[Elecraft] K3, k4 Black knobs

[Rich NE1EE]

On 2020-10-16 21:47:+1000, you wrote:
>OK, I operate portable and often at night and lighting has to be managed to
>reduce critters of the night dive bombing me when operating.
>
>Regards,
>Gary
>VK1ZZ
>K3NHL

I use 2 red LED lamps. One is a fairly bright flashlight that uses 4X AAA. The other is a small flat lamp with a pushbutton-slide switch. It hangs on a locking ring, like you'd put keys on. It is push to light, slide to stay on.

You can find them for sale for folks who star gaze. Been happy with them for years. When it is dark, even the little one seems pretty bright, and they don't seem to attract bugs. Double plus...I get to keep my night vision, and few bugs. I wish that the LED panels on the KX were dimmable in steps. It's way too bright. I looked into what it would take to mod the circuit, and it was not as simple as I'd like. Doable. Unfortunately, it seems, the original design didn't anticipate that folks would want to dim it.

The face, keys labels, and display are all clearly visible in red light. I have not see a headlamp with red LEDs, but I'll bet it exists. You'd want it to be fairly dim, in my experience. My little CR2032-powered keychain red lamp is plenty at night once I have my night vision. I carry the big boy JIC I need it. 
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I just did a quick search for headlamps, and didn't see any that I'd jump for. I am seriously thinking of putting a small patch of velcro on the keychain red LED, and then I can mount it wherever. Right now I keep it hanging from a button hole so that it is always handy in the field. I'm thinking that sticking some velcro on a ball cap bill would work fine.