[Elecraft] K1 FP washers...and another K1 FP PCB Flexing Issue (Rattle Sounds)

[Don Wilhelm]

Mike and all,

It is easier and just as effective to put the tape squares on the back 
of the front panel board rather than on the 2D connectors.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 7/19/2013 4:29 PM, Mike Morrow wrote:
> There's another K1 FP PCB flexing issue that sometimes draws comment. 
> Often the four corners of the front panel PCB do not rest solidly and 
> firmly against the front side of the associated four aluminum 2-D 
> fasteners that are stationary on the body of the K1. This causes a 
> slightly mushy feel when depressing many of the front panel buttons, 
> as the button will recede slightly behind the front panel as the PCB 
> flexes. Then when the PCB corner comes to solid rest on the corner 
> fasteners, continuing to push results in the desired final crisp snap 
> as the button makes up. Another consequence of loose corner fit is 
> that at higher AF volumes of the K1's internal speaker, the FP PCB 
> corners may audibly rattle and vibrate against the metal fasteners. 
> All that can be very easily corrected by putting a small square of 
> foam tape on the front of the 2-D fasteners that are supposed to 
> contact the corners of the FP PCB. I use double-sided foam tape, with 
> the protective layer left in place on the side that will be in contact 
> with the corner of the FP PCB. (This seems like something that should 
> be included with each K1. But it was suggested 12 years ago, and it 
> doesn't seem likely now.) The result is no button mushy feel, and no 
> vibration at higher AF volumes when using the internal speaker.