Re: [Elecraft] K1-4 4 band version gone?

I'm happy with my 4-band module. Works great. And added backlight yesterday: A very nice rig. A six-band module would be good if you wanted 80-40-30-20-15 and one other band. I've never operated QRP on 80, except PSK31 with the PSK-80. Usually too antenna challenged when portable for QRP on

Re: [Elecraft] K1-4 4 band version gone?

Hi, what would you think of a six-band module ? Would it be interresting for the elecraft K1 users ? I am think about build one. With afined design which is easier to align with different trim capacitors ! Your opinion ??? 73 Herbert -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791

Re: [Elecraft] K1-4 4 band version gone?

I use the technique with the rubber band and change filter board in 5 minutes from I start to unscrew the first screw of the top cover.  73 de Hal/la4xx K1 2929 On 14-07-23 19:12, Mike Morrow wrote: > > >> Changing band modules is a special pain for me > >> because installed the onboard tuner

Re: [Elecraft] K1-4 4 band version gone?

I am aware of the "rubber band trick", but I find no difficulty at all in plugging the KAT1 even with loose standoffs. First place the standoffs so they are close to the holes in the board. Next (and most important) put the long screws through the KAT1 board - hold them down with your fingers or

Re: [Elecraft] K1-4 4 band version gone?

>> Changing band modules is a special pain for me >> because installed the onboard tuner (which is >> rarely used) into my K//1/ > The band module resides under the ATU board making > such changes something not done without some > strong motive. Tom/N0SS described 14 years ago a simple techni

Re: [Elecraft] K1-4 4 band version gone?

Curt, All you say rings true. And this is an especially important point: /Changing band modules is a special pain for me because installed the onboard tuner (which is rarely used) into my K//1/ The band module resides under the ATU board making such changes something not done without some

Re: [Elecraft] K1-4 4 band version gone?

Oh well, all good things eventually end. Kit building in the conventional sense is probably a declining interest anyway. Having built both thru-hole and SMT radios (ATS-3B), probably enjoy building about as much as operating. Am thankful to have built a K1-4 (40/30/20/15) several years ago, al

Re: [Elecraft] K1-4 4 band version gone? (Hand SMT---Never)

Hi all, as I started that idea with the SMT components, I will try to moderate a little bit. I am over sixty and so I know the problems with needs of special glasses to handle the SMT components down at 603 or 402 ( 1 x 0.5mm). So my idea is, not designing without SMT, but for those who like it,

Re: [Elecraft] K1-4 4 band version gone? (Hand SMT---Never)

Simple SMD kits are fine because the success rate can be high and the investment risk on the part of both the customer and the manufacturer is low. We may offer such kits in the future, though we don't have any present plans for these. The percentage of builders who could complete a complex SMD

Re: [Elecraft] K1-4 4 band version gone? (Hand SMT---Never)

Am 21.07.2014 14:40, schrieb N4OI - Ken: > Wow -- I kind of touched a nerve with the "big boy" reference! I recall this > term was used by Dave Benson in some of his SWL kit documentation. It > merely referred the reader to a stripped-down section of the instructions if > one wanted to bypass the

Re: [Elecraft] K1-4 4 band version gone? (Hand SMT---Never

I don't think it's a matter of technique, Bob. I have all the right equipment (the special tweezers, solder paste - in the fridge, a hot plate, a heat gun). And I will do small, simple boards -- which even a 4-band K1 would not be. My problem is knowing that an ill timed sneeze can cause a s

[Elecraft] K1-4 4 band version gone? (Hand SMT---Never

while this string is open I have used a small Iron and tweezers to position chip caps/resistors tack one end and then do the other end,,, I use some liquid rosin the multi lead devices make sure leads are centered on the board then tack one pin,,, solder the rest and use solder wick to clean up

Re: [Elecraft] K1-4 4 band version gone? (Hand SMT---Never)

Wow -- I kind of touched a nerve with the "big boy" reference! I recall this term was used by Dave Benson in some of his SWL kit documentation. It merely referred the reader to a stripped-down section of the instructions if one wanted to bypass the lengthy, step-by-step narrative... My point is

