Just a note to reinforce what so many of us know about the quality (and quantity) of the customer service provided by Elecraft. It's not the first time they've helped me and I'm sure it won't be the last......... certainly won't be the last time I'll need their help.
My K3 developed a problem in the main tuning encoder and/or knob of VFO A as I was preparing my station for operation in this weekend's CQ WWDX Contest. The tuning has always been smooth and easy to do but a couple of days ago, the tuning became more difficult. Instead of easily spinning the knob with a finger, it took a pretty good grip on the knob to move it, although the encoder was still working properly for the operation. I sure did not look forward to the contest operation with such a hindrance. I could have used the VFO B knob with the second receiver but that's just not the same, especially for multiple hours. I searched through reflector messages spanning a couple of years and found lots of notes about split tandem knobs and expensive replacement knobs from others but nothing to match the problem I was having. I sent the following message to [email protected]: ------------------------- My K3 is S/N 1068 and within the last several days the primary encoder on the VFO A knob has become difficult to turn. When it does turn, it tunes the transceiver correctly but it is just hard to move and it seems to be getting even more difficult, the more I try to move it. I was planning to make a major effort in the coming CQ WWDX Contest this weekend but if there's not an easy and quick fix, I'll have to go back to my IC-756PRO and I didn't want to do that. I've always been very careful in tuning to not place any weight on the knob since I know that could eventually cause a problem. Previously, this encoder has been very free and easily turned but it just got difficult overnight. I also can move the encoder shaft up and down and side to side a small bit and I don't believe it did that previously. The B VFO encoder certainly doesn't. Is there something I can do, short of disassembly? Anxious, Jim - K5LAD ---------------------- Within the hour, I had two answers back, within a few minutes of each other........ one from Gary - AB7MY in Arizona and the other from Dale - K6ZP in California. Both offered excellent suggestions of possible quick repairs and/or workarounds. I removed the finger guard around the knob to access the set screw and removed the large knob. What I found was, the second (outer) nut was completely unscrewed and the other was quite loose. (My wife asked me how that could happen and I told her, "Overuse." She was not amused.) Once I got the main control nut re-tightened and the second one snugged back up tight, the felt washer fit right back on, the knob went back on, tightened up the set screw and replaced the finger grip................. smoooooooooth as silk and turns effortlessly like before. I thought of all the things that made this activity into a "knock your socks off" customer service example. 1. Immediate response 2. Expert and knowledgeable help 3. Willingness to help and help immediately 4. An ability and willingness to supply needed parts quickly if necessary Then I thought about the competition and wondered how many of this list I would have seen from them if my transceiver had displayed a different name on it other than Elecraft. I'm pretty sure I could easily answer that and so could hundreds (or thousands) of satisfied Elecraft users. Thanks Elecraft Thanks Gary Thanks Dale I'll see all you DX operators in the contest this weekend. 73, Jim - K5LAD =============================== Life is like a football --- It ain't round ... It'll bounce funny on ya. http://www.hayseed.net/~jpk5lad/ ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
