| GEIIM |
Rating:  |
2007-01-15 | |
| A cool radio - delivers - but expensive! |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
| This radio delivers on the promise of super small Xcvr but it is expensive. I built one with all the options and it works great - very stable with no drift and rugged construction. But for the price and the number of parts in it, it's expensive. |
|
| K0KZO |
Rating: |
2007-01-14 | |
| Works like a champ |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I bought a K1 from a previous owner and really enjoy it. The receiver is excellent, the output audio is great, bullet proof filtering, and it's easy to use. I used it for a few hours in NA QSO party last evening and it worked like a champ on 40m. I worked almost everyone I called and I don't think my 100 watt rig would have done any better.
73, Doug NG0K |
|
| KB5JO |
Rating: |
2006-11-13 | |
| Fantastic! Impressive! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I finished assembling my K1-4, S/N 2258 three days ago. It is set up for 40,30,20& 15. What an impressive little rig. The receiver is especially good, hears more stations than my IC-718. The signal reports have all praised the clean crisp keying and rock-solid frequency control. Several used the adjective “impressive” to describe the signal quality.
Having built several SWL ( SW+, RM) and Wilderness (SST, Norcal 40A) rigs, all much less complex, it was with some trepidation that bought the K-1 kit. I was looking for the challenge of building a more complex transceiver, and selection was based on objective ARRL lab tests and the reviews from other users. The top quality instructions, directed testing during construction, and support provided by Elecraft made the task painless and produced a rig that functioned flawlessly when power was applied. The K-1 is rather expensive, but you certainly receive value for the money spent.
The K-1 is several levels beyond the transceivers previously constructed with features that rival my IC-718 and in some cases exceed the capabilities of that factory-built rig. Since I operate A-1 mode only, the K-1 could easily serve as my only rig with no regrets. In fact, wish I had made the K-1 my first purchase.
|
|
| KB9BVN |
Rating: |
2006-10-21 | |
| Awesome Fun Rig |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
I bought mine already built, although I have built a couple K1's and a bunch of Small Wonder Labs kits. Someone was selling it at the same time I was thinking about getting one. Even here in the bottom of the cycle this little rig is a keeper. I like using it mobile with my hamsticks, I have worked Argentina and all over the Caribbean on this little radio at less than 3w off my power socket in my Ford.
Elecraft makes great rigs. Without a doubt, this is one of them. |
|
| AE6WA |
Rating: |
2006-06-18 | |
| Great portable QRP rig |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
| This was a 2005 Christmas present. Elecraft did a fine job. The building instructions are top rate. The SMT parts come pre mounted so this kit can be built with very little experience; I had not touched a soldering iron in 30 years. Scott and Gary are great with support if you run into a snag. This is my only rig and I don't miss features of a larger rig. It is DDS VFO controlled, vary stable and has a varialble bandwidth receive crystal filter. It does get out, my very first contact was Japan from California into a dipole. Great QSK. Highly recommended. |
|
| AA1CX |
Rating: |
2006-05-10 | |
| Fantastic Little Radio! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
After a period of inactivity for a couple years, I decided to get back into ham radio because I missed CW. I have always enjoyed CW since my first days as a novice back in 1967. When I got back on the air I decided to concentrate on QRP CW. All the positive reviews of Elecraft in general and the K1 in particular swung me in that direction for a QRP rig. After the construction phase and operating for a few weeks now, I am convinced I made the right decision.
My K1 is on 40-30-20-15. I also got the optional internal antenna tuner and the noise blanker board.
The owners manual that comes with the K1 kit is very thorough and easy to follow. I decided to order the toroids from the "toroid guy" instead of winding them myself. I feel this was a wise decision on my part. Assembly went quite smoothly, but I did make a couple minor errors. Support from Elecraft is top notch. Also there is a wealth of experience and assistance on the Elecraft email group which I took advantage of. I especially appreciated the help I received from Jim K4ZM who has built several Elecraft kits. I stress what others have said, don't hurry. Take your time and double check everything. I lost a small part during assembly and Elecraft sent a replacement right out to me. Final adjustments and alignment are quite simple to accomplish. What a thrill it was to have the rig finished and on the air.
My first contact with the new K1 was with Italy on 20 meters. In the first 3 weeks of operation I worked 25 states and 10 other countries on 40, 30, and 20 meters. I actually haven't had a QSO on 15 yet, just because propagation has been lousy. The receiver is hot, and the 3 filters are excellent. The built-in keyer works very well, and it is easy to switch to a straight key which I use sometimes.
Overall I am very happy with my K1. There are a couple of minor negative comments I might mention. Personally, I don't like the sound from the small built-in speaker, but with headphones the audio is fine. The other thing involves the AGC. I think Elecraft might need to make some modifications to this circuit. If I have the gain up trying to copy a weak station, and then a strong station comes in on the frequency, it can be quite uncomfortable to the ears. Still, this is minor and has not happened frequently.
