[Elecraft] Roses for Elecraft

[jpk5lad at cox.net]

Just a note to reinforce what so many of us know about the 
quality (and quantity) of the customer service provided by 
Elecraft.  It's not the first time they've helped me and I'm sure it 
won't be the last......... certainly won't be the last time I'll need 
their help.

My K3 developed a problem in the main tuning encoder and/or 
knob of VFO A as I was preparing my station for operation in this 
weekend's CQ WWDX Contest.  The tuning has always been 
smooth and easy to do but a couple of days ago, the tuning 
became more difficult.  Instead of easily spinning the knob with a 
finger, it took a pretty good grip on the knob to move it, although 
the encoder was still working properly for the operation.  I sure did 
not look forward to the contest operation with such a hindrance.  I 
could have used the VFO B knob with the second receiver but 
that's just not the same, especially for multiple hours.

I searched through reflector messages spanning a couple of 
years and found lots of notes about split tandem knobs and 
expensive replacement knobs from others but nothing to match 
the problem I was having.

I sent the following message to k3support at elecraft.com:
-------------------------
My K3 is S/N 1068 and within the last several days the primary
encoder on the VFO A knob has become difficult to turn. When it
does turn, it tunes the transceiver correctly but it is just hard to
move and it seems to be getting even more difficult, the more I try
to move it. I was planning to make a major effort in the coming 
CQ WWDX Contest this weekend but if there's not an easy and 
quick fix, I'll have to go back to my IC-756PRO and I didn't want to 
do that.

I've always been very careful in tuning to not place any weight on
the knob since I know that could eventually cause a problem.
Previously, this encoder has been very free and easily turned but 
it just got difficult overnight.

I also can move the encoder shaft up and down and side to side a
small bit and I don't believe it did that previously. The B VFO
encoder certainly doesn't.

Is there something I can do, short of disassembly?

Anxious,
Jim - K5LAD
----------------------

Within the hour, I had two answers back, within a few minutes of 
each other........ one from Gary - AB7MY in Arizona and the other 
from Dale - K6ZP in California.  Both offered excellent 
suggestions of possible quick repairs and/or workarounds.

I removed the finger guard around the knob to access the set 
screw and removed the large knob.  What I found was, the 
second (outer) nut was completely unscrewed and the other was 
quite loose. (My wife asked me how that could happen and I told 
her, "Overuse."  She was not amused.)

Once I got the main control nut re-tightened and the second one 
snugged back up tight, the felt washer fit right back on, the knob 
went back on, tightened up the set screw and replaced the finger 
grip................. smoooooooooth as silk and turns effortlessly 
like before.

I thought of all the things that made this activity into a "knock your 
socks off" customer service example.
1.	Immediate response
2.	Expert and knowledgeable help
3.	Willingness to help and help immediately
4.	An ability and willingness to supply needed parts quickly if 
	
necessary

Then I thought about the competition and wondered how many of 
this list I would have seen from them if my transceiver had 
displayed a different name on it other than Elecraft.  I'm pretty 
sure I could easily answer that and so could hundreds (or 
thousands) of satisfied Elecraft users.

Thanks Elecraft
Thanks Gary
Thanks Dale

I'll see all you DX operators in the contest this weekend.

73,
Jim - K5LAD






===============================
Life is like a football ---
It ain't round ... It'll bounce funny on ya.

http://www.hayseed.net/~jpk5lad/