K1: Advice on Options
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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: [hidden email] 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 |
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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 <[hidden email]> wrote: > From: Dave KQ3T <[hidden email]> > Subject: [Elecraft] K1: Advice on Options > To: "Elecraft Reflector" <[hidden email]> > 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: [hidden email] 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 |
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In reply to this post by Dave KQ3T
Dave
1. I find my K1 a bit coarse on tuning even when set to the 75 KHz tuning range. 2. Can't help, here in Europe CW only runs from 7.00 to 7.035 or so on 40m. 3. A: KAT1 only has limited range but it is effective when tuning antennas provided you prune your antenna to suit. It works fine on most antennas and is not a problem with most reasonable antennas. I slightly modified my KAT1 to give better tuning on my home doublet on 80m/40m, details at: http://www.astromag.co.uk/pdfs/g4aon_kat1_mods.pdf 3. B: Not got one or any pulse noise in need of blanking. 3. C: I personally don't think the battery holder option is worthwhile, using 8 NiMh cells (internal battery holder limit) would restrict the power output to about 3 Watts, although 1.5 Volt cells would be OK as they give 12 Volts. I've heard of issues with freshly charged warm/hot batteries causing the K1 to drift when first fitted, it may or may not be an issue. I use an external pack of 10 x NiMh cells in a small plastic project box, this is another box to carry but does allow for full output from the K1. You didn't mention band/board choice... I have the four band board set at 40/30/20/15 and a two band board with 80/40. If you do plan to change boards and have the internal ATU, one tip is to thread a rubber band through each of the spacers to hold them on their bolts while swapping boards. If you go that route you will see what I mean. I have the wide range tilt stand and that is quite neat for using the rig on a bench with the shorter arms. 73 Dave, G4AON K1, K2 and K3/100 (no KX1...) ______________________ 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: [hidden email] 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 |
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In reply to this post by Dave KQ3T
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: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] 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: [hidden email] 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: [hidden email] 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 |
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In reply to this post by Dave KQ3T
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: [hidden email] > 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: [hidden email] 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 |
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In reply to this post by Dave KQ3T
>>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. I went for the wider tuning range (I mostly operate 40 and 20 meters) and I'm glad that I did. I find, for me, that the tuning rate is fine at the 150kHz, but that's just personal taste. The tuning range/rate is determined by a specific capacitor -- the kit comes with two capacitors and you decide at time of construction which one to mount. There's no reason why you can't just buy your own capacitor with a value somewhere in between the two provided to get a little more tuning range and a little less 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. Can't help you there, sorry. >>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 Yes, yes, yes. I've operated a very wide range of antennas and not antennas with that Tuner. When my Windom came down in a thunderstorm (one side of the dipole itself snapped about two feet from the insulator), I was able to mount the end (two feet short) on a wood fence post and keep on operating until I was able to get a new Windom and mount it properly. I've also used that thing to match to various temporary antennas (e.g., including some barbed wire hanging on a fence on Field Day). >>B. KNB1 Noise Blanker I have it, but it's not as effective as I expected. I have to go back and check my work on it. >>C. KBT1 Battery Holder Had it, took it out. It's a very tight squeeze in the K1, and among other things means that you wind up with a smaller speaker (part of the kit) that I didn't like. As someone else noted, I got a lot more drift using the batteries (as things warmed up??). In addition, there's one wire that comes from the battery unit and runs right past the filter board. If that wire shifts around inside the K1 -- which can happen when you're carrying the K1 to portable sites, it will dramatically impact your frequency control. For example, one day I took the K1 out to a portable site, turned it on, and had the frequency jumping around 10-50KHz (one second I'd be on 7.056MHz, the next second I'd be on 7.021MHz). I removed the KBT1 and instead built myself a little external battery unit consisting of the KBT1 battery holder inside a 1 quart plastic food bag -- the kind you use to store food in the refrigerator. I cut the wires that go from my little Radio Shack wall-wart power supply to the K1 and put Anderson Power Pole connectors on the wires. That way, the wires that feed into the K1 have Anderson Power Poles on them. I then took the battery holder from the KBT1 and put Anderson Power Pole connectors on those wires. I can now switch between wall power from my wall-wart or battery power from the KBT1 battery holder simply by disconnecting the Anderson Power Poles from the wall-wart and instead connecting them to the battery pack. Using this approach, I've powered the K1 with the wall-wart, with the KBT1 battery pack, with a solar panel, with a large gel battery that was recharged by a solar panel, and with a car battery. Jon KB1QBZ K1 #2553 (I think -- I'm out of town on business at the moment and don't have the number with me) _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] 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 |
