[Elecraft] New Builder

Tue Aug 19 10:38:01 2003

Hi

Yes there are other skills needed to finish your K2/K1 but many of them =
can be learned as you go. Soldering is probably the most important. If =
you cannot do that well from the start then you are in for some problems =
from the start. So for a fist time builder it is good to practice on =
some old boards or a project board from Radio Shack to get the hang of =
it before you start on the K2/K1. Another option is to build a very =
simple kit like the OHR dummy load. The board is the most expensive part =
and it gets more expensive with every part installed. I would not =
recommend someone make their first solder joint ever on their K2/K1 this =
is asking for a major troubleshooting session. Most of the other skills =
required like toroid winding are explained in detail in the manual

My comments about using an inexpensive soldering iron were not a =
recommendation. Only some people are not going to be able to justify the =
expense of the soldering station and will attempt to use the unregulated =
iron. At least with the dimmer control the chance of success is better. =
A good soldering station and vacuum desoldering station will cost 1/2 to =
3/4 the cost of the K2 maybe more. Some are just not going to spend the =
money.

As far as the tinning of the toroid leads I have used most of the =
methods at one time or another. I use my Hakko vacuum desoldering =
station now. If you insert the wire into the nozzle and add a little =
solder. Then move the nozzle right up next to the core and wait 10 or so =
seconds. When you pull the trigger the excess solder is pulled off of =
the lead and you have a clean tinned lead.=20

If you use the blob method make sure you go far enough up the wire. The =
core is not conductive so a little bare wire touching the core is OK. If =
you do not tin up close enough to the core when you pull the wire tight =
on the board then the insulation will pull into the pad and form a bad =
joint. The soldering station is also nice here as you can crank up the =
heat to around 800 degrees for tinning the leads. Just remember to turn =
it back down to about 700 degrees before working on the board

Don Brown
KD5NDB

13 K2's
3 K1's
5 KPA100's
4 KAT100's
All options many times
KPA100, KRC2, XV50 and XV144 field tester

  ----- Original Message -----=20
  From: Edward Kenworthy=20
  To: John Smith (KI7V) ; Don Brown ; Ryan Neary ; =
[email protected]=20
  Cc: [email protected]=20
  Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2003 2:56 AM
  Subject: Re: [Elecraft] New Builder

  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).

  <SNIP>

  Edward

--- StripMime Report -- processed MIME parts ---
multipart/alternative
  text/plain (text body -- kept)
  text/html
The reason this message is shown is because the post was in HTML
or had an attachment.  Attachments are not allowed.  To learn how
to post in Plain-Text go to: http://www.expita.com/nomime.html  ---