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KX3 encoder: mechanical noise?

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Andrew Moore-3

KX3 encoder: mechanical noise?

My KX3 encoder makes a mechanical scraping sound when I turn the tuning
knob. This happens with and without the knob attached. It doesn't sound
like anything's horribly broken, just maybe slightly not right.

Is it normal, and if not, is the encoder user-serviceable?

Thanks,
--Andrew, NV1B
..
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Thomas Horsten

Re: KX3 encoder: mechanical noise?

Andrew,

I've got this too, at first I thought it was just the rubbing against the
felt pad but it's deeper than that, it's not causing any problems right now
and is quite minor, but still a bit concerned.

73, Thomas M0TRN

On 19 July 2012 15:14, Andrew Moore <[hidden email]> wrote:

> My KX3 encoder makes a mechanical scraping sound when I turn the tuning
> knob. This happens with and without the knob attached. It doesn't sound
> like anything's horribly broken, just maybe slightly not right.
>
> Is it normal, and if not, is the encoder user-serviceable?
>
> Thanks,
> --Andrew, NV1B
> ..
> ______________________________________________________________
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aandrei

Re: KX3 encoder: mechanical noise?

I've got this too. What is going on?

Adi, M0THX

On 19/07/2012 15:37, Thomas Horsten wrote:

> Andrew,
>
> I've got this too, at first I thought it was just the rubbing against the
> felt pad but it's deeper than that, it's not causing any problems right now
> and is quite minor, but still a bit concerned.
>
> 73, Thomas M0TRN
>
> On 19 July 2012 15:14, Andrew Moore <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> My KX3 encoder makes a mechanical scraping sound when I turn the tuning
>> knob. This happens with and without the knob attached. It doesn't sound
>> like anything's horribly broken, just maybe slightly not right.
>>
>> Is it normal, and if not, is the encoder user-serviceable?
>>
>> Thanks,
>> --Andrew, NV1B
>> ..
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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Andrew Moore-3

Re: KX3 encoder: mechanical noise?

I'm not too concerned about it - just wanted to find out if mine was the
oddball.

(I think the encoder is not the ball-bearing type like that used in the K3,
so it's not going to be as smooth)

--Andrew, NV1B
..

On Thu, Jul 19, 2012 at 11:41 AM, Adi Andrei <[hidden email]> wrote:

> I've got this too. What is going on?
>
>
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Sullivan, Mike C

KX3 encoder: mechanical noise?

In reply to this post by Andrew Moore-3

I also have this 'scrapping' noise - very light and does not happen at the same spot every turn. Are there bearings in encoder - maybe a ball or roller with a flat spot on it that drags when the flat spot comes around? Or a bearing separator that is bent somehow?

Mike Sullivan
KX3 #600
73 W5EEA ..

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Andrew Moore-3

Re: KX3 encoder: mechanical noise?

No bearings on this encoder (I think it's been asked before). Just the
nature of this encoder, it sounds like. Not going to worry about it.

On Jul 19, 2012, at 1:49 PM, "Sullivan, Mike C"
<[hidden email]> wrote:

> I also have this 'scrapping' noise - very light and does not happen at the same spot every turn. Are there bearings in encoder - maybe a ball or roller with a flat spot on it that drags when the flat spot comes around? Or a bearing separator that is bent somehow?
>
> Mike Sullivan
> KX3 #600
> 73 W5EEA ..
>
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wayne burdick

Re: KX3 encoder: mechanical noise?

Administrator

The KX3's encoder has a high-quality, lubricated sleeve bearing. These
are used in some radios targeted at mobile operation, like the TS-480.
It seemed like a reasonable choice for the KX3, which will often be
jostled around during field or mobile use. And it fits :)

Wayne
N6KR

On Jul 19, 2012, at 11:04 AM, Andrew Moore wrote:

> No bearings on this encoder (I think it's been asked before). Just the
> nature of this encoder, it sounds like. Not going to worry about it.
>
>
>
> On Jul 19, 2012, at 1:49 PM, "Sullivan, Mike C"
> <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> I also have this 'scrapping' noise - very light and does not happen
>> at the same spot every turn. Are there bearings in encoder - maybe
>> a ball or roller with a flat spot on it that drags when the flat
>> spot comes around? Or a bearing separator that is bent somehow?
>>
>> Mike Sullivan
>> KX3 #600
>> 73 W5EEA ..
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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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Rick Tavan N6XI

Re: KX3 encoder: mechanical noise?

In reply to this post by Sullivan, Mike C

Dunno if it was the same cause, but I, too, had a scraping noise when
turning the VFO knob. It didn't happen on every turn and it "moved" around
the circumference, so it didn't seem to be the knob bottoming out on the
clear plastic bezel. But it was. I removed the rubber ring around the knob,
loosened the set screw and lifted the knob ever so slightly above the
bezel, tightened the nut and the noise was gone.

/Rick N6XI

On Thu, Jul 19, 2012 at 10:43 AM, Sullivan, Mike C <[hidden email]
> wrote:

> I also have this 'scrapping' noise - very light and does not happen at the
> same spot every turn. Are there bearings in encoder - maybe a ball or
> roller with a flat spot on it that drags when the flat spot comes around?
> Or a bearing separator that is bent somehow?
>
> Mike Sullivan
> KX3 #600
> 73 W5EEA ..
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>

va3bxg

Re: KX3 encoder: mechanical noise?