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In reply to this post by Dave KQ3T
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: [hidden email] 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 |
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In reply to this post by Dave KQ3T
Dave wrote:
>I'm about to order a K1 ... Excellent choice. I bought mine more than eight years ago shortly after the K1 was introduced, and it remains my favorite QRP rig of all time. >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. A report of K1 tuning rate being too fast is often a sign of not understanding the problem. The 150 kHz option actually gives a 170 kHz VFO span, which with the ten-turn VFO potentiometer results in about 17 kHz per turn of the VFO dial. This is definitely NOT a fast tuning rate. The **REAL** problem with K1 VFO tuning occurs because the VFO pot shaft has almost no friction, and thus it has essentially no resistance to rotational forces. It is almost impossible to position the knob precisely or take fingers off the VFO knob without introducing some small disturbance to the desired setting. The small disturbance shows up as a bigger change of frequency when the larger VFO span is used. This creates the erroneous perception that the tuning is trickier for the 170 kHz span. In truth, it's tricky using the 80 kHz span too, but just not as noticable. The solution is obvious and simple: Cut some small thin felt "washers" that can be placed around the VFO pot shaft between the front panel and the back of the VFO knob. These can be layered until just the right amount of rotational resistance is produced. I use two washer layers to give a minimum amount of resistance while leaving tuning very smooth. It's easier to position as desired and then to release the knob. I could be happy now with even a 300 kHz VFO span, but I'd add these washers even if I used the 80 kHz span. It makes that much difference! For eight years I've read all these reports of tricky K1 tuning, but I've never found anyone making such complaints who have applied this simple solution. The 170 kHz option will allow reception of 10 MHz WWV on the 30m band, in addition to fuller coverage of the CW segments in the upper portions where propagation beacons may be found. The K1 receiver operates in LSB mode on all bands, so with the recently expanded 40m and 80m phone segments in the US, cross-mode contacts are easy on these bands should the need arise. >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)? All are easy to install, at any time. > A. KAT1 Antenna Tuner The Number One most important option. I can't imagine not having it installed. It's necessarily somewhat limited in tuning range, but still so much better than nothing. It also provides VSWR and accurate Power Out indications. > B. KNB1 Noise Blanker It's not too effective on the noise I encountered, but it's not too expensive and I'd buy it just to complete the K1 system. But it would not be missed much. > C. KBT1 Battery Holder I used it for 18 months, then completely removed it. I didn't like having a chemical leakage source in the K1 case. I did not like it not being easily removable. When the KNB1 is installed, only a micro-speaker is installed along side. The normal K1 speaker and the better looks of the normal K1 case top lid is preferable. Another option is the KTS1 tilt stand. It's a quality item that, IMHO, is just too elaborate when all I'd like is a simple bail to raise the K1 front panel a bit. Definitely order the four-band version. It provides 40m, 30m, and any two of 20m, 17m, and 15m. Most choose 40/30/20/15m. The four-band board has sharper filter networks than does the two-band board, so RF performance should be a little better. I also have a 80/17m two-band board, which only rarely gets installed. Mike / KK5F K1 #175 _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] 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 |
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In reply to this post by Dave KQ3T
---------------------------------------- > Date: Thu, 7 Aug 2008 09:38:09 -0400 > From: [hidden email] > To: [hidden email] > Subject: [Elecraft] Re: K1: Advice on Options > > Dave wrote: > >>I'm about to order a K1 ... I'll address the NB. It works on some noise, not too good on others. If your noise is fast and repetitive, you'll will love it. Here is my initial test of the NB in my K1. I have a neighbor with a coffee pot or something that runs late night and again early morning. As you will hear, I'm dead in the water without it. This was the stock NB, no mods. This was 40 meters. You'll hear me turn it on and off, then later play with the filters with NB on and off. http://www.oaxaca4x4.com/HamRadio/k1_nb.mp3 If you have this kind of noise..... then enough said. 73, de KE6GS in XE3 land _________________________________________________________________ Get Windows Live and get whatever you need, wherever you are. Start here. http://www.windowslive.com/default.html?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_Home_082008_______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] 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 |
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Many thanks to everyone who replied to my questions. Your comments were
very useful, and helped clear up many of the questions I had (even some questions that I didn't ask!). FYI, I decided to go with a K1-4, KFL1-2, KNB1 and KTS1. Since I don't plan on backpacking with the rig, I decided to pass on the internal battery pack and internal tuner, but did order the external T1 autotuner. Oh, I ordered the backlight for the LCD too. Now for the kudos to Elecraft. I placed my order about 11am EDT yesterday, and received my shipping notice just before 7pm that evening. 73 to all, Dave KQ3T _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] 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 |
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