[Elecraft] Simplest ever mod for K2 will also work on KX3

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

It's not quite that simple, Arno. Those screws go into F-F standoffs that
mount to the pc board behind the panel. In addition to the four visible
screws there is a black flat-head screw under the tuning knob. 

Complete details of the assembly are in the Kit Assembly manual. You can
download it from the Elecraft web site here:

http://www.elecraft.com/manual/E740164%20KX3%20Kit%20Assembly%20Manual%20Rev
%20G2%20WEB.pdf

Be sure to take ESD precautions working inside your KX3.

I would recommend that you:

1) Open the KX3 and remove the batteries (if used). 

2) Carefully unplug the ribbon cable from the front panel board to separate
the two halves of the case (page 35, Fig 52/53). 

3) Remove the tuning knob (Fig 20 pg 17 and Fig 18 pg 16) and the encoder
(Fig 15 and 16 pg 15) to avoid stressing the connector to the front panel
board 

4) Now you should be able to remove the five screws to free the bezel. The
front panel board will float free inside the KX3, held only by the small
push-in knobs.

5) Replacing the bezel be sure to align the screw holes and do NOT
over-tighten the screws (Fig 14, pg 14). You can crack the bezel by
over-tightening.

6) Reverse the above process to reassemble your KX3: replace the encoder,
tuning knob, ribbon cable, batteries, and reassemble the case halves. 

73, Ron AC7AC

   

-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Arno Dienhart
Sent: Monday, August 12, 2013 2:12 PM
To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Simplest ever mod for K2 will also work on KX3

Great idea, I can see it working without doing it. Should also work nicely
on the KX3.

About the KX3's panel: are its screws self-contained, or are there loose
nuts behind the cover? I don't want to do something stupid.

73,
Arno
K7RNO
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Mon, 12 Aug 2013 10:47:38 -0400
From: "ks1u at att.net" <ks1u at att.net>
To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Message-ID: <2ED1F56F-4040-472F-86D0-22E978504E2B at att.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

This is such a simple and quick mod I have resisted posting it, but I do
feel it makes a small, not totally aesthetic difference.  As an amateur
astronomer, I always blacken the edges of eyepieces and objective lenses to
enhance contrast.  I did the same thing on the K2 bezel and I believe it
does enhances contrast (at least during the day with high ambient light
levels) and improves the appearance of the bezel by eliminating the hazy
edge around the clear plastic.  Just take a magic marker and carefully run
it along the edge of the bezel (after removing it from the radio).  Let each
length and width dry before continuing to the next portion.  It's literally
a 5 minute job.

George
KS1U
Quaker Hill, CT