Re: [Elecraft] KX2 Weighted Knob
I wish to weigh in the topic having been a QRP portable operator for years. I have tried mine as an HT, sure beats the dickens out of hauling the FT817 (which I sold years ago). Battery life, built in tuner, mic and add-on key are great. I operate 17-20 meters when the band is good. Personally for me, I think the design, as is, was brilliant. Great grab and go for me. Do I use it for hours, nope! It might get too heavy after a while for a weak armed PC geek/desk jockey like me. 73, Bill K9YEQ -Original Message- From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Christopher Hoover Sent: Friday, March 31, 2017 9:30 PM To: Wayne Burdick Cc: Elecraft Reflector ; k...@yahoogroups.com; Doug Millar Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX2 Weighted Knob > > Our goal for the KX2 was to make it really lightweight. Light enough > to be used as an HT. Is it really practical as an HT? Some will use it that way for sure, but it is already quite heavy without an antenna. I really like my KX2, but, with respect, I'm unconvinced the HT use case is worth trading heavily against the more practical use cases. -- Christopher 73 de AI6KG __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KX2 Weighted Knob
While it would be pretty cool if the KX2 was IP55 or better rated, at present I don't find it to be a problem on the trail that it doesn't have that level of protection. If its raining or blowing sand/snow/dirt and I'm not in a tent, I'm doing something other than playing with a radio. Maybe I'm just not dedicated enough to radiosport... 72 Chip AE5KA On Sat, Apr 1, 2017 at 10:02 AM, kevino z wrote: > Well, they must only hit trail when it is perfect weather. I'd gladly > trade a few oz for some weatherproofing or should I say, weather friendly > engineering. A smaller KX3 was nice, but a smaller KX3 that had no open > holes in it, or places for the occasional raindrop, dirt, leaves, branches, > sand to get into it would have been amazing. > -Kevin (KK4YEL) > > > > No trees were killed in the sending of this message. However, a large > number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced ! > > > On Apr 1, 2017, at 08:19, Chip Stratton wrote: > > > > Thank goodness for the lightweight knob. I would think the designers were > > nuts if a designed for trail use radio like the KX2 came with a weighted > > knob. Its amazing how the ounces add up when packing your gear up a > trail. > > > > Chip > > AE5KA > > > > On Fri, Mar 31, 2017 at 10:30 PM, Christopher Hoover > > wrote: > > > >>> > >>> Our goal for the KX2 was to make it really lightweight. Light enough to > >>> be used as an HT. > >> > >> > >> Is it really practical as an HT? Some will use it that way for sure, > but > >> it is already quite heavy without an antenna. > >> > >> I really like my KX2, but, with respect, I'm unconvinced the HT use > case > >> is worth trading heavily against the more practical use cases. > >> > >> -- Christopher > >> 73 de AI6KG > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >>> On Thu, Mar 30, 2017 at 5:09 PM, Wayne Burdick > wrote: > >>> > >>> 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 > >>> > >>> > >>> __ > >>> Elecraft mailing list > >>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > >>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > >>> Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > >>> > >>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > >>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > >>> Message delivered to c...@murgatroid.com > >>> > >> __ > >> Elecraft mailing list > >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > >> Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > >> > >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > >> Message delivered to lightdazz...@gmail.com > >> > > __ > > Elecraft mailing list > > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > > Message delivered to z_kev...@hotmail.com > __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KX2 Weighted Knob
Well, they must only hit trail when it is perfect weather. I'd gladly trade a few oz for some weatherproofing or should I say, weather friendly engineering. A smaller KX3 was nice, but a smaller KX3 that had no open holes in it, or places for the occasional raindrop, dirt, leaves, branches, sand to get into it would have been amazing. -Kevin (KK4YEL) No trees were killed in the sending of this message. However, a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced ! > On Apr 1, 2017, at 08:19, Chip Stratton wrote: > > Thank goodness for the lightweight knob. I would think the designers were > nuts if a designed for trail use radio like the KX2 came with a weighted > knob. Its amazing how the ounces add up when packing your gear up a trail. > > Chip > AE5KA > > On Fri, Mar 31, 2017 at 10:30 PM, Christopher Hoover > wrote: > >>> >>> Our goal for the KX2 was to make it really lightweight. Light enough to >>> be used as an HT. >> >> >> Is it really practical as an HT? Some will use it that way for sure, but >> it is already quite heavy without an antenna. >> >> I really like my KX2, but, with respect, I'm unconvinced the HT use case >> is worth trading heavily against the more practical use cases. >> >> -- Christopher >> 73 de AI6KG >> >> >> >> >> >>> On Thu, Mar 30, 2017 at 5:09 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote: >>> >>> 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 >>> >>> >>> __ >>> Elecraft mailing list >>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >>> Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net >>> >>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >>> Message delivered to c...@murgatroid.com >>> >> __ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to lightdazz...@gmail.com >> > __ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to z_kev...@hotmail.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KX2 Weighted Knob
