Hi Windy: I'm working on the assembly procedures, monitoring e-mails and talking with Gary and the techs in Aptos who are working on returned gear and building K3s to see where I need to provide more or better information in the manuals. I'm in Oregon and cannot see for myself the returned gear or the assembly of the new rigs.
What I've related about tightening the nuts is what the techs in Aptos said they have done successfully on the units they've built or fixed. They are the ones who told me that a common mistake builders make is to leave off the split lock washers that go between the standoff and the front panel board. Apparently a number of builders have put them under the screw heads where one would normally put lock washers, not realizing they are used as spacers to make the standoffs a bit longer, not lock washers. Note I'm speaking about the standoffs between the front panel board and the front panel sheet metal, not the standoffs between the front panel and DSP boards (the correct spacing there becomes critical if you install the KRX3 subreceiver when they become available). If the spacer-washers are missing, that should not cause the VFO A encoder shaft to be canted but it will cause the PHONES jack washer to rattle. That apparently is **not** the only reason the PHONES jack washer is loose on some K3s, but it is **one** reason for it happening. That's a dangerous situation because the screws holding the LCD cover can then hit the LCD front glass itself, breaking it. Given that those standoffs between the front panel board and the front panel sheet metal are installed correctly, Aptos has found tightening the PHONES jack knurled nut a bit more (squeezing the boards and front panel sheet metal between thumb and fingers while turning the knurled nut) has always cured the problem. Since I mentioned that, several builders wrote me personally to report that worked for them too. If that doesn't work for you, post a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Gary will pick it up there and pursue the fix for you and we'll find out what is happening to cause the problem for others. The canted VFO A shaft has, again according to Aptos, always yielded to adequate tightening of the nut on the encoder. Again, if that doesn't do it, please send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Oh the three front panel assemblies I've worked with, tightening the VFO A encoder using nominal pressure with a wrench produced a well-aligned encoder shaft. So what's "nominal" pressure? That's the problem. I have a socket wrench and used it without a handle, just giving it a very firm twist holding the socket in my hand. Perhaps more torque is needed for others. As Gary, the techs in Aptos (and occasionally myself) come up with a better understanding of the problem, we share the information and suggested fixes with Wayne, as the Elecraft Chief of Technology and other sundry activities, for final approval or course of action. So be sure you've informed [EMAIL PROTECTED] and include any "fixes" you've used or tried. Ron AC7AC -----Original Message----- Windy Dankoff KM5Q wrote: > > Ron, > > If I can find some fix for the loose PHONES jack, I'll be happy to > leave the encoder shaft as it is, unless you suggest I tighten it a > bit more (trusting my good judgement) but now that I recall from the > photo how slim the lock washers are, I'm more inclined to leave well > enough alone. > > Thanks! > Windy_______________________________________________ > _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [email protected] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
