[Elecraft] Power Poles solder or crimp

[Don Wilhelm]

Folks,
There is only one negative aspect of soldering terminals that I am aware
of - and that is the fact that stranded wire has a tendency to break right
where the solder stops.  This is due to the additional flexing that occurs
at that point - the solder wicks up the wire a bit and makes it stiff, so
any movement of the wire or connector will cause the wire to flex at that
point.  This doesn't happen with unsoldered stranded wire because the flex
is absorbed over a longer length of wire, but when the flexing motion meets
with a stiff part, it can't move any further along the wire and so the wire
bends more sharply at this juncture.

Soooo - if you solder the connectors, take Don Brown's sage advice and use
as little solder as possible.

73,
Don Wilhelm  - Wake Forest, NC   W3FPR home page: http://www.qsl.net/w3fpr/
  QRP-L # 485   K2  SN 0020   mailto: w3fpr@arrl.net

*** Life is what happens when you're making other plans -- Mike Cross  ***

----- Original Message -----
....
When soldering the terminal you must use a very small amount of solder or
the pin will not insert into the housing. The solder must not get on the
contact area of the terminal and it is best if the solder does not wick up
under the insulation.
...