[Elecraft] Elecraft K1 as my first HF rig??

[David Yarnes]

FWIW, my first transmitter was strictly CW, and I think I am the better for 
it.  It did run about 50 watts, but it was strictly for 80 meters, so a 
little more power there isn't a bad thing.  It was totally homebrew too. 
Since then I've used pure QRP a great deal, and it works very well, 
particularly on CW.  You will soon get the urge for SSB, and for more power. 
But I credit that first transmitter, and those initial days on CW, for 
making me a 95% CW op.  The K1 is a great starter rig, and you can even 
goose it with a small amp later.  The SSB urge may eventually lead you to 
another rig, but don't get rid of the K1!  My guess is you will find plenty 
of opportunities to drag it out and have some fun.  Do get the 4 band 
version!

Dave W7AQK


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Detrick Merz" <detrick at merzhaus.org>
To: <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Saturday, May 24, 2008 6:04 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft K1 as my first HF rig??


>> Date: Fri, 23 May 2008 14:33:25 -0700 (PDT)
>> From: Jeremy <jeremymblock at yahoo.com>
>> Subject: [Elecraft] Elecraft K1 as my first HF rig??
>> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>>
>> Hi all-
>
> Hi!
>
> <snip>
>> Is building a K1 and not being able to use SSB a disadvantage for a new 
>> ham - thoughts?  Is only having 5 watts going to be overly frustrating 
>> (for being able to make contacts)?  I do know that a good antenna is 
>> pretty important - I was going to do an end-fed or center-fed dipole.
>
> I got a K1 as my first ever rig about a year and a half ago.  Maybe
> it's because I'm ignorant about what I'm "missing," but I feel
> completely fulfilled by it.  Being new to CW *and* HAM radio, I found
> QRP somewhat comforting too.  Feeling that my signal "couldn't make it
> very far," I had a little tiny bit less apprehension about making
> those first contacts.  If I messed up, at least *everyone* couldn't
> hear me.  Turns out at the end of the day, the thing puts out enough
> signal that rag chews with ops 1000 miles away are common.  It's quite
> satisfying to get those 599 or 589 reports back, then then "OMG you've
> got a K1, that thing sounds FANTASTIC I can't believe how strong you
> sound for only 5W!"  Suddenly you know that the RST was in earnest.
> I'm not a contester, only the occasional chatter, but it satisfies my
> desires very well.
>
> CW signal is a lot easier to pick out of the mud than SSB (so I hear),
> and CW ops tend to be willing to dig their ears deeper into the mud
> (so I hear), so I can't imagine 5W CW to be nearly as much of a
> "disadvantage" as 5W SSB.  CW ops tend to be very friendly (or perhaps
> you can't tell quite as well as you miss some of the inflection that
> voice gets you), and plenty willing to slow down/repeat while you're
> learning code.
>
> Oh, and you can pack it in your suitcase with a spool of wire and some
> AA's when you go on vacation too.
>
> Oh, and you can run it off an old "bad" motorcycle or car battery for
> AGES between charges (or charge it with a solar panel, or hand crank
> generator, or bicycle generator, or...).
>
> Oh, and it's relatively cheap, given the cost of so many rigs these days.
>
> If you get it, consider a CW club/group to join.  Some are even free.
> They've all got CW elmer programs, and you should be able to get
> someone on a schedule with you to practice your code, if you'd like.
>
> -detrick
> KI4STU
>
> <snip>
>>
>> thanks,
>> Jeremy
>> KC2TIX
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