My issue is that the radio drifts. I have tried tightening the screw, loosening it. Removed the felt, put it back on

And I still get the drift
Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network

-----Original Message-----
From: Rick Tavan N6XI <[hidden email]>
Sender: [hidden email]
Date: Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:25:43
To: Sullivan, Mike C<[hidden email]>
Cc: [hidden email]<[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3 encoder: mechanical noise?

Dunno if it was the same cause, but I, too, had a scraping noise when
turning the VFO knob. It didn't happen on every turn and it "moved" around
the circumference, so it didn't seem to be the knob bottoming out on the
clear plastic bezel. But it was. I removed the rubber ring around the knob,
loosened the set screw and lifted the knob ever so slightly above the
bezel, tightened the nut and the noise was gone.

/Rick N6XI

On Thu, Jul 19, 2012 at 10:43 AM, Sullivan, Mike C <[hidden email]
> wrote:

--
Rick Tavan N6XI
Truckee, CA
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wayne burdick

Re: KX3 encoder: mechanical noise?

Administrator

Robert,

There should be virtually no electrical drift. It's likely to be
either mechanical or firmware.

First try locking the VFO (hold KHZ for 3 seconds). Does it still
drift? If so, then firmware could be causing the drift, typically
because MIC BTN is set to PTT.UP.DN but the mic is something other
than an MH3. If you're using an MH3 and still see firmware-based
drift, there could be problem with one of the resistors in the mic or
on the control panel board.

If there's no drift when the VFO is locked, then the cause must be
mechanical, and you should be able to eliminate it by having the knob
lightly compress the felt pad.

If this doesn't help, please contact customer support tomorrow.

tnx
Wayne
N6KR

On Jul 19, 2012, at 7:10 PM, [hidden email] wrote:

> My issue is that the radio drifts. I have tried tightening the
> screw, loosening it. Removed the felt, put it back on
>
> And I still get the drift
> Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Rick Tavan N6XI <[hidden email]>
> Sender: [hidden email]
> Date: Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:25:43
> To: Sullivan, Mike C<[hidden email]>
> Cc: [hidden email]<[hidden email]>
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3 encoder: mechanical noise?
>
> Dunno if it was the same cause, but I, too, had a scraping noise when
> turning the VFO knob. It didn't happen on every turn and it "moved"
> around
> the circumference, so it didn't seem to be the knob bottoming out on
> the
> clear plastic bezel. But it was. I removed the rubber ring around
> the knob,
> loosened the set screw and lifted the knob ever so slightly above the
> bezel, tightened the nut and the noise was gone.
>
> /Rick N6XI
>
> On Thu, Jul 19, 2012 at 10:43 AM, Sullivan, Mike C <[hidden email]
>> wrote:
>
>> I also have this 'scrapping' noise - very light and does not happen
>> at the
>> same spot every turn. Are there bearings in encoder - maybe a ball or
>> roller with a flat spot on it that drags when the flat spot comes
>> around?
>> Or a bearing separator that is bent somehow?
>>
>> Mike Sullivan
>> KX3 #600
>> 73 W5EEA ..
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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
>>
>
>
>
> --
> Rick Tavan N6XI
> Truckee, CA
> ______________________________________________________________
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K4THE

Re: KX3 encoder: mechanical noise?

Newbie here with KX3-K #3049. My encoder shaft had 2 very tight spots as I turned the shaft - even without the knob attached. I hoped it would go away but after a week of use it was still very tight. I removed encoder and could see the C-clip and the washer underneath rotating on the threaded shaft. I applied a drop of 3-in-1 oil to washer & clip and worked it in well: turning shaft while pushing it in and pulling out, more oil - repeat. Reinstalled encoder and knob. It now turns smoothly and is 95% better. 73 Dennis K4THE

Andrew Moore-3

Re: KX3 encoder: mechanical noise?

Dennis:

Disclaimer: this is not an official "fix" from Elecraft, nor is the
scratchy encoder necessarily a "problem" and it will likely smooth out with
use. Proceed at your own risk.

Similar scratchy on mine. Per someone else's suggestion, I removed the
encoder's washer (you don't need to remove the nut), polished both sides
using a Dremel tool (use a polishing bit with a little dab of polishing
compound) -- not a sanding or grinding bit! -- and applied a small bit of
white lithium grease. Great improvement, I'd say 98% smooth.

For more info see this previous post:

http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KX3-Rec-d-today-td7560208.html

73,
--Andrew, NV1B
..

On Fri, Jan 4, 2013 at 6:13 PM, K4THE <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Newbie here with KX3-K #3049. My encoder shaft had 2 very tight spots as I
> turned the shaft - even without the knob attached. I hoped it would go away
> but after a week of use it was still very tight. I removed encoder and
> could
> see the C-clip and the washer underneath rotating on the threaded shaft. I
> applied a drop of 3-in-1 oil to washer & clip and worked it in well:
> turning
> shaft while pushing it in and pulling out, more oil - repeat. Reinstalled
> encoder and knob. It now turns smoothly and is 95% better. 73 Dennis K4THE
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