[Elecraft] K1 IF Amp Mod?

[Mike Morrow]

Curt wrote:

> I thought the K1 was the commercial version of the Sierra.

The...er...Sierra is the commercial version of the Sierra.  :-)
It's still sold by Wilderness Radio.

The Sierra is rather different from the K1.  Not least difference
being the four PIC controllers found in the K1/KFL1/KAT1/KNB1 combo,
and none in the Sierra.  It has always amazed me how non-existent
digital noise is in the K1.

There's an interesting article about the Sierra, with schematic showing
the IF stage design that is at the root of this thread, found here:

 http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Technology/tis/info/pdf/96hb1789.pdf

> Didn't the Sierra predate Elecraft?

Sierra = 1994, Elecraft = 1998, K1 = 2000

> BTW, the K1 is about the neatest QRP radio I own...

I agree.  It's sad to see its current reduced status in the Elecraft
catalog...but it *is* 14 years old.  Few other ham rigs besides
those from Elecraft survive for such long runs.

I'd give up almost every ham rig I've ever owned before I'd let my
K1 #175 get away.  I'm also pretty attached to three of Dave Benson's
DSW-series that I built.   Like the DSW's, when the K1 finally goes
away completely, many will count themselves lucky to own one,
especially if it has the four-band filter board.  At least the KX1
is still available for those who want a DDS QRP rig...but there's
nothing exactly comparable to the K1.

73,
Mike / KK5F