I started to tear apart my Duo to replace the encoder.  Unless I am missing something, this is not doing to work.  I have removed a couple of boards and I now need to remove the main board – way too much work.  You have to unsolder SO-232 connectors, etc.  I have done a lot of intricate radio tear downs and repairs over the years, but this is crazy.  I am going to put the radio back together.  I was able to confirm that there was nothing loose on the body of the encoder.  So the problem is either a worn out encoder or something has broken loose on the shaft mounting inside the encoder.

Seems that someone on the group wrote up an article on how to do the replacement, but I cannot find it.  Perhaps I am overlooking a simple step, otherwise 99% of hams would never attempt this repair.

73

Clint

W7KEC

From: EladSDR@groups.io [mailto:EladSDR@groups.io] On Behalf Of Clint Chron via groups.io
Sent: Tuesday, February 16, 2021 3:34 PM
To: EladSDR@groups.io
Subject: [EladSDR] New Bourns VFO Encoder

Over the past 4 years, I have had 3 different Elad Duos.  For various reasons, I sold the first two units - there was nothing wrong with them.  They all had a wobbly VFO knob.  Today, I received my Bourns mechanical encoders from Digikey.  There is no wobble in the shafts.  I pulled my VFO knob and installed it on the new encoder - no wobble.  This is very puzzling.  None of my Duos had very many operating hours.  That would rule out wear and tear on the encoder shaft and bushing.  So either the encoders in the radios had sloppy quality control at the factory or there is something drastically wrong with the encoder housing.  Someone mentioned that the four metal tabs holding the encoder body together could be loose.

I had not planned on replacing my encoder, but now I think that I will need to do that.  Once I get the old encoder out, I should be able to see what is causing the wobbly knob.  If it is loose mounting tabs, then I will use JB Weld to glue the tabs on the new encoder to the body of the encoder.

73
Clint
W7KEC