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[K3] VFO B mechanical clicking

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W5UXH

[K3] VFO B mechanical clicking

I have started to notice a slight clicking noise as I rotate VFO B knob. It is strictly mechanical, being the same with power off or on. It is not a felt rubbing sound, but a distinct click , on the order of 8 clicks per revolution. It seems to vary somewhat so it is not precisely one click per 45 degrees of rotation but is in that ballpark.

I have not opened it up to visually check things yet, but wonder if this rings any bells with anyone? I have not been able to refine either nabble or google searches sufficiently to find past topics for something similar, if they exist.

K3 SN 4588, coming up on the 1 year anniversary in a few weeks.

Thanks,

Chuck, W5UXH

Don Wilhelm-4

Re: [K3] VFO B mechanical clicking

Chuck,

I do not recall hearing anything about such a problem. I would suggest
you take the knob off and see if the condition still exists. See if
there is any felt strands from the washer stuck in the encoder shaft.
If the felt washer has "hairs" cut them off with scissors.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 7/27/2011 12:40 PM, W5UXH wrote:

> I have started to notice a slight clicking noise as I rotate VFO B knob. It
> is strictly mechanical, being the same with power off or on. It is not a
> felt rubbing sound, but a distinct click , on the order of 8 clicks per
> revolution. It seems to vary somewhat so it is not precisely one click per
> 45 degrees of rotation but is in that ballpark.
>
> I have not opened it up to visually check things yet, but wonder if this
> rings any bells with anyone? I have not been able to refine either nabble
> or google searches sufficiently to find past topics for something similar,
> if they exist.
>
> K3 SN 4588, coming up on the 1 year anniversary in a few weeks.
>
>

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W5UXH

Re: [K3] VFO B mechanical clicking

Hi Don,

I really should have removed the knob before posting, but just had the mind set that the noise was on the other side of the panel (no excuse for deciding that of course).

As soon as I took the knob off, the nut fell on the floor! I rarely rotate VFO B but had not noticed it feeling loose when I did use it for menus. I had noticed that the slight felt rubbing noise I used to hear was gone when I started hearing this new noise today.

I did not want to try to tighten the nut too much without being able to provide some support from the rear, but I think it will work fine for now by just snugging it from the front.

Thanks for the suggestion.

73,

Chuck, W5UXH

Don Wilhelm-4 wrote

Chuck,

I do not recall hearing anything about such a problem. I would suggest
you take the knob off and see if the condition still exists. See if
there is any felt strands from the washer stuck in the encoder shaft.
If the felt washer has "hairs" cut them off with scissors.

73,
Don W3FPR

Guy, K2AV

Re: [K3] VFO B mechanical clicking

If you have one of those smallish 3 to 4 inch open end wrenches that
fit the nut exactly, torquing it by putting pressure on other end of
wrench with pinky finger only, can tighten it permanently with no
danger to any component.

Long term operation of VFO B without that nut tightened properly is a
greater threat to physical integrity of components behind the panel.

73 & GL
Guy

On Wed, Jul 27, 2011 at 1:38 PM, W5UXH <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Hi Don,
>
> I really should have removed the knob before posting, but just had the mind
> set that the noise was on the other side of the panel (no excuse for
> deciding that of course).
>
> As soon as I took the knob off, the nut fell on the floor! I rarely rotate
> VFO B but had not noticed it feeling loose when I did use it for menus. I
> had noticed that the slight felt rubbing noise I used to hear was gone when
> I started hearing this new noise today.
>
> I did not want to try to tighten the nut too much without being able to
> provide some support from the rear, but I think it will work fine for now by
> just snugging it from the front.
>
> Thanks for the suggestion.
>
> 73,
>
> Chuck, W5UXH
>
>
>
> Don Wilhelm-4 wrote:
>>
>> Chuck,
>>
>> I do not recall hearing anything about such a problem. I would suggest
>> you take the knob off and see if the condition still exists. See if
>> there is any felt strands from the washer stuck in the encoder shaft.
>> If the felt washer has "hairs" cut them off with scissors.
>>
>> 73,
>> Don W3FPR
>>
>
>
> --
> View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-VFO-B-mechanical-clicking-tp6626860p6627062.html
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> ______________________________________________________________
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>
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W5UXH

Re: [K3] VFO B mechanical clicking

I used a small wrench and would guess I applied a reasonable amount of torque. Of course there is the question of why it came loose in the first place.

Thanks,

Chuck, W5UXH

Guy, K2AV wrote

If you have one of those smallish 3 to 4 inch open end wrenches that
fit the nut exactly, torquing it by putting pressure on other end of
wrench with pinky finger only, can tighten it permanently with no
danger to any component.

Long term operation of VFO B without that nut tightened properly is a
greater threat to physical integrity of components behind the panel.

73 & GL
Guy

Guy, K2AV

Re: [K3] VFO B mechanical clicking

May not have been properly seated when you tightened it, and when it
did seat, then the nut was loose.

On Wed, Jul 27, 2011 at 5:01 PM, W5UXH <[hidden email]> wrote:

> I used a small wrench and would guess I applied a reasonable amount of
> torque. Of course there is the question of why it came loose in the first
> place.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Chuck, W5UXH
>
>
>
> Guy, K2AV wrote:
>>
>> If you have one of those smallish 3 to 4 inch open end wrenches that
>> fit the nut exactly, torquing it by putting pressure on other end of
>> wrench with pinky finger only, can tighten it permanently with no
>> danger to any component.
>>
>> Long term operation of VFO B without that nut tightened properly is a
>> greater threat to physical integrity of components behind the panel.
>>
>> 73 & GL
>> Guy
>>
>>
>
>
> --
> View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-VFO-B-mechanical-clicking-tp6626860p6627703.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:[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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