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K3 Shift and Width encoders sluggish

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K3 Shift and Width encoders sluggish

Perhaps Eric will clear this up but maybe my experience can
help with this issue.
The last time I sent one of my K3's back for some work - I
mentioned that those four encoders in that cluster had a noticeable and undesirable
'backlash' feel to them - could they do something about it?I was told by the Elecraft tech that they had supplied
several generations of those controls - I think - one was arbitrarily changed
by the supplier and another Elecraft changed suppliers, or part numbers - or
whatever. The bottom line being that not all encoders are alike. I had them
changed out for the latest generation which are just great. They were very
inexpensive - and very little labor - provided you already had the front cover
removed for other purposes.
I recommend the new controls and when I send my other K3
back in a few days for the new synthesizer, and a few other upgrades - I am
going to get the new controls on it as well.73, Bruce W8RA
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w0mu

Re: K3 Shift and Width encoders sluggish

I think there was a bad batch of decoders or decoders that didn't
perform as claimed. I am not sure mine have ever worked right. Unless
you have two radios to compare to one would never know and there was
never anything sent out that said hey if your encoders are acting wonky
you might have got some bad ones.

Similar pin issue with the power boards. I am unclear why Elecraft
using inferior parts all of sudden became my problem.

These are defects and while my K3's are no longer under warranty, the
amount of defects and how they are handled will factor in to decision
making on future radio purchases. The decoder issue might have been a
warranty issue if I knew to look for it.

Mike W0MU

On 3/13/2015 9:32 AM, bruce whitney via Elecraft wrote:

> Perhaps Eric will clear this up but maybe my experience can
> help with this issue.
> The last time I sent one of my K3's back for some work - I
> mentioned that those four encoders in that cluster had a noticeable and undesirable
> 'backlash' feel to them - could they do something about it?I was told by the Elecraft tech that they had supplied
> several generations of those controls - I think - one was arbitrarily changed
> by the supplier and another Elecraft changed suppliers, or part numbers - or
> whatever. The bottom line being that not all encoders are alike. I had them
> changed out for the latest generation which are just great. They were very
> inexpensive - and very little labor - provided you already had the front cover
> removed for other purposes.
> I recommend the new controls and when I send my other K3
> back in a few days for the new synthesizer, and a few other upgrades - I am
> going to get the new controls on it as well.73, Bruce W8RA
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

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Roger D Johnson

Re: K3 Shift and Width encoders sluggish

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

The 4 encoders to the left of the main tuning knob all have a "notchy" feel
to them whereas the RIT encoder feels smooth. Is this normal? Are the
newest encoders notchy or smooth? Is the displayed frequency supposed
to change when the RIT knob is turned even when RIT is off?

73, Roger

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Gary Gregory-2

Re: K3 Shift and Width encoders sluggish

Bad decoders, "Tin" pins, audio/speaker issues, intermittant keypad
responses, RIT encoder issue etc have rendered my early K3 pretty useless.
Add a very expensive shipping cost to and from the factory prohibitive,
mine has now been set aside and earmarked for scrap.

Support at Elecraft is excellent and those folks work hard at helping
customers but a non-responsive factory let them down badly if you need to
discuss your concerns.

Gary
Vk1ZZ
K3, KX3, KPA500-FT, KAT500-FT,P3.
On 14/03/2015 3:57 AM, "Roger D Johnson" <[hidden email]> wrote:

> The 4 encoders to the left of the main tuning knob all have a "notchy" feel
> to them whereas the RIT encoder feels smooth. Is this normal? Are the
> newest encoders notchy or smooth? Is the displayed frequency supposed
> to change when the RIT knob is turned even when RIT is off?
>
> 73, Roger
>
>
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wayne burdick

Re: K3 Shift and Width encoders sluggish

Administrator

Gary Gregory <[hidden email]> wrote:

> ...a very expensive shipping cost to and from the factory….

Gary,

We've been shipping the K3 since 2008. Things do wear out, sometimes, with products that get nearly continuous use (like K3s). We strive to locate and ship the best-quality parts we can that are compatible with the existing PC boards. And we do improve module designs as time permits.

That said, you seem to have an extreme case.

If you don't want to incur the cost of having us make these simple repairs or mods, perhaps you can find someone locally in VK--a PC or appliance repair shop, maybe even another ham with the needed tools. We can put together a package deal on all of the parts you think are required to bring your K3 back up to full health. I'll see to it that you're given pricing commensurate with your long history as a K3 owner.

73,
Wayne
N6KR

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