Re: [Elecraft] K1-4 4 band version gone? (Hand SMT---Never)

Oh yes, that! I didn't think of it as SMT because it has four leads. Took me a while to figure out how to orient it, though. I sneezed and almost lost that critter. And I have two spares -- so mine is likely to last forever. Phil W7OX On 7/20/14, 5:30 PM, Matt Maguire wrote: ObElecraftC

Re: [Elecraft] K1-4 4 band version gone? (Hand SMT---Never)

I build all my SMT projects with my 30+ year old Weller WTCPT iron, and an Optivisor. Have been for years now. Bruce/N1RX Jim/ AD6CW wrote:More power to you and others who have the patience, equipment and eyesight/hand coordination to work with SMT devices, Bruce. I think what many of us are say

Re: [Elecraft] K1-4 4 band version gone? (Hand SMT---Never)

My first experience with SMT was building a softrock multiband receiver kit. It is a hybrid through hole/SMT kit, with few different types of SMT devices. I really enjoyed building it, and learned a lot from it, and would recommend it to anyone wanting to dip their toe in the water, so to speak. O

Re: [Elecraft] K1-4 4 band version gone? (Hand SMT---Never)

More power to you and others who have the patience, equipment and eyesight/hand coordination to work with SMT devices, Bruce. I think what many of us are saying, is that type of construction is not for everyone. I have a nice Weller soldering station and a variety of tips for it, as well as en

Re: [Elecraft] K1-4 4 band version gone? (Hand SMT---Never)

Support your local "maker space", they will likely have the gear and knowledge to do SMT… and probably a bunch of young guys that have never seen HAM before or know the potential. On Jul 20, 2014, at 3:04 PM, Jim Lowman wrote: > I have to agree with Mike, especially with the assertion about S

Re: [Elecraft] K1-4 4 band version gone? (Hand SMT---Never)

While I understand this mindset; I for one, am grateful that there are SMT-based kits available. I enjoy building both thru-hole and SMT based projects. In many cases, thru hole equivalents are not available for some components. I have built many all-SMT projects, notably those offered by KD1JV,ad

Re: [Elecraft] K1-4 4 band version gone? (Hand SMT---Never)

I have to agree with Mike, especially with the assertion about SMT components being intended for robotic assembly. Imagine all of the troubleshooting calls and e-mails that Elecraft would get if Joe Ham had to populate circuit boards with these miniature components. Too much room for error.

Re: [Elecraft] K1-4 4 band version gone?

That was my thinking, too, Don. Phil W7OX On 7/20/14, 10:16 AM, Don Wilhelm wrote: Phil, I suspect the cost would be significantly greater than for the assembled board version that we have now. To produce a kit, the parts would have to be pulled and counted, capacitors hand marked for valu

Re: [Elecraft] K1-4 4 band version gone?

On assembling versus building... I think my hobby of woodworking has almost ripped away my soldering iron from my hot little hands. I still have a solder-kit sitting on my desk ready to be put together (the W1 meter) and it just sits there. All my spare time this summer is building white oak

Re: [Elecraft] K1-4 4 band version gone?

Phil, I suspect the cost would be significantly greater than for the assembled board version that we have now. To produce a kit, the parts would have to be pulled and counted, capacitors hand marked for values and packaged in some reasonable manner - that is a lot of labor cost. Much greater

Re: [Elecraft] K1-4 4 band version gone?

Just imagine a KX3 kitted at the parts level. I wonder if the price would be less than the current offering? Phil W7OX On 7/20/14, 9:22 AM, Dave KW4M wrote: And here's a third. I built one of Weber's ATS-3B kits and use it on occasion, such as during Field Day 2011.

Re: [Elecraft] K1-4 4 band version gone? (Hand SMT---Never)

> ... perhaps it is time for Elecraft to start offering some "big boy" kits > that make full use of SMTs and other modern components. Some would likely take exception to that strong implication that one is not a "big boy" (whatever that means) if one rejects significant SMT hand application. I'v

Re: [Elecraft] K1-4 4 band version gone?