After a couple weeks of operation, the crystal for the 20 meter oscillator failed. Elecraft said they had experienced several failures of this 22 MHz crystal, and they promptly sent me another one.
In spite of these minor things, I still give the K1 a solid 5. I am very pleased with it overall. |
|
| NW7U |
Rating: |
2006-04-26 | |
| Too Much Fun |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I did an inventory. I built 17 Heathkits before they folded the tent. And I was REALLY missing the smell of hot solder!
I looked at Elecraft for 2 years before I took the plunge. I wasn't sure if I trusted these upstarts... This experience turned out to be too good to believe.
First, the company and support. My kit was shy a couple parts. They sent them the day after my email. No questions, no "are you sure", just immeadiate service. I had some trouble with the VFO (turned out to be a solder bridge) and they answered my emails same day with no finger pointing. The suggestions actually were valid and it was clear that Elecraft wanted the rig to work. I even got a call from them to make sure everything was going well!
The radio. The K-1 is a Jaguar powered by rubber bands. It's low power and VERY high tech with superb features and control. They don't make a big deal of the computer control in the ads, but it's significant and extensive. Nice menu-controlled touches like left-or-right-handed paddle control (I happen to key dashes on the thumb), 3 filters with programmable widths, voltage display when on battery power; this thing is very well thought out! Mechanically, there were only 5 point-to-point wires in the kit. Design is modular with plug-in boards on headers. And all band switching is on relays, no shafts or wafer switches.
Fit and finish is great. It doesn't look like I built it .
Downside really had to do with me. Compared to my HW-9, there's probably 50% more parts packed into 1/3 the space. My magnifying glass got lots of use on this. Since I mentioned the HW-9, I've used my HW on lots of field days and had great fun with it. But the K-1 is in a completely different class. It plays and sounds like a store-bought radio costing several times the price.
I could write a book about this thing. But I'm going to be too busy building my KX1. If you've been thinking about a K-1, quit thinking and order it. |
|
| K1SEZ |
Rating: |
2006-04-25 | |
| Unbelievable! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I was charmed by the looks of this tiny xcvr by Elecraft but a bit afraid to attempt the building of this kit. The last time I attempted to build anything, they still had tubes! So I hired a great kit-builder W1HYV (Alan) from RI, and I picked up the finished kit a few days ago. I still can't believe how good the receiver-part is... the RIT, the CW speed adjust, the band switching, etc. I ordered it with the 30m module, so I can jump from 20, to 30, to 40 in literally seconds. The built-in ATU works wonderful with my G5RV. I've already worked Switzerland, Guadaloupe, and Barbados in just casual use in the evenings...
I don't understand why there hasn't been a review of this little jewel on eHAM so far... My hope was to have a little xcvr for use at the beach or weekend trips to the CT countryside, using a Buddipole or a "tree" long wire. This KX1 appears to be just what I was looking for! |
|
| KILOWATT |
Rating: |
2006-03-30 | |
| The Ultimate QRP Radio |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I realize that this may look like a double post but it's not. I'm just the only guy to give an original review in the past month. Now it's time for the follow up.
If you're into simplicity and minimalism where amateur radio is concerned, this is the radio for you. I truly LOVE this little rig. My K2 has sat cold for the past month. I do love my K2 but for some reason the K1 has stolen my heart. It's just so simple! Simple to build and align and simple to operate. For the first time in ten years, the hobby is fun for me again.
I purchased the Vibroplex Code Warrior Jr. paddles and they're a perfect compliment to this radio. The combination of the compact radio and the compact paddles sometimes makes me feel like James Bond. hihi! I suppose we hams never really grow up.
I HIGHLY recommend this kit. It's been a total joy for me. So much so that I could purchase the four band module for my two band radio but I think I'd rather buy a completely new kit and start all over again.
I'm sure that if you compare the K1 to the other guys...."Sierra" and "OHR 500"....you'll see that the K1 offers so much more for your buck.
The folks at Elecraft have won my loyalty. I've personally dealt with Pam and Scott. Nice people that are genuinely interested in their company and product. And Christine never misses a trick when it comes to packaging your radio.
The K1 truly rocks. Trust me, you won't be sorry for your purchase. |
|
| W7AV |
Rating: |
2005-12-26 | |
| Very Nice |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
| I put the K1 together in about 20-25 hrs. Very good directions with excellent parts layout. Also built the ATU, NB, 4 band mod. All performed above expectation. This radio plays very well. It doesn't perform like the usual QRP radio--great memory keyer, nice filters, solid radio all the way around. If you are looking for a quality QRP radio with alot of performance this is it. |
|
