[Elecraft] KAT2 Question

[Tom Hammond]

Hi Lou:

>I'm concerned about installing the inductors L1-L8. the manual says to 
>solder the leads into the square holes. One of the holes on most of them 
>and both holes on the rest of them are directly under the relays. Are 
>these wires supposed to be soldered like the capacitors? If this is the 
>case then the wire length of 2-1/8" (for L1) as called for would keep the 
>inductor about 1/2" or more off the board.
>
>What the heck am I missing here??

Although it was not specifically stated in the manual, it should be 
inferred that you should pre-trim the lead length such that it will insert 
into the square padded hold and NOT extend significantly out the bottom of 
the other side of the board (actually, it'll generally be blocked by the 
relay). Once the leads have been bent AND appropriately trimmed to length, 
they should be soldered into place.

It is NOT necessary (nor desired for that matter) to have these inductors 
mounted snuggly against the PC board, because you will still have to slip 
the rubber 'bumpers' in beneath them in a later step.

Just use some degree to care when bending the trimming the inductor leads 
and you'll be just fine.

Of course, it should go without saying that you WILL have to do a credible 
job of stripping and tinning these leads prior to bending and trimming 
them. I usually strip/tin the leads all the way up to the core... in fact, 
I often tin them up just a bit further, in order to ensure that NO enameled 
wire extends down into a plated-thru hole.

73,

Tom Hammond    N0SS