[Elecraft] K1 kit suggestions?

[Mike Morrow]

Jim wrote:

> Can any of you that have or are building the K1 give me a heads
> up on any things to be aware of as this is my first time building
> a Elecraft kit?

(1) Priority Number One - If you have not purchased the LCD backlight kit,
**do so as soon as possible** and skip the building of the front panel until
it arrives!  I've owned a K1 (S/N 175) for almost 13 years and the most
important and useful addition (after the four-band filter board) was
the LCD backlight.  It is extremely easy to install as part of the front
panel board construction, but a *real* aggravating pain in the behind to
do so after the front panel board has been completed.  The LCD backlight
is important...to the point the Elecraft should not be selling a K1
without the LCD back light, IMHO.

(2) When you are told to install RF board C22, install it with tack
solder joints below the RF board without putting leads through PCB holes.
That will make it much easier to remove if/when the PCB connector that
comes with the KNB1 noise blanker option is to be installed.

(3) RF board C31 is a 2.2 uF AVC delay capacitor.  Almost everyone who
has built a K1 finds this value causes an AVC delay that is much much
too long...a characteristic that is never desirable for CW operation.
So tack solder C31 in below the RF PCB when the manual calls for that,
without putting leads through PCB holes.  That will make it much easier to
remove and replace with a 1 uF (or less) capacitor later, after you see
how much undesirable delay the stock capacitor causes.

(4) Triple check in every detail the marking of each semiconductor that
you are about to install.  The device to be installed must be **exactly**
the device called for in the manual...not something that just "seems close".
Every year someone installs a transistor that he thinks is "close enough"
(!!!) and winds up with an inoperative radio.  Amazing, but true!

That's about all I can think of right now for the basic K1.  

Great rig!  Great choice!  Welcome to Elecraft.  Post questions here anytime
as often as needed and someone will respond.

73,
Mike / KK5F