[Elecraft] Upgrading older K2's

[Rick]

Performing modifications to the K2 is really no more difficult than building
it. Well, aside from having to remove parts from the boards, that is, but
the same care and dexterity is required. It is not necessary to spend a lot
of money on fancy desoldering tools, though they are nice to have. Skill is
a more than adequate substitute.

Removing old parts can be difficult if you try to save them. I usually cut
the component off the board and then heat up each remaining lead and pull it
out with tweezers or small needle nose pliers. This works especially well on
chips with many leads. The use of almost any solder removal device or method
will work to clean the hole afterwards. Adding fresh solder before cleaning
the hole often works better since heat conduction is uniform and the rosin
makes eveything shiny. Doing this limits any possible damage to the board.

Removing xtals would seem difficult but you can do it by "rocking" the xtal
out by alternately heating the solder at each lead, as described so many
times before. Again, adding a little solder often helps a lot.

I have made all the possible mods to my K2 (1360) and have never encountered
a problem doing them. I use an ancient "Sold-a-pult", a spring-loaded blue
tube-shaped thing that makes a mess of the process because it leave tiny
globs of cold solder around on the board afterwards.  Still, it's all I use
and it works fine. Running the solder tip around on the board will pick up
(and melt together) any loose solder particles.

You should attempt to limit the time and the amount of heat you apply during
component removal as too much or either will destroy the "glue" that secures
the copper trace to the board material.  The Elecraft boards are of good
quality and I have yet to delaminate a trace, but it can happen if you get
careless. Just don't dwell on the connection very long.

The bottom line is this: you can safely make mods to your rig using average
soldering skills. There's nothing to fear. Also, it takes very little
experience to get "good" at it. So jump in!  The solder's fine!

Rick KC0OV