Re: [Elecraft] KX3 tuning knob friction
Phil, I had a mishap this morning with my radio desk which resulted in my kx3 knob dropping to the floor and my kx3 dangling by its antenna. When I put the knob back on, I found that if I pushed it against the felt, it was too stiff. If I just dropped it on the shaft and then set the screw, it was back to the factory feel. I remembered seeing this post and figured the experience was worth mentioning for the next builder or blunderer. I was surprised at he variance. Steven -- Sent from: http://elecraft.365791.n2.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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] KX3 tuning knob friction
I got my KX3 kit (s/n 268) earlier this week. I had a few day pause in building it while I waited for a couple of missing parts to come from Aptos. I finished it today. It's a beautiful little rig. The only thing that I have noticed so far that I am not wild about is that the VFO A knob (main tuning) is stiff. Even with essentially no contact between the knob and felt washer, the knob will not free spin. It takes enough torque to rotate it that there is even a tendency of the rig rocking a bit as the finger dimple is turned. It won't continue to rotate after my fingers come off of the knob. Is this normal, or do I have an encoder with issues? Thank you. 73, Phil, NS7P __ 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] KX3 tuning knob friction
Phil, this is normal, and intentional. In keeping with the portable ethos of the KX3, having a completely free-wheeling VFO knob is not particularly desirable. It helps prevent unintentional frequency shifts. I think you will find that you get used to it. 73, Bruce, N1RX I got my KX3 kit (s/n 268) earlier this week. I had a few day pause in building it while I waited for a couple of missing parts to come from Aptos. I finished it today. It's a beautiful little rig. The only thing that I have noticed so far that I am not wild about is that the VFO A knob (main tuning) is stiff. __ 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] KX3 tuning knob friction
I thought that could be the reason. Along the lines of the two button turn-on sequence to prevent accidental power-ups in a pack. This is a wonderful K2 replacement for my SOTA pack. Thank you. 73, Phil -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net]On Behalf Of Bruce Beford Sent: Saturday, June 09, 2012 4:42 PM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3 tuning knob friction Phil, this is normal, and intentional. In keeping with the portable ethos of the KX3, having a completely free-wheeling VFO knob is not particularly desirable. It helps prevent unintentional frequency shifts. I think you will find that you get used to it. 73, Bruce, N1RX I got my KX3 kit (s/n 268) earlier this week. I had a few day pause in building it while I waited for a couple of missing parts to come from Aptos. I finished it today. It's a beautiful little rig. The only thing that I have noticed so far that I am not wild about is that the VFO A knob (main tuning) is stiff. __ 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 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] KX3 tuning knob friction
Phil, Going back to the K2 days, a fully free-spinning VFO knob is not desirable, if the knob is bumped in any way (or even drumming fingers on the table), the frequency can change. I can't say that the KX3 is exactly the same as the K2, but if you hold the KX3 so the encoder shaft is vertical and drop the knob onto the shaft by its own weight, then tighten the setscrews, the tension will be correct. You can vary from that based on your preferences, but that is as good a starting point as I can offer. Yes, I agree about the finger dimple - I do not find it usable (but part of that is just me - I just hold my tuning finger on the edge of the knob. 73, Don W3FPR On 6/9/2012 7:36 PM, Phillip Shepard wrote: I got my KX3 kit (s/n 268) earlier this week. I had a few day pause in building it while I waited for a couple of missing parts to come from Aptos. I finished it today. It's a beautiful little rig. The only thing that I have noticed so far that I am not wild about is that the VFO A knob (main tuning) is stiff. Even with essentially no contact between the knob and felt washer, the knob will not free spin. It takes enough torque to rotate it that there is even a tendency of the rig rocking a bit as the finger dimple is turned. It won't continue to rotate after my fingers come off of the knob. Is this normal, or do I have an encoder with issues? Thank you. 73, Phil, NS7P __ 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 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] KX3 tuning knob friction
My take on this is that there will be probably more home/portable users of the KX3 than those using it mobile in a car...in any event why not make the degree of friction adjustable by the user? I hate to have to grind away trying to turn a main tuning knob when operating...my K2 knob is adjustable along with the K3...is this friction a function of the optical encoder used??? Hope this minor problem can be fixed. 73, Joe W2KJ I QRP, therefore I am __ 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] KX3 tuning knob friction
