| K7FD |
Rating:  |
2001-03-26 | |
| K1 QSK Update! |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
My earlier post included reference to a 'popping' noise in the K1's QSK when there was underlying qrm present on frequency.
I am pleased to report that Elecraft has posted an application note at www.elecraft.com (Builder Resources) addressing and correcting to my satisfaction the K1 QSK 'popping'.
Thanks to Wayne and Gary at Elecraft for looking into this peculiarity and coming up with a simple solution!
73 John K7FD
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Earlier 4-star review posted by K7FD on 2001-03-09
Building the K1 is fun! Excellent step by step instructions keep you right on track as you marvel at the construction and engineering of the tiny K1. Although I didn't keep a time clock, I'd say I put in about 25 hours from parts to first qso.
The receiver is hot as a pistol. If you don't hear it with the K1, it can't be heard! I find the 3 position onboard filtering 'just right' at 200, 400, and 600hz...but you can choose your favorite!
RIT/XIT works like a champ...and in this shack, is 'Fox Hunt proven' to work great. Tuning is very smooth, albeit it took some getting used to the feel & sound of the windings on the 10K pot. I found the menu'ing interface to be very easy use, changing parameters within seconds. Definitely engineered by somebody (Wayne!) who operates radios...
Gripe dept: Yes, I do have a complaint about the QSK of the K1. I have two K1's in the shack and both exhibit a distinct t-r 'popping' sound on receive when there is underlying qrm on any given frequency. When the frequency is quiet, the qsk is quiet -- but not so if other signals are present (dx pileup, fox hunt, qrm, etc). This is most noticeable (annoying!) in headphones although audible in the speaker with medium volume. Team E acknowledges there is indeed a qsk 'pop' under these circumstances and offers a temporary fix in the form of a suggestion to turn on ATTN, use the narrowest filter position, and lengthen the t-r switching time. I can live with this for a while but it isn't the final solution (lengthening t-r timing to hear less popping defeats why I use QSK)! I have been advised Wayne will soon be looking into a fix for this problem.
Overall, the K1 is 'fresh news' on the 'take it with you' radio scene. It's small, packs a wallop, and is loaded with features ol' grandad could only dream of!
73 John K7FD, K1/78
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Earlier 4-star review posted by K7FD on 2000-12-01
My xyl N7SG built the kit and it went together very smoothly... fit and finish definitely
'Elecraft Quality'. S/N ratio is fabulous on receive...xmit is stable as a rock with very pleasant keying qualities; the QSK can't be beat!
Only one 'nitpick' and one that has led my xyl to
nickname the radio 'SQUEAKY'...the 10-turn pot on the VFO emits a relatively loud squeak as you turn the knob. This has been determined to be a normal characteristic of the pot...however, it detracts from an otherwise nice package. This rig gets four **** stars... |
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| VA3ROM |
Rating: |
2001-03-09 | |
| K1 is K1NG |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
It's an engineering marvel both physically and electronically! You can actually build a kit that rivals the performance of higher priced commerical rigs. It's not 100 percent perfect, but it's 98 percent in my book. The Elecraft reflector group provides great support, and the Elecraft crew excemplify what SERVICE and EXCELLENCE are all about.
It's fun, fun, and more fun. Easy to build, if you READ and FOLLOW the excellent manual. Since you build it, you can fix it. No surface mount, exotic components, or high-tech lab gear required.
It can hold it's own with most under 1500 dollar commerical rigs. Just as good as my IC706 on CW, and I've done on-air comparision tests. Only the old FT-101 boat anchor has a sweeter on-air signal, to my ear.
Who says that CW is dead? The K1 (okay and the K2) will make sure that hams in the 22nd century will still be sparkin'. Haven't touched a microphone in months, thanks to the K1.
Heathkit is dead--long live Elecraft! |
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| N4EJG |
Rating: |
2001-03-07 | |
| An instant classic |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
This rig has raised the bar for all portable QRP rigs. It is quite simply the best small QRP rig ever made! Lots of big rig features including 3 filter positions, RIT/XIT, spotting, keyer, digital readout in a small and light (1.4 LB.) package. The ergonomics are good, despite the small size. Obviously, every detail was well thought out by designers who knew not only the engineering, but also the needs of the end user.
Despite its size, it is easy to put together, with just two point to point wire connections needed. The manual is the best I have ever seen, even better than Heath at its best. The technical explanations are first rate and give you a great window into the thinking of the two designers, however, the firmware and microprocessor controlling will remain largely inscrutable.
A first timer can get this project done. When you are finished you will have a radio that will truly amaze you.
