[Elecraft] K3 front panel encoders

[Don Wilhelm]

Richard,

I don't know of any way to resurrect a failing encoder.  The fact that 
the switch works is entirely different - the switch function is not 
related to the rotational function of the encoder.

I would simply replace the encoder.

As far as the fact that it works for the first 10 seconds after a power 
up is not really significant, that depends on the starting position of 
the encoder.  If the output from the encoder does not cycle in the A to 
B (or B to A) sequence, the control will not be smooth, even though 
subsequent (through frustration) rotation of the encoder will produce 
some results.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 12/30/2014 4:18 PM, SA2CIR wrote:
> Thanks for informative pictures and writing! Yesterday the SPEED/MIC control
> of my four months old K3 started acting like a scratchy potentiometer with
> intermittent contact. I got quick response from Elecraft’s support and am
> now preparing for a soldering operation similar to the one described.
>
> What bothers me is that during the first 10 seconds or so after switching on
> the K3 the turning response of this encoder is perfectly ok, and then starts
> to degrade. This behavior repeats every time I boot it up. How come? The
> pushbutton function works all the time. Soldering on the circuit board of
> course involves some risk. Could the present encoder perhaps be resurrected
> in some way, avoiding replacement?
>
> Yes, I could send in the rig for warranty repairs but time and costs for
> shipping back and forth over the Atlantic are not insignificant.
>
>