Maestro VFO A tuning knob

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  • Problem
  • Updated 7 months ago
  • Acknowledged
  • 2
The tuning knob for VFO A on my Maestro jumps, stutters, freezes, and sometime goes backwards.  VFO B works perfectly.  Tim sent me a replacement weight for the knob but that did not make any difference.  He told me to submit a trouble report.

 I have had this problem through the last three Alpha software releases.  Now on V1.11.3.

Maestro serial nr. 5315-5091-0100-0035.

73...   Bill Axelrod K3WA
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Bill Axelrod

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Posted 2 years ago

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2 years ago
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K1UO - Larry

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Bill,  should this go to the Alpha test group?
2 years ago
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Bill Axelrod

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Larry,

     It already has.  I first reported it via email to the Alpha group.  Then Tim sent me the replacement weight for the knob.  We think it is the decoder.  He asked me to do the trouble report so they could issue the forms for the Maestro's return home.

73...   Bill
2017-02-13T16:58:44+00:00
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K1UO - Larry

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I agree Bill...  The problem description you gave would lead one to suspect the decoder for Slice A/Knob A on your Maestro regardless of the firmware level.
Good luck es 73
2017-02-13T18:52:59+00:00
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Barry J Cohen

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I have the same problem with mine!

Barry J 

N2BJ

2 years ago
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Gayle Lawson

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Bill:

I have the same problem.   I have contacted Dudley on the issue, he requested that I perform a full reset on the Maestro.  I have done that several times, once it appeared to resolve the problem, however, after a few minutes of use the erratic operation returned.    

The problem is very noticeable with a pan adapter span of approximately 10 KHz and 100 Hz steps.

Gayle K0FLY
2 years ago
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Bill Axelrod

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Gayle,

     The gent who helped me was Tim Ellison at Flex.  He believes that the problem is the encoder itself and not software related.  Before contacting Flex I went through the full reset, software re-installation, etc. with no joy.

     Flex customer service has been very good to me.

73...   Bill
2 years ago
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Gayle Lawson

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Bill:

Thanks for the input, I also tried software re-installation and even went back to 1.9.xx before contacting Dudley.  He wanted me to perform the reset prior to going to the next step.

 I can hear a rubbing/scraping sound as I rotate my encoders.  Approximately two scrapes per revolution.  I have never heard this on an encoder before, however, I have never used one with a push button function.  This maybe normal for an encoder with this feature.  This will be the second trip to the hospital for the Maestro.

Gayle
2 years ago
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Bill Axelrod

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The scrapes you hear are not normal.  I have used my Maestro and five others at a contest station and a friend's.  No scrapes.

73...   Bill
2 years ago
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Gayle Lawson

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Bill:

Thanks, Dudley just sent me an RMA number. 

Gayle K0FLY
2 years ago
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Bill Axelrod

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Great!
2 years ago
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Stan - VA7NF

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Ran into the same problem - Plus another:  They are:
 - The VFO-A knob is out of balance - And there is too little drag on the encoder - Resulting in the knob physically turning when the finger depression is at 90 or 270 degrees (rotates back towards 0 degrees)
 - PS hum gating the audio from the speakers - Headphone audio is good

Fortunately when running I can press the A Lock and use headphones until the radio is finished the week on VE100VIMY/VE7 special events.  
Dudley - expect a call next week
2 years ago
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Tim - W4TME, Customer Experience Manager

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Official Response
This issue is being handled via the HelpDesk.  If anyone else is experiencing an issue similar to this one, please submit a HelpDesk support ticket for issue resolution.
(Edited)
2 years ago
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Tony Hateley

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My vfo knob is that free spinning if you blow on it it moves,but I'm in the uk so no help at all as usual
2017-02-15T13:14:23+00:00
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Tim - W4TME, Customer Experience Manager

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As usual?  In addition to our excellent service center in Germany, you have at your disposal our entire technical support team.  If you have an issue, I recommend using the resources at your disposal.
7 months ago
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Hunter - K3IE

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I just started having this same tuning problem with my Maestro.   I searched the problem on The Community and discovered this thread.   Since this thread is over 2 yrs old, I assume a fix has been implemented.  I am up to date with the current SmartSDR v 2.4.9.45 so curious if the fix was hardware related?

- Hunter K3IE
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