And here's a third. I built one of Weber's ATS-3B kits and use it on occasion, such as during Field Day 2011. The demand and popularity of his kits is evident as the last run of MTRs sold out literally hours after it

Re: [Elecraft] K1-4 4 band version gone?

LOL, yes, size is definitely an issue. I use glasses, a magnifying lens and tweezers. You do not have to cut leads that end up everywhere though. It is precise work, no doubt, especially on the ICs. I know in ten or fifteen years I may not be able to see those parts anymore. I like SMT though, d

Re: [Elecraft] K1-4 4 band version gone?

And, not all hams are able to have a workbench or shack to house the needed gear. Sometimes, things like that intervene. While it would be nice to be able to build, not everyone can, even if they have the desire and experience. Doesn't mean they aren't "serious" about ham radio. 73 de

Re: [Elecraft] K1-4 4 band version gone?

Not all "serious hams" would agree with you. In my first SMT effort I was very careful but lost one part. Looked all over for it. Two days later I found it in my shoe. I have paste, hot air gun, hot plate -- all the goodies -- but I try to avoid using them, a matter of mental stress -- and,

Re: [Elecraft] K1-4 4 band version gone?

I will second that. I built two Weber MTRs and in many ways it was easier than through-hole, except for the size. I used a soldering iron. “No soldering required” kits are no fun to me. I would never say that I built my KX3 for instance, only assembled it. Gil. -- PGP Key: http://keskydee.com/g

Re: [Elecraft] K1-4 4 band version gone?

I was reminded how capable the K1 is a couple weeks ago at a beach house at Seabrook Island, SC... I broke away from family activities for just a couple hours one night and made solid K1 DX QSOs with Ukraine, Sweden, Italy and others using just a lightweight 20 meter dipole tied to the corner of t

Re: [Elecraft] K1-4 4 band version gone?

Hi Wayne, hi K1 friends, I followed the discussion about the 4 band module and the problems. I can imagine to design a replacement board with four or even more bands in a way, that the problems with the alignment and the components will be solved. I do not know, if the dialogue to the PIC was eve

Re: [Elecraft] K1-4 4 band version gone?

Hi Wayne, hi K1 friends, I followed the discussion about the 4 band module and the problems. I can imagine to design a replacement board with four or even more bands in a way, that the problems with the alignment and the components will be solved. I do not know, if the dialogue to the PIC was eve

Re: [Elecraft] K1-4 4 band version gone?

The only science I can think of has to do with propagation. It seems to me that 20m/40m would give the best overall opportunity for use hour by hour over the course of a full sunspot cycle. Everything else pretty much just boils down to personal preference or available space for antennas. 7

Re: [Elecraft] K1-4 4 band version gone?

I am sad about the recent turn of events but not surprised. I bought the K1-2 band right after it was available with an extra 2 band board. When the 4 band board was introduced, I jumped on that purchase. I will probably buy a few of the 2 band boards before they are gone. I don't want any porta

Re: [Elecraft] K1-4 4 band version gone?

On Thu, 2014-07-17 at 11:14 -0700, Phil Hystad wrote: > And, here I was planning to get a 4-band K1 this fall. Yes, real Bummer. I was about to buy one, sold my first, what a mistake! I vote for a redesign as well! Gil. __ Elecraft mai

Re: [Elecraft] K1-4 4 band version gone?

Hi Mike, I appreciate your thoughts on the K1. You're right -- it has a much simpler user interface than the KX3, and lower receive-mode current drain. But, regarding size and weight: The KX3 weighs only slightly more than the K1 (1.5 vs. 1.4 lbs), and the KX3 is roughly 30% smaller than the K

Re: [Elecraft] K1-4 4 band version gone?

Jessie wrote: > I'll have to give mine a close look for mechanical feasibility when I > get home. It is not feasible. Mike / KK5F __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.

Re: [Elecraft] K1-4 4 band version gone?

Don wrote: >The K1 can remember the frequency offset settings for 6 bands... The K1 remembers the frequency display calibration settings (OFS) for all *nine* HF bands between 160m and 10m (60m is excluded), and automatically uses the one previously stored for a particular band when that band gets

Re: [Elecraft] K1-4 4 band version gone?

