[Elecraft] Removing Crystals

Tue Nov 5 15:44:00 2002

Steve,

I simply used my 40w soldering pencil and a 'solder sucker' desoldering
pump. I took the bottom cover (not the heat sink) off, turned the K2 upside
down and desoldered the xtals until they basically fell out on their own.
Same with the (removed) SSB board but I held it upside down in my PC board
vise. Using some needlenosed pliars I applied some slight 'pull' on the
ground wires during desoldering to remove them then cleaned up the excess
solder in the thru holes with the desoldering pump.

Just be quick with the heat on the SSB board though... those are some tiny
pads and they could 'cook off' easily.

Actually *replacing* the xtals/grounds is harder. To reinstall the grounds
at the base of the xtals on the RF board was a bit challenging (the resistor
pacs are in the way on one side)

I decided to replace the ground leads first with short, bare 'stubs' of left
over clipped leadwire. Once they were all in I trimmed them all to the same
length (about 1/2" or so). I then soldered the xtals in place making sure
they were firmly pressed against the PC board. Then I bent the ground
'stubs' up against the xtals and soldered them in place.

Worked like a charm.

Mike - K5PU

----- Original Message -----
From: "Steve & Anne Ray" <[email protected]>
To: "Elecraft" <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, November 05, 2002 1:55 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] Removing Crystals

> I just ordered the Crystal set and I am concerned about removing the old
> crystals from the rf board and ssb board.
>
> I wonder what most are using to remove the old crystals? Most components
you
> can cut out on the top and then use a solder pullit or solder wik (I
prefer
> solder wik) unfortunately the crystals cannot be cut off, like a resistor
or
> cap.
>
> Steve Ray K4JPN ex K1VKW
> EM82ep Warner Robins GA
> Elecraft K2 1422 & KPA 100
> Heath Fan HW-101, HW-8
>