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K3 potentiometer dead spots?

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K2QI

K3 potentiometer dead spots?

My 4 knobs (filter shift, width, mic, and pwr) have developed what seems
like dead spots where turning them doesn't affect a change. If I turn the
knobs slowly, sometimes the reading on the panel won't adjust. I've noticed
on a friends K3 that has a much newer serial number that those 4 knobs no
longer have a detent feel when spinning them, and are much harder to turn
but have more accuracy in adjustments. Was there a change over in terms of
component suppliers for those pots? It seems this problem on my K3 is
getting worse. Should I send back to Aptos for replacement of those
potentiometers?

--
73 de James K2QI
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K2QI

Re: K3 potentiometer dead spots?

No one has experienced anything similar? I'm surprised...

James K2QI

On Mon, Oct 26, 2009 at 9:07 PM, James Sarte <[hidden email]> wrote:

> My 4 knobs (filter shift, width, mic, and pwr) have developed what seems
> like dead spots where turning them doesn't affect a change. If I turn the
> knobs slowly, sometimes the reading on the panel won't adjust. I've noticed
> on a friends K3 that has a much newer serial number that those 4 knobs no
> longer have a detent feel when spinning them, and are much harder to turn
> but have more accuracy in adjustments. Was there a change over in terms of
> component suppliers for those pots? It seems this problem on my K3 is
> getting worse. Should I send back to Aptos for replacement of those
> potentiometers?
>
> --
> 73 de James K2QI
>

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Ken Wagner K3IU

Re: K3 potentiometer dead spots?

Nothing here on #202.
73, Ken K3IU
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
K2QI wrote:

> No one has experienced anything similar? I'm surprised...
>
> James K2QI
>
> On Mon, Oct 26, 2009 at 9:07 PM, James Sarte <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>
>> My 4 knobs (filter shift, width, mic, and pwr) have developed what seems
>> like dead spots where turning them doesn't affect a change. If I turn the
>> knobs slowly, sometimes the reading on the panel won't adjust. I've noticed
>> on a friends K3 that has a much newer serial number that those 4 knobs no
>> longer have a detent feel when spinning them, and are much harder to turn
>> but have more accuracy in adjustments. Was there a change over in terms of
>> component suppliers for those pots? It seems this problem on my K3 is
>> getting worse. Should I send back to Aptos for replacement of those
>> potentiometers?
>>
>> --
>> 73 de James K2QI
>>
>>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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> 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 Hinson

Re: K3 potentiometer dead spots?

In reply to this post by K2QI

I have James. The Width encoder [not a pot as such] on K3#2887
doesn't always respond while turning. Elecraft sent me a replacement
part though I haven't actually soldered it in yet - too busy using the
radio!

FWIW I've just had another failure of the little AF knob. All four
nested knobs were replaced already about 3 months ago due to the
originals cracking, but one of the new ones has also now cracked and
lost a chunk off the end. I think I saw a rumor here that new
stronger knobs (with metal collets?) were being ordered - does anyone
know if they are available yet, please?

73,
Gary ZL2iFB

> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of K2QI
> Sent: Thursday, 29 October 2009 7:36 AM
> To: Elecraft
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 potentiometer dead spots?
>
> No one has experienced anything similar? I'm surprised...
>
> James K2QI
>
> On Mon, Oct 26, 2009 at 9:07 PM, James Sarte
> <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> > My 4 knobs (filter shift, width, mic, and pwr) have
> developed what seems
> > like dead spots where turning them doesn't affect a change.
> If I turn the
> > knobs slowly, sometimes the reading on the panel won't
> adjust. I've noticed
> > on a friends K3 that has a much newer serial number that
> those 4 knobs no
> > longer have a detent feel when spinning them, and are much
> harder to turn
> > but have more accuracy in adjustments. Was there a change
> over in terms of
> > component suppliers for those pots? It seems this problem
> on my K3 is
> > getting worse. Should I send back to Aptos for replacement of

those
> > potentiometers?

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Don Butler

Re: K3 potentiometer dead spots?

In reply to this post by K2QI

James.... I had exactly the same problem, in my case with the cmp/pwr/mon
encoder only. In my case, the encoder shaft was "wobbly" ... lot's of
lateral play, and as I'd rotate it was intermittently nonresponsive. I
first thought it might be the knob, but found that that wasn't the case
after pulling the knob. I found that if I put downward leftward pressure on
the shaft as I rotated it the intermittents stopped, so continued to use the
rig.

I called support to ask for a replacement, thinking I could change the
encoder myself, but Dale, K6ZP, pointed out that desoldering the encoders
can be a tricky maneuver and suggested I return the rig for repair (they're
presoldered to the board in K3 kits). I sent it to Aptos, and he swapped
out all four encoders. It was a 3 week turnaround in my case.

Your comment about the better accuracy on the newer SNs if interesting. I
have two K3s ... SN2625 and SN3579 (brand new)..... the encoders on 3579 are
much tighter than 2635, which had encoders replaced just a few weeks ago....
but they're both equally responsive as far as I can tell.

Don, N5LZ

----- Original Message -----
From: "K2QI" <[hidden email]>
To: "Elecraft" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Wednesday, October 28, 2009 11:36 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 potentiometer dead spots?

> No one has experienced anything similar? I'm surprised...
>
> James K2QI
>
> On Mon, Oct 26, 2009 at 9:07 PM, James Sarte <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> > My 4 knobs (filter shift, width, mic, and pwr) have developed what seems
> > like dead spots where turning them doesn't affect a change. If I turn
the
> > knobs slowly, sometimes the reading on the panel won't adjust. I've
noticed
> > on a friends K3 that has a much newer serial number that those 4 knobs
no
> > longer have a detent feel when spinning them, and are much harder to
turn
> > but have more accuracy in adjustments. Was there a change over in terms
of

> > component suppliers for those pots? It seems this problem on my K3 is
> > getting worse. Should I send back to Aptos for replacement of those
> > potentiometers?
> >
> > --
> > 73 de James K2QI
> >
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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

K2QI

Re: K3 potentiometer dead spots?

Thank you Don and all the rest that responded. Thanks for the correction
too regarding encoder/potentiometer. Apologies for the snafu.

I'll send Aptos an email and see if they can change those encoders out. It
makes it difficult at times to finely tune whatever it is I'm trying to
adjust in their present condition.

73 de James K2QI

P.S. sorry for the dupe email if you happen to get one; email problems on my
end today...
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Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ

Re: K3 potentiometer dead spots?; Concentric Knob replacements

Administrator

In reply to this post by Gary Hinson

Four encoder knobs are warranted for life. A couple of months ago,
probably after you received your replacements, we changed the knob
formulation to include a 10% glass fiber fill, which makes them almost
impossible to break. In testing them we actually ended up stripping the
hex head without breaking them on the set screw when trying to -way-
over tighten them.

All new K3s shipped for several months have these knobs. Contact
[hidden email] and they will send you a new set of the 4 AF/RF
concentric knobs at no charge. (Two ea. small inner and two ea. outer
knobs.)

73, Eric WA6HHQ
----

Gary Hinson wrote:

> FWIW I've just had another failure of the little AF knob. All four
> nested knobs were replaced already about 3 months ago due to the
> originals cracking, but one of the new ones has also now cracked and
> lost a chunk off the end. I think I saw a rumor here that new
> stronger knobs (with metal collets?) were being ordered - does anyone
> know if they are available yet, please?
>
> 73,
> Gary ZL2iFB
>
>