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K-1 4-band Availability/Status?

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Phil Wheeler-2

Re: K-1 4-band Availability/Status?

Wes,

While I think the K1 (4-band especially!) is a
fine rig, it's luster for me was dulled a bit when
I was able to make a KX3 my primary QRP rig.
Pluses include:

* Way more than four bands
* All modes on the bands in does cover, even
digital as an option
* Superior receiver
* Panadapter available
* And others too numerous to mention here

all in a package that is not really all that much
bigger than the K1.

Two definite pluses of the K1: I enjoyed building
it more (a melt-solder kit) and it has a bigger
speaker.

After considerable thought, I recently sold my
fully-configured and updated K1 #18. I sort of
miss it, but how many rigs can a body use?

73, Phil W7OX

On 3/7/15 5:24 PM, Wes (N7WS) wrote:

> Come on, we're hams, we're supposed to jump at
> these opportunities.
>
> On 3/6/2015 11:34 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote:
>> Hi all,
>>
>> The KFL1-4 module needs trimmers that are both
>> wide range and extremely temperature stable,
>> due to the high loaded Q of the band-pass
>> filters. To emulate this stable capacitance
>> with trimmers now available, you'd have to use
>> a hand-selected C0G cap in parallel with a much
>> smaller trimmer for each of the original 16
>> trimmers. This would be extremely tedious for
>> builders. So, while it is possible, it is not
>> practical.
>>
>> Wayne
>> N6KR
>>
>>
>
>

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Phil Hystad-3

Re: K-1 4-band Availability/Status?

> but how many rigs can a body use?

More than Two. Two is justified -- one as primary rig, second as backup. But, having a third means you are serious. Therefore, more than Two. Note: no upper bound.

My Norcal 40A is no match for my KX3 but I still put it on the air a couple of times a year. When I operate portable QRP somewhere, I take my KX3, my KX1, and my Norcal 40A and many times I have enough time to use them all for at least one QSO. Just now waiting for the warmer Northwest weather although today was not bad at 64 degrees.

73, phil, K7PEH

> On Mar 7, 2015, at 5:47 PM, Phil Wheeler <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Wes,
>
> While I think the K1 (4-band especially!) is a fine rig, it's luster for me was dulled a bit when I was able to make a KX3 my primary QRP rig. Pluses include:
>
> * Way more than four bands
> * All modes on the bands in does cover, even
> digital as an option
> * Superior receiver
> * Panadapter available
> * And others too numerous to mention here
>
> all in a package that is not really all that much bigger than the K1.
>
> Two definite pluses of the K1: I enjoyed building it more (a melt-solder kit) and it has a bigger speaker.
>
> After considerable thought, I recently sold my fully-configured and updated K1 #18. I sort of miss it, but how many rigs can a body use?
>
> 73, Phil W7OX
>
>
> On 3/7/15 5:24 PM, Wes (N7WS) wrote:
>> Come on, we're hams, we're supposed to jump at these opportunities.
>>
>> On 3/6/2015 11:34 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote:
>>> Hi all,
>>>
>>> The KFL1-4 module needs trimmers that are both wide range and extremely temperature stable, due to the high loaded Q of the band-pass filters. To emulate this stable capacitance with trimmers now available, you'd have to use a hand-selected C0G cap in parallel with a much smaller trimmer for each of the original 16 trimmers. This would be extremely tedious for builders. So, while it is possible, it is not practical.
>>>
>>> Wayne
>>> N6KR
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
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>
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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

Phil Wheeler-2

Re: K-1 4-band Availability/Status?

I have WAY more than two, Phil -- even after
selling the K1 and last Fall giving my NC-40A to
an old ham with no rig in Florida :-)

73, Phil W7OX

On 3/7/15 6:24 PM, Phil Hystad wrote:

