[Elecraft] KX Paddles

Thu Aug 4 17:27:35 EDT 2016

Hi Tom - Before shipping the paddle, please make sure first to contact our 
support team via support at elecraft.com or on the phone to get a return Service 
Authorization (RSA) tracking number, return instructions and our correct return 
shipping address information.

That will speed its repair and avoid any chance of losing it here.

73,
Eric
/elecraft.com/
===

On 8/4/2016 2:20 PM, Tom Francis wrote:
> 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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>>
>
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