K3: machined concentric knobs from Mouser

[Brett Howard]

Admittedly I'd pay 30 to 35 bucks for a snap on front cover much like the
newer Agilent oscilloscopes do today.  I'm not sure it would be all that
possible to snap on being that there are no snap features built into the rig
itself at the moment.

~Brett

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of drewko
Sent: Thursday, July 30, 2009 5:06 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3: machined concentric knobs from Mouser

I sure wouldn't pay $200 for machined aluminum knobs. I could make my
own if I wanted to, but don't see any need for it.

It's funny though, sometimes I think the K3 should have some kind of
hardshell cover for the front panel.  Then you could transport it
without having to worry about banging up the fragile controls and LCD.
Not that I transport the rig much... I guess I just think it would be
cool to have a snap-on or hinged panel cover.

73,
Drew
AF2Z


On Wed, 29 Jul 2009 22:08:06 -0700, Wayne N6KR wrote:

>Hi John,
>
>
>I suppose some operators might prefer a full set of machined knobs,  
>but you can imagine how the cost of K3 would have to increase given  
>$14 per small knob, and more for the larger ones. Like most other  
>manufacturers, we've tried to keep our rigs cost-effective, yet still  
>aesthetically pleasing.
>
>(That said, would you pay $200 for those knobs if we designed them for  
>you? Just asking....)
>
>73,
>Wayne
>N6KR
>

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[Doug Faunt N6TQS [phone]]

My plan was to use bits of Velcro to hold it on.
Extended side panels would give more protection and a good way to hold
them on, too.

My K2's have extended side panels, thanks to someone on this list.

73, doug

   From: "Brett Howard" <[hidden email]>
   Date: Thu, 30 Jul 2009 10:30:25 -0700

   Admittedly I'd pay 30 to 35 bucks for a snap on front cover much like the
   newer Agilent oscilloscopes do today.  I'm not sure it would be all that
   possible to snap on being that there are no snap features built into the rig
   itself at the moment.

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[k4tmc]

Yes, the extended side panels are a good alternative to some type of
front cover.  I have them for my K3 and K2. Mine were made by David
Saylor (forgot the call) at www.saylorsmachine.com (select the link for
capabilities).  They are 1/4 inch thick, so will add some weight to the
K3.

Hey...maybe Rose could make something that would slip over the front
with a velco strap or elastic band for tightening.

73,
Henry - K4TMC
K3/100 #98 and K2/100 #3137




-----Original Message-----
From: Doug Faunt N6TQS [phone] <[hidden email]>
To: [hidden email]
Cc: [hidden email]
Sent: Thu, Jul 30, 2009 1:49 pm
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3: machined concentric knobs from Mouser

My plan was to use bits of Velcro to hold it on.
Extended side panels would give more protection and a good way to hold
them on, too.

My K2's have extended side panels, thanks to someone on this list.

73, doug

   From: "Brett Howard" <[hidden email]>
   Date: Thu, 30 Jul 2009 10:30:25 -0700

    Admittedly I'd pay 30 to 35 bucks for a snap on front cover much
like the
    newer Agilent oscilloscopes do today.  I'm not sure it would be all
that
    possible to snap on being that there are no snap features built into
the rig
   itself at the moment.

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[Alan Bloom]

On Thu, 2009-07-30 at 08:52 -0700, Ed Muns wrote:

> I had a foam shop fabricate a custom die set for punching out foam
> protectors for both the front and rear panels of the K3.  The closed-cell
> foam is then glued to a thin sheet of PVC which protects the foam and
> distributes any shock applied to the front or rear panel.  The foam cut-outs
> clear the knobs and connectors, contacting the sheet metal portion of the
> panels.  See http://www.w0yk.com/images/k3_foam.jpg.  If there is enough
> interest, I might consider having another run of them made up.  Price would
> be $15 plus shipping.
>
> Ed - W0YK

I'd go for it.  Count me in.

Al N1AL


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[Robert Friess]

Me too,

Bob, N6CM

On Thu, Jul 30, 2009 at 5:12 PM, Alan Bloom<[hidden email]> wrote:

> On Thu, 2009-07-30 at 08:52 -0700, Ed Muns wrote:
>
>> I had a foam shop fabricate a custom die set for punching out foam
>> protectors for both the front and rear panels of the K3.  The closed-cell
>> foam is then glued to a thin sheet of PVC which protects the foam and
>> distributes any shock applied to the front or rear panel.  The foam cut-outs
>> clear the knobs and connectors, contacting the sheet metal portion of the
>> panels.  See http://www.w0yk.com/images/k3_foam.jpg.  If there is enough
>> interest, I might consider having another run of them made up.  Price would
>> be $15 plus shipping.
>>
>> Ed - W0YK
>
> I'd go for it.  Count me in.
>
> Al N1AL
>
>
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>

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[K2QI]

Looks like those knobs sold out rather quickly from Mouser.

73 de James K2QI

PS: did I get a chance to work anyone here tonight from 4U1UN?

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[wayne burdick]

Hi James,

> Wayne,
>
> My intentions certainly weren't to insult the designers.

Not taken this way, either! Like I've always said, I learn more from  
critique than praise.

> However, there's
> only so much that can be done quality-wise at a certain price point  
> - I
> understand that.  It's true that Elecraft has stepped up to the  
> plate and
> replaced all broken knobs which I commend.  The problem in my case  
> however,
> is that both sets of replacement knobs which I paid for and received  
> had
> off-centered holes.

