[Elecraft] Re:IC Sockets versus Non-sockets

[W8TIF - Karl]

I happen to agree, Don.   Those stamped-metal sockets (whether from TI or
Augat or others) are terrible, and I'd never use them!  Unless you have to
replace (from time-to-time) firmware, then there is absolutely NOTHING wrong
with soldering an IC directly onto (into?) a circuit board.

As you explained in your message (below), removing a "soldered-in"
integrated circuit is much easier than visualized.

Solder, solder, solder, wherever possible!

Karl K - W8TIF
McKinney, Texas


----- Original Message -----
From: "Don Brown" <DolfinDon@msn.com>
To: "Morrow, Michael A." <mamorrow@tva.gov>; <elecraft@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, April 02, 2003 4:45 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Re:] K1 Front Panel missing IC Sockets ???


> Hi
>
> I absolutely agree. Back in the late 70's TI made an absolutely horrible
IC
> socket. I was working for Tektronix and the 7000 series logic analyzer had
> about 150 TTL chips in those sockets. They were notorious for intermittent
> connections. Many times just removing and reinstalling the IC's would fix
> the problem. Then you would cross your fingers and hope it would work.
> Replacing the sockets was a difficult task because the circuit boards were
6
> layers. If you broke a plated through hole then you were looking at a
maybe
> $1000 board.
>
> ICs are almost as reliable as passive components once they are installed.
> You would not consider installing all of the resistors and capacitors in
> sockets, so why would you do the same for ICs unless they need to be
changed
> out for some other reason like firmware upgrades. Even the requirement for
> firmware upgrades is going away with the newer flash MPU that can be
> reprogrammed in circuit.
>
> If you ever do need to replace an IC then clipping all of the pins next to
> the body and heating and pulling each pin out is safe and easy to do. You
> can clean the holes with a solder sucker or tooth pick and be ready to
> install the replacement IC.
>
> Anyway that's my opinion for what its worth
>
> Don Brown
> KD5NDB