[Elecraft] KX Paddles

[Tom Francis]

Wayne,

I am constantly amazed at the quality Customer Service Elecraft provides
it's customer base. How many people can say they got a reply from one
of the guys who owns the company?

Thank you very much - the paddles will be on their way tomorrow.

Thanks for the information - I appreciate it.  I really like both my KX3 and
KX2 - I have a hard time choosing between the two if I'm going 
somewhere. :-)

Thanks again - much appreciated.

Very best regards,

Tom, W1TEF
Lexington County, SC

On 8/4/2016 3:37 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote:
> Hi Tom,
>
> Your KXPD2 should not have any issue with contact screws loosening over time. Please return them for rework. Sorry about that.
>
> We needed a new paddle was for the KX2 because it's a much smaller radio. Some operators using a KXPD3 with the KX2 find that they have to hold the radio in place, because the KXPD3 has much longer paddle arms. This is much less likely with the KXPD2.
>
> The KXPD2 is also smaller, so it takes less room inside a small travel bag like our CS40.
>
> Finally, some customers have asked if we could attach the adjustment wrench to the paddle for storage. We had a opportunity to implement this feature in the new design. The KXPD2 has a 3D-printed housing with clips built in for this purpose.
>
> 73,
> Wayne
> N6KR
>
>
> On Aug 4, 2016, at 11:47 AM, Tom Francis <w1tef at swsports.org> wrote:
>
>> I have both, am primarily a CW operator and this is my impression.
>>
>> The KXPD2 has "issues" - at least for me.  The contact posts keep loosening up -
>> it doesn't matter how hard I tighten them (I'm afraid of over torquing the screws
>> but they are snug), they loosen up.  I tried non-hardening Loc-Tite on the screws
>> to no avail.  It only seems to happen in a long QSO - not sure if its the vibration
>> or the fact that the contact points are at the top of the long contact post which,
>> even with a light touch, gives some pressure to the posts.  Or the countersink
>> for the screws in the plastic is too big which could cause it. Or the screws are
>> aluminum and the posts stainless - two different expansion rates in variable
>> temps.
>>
>> Having said that, my good friend N3EWW doesn't have any issues with his
>> KXPD2 and hasn't had.  I had his radio for an entire week using the paddles
>> and never once loosened up.  So it might be a quality control problem.
>>
>> The KXPD3 is a whole different construction.  The contact posts are shorter and
>> I have not had any issues with them loosening up even under heavy use. I like
>> their overall look of them also.
>>
>> As far as cosmetic things, they look good, feel good when properly adjusted and
>> seem to work just fine (other than the contact post issue). I will say neither one
>> is for the heavy handed CW op unless you have a way to secure the radio.  Then
>> again, if you are heavy handed, that could be an issue with respect to the contact
>> posts.
>>
>> Now if I had known at the time I ordered the KX2, I would have opted for the KXPD3
>> with the shorter screws for the KX2. Why they designed a separate set of paddles
>> for the KX2 I don't know, but it might have been a smarter idea to just stick with what
>> worked rather than design a new set to help keep the costs down on the KX2 options.
>>
>> However, when I called Elecraft, my complaint was heard and they are looking into
>> the issue.  Hopefully they can come up with an answer.
>>
>> Best regards,
>>
>> Tom, W1TEF
>> Lexington County, SC
>>
>>
>> On 8/4/2016 1:22 PM, Sid Frissell wrote:
>>> Well, I guess I've wrung all the opinions out of you re. KXPD 2 vs KXPD3.  Seems like the KXPD2 is preferred.
>>> Thanks to all who commented on and off list.
>>>
>>> Sid, NZ7M
>>>
>>> Sent From Sid Frissell's iPad
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>