Jeremy,
I didn't address your budget very effectively. The 4 band K1 may be a bit
outside your limit, but I still think it's a great first rig.
I haven't used one, but the new PFR3 rig from QRP kits (www.qrpkits.com) may
be a good option. It's 3 bands, 5 watts, has a built in keyer, and comes
with a tuner--all for about $200. The designer, KD1JV, is reknowned for
coming up with good radio designs. I don't think it's a particularly hard
build either. I saw the rig at Ozarkcon and at Dayton. It comes in a goofy
(to me) color-yellow! But hey, it's what's inside that counts. You can
download the manual on that website and take a look at how it goes together
and operates. See what you think.
Dave W7AQK
----- Original Message -----
From: "Peter Wollan" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[email protected]>
Cc: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Saturday, May 24, 2008 6:31 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] Re: Elecraft K1 as my first HF rig??
Jeremy,
I built a K1 as my first HF rig, and thoroughly enjoyed it. It's
limited, but within its limitations it's very good indeed. Since your
budget is $300, I'd recommend the two-band board on 20m and 40m, and the
150K tuning range. There's CW activity well beyond 80, and you can also
listen to some LSB on 40m and digital on every band, even if you can't
reply to those. The autotuner gives a lot of freedom, and lets you
operate with a much wider range of antennas.
Still, the K1 will be absorbing all of your budget. Another rig to
consider is a $120 40m-only kit by Hendricks kits <www.qrpkits.com>, the
MMR-40, which does both CW and SSB. I don't know much about it, and it's
certainly less polished than the K1, but as a starter it might let you do
more, particularly if you add a T1 tuner to it. 40m has enough going on
to keep you active -- and learning -- for a long time.
I finally got a K2 a year ago, and it opens up new worlds. And VHF is
yet another new world. Unfortunately, I think there's no cheap way to
"do" radio. It's an expensive sport, but less expensive than golf, or
scuba, or flying airplanes.
Peter N8MHD
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