[Elecraft] KX2 Weighted Knob

[Wayne Burdick]

In response to various comments on the KX2 knob (today and earlier): 

Our goal for the KX2 was to make it really lightweight. Light enough to be used as an HT. Goat-optional on longer hikes. 

Even 1 ounce of additional weight can increase fatigue when holding a device (try, for example, carrying around an iPhone 7 vs. an iPhone 7+). So we designed a low-profile plastic VFO A knob that is big enough to get the job done. 

Another reason not to use a heavier knob is that the KX2’s VFO encoder is itself a compact unit that has a sleeve bearing. Weighted knobs should in general be used only with heavier, ball-bearing style encoders. On this encoder, a heavy knob would shorten the rotational life.

Regarding adding a dimple: I’ve tried knobs this size with dimples and found that they were hard to use. A matter of taste and fingertip size, I guess. Meanwhile, the present knob can be “spun” to a certain degree by putting light finger pressure on the rim. 

73,
Wayne
N6KR