++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Sat, 17 Feb 2001 13:57:37 -0500 From: Charles Greene Subject: Re: [Elecraft] O-Ring on the Knob At 11:41 AM 2/17/2001 -0800, Lee Buller wrote: >Hey .... > >Who was the guy who attached a small rubber O-ring to the original K-2 >Knob? He had pictures on it and I would like to see it again and talk to >him how he liked his new Knob. > >Lee - K0WA - SN1056 It wasn't I, but in NE, they use wide rubber bands, about 1 1/2 in dia to hold the claws of lobsters shut (before cooking) I tried one on the K2 knob and it works great. Roll it under your finger when you tune the knob and it works better than the knob with a finger hole in it on my Omni-VI. A SASE will get a rubber band sans lobster :-) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Sat, 17 Feb 2001 11:20:35 -0800 From: "Gene Langendorff" Subject: RE: [Elecraft] O-Ring on the Knob The rubber bands that come on broccoli work well too. But, I just put my fingers on top of the K2 cabinet, rest my thumb on the front edge of the knob and spin away. Works great for me! 73, Gene K6TTM ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Sat, 17 Feb 2001 15:17:29 -0500 From: "Don Wilhelm" Subject: Re: [Elecraft] O-Ring on the Knob Gene, That was what I did too - until my thumb pad got sore from the sharp edge on the stock K2 knob, so it was a choice for me of putting a roundover on the stock knob or changing the knob altogether. See my webpage if you want to see how the Yaesu FT900 knob fits - a bit bigger and heavier than the FT100 knob, but no finger indent - take your pick. (Part numbers for FT900 knob are also on my website.) 73, Don Wilhelm -Chapel Hill, NC W3FPR home page: http://www.w3fpr.webprovider.com +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Fri, 30 Mar 2001 02:22:03 +0100 From: "Steve Sorrell" Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Trying different VFO knobs on the K2 Well Bob, et al, there has been MUCH discussion about K2 knobs. I don't know why you have to wait for a lobster claw rubber band? I use the rubber band that comes with a bunch of broccoli from the super market. My wife has tons of them and they come in at least three colors. Blue, Beige and Hot Pink. Personally, I use the Hot Pink jobber. They are about 1/2 to 5/8 inches wide so they cover the knob knurls very well. Don't work so hard. 72 de Steve, W8SFF +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Thu, 05 Apr 2001 00:09:31 -0400 From: John & Esther Subject: [Elecraft] The K2 knob revealed... No knob should be left unturned... I recently was given an extra K2 knob (courtesy of Rich KB2CPE / K2 #1102)to experiment with. In order to soften the edges of the knob (which I found somewhat sharp for my taste) the knob was turned on a lathe to remove a portion of the face. As it turned out (no pun intended), the metal center portion of the knob was very thin (50 mils?) and quickly came off during the turning operation. While I thought this was a disaster, what appeared below the metal face was quite interesting. It turns out that the knob has a groove that runs around the outer edge of the face, a groove that looks much like an o-ring groove. I have access to a large collection of o-rings at work and it turns out that a standard 025 o-ring fits perfectly in the groove around the knob face. This gives a softer feel at the knob edge and a good grip for fast tuning. The groove is just the right depth so that it tightly grips the o-ring but leaves the o-ring higher than the rest of the knob face. Since the metal faced was glued in place, the glue left some small bubbles and distortion in the knob's plastic face. This was carefully wet sanded away with fine grit sandpaper. The plastic face has a matte finish that goes well with the K2 front panel. So far I like it better than the stock knob, but I still haven't decided if it was worth the trouble to modify (and I still have my stock knob). Note that it is very easy to remove the brass weight in the knob by running hot water over it. This seems to quickly heat the plastic (but not the large thermal mass of the brass) so that the brass insert can be easily removed. Links to some pictures of the modified knob (more photo's are available at