I knew when I was tuning the receiver up for the first time I was onto something special, when I heard a W1, 1500 miles away 599 into my 2 foot piece of wire on the workbench. The receiver is hot and stands up to all but the heaviest QRM. The QSK is smooth as silk. Typical remarks from other stations express surprise that I am running only 5 watts.
Very highly recommended.
Ed N4EJG |
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| W9DZ |
Rating: |
2001-03-07 | |
| Great Performer |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
| As has been previously stated, the K1 really performs. I think Wayne and Eric have managed to get all you could ever expect from the NE602 mixers which are the heart of this transceiver. I recently added the KAT1 tuner. A diode was missing from the K1 (I had one in my junk box) and 4 capacitors were missing from the KAT1 which were quickly replaced in response to my email. The whole package is nice and compact. Although first time kit builders have had success with this radio, I would suggest something like Dave Benson's SW series for your first attempt. Elecraft support is first rate. Help is also available from other users on the Elecraft reflector. An experienced builder should have no problem with this kit. |
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| F5PBL |
Rating: |
2001-03-07 | |
| Simply The Best !! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
A lot has been yet said about the K1. Just want to add a "vote" for this little gem. I am almost a beginner in kits and the Elecraft products are like Healthkit lines, even a bit better ;-)) On air activity is wonderful and really gives me a lot of fun and pleasure. The whole TRX worths the money and is as good as, or even better than my TS450S sitting apart. My first 10 QSOs are logged, including K, SP, DL, I, EA8 and OM using a GP antenna with 5W, 2.5W or even 1W. After 10 years using 100W I start now becoming a QRP addict ! Try it and you will love it !
73/72 !
Claude, F5PBL |
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| N5NAE |
Rating: |
2001-02-25 | |
| Great Quality - Back to CW! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Just finished up K-1 #523 and got it on the air! All I can say is I'm amazed at how this thing
performs. As good as (if not better) than most medium priced rigs. The manual is an excellent
example of how a manual should be written. I've built quite a few kits and this one was probably
the most enjoyable. The "test as you go" approach and getting to actually hear the receiver before finishing up the transmitter is a great idea. And best of all, I can only think of three
individual wires that had to be cut, stripped and soldered. The torroids were not a quarter as
bad as folks make them out to be. The manual's hints and important things to watch out for
were also really appreciated. The parts and metalwork are also top quality.
I have not been on CW for 30+ years. My CW is really "rusty" (to put it mildly) and my first two contacts could have gone a lot smoother but this thing is so much fun I will probably get lots
of practice in! I may just be hooked on this QRP thing. Buy one; build it; you'll have fun!! |
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| K0XD |
Rating: |
2001-02-04 | |
| great little rig |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| Got # 500 K1, worked many USA and European stations first day of use. Cw filters very good, compares very well with more expensive rigs. |
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| AL7OK |
Rating: |
2001-02-01 | |
| Good value for the price. |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
I have build many kits over that last 40 years and the K1 rates with the best for clarity of instuctions and ease of building. Only problem I had was with the first alignment. To get maximum power out, a careful retuning the bandpass filters cured the problem. This rig performs very well for it's price class.
My main rig at home out preformes the K1 (but cost10 times as much and is over 30 times heavier) so the K1 is a keeper for use in backpacking and travling. The K1 will replace the SW-20+ I have been travling with. I will be adding Elecrafts KNB1 Noise Blanker soon to handle the noises generated in hotels.
I would like to have 4 bands instead of 2 (20 & 40) for backpacking so I hope they add that capability in the future. If they do not add that capability soon I will get another filter board for 15 and 30 meters. |
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| K4CUO |
Rating: |
2001-01-31 | |
| A terrific radio! |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
| This is one well-designed radio. Quality is better than a Heathkit, the manual is excellent, and the Elecraft'shelp is great - both from the staff and the email reflector. I had one problem building it - a bad resistor severely limited the audio gain. With Elecraft's help and voltage checks, I found and fixed it. The receiver is almost the equal of the expensive rigs. It is quiet, stable and sensitive. And the filters really work! I am still amazed at the features built in to this rig. My ATU is on the way - it will make a fine radio even better. I love mine. |
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| KN4UD |
Rating: |
2001-01-22 | |
| The Finest QRP Ever |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| I have K1 #00427. Been on the air 2 weeks and it is the best QRP I have ever used. Recieve is hot, hotter than most $2000.00 rigs. Filter is just what QRPer's need programable. Rig is very user friendly and easy to build. Support is the best you can ask for. Hard to believe it is a kit. |
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