[Elecraft] Future KX1 owner

[Don Wilhelm]

Mike,

Unless you are an expert builder, capable of combining the instruction 
steps in both manuals, and expert at troubleshooting in case something 
goes wrong, do not try to incorporate the KXB3080 in the initial build.  
You lose the ability to do testing mid-way through the build and the 
KXB3080 board covers up a fair amount of the component side of the board 
which makes signal tracing much more difficult for someone not 
intimately familiar with the KX1.

HOWEVER - there are pieces of the KXB3080 that can be installed during 
the initial build so you do not have to remove any more than 2 toroids.  
At one time, I created a "cheat-sheet" telling a couple of builders how 
to do it - I can try to find that email if you would like to try.  I 
would only recommend doing that to an expert and confident builder.  
OTOH, an expert and confident builder would have no problem removing 
components from the PC board without damaging the board or burning the 
relay cases either.

The KXB3080 is difficult to install because of the small space available 
in the KX1, and the instructions must be followed exactly, particularly 
the LPF board - if not done exactly like the instructions, it will 
interfere with the tuner.

73,
Don W3FPR

Mike M wrote:
> I am hoping to join the ranks of KX-1 builders/owners next month - I
> convinced my wife that the KX-1 would be a nice birthday present!
>
> I wrote to Elecraft and found out that all of the optional components
> can be added later (future birthday presents) but I read a blog that
> discussed the pain of installing the 80/30m kit after the radio was
> built.  The author suggested it would be easier to install it during
> the initial build.  Any thoughts about this?
>
>
>