[Elecraft] K3 VFO-B knob replacement notes

[Robert Cunnings]

Thank you for posting this!

I recently inquired of Elecraft Support about replacing the VFO B knob on 
my older K3 (it is cracked).

I was told to order E980275, but the person did not disclose all of the 
details you listed in your message, which are important. Fortunately I 
hadn't placed the order yet, planning to do it this evening.

I don't want a smaller knob, so I'll simply repair the original knob and 
carry on.

73,

Bob NW8L

On Tue, 15 Oct 2019, Geert Jan de Groot wrote:

>
> Hi,
>
> Recently I purchased a K3 and found I need to give it some love as it has 
> been a bit behind on maintenance.
>
> One of the issues is that the VFO B knob has cracked. This is Elecraft part 
> number E980090, listed as K3 spare part.
>
> Unfortunately, that knob is no longer available, and here is where the fun 
> starts.
>
> What is sent instead, is Elecraft part E980275. Both E980090 and E980275 are 
> listed but only E980275 is available.
> The replacement knob is smaller, the old knob is 1 3/8", the new knob is 1".
>
> Just replacing the knob won't work because the felt washer sticks out.
>
> Also, the encoder is too long and the new knob sticks out - the felt washer 
> doesn't work.
>
> Called Elecraft sales and there is some confusion.
>
> The errata of the build instruction of the K3S (not K3) explains what has 
> happened:
> - The new knob is smaller
> - it needs a different felt washer, replace E700033 with E700416
> - the encoder needs an additional lock washer, E700150.
> - So, if you order a replacement, order all of this and plan to have to take 
> the front panel apart.
>
> None of this is on the elecraft website. I also did not find anything in the 
> reflector archives. And it's not in the K3 documentation, only the K3S 
> documentation.
>
> This is kind of painful, since in addition to the price of the spare parts I 
> ordered to get the K3 up to date ($173) I spent $80 on shipping, customs and 
> postal admin overhead and I now find I have an incomplete mod kit.
>
> I will need to cut the wrongly-ordered felt washer to size and find a 
> replacement lock washer to make the encoder sink deeper to match the new 
> knob.. Again, this isn't listed in the spare parts on the website or on the 
> reflector; it is now documented on the reflector, at least.
>
> Geert Jan
>