Re: [Elecraft] Alternate Knob for K3 VFO B - update
Having read several sets of emails regarding substitutes for the B knob over the past year, I thought I could contribute by making a suggestion. Since this is the first posting I've done to the forum (or any forum), I have no idea whether this will reach its intended audience, but here goes: Several years ago, I added a crank to an FT-817 main dial. I was unaware of any substitutes, so I just made my own. You can do the same with the K3 B dial. All you need is a very small screw, about 2 x 10 mm, and a ferrule to fit around the end of the screw to create a rotatable knob. I have downloaded (I hope) 2 images of the 817 dial I modified (See http://n2.nabble.com/RadioPhotagsWBG-f2438356.html; and http://n2.nabble.com/embed/f2438356;). For the 817 knob, I used a very small flathead screw, 0.8 x 8 mm, and a plastic ferrule from my 50-yr. old junk box. I drilled into the mostly plastic 817 dial using a pin vise and drill bit slightly narrower than the screw, then carefully turned the screw into the hole to force threads into the plastic. Assuming all K3 B dials are the same, you could drill about 6 mm into the plastic before hitting the metal core. (my K3 dial is so heavy, I wonder if the Elecraft crew used depleted uranium.) I don't mean to imply there is anything wrong with the K8FF modifications, but If you need crank right away, this could do it. The 817 was so easy, I'm thinking of putting these cranks on my K3 Shift, Width etc., knobs. Hi, Hi! I hope this helps. I received several replies to my question about an alternate knob for VFO B on the K3. It appears that quite a few people have switched out that knob ... some with a K2 knob, others with one of the larger Yaesu knobs, a few with varying military or commercial surplus knobs they were able to find. The general feedback was that the FT-817 knob was probably NOT the way to go. I also got a very nice reply from K8FF, the fellow who makes the finger dimples and the FT-817 Kranker knob. With his permission I'm quoting the relevant portions of his message below. 73, Dave AB7E Bill, WD8MNG -- View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/Alternate-Knob-for-K3-VFO-B---update-tp2431356p2438678.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Alternate Knob for K3 VFO B - update
I'm not a big fan of cranks on knobs, but I've improved my K3 VFO B knob in a way very reminenasent(SP!) of the broccoili band for the K2, by using a short length of bicycle inner tube pushed on and folded over. I think another layer would be better, but two is pretty good. 73, doug Date: Fri, 6 Mar 2009 15:18:15 -0800 (PST) From: WBG william.garn...@uc.edu Having read several sets of emails regarding substitutes for the B knob over the past year, I thought I could contribute by making a suggestion. Since this is the first posting I've done to the forum (or any forum), I have no idea whether this will reach its intended audience, but here goes: __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] Alternate Knob for K3 VFO B - update
I received several replies to my question about an alternate knob for VFO B on the K3. It appears that quite a few people have switched out that knob ... some with a K2 knob, others with one of the larger Yaesu knobs, a few with varying military or commercial surplus knobs they were able to find. The general feedback was that the FT-817 knob was probably NOT the way to go. I also got a very nice reply from K8FF, the fellow who makes the finger dimples and the FT-817 Kranker knob. With his permission I'm quoting the relevant portions of his message below. 73, Dave AB7E quote I actually have three production Kranker knobs at this time. The FT817 knob is about 1 1/8 inches in diameter with the Yaesu rubber ring around it, the FT857 knob is about 1 5/8 in diameter with the rubber ring and both fit 6mm shaft encoders used by Yaesu and Elecraft. You would need to purchase a rubber ring from Yaesu parts dept for either one since I only supply the replacement knob to be used with the original rubber ring. I also have a 1 1/4 inch diameter Kranker that fits the standard 1/4 inch shaft. Guys have been putting them on the Elecraft KX1 and some on the TenTec scout. This one is complete and doesn't require a rubber ring, it is beautifully made and is anodized black. All of these will be on my website shortly. The 1 1/4 inch Kranker is $15.00 including freight. Just Paypal me to my email address and I will ship one out. I might order a set of knobs from a K3 and see how difficult it would be to make Krankers to replace them. Several requests have come in for me to build something for the K3. Thanks, Wayne K8FF k...@juno.com /quote __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Alternate Knob for K3 VFO B - update
A larger knob at VFO B would make it a little harder to use the switch above it and the RIT offset knob to the right of it. That's what determined the knob's size. To make up for the medium-ish size, we included a brass insert in the VFO B knob to give it some heft. It does spin, and you can adjust the spin decay rate by moving the knob in/out to vary the amount of contact with the felt pad. The VFO B knob also has knurling that matches the rest of the knobs (since we designed them all at the same time). An adhesive spinner might be useful and wouldn't detract from the appearance or get in the way. K8FF makes a nice black one that matches the knob color. Since it's obvious that I'm hopelessly biased toward our present K3 VFO B knob, I probably can't add anything useful to the discussion, so I'll go back to firmware now ;) 73, Wayne N6KR David Gilbert wrote: I received several replies to my question about an alternate knob for VFO B on the K3 --- http://www.elecraft.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
