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

[David Yarnes]

Jeremy,

I didn't address your budget very effectively.  The 4 band K1 may be a bit 
outside your limit, but I still think it's a great first rig.

I haven't used one, but the new PFR3 rig from QRP kits (www.qrpkits.com) may 
be a good option.  It's 3 bands, 5 watts, has a built in keyer, and comes 
with a tuner--all for about $200.  The designer, KD1JV, is reknowned for 
coming up with good radio designs.  I don't think it's a particularly hard 
build either.  I saw the rig at Ozarkcon and at Dayton.  It comes in a goofy 
(to me) color-yellow!  But hey, it's what's inside that counts.  You can 
download the manual on that website and take a look at how it goes together 
and operates.  See what you think.

Dave W7AQK


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Peter Wollan" <wollan at mayo.edu>
To: <Elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Cc: <jeremymblock at yahoo.com>
Sent: Saturday, May 24, 2008 6:31 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] Re: Elecraft K1 as my first HF rig??


> Jeremy,
>
> I built a K1 as my first HF rig, and thoroughly enjoyed it.  It's 
> limited, but within its limitations it's very good indeed.  Since  your 
> budget is $300, I'd recommend the two-band board on 20m and 40m,  and the 
> 150K tuning range.  There's CW activity well beyond 80, and  you can also 
> listen to some LSB on 40m and digital on every band,  even if you can't 
> reply to those.  The autotuner gives a lot of  freedom, and lets you 
> operate with a much wider range of antennas.
>
> Still, the K1 will be absorbing all of your budget.  Another rig to 
> consider is a $120 40m-only kit by Hendricks kits <www.qrpkits.com>,  the 
> MMR-40, which does both CW and SSB.  I don't know much about it,  and it's 
> certainly less polished than the K1, but as a starter it  might let you do 
> more, particularly if you add a T1 tuner to it.  40m  has enough going on 
> to keep you active -- and learning -- for a long  time.
>
> I finally got a K2 a year ago, and it opens up new worlds.  And VHF  is 
> yet another new world.  Unfortunately, I think there's no cheap  way to 
> "do" radio.  It's an expensive sport, but less expensive than  golf, or 
> scuba, or flying airplanes.
>
> Peter N8MHD
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