[Elecraft] KX Paddles

Thu Aug 4 17:36:59 EDT 2016

Will do - thank you.

Tom, W1TEF

On 8/4/2016 5:27 PM, Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft wrote:
> 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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