[Elecraft] K1-4 4 band version gone?

Wayne Burdick n6kr at elecraft.com
Thu Jul 17 14:43:10 EDT 2014


Hi Bruce,

The 4-band module requires extremely low-temperature-coefficient trimmer capacitors because of its narrow-band pre-mix and RF band-pass filters. The last source for these exotic trimmers dried up recently. A redesign using higher-TC trimmers might be possible, but the filters would end up being triple-tuned, which would force the use of SMD components throughout, and tuning the filters would then be very difficult without a spectrum analyzer. 

Sales volume for the K1 has decreased in recent years due to the KX1 (which is smaller and has a DDS VFO), and the KX3 (which covers all bands, all modes, with up to 12 W output and has a much more capable auto tuner, nicer user interface, etc.). So the cost of a redesign wouldn't be recovered.

That said, for the time being we're continuing to offer the two-band version and the other options (KAT1 ATU, KBT1 battery pack, etc.). The K1 is one of our "full" kits, and has a bit of a fan club of its own.

We'll update the website to reflect the change in option availability.

73,
Wayne
N6KR


On Jul 17, 2014, at 4:13 AM, "Bruce Beford" <beford at myfairpoint.net> wrote:

> All this talk about the K1 backlight led me to look back at the K1 order
> page. There is no option for a 4-band version, nor for the KFL1-4 4-band
> filter module itself. Is this an oversight, or has the 4-band board been
> discontinued? If so, when and why? Also if so, then the K1 description page
> should be edited to remove reference to the "new" 4 band board... or at
> least explain that it is no longer available.
> 
> Bruce
> N1RX





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