XTL2500/XTL5000 - damaged shaft on channel knob

[g8tzl2004]

I have just received my VHF XTL2500 and the shaft of the rotary encoder "channel knob" on the right hand side is no longer straight. When you rotate the knob there is a "wobble" and the knob is rubbing against the front panel on one side. The radio has clearly been dropped and the shaft is no longer in the dead center.

Hopefully there has been no damage to the head PCB....I've yet to power up the XTL2500

How can I straighten the shaft?

Can I remove the knob and use a pair of pliers to gently bend the shaft back to dead center?

Is it easy to pull off the knob?

I had to wait 6 weeks for the radio to arrive so I'm now very disappointed. Its unbelievable how poorly the radio was wrapped up. Basically the body and speaker were place next to each other length wise with the head facing outwards!!!!All the accessories were placed on top and then just ONE very thin layer of bubble wrap was wrapped around everything and then it was all placed in a PAPER SACK!!!!!!!!!!! The whole thing is heavy and no doubt was "dropped" in transit with absolutely nothing to protect the radio...which is basically a new made in 2012 radio with the sticker still on the LCD. The inside metal edge of the mobile mount has also acted like a cutter and removed both paint and metal from the side of the main body.

Did I say I was disappointed!!

[JeffFireRadio]

Just had that happen with the volume knob side last week. This XTL2500 remote mount radio was coming back from depot for a software issue and upon opening the package, the knob, grommet, and threaded metal shaft were all rattling around loose in the box and the front plastic on the head had a gouge where the drawer unit had impacted the head. Depot places the head and drawer next to each other and applies a shrink wrap...not a good choice. While the box was in great shape, it was obvious that the damage happened when it was manhandled in transit. So, the unit was bounced back to depot for more repairs. The owner is less than enthused. I wasn't happy having to open a case and re-package/re-ship. Such is life, however.

Your options are obviously to take it up with your purchase source, or, $end it to depot for a repair.

Either way...bummer. Good luck with your plight.

[g8tzl2004]

Well I've powered up the XTL2500 and it seems to be working .. I will soak test it for a bit on RX.

At least my right hand side channel knob is not in bits!!!

I presume the impact damage has bent the shaft or maybe its pushed in the entire rotary encoder on one side. The knob still turns but its really stiff in one particular area as you turn the knob...and you can see that the knob is not sitting straight but at a slight angle.

As you turn the knob, about 75% of the turn feels OK and then 25% is really stiff and difficult where I guess the knob is touching the body of the head underneath the knob.

I'm thinking that if the shaft is bent, surely some point of the knob would always be touching the area underneath the knob so one full rotation of the knob would be equally stiff...maybe there is a small tab on the underside of the knob which is touching where there is insufficient clearance??.

Anyway, anybody know how to pull off the knob. I've tried pulling a bit but is not moving. I guess a lot of force is required but I want to seek guidance first.

I guess I could try and get a replacement head rather than return the whole radio.

I still can't get over how badly the radio had been packed...some people just don't realise how the delivery companies throw all the parcel around and how they just drop off the end of conveyor belts at the depots!!!! As a minimum , an XTL2500 should be double boxed with plenty of bubble wrap around the head area!!!

[escomm]

invulnerable wall of text

So uh, all you want to know is how to get the knob of the radio?

Or you're just sharing feedback about how an unknown seller shipped you a used radio?

[g8tzl2004]

Yes I would like to know how to get the knob of the radio.

[escomm]

gas pliers and a dish towel and a great deal of care is one of shotgunning it

[g8tzl2004]

Is there a special tool for removing the knob?

Is there a "How to dismantle control head" section in the service manual?

Does the head have its own service manual or is it included in the overall service manual? I downloaded the Detailed Service Manual but did not see anything. Maybe its in the Basic Service Manual?

Thanks

[spectragod]

Is there a special tool for removing the knob?

Is there a "How to dismantle control head" section in the service manual?

Does the head have its own service manual or is it included in the overall service manual? I downloaded the Detailed Service Manual but did not see anything. Maybe its in the Basic Service Manual?

Thanks

There is a service manual just for the control heads, 03/05 heads the part # is 6871769L01-A

[g8tzl2004]

Does anybody have any views on the success rate of straightening a bent rotary encoder shaft.

Is the shaft likely to snap off or ruin the base of the encoder when I try and straighten it out?

[spectragod]

Does anybody have any views on the success rate of straightening a bent rotary encoder shaft.

Is the shaft likely to snap off or ruin the base of the encoder when I try and straighten it out?

It will break, been there already.

[g8tzl2004]

OK - thanks Spectragod.

I could not find the O5 head service manual but I did find some images of the inside the head.

Is the "channel change" rotary encoder a single component or is linked with a flex cable to the "emergency button"? So you are not just replacing the rotary encoder but the emergency button and associated flex cable and plugs?

[spectragod]

OK - thanks Spectragod.

I could not find the O5 head service manual but I did find some images of the inside the head.

Is the "channel change" rotary encoder a single component or is linked with a flex cable to the "emergency button"? So you are not just replacing the rotary encoder but the emergency button and associated flex cable and plugs?

It is a single component with a flex on it, it plugs into the control board.

[g8tzl2004]

Many thanks Spectragod.

Do you know how its held in place. Is it held by a nut on the front of the control head. Do you need any special tools to remove the nut/encoder