Jeremy wrote: I've been looking around for a few weeks now for my first HF radio (just recently newly licensed as a General) - and am looking at either something like a Yaesu FT-101, or a Kenwood TS-820S.... or an Elecraft K1 (probably just the 2-band 20m/40m version). ---------------- Jeremy: I was not active for may years. To get back on HF I bought the K1 4 band version with ATU, in 2003. I also bought the noise blanker.
I first set up the VFO for 75 KHz Later I changed to to 150 KHz to get more coverage on 40 M. I enjoyed the greater coverage but the VFO tuned too fast. I changed it back to 75 KHz. The Noise blanker is not very good, I seldom use it. The ATU works very well. On the 4 band K1 you have a choice of setting up for 17M or 15M. I put in the 17M parts and had several QSOs on that band. Lately I changed to 15 M. Have not had a QSO on that band yet. Get up a good antenna. I had an 88' dipole up about 35'. I was amazed at the ease of making QSOs on 40, 30, 20 meters with that antenna. I also have the BL-2. I fed the antenna with ladder line. It took me about 20 hours to build the K1. Just follow the instructions and do the build over a few days. I just got a K3. I still plan to use the K1 to completed WAS. Some info on my K1 at http://tyrrell.us/amateur/ Good luck. 73, Ty, W1TF K1 # 1423, K3 #696 _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net 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