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Problems with knobs (K3)

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Mark Volstad

Problems with knobs (K3)

Apparently Elecraft received a bad batch of knobs from their supplier a few years back. If you search the archives you will find many postings about this. It seems that only the RF and AF knobs were affected. Both of mine cracked, but the replacements they promptly sent me upon request have held up fine.

Mark
AI4BJ
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Ricardo Navarrete

Problems with knobs

*Hello,*
*I'm having some problems with some of my K3 knobs, I have the AF knob
broken and RF knob seems to be the same way....*
*Do you know if elecraft knows about this issue???*
*Any solution??*
*
*
*Thanks
*

--
EA4ZK Ricardo Navarrete
[hidden email]
Tnx es cul , 73 gd DX
*Visita la nueva web de actividades EA*
http://eaweb.ea4zk.es
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Ken Wagner K3IU

Re: Problems with knobs

G'morning:
If you address this problem to K3Support
@ elecraft.com, I'm sure that a solution
will be provided.
73,
Ken K3IU
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On 12/21/2011 6:17 AM, Ricardo Navarrete
wrote:

> *Hello,*
> *I'm having some problems with some of my K3 knobs, I have the AF knob
> broken and RF knob seems to be the same way....*
> *Do you know if elecraft knows about this issue???*
> *Any solution??*
> *
> *
> *Thanks
> *
>

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John Ragle

Re: Problems with knobs

No problems of this ilk on my 2+ year old K3.

John Ragle -- W1ZI

=====

On 12/21/2011 7:01 AM, Ken Wagner K3IU wrote:
> G'morning:
> If you address this problem to K3Support
> @ elecraft.com, I'm sure that a solution
> will be provided.
> 73,
> Ken K3IU

> On 12/21/2011 6:17 AM, Ricardo Navarrete
> wrote:
>> *Hello,*
>> *I'm having some problems with some of my K3 knobs, I have the AF knob
>> broken and RF knob seems to be the same way....*
>> *Do you know if elecraft knows about this issue???*

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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: Problems with knobs

In reply to this post by Ricardo Navarrete

Is this a recent K3 or is it an older one? Some earlier K3s had bad
knobs on them, but that was corrected a couple years ago.

An email to [hidden email] with a note of explanation should start a
new set of knobs on its way to you. No charge.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 12/21/2011 6:17 AM, Ricardo Navarrete wrote:

Ricardo Navarrete

Re: Problems with knobs

*My S/N is 1000 so maybe the problem is that!!
*
2011/12/21 Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]>

> Is this a recent K3 or is it an older one? Some earlier K3s had bad knobs
> on them, but that was corrected a couple years ago.
>
> An email to [hidden email] with a note of explanation should start a
> new set of knobs on its way to you. No charge.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
>
> On 12/21/2011 6:17 AM, Ricardo Navarrete wrote:
>
>> *Hello,*
>>
>> *I'm having some problems with some of my K3 knobs, I have the AF knob
>> broken and RF knob seems to be the same way....*
>> *Do you know if elecraft knows about this issue???*
>> *Any solution??*
>> *
>> *
>> *Thanks
>> *
>>
>>

--
EA4ZK Ricardo Navarrete
[hidden email]
Tnx es cul , 73 gd DX
*Visita la nueva web de actividades EA*
http://eaweb.ea4zk.es
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OE5CSP-Chris

Re: Problems with knobs

In reply to this post by Ricardo Navarrete

This is a known issue.I´ve already changed 3 knobs.Elecraft will send you replacement knobs.

73,Chris-OE5CSP

Ricardo Navarrete

Re: Problems with knobs

In reply to this post by Ricardo Navarrete

Thanks everybody,
I sent the email to elecraft and they answered very fast. They are going to deliver a complete set of knobs .
Great support
Happy Xmas .

Enviado desde mi HTC

----- Reply message -----
De: "OE5CSP-Chris" <[hidden email]>
Fecha: mié., dic. 21, 2011 17:00
Asunto: [Elecraft] Problems with knobs
Para: <[hidden email]>

This is a known issue.I´ve already changed 3 knobs.Elecraft will send you
replacement knobs.

73,Chris-OE5CSP

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Mike-48

Problem with knobs.

In reply to this post by Mark Volstad

Yes, and Elecraft even sent me replacements (to N.Z), free of charge!
Hard to beat that kind of service....
73 & MXHNY to All.
Mike. zl1mh.
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Matt Zilmer

Re: Problems with knobs

In reply to this post by John Ragle

Knobs were an issue on early K3s. In my case, #24. I guess it's
possible some of the early defective ones are still in circulation.
Elecraft indicated that they'd solved the problem and replaces
defective knobs for those that find them. I know that they sent me a
replacement AF and RF gain knob, one each.