Thank goodness for the lightweight knob. I would think the designers were nuts if a designed for trail use radio like the KX2 came with a weighted knob. Its amazing how the ounces add up when packing your gear up a trail. Chip AE5KA On Fri, Mar 31, 2017 at 10:30 PM, Christopher Hoover wrote: > > > > Our goal for the KX2 was to make it really lightweight. Light enough to > > be used as an HT. > > > Is it really practical as an HT? Some will use it that way for sure, but > it is already quite heavy without an antenna. > > I really like my KX2, but, with respect, I'm unconvinced the HT use case > is worth trading heavily against the more practical use cases. > > -- Christopher > 73 de AI6KG > > > > > > On Thu, Mar 30, 2017 at 5:09 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote: > > > 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 > > > > > > __ > > Elecraft mailing list > > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > > Message delivered to c...@murgatroid.com > > > __ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to lightdazz...@gmail.com > __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KX2 Weighted Knob
> > Our goal for the KX2 was to make it really lightweight. Light enough to > be used as an HT. Is it really practical as an HT? Some will use it that way for sure, but it is already quite heavy without an antenna. I really like my KX2, but, with respect, I'm unconvinced the HT use case is worth trading heavily against the more practical use cases. -- Christopher 73 de AI6KG On Thu, Mar 30, 2017 at 5:09 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote: > 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 > > > __ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to c...@murgatroid.com > __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KX2 Weighted Knob
Doug, this was an excellent idea. Last night I {Gorilla} glued four
nuts into my stock KX2 knob. I wasn't at all convinced that it was
going to be heavy enough to work BUT IT SURE AS HECK DID!! Thanks for
the simple but effective solution.
73, Stan WB2LQF
On Thu, Mar 30, 2017 at 06:29 PM, Doug Millar via Elecraft wrote:
Hi, Well, I might have done it. I like a little heavier knob on my
radios. Ever since I had an HRO radio. I took the KX2 knob and put
4 nuts in each of the four bins in the back of the knob. I took some
modeling clay and forced it in to hold the nuts and to give more
weight. I think that is just about perfect for weight and inertia.
Comments? Doug jEY
drzarko...@yahoo.com
562 810 3989 cell/text
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Re: [Elecraft] KX2 Weighted Knob [correction]
One of our customers with considerable mechanical engineering knowledge pointed out that sleeve bearings are not not inherently inferior to ball bearings. So the difference in longevity and load rating the KX2’s contacting VFO encoder vs. the K3’s optical VFO encoder is not necessarily due due to the bearing type. More likely it’s due to the differences between resistive (mechanical) contacts vs. optical sensing, as well as overall construction. 73, Wayne N6KR __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KX2 Weighted Knob
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 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KX2 Weighted Knob
Years ago I used lead shot and epoxy to sill in the voids on a knob to add weight. You could probably also use BBs instead of the Lead shot From: Doug Millar via Elecraft To: Elecraft Reflector Sent: Thursday, March 30, 2017 6:55 PM Subject: [Elecraft] KX2 Weighted Knob Hi, Well, I might have done it. I like a little heavier knob on my radios. Ever since I had an HRO radio. I took the KX2 knob and put 4 nuts in each of the four bins in the back of the knob. I took some modeling clay and forced it in to hold the nuts and to give more weight. I think that is just about perfect for weight and inertia. Comments? Doug jEY drzarko...@yahoo.com 562 810 3989 cell/text __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KX2 Weighted Knob
Good solution. Hope it holds up. The lack of knob weight on this most amazing little rig is the only genuine physical design gripe I can come up with. would be nice if it was a slightly heavier and rubberized grip.. pretty tough with such as small knob though and may be cost prohibitive. Your solution make lots of sense to bridge the gap. a push button encoder to add another route to menus would be another afterthought. From: Elecraft [elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] on behalf of Doug Millar via Elecraft [elecraft@mailman.qth.net] Sent: Thursday, March 30, 2017 3:29 PM To: Elecraft Reflector Subject: [Elecraft] KX2 Weighted Knob Hi, Well, I might have done it. I like a little heavier knob on my radios. Ever since I had an HRO radio. I took the KX2 knob and put 4 nuts in each of the four bins in the back of the knob. I took some modeling clay and forced it in to hold the nuts and to give more weight. I think that is just about perfect for weight and inertia. Comments? Doug jEY drzarko...@yahoo.com 562 810 3989 cell/text __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to ct...@ewnetinc.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] KX2 Weighted Knob
Hi, Well, I might have done it. I like a little heavier knob on my radios. Ever since I had an HRO radio. I took the KX2 knob and put 4 nuts in each of the four bins in the back of the knob. I took some modeling clay and forced it in to hold the nuts and to give more weight. I think that is just about perfect for weight and inertia. Comments? Doug jEY drzarko...@yahoo.com 562 810 3989 cell/text __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
