[Elecraft] K1: Advice on Options
I prefer the smaller tuning range, Dave. Makes for much easier tuning. FYI, the advertised tuning ranges are only approximations. Mine ended up at about 85 KHz, which is fine. The internal tuner would be convenient. I use the external T1 tuner instead, as it has the capability to match a wider range of loads. I use external AGM battery packs of various sizes, and am quite happy with this arrangement. In place of the power connector I brought out a short pigtail cable through a grommet and terminated with a PowerPole connector. This is a slick setup. One option you didn't mention that I really like is the stand. It's kind of heavy, but provides a very sturdy base with lots of adjustability for various operating positions both in the shack and in the field. 73 ... Craig AC0DS ___ 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] K1: Advice on Options
Hello, all, I'm about to order a K1, and thought I'd ask your opinions about various options and configuration choices. 1. I understand the tuning range can be set to either 75kHz or 150kHz. My inclination is to go with the 75kHz range, for the slower tuning rate. 2. Somewhat related to 1), will I be better off with a range of 7000-7075kHz or 7025-7100kHz, or possibly some other coverage. 3. What are your thoughts on the following options? In particular, are they effective, and are any of them much easier to install during initial assembly (as opposed to being retrofit)? A. KAT1 Antenna Tuner B. KNB1 Noise Blanker C. KBT1 Battery Holder Thanks and 73, Dave KQ3T ___ 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: Advice on Options
Dave: I have a K1 built it in 2003. Tuning range, I tried 150 KHz, too fast tuning. I played with it a bit and come up with about 80 KHz, seems very nice. Noise Blanker, I have it. Helpful only sometimes. Battery Holder, I did not get it. ATU, works very well. Fed the antenna with ladder line and the BL2. With a 88' dipole at 40'. I worked 48 states, 47 QSL. Got into ECN on both 40 and 20 almost every time I tried. Very pleased with the K1. Then moved and have to start all over again. I have the 4 band board. Built it for 40, 30, 20, 17M. Since then I have changed the 17M to 15M, heard VP6DX on 15. I am located in north GA. 73, Ty, K1 #1423, K3 #696 --- On Tue, 8/5/08, Dave KQ3T [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: From: Dave KQ3T [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [Elecraft] K1: Advice on Options To: Elecraft Reflector elecraft@mailman.qth.net Date: Tuesday, August 5, 2008, 12:06 PM Hello, all, I'm about to order a K1, and thought I'd ask your opinions about various options and configuration choices. 1. I understand the tuning range can be set to either 75kHz or 150kHz. My inclination is to go with the 75kHz range, for the slower tuning rate. 2. Somewhat related to 1), will I be better off with a range of 7000-7075kHz or 7025-7100kHz, or possibly some other coverage. 3. What are your thoughts on the following options? In particular, are they effective, and are any of them much easier to install during initial assembly (as opposed to being retrofit)? A. KAT1 Antenna Tuner B. KNB1 Noise Blanker C. KBT1 Battery Holder Thanks and 73, Dave KQ3T ___ 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: Advice on Options
I have the 150Khz range selected and I'm not sure which I prefer. You lose the ability to get to 10.0Mhz and I sometimes use that to check frequency or just to generally check the rig and stuff. The 150Khz does make the knob awfully touchy but I'm into fiddly knobs. I find that many of the older guys using the rig during this last field day were turned off by it and were upset that they couldn't adjust the tuning rate. They kept telling me there had to be a way to change the rate. I told them they were holding a POT and they finally got it... :) I personally find the tuner invaluable! But it's also quite the retrofit. Not a big deal at all. The noise blanker is just about the same. I think I had to remove a component to do the NB and the ATU was just pulling a wire out of a connector. I can't speak on the internal battery adapter but personally after looking at it and the fact that it puts in a smaller speaker and changes a bunch of stuff I think I'd prefer an external battery with a connector thrown on it to allow it to be plugged into the rear jack. Having to open the top just to get to the batteries would be a bit annoying. Although I end up having to take the thing apart anyway every time someone new operates it cause they wanna see it. This last field day was great. I went to setup the K1 on the bench for him to play with. The guy told me life was too short for QRP so I set the K3 to 5 watts when he wasn't looking. After he broke a few pileups I told him he's been running 5 watts for the last 4 or 5 hours. :) Have fun with the K1... Its been one of my favs! -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Dave KQ3T Sent: Tuesday, August 05, 2008 9:06 AM To: Elecraft Reflector Subject: [Elecraft] K1: Advice on Options Hello, all, I'm about to order a K1, and thought I'd ask your opinions about various options and configuration choices. 1. I understand the tuning range can be set to either 75kHz or 150kHz. My inclination is to go with the 75kHz range, for the slower tuning rate. 2. Somewhat related to 1), will I be better off with a range of 7000-7075kHz or 7025-7100kHz, or possibly some other coverage. 3. What are your thoughts on the following options? In particular, are they effective, and are any of them much easier to install during initial assembly (as opposed to being retrofit)? A. KAT1 Antenna Tuner B. KNB1 Noise Blanker C. KBT1 Battery Holder Thanks and 73, Dave KQ3T ___ 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: Advice on Options
Dave, A comment on your item #2 - while the VFO in the K1 can be modified to have the bands begin 25 kHz up from the lower band edge, if you do that for one band, then all bands will start up 25 kHz. That is a problem with 30 meters where the normal tuning range begins at 10,100 kHz, and most of the CW operation is between 10,100 and 10,125 kHz. If you move all bands up by 25 kHz, you will not have a usable CW tuning range on 30 meters. Alternately, one could leave the VFO frequency as specified in the manual and order custom crystals to place the start of the band 25 kHz up from normal, but that is an expensive undertaking. Note that the 4 band filter board must include 30 meters as one of its bands. There are only 2 low pass filters on the 4 band board and only 40 and 30 meters plus two bands of the 20m, 17m, 15m set are the only possible choices. The 2 band board can be configured for any 2 bands - 80 thru 15m although there are a few 2 band boards that have been modified to work on 160m and 10 meters. 73, Don W3FPR Dave KQ3T wrote: Hello, all, I'm about to order a K1, and thought I'd ask your opinions about various options and configuration choices. 1. I understand the tuning range can be set to either 75kHz or 150kHz. My inclination is to go with the 75kHz range, for the slower tuning rate. 2. Somewhat related to 1), will I be better off with a range of 7000-7075kHz or 7025-7100kHz, or possibly some other coverage. 3. What are your thoughts on the following options? In particular, are they effective, and are any of them much easier to install during initial assembly (as opposed to being retrofit)? A. KAT1 Antenna Tuner B. KNB1 Noise Blanker C. KBT1 Battery Holder Thanks and 73, Dave KQ3T ___ 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 No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.138 / Virus Database: 270.5.12/1592 - Release Date: 8/5/2008 6:03 AM ___ 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
