"Yes, ergonomics (look and fell) are important to many as well. K3 does look pretty plain. I  personally have no had a chance to play with a 3000 yet so jury is still out with me."

I added the 73 CNC knobs. Now my K3 looks cool and I can spin up and down the bands in no time! Performance is outstanding with the P3.
Harris. K9RJ

Have you looked at the Apache Labs products?

I have a 2005 MDX and would like to try HF mobile again. Has anyone  with an Acura got an HF mobile set-up? Wondering about RFI emanating from the car, plus any car computer issues due to RF. Thanks. Harris K9RJ

Thanks for the tip Phil.

Update. I have tried cleaning the reduction drive but it did not help. I have a suspicion now that part of the problem may be that there is simply too much tension on the shafts. I have tried cleaning it with Deoxit (DN5) and used some WD-40 but I cannot get either the Load or the Plate to turn smoothly. I have another L7 to compare against so I know that the ones I am talking about are tight. Can anyone suggest the best way of lubricating these shafts?
I have now ordered a replacement from Midnight Science, thanks for the suggestion.
73 Harris K9RJ

I have always found the Delta Loops to be quieter than any vertical and if at a decent height- directional. Two of them at right angles make for great doing on 40. How do you compare the two antennas at your QTH?

To Peter and Phil, thank you for your suggestions. I will be home on the weekend and will try a thorough solvent cleaning to see if that can solve the apparent stickiness of the planetary drive.
Joe, thank you also for your suggestion and pointing out that the drive is on the Plate tuning rather than Load. Not sure how I let that mistake get out.
73
Harris K9RJ (in LY)

Phil, When I removed the planetary drive the shaft was already binding so squeezing it tighter would not help. I suspect that the balls have been damaged. I am now looking for a replacement.

Planetary drive is now out. It is marked JB (which I assume is Jackson Bros.) and also Made in England. I have emailed the supplier with several photos of the drive to see if they have a replacement.
Harris K9RJ

To those who are following this saga, I have moved the two meters out of the way and have almost got to the planetary drive by loosening the panel. I have not yet unscrewed the circuit board holding all the switches because I would have to deal with the SSB light and I am having trouble getting it out of the white holder.
More to come ...
Harris K9RJ

Thanks for the tips. I am examining how to remove or at least move the front panel enough that I can get a shot at the drive.
Harris K9RJ

Lou, Thanks for the response. Do you have any information on how to get the reduction drive out? I tried to take the front panel off last night but there is an issue with the wiring harness behind the front panel switches. It looks like I would have to unsolder every single wire going to the little circuit board behind the the 6 switches. I have been looking for a Drake L7 service manual that might explain how best to do this but there does not appear to be one.
Harris K9RJ

The Drake Load control has a reduction drive and mine is slipping.
Can anyone tell me how to fix this. Access looks like a challenge.
Thanks
Harris K9RJ

Don't use any low voltage lights in your kitchen or elsewhere. They use switching power supplies that generate 20 over S9 QRM. I have to turn mine off when I want to operate. Harris K9RJ

I looked at their website but couldn't find any mention of a swap meet. Do they have one?  Harris K9RJ