I agree with Bruce. Whey I want to QSY fast, I change the RATE via the push button, and can be at the other end of the band in a few turns of the tuning dial. Another trick I do is -not- use the dimple, but place my index finger on the ribbed dial grip and spin the dial by letting it roll underneath my finger. My finger is on the circumference of the knob, so you get a better mechanical advantage. 73 de Ray K2ULR On Jun 9, 2012, at 7:41 PM, Bruce Beford wrote: Phil, this is normal, and intentional. In keeping with the portable ethos of the KX3, having a completely free-wheeling VFO knob is not particularly desirable. It helps prevent unintentional frequency shifts. I think you will find that you get used to it. 73, Bruce, N1RX I got my KX3 kit (s/n 268) earlier this week. I had a few day pause in building it while I waited for a couple of missing parts to come from Aptos. I finished it today. It's a beautiful little rig. The only thing that I have noticed so far that I am not wild about is that the VFO A knob (main tuning) is stiff. __ 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 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] KX3 Tuning knob friction
Another option is to use the VFO B to for more coarse tuning. Dave Higdon KD4ICT __ 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] KX3 tuning knob friction
Joe, There is no grinding involved, just use the allen wrench supplied to loosen the VFO knob setscrews and adjust for more or less drag between the knob and the felt washer. The optical encoder is quite free-spinning, and if there is not enough friction, unexpected frequency changes can occur while with too much friction, tuning becomes cumbersome. The balance point in the middle is an individual decision, but I believe a totally free-wheeling encoder shaft will give you problem with unexpected frequency changes. In other words, put a bit of drag on it, but just how much is an individual decision - now that you know the pros and cons, accept the consequences of your decision point. This is *not* a problem to be fixed, it is an individual decision about how much drag should be on the VFO knob - as I have said, that is an individual decision. Use your best judgement. 73, Don W3FPR On 6/9/2012 8:56 PM, Joseph Trombino, Jr wrote: My take on this is that there will be probably more home/portable users of the KX3 than those using it mobile in a car...in any event why not make the degree of friction adjustable by the user? I hate to have to grind away trying to turn a main tuning knob when operating...my K2 knob is adjustable along with the K3...is this friction a function of the optical encoder used??? __ 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] KX3 tuning knob friction
Many thanks for the info Don...makes my mind rest easy (grin)...I do like the free spinning tuning on my K2 and K3. I should know from past experience that Elecraft wouldn't field a rig that wasn't just superb. I don't have a KX3 yet...ordered a kit on 18 Feb and still waiting (sigh). And so the wait goes on...can't believe they are still shipping based on orders received circa 28 Dec.hope the backlog diminishes rapidly...I'd like to be able to take my KX3 to the park before the weather turns cold (grin). 73, Joe W2KJ I QRP, therefore I am Joe, There is no grinding involved, just use the allen wrench supplied to loosen the VFO knob setscrews and adjust for more or less drag between the knob and the felt washer. The optical encoder is quite free-spinning, and if there is not enough friction, unexpected frequency changes can occur while with too much friction, tuning becomes cumbersome. The balance point in the middle is an individual decision, but I believe a totally free-wheeling encoder shaft will give you problem with unexpected frequency changes. In other words, put a bit of drag on it, but just how much is an individual decision - now that you know the pros and cons, accept the consequences of your decision point. This is *not* a problem to be fixed, it is an individual decision about how much drag should be on the VFO knob - as I have said, that is an individual decision. Use your best judgement. 73, Don W3FPR On 6/9/2012 8:56 PM, Joseph Trombino, Jr wrote: My take on this is that there will be probably more home/portable users of the KX3 than those using it mobile in a car...in any event why not make the degree of friction adjustable by the user? I hate to have to grind away trying to turn a main tuning knob when operating...my K2 knob is adjustable along with the K3...is this friction a function of the optical encoder used??? __ 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] KX3 tuning knob friction
