[Collins] [Boatanchors] Need KWM-1 VFO Knob

Tue Mar 15 11:44:09 EDT 2016

You should be able to determine if the knob is solid metal or plastic 
with a metal insert by a simple thermal test. The metal is probably 
aluminum, silver is way to expensive for a knob, but only silver and 
copper have a higher thermal inertia than aluminum and higher thermal 
conductivity (for metals). A metal knob should feel cold to the touch 
like a metal door knob, but a knob mostly plastic should warm up to the 
touch (being heated by body heat) almost instantly. Another test is to 
measure the volume and the weight and figure out the density. Aluminum 
is light weight metal but considerably heavier than plastics. One way to 
measure the volume is to drop the knob in a bowl or glass that will hold 
it and fill the container level with water. Then lift the knob out 
without spilling any water, and measure the volume of water needed to 
fill the container back full. Or what was an ancient Eureka moment, fill 
the container level full with water. Then support the container over 
another (empty) container and lower in the knob. What water spills out 
is exactly the volume of the knob. Then with the wieght figure the 
density and the material.

 From the picture in my SSB book and on line ad Mods.DK I think its a 
Davies Plastic knob a lot like the PA tuning knobs but without skirt. My 
google search showed you have been looking for a while and so are 
others. It doesn't look to be hard to machine from a solid chunk of 
metal or plastic. But molding it would be quicker for making several. 
Either would require an original for a pattern to be a perfect reproduction.

73, Jerry, K0CQ Technical Adviser to the Collins Radio Association.

On 3/15/2016 9:10 AM, Gary H. Harmon, Jr. wrote:
> I probably misspoke.  On the rear of the knob around the hole is a silver
> ring that looks like an insert but is probably just part of the metal knob.
> Too much info from my end.  Bottom line, mine is all metal, black, and nice.
> Hoping to find another for the second unit.
>
> 73,
>
> Gary H. Harmon, Jr. - K5JWK - HAM Radio and ATARI Archaeologist
> 6003 Archwood
> San Antonio, TX 78239-1504
> 210.657.1549 h / 210.884.6926 c/t
> 210.657.1549 fax with prior notification
> gharmon at idworld.net
>
> "Too many projects - Not enough time!"
> "Retirement = Every day is a Saturday except Sunday"
> http://www.grissomroadcoc.org
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Radio AI2Q [mailto:ai2q at roadrunner.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2016 9:00 AM
> To: Gary H. Harmon, Jr.; Collins-yahoogroups ; Collins2 ; BOATANCHORS2 LIST
> Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Need KWM-1 VFO Knob
>
> Hi Gary.
>
> My late-model KWM-1 main tuning knob, which is original, has no insert. It
> is solid black.
>
> Vy 73, AI2Q, Alex
> Member: ARRL, FOC, RSGB, CWops, QRP-L, Antique Wireless Association, the
> Southern Maine Area Amateur Radio Team (formerly the New England Radio
> Discussion Society), DXCC Honor Roll, 16ØM DXCC, 8ØM DXCC http://ai2q.org
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Gary H. Harmon, Jr."<gharmon at idworld.net>
> To: "Collins-yahoogroups "<COLLINS-COLLECTORS-REFLECTOR at yahoogroups.com>;
> "Collins2 "<collins at mailman.qth.net>; "BOATANCHORS2 LIST"
> <boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Monday, March 14, 2016 10:34 PM
> Subject: [Boatanchors] Need KWM-1 VFO Knob
>
>
>> I believe it is a solid metal knob with a silver insert.  It looks very
>> similar to a more common plastic knob but when you have them side by
>> side,  you can easily tell the difference.  It has no markings.
>>
>>
>>
>> 73,
>>
>>
>>
>> Gary H. Harmon, Jr. - K5JWK - HAM Radio and ATARI Archaeologist
>>
>> 6003 Archwood
>>
>> San Antonio, TX 78239-1504
>>
>> 210.657.1549 h / 210.884.6926 c/t
>>
>> 210.657.1549 fax with prior notification
>>
>> gharmon at idworld.net
>>
>>
>>
>> "Too many projects - Not enough time!"
>>
>> "Retirement = Every day is a Saturday except Sunday"
>>
>> http://www.grissomroadcoc.org
>>
>>
>>
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