www.qsl.net/wb4vlq) http://www.qsl.net/wb4vlq/MVC-001F.JPG http://www.qsl.net/wb4vlq/MVC-015F.JPG http://www.qsl.net/wb4vlq/MVC-008F.JPG For those interested in K2 components, my web site also has pdf data sheets for most of the major parts found in the K2. My web page is ugly, but it works... John WB4VLQ, K2 1766 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Thu, 5 Apr 2001 00:57:42 EDT From: LHLOUSEK at aol.com Subject: Re: [Elecraft] The K2 knob revealed... Hi John, <<< the knob was turned on a lathe toremove a portion of the face. As it turned out (no pun intended), the metal center portion of the knob was very thin (50 mils?) and quickly came off during the turning operation.>> I did the same but instead of stopping at the groove I kept going and took off enough material to totally remove the grove and put a radius on the edge of the knob. The thinnest part of the face of the knob is where the shaft is so care needs to be exercised not to go through in that spot. The O-ring idea does look pretty slick but I like the flat face and smooth rounded edge that I got. It's very comfy on my finger tips :-} Luigi W7DZN +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Wed, 29 Aug 2001 22:45:24 +1200 From: "Ron Willcocks" Subject: [Elecraft] K2 tuning knob revisited... Greetings all, When I first came on the reflector some months ago there was a debate raging over the pros and cons of the K2 tuning knob, and at the time I was building a K1 , and didn't take a heck of a lot of notice. However now I own a K2 as well, I found the tuning somewhat "irksome" trying to spin the knob either on the edge, or with a finger applying pressure on the outside edge of the face of the knob,and trying to spin it that way. I like CW contesting, and needed a bit more positive way of moving about the band . I did recall that some had made a disk that fitted into the top face...probably with an indentation in it and stuck it on with double sided tape. That set me thinking, so I found a piece of 3/16" perspex and I used a 3/4" hole saw to cut a hole in it. I then removed the piece still stuck inside the hole saw, and then used a countersink tool to bevel the hole . I tidied the outside and inside faces with some fine sand paper, and painted the bottom and the outsides with black paint. When dry I stuck the resulting gizmo on the outer edge of the face of the K2's tuning knob with double sided tape.(The whole thing is only about 5/8" wide.) It actually looks pretty good, and certainly makes racing up the band a breeze as the beveled hole is a perfect fit for my index finger. I imagine a better shaped indentation could be made with a large Burr tool, but not having one of those, the countersink tool did a pretty good job. The double sided tape appears at this stage to be strong enough, and has the advantage of being removeable if required. My applogies if this is re-transmitting an already tried solution. de Ron ZL1TW K1 #575 K2 #2204 +++++++++++++++++++ Date: Sat, 10 Nov 2001 20:39:25 +0000 From: "Marinos Markomanolakis, M.D." Subject: [Elecraft] sv9dru K2 Knob mod Hi to all, The issue of replacement of the K2 tuning knob replacement with one from the FT 100 or even a modified knob from an FT 900, has been on and off this list, and it still seems to attract some interest. Personally I haven't tried any of the above replacements, but thinking that the original knob is of very good quality I tried to modify it with amazing results! Here are the instructions, and for whoever is interested, I can e-mail some nice pictures of the project. a) Remove the original knob and mark the location of an eccentric circle with a diameter ~10.5mm at any point of its front surface so that the distance from this small circle lies 1-1.5mm away from the edge of the knob at its most peripheral point. This can be easily done by placing a 10.5mm drill on the front surface and marking it with its tip at the desired position. b) Using a small diameter (~3mm)drill, create a small and shallow (barely through the metallic front surface) indentation at the center of the above mentioned eccentric circle. This will be the guide for the larger drill used in the next step. c) Using extreme caution to stay perpendicular, and applying