Welcome to the new FlexRadio Community! Please review the new Community Rules and other important new Community information on the Message Board.
Need the latest SmartSDR, Power Genius, Tuner Genius and Antenna Genius Software?
SmartSDR v3.8.19 and the SmartSDR v3.8.19 Release Notes | SmartSDR v2.12.1 and the SmartSDR v2.12.1 Release Notes
SmartSDR v1.12.1 and the SmartSDR v1.12.1 Release Notes
Power Genius XL Utility v3.8.8 and the Power Genius XL Release Notes v3.8.8
Tuner Genius XL Utility v1.2.11 and the Tuner Genius XL Release Notes v1.2.11
Antenna Genius Utility v4.1.8
SmartSDR v3.8.19 and the SmartSDR v3.8.19 Release Notes | SmartSDR v2.12.1 and the SmartSDR v2.12.1 Release Notes
SmartSDR v1.12.1 and the SmartSDR v1.12.1 Release Notes
Power Genius XL Utility v3.8.8 and the Power Genius XL Release Notes v3.8.8
Tuner Genius XL Utility v1.2.11 and the Tuner Genius XL Release Notes v1.2.11
Antenna Genius Utility v4.1.8
If you are having a problem, please refer to the product documentation or check the Help Center for known solutions.
Need technical support from FlexRadio? It's as simple as Creating a HelpDesk ticket.
Need technical support from FlexRadio? It's as simple as Creating a HelpDesk ticket.
6400M Tuning Encoder Grinding Sound
Hey Folks. Bought my 6400M new in May of 2021 and am generally very happy with the radio for my use, which is about 70% CW and 30% Phone, mostly casual 40, 20, and 10 meters. The only problem I had found was the CW keyer issue with it randomly acting up after having left the radio on for several days. Ran into that while trying to work some contest stations and verifying the issue here on the forum. Thanks for that.
This one is hardware related. All of a sudden a couple of days ago, the main tuning wheel started making grinding sounds while tuning. It would get worse if I spun the dial faster, and seemed a bit worse when tuning up as opposed to down. Did not make a difference if I clicked in on the dial to get the menu up or not. I am preparing to retire out of the country, so any issue with the radio would be at a very bad time for me. So I tried the obvious - got out a hex wrench and took off the dial. Check out the attached photos. Much to my surprise I found a do-nothing bolt stuck in the back of the finger guide of the knob, and held in place with a piece of white tape! The tape had aged and loosened up, allowing it and the bolt to scrape against the tuning encoder! WTH???
Once I removed the obviously unneeded bolt and put the knob back on, it spins perfectly fine with absolutely no resistance or noise. Comments?
John - WT3J
This one is hardware related. All of a sudden a couple of days ago, the main tuning wheel started making grinding sounds while tuning. It would get worse if I spun the dial faster, and seemed a bit worse when tuning up as opposed to down. Did not make a difference if I clicked in on the dial to get the menu up or not. I am preparing to retire out of the country, so any issue with the radio would be at a very bad time for me. So I tried the obvious - got out a hex wrench and took off the dial. Check out the attached photos. Much to my surprise I found a do-nothing bolt stuck in the back of the finger guide of the knob, and held in place with a piece of white tape! The tape had aged and loosened up, allowing it and the bolt to scrape against the tuning encoder! WTH???
Once I removed the obviously unneeded bolt and put the knob back on, it spins perfectly fine with absolutely no resistance or noise. Comments?
John - WT3J
0
Comments
-
I believe the nut is there to balance the knob.
0 -
Interesting. Then it should be held in place better. Thanks.
John - WT3J0 -
You are correct. The balance was not quite perfect without it, so I searched the junk box and found a toroid that was about the right size and weight. Holding it in place now with some silicone sealant. Gotta be better than tape that can age and fall off.
I guess the knobs are drilled out for the finger slot without any compensation, maybe by a 3rd party. Did not expect that...0 -
Sound like a good and more permanent fix.
0 -
Just today noted the grinding sound from tuning knob on my 6600M. I also discovered the "magic nut" taped into a recess in the knob. Talk about heath-robinson fix!!
Anyway, I have retained the nut, but used a far more sticky tape to hold it in place. All working as new!
Thank you for placing this little problem on the forum.
73.
Mike G4GWH
1
Leave a Comment
Categories
- All Categories
- 290 Community Topics
- 2.1K New Ideas
- 536 The Flea Market
- 7.5K Software
- 6K SmartSDR for Windows
- 146 SmartSDR for Maestro and M models
- 361 SmartSDR for Mac
- 250 SmartSDR for iOS
- 231 SmartSDR CAT
- 173 DAX
- 354 SmartSDR API
- 8.8K Radios and Accessories
- 7K FLEX-6000 Signature Series
- 33 FLEX-8000 Signature Series
- 851 Maestro
- 44 FlexControl
- 847 FLEX Series (Legacy) Radios
- 799 Genius Products
- 417 Power Genius XL Amplifier
- 279 Tuner Genius XL
- 103 Antenna Genius
- 244 Shack Infrastructure
- 166 Networking
- 404 Remote Operation (SmartLink)
- 130 Contesting
- 633 Peripherals & Station Integration
- 125 Amateur Radio Interests
- 874 Third-Party Software