Welcome to the FlexRadio Community! Please review the new Community Rules and other important new Community information on the Message Board.
Need the latest SmartSDR or 4O3A Genius Product Software?
SmartSDR v3.9.19 and the SmartSDR v3.9.19 Release Notes
SmartSDR v2.12.1 and the SmartSDR v2.12.1 Release Notes
The latest 4O3A Genius Product Software and Firmware
SmartSDR v3.9.19 and the SmartSDR v3.9.19 Release Notes
SmartSDR v2.12.1 and the SmartSDR v2.12.1 Release Notes
The latest 4O3A Genius Product Software and Firmware
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.
Maestro control drag
Im loving my Flex 6400 and Maestro, except for one detail. All of the knobs are extremely loose. By that I mean there is little or no drag or friction when operating the controls making it really east to inadvertently bump the knobs thereby changing settings. Is there any way to increase the drag on the controls?
1
Best Answer
-
[{"insert":"It's easy to use a felt washer to minimize the tendency of the concentric knobs to interact with each other. I used 1/2 inch felt furniture pads from Home Depot and punched a small hole (about 1/4 in) hole in the center of each knob to turn them into washers. Then remove the rubber grips on each pair of concentric knobs and use a 5/64\" allen key to remove both the inner and outer knobs. The washer goes next to the panel, in front of the larger knob. Slide the larger knob onto its shaft until you have the desired pressure against the felt, and tighten the allen ****. Then attach and tighten the smaller knob to the inside shaft, leaving enough clearance to prevent the knobs from rubbing. Reinstall the rubber grips and you're done. This could be done easily at the factory in about a minute per knob. BTW, I was pleased to discover the knobs are actually nicely machined metal, but the absence of friction gives them a cheap plastic feel.\n"}]6
Answers
-
Hi Jim, I don't think there is an adjustment. One thing manufacturers used to do in the old days was to put a thick felt pad behind the controls. If it is thick enough, (but not so thick that it puts strain on the control) it will induce drag. It would take some experimentation, but could probably be made to work. The controls on the Flex are encoders, not potentiometers, so care has to be taken not to push or pull them too much in the quest for the right amount of drag.
73,
Len, KD0RC
1 -
these are encoders that are simulating **** behavior.. you may be able to get creative with felt or other solutions.. but it sort of is what it is.. if you come up with a good solution to add some drag either with felt or whatever to give a more legacy radio feel.. please share.0
-
As Chris mentioned, there are felt washers that you can insert behind the dial. then when you put the dial back on adjust it against the washer.0
-
Thanks for the reply.0 -
Source for vintage radio knob felt washers if you did not want to make your own. I suspect the knob shafts are not long enough to support very much thickness of felt behind the knob.
https://www.tubesandmore.com/products/washer-025-inside-diameter-felt
and in Canada
https://www.radiodaze.com/search.php?search_query=felt
0 -
Thanks, John. I ordered some and will try it out.
0
Leave a Comment
Categories
- All Categories
- 338 Community Topics
- 2.1K New Ideas
- 607 The Flea Market
- 7.9K Software
- 6.3K SmartSDR for Windows
- 170 SmartSDR for Maestro and M models
- 401 SmartSDR for Mac
- 264 SmartSDR for iOS
- 247 SmartSDR CAT
- 185 DAX
- 371 SmartSDR API
- 9.1K Radios and Accessories
- 19 Aurora
- 190 FLEX-8000 Signature Series
- 7.1K FLEX-6000 Signature Series
- 913 Maestro
- 53 FlexControl
- 859 FLEX Series (Legacy) Radios
- 886 Genius Products
- 450 Power Genius XL Amplifier
- 320 Tuner Genius XL
- 116 Antenna Genius
- 281 Shack Infrastructure
- 197 Networking
- 442 Remote Operation (SmartLink)
- 137 Contesting
- 741 Peripherals & Station Integration
- 137 Amateur Radio Interests
- 954 Third-Party Software