[Elecraft] Elecraft KX1 - a builder's review (some impriovements in the manuals required)

[Johnny Siu]

Re-sent in a better text format:

I recently built a Elecraft KX1 for a local ham in VR2 who cannot DIY himself dueto some reasons.  This KX1 comes with the KXB3080 30/80 module and KXAT1 ATU module. I would like to share with you some of my experience and views during the construction process.

The construction of the basic KX1 was straight forward and required less skill than K2.  Although the manual of KX1 is well written, it does not clearly take into account the possibly of the future construction of KXB3080 and KXAT1.  This is the major deficiency of the manual and I would not expect that from Elecraft after constructing many K2s in the past.

The space tolerance with the installation of KXB3080 and KXAT1 is very tight especially near the low pass filters L1 & L2 area.  Therefore, the construction manual of KX1 should forth warn and draw the builder great attention: 
   
1.   - Page 32 of the KX1 manual, C46-C49, C54 should be soldered at the top (i.e.component) side with all the legs cut flush at the bottom side.  This will give more space for the future installation of LPF1 (tiny PCB) of KXB3080.
2.   - Don W3FPR had kindly sent me one page note of ‘building KXB3080 without unsoldering (almost)’ which was extremely useful.  This literature should be included in the KX1 manual. 

The tiny LPF1 pcb of KXB3080 is to be situated in the tight space formed between the C46-C49& C54 area of KX1 and R3-R4 & C10 area of KXAT1.  Therefore, Page 3 of KXAT1 manual, R3, R4& C10 should be soldered on the component side and cut flush on the other side. 

To summarize:  
1.   - Construction of KXB3080 especially the LPF1 low pass filter required a higher skill level similar to K2 and definitely nothing like beginner’s level;
2.   - Don W3FPR literature mentioned above should be included with the KX1 manual as a standard reference.
 
Finally, back to performance, KX1 is a real nice little QRP radio with good RX selectivity and sensitivity.  However, the radio is very expensive when you add up the KXB3080 and KXAT1.  Try to compare with K1, K2 and KX3 in terms of price Vs performance before making your purchase decision.

73,
Johnny VR2XMC