minimal pressure, drill a 10.5mm diameter indentation through the metallic front surface centered at the smaller hole that you created in the above step. Done correctly, this hole will have a hemispherical/conical shape, confronting to the shape of the tip of the drill and will NOT go through. Do not proceed any further when the conical part of the tip has been buried, or you may create a hole. d) With a medium roughness sand paper, and using your index finger as a probe smoothen out the edges of the above circular indentation and slightly widen it to fit the tip of your finger. At the end of this, most probably you will have the black paint inadvertently scratched on the front surface of the knob, but do not worry. Change to a fine sand paper and with circular smooth rubbing, remove all the remaining paint, preserving the outer circular raised ring if possible. You will be surprised to see that the knob looks actually much better that way, being silver at the front and black on its periphery.. (something like the Drake TR7 tuning knob). Finally, after removing the paint and smoothing out any scratches with the fine sandpaper, you will be left with a shiny new knob with a nice black eccentric dimple that can be used for fast tuning.... In my opinion, the above mod, takes about an hour to do and with a little caution will give you superior functional as well as cosmetic results on your K2 (it will save you some $$ too). One more comment: if you want to avoid having any asymmetry of movement during rotation of the knob, you can install it with the K2 in the vertical position, with the knob resting on its (supplied from Elecraft) "pillow" before tightening. In my case, this also resulted in a slightly stiff movement (due to increased friction with the "pillow"), something that decreases the smooth feeling of tuning around.... The solution: Fold a piece of paper into itself 6 times and create 2-3 artificial pillows for the knob which will be installed symmetrically underneath it during installation and will prevent it from sitting on its pillow They will be removed after the 2 screws have been tightened. That way the knob will move very smoothly and without any wobbling Sorry for the bandwidth, anyone interested, please e-mail me for the pictures. 73, Marinos, sv9dru +++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Sat, 10 Nov 2001 16:16:52 -0700 From: Larry East Subject: Re: [Elecraft] sv9dru K2 Knob mod At 08:39 PM 11/10/01 +0000, Marinos Markomanolakis, M.D. wrote: >Hi to all, > >The issue of replacement of the K2 tuning knob replacement with one from >the FT 100 or even a modified knob from an FT 900, has been on and off >this list, and it still seems to attract some interest. > >Personally I haven't tried any of the above replacements, but thinking >that the original knob is of very good quality I tried to modify it with >amazing results! >Here are the instructions, and for whoever is interested, I can e-mail >some nice pictures of the project. ...snip... I did essentially the same thing a year or so ago, but found that the indentation was a little shallow for my "fat finger". I solved that by gluing a 0.5-in. ID O-ring around the edge of the indentation. Perfect fit! (For you non-metric types, a 0.5 inch drill bit can be used instead of a 10.5mm bit.) I was finally "suckered" into buying an FT-100 knob by all the glowing reports on this list. The only improvement over the modified K2 knob was the rubber band around the knob -- and I still had to resort to the O-ring because the "finger hole" in the FT-100 knob was too shallow! (It does have a pretty nice feel tho...) So -- if you want to keep your $6 at home, just modify the K2 knob as described by "Dr. Marinos". :-) 72/73, Larry W1HUE/7 ++++++++++++++++++ Date: Sat, 10 Nov 2001 18:37:36 -0500 From: "ZOOM" Subject: Re: [Elecraft] sv9dru K2 Knob mod I have built a spinner knob that requires no modifications to the K2. It simply attaches the the K2 knob and allows for fast and easy tuning. The spinner attachment is made in my shop using a metal lathe and milling machine. If you would like one or more information contact me off list for details. I can also make them for the K1 as well. Remember no modification to your rig is required