K1EL Systems - Amateur Radio Kits and Projects

K1EL Systems is:

Steve K1EL

Art K1BX

First Kit Offered:

PC SIMM memory boards (1992)

Most Complicated Kit:

PNC1 QRP Transceiver (I am reworking this into something very nice !)

Next Kit to Be Released:

K42 CW Keyboard Kit (a replacement for the K40)

Current New Design in the Lab:

QRP Transceiver

All kits are designed by K1EL in a home based lab, part of which is shown above. We design our own PC boards using FreePCB and Tiny CAD, both great tools. Almost all of our designs use a member of the Microchip PIC family of microcontrollers although we have recently started to do more designs with Cypress PSoC controllers. We have extensive development tools including PIC and PSoC processor emulators and programmers. In addition, we also have a HP Logic Analyzer and Tek Digital Storage scope which speed up design debug. We build first prototypes on perf board that has plated through holes, it's very easy to solder and very rugged. We then mount these protoypes on pieces of pine board with rubber feet. This gives up a very stable assembly to work on. Once we are happy with a prototype we design a PC board and have a batch of proto PCBs made. Our printed circuit boards are manufactured by MyroPCB which we have had very good luck with. About the only thing we don't do ourselves is enclosure design. We subcontract that out to a local mechanical designer. Enclosures our fabricated by a local metal shop we have been working with for many years here in NH.

Both Art and Steve have full time engineering jobs and run the kit business in our free time. At all times our home life takes priority and we can't always answer emails or ship kits immediately but we do the best we can.