Re: [Elecraft] K1 or KX1? Looking mainly at receiver
Mike Morrow wrote: ... the KX1 wins handsdown for backpacking... Strange! Before the KX1 came out, the K1 was generally acknowledged as the best multi-band backpacking rig available. It is no less suitable for that task today. When you go out and spend $200.00 on a 1 person tent that is 1lb lighter than your previous tent, and another $180 on a sleeping bag that is 1/2lb lighter, and continue to do so so your pack drops from 35lbs to 30lbs the KX1 is now a much better backpacking rig. Not only is the radio a little more than 1/2lb lighter, the batteries to power it for the same timeframe are lighter as well. Now, if your saying the KX1 will not work, then it's just dead weight when packed and that would be a different story. If one is happy with the limited number of bands covered by the KX1, and recognizes that there is absolutely **no** physical way that KX1 receiver RF performance can match that of a properly constructed K1 in any area other than VFO stability, and that the ATU in the KX1 can't come close to the matching range of the K1's KAT1, then the KX1 is a great choice. On the other hand, if RF performance *on the ham CW bands* is important, the K1 stands as the best of the two. When I'm out in the boonies, I want the best possible RF performance on the ham CW bands that I can get in a small package. The K1 hasn't been shaken from that position. I don't care that I can't use it for shortwave broadcasts or to copy the ham phone bands. I've got a Sony portable that'll do that quite adequately, with essential AM/FM coverage to boot. So whether the KX1 "wins handsdown" depends on the criteria applied. It doesn't "win" for me, handsdown or otherwise. For real backpacking it seems worth the comprimise. Jeremy KB8LFA ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K1 or KX1? Looking mainly at receiver
> Strange! Before the KX1 came out, the K1 was generally acknowledged as > the best multi-band backpacking rig available. It is no less suitable for > that > task today. There's nothing strange about a product evolving to improve in some ways while the old one remains suitable to task. Those two facts can co-exist quite happily. Understanding your needs and the tradeoffs between the rigs is the key. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K1 or KX1? Looking mainly at receiver
It was reported: > ... the KX1 wins handsdown for backpacking... Strange! Before the KX1 came out, the K1 was generally acknowledged as the best multi-band backpacking rig available. It is no less suitable for that task today. If one is happy with the limited number of bands covered by the KX1, and recognizes that there is absolutely **no** physical way that KX1 receiver RF performance can match that of a properly constructed K1 in any area other than VFO stability, and that the ATU in the KX1 can't come close to the matching range of the K1's KAT1, then the KX1 is a great choice. On the other hand, if RF performance *on the ham CW bands* is important, the K1 stands as the best of the two. When I'm out in the boonies, I want the best possible RF performance on the ham CW bands that I can get in a small package. The K1 hasn't been shaken from that position. I don't care that I can't use it for shortwave broadcasts or to copy the ham phone bands. I've got a Sony portable that'll do that quite adequately, with essential AM/FM coverage to boot. So whether the KX1 "wins handsdown" depends on the criteria applied. It doesn't "win" for me, handsdown or otherwise. 73, Mike / KK5F ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K1 or KX1? Looking mainly at receiver
Thanks to so all those (many, many) who have responded. Got a lot of positive feedback on both. I purchased a KX1 today. Thanks! Jeremy KB8LFA ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K1 or KX1? Looking mainly at receiver
I've owned both a K1 and KX1 and I find the receiver performance to be about the same. For backpacking, the KX1 wins hands down. 72, Bruce N7CEE ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] K1 or KX1? Looking mainly at receiver
I got a K1 instead of a KX1 mainly because most of my field trips are day packing or car camping, not backpacking. The K1 is an exceptional performer, but I if my interests were in a backpacking rig, I would have gone with the KX1. I haven't been backpacking in a long time, but, from experience, at the end of the day, radio wasn't usually uppermost on my mind. Between all the "chores" necessary when making camp and spending some time with hiking friends or star gazing, you may find you will do a lot less radio than you had planned to do. The K1 with accessories is a lot of stuff to drag around if you don't use it much. The KX1 will be less of a burden. I think a realistic assessment of your needs will point to the right choice for you. The K1 and KX1 overlap in a lot of areas, but they really do serve different purposes. Eric KE6US www.ke6us.com -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, August 01, 2005 9:59 AM To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K1 or