{"id":30516,"date":"2018-01-26T12:54:33","date_gmt":"2018-01-26T16:54:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=30516"},"modified":"2018-01-26T13:02:34","modified_gmt":"2018-01-26T17:02:34","slug":"a-25-upgrade-for-the-elecraft-kx2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2018\/01\/a-25-upgrade-for-the-elecraft-kx2\/","title":{"rendered":"A $25 upgrade for the Elecraft KX2"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Many of you know I’m quite a fan of the Elecraft KX2<\/a>. I take this little transceiver along almost any time I travel. Not only is it a full-featured ham radio transceiver, but it’s also an exceptional shortwave broadcast receiver.<\/p>\n

The KX2 is a quality US-built rig (like all of Elecraft’s gear) but I’ve never been a fan of its plastic encoder knob. It lacks a finger dimple and feels cheap compared to the rest of the radio. Don’t get me wrong: the stock encoder knob gets the job done, but it’s not nearly as nice as the one on the slightly larger Elecraft KX3<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Comparing the Elecraft KX3 (top) and KX2 (bottom) at Elecraft’s Dayton Hamvention booth.<\/p><\/div>\n

Two weeks ago, I ran into another Elecraft KX2 owner and happened to notice that his KX2 had a solid aluminium encoder knob with a finger dimple. Turns out, he purchased the knob from a ham radio operator (W1JH) in Maine who manufactures and sells this knob on eBay<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The price was $24.95 US shipped<\/a>. I didn’t hesitate to place an order.<\/p>\n

You might think $24.95 is a lot to pay for such a small item, but third party Elecraft vendors tend to charge much more for comparable items. I’ve also considered adding a heatsink to my KX3, for example, but those can total upwards of $100!<\/p>\n

My new encoder knob arrived in only a couple of days via the USPS–installing it was a breeze.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

It took me all of thirty seconds to pull the plastic knob off of the KX2 and replace it with the new aluminium one. The seller even includes an Allen wrench to secure the new knob.<\/p>\n

The new knob is slightly larger in outer diameter, but fits the KX2 like a glove. The slightly larger size makes the finger dimple a practical addition for smooth band-scanning.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

If you own an Elecraft KX2 (or the Elecraft KX1) I highly recommend this simple encoder\/VFO knob upgrade!<\/p>\n

