FlexControl suddenly broken

Takeshi Yamada

FlexControl suddenly does not move smoothly and push button function of the dial does not work.   Does anyone experience such problem?   Any suggestions to fix it?    I ordered one today, but it will take a week or so to arrive.

Stu Phillips - K6TU

Yamada-san,

From your description, it sounds like the shaft encoder on the central knob has failed.  When you say the FlexControl does not move smoothly, are you saying that when turn turn the knob it is stiff to turn, or as you turn it you can feel something grating or perhaps as you turn, it feels as though you are driving over bumps?

If the feeling is something like the above and when you press the knob to activate the push function doesn't work, then it is a mechanical failure of the shaft encoder.

The shaft encoder is a mechanical device - if the FlexControl was dropped that could explain the failure.

Sorry you are having the problem.  
Stu K6TU

Takeshi Yamada

Thank you Stu for reply.
It is a hardware problem the second case you are describing.    It made me feel like; suddenly power steering turned off and becomes to 50 years ago manual steering.   Apparently, the shaft encoder was broken, however, there has been no chance to drop nor had a chance to get an abnormal power.  So, I raised a question - it is about one year old.

Ken - NM9P

I wore two of them out contesting within a few months of each other.
It acted like I had spilled some syrupy soft drink on the shaft.  It wouldn't turn easily, with a "detent-ed" feeling to it, and the large knob wouldn't push in for control changes.  But I know I never dropped it, nor did anything ever get spilled on it.  But I DID spend a lot of contest time with my finger in the detent spinning for stations.  This could have added some sideways torque to the encoder shaft, and over time caused a failure?

FRS had me return them for replacement.  (Their customer service is the best in the business)  I never heard back the cause of the failure, but my guess is that they received some defective parts from their supplier and had a bad run of them.

The third one seems to be working fine, and has for several months.  I wouldn't be without it!  Nice piece of kit for the rig.

Stu Phillips - K6TU

Wow - the one here on my desk is still one of the first build units we tested after handing the design over to FlexRadio.  Now some 4 years plus old, with many contests under its belt (and mine) -and still spinning like the Energizer Bunny.

As Ken says, contact FlexRadio.  I don't remember what the warranty is on accessories.

Stu K6TU

Takeshi Yamada

Wow!  Good news, Ken.
I will ask FRS if it is within the warranty period.
The problem here is the delivery costs more than the product and costs me >$200!!

Ken - NM9P

Disclaimer...I have no official connection with FRS and make no promises or policy statements on their behalf...But I would certainly contact FRS and open a help desk report.  If you are within the warranty period, you may have a positive result.  But, WOW!  >$200 to ship a small package your way?   

Takeshi Yamada

I emailed to order@frs if I can ask to repair with the copy of previous communication mail for the first order.  So, it will be OK.  (I might be better open help desk, first)
The shipping costs $114.  And worse, the last time it was lost on the way to hub from Austin and FRS resent the other one.
The other side of the world bears a lot of costs.

Rich McCabe

Currently they are apparently out of stock. I am waiting for a replacement now. Mine has a wobbly shaft but spins freely.   It works OK but does not feel very good and the push click part is less than ideal. Not what I would expect from a 30 day old unit. But they are going to fix me up. Hope it was just a bad batch of encoders

Takeshi Yamada

Ah! again....  Months of operation without FlexControl is nothing, but a pain!!

It may not be a good idea of push switch function on dial.   Three toggle button will be enough and it might lessen the dial problem.

Stu Phillips - K6TU

I can only assume there was a bad batch of encoders.  These encoders are used in many applications and are rated for very large numbers of operations.

As I said, the unit beside me is now 4+ years old and gets a SERIOUS amount of use...  the basic encoder part itself is good.

There must be some other problem here...
Stu K6TU

Tim - W4TME

Takeshi - please open a HelpDesk ticket so we can troubleshoot the problem.

Takeshi Yamada

Done!

Takeshi Yamada

Received the message that they only can ship out the good after ARRL Ph, Monday.  Sigh....
It is not a good timing.  E3 - Eritoria starts and ARRL Ph this weekend.

73 de JI1BNU, JA2IYJ/1
Ken Yamada

Takeshi Yamada

By the way what kind of tool needed to put off the dial nob?
I tried plus/minus driver, square wrench (collins uses), hex wrench, but seemingly not fit....
The new one is on the way stopping at Memphis and will be available next week.  So I want to repair the broken one with zero risk.

73 de JI1BNU
Ken Yamada

Tom--W4FAS

Takeshi,

As I recall, several months a go there was an incident where a FlexControl suddenly malfunctioned. Several of the good folks on this forum jumped in with possible explanations of the problem and offers of help. About 24 hours after his original post the owner of the problem unit reported he had discovered the control knob was simply slipping on the shaft and he had repaired the problem.

Takeshi, your last post reminded me of this incident. I doubt the solution to your problem will turn out to be so simple. But while you are waiting for your replacement FlexControl, you might do a search of this forum and try and identify the writer of the post I refer to above. He could certainly answer your question concerning what kind of tool do you need.

Good Luck,

Tom

 

Rich McCabe

Its an allen wrench. Standard (non metric) I believe.

Ken - NM9P

Yes. It is a very small Allen wrench. I don't remember the size, but when I found one I taped it to the side of my FlexControl Knob with black tape in case I ever need it again.

Takeshi Yamada

Thank you Ken. 
It is hex wrench sized 1.27. 
I am trying to find shaft encoder to replace.
73 de JI1BNU

Takeshi Yamada

It is shaft encoder problem - does not revolve.
hex wrench sized 1.27 worked and took the nob off.
I am trying to fined substitution and to replace it.

73 de JI1BNU