KX1? Looking mainly at receiver "(3-5 day backpacking trips)" If it were me, I'd take the KX1. Smaller, lighter, perfect for a 3-5 day backpack trip. But then, that's just my .02c Matt - K7OE On Mon, 01 Aug 2005 10:13:13 -0400 Jeremy Cowgar <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I am looking for a backpack rig (3-5 day backpacking trips). I know >the KX1 is more portable but I am wondering specifically about the >receiver performance between the two. Also in regards to the K2. I know >the K2 is a better reciever but I'm coming from one disappointment. I >purchased another rig that I was going to use as my backpacking rig but >it's reciever is not that great and nothing I do makes it better. I may >want the world, but I would like to have a decent receiver. On top of >that, as long as it transmits and is decent on batteries, the other >functionality is marginal on my list of priorities. > > Thanks for any comments, > > Jeremy > KB8LFA ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K1 or KX1? Looking mainly at receiver
Jeremy wrote: >I know the KX1 is more portable but I am wondering specifically >about the receiver performance between the two. If properly built, the K1 has a somewhat better receiver than the KX1 in most areas. The advantages of the K1 receiver over that of the KX1 are: (1) Bands of operation. The K1 offers 15m in addition to the bands on the KX1. This is important, even in waning solar cycles, because when it's open 15m is one of the finest of QRP bands. An additional two-band board will let you add 80m and 17m. The clocking limitations of the direct digital synthesis (DDS) chip in the KX1 prevent operation on bands much above 20m. (2) Receiver I.F. filtering. The K1 has a four-pole crystal filter. The KX1 has a three-pole filter. (3) More natural tuning. The K1 has an LC VFO which tunes as fast or as slow as you turn the dial. The KX1 has step-wise DDS tuning, with manually selectable tuning steps. Not as natural, IMHO. (4) Cleaner RF response since the K1 has an LC VFO for its local oscillator (LO). The KX1 uses a DDS (without PLL) for the LO. All DDS generation schemes (except DDS-locked PLL systems) have spurious outputs which adversely affect recever performance. (5) Good internal speaker on the K1. No speaker on the KX1. I don't like to be tied to the radio with a headset if I'm just casually listening to a QSO. (6) Front mounted controls. I hate top mounted controls, except as a concession to simplifying the design and reducing the cost of a rig. I do not consider them "trail friendly." In the transmitter arena, the K1 offers higher power output if needed, lower spurious output (that DDS thing again), and most importantly the K1 ATU (KAT1) is a considerably wider range tuner compared to that of the KX1. However, in real life, whether you will notice some of these K1 advantages is open to question. The KX1 is indeed a fine little rig. Some of the KX1 advantges over the K1 are: (1) DDS gives crystal-like temperature stability, far better than the K1 (though the K1 is much better in this area than I would have expected for its LC VFO). (2) The KX1 can tune a wide segment of the HF spectrum and can thus serve as a small shortwave receiver for other things besides ham radio (SW broadcast stations and utility stations, etc.). The K1 covers only only the CW segments of its ham bands. (3) The KX1 receiver can function in either LSB or USB mode. You can tune the phone portion of 40m and 20m with it. The K1 receiver can only function in LSB mode. (4) A host of nice bells and whistles, like lighted frequency display, and audio annunciation (can be operated blind). The K1 has neither. (5) Very small bulk and light weight, even compared to the K1 (unless you start making extras like an external speaker for your KX1). I chose the K1 five years ago, three years before the KX1 became available. I would still chose it today, but I can understand the popularity of the KX1 especially if 15m isn't required. You can hardly go wrong either way. 73, Mike / KK5F ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K1 or KX1? Looking mainly at receiver
On Mon, 01 Aug 2005 10:13:13 -0400 Jeremy Cowgar <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: I am looking for a backpack rig (3-5 day backpacking trips). I know the KX1 is more portable but I am wondering specifically about the receiver performance between the two. Also in regards to the K2. I know the K2 is a better reciever but I'm coming from one disappointment. I purchased another rig that I was going to use as my backpacking rig but it's reciever is not that great and nothing I do makes it better. I may want the world, but I would like to have a decent receiver. On top of that, as long as it transmits and is decent on batteries, the other functionality is marginal on my list of priorities. The KX1 is hard to beat for your need. The Rx is about as good as you're going to find in that size radio, it is light, and with the paddle and ATU, is really trail-ready. I've been powering mine with an 850 maH Li-polymer battery I got at the local RC Model shop that weighs an ounce to two. 12V for about 4W, and it easily lasts thru a Spartan Sprint. Actually, it lasted through a dozen or so QSO's while on a 15-day cruise through the Panama Canal this spring. My only complaint when using the KX1 in the S. Sprint is that at 1.5 hours, I kind of run out of people to work because everyone has gone to 80m. Fred K6DGW Auburn CA CM98lw ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K1 or KX1? Looking mainly at receiver