>> but how many rigs can a body use?
> More than Two. Two is justified -- one as primary rig, second as backup. But, having a third means you are serious. Therefore, more than Two. Note: no upper bound.
>
> My Norcal 40A is no match for my KX3 but I still put it on the air a couple of times a year. When I operate portable QRP somewhere, I take my KX3, my KX1, and my Norcal 40A and many times I have enough time to use them all for at least one QSO. Just now waiting for the warmer Northwest weather although today was not bad at 64 degrees.
>
> 73, phil, K7PEH
>
>
>
>
>
>> On Mar 7, 2015, at 5:47 PM, Phil Wheeler <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> Wes,
>>
>> While I think the K1 (4-band especially!) is a fine rig, it's luster for me was dulled a bit when I was able to make a KX3 my primary QRP rig. Pluses include:
>>
>> * Way more than four bands
>> * All modes on the bands in does cover, even
>> digital as an option
>> * Superior receiver
>> * Panadapter available
>> * And others too numerous to mention here
>>
>> all in a package that is not really all that much bigger than the K1.
>>
>> Two definite pluses of the K1: I enjoyed building it more (a melt-solder kit) and it has a bigger speaker.
>>
>> After considerable thought, I recently sold my fully-configured and updated K1 #18. I sort of miss it, but how many rigs can a body use?
>>
>> 73, Phil W7OX
>>
>>
>> On 3/7/15 5:24 PM, Wes (N7WS) wrote:
>>> Come on, we're hams, we're supposed to jump at these opportunities.
>>>
>>> On 3/6/2015 11:34 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote:
>>>> Hi all,
>>>>
>>>> The KFL1-4 module needs trimmers that are both wide range and extremely temperature stable, due to the high loaded Q of the band-pass filters. To emulate this stable capacitance with trimmers now available, you'd have to use a hand-selected C0G cap in parallel with a much smaller trimmer for each of the original 16 trimmers. This would be extremely tedious for builders. So, while it is possible, it is not practical.
>>>>
>>>> Wayne
>>>> N6KR
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>

ktalbott

Re: K-1 4-band Availability/Status?

In reply to this post by Phil Wheeler-2

One can never have too many! Tonight I parked my K2 and worked SKCC using
MFJ 9040 and KX1. That leaves K1, KX3, LNR FX-2, Survivor, and OHR100A
lacking attention. Don't tell them, but they will all will be for sale at
Hamvention as I look for different toys with which to play. Stop by flea
market 3106 with your trades. Let's deal!
Ken - ke4rg
-----Original Message-----
From: Elecraft [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Phil
Wheeler
Sent: Saturday, March 7, 2015 8:47 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K-1 4-band Availability/Status?
Wes,
While I think the K1 (4-band especially!) is a fine rig, it's luster for me
was dulled a bit when I was able to make a KX3 my primary QRP rig.
Pluses include:
* Way more than four bands
* All modes on the bands in does cover, even
digital as an option
* Superior receiver
* Panadapter available
* And others too numerous to mention here
all in a package that is not really all that much bigger than the K1.
Two definite pluses of the K1: I enjoyed building it more (a melt-solder
kit) and it has a bigger speaker.
<snip>

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wayne burdick

Re: Blue trimmer capacitors - no more available

Administrator

In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm-4

Each affected product will be the subject of an associated errata sheet and a complete set of the substitute parts. Nothing will be left to the builder's imagination.

Wayne
N6KR

On Mar 7, 2015, at 4:07 PM, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:

> All,
>
> I would like to add that the non-availability of those 1-40pF trimmer capacitors impacts more Elecraft products than just the discontinued KFL1-4.
> They were used as the nulling capacitors in all the Elecraft integrated wattmeters, so for that application, the KAT2, KAT1, KXAT1, KAT100, and KPA100 have been impacted. The proper replacement for those wattmeter nulling capacitors is a 5-15pF trimmer E540012.
> Also impacted are the K2 trimmers used in the bandpass filters. The 5-15pF trimmers (E540012) work fine in the 10/12 meter bandpass filter, but do not have sufficient capacity for the 15/17 meter bandpass where a 7-25pF trimmer (Elecraft PN 540011) is the substitute.
> That fact requires a rewrite of the K2 manual stating that the red bodied trimmer capacitors are to be used at C32 and C34 while the white bodied trimmers are to be used at C44 and C46. That information will be good until the manufacturer decides to change the capacitor body color to something different (which is a constant exposure when trying to identify parts by the body colors).
>
> What I am saying is that the impact of the loss of these wide range temperature stable trimmers is not confined to the KFL1-4 board, but has a wide ranging impact not only for new Elecreaft kits, but for those wanting parts replacements. One must communicate the use to [hidden email] (and sales) to obtain the correct replacement trimmer capacitor.
>
> The loss of that wide range trimmer capacitor is being felt in many areas of the K1, K2 and KX1 products. The impact is greater than just the loss of the KFL1-4 option.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR

dl2ki

Re: K-1 4-band Availability/Status?

In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm-4

There is no need for the KFL1 firmware to be open source, it is
available from Elecraft as a spare part. Elecraft will continue to
support existing KFL1-4 boards with parts (except for replacement
trimmer capacitors) for a good long time into the future.

Hi Don,

when you allow an existing project as "open source", the meaning lies in the fact, to promote the creation of something new. The retained the original firmware restricts this.

The support of the "old" 4Band boards is independent of such a decision.

But this is all a decision which is at Elecraft.

73, Wolfgang