Build quality of K3 regarding control knobs and switches?

[tav58]

I was wondering what is the build quality as far as the controls go for the K3? Do the knobs and switches seem to be of high quality and feel? Especially the main tuning knob. I know it's a great radio overall, but I don't like wobbly control knobs. Thanks!
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[Don Wilhelm-4]

I don't know what you consider "wobbly" - I find the K34 knobs to be to
my likeing, but since you have doubts, I suggest you go to a hamfest
where Elecraft has a presence, and you can touch and feel the knobs for
yourself before making a decision.

Yes, there have been some instances where the knobs would split and the
concentric knobs were off-center, but those problems are being addressed
by Elecraft and the defective knobs are being replaced at no cost to the
consumer.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 1/18/2012 10:02 PM, [hidden email] wrote:
> I was wondering what is the build quality as far as the controls go for the K3? Do the knobs and switches seem to be of high quality and feel? Especially the main tuning knob. I know it's a great radio overall, but I don't like wobbly control knobs. Thanks!
>
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[Dave Perry N4QS]

The main tuning know is very solid and silky smooth.  The ergonomics of the
K3 is superb in every respect.  I particularly like the feel of the push
buttons.  A real joy to operate.

Dave, N4QS

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]]On Behalf Of Don Wilhelm
Sent: Wednesday, January 18, 2012 9:12 PM
To: [hidden email]
Cc: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Build quality of K3 regarding control knobs
andswitches?


I don't know what you consider "wobbly" - I find the K34 knobs to be to
my likeing, but since you have doubts, I suggest you go to a hamfest
where Elecraft has a presence, and you can touch and feel the knobs for
yourself before making a decision.

Yes, there have been some instances where the knobs would split and the
concentric knobs were off-center, but those problems are being addressed
by Elecraft and the defective knobs are being replaced at no cost to the
consumer.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 1/18/2012 10:02 PM, [hidden email] wrote:
> I was wondering what is the build quality as far as the controls go for
the K3? Do the knobs and switches seem to be of high quality and feel?
Especially the main tuning knob. I know it's a great radio overall, but I
don't like wobbly control knobs. Thanks!
>
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[WE5ST]

No wobbly control knobs on my K3. And no complaints on knob quality here.




________________________________
From: "[hidden email]" <[hidden email]>
To: [hidden email]
Sent: Wed, January 18, 2012 9:02:24 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] Build quality of K3 regarding control knobs and switches?

I was wondering what is the build quality as far as the controls go for the K3?
Do the knobs and switches seem to be of high quality and feel? Especially the
main tuning knob. I know it's a great radio overall, but I don't like wobbly
control knobs. Thanks!
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[David Gilbert]

I only have my own K3 to go by, but if you were somehow able to make the
main VFO knob wobble I'd boot you out of my shack.

73,
Dave   AB7E


On 1/18/2012 8:02 PM, [hidden email] wrote:
> I was wondering what is the build quality as far as the controls go for the K3? Do the knobs and switches seem to be of high quality and feel? Especially the main tuning knob. I know it's a great radio overall, but I don't like wobbly control knobs. Thanks!
>
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[Keith Heimbold]

My rig is beautiful and the knobs work fine. Not even one complaint about this rig. It is awesome!

Keith
AG6AZ
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[Andy Faber]

BTW, there's a guy who sells heavy knobs for the K3 main and sub vfos.  I
treated myself to them and love the main knob.  It's a distinct improvement
over stock.  The sub is a bit less successful, IMHO, because it is a bi
oversized and can cause you to hit the RIT knob y mistake.
 73, andy ae6y

--------------------------------------------------
From: "Dave Perry" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Wednesday, January 18, 2012 7:19 PM
To: <[hidden email]>; <[hidden email]>
Cc: <[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Build quality of K3 regarding control
knobsandswitches?

> The main tuning know is very solid and silky smooth.  The ergonomics of
> the
> K3 is superb in every respect.  I particularly like the feel of the push
> buttons.  A real joy to operate.
>
> Dave, N4QS
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]]On Behalf Of Don Wilhelm
> Sent: Wednesday, January 18, 2012 9:12 PM
> To: [hidden email]
> Cc: [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Build quality of K3 regarding control knobs
> andswitches?
>
>
> I don't know what you consider "wobbly" - I find the K34 knobs to be to
> my likeing, but since you have doubts, I suggest you go to a hamfest
> where Elecraft has a presence, and you can touch and feel the knobs for
> yourself before making a decision.
>
> Yes, there have been some instances where the knobs would split and the
> concentric knobs were off-center, but those problems are being addressed
> by Elecraft and the defective knobs are being replaced at no cost to the
> consumer.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 1/18/2012 10:02 PM, [hidden email] wrote:
>> I was wondering what is the build quality as far as the controls go for
> the K3? Do the knobs and switches seem to be of high quality and feel?
> Especially the main tuning knob. I know it's a great radio overall, but I
> don't like wobbly control knobs. Thanks!
>>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html 

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[stan levandowski]

I bought them also.  While there is nothing at all wrong with the
perfectly adequate Elecraft stock knobs, the heavy aftermarket products
*really* make the K3 feel like a million bucks.  Considering that the
main tuning knob is the major interface between radio and operator, they
are worth considering if you don't mind blowing big bucks on something
you don't really *need* but rather simply *want*.  www.73cnc.com.

73, Stan WB2LQF
KX1 #2411    K1#2994    K2# 6980    K3#5244     K9 #1 (Cocoa the
Chihuahua)
Everything is QRP, even the dog.


