Category Archives: From the OM

Quad Hands — Helpful Holding Device

Posted on December 31, 2015 by robert

I’ve used a rather inexpensive “Helping Hand” source from China to help hold parts while I solder them.  That tool is a pain to use and not very effective.  So I’ve been looking for a replacement.  I ran across something … Continue reading →

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RX Alignment Completed

Posted on December 28, 2015 by robert

I completed the VFO work and all the RX alignment steps (calibration, filter alignment) in 50 minutes.  All the tests and alignment steps went quite well. The only problem I hear is obviously internal (hear it with antenna disconnected and … Continue reading →

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Another Surprise From the ARRL

Posted on December 17, 2015 by robert

I guess the January 2016 QST is hot off the press.  I received an express envelope with three pristine copies today as a courtesy for a brief piece in Technical Correspondence [pages 72 & 73]. My father was a journalist, … Continue reading →

Posted in From the OM, Gear, History | 1 Comment

K1 Assembly Burp #2

Posted on December 15, 2015 by robert

I had a chance to install a dozen components today, but it took about 50 minutes.  This was because the two adjustable caps (C13 & C20) as supplied do not match the manual description or silkscreen outline.  Elecraft specifies a particular … Continue reading →

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K1 RF Board Assembly Underway

Posted on December 10, 2015 by robert

It’s been about 5 days since I did any work on the K1.  This time of year it’s important to keep the family happy, and that means lots and lots of Christmas decorations.  I hate the thought of landfilling the … Continue reading →

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SCS DR-7400 Modem and the Icom IC-9100

Posted on December 6, 2015 by robert

I haven’t been able to get my Icom IC-9100 and SCS DR-7400 P4 modem to play nicely together.  No matter what I’ve tried, the modulation level was too high, showing substantial ALC action, which would lead to a distorted transmit … Continue reading →

Posted in Digital Mode, From the OM, Gear | 4 Comments

K1 Front Panel Completed

Posted on December 5, 2015 by robert

The Front Panel assembly had 75 components and took 265 minutes of assembly and verification time.  That works out to 3.5 minutes per component and 4.4 hours. At this point, I feel that I’m about halfway finished with the build … Continue reading →

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Pactor Modem Arrives

Posted on December 3, 2015 by robert

I had ordered a P4 Dragon Pactor modem which finally arrived a few days ago.  My intent was to hook it up to my IC-9100 so I can use either Pactor III on HF (P4 is not legal in the … Continue reading →

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K1 Filter Board Completed

Posted on December 2, 2015 by robert

I’d say this is about 1/6 of the work (2/6 for the Front Panel, and 3/6 for the RF board remaining).  It took a total of 255 minutes to complete the installation of 64 component, or about 4 minutes per part … Continue reading →

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K1 Assembly Burp #1

Posted on November 30, 2015 by robert

Things were going swimmingly with the K1 Filter Board assembly, still at a rate of 1 component per 3 minutes (I follow a 7-step process:  check value, check value, install, check value, solder, check value, check solder).  Then I hit a … Continue reading →

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