[Elecraft] New tuning knob for the KX2

[Mike Morrow]

If **only** we could get the candid and informed evaluation of someone who was *really* familiar with the KX2!! :-)

Mike / KK5F
K1 #175 (11/2000)
KX2 #2211 (11/2017)

-----Original Message-----
>From: Wayne Burdick <n6kr at elecraft.com>
>Sent: Jan 7, 2019 7:48 PM
>To: Mike Morrow <kk5f at arrl.net>
>Cc: Elecraft <Elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
>Subject: Re: [Elecraft] New tuning knob for the KX2
>
>Nonetheless: to each his own :)
>
>Wayne
>N6KR
>
>----
>elecraft.com
>
>> On Jan 7, 2019, at 2:32 PM, Mike Morrow <kk5f at earthlink.net> wrote:
>> 
>> Joe wrote:
>> 
>>> I love my KX2 but the main tuning knob has always been a problem for me.
>>> 
>>> It’s just a tad too small and not easy to spin rapidly.
>>> 
>>> I found a very nice aluminum knob for the KX2 being sold on eBay by a gentleman in Winterport,ME.
>>> 
>>> The tracking item nr. is:  264113321673.
>>> 
>>> The knob costs $24.95 shipped, is CNC machined aluminum and is  black in color….not exactly cheap but worth every penny IMHO.
>>> 
>>> I just put it on my KX2 and tuning is now a dream…it feels like a much larger knob and the finger dimple is larger than the stock KX2 knob which allows for a nice fit.
>>> 
>>> It also fits the KX1 for all of the KX1 users out there.
>>> 
>>> A very nice addition to my KX2.
>>> 
>>> Now, if only Wayne can find a ball bearing rotary encoder for the KX2  all would be well in the world (grin).
>>> 
>>> Enjoy those Elecraft radios.
>>> 
>>>            73, Joe W2KJ
>>>            I QRP, therefore I am
>> 
>> Better is "I QRP, therefore I HAM"?
>> 
>> To your point, this is what Wayne/N6KR wrote about the KX2 knob, 30 March 2017, on the Elecraft list:
>> 
>> ----Start quote----------
>> 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
>> ----End quote------
>> 
>> Mike / KK5F