and can be removed at any time. It truly makes tuning fast, effortless and easy. See pictures: Spinner attachment http://valveman.tripod.ca/K2spinner1.jpg Spinner attachment on K2 http://valveman.tripod.ca/K2Spinner.jpg Regards, Robert VE3RPF +++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Sun, 11 Nov 2001 00:49:41 -0800 From: "Stephen E. Stuntz" Subject: Re: [Elecraft] sv9dru K2 Knob mod Gang: This concern about modifying the K2 knob for a "finger-hole" was covered in extenso almost two years ago. At that time somebody suggested the O-ring mod - sticking a thick-wall 1/2 inch ring to the knob face right at the edge, using crazy-glue or some such to hold it in place. I've been using this great innovation ever since it was first mentioned, with sucess and satisfaction - accompanied by the circumferential produce (i.e. asparagus) rubber band around the rim. Works great, costs nil. Recommended. +++++++++++++++++++ From: "Terry Kniffen" To: Subject: [Elecraft] FT100 Knob Date: Wed, 30 Jan 2002 15:18:14 -0500 FYI - The rubber ring for the FT100 knob is sold seperately and fits nicely around the K2 knob. Less money, easy with same results. 73 Terry KF4FD K2#2008 ++++++++++++++++++++ From: "Rod N0RC" To: , Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K2 Tuning Knob - FT100 Date: Wed, 30 Jan 2002 13:45:24 -0700 Pictures are now on my web page: http://www.n0rc.com, click on the "N0RC K1 Tuning Knob Mod" link. 73, Rod N0RC Ft Collins, CO ----- Original Message ----- From: "Rod N0RC" To: ; Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2002 12:01 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K2 Tuning Knob - FT100 ... > Something else I did (and this is not my Idea, someone else posted it > long ago). I put a small rubber ring around my K1 knob. I cut the ring > from a bicycle inner tube. I'll put a picture on my website later today. +++++++++++++++++++ Date: Sun, 10 Nov 2002 14:42:25 +1300 From: Ron Willcocks To: Elecraft Subject: [Elecraft] Another tuning knob idea FYI, Like quite a few others, I found the tuning arrangement on the K2 a bit out of keeping with the rest of the set, so I made a "dimple" that I have stuck on the knob and personally I am quite pleased with how it works. (The knob is quite good...I just like a bit more controlled way of turning it) I used a 3/4" hole saw and cut through a piece of 3/16" perspex, then recovered the piece that had been cut out. ( a circular section about 5/8" diameter with the pilot hole through it) I held onto the outside of the cutout, and, using the drill press, ran a tapered reamer through until it opened the center out to near the outer sides. I then dressed the resulting "dimple" up with fine sand paper so the outer top edges were rounded and the inner and outer faces were smooth. The overall depth finished up a bit over 3/32". I then stuck it onto the outer face of the K2 knob with double sided tape to see if I liked it. I did, so it has now been glued on with Araldite. The "dimple" is not high enough that I can't still rotate the knob with the edge of the knob if I so desire, and being clear perspex it really doesn't look "intrusive". .....except perhaps for the shiny bit in the center that has worn down to the Aluminium underneath. Cheers.....Ron ZL1TW ++++++++++++++ From: "Stuart Rohre" To: , "'Elecraft List'" Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft knob finger dimple Date: Mon, 11 Nov 2002 13:50:59 -0600 For the stock knob, you can add a finger dimple. Get a black rack panel cup washer. Epoxy it to the front of the stock knob, and you have your dimple for a finger grip. 72, Stuart K5KVH +++++++++++++++ From: "Rod N0RC" To: Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Tunning Knob Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 20:04:34 -0700 Gang, A small section from a bicycle inner tube works very well. Here is what I've been using with great success: http://www.qsl.net/n0rc/pics/k2_knob.jpg I bet a local bike shop will accommodate you at low/no cost. So, save that broccoli money and put toward some chocolate, big mac, ice cream.... ;-) 73, Rod N0RC Elecraft CC: 0 of 100, started 05-Jan-2003 ++++++++++++++++ Date: Fri, 24 Jan 2003 10:25:56 -0700 From: "Mike Lewis" To: leebuller at