Name: Elecraft K1
Brand: Elecraft

40m – 20m

Bands

5 W

Output

2001

Introduced

Frequency	HF: 2–4 selectable bands (80–15 m)
Bands	80m (optional), 40m, 30m, 20m, 17m (or 15m), 15m (or 17m)
TX power	5 W (5W on all bands. Elecraft recommends 3W on low-voltage supplies (9.6V battery pack).)
Modes	CW
Weight	635 g (22.4 oz) - 1.4 lbs (0.64 kg) with enclosure. Dimensions: 2.2×5.2×5.6 inches (56×133×144 mm). Ultra-compact.
Connector	BNC
Year	2001

Connectors

antenna	BNC
key	key/paddle input
phones	headphone jack
dc in	DC input (12V nominal, 9.6V battery)
power req	12V DC nominal. Optional internal 9.6V NiMH battery pack. 70 mA receive (with backlight).

the CW purist's QRP kit, ultra-compact, full QSK, benchmark CW performance CW ONLY. No SSB, no digital, no AM. Pure CW transceiver. 2-band or 4-band versions (swappable band modules KFL1-2, build additional modules any time) 2-band: any combination of 80/40/30/20/17/15m. 4-band: 40/30/20 + either 17 or 15m single-conversion superheterodyne (4.915 MHz IF, low IF = excellent CW selectivity) 4-pole crystal ladder filter with variable bandwidth: 200-850 Hz (3 selectable settings) full QSK break-in: solid-state diode switching (NO relay; silent, fast, reliable) built-in iambic memory keyer (A or B mode) with message memories active NE612 mixers (low current consumption, 70 mA with backlight!) varicap-tuned VFO + band-switched crystal-controlled premix oscillator AGC (audio-derived) + S-meter + RIT optional internal NiMH battery pack (8× 1.2V = 9.6V) optional internal automatic antenna tuner (KAT1) KIT ONLY. Build-it-yourself (excellent instructions, great build experience) ultra-compact: 2.2×5.2×5.6" (56×133×144 mm), 1/6 the volume of a typical HF rig rugged custom enclosure ('I can't believe it's a kit!')

Strengths

An ultra-compact CW station (1.4 lbs, backpack-friendly). Full QSK with no relay, a variable CW filter (200-850 Hz), swappable band modules, and a digital LCD frequency display. Receive current is low (~55-70 mA) for good battery life, with a built-in keyer and optional ATU and battery pack. The kit build is a rewarding experience.

Weaknesses

CW only (no SSB or digital). Kit only (must be built). 5W QRP. No computer interface. Limited to 6 bands maximum, and 2 or 4 bands at a time. A BNC connector (not SO-239). For SSB+CW, the Elecraft K2 or KX2 are the alternatives.

Verdict

A compact CW-only QRP kit. The K1 strips CW operating to its essence: 5W, full QSK, a variable 200-850 Hz filter, a built-in keyer, and 1.4 lbs. It does one thing well. For SOTA, POTA, hiking, and travel CW it is a popular kit transceiver. For SSB, the KX2 or KX3 are the choices.

The Elecraft K1 is the little CW kit that helped build Elecraft's reputation. Introduced in 2001 as the CW-only "baby brother" of the K2, it is a compact, low-power (QRP) Morse transceiver the owner assembles from a kit, configurable as a two-band or four-band radio chosen from the 80, 40, 30, 20, 17, and 15 meter bands. Output is 5 watts, plenty for the CW operator working the world on modest power.

Despite its size, the K1 packs real operating features: RIT, full break-in keying with no relay, a memory keyer, a configuration menu, a digital LCD display, an internal speaker, and a variable-bandwidth crystal filter adjustable roughly between 200 and 850 hertz. Receive current is low, around 55 to 70 milliamps, so it sips from a battery, and optional internal modules add an automatic antenna tuner (KAT1) and a battery pack (KBT1) to make a self-contained trail rig.

It is discontinued (Elecraft retired it when the through-hole parts that made it so buildable grew scarce, and lists it on its retired-products page) but it remains a beloved first kit and a capable little field radio. The antenna connects through a BNC, not an SO-239. Compare it with the bigger K2 and the portable KX3.