[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 ___ 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] Re: Elecraft K1 as my first HF rig??
Jeremy wrote: I've been looking around for a few weeks now for my first HF radio (just recently newly licensed as a General) - and am looking at either something like a Yaesu FT-101, or a Kenwood TS-820S or an Elecraft K1 (probably just the 2-band 20m/40m version). 1. A person with reasonably developed technical skills will find that construction of the K1 presents no problems at all. One may be thankful that no surface mount components are used. 2. There is *no* reason other than cost to ever choose the two-band filter board over the four-band board, as long as the two bands in which you are interested are available on a four-band board. The K1 is limited at best, so it is unwise to choose a filter board that makes K1 coverage any more limiting than necessary. The two-band board is also inferior in RF performance, because the filters on the four-band board are very much sharper. I found that going to the four-band board more than doubled the usability of my K1. The best coverage option for the K1 is a four-band board for 40/30/20/15 meters, with a VFO span option of 150 kHz which will allow you to receive 10 MHz WWV on 30 meters. I also have a two-band board for 80/17 meters, though I seldom use it. 3. The KAT1 automatic antenna tuner should be the next item considered for addition to the K1. It is an excellent unit, within its limitations. The KNB1 noise blanker I have found to be ineffective on most noise sources I've encountered in seven years of K1 usage. The KBT1 internal battery I found to be troublesome (not easy to recharge, or remove, and it forces use of a very small speaker) in comparison using an external battery pack, so I discarded mine after 18 months. Thus, I'd put low priority on getting the KNB1 or KBT1. The K1 is my personal favorite QRP rig of all time. I own eight other commercial QRP rigs, but nothing I've seen that was before or after the appearance of the K1 meets my requirements so well, even after almost eight years of use. I especially like being able to easily set up at a campsite or park. All that having been said about the K1, in all honesty it would never be my first choice if I were trying to select an economical, general-use HF rig. I would want something that provided: 1. A maximum power output of about 100 watts, 2. Usability on Morse and SSB (and maybe AM and 10 meter FM), 3. General coverage receive capabilty (100 kHz to 30 MHz). Rigs with these capabilities began appearing in large number more than 25 years ago, though some were problematic. More recent rigs like the Kenwood TS-50S and Alinco DX-70 do very reasonable job providing all these capabilities in small packages (about seven pounds) and are low-cost on the used market. But a heavy 12 vdc power supply and antenna tuner will also be required. If I forget about general coverage receive, then the older last-generation vacuum tube PA rigs like the Kenwood TS-530, -530, 820, and 830, or Yaesu FT-101 series provide a lot of radio for the price, assuming the used set is working properly. The nice thing about them is that the AC power supply and a limited range antenna tuning (Pi) network is standard on these sets, most of which use some version of a pair of 6146 tubes in the PA. With a reasonably matched dipole system, then the radio is the only box that needs to be at the operating desk. I treasure my old TS-830S! Any of these old-rig options will provide greater performance and versatility than the K1 can provide. 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
[Elecraft] Re: Elecraft K1 as my first HF rig??
Jeremy: I agree just about 100% with the advice provided by Mike Morrow. The K1 is a fine transceiver - but fairly limited in its capabilities. So, in any scenario, if it's to be a K1, go with the four band board. Beyond that, for not too much more money you could buy (and build) a basic K2 - which will provide you with many more upgrade possibilities as your finances allow (internal antenna tuner especially comes to mind here). Finally on the Elecraft front, a very basically equipped K3 would provide you with many more upgrade possibilities. At just about $1,400 in price, however, it's a big leap up in price. Apart from the basic cost to features ratio, there is an incalculable value associated with operating a radio you've built with your own hands. One last thing: if the thrill of the build is not a primary or an important consideration, for a limited budget, maximum possibilities rig, you should probably look at the Icom 718. At about $549 after rebate (about $100 more than the cost of a 100 watt amp for the K3 - plus the 718 usually ships for free), you get a pretty much full capability radio, 160-10 meters, all modes (minus FM), general coverage receive, 100 watt, 100 duty cycle transceiver - which is new. The specs may not be world class, but they are probably comparable to what you'd see with a K1. To that price you'd probably have to add a cheap antenna tuner and a CW filter. I've probably just blasphemed, but IMHO there's probably no better bargain out there for a beginning ham these days. Whatever you do, however, get started. Bob Brown, N1CVX ___ 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] Re: Elecraft K1 as my first HF rig??
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: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net 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 ___ 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] Re: Elecraft K1 as my first HF rig??
Jeremy wrote: I've been looking around for a few weeks now for my first HF radio (just recently newly licensed as a General) - and am looking at either something like a Yaesu FT-101, or a Kenwood TS-820S or an Elecraft K1 (probably just the 2-band 20m/40m version). Jeremy: I was not active for may years. To get back on HF I bought the K1 4 band version with ATU, in 2003. I also bought the noise blanker. I first set up the VFO for 75 KHz Later I changed to to 150 KHz to get more coverage on 40 M. I enjoyed the greater coverage but the VFO tuned too fast. I changed it back to 75 KHz. The Noise blanker is not very good, I seldom use it. The ATU works very well. On the 4 band K1 you have a choice of setting up for 17M or 15M. I put in the 17M parts and had several QSOs on that band. Lately I changed to 15 M. Have not had a QSO on that band yet. Get up a good antenna. I had an 88' dipole up about 35'. I was amazed at the ease of making QSOs on 40, 30, 20 meters with that antenna. I also have the BL-2. I fed the antenna with ladder line. It took me about 20 hours to build the K1. Just follow the instructions and do the build over a few days. I just got a K3. I still plan to use the K1 to completed WAS. Some info on my K1 at http://tyrrell.us/amateur/ Good luck. 73, Ty, W1TF K1 # 1423, K3 #696 ___ 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] Re: Elecraft K1 as my first HF rig??
Jeremy While replies on an Elecraft mailing list are bound to be biased towards the K1, I feel you will probably not find it as useful as a higher power CW/SSB transceiver that covers all or most of the HF bands. If you buy clean and decent second user transceiver, you can probably re-sell it later for a similar amount to what you paid for it. Look for something local so you can inspect the rig and check it works correctly. Avoid rusty and abused kit and also those from hams who smoke in the shack, they are hard to resell. A clean vintage transceiver should hold it's value well, especially older ones that can be repaired with common parts, i.e. without hard to source ICs and displays. The K1 is great as a portable transceiver to use from a tent or holiday/hotel accommodation, but less useful as your only HF transceiver at home. Later, as funds allow, you can look towards a high performance transceiver and for that the K3 is currently one of the best around. 73 Dave, G4AON K1 #1154, K2 #1892, K3/100 #80 ___ 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