That's a defect. I'm sorry to hear about this, and will look into it.


> Anyway, to answer your question... if Elecraft designed and released a
> complete set of machined aluminum knobs and sold it as an upgrade  
> for $200,
> I'd order it.

I'm keeping tabs on this and will see if there's critical mass for it.  
It would be a lot of work and be very expensive, so I can't make any  
promises.

73,
Wayne
N6KR


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[Bill Steffey NY9H]

i knew there was a reason to buy those old Wavetek generators for $
20...at the club auction.  one works... one dead ,,,but what a supply
of nice machined knobs.
The fit the shafts ...perfectly... a tad big  and gray,,,,

Look around your piles of stuff, you might find something that fit
perfectly,,,,
    for field day,this gray color might be great to highlight the
af/balance controls.

    the position indicators are cut into the front face of the
controls, so if you can see the knob, you see where it is
set.(nice)..( now to machine them down a bit.....)bil

If I ever finish them ( black anodize)  I'll make pictures,,,

bill    ( with another broken knob, & waiting till the 'new' ones appear,)

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[K2QI]

Good suggestion Bill!  I'll have to rummage around myself.. never know what
I'll find in my junk pile.

73 de James K2QI

On Fri, Jul 31, 2009 at 9:03 AM, Bill NY9H <[hidden email]> wrote:

> i knew there was a reason to buy those old Wavetek generators for $
> 20...at the club auction.  one works... one dead ,,,but what a supply
> of nice machined knobs.
> The fit the shafts ...perfectly... a tad big  and gray,,,,
>
> Look around your piles of stuff, you might find something that fit
> perfectly,,,,
>    for field day,this gray color might be great to highlight the
> af/balance controls.
>
>    the position indicators are cut into the front face of the
> controls, so if you can see the knob, you see where it is
> set.(nice)..( now to machine them down a bit.....)bil
>
> If I ever finish them ( black anodize)  I'll make pictures,,,
>
> bill    ( with another broken knob, & waiting till the 'new' ones appear,)
>
> ______________________________________________________________
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[John N1JM]

I discovered both AF knobs on my K3 #2555 had split just a couple of days ago. I received not one set but 2 sets in the mail yesterday. Thanks Elecraft! I suppose the new ones look sturdier. I wouldn't want to replace them with anything else.

73,
John N1JM

[AD4C2009]

Well last month looking at my radio shop for junkies,I found we had a very old Motorola service monitor,model 2400 that was lost in a big floding we had years ago with one of the hurricanes but I kept it and guess what,it has lots of machined metal knobs,some of them also concentric and then I tried on my K3 and they fit so well that they look like Elecraft install them.You can see the pictures at qrz.com and you will not realize that they are not the originals,so good idea to look at what you saved years ago.
 
AD4C
 


"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits".. -- Albert Einstein

--- On Fri, 7/31/09, K2QI <[hidden email]> wrote:


From: K2QI <[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3: IN STOCK machined concentric knobs
To: "Bill NY9H" <[hidden email]>
Cc: [hidden email]
Date: Friday, July 31, 2009, 1:54 PM


Good suggestion Bill!  I'll have to rummage around myself.. never know what
I'll find in my junk pile.

73 de James K2QI

On Fri, Jul 31, 2009 at 9:03 AM, Bill NY9H <[hidden email]> wrote:

> i knew there was a reason to buy those old Wavetek generators for $
> 20...at the club auction.  one works... one dead ,,,but what a supply
> of nice machined knobs.
> The fit the shafts ...perfectly... a tad big  and gray,,,,
>
> Look around your piles of stuff, you might find something that fit
> perfectly,,,,
>    for field day,this gray color might be great to highlight the
> af/balance controls.
>
>    the position indicators are cut into the front face of the
> controls, so if you can see the knob, you see where it is
> set.(nice)..( now to machine them down a bit.....)bil
>
> If I ever finish them ( black anodize)  I'll make pictures,,,
>
> bill    ( with another broken knob, & waiting till the 'new' ones appear,)
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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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[K2QI]

Hi Wayne,

Just to clarify - those knobs were 14 per pair from Mouser.  So about 7
bucks each if you look at it from that perspective.  If you do decide to
offer machined knobs, wouldn't it be easier just to order from a company
that already specializes in machined knobs? Capital investment and
manufacturing costs shouldn't be significantly higher especially if bought
in bulk then they are now for your plastic knobs.

Just a thought.  Happy Friday and good DX to you and all Elecrafters.

BTW, I'll be operating 4U1UN again this afternoon beginning around 2200
zulu, perhaps earlier if I can sneak out of the office.  Hope I can work
some of you guys then. I've never actually had a QSO with another K3 owner
on air.. surprise surprise...

On Fri, Jul 31, 2009 at 2:00 AM, Wayne Burdick <[hidden email]> wrote:

>
> I'm keeping tabs on this and will see if there's critical mass for it. It
> would be a lot of work and be very expensive, so I can't make any promises.
>
> 73,
> Wayne
> N6KR
>
>
>

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[Philip Leonard WVØT]

Does anyone make a rack mount kit for the K3?

[hidden email] wrote:
> Yes, the extended side panels are a good alternative to some type of
> front cover.  I have them for my K3 and K2. Mine were made by David
> Saylor (forgot the call) at www.saylorsmachine.com (select the link for
> capabilities).  They are 1/4 inch thick, so will add some weight to the
> K3.
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