[Elecraft] K3 VFO-B knob replacement notes

[Gary Smith]

However you work it, I tried something and 
it worked/works perfectly with my K3 & K3s 
(which has the off-brand metal knobs).

I took the felt washer and put the Teflon 
plumbers tape on it, I wrapped it so the 
felt is now unseen & the washer looks 
"white" from the tape.

This allowed me to tighten the knob as I 
wished, made the feel to be just as I 
liked and best, there was zero sound as I 
turn the knobs. It was for me, a perfect 
solution to getting the feel and action, 
just right.

73,

Gary
KA1J



> 
> 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
> 
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