Wayne wrote: > The 4-band module requires extremely low-temperature-coefficient > trimmer capacitors because of its narrow-band pre-mix and RF band-pass > filters. The last source for these exotic trimmers dried up recently.
If all the other parts of the KFL1-4 were still stocked, perhaps those original white ceramic trimmer capacitors could be used again. I used my KFL1-4 for two years with those because I did not want to pull and rebuild the KFL1-4 I built in 2001 after the blue trimmers were made available. Yes, I did need to re-align my KFL1-4 about every six months when the original white capacitors were still in place. This would be an unfortunate compromise, but I'd rather have even the original KFL1-4 with those problematic trimmers than use two KFL1-2 filters to get four bands. I used two KFL1-2 boards (40/20m and 30/15m) prior to the availability of the KFL1-4. > Sales volume for the K1 has decreased in recent years due to the KX1 > (which is smaller and has a DDS VFO)... I greatly prefer the performance and physical form of the K1 over that of the KX1. I never bought the BS that some KX1 owners slung around after KX1 introduction that the KX1 "replaced" the K1. Did it?? Try using that KX1 on 15 or 17 meters. Even for backpacking, the K1 is a far better radio to cart along if ham CW band RF performance is valued. The K1 is also less quirky to build than a 80/40/30/20m full-house KX1. > ...and the KX3... I believe that there are a number of advantages of the K1 over the KX3 when the extreme sophistication of the KX3 is not required. The K1 is much lighter, less bulky, much lower power consumption, and is incredibly easier to fully master than the KX3 is at even the neophyte level. I purchased the K1 after seeing its introduction at Dayton 2000, and then waited the six months for delivery of #175 in November 2000. After almost 14 years it remains my favorite and most utilized HF ham rig owned in 46 years as a ham. It is a very very good radio, and I greatly admire Wayne's design for this classic QRP rig. Thanks, Wayne. > So the cost of a redesign wouldn't be recovered. I've always thought that the K1-line would be the first to be discontinued. I am pleasantly surprised that the *start* of that is happening *only* now. It was a very good run for a great QRP radio...those 14 years! If you don't have one, get one with a KFL1-2 is still available. 73, Mike / KK5F ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com