K1 enthusiast wonders

[Bill W4ZV]

Hi Mike,

KK5F:
 >In short, I know of no other QRP rig made that has the features I need
for portable ops served as well as found in the K1.  I bought the K1, even
though it was a kit, because there was (and is) no equivalent rig available
anywhere else.

Preface:
First I'll state that I have a K2 and am extremely happy with it.
Second, if it's heresy to mention other rigs on this reflector,
I do so in the hope it may be some feedback to Wayne and Eric for
future product ideas.
Third, the rig I mention is no longer in production, so hopefully
it will not steal sales from any Elecraft products.

         I wanted a lightweight rig for portable use and decided on
KD1JV's AT Sprint II.  I was also intrigued to build something
with primarily SMT devices for my own education.  I decided on
the ATS2 for the following reasons:

Cost: $205 shipped (no options)
Band coverage: 80/40/30/20 with DDS/VFO/RIT and audio freq annunciation
Weight: 5.5 oz excluding batteries
RX Battery consumption: 25 ma
TX power: 2.5W @ 9V and 4.5W @ 12V

Plus factors:
*SMT was FUN (but a magnifier is a must)
*It's cute (so is the KX1!)
*It's small (19 cu in vs 21 for KX1).
*It's very light.  I became interested in the ARS Spartan Sprints
which have a "skinny" division for lightweight rigs, and wanted
a rig which would cover 20-40-80.  For the last Sprint, my total
weight including 9V battery, paddle, earphones and all 3 band
modules was 9.4 ounces (0.59 pounds).  ARS' definition of weight
includes everything up to the antenna connector.
*Keyer with 63 character memory included.

Minus factors:
*NE602 front end overloads on 40m with my 190' doublet up 80' at
home.  KD1JV helped me improve the rejection some and the 20 dB
attenuator also helps, but it's still no K2 or Orion.
*Band changes are by physically exchanging front-end modules.
*All control is by clicking switches or keyer input.  The latter
came easily since I've used a Logikey for years.  The former has
a learning curve as a VFO but works OK once you learn it.
*No internal antenna tuner possible.  I use an Emtech ZM-2
which I like better since I can remote it at the bottom of a
half-wave vertical in the field (which a ZM-2 matches easily).

         Steve says he is working on an ATS-3 which will be even
smaller, lighter and should improve the RX front end.  Based on
my experience with the ATS-2, I'll be very interested to see what
he comes up with.

                                                 73,  Bill  W4ZV







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