[Elecraft] K1 - Can someone quantify "faint wiper noise" from VFO pot?

[Don Wilhelm]

  Stan,

That VFO pot is a quite good quality 10 turn pot.  It does have a 
wire-wound resistance element, and the noise you hear (and feel) is the 
wiper moving across the wires.  There is nothing wrong with that, it is 
just the way things are.  If you want something more quiet, perhaps you 
can find a multi-turn pot that does not use the wire-wound element, but 
most of those I have seen are not as smooth electrically as a wire-wound.

Try the pot with it mounted on the front panel and the knob attached.  
The feeling is much smoother with the knob (at least that is from my 
perspective).

73,
Don W3FPR

On 5/16/2011 10:51 AM, stan levandowski wrote:
> Compared to the velvety-smooth feel and noiseless operation of my K2 and
> K3 tuning controls, and the equally quiet and nearly as smooth operation
> of my KX1, my K1 is a big disappointment.
>
> While the manual clearly states that there will be some 'faint noise'
> from the VFO pot's wiper, I was not prepared for the downright 'cheap'
> feel and clearly audible scratching sound when being rotated.
>
> The pot made this noise when it was uninstalled and laying in the palm
> of my hand so this has nothing to do with any mounting error or a
> too-tight knob.
>