On Wed, Jan 18, 2012 at 11:11 PM, Andy Faber wrote:

> BTW, there's a guy who sells heavy knobs for the K3 main and sub vfos.
> I treated myself to them and love the main knob.  It's a distinct
> improvement over stock.  The sub is a bit less successful, IMHO,
> because it is a bi oversized and can cause you to hit the RIT knob y
> mistake.
>  73, andy ae6y
>
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[hf4me]

I didn't buy them and I won't.  I like the originals.  I tune by rolling my
fingertip around the outer edge of the knob to turn it so I apply almost no
pressure at all to the knob even turning it rapidly.  I set my tension to
nearly zero on the build as that is what I want.  Larger or heavier knobs
would be totally counterproductive for me.  I like the original look and
feel as well and do NOT want to mess it up the looks of my K3, everything
matches very nicely.

73, de Jim KG0KP  - have a nice day

----- Original Message -----
From: "stan levandowski" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Cc: <[hidden email]>; <[hidden email]>
Sent: Wednesday, January 18, 2012 10:43 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Build quality of K3 regarding
controlknobsandswitches?

>I bought them also.  While there is nothing at all wrong with the
> perfectly adequate Elecraft stock knobs, the heavy aftermarket products
> *really* make the K3 feel like a million bucks.  Considering that the
> main tuning knob is the major interface between radio and operator, they
> are worth considering if you don't mind blowing big bucks on something
> you don't really *need* but rather simply *want*.  www.73cnc.com.
>
> 73, Stan WB2LQF
> KX1 #2411    K1#2994    K2# 6980    K3#5244     K9 #1 (Cocoa the
> Chihuahua)
> Everything is QRP, even the dog.
>
>
> On Wed, Jan 18, 2012 at 11:11 PM, Andy Faber wrote:
>
>> BTW, there's a guy who sells heavy knobs for the K3 main and sub vfos.
>> I treated myself to them and love the main knob.  It's a distinct
>> improvement over stock.  The sub is a bit less successful, IMHO,
>> because it is a bi oversized and can cause you to hit the RIT knob y
>> mistake.
>>  73, andy ae6y
>>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>

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[Bob K6UJ]

I'm with Jim,  I like the original knobs.
I also have the tension set at nearly zero on the main tuning knob.  It has just enough mass to give a little flywheel effect when needed
for a quick spin up or down.  Perfect for my use.

73,Bob
K6UJ



On Jan 18, 2012, at 8:56 PM, Jim Miller KG0KP wrote:

> I didn't buy them and I won't.  I like the originals.  I tune by rolling my
> fingertip around the outer edge of the knob to turn it so I apply almost no
> pressure at all to the knob even turning it rapidly.  I set my tension to
> nearly zero on the build as that is what I want.  Larger or heavier knobs
> would be totally counterproductive for me.  I like the original look and
> feel as well and do NOT want to mess it up the looks of my K3, everything
> matches very nicely.
>
> 73, de Jim KG0KP  - have a nice day
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "stan levandowski" <[hidden email]>
> To: <[hidden email]>
> Cc: <[hidden email]>; <[hidden email]>
> Sent: Wednesday, January 18, 2012 10:43 PM
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Build quality of K3 regarding
> controlknobsandswitches?
>
>
>> I bought them also.  While there is nothing at all wrong with the
>> perfectly adequate Elecraft stock knobs, the heavy aftermarket products
>> *really* make the K3 feel like a million bucks.  Considering that the
>> main tuning knob is the major interface between radio and operator, they
>> are worth considering if you don't mind blowing big bucks on something
>> you don't really *need* but rather simply *want*.  www.73cnc.com.
>>
>> 73, Stan WB2LQF
>> KX1 #2411    K1#2994    K2# 6980    K3#5244     K9 #1 (Cocoa the
>> Chihuahua)
>> Everything is QRP, even the dog.
>>
>>
>> On Wed, Jan 18, 2012 at 11:11 PM, Andy Faber wrote:
>>
>>> BTW, there's a guy who sells heavy knobs for the K3 main and sub vfos.
>>> I treated myself to them and love the main knob.  It's a distinct
>>> improvement over stock.  The sub is a bit less successful, IMHO,
>>> because it is a bi oversized and can cause you to hit the RIT knob y
>>> mistake.
>>> 73, andy ae6y
>>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
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[Gary Gregory]

*Hmmm...No Name, No Signature, No call sign...but here goes..:-)

K3 #679 has what I would call very nice knobs and buttons etc. Mine turn
without any "wobble" as you said so all is good.

By way of interest, mine is carted around VK in a motorhome as a genuine
24/7 portable set-up and to date I cannot fault it.

Enjoy!

gary
*
On 19 January 2012 13:02, <[hidden email]> wrote:

> I was wondering what is the build quality as far as the controls go for
> the K3? Do the knobs and switches seem to be of high quality and feel?
> Especially the main tuning knob. I know it's a great radio overall, but I
> don't like wobbly control knobs. Thanks!
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>

--
Gary
VK4FD - Motorhome Mobile
Elecraft Equipment
K3 #679, KPA-500 #018
Living the dream!!!
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[M0XDF]

I have to agree with Jim, I tune the same way too - knobs are superb afaic and I'd rather spend my money on more Elecraft kit :-)
73 de David, M0XDF (K3 #174, P3 #108)
--
I never did a day's work in my life; it was all fun. -Thomas Edison

On 19 Jan 2012, at 04:56, Jim Miller KG0KP wrote:

> I didn't buy them and I won't.  I like the originals.  I tune by rolling my
> fingertip around the outer edge of the knob to turn it so I apply almost no
> pressure at all to the knob even turning it rapidly.  I set my tension to
> nearly zero on the build as that is what I want.  Larger or heavier knobs
> would be totally counterproductive for me.  I like the original look and
> feel as well and do NOT want to mess it up the looks of my K3, everything
> matches very nicely.

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