Subject: RE: [Elecraft] Clip relay leads? In praise of toenail clippe

[Dave Jewell]

In-Reply-To: <20030606080244.CB07C328986@mailman.qth.net>
I'm aware that the general concensus is to leave the relay leads alone 
because of alleged mechanical shock which could cause unreliable 
operation, but I'd like to make just three points here:

1) I hate untrimmed leads - I only have to look at those long leads and 
I'm just itching to clip them.  I have a pessimistic nature, and I reckon 
that sooner or later, something, somewhere is going to short against an 
unclipped lead.  Prevention is better than cure. ;-)

2) If you check out the KAT2 manual, (Rev D, page 7) you'll see that we're 
specifically told to clip the leads on relays K1 - K16.  Huh?  I thought 
this was bad?  Are these special super-ruggedised relays which just love 
being clipped?  The answer is no, they're the same component as used 
everywhere else.  So with all those leads to clip, clipping can't be 
*that* bad, can it?

3) I have a secret weapon in the form of a toenail clipper I bought from 
Boots.  Yes, really!  This little gadget gently squeezes through each lead 
without any mechanical shock at all.  It's a bit like biting pasta that's 
just nicely 'al dente'.  There's absolutely no mechanical shock or jar of 
any kind.  Of course, things are different when you use it to actually cut 
toenails, but -- before you ask -- I have a dedicated clipper that's 
specifically for toenails, and another that's just for relay leads....and 
never the twain shall meet.  Ok?  What sort of a hick do you think I am?  
;-)

I would emphasise that whether you clip or not, it is very important to 
solder the leads first but as for me, I have a beautifully manicured K2 
which works just great.   

---------------------------

Lyle kK7P said:

> Not the relays!  There should be warnings in the manual about them.