73,
matt W6NIA

On Wed, 21 Dec 2011 07:22:54 -0500, you wrote:

>No problems of this ilk on my 2+ year old K3.
>
>John Ragle -- W1ZI
>
>=====
>
>On 12/21/2011 7:01 AM, Ken Wagner K3IU wrote:
>> G'morning:
>> If you address this problem to K3Support
>> @ elecraft.com, I'm sure that a solution
>> will be provided.
>> 73,
>> Ken K3IU
>
>> On 12/21/2011 6:17 AM, Ricardo Navarrete
>> wrote:
>>> *Hello,*
>>> *I'm having some problems with some of my K3 knobs, I have the AF knob
>>> broken and RF knob seems to be the same way....*
>>> *Do you know if elecraft knows about this issue???*
>
>______________________________________________________________
>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

Guy, K2AV

Re: Problems with knobs

What happened with the old knobs is that the material was not fully cured,
and they would shrink. So slowly it was like severely over-tightening the
knobs. Email or phone call to Elecraft gets you replacements, no questions
asked. 73, Guy.

On Fri, Dec 23, 2011 at 10:07 AM, Matt Zilmer <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Knobs were an issue on early K3s. In my case, #24. I guess it's
> possible some of the early defective ones are still in circulation.
> Elecraft indicated that they'd solved the problem and replaces
> defective knobs for those that find them. I know that they sent me a
> replacement AF and RF gain knob, one each.
>
> 73,
> matt W6NIA
>
> On Wed, 21 Dec 2011 07:22:54 -0500, you wrote:
>
> >No problems of this ilk on my 2+ year old K3.
> >
> >John Ragle -- W1ZI
> >
> >=====
> >
> >On 12/21/2011 7:01 AM, Ken Wagner K3IU wrote:
> >> G'morning:
> >> If you address this problem to K3Support
> >> @ elecraft.com, I'm sure that a solution
> >> will be provided.
> >> 73,
> >> Ken K3IU
> >
> >> On 12/21/2011 6:17 AM, Ricardo Navarrete
> >> wrote:
> >>> *Hello,*
> >>> *I'm having some problems with some of my K3 knobs, I have the AF knob
> >>> broken and RF knob seems to be the same way....*
> >>> *Do you know if elecraft knows about this issue???*
> >
> >______________________________________________________________
> >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
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>

VK7JB

Re: Problems with knobs

My K3 is serial #5102 purchased in January 2011. My VFO B knob has just cracked: it's spontaneously developed ugly linear fissures across the face of the knob. The cracks begin nowhere near the screw hole. There are two cracks. The rig has spent its life in an internal room with no UV exposure.

I emailed Elecraft and the response was perfect, as usual: a replacement knob was in the mail less than a day after I'd made email contact with the parts department.

This is the first/only report of a cracked VFO knob.

Such things happen - that's the nature of matter and entropy. What's important to me is the great response from Elecraft. That's why I buy from them.

Thanks Richard & Co.

John
VK7JB

Rick Prather-2

Re: Problems with knobs

A year or so ago I had the same problem with #3727. Looked to me like the brass insert was a bit too tight and stressed the knob.

No problem though since they promptly replaced it.

I guess the person you talked to wasn't familiar other replacements.

BTW, the replacement has been in service for about a year with no problems.

Rick
K6LE

On 12/23/2011, at 11:45 , VK7JB wrote:

> My K3 is serial #5102 purchased in January 2011. My VFO B knob has just
> cracked: it's spontaneously developed ugly linear fissures across the face
> of the knob. The cracks begin nowhere near the screw hole. There are two
> cracks. The rig has spent its life in an internal room with no UV exposure.
>
> I emailed Elecraft and the response was perfect, as usual: a replacement
> knob was in the mail less than a day after I'd made email contact with the
> parts department.
>
> This is the first/only report of a cracked VFO knob.
>
> Such things happen - that's the nature of matter and entropy. What's
> important to me is the great response from Elecraft. That's why I buy from
> them.
>
> Thanks Richard & Co.
>
> John
> VK7JB

N5NA

Re: Problems with knobs

In reply to this post by Ricardo Navarrete

I had my VFO B knob crack back in July on SN 3329. I guess I was out of
warranty though because I had to pay a nominal fee to get a replacement.

73, Alan N5NA

> Message: 15
> Date: Fri, 23 Dec 2011 23:45:57 -0800 (PST)
> From: VK7JB<[hidden email]>
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Problems with knobs
> To: [hidden email]
> Message-ID:<[hidden email]>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
>
> My K3 is serial #5102 purchased in January 2011. My VFO B knob has just
> cracked: it's spontaneously developed ugly linear fissures across the face
> of the knob. The cracks begin nowhere near the screw hole. There are two
> cracks. The rig has spent its life in an internal room with no UV exposure.
>
> I emailed Elecraft and the response was perfect, as usual: a replacement
> knob was in the mail less than a day after I'd made email contact with the
> parts department.
>
> This is the first/only report of a cracked VFO knob.
>
> Such things happen - that's the nature of matter and entropy. What's
> important to me is the great response from Elecraft. That's why I buy from
> them.
>
> Thanks Richard& Co.
>
> John
> VK7JB
>

