FWIW, my first transmitter was strictly CW, and I think I am the better for
it. It did run about 50 watts, but it was strictly for 80 meters, so a
little more power there isn't a bad thing. It was totally homebrew too.
Since then I've used pure QRP a great deal, and it works very well,
particularly on CW. You will soon get the urge for SSB, and for more power.
But I credit that first transmitter, and those initial days on CW, for
making me a 95% CW op. The K1 is a great starter rig, and you can even
goose it with a small amp later. The SSB urge may eventually lead you to
another rig, but don't get rid of the K1! My guess is you will find plenty
of opportunities to drag it out and have some fun. Do get the 4 band
version!
Dave W7AQK
----- Original Message -----
From: "Detrick Merz" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, May 24, 2008 6:04 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft K1 as my first HF rig??
Date: Fri, 23 May 2008 14:33:25 -0700 (PDT)
From: Jeremy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: [Elecraft] Elecraft K1 as my first HF rig??
To: [email protected]
Hi all-
Hi!
<snip>
Is building a K1 and not being able to use SSB a disadvantage for a new
ham - thoughts? Is only having 5 watts going to be overly frustrating
(for being able to make contacts)? I do know that a good antenna is
pretty important - I was going to do an end-fed or center-fed dipole.
I got a K1 as my first ever rig about a year and a half ago. Maybe
it's because I'm ignorant about what I'm "missing," but I feel
completely fulfilled by it. Being new to CW *and* HAM radio, I found
QRP somewhat comforting too. Feeling that my signal "couldn't make it
very far," I had a little tiny bit less apprehension about making
those first contacts. If I messed up, at least *everyone* couldn't
hear me. Turns out at the end of the day, the thing puts out enough
signal that rag chews with ops 1000 miles away are common. It's quite
satisfying to get those 599 or 589 reports back, then then "OMG you've
got a K1, that thing sounds FANTASTIC I can't believe how strong you
sound for only 5W!" Suddenly you know that the RST was in earnest.
I'm not a contester, only the occasional chatter, but it satisfies my
desires very well.
CW signal is a lot easier to pick out of the mud than SSB (so I hear),
and CW ops tend to be willing to dig their ears deeper into the mud
(so I hear), so I can't imagine 5W CW to be nearly as much of a
"disadvantage" as 5W SSB. CW ops tend to be very friendly (or perhaps
you can't tell quite as well as you miss some of the inflection that
voice gets you), and plenty willing to slow down/repeat while you're
learning code.
Oh, and you can pack it in your suitcase with a spool of wire and some
AA's when you go on vacation too.
Oh, and you can run it off an old "bad" motorcycle or car battery for
AGES between charges (or charge it with a solar panel, or hand crank
generator, or bicycle generator, or...).
Oh, and it's relatively cheap, given the cost of so many rigs these days.
If you get it, consider a CW club/group to join. Some are even free.
They've all got CW elmer programs, and you should be able to get
someone on a schedule with you to practice your code, if you'd like.
-detrick
KI4STU
<snip>
thanks,
Jeremy
KC2TIX
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