[Elecraft] Unable to mate front panel to FP board due to mic connector bead size

[Bob Nielsen]

I have the WES50 (predecessor to the WES51) and was surprised at how
easy it was to solder the very thick tab of the voltage regulator on
the KDSP2.  I was all prepared to use my soldering gun, but the iron
handled it nicely.  I used the 700 degree setting on everything I have
built so far, but will give 650 a try on the KPA100, which is next in
line on the bench after the WPX (which is giving the new K2 a good
workout) is over.

73,
Bob, N7XY
K2 #3273

On Sun, May 25, 2003 at 03:00:19PM -0400, Tom, W6WW wrote:
> Good analysis.  I have noticed how constant the temperature stays.  I'm
> using 63/37 solder too, and when I get back to it I will try the 650
> setting.  Thanks for the comments.
> 
> 73,
> Tom, W6WW
> K2 #3453
> 
> 
> > Tom,
> >     Ideally, you should use the lowest heat that solders well.
> > Since I am using 63/37 solder, which has a slightly lower melting
> > point than 60/40, and since the iron responds instantly to heat
> > transfer out of the tip, 700 like Elecraft recommends isn't really
> > necessary. Also, the WESD51 is a 50 watt iron, which I notice means
> > that the tip stays at the set temp while you are soldering- even on
> > the ground plane, drifting only a couple of degrees. I think the
> > purpose of the higher temps on the older, lower wattage irons was
> > because they couldn't control their temperature very accurately- I
> > liked the WTCP series, but I'm guessing it was +- 40 degrees and
> > the tip temp would drop precipitously when you began to solder (so
> > you wound up closer to 650 anyway with a 700 tip). Plus, the
> > Elecraft boards are really clean, as are the components, so they
> > solder well and don't need a lot of wetting time.