yahoo.com, Elecraft at mailman.qth.net, scubbedge at digitalglobe.com, ggeissinger at digitalglobe.com Subject: [Elecraft] A Vote For a Knob Alternative Hi, Since my last post on this, I have talked to one of my buddies whose K2 is completed (mine has 4 transformers and the finals to go - hopefully done this weekend!). He found an Alco spinner knob (Alco is now owned by Tyco) that is a wonderful match for the K2. He brought his K2 in to show it off, and it looks stock. Only minor issue is that it is made for a 1/4 inch shaft, so he used some shimming material wrapped around the encoder shaft to ensure that it mounted perfectly concentrically. The knobs are available from Mouser Electronics for 17.94 in single qty, I suppose if Elecraft bought them in bulk they might get the price down to at least $15 or less, I know I would have paid the extra to have a top quality spinner knob. I will be ordering one of these from Mouser I think myself. The stick on spinner I bought on ebay is nice, but this knob is machined aluminum with a real permanent fingertip spinner dimple. Link to Mouser follows, just do part number search for the part number to bring it up. Also a link available to the actual catalog page showing a drawing of the knob (too bad no actual picture) and prices. Knob specs are 1.75 inch dia., .620 inch height. Clears all other knobs and doe not obscure any labels. Alco/Tyco model number is KN1751BS1/4 for black model. If anyone is really interested I might be able to get a digital picture of my friends K2 and email it out to interested parties... http://www.mouser.com 73 de KE0MF/Mike ++++++++++++++++ Reply-To: From: "John Clifford" To: Date: Fri, 24 Jan 2003 10:49:42 -0800 Subject: [Elecraft] RE: K2 tuning knob... I have access to CNC machining equipment, and have thought about designing an alternate knob for the K2. I have an FT-100 knob currently on my K2, and I also have an Icom IC-706 knob that needs to be modified. The Icom knob is a little 'thinner' front-to-back than the Yaesu knob, and the dimple is actually a separate piece that rotates, so there is no wear on your finger if you rapidly spin the knob. I think it also looks better than the FT-100 knob, but it is considerably more expensive... about twice as expensive. Here are some ideas I have for an ideal knob: - it would have a rubber outer ring like the FT-100 or IC-706 knob (preferable) - it would have a dimple - it would match the styling of the K2's other knobs if possible - it would have an Elecraft logo and/or optional callsign engraved on it - it would be able to use the standard K2 felt washer for drag - it would be made of metal and have a matte black finish Is weight an issue (heavier being more desireable) or would most hams like the lightest knob to keep the weight down? Is the flywheel effect offered by a heavier knob desireable on this rig? I've seen one knob on a piece of WWII gear that had three equilateral holes, and a ribbed outer diameter with no rubber ring... that way your finger could always find a hole to spin the knob with and you could easily grasp the outer diameter of the knob for fine tuning. How much would people pay for a custom knob? How many people would be interested? You have to figure that machine time and finishing (anodizing if the knob was aluminum) would probably make the knob run upwards of $40... the reason Yaesu and Icom can do it cheaper is economies of scale and that their knobs are molded rather than machined. - jgc John Clifford KD7KGX Heathkit HW-9 WARC/HFT-9/HM-9 Elecraft K2 #1678 /KSB2/KIO2/KBT2/KAT2/KNB2/KAF2/KPA100 Ten-Tec Omni VI/Opt1 ++++++++++++++++ Date: Fri, 24 Jan 2003 12:29:36 -0800 From: Wayne Burdick Organization: Elecraft To: Elecraft Subject: [Elecraft] custom VFO knobs The cost of a machined knob is too high to include in the basic K2 kit. It would be roughly 5 to 10 times that of the weighted knob that we supply. So any custom knob would have to be offered as an option. All I can say for now is that we're paying close attention to all of the mail on this topic. Thanks for the suggestions. Wayne N6KR ++++++++++++++++++ Date: Fri, 07 Feb 2003 14:49:10 -0500 (Eastern Standard Time) From: W2AGN Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Spinner