[Elecraft] Tuning knob Alternative
Ron D'Eau Claire
rondec at easystreet.com
Wed Jan 24 18:41:43 EST 2007
To me, a "Ham" is someone who can do for a dime what anyone can do for a
dollar (Oh, wait! That's the definition of an engineer! Well, one in the
same to me. That's the definition of ingenuity too.)
So I have my stock knob on my K2. As others pointed out, it's important to
adjust the felt tension correctly but, once that's done, the stock knob
turns smoothly and stays "put" when you let go. I haven't even bothered with
a finger dimple. It only takes the lightest touch on the face of the knob to
turn it, so I couldn't see the advantage of having to touch a specific spot.
Besides, sometimes I like to run my finger around the outer perimeter
instead to turn it. Now, I'll readily admit that the edge of the "stock"
knob is a bit sharp there. It should have been a smoothly rounded edge. I
know of at least one op who put his on a lathe to turn off that sharp edge.
In my case I have a nice, soft, wide rubber "tire" on the knob that provides
a smooth, comfortable edge for my finger to twirl or my fingers to grab the
knob and turn it if I choose.
The tire was free. It came from the green grocer holding a bunch of carrots
together.
Like as said about a dime and a dollar....and "free" is even better, Hi
Ron AC7AC
-----Original Message-----
Agreed, the F-Dimp is all important. And after all the hours spent
adjusting the allen screws to eliminate any eccentricity of the tuning knob
it does give the final touch.
I like the Elecraft knob. Works fine, looks good, and isn't an additional
cost to the kit. Looking at my Yaesu and Icom rigs they would just be
wrong. Without the skirt a Drake C-Line knob might look nice. But that
would be so wrong in so many ways. (Drakes are to some of us what Collins
are to others.)
Joe N9JR
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