Batboard

I've got several sabers in storage, can I remove the knobs from one of those to replace the broken ones on my saber II (that I actually use).

If so, how? After seeing my knobs break in half, I know there is a blue insert inside I have a RS universal knob on there right now so I can switch channels, but it looks like crap.

Thanks in advance.

Edit, now I actually got the search to give me some results...

http://batboard.batlabs.com/viewtopic.php?t=40464
http://batboard.batlabs.com/viewtopic.php?t=24175

If anyone has any more tips, feel free to post.

Before you do anything be certain the both knobs are in
their full CCW position so you have a reference for putting
the new knobs on the radio. Now, on to the task.

I use a small screwdriver blade that has been sharpened a
bit. A knife blade is usually too flexible. You carefully slide
the blade of the screwdriver under the knob skirt which is
sort of flexible, then you wiggle the blade gently as the knob
rises on the adapter. The colored adapter may or may not
also come off when you do this, so the best thing to have
on hand is spare inserts when you do the job. On the
channel selector knob be careful about the position
selector washer; it can come off easily and is used to keep
the knob from going past the 12th position. As I recall
the correct slot for the washer is at the 9th channel indent.

I believe that Motorola still makes the low-profile knob kits
available, part number REX4659A. Each kit has a white
stripe and a black stripe low profile knob, plus a bunch of
different colored plastic inserts.

Item Number. REX4659A * Item has been cancelled

LOW-PROFILE KNOBS REPLACEMENT KIT
Unit of Measure: 1 EA



When I find my sabers, I'll see what I can do. I have some with regular and some with the low profile knobs.

Looking back at what I wrote in 2001 I see that I gave
the same advice today as I did way back then. I'm nothing
if not consistent.

But about Motorola, those dirty rats! I'm not surprised,
actually, that they've done this. I have to wonder what happened to all the stock they had in the parts bins. Good thing you have
those spare radios.

that is the low profile..

I prefer the High torque ones with the fins. Its easier to change freqs in the SVA

I know what the physical difference is between the standard and the low-profile knobs, but are the low profile ones really better? I've only ever had the "high profile" ones on my radio. The low-profile ones seem harder to operate as they're more bulky.

I prefer the regular ones, and a search shows they still have them in stock for around $18 a pair.

That MOL is not the easiest thing to use

Well it is if you're in the market for call-boxes...

Unfortunately the Saber knobs like many of 'M's other knobs seem to degrade rapidly over time. I don't know who made knobs for Motorola but knobs for most portables more than a few years old start turning white and get real brittle (especially Genesis series where they almost disentegrate). Also on every older HT1000 that I've ever seen the white line on the channel knob yellows quite badly but not the vol. knob ?
Guess the point here is to get a few extras while they're still available if you plan on keeping the radio a while.
The high torque knobs were a plus when trying to turn them with gloved hands. I preferred the low profile type which were also Much cheaper to replace, glad I got a few extra before they went NLA.

The really crappy knob is/was the big flip knob on
the 5487 Saber SVA. I have a couple spares of them
that I guard with my life.

I had one of those SVA knobs shatter in my hand, I ordered a few extra too.

Never thought about knobs... I've got a few radios. If anyone wants to sell some NOS standard knobs, let me know!

Rich