Attachments for K2/K1 To: robert931 at sympatico.ca, elecraft at mailman.qth.net Let me add that I am a satisfied customer of Bob's. His little attachments provide a nice, professional looking spinner dimple, particularly on the K2. I also have them on my K1s, and while the know is too small for spinning with your finger, I find the dimple just right for when I rest my hand on top, and tune with my thumb. +-++-++-++-++-+ John L. Sielke |W||2||A||G||N| http://www.w2agn.net [UPDATED] +-++-++-++-++-+ Ex-K3HLU,TF2WKT,W7JEF,W4MPC,N4JS -------Original Message------- From: Robert Parker Date: Friday, February 07, 2003 02:28:44 PM To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] Spinner Attachments for K2/K1 Hi All; Sorry for the BW. I received allot of interest about my spinner attachments. I have finished another run. I have 20 available. I saved the names of those who were interested but lost the data in a HD failure. For those who are interested in getting one or more of these, please re-send me a note off list. Regards, Robert VE3RPF ++++++++++++++++++ Reply-To: dock0evz at earthlink.net From: "Doc K0EVZ" To: "qrp-l reflector" , "Elecraft " Cc: "doc k0evz earthlink" Date: Sat, 15 Mar 2003 20:38:22 -0600 Subject: [Elecraft] K2/K1 Spinner attachments Gang: Every now and then a little product comes along, which makes operating so much easier. In this case I am talking about the tiny "K2/K1 Spinners" from Robert VE3RPF. Mine just came and they are already installed and making a BIG difference. You just stick them onto the main tuning knobs of your rigs. I believe that Robert makes them himself. Highly recommended. They are a bit more effective with the larger tuning knob on the K2. I plan on ordering several more for the future. Contact Robert VE3RPF at robert931 at sympatico.ca to order. GL and best 73, --Doc/K0EVZ ++++++++++++++++++ Reply-To: dock0evz at earthlink.net From: "Doc K0EVZ" To: "Elecraft " , "qrp-l reflector" Cc: "doc k0evz earthlink" Date: Sun, 16 Mar 2003 20:26:41 -0600 Subject: [Elecraft] [Re-Post]Spinner Attachments for K2/K1 Gang: Several have written for more info on the spinner attachments for the K2/K1 rigs. I am re-posting the following note from Robert Parker VE3RPF for those who may be interested. The cost for these little gizmos was $5.00USD plus $1.00USD for S/H. I don't know of any web page so you can see them. Sure wish I could post a picture of how they look on my rigs. Gotta say it again, I am tickled to have them. Highly recommended, especially for the K2. 73, --Doc/K0EVZ > [Original Message] > From: Robert Parker > To: > Date: 2/7/2003 1:25:21 PM > Subject: [Elecraft] Spinner Attachments for K2/K1 > > Hi All; > Sorry for the BW. > I received allot of interest about my spinner attachments. > I have finished another run. I have 20 available. > I saved the names of those who were interested but lost the data in a HD > failure. > For those who are interested in getting one or more of these, please re-send > me a note off list. > > Regards, > Robert VE3RPF ++++++++++++++++++++ From: "Robert Parker" To: , "Elecraft " , "qrp-l reflector" Cc: "doc k0evz earthlink" Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [Re-Post]Spinner Attachments for K2/K1 Date: Sun, 16 Mar 2003 22:28:04 -0500 Hi all; A little correction on the price of the spinner attachments. $5.00 each + $2.00S/H USD $2.00S/H covers shipping up to 3 spinners. Here are pics of each type. Note I have only recently been making a different spinner attachment for the K1. http://images.andale.com/f2/115/123/10264406/1047829504127_K1spinner.jpg http://images.andale.com/f2/115/123/10264406/1040010830094_K2WSpinner.jpg Please note there is at least a week to 2 week backlog on these. Regards, Robert VE3RPF +++++++++++++++++++++ From: "Robert Parker" To: Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2003 20:42:54 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] K1/K2 Spinner Attachments Website The response has been overwhelming that I created a website that should answer most of you questiopns about the sipinner attachments. Click on the link: http://valvemanontario.tripod.com/SpinnerAttachments/K2spinner.html If you have further questions send me an e-mail, Robert VE3RPF +++++++++++++++++++++