Here's another thought that perhaps one of us could put together: give up the internal battery space for a considerably larger filter board that could be used to allow room for additional "2 band" style filters that don't share components (and, thus, don't need high-tolerance parts). No

Re: [Elecraft] K1-4 4 band version gone?

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 o

Re: [Elecraft] K1-4 4 band version gone?

Thanks for taking the time to reply with the details, Wayne. It's a shame. I (and many others) feel the K1 has some advantages over the KX1, such as the analog VFO, higher output power, and 4-pole filtering. It's internal antenna matching unit also offers more tuning range than the KX1. I have also

Re: [Elecraft] K1-4 4 band version gone?

The K1 can remember the frequency offset settings for 6 bands, so having 3 2-band boards is quite practical. You get to choose which 2 bands go together on one board for most of your operating pleasure. 73, Don W3FPR On 7/17/2014 2:14 PM, Phil Hystad wrote: And, here I was planning to get a

Re: [Elecraft] K1-4 4 band version gone?

What is the crucial part that caused this? Inquiring minds wanna know. WT5Y Sent from my Cricket smartphone Original message From: EricJ Date: 07/17/2014 13:32 (GMT-06:00) To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K1-4 4 band version gone? Bad news...for

Re: [Elecraft] K1-4 4 band version gone?

Hi Bruce, 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. A redesign using higher-TC trimmers might be possible, but the filters would en

Re: [Elecraft] K1-4 4 band version gone?

The part that has become unavailable is the blue trimmer capacitors that are used for tuning the bandpass filters. That does *not* spell demise of the K1, but only the 4 band board. Yes, sorry that it is gone, but the K1 with a 2 band board and an extra 2 band board will give you 4 band capab

Re: [Elecraft] K1-4 4 band version gone?

Bad news...for those who don't have one. The K1-4 was my introduction to both Elecraft and purpose-built QRP rigs. It's easily in the top 3 favorite radios I have owned in half a century. I think Gil called it a cute mini K2 in the link below, and that's a pretty good description. It's big eno

Re: [Elecraft] K1-4 4 band version gone?

And, here I was planning to get a 4-band K1 this fall. Yes, real Bummer. So, I figure that I could do one of the following: (1)Buy THREE 2-band K1 radios (saves on interchanging other bands). (2)Buy the Two band option board and get along with 4 bands. (3)Stick with

Re: [Elecraft] K1-4 4 band version gone?

Bummer -- and Lisa's exact words from that link were more definite and final: /The 4-band board was discontinued due to a part availability issue that was crucial to the functionality of the KF1-4. So no, it will not be coming back sorry to say./ The 4-band K1 is a really nice, small QRP ra

Re: [Elecraft] K1-4 4 band version gone?

This is sad news indeed. I have built a few K1s, and repaired a few for others. The 4 band board made for a very capable rig, without the swapping that the 2 band version requires. A redesign/reintroduction would be nice, but I imagine it's primarily a business decision, rather than strictly an eng

Re: [Elecraft] K1-4 4 band version gone?

I emailed Elecraft about it and they said the 4-band module is unlikely to come back. http://radiopreppers.com/index.php/topic,824.0.html Gil. -- PGP Key: http://keskydee.com/gil.asc On Jul 17, 2014, at 11:47 AM, Phil Wheeler wrote: > needs an edit -- unless lack of a 4-band module is a tempo

Re: [Elecraft] K1-4 4 band version gone?

Yes, Bruce, it looks like this: /T//he K1...A compact, high-performance CW rig that _you_ can build./ // /HF operation is more fun than ever these days--five watts is all you need to work worldwide DX. That's why we've packed up to four bands into our affordable, easy-to-build K1-

[Elecraft] K1-4 4 band version gone?

All this talk about the K1 backlight led me to look back at the K1 order page. There is no option for a 4-band version, nor for the KFL1-4 4-band filter module itself. Is this an oversight, or has the 4-band board been discontinued? If so, when and why? Also if so, then the K1 description page shou