Click here to order on eBay.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Many of you know I’m quite a fan of the Elecraft KX2. I take this little transceiver along almost any time I travel. Not only is it a full-featured ham radio transceiver, but it’s also an exceptional shortwave broadcast receiver. The KX2 is a quality US-built rig (like all of Elecraft’s gear) but I’ve never […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[545,3,139,43],"tags":[5083,6789,6787,6788],"class_list":["post-30516","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-ham-radio","category-news","category-radio-modifications","category-shortwave-radio","tag-elecraft-kx2","tag-elecraft-kx2-aluminium-knob","tag-elecraft-kx2-encoder-knob","tag-elecraft-kx2-upgrades"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-7Wc","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":18871,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2016\/05\/the-elecraft-kx2-a-fit-in-your-pocket-size-transceiver\/","url_meta":{"origin":30516,"position":0},"title":"The Elecraft KX2 : a “Fit-In-Your-Pocket size” transceiver","author":"Thomas","date":"May 18, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Since I own the Elecraft KX3, Elecraft K2 and the Elecraft KX1, I'm excited to see that Elecraft has announced\u00a0a new addition to their product line:\u00a0the Elecraft KX2. Elecraft will feature the KX2\u00a0at Four Days In May (FDIM) and the Dayton Hamvention. I am attending vendor's night at FDIM and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ham Radio"","block_context":{"text":"Ham Radio","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/ham-radio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"On my way this morning to FDIM and the Dayton Hamvention.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/IMG_20160518_061916620_HDR.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/IMG_20160518_061916620_HDR.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/IMG_20160518_061916620_HDR.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/IMG_20160518_061916620_HDR.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":22375,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2016\/11\/holiday-deals-elecrafts-black-friday-event\/","url_meta":{"origin":30516,"position":1},"title":"Holiday Deals: Elecraft’s Black Friday event","author":"Thomas","date":"November 24, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"If you've been thinking about pulling the trigger on an Elecraft transceiver, now may be a good time. Elecraft is throwing in free accessories and free shipping on a few of their products. Here's their full Black Friday advertisement: Even if you aren't a ham, you might consider an Elecraft\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Deals"","block_context":{"text":"Deals","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/deals\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"elecraft-kx3-radioaustralia","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Elecraft-KX3-RadioAustralia.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Elecraft-KX3-RadioAustralia.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Elecraft-KX3-RadioAustralia.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Elecraft-KX3-RadioAustralia.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":29329,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/11\/swling-on-the-coast-with-the-elecraft-kx2-and-pk-loop\/","url_meta":{"origin":30516,"position":2},"title":"SWLing on the coast with the Elecraft KX2 and PK Loop","author":"Thomas","date":"November 26, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Since I purchased the Elecraft KX2 last year, I find I do almost as much SWLing with it as I do ham radio activity. The KX2 is actually a brilliant shortwave broadcast receiver--check out these audio samples. It's incredibly sensitive, selective and outperforms all of my portables. It's also a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Elecraft-KX2-PK-Loop-RX-Antenna-1-839x1024.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Elecraft-KX2-PK-Loop-RX-Antenna-1-839x1024.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Elecraft-KX2-PK-Loop-RX-Antenna-1-839x1024.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":20819,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2016\/08\/video-elecraft-kx2-daytime-shortwave-am-performance\/","url_meta":{"origin":30516,"position":3},"title":"Video: Elecraft KX2 daytime shortwave AM performance","author":"Thomas","date":"August 25, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"After publishing the post this morning regarding the AM mode addition to the Elecraft KX2, SWLing Post contributor\u00a0Ivan Cholakov (NO2CW)\u00a0created the following video comparing the KX2's daytime shortwave reception with that of the Kenwood R-2000: https:\/\/youtu.be\/R6rC-hpTxcs Click here to view on YouTube.","rel":"","context":"In "AM"","block_context":{"text":"AM","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/am\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"ElecraftKX2","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/ElecraftKX2.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/ElecraftKX2.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/ElecraftKX2.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/ElecraftKX2.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":29324,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/11\/radio-deal-elecrafts-black-friday-sale\/","url_meta":{"origin":30516,"position":4},"title":"Radio Deal: Elecraft’s “Black Friday” sale","author":"Thomas","date":"November 24, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"If you've been considering an Elecraft transceiver, you might want to take a gander a the discounts Elecraft has posted for Black Friday. Two of my favorite portable transceivers are in the sale: The\u00a0KX2 Transceiver + FREE MH3 Microphone ($699.95 US) The KX3 Transceiver (modular kit) + FREE MH3 Microphone\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ham Radio"","block_context":{"text":"Ham Radio","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/ham-radio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Elecraft-Black-Friday.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Elecraft-Black-Friday.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Elecraft-Black-Friday.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Elecraft-Black-Friday.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":20939,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2016\/08\/am-mode-comparing-the-elecraft-kx2-with-the-lnr-precision-ld-11\/","url_meta":{"origin":30516,"position":5},"title":"AM Mode: Comparing the Elecraft KX2 with the LNR Precision LD-11","author":"Thomas","date":"August 31, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"I've only had my Elecraft KX2\u00a0since Monday evening\u00a0and have been so busy, I've only had an hour or so to tinker with this pocket transceiver. Monday evening, before putting it on the air, I updated the KX2 firmware to the latest Beta release which includes the new AM mode. I've\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ham Radio"","block_context":{"text":"Ham Radio","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/ham-radio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"My new Elecraft KX2 tuned to Radio Australia this morning.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/Elecraft-KX2-9580-RadioAustralia.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/Elecraft-KX2-9580-RadioAustralia.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/Elecraft-KX2-9580-RadioAustralia.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/Elecraft-KX2-9580-RadioAustralia.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30516","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30516"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30516\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30516"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30516"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30516"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}