I'm OK with it, but my encoder shaft does not appear to be free spinning. Keeping the knob away from the felt washer still shows drag. I'll give it some time. Probably OK as it is. 73, Phil, NS7P -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net]On Behalf Of Don Wilhelm Sent: Saturday, June 09, 2012 7:15 PM To: Joseph Trombino, Jr Cc: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3 tuning knob friction Joe, There is no grinding involved, just use the allen wrench supplied to loosen the VFO knob setscrews and adjust for more or less drag between the knob and the felt washer. The optical encoder is quite free-spinning, and if there is not enough friction, unexpected frequency changes can occur while with too much friction, tuning becomes cumbersome. The balance point in the middle is an individual decision, but I believe a totally free-wheeling encoder shaft will give you problem with unexpected frequency changes. In other words, put a bit of drag on it, but just how much is an individual decision - now that you know the pros and cons, accept the consequences of your decision point. This is *not* a problem to be fixed, it is an individual decision about how much drag should be on the VFO knob - as I have said, that is an individual decision. Use your best judgement. 73, Don W3FPR On 6/9/2012 8:56 PM, Joseph Trombino, Jr wrote: My take on this is that there will be probably more home/portable users of the KX3 than those using it mobile in a car...in any event why not make the degree of friction adjustable by the user? I hate to have to grind away trying to turn a main tuning knob when operating...my K2 knob is adjustable along with the K3...is this friction a function of the optical encoder used??? __ 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 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] KX3 tuning knob friction
Joe, The shipping estimates for orders placed *today* is 90 to 120 days, so if you ordered earlier than yesterday, your KX3 should arrive between Aug 09, 2012 and Sept 09, 2012. I suspect your order date is before yesterday, so your shipment should be prior to that time range. It will not be cold here in North Carolina on those dates! /I know there is a lot of frustration about shipping dates, but if one looks at the serial numbers shipped and the order dates (hours), it is apparent that there were a *lot* of orders placed in the first 24 hours. I recall Madelyn commenting that there was paper, paper everywhere, so the office staff was struggling to keep up with the orders. I have no inside information about the actual number of orders in the first 24 hours, but there have been over 300 KX3s shipped and they have not yet fulfilled the first 48 hours of KX3 orders - that says something about the number of initial orders that were placed. When the initial order assault tapers off to the end of the first week (or beginning of the 2nd week) of ordering, I think you will see some return to normalcy, but the first few days of KX3 ordering was wild, so wait a bit more for things to settle down and soon (OK in 120 days or more), they will be shipping KX3s off the shelf / 73, Don W3FPR On 6/9/2012 10:38 PM, Joseph Trombino, Jr wrote: Many thanks for the info Don...makes my mind rest easy (grin)...I do like the free spinning tuning on my K2 and K3. I should know from past experience that Elecraft wouldn't field a rig that wasn't just superb. I don't have a KX3 yet...ordered a kit on 18 Feb and still waiting (sigh). And so the wait goes on...can't believe they are still shipping based on orders received circa 28 Dec.hope the backlog diminishes rapidly...I'd like to be able to take my KX3 to the park before the weather turns cold (grin). 73, Joe W2KJ I QRP, therefore I am Joe, There is no grinding involved, just use the allen wrench supplied to loosen the VFO knob setscrews and adjust for more or less drag between the knob and the felt washer. The optical encoder is quite free-spinning, and if there is not enough friction, unexpected frequency changes can occur while with too much friction, tuning becomes cumbersome. The balance point in the middle is an individual decision, but I believe a totally free-wheeling encoder shaft will give you problem with unexpected frequency changes. In other words, put a bit of drag on it, but just how much is an individual decision - now that you know the pros and cons, accept the consequences of your decision point. This is *not* a problem to be fixed, it is an individual decision about how much drag should be on the VFO knob - as I have said, that is an individual decision. Use your best judgement. 73, Don W3FPR On 6/9/2012 8:56 PM, Joseph Trombino, Jr wrote: My take on this is that there will be probably more home/portable users of the KX3 than those using it mobile in a car...in any event why not make the degree of friction adjustable by the user? I hate to have to grind away trying to turn a main tuning knob when operating...my K2 knob is adjustable along with the K3...is this friction a function of the optical encoder used??? __ 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 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] KX3 tuning knob friction
Just as a reference point, my order confirmation for a kit was 44 minutes after the opening email announcement. I got my kit on Tuesday (6/5/12). Shipped 6/1/12). Then three more days to get all of the needed parts. Worth the wait, however! It will probably be on a SOTA summit this coming week! 73, Phil, NS7P -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net]On Behalf Of Don Wilhelm Sent: Saturday, June 09, 2012 8:02 PM To: Joseph Trombino, Jr Cc: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3 tuning knob friction Joe, The shipping estimates for orders placed *today* is 90 to 120 days, so if you ordered earlier than yesterday, your KX3 should arrive between Aug 09, 2012 and Sept 09, 2012. I suspect your order date is before yesterday, so your shipment should be prior to that time range. It will not be cold here in