"(3-5 day backpacking trips)" If it were me, I'd take the KX1. Smaller, lighter, perfect for a 3-5 day backpack trip. But then, that's just my .02c Matt - K7OE On Mon, 01 Aug 2005 10:13:13 -0400 Jeremy Cowgar <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: I am looking for a backpack rig (3-5 day backpacking trips). I know the KX1 is more portable but I am wondering specifically about the receiver performance between the two. Also in regards to the K2. I know the K2 is a better reciever but I'm coming from one disappointment. I purchased another rig that I was going to use as my backpacking rig but it's reciever is not that great and nothing I do makes it better. I may want the world, but I would like to have a decent receiver. On top of that, as long as it transmits and is decent on batteries, the other functionality is marginal on my list of priorities. Thanks for any comments, Jeremy KB8LFA ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K1 or KX1? Looking mainly at receiver
David F. Reed wrote: Jeremy, I own a K2 and a KX1, and have some opinions; but I think there is no hard and fast answer. The K2 is superb; its receiver is about as good as my Icom IC-7800; no joke. Yes there are a few conditions in which I prefer the Icom, but to me, that is an amazing feat given the price difference. My only suggestion that might improve the K2 receiver performance factor for me would be improving the noise blanker & noise reduction DSP somewhat. When you say "as long as it can transmit" do you mean CW only? I assume so from your consideration of a KX1. I have not had my KX1 long enough or used it enough under varying circumstance, but it is more portable and has some nifty features, and is easier on the battery, and I do really like it. Perhaps you could share with us what rig you were disappointed by, and in what ways; since all solutions are compromises to some degree, it may help us better advise you. I don't want to since all the other people I've talked to seem to have a fine rig. I don't want to degrade it for something that may have been my mistake. I have run into a few other people that are having my same problem though. I really don't think it was my building of the rig that caused the problem because I am an experienced builder that was very carefull. I have built many kits (OHR-100A, 38 Special, Rock Mite, ZM-2, Ten Tec 30m, K2 (#600), KD1JV's Digial SWR/Power meter, etc...) all those are great rigs and work as expected. The rig I am comparing to is an IC-703 which has a pretty good reciever in it and I don't expect any of the rigs to compare to it, but I do expect them to at least hear that signals are present when on my 703 they are copyable w/little difficulty. Is my expectation too high? I no longer have my K2, I was dumb and sold it to get into satellite ops. Today I rarely do sats but have remained constant with QRP. Jeremy KB8LFA ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K1 or KX1? Looking mainly at receiver
Jeremy, I own a K2 and a KX1, and have some opinions; but I think there is no hard and fast answer. The K2 is superb; its receiver is about as good as my Icom IC-7800; no joke. Yes there are a few conditions in which I prefer the Icom, but to me, that is an amazing feat given the price difference. My only suggestion that might improve the K2 receiver performance factor for me would be improving the noise blanker & noise reduction DSP somewhat. When you say "as long as it can transmit" do you mean CW only? I assume so from your consideration of a KX1. I have not had my KX1 long enough or used it enough under varying circumstance, but it is more portable and has some nifty features, and is easier on the battery, and I do really like it. Perhaps you could share with us what rig you were disappointed by, and in what ways; since all solutions are compromises to some degree, it may help us better advise you. 73 de W5SV, Dave Jeremy Cowgar wrote: I am looking for a backpack rig (3-5 day backpacking trips). I know the KX1 is more portable but I am wondering specifically about the receiver performance between the two. Also in regards to the K2. I know the K2 is a better reciever but I'm coming from one disappointment. I purchased another rig that I was going to use as my backpacking rig but it's reciever is not that great and nothing I do makes it better. I may want the world, but I would like to have a decent receiver. On top of that, as long as it transmits and is decent on batteries, the other functionality is marginal on my list of priorities. Thanks for any comments, Jeremy KB8LFA -- David F. Reed - W5SV - cell: 512 585-1057 ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
