPF board will fit OK.
Then finally, open the KXB3080 instructions again to page 8 and proceed 
from there to completion.

If you proceed as I describe above, you will have retained the ability 
to test as you go along and have only the 2 toroids to desolder - the 
toroids are easy to remove compared to the rest.

73,
Don W3FPR

giu at sbcglobal.net wrote:
> I have an unbuilt KX1, with the 3080 kit. Should I try to build it all 
> at once, or is it better to unsolder things and add the 3080 after the 
> KX1 is running OK? I would have hoped for a manual describing the 
> build INCLUDING the 3080.  Is there one around?
> Ron KB6GK
>