North Carolina on those dates! /I know there is a lot of frustration about shipping dates, but if one looks at the serial numbers shipped and the order dates (hours), it is apparent that there were a *lot* of orders placed in the first 24 hours. I recall Madelyn commenting that there was paper, paper everywhere, so the office staff was struggling to keep up with the orders. I have no inside information about the actual number of orders in the first 24 hours, but there have been over 300 KX3s shipped and they have not yet fulfilled the first 48 hours of KX3 orders - that says something about the number of initial orders that were placed. When the initial order assault tapers off to the end of the first week (or beginning of the 2nd week) of ordering, I think you will see some return to normalcy, but the first few days of KX3 ordering was wild, so wait a bit more for things to settle down and soon (OK in 120 days or more), they will be shipping KX3s off the shelf / 73, Don W3FPR On 6/9/2012 10:38 PM, Joseph Trombino, Jr wrote: Many thanks for the info Don...makes my mind rest easy (grin)...I do like the free spinning tuning on my K2 and K3. I should know from past experience that Elecraft wouldn't field a rig that wasn't just superb. I don't have a KX3 yet...ordered a kit on 18 Feb and still waiting (sigh). And so the wait goes on...can't believe they are still shipping based on orders received circa 28 Dec.hope the backlog diminishes rapidly...I'd like to be able to take my KX3 to the park before the weather turns cold (grin). 73, Joe W2KJ I QRP, therefore I am Joe, There is no grinding involved, just use the allen wrench supplied to loosen the VFO knob setscrews and adjust for more or less drag between the knob and the felt washer. The optical encoder is quite free-spinning, and if there is not enough friction, unexpected frequency changes can occur while with too much friction, tuning becomes cumbersome. The balance point in the middle is an individual decision, but I believe a totally free-wheeling encoder shaft will give you problem with unexpected frequency changes. In other words, put a bit of drag on it, but just how much is an individual decision - now that you know the pros and cons, accept the consequences of your decision point. This is *not* a problem to be fixed, it is an individual decision about how much drag should be on the VFO knob - as I have said, that is an individual decision. Use your best judgement. 73, Don W3FPR On 6/9/2012 8:56 PM, Joseph Trombino, Jr wrote: My take on this is that there will be probably more home/portable users of the KX3 than those using it mobile in a car...in any event why not make the degree of friction adjustable by the user? I hate to have to grind away trying to turn a main tuning knob when operating...my K2 knob is adjustable along with the K3...is this friction a function of the optical encoder used??? __ 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 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 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] KX3 tuning knob friction
The K3's VFO encoder shaft has bearings that allow it to freewheel. The KX3's doesn't have these. I doubt this will change. With a portable transceiver, it's better if the VFO stays where it's put. This attribute also assists in mobile ops with a lot more lumps and bumps to the VFO. 73, matt W6NIA KX3 #6 FT On Sat, 09 Jun 2012 19:59:02 -0700, you wrote: I'm OK with it, but my encoder shaft does not appear to be free spinning. Keeping the knob away from the felt washer still shows drag. I'll give it some time. Probably OK as it is. 73, Phil, NS7P -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net]On Behalf Of Don Wilhelm Sent: Saturday, June 09, 2012 7:15 PM To: Joseph Trombino, Jr Cc: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3 tuning knob friction Joe, There is no grinding involved, just use the allen wrench supplied to loosen the VFO knob setscrews and adjust for more or less drag between the knob and the felt washer. The optical encoder is quite free-spinning, and if there is not enough friction, unexpected frequency changes can occur while with too much friction, tuning becomes cumbersome. The balance point in the middle is an individual decision, but I believe a totally free-wheeling encoder shaft will give you problem with unexpected frequency changes. In other words, put a bit of drag on it, but just how much is an individual decision - now that you know the pros and cons, accept the consequences of your decision point. This is *not* a problem to be fixed, it is an individual decision about how much drag should be on the VFO knob - as I have said, that is an individual decision. Use your best judgement. 73, Don W3FPR On 6/9/2012 8:56 PM, Joseph Trombino, Jr wrote: My take on this is that there will be probably more home/portable users of the KX3 than those using it mobile in a car...in any event why not make the degree of friction adjustable by the user? I hate to have to grind away trying to turn a main tuning knob when operating...my K2 knob is adjustable along with the K3...is this friction a function of the optical encoder used??? __ 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 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 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