tomb18

Re: Problems with knobs

I bought my K3 about 6 months go. The concentric knobs were so out of round that I couldn't use them. Of course I had a new set but it took a while. The new ones were not all that great either. They work, but they are crooked.
I would have thought that by now they would find a decent supplier for these. Looks like it is still not the case. I would rather spend $30 more for a K3 than to go through the aggravation. Not to mention it makes the product look cheap.
As to the VFO knows, I bought some solid brass andoized ones from EBAY and they are fabulous. Of course these are very expensive ($100) but they add to the feel of the receiver.
I'm not suggesting that Elecraft should do this, but at least provide some decent knobs for the radio.
Come to think of it, the quality control of a lot of little things is not there. I bought the stainless steel screw set and there were not enough of the screws to complete the outside of the case.
I tried to get this fixed, but this is my other complaint.
I hzve called for support 6 times. Three of these times, my call wasn't returned. The last time I insisted to wait until someone helped which they did.
I have also sent 5 or 6 emails, again at least three went unanswered and the last one was, very quickly but the follow up for the missing part required me to get back on the phone, since as one group said, someone dropped the ball.

Sorry, but I am frustrated, since once again, I sent an email about 2 weeks ago, and never heard a word.
I think Elecraft is not following up on their customer support situation well enough. I think they are being asked for too much by their management as they hinted on my last call.
I have laid out over $8000 on their stuff. they could do a little (quite a bit more) in the end user support area.

Tim Herrick

Re: Problems with knobs

I built my K3 about 2 months ago and also had the out of round problem with
the knobs. Especially noticeable with the dual knobs. I had to mount the
outer knob very far from the inner one and it looks awful.

Tim Herrick, KQ8M
North Coast Contesters
[hidden email]

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of tomb18
Sent: Monday, December 26, 2011 10:48 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Problems with knobs

I bought my K3 about 6 months go. The concentric knobs were so out of round
that I couldn't use them. Of course I had a new set but it took a while.
The new ones were not all that great either. They work, but they are
crooked.
I would have thought that by now they would find a decent supplier for
these. Looks like it is still not the case. I would rather spend $30 more
for a K3 than to go through the aggravation. Not to mention it makes the
product look cheap.
As to the VFO knows, I bought some solid brass andoized ones from EBAY and
they are fabulous. Of course these are very expensive ($100) but they add
to the feel of the receiver.
I'm not suggesting that Elecraft should do this, but at least provide some
decent knobs for the radio.
Come to think of it, the quality control of a lot of little things is not
there. I bought the stainless steel screw set and there were not enough of
the screws to complete the outside of the case.
I tried to get this fixed, but this is my other complaint.
I hzve called for support 6 times. Three of these times, my call wasn't
returned. The last time I insisted to wait until someone helped which they
did.
I have also sent 5 or 6 emails, again at least three went unanswered and the
last one was, very quickly but the follow up for the missing part required
me to get back on the phone, since as one group said, someone dropped the
ball.

Sorry, but I am frustrated, since once again, I sent an email about 2 weeks
ago, and never heard a word.
I think Elecraft is not following up on their customer support situation
well enough. I think they are being asked for too much by their management
as they hinted on my last call.
I have laid out over $8000 on their stuff. they could do a little (quite a
bit more) in the end user support area.

--
View this message in context:
http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Problems-with-knobs-K3-tp7115008p712920
5.html
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Bruce Beford-2

Re: Problems with knobs

In reply to this post by Ricardo Navarrete

Tim,
This is not right. Have you contacted Elecraft Support about getting this
corrected?

-Bruce, n1RX

> I built my K3 about 2 months ago and also had the out of round problem
> with the knobs. Especially noticeable with the dual knobs. I had to mount
> the outer knob very far from the inner one and it looks awful.
> Tim Herrick, KQ8M

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tomb18

Re: Problems with knobs

Just a little follow up on my email.
It has been my experience that when I have a contact with Elecraft about a support issue, it is way better than 99% of the companies out there. My only issue is that 50% of my calls or emails went unanswered.
It would seem that I just had bad luck, maybe calling or writing at a bad time when the staff was under deadline pressure or something like that. All I know is that when I do talk to someone they always say it "is crazy" around here. Maybe some students from a coop program could help out occasionally. Very low cost.
None the less, like I said once the contact is made, it is fabulous. I got a call today, from someone at Elecraft who is on vacation, and wants to do whatever he needs to to rectify my situation. Like I said, the support is way better than most companies.
I would just like to have a better chance of a response than 50%.

Tom

Ken G Kopp

Problems with knobs

Tom,

I've never had anything other than "first class grade A number one" responses
from the folks at Elecraft. Like many, I had a couple of split knobs early on
(S/N 0056) and they were replaced virtually overnight.

FWIW, there has been concern voiced that the weight of the after-market brass
tuning knobs may stress the bearing in the encoders ...

73!

Ken - K0PP
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stan levandowski

Re: Problems with knobs

In reply to this post by Ricardo Navarrete

FWIW, I'll gladly bear the cost of future encoder replacement for the
sheer pleasure of operating daily with my aftermarket brass knobs. IMHO
it's like night and day! ;)

Happy New Year to all, Stan WB2LQF

> FWIW, there has been concern voiced that the weight of the
> after-market brass
> tuning knobs may stress the bearing in the encoders ...
>
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