[Elecraft] New Builder

Tue Aug 19 09:50:01 2003

I think it's slightly misleading to imply the only skill you need in
building in K2 is soldering.

You also need to be a reasonable de-solderer and have some patience for when
you make a mistake. You also need to be good at making toroids (the hard bit
I am finding is tinning the leads - remember to switch the fine tip you use
for soldering for a big chunky bit when using the blob of solder tinning
technique).

I've had a month off building my K2 (except for a slight excursion into
building the 160m add on and starting the AATU). I plan on re-starting soon
and I think I'm close to being able to receive for the first time! (Hence my
keenness to get an efficient longwire up - see SWR thread - in time for
that).

As an aside - I've soldered the transformer in the AATU, the one that picks
up the RF - the first toroid you install - and whilst all the joints look
good on the bottom of the board, on top two of them don't, ie there is no
fillet and I would say that the hole is not properly filled. I guess I
didn't tin those leads well enough and I need to remove and re-tin them - or
am I worrying over nothing ?

Edward

On 19/8/03 5:42 am, "John Smith (KI7V)" <[email protected]> wrote:

> Hi,
> 
> I agree that soldering is key, however I wouldn't touch the K2 with a
> non-temp controlled soldering iron.  As Don mentioned below, a non-temp
> controlled soldering iron will typically get way to hot and it is a sure way
> to make a mess of things.  If you can't finance a temp controlled soldering
> iron at the moment, see if you can borrow one from a fellow HAM.  Having the
> right tool for the job in this case is not optional, it's essential.  The
> light dimmer trick may work ok, however it's still a compromise to a
> soldering station with temperature regulation at the right temperature.
> Good Luck.
> 
> John
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Don Brown" <[email protected]>
> To: "Ryan Neary" <[email protected]>; <[email protected]>
> Cc: <[email protected]>
> Sent: Monday, August 18, 2003 12:47 PM
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] New Builder
> 
> 
> Hi
> 
> While a good soldering station is the way to go if you must use one of the
> inexpensive soldering irons. Get a lamp dimmer to plug it into. These irons
> make up for their lack of regulation and low mass by running way too hot for
> most PC board work. Get a table top lamp dimmer or mount a wall type dimmer
> in a box with a plug for the soldering iron. Try a few joints at different
> settings of the dimmer until you get good joints without burning the board.
> Use an old board for testing. You should be able to make a good joint in 2
> or 3 seconds if the heat is right.
> 
> This goes for any type of iron, do not wipe the tip too much before making
> the joint. It just cools the tip. One quick wipe on both sides is enough. Do
> not wipe the tip between joints wipe only when removing the iron from in the
> stand. In other words you have inserted 6 or 7 resistors. Remove the iron
> from the stand and make one wipe on each side then make the 12 -14 joints
> and put the iron back in the holder. The excess solder left on the iron
> after completing the joints will protect the tip. The holder should be the
> type that does not touch the tip or the heating element but holds the iron b
> y the handle. (I have seen ash trays used. Not good!) If anything touches
> the tip or element it will just cool it or make the iron cycle too much if
> it is a soldering station. The stations have the proper holder built in use
> it.
> 
> Get yourself a temperature controlled soldering station as soon as you can
> you wont be sorry.
> 
> Don Brown
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: [email protected]
> To: Ryan Neary
> Cc: [email protected]
> Sent: Monday, August 18, 2003 2:06 PM
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] New Builder
> 
> 
> Dear Ryan,
> Good soldering skills is are key to success.  However, these are easily
> learned.  There's even a tutorial on the Elecraft web site!  Look in the
> "builder's resources" section.
> 
> Successful soldering begins with a reasonable soldering iron.  You can pay
> $100 (give or take) on a temperature controlled soldering station, but
> others have been successful with a $25 pencil iron from Radio Shack.  Have
> a look through the email list archives for several good recommendations
> from Hakko, Weller, Edsyn, and perhaps others.
> 
> SNIP
> 
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