[Elecraft] Socket IC's

[Mike Morrow]

Glenn Haffly wrote:

> Is there a reason for not using an IC socket soldered to the
> various boards rather than direct soldering an IC to the boards ?

Glenn,

IC sockets are generally appropriate only for ICs containing firmware which may need upgrading.  For almost all other situations, the use of IC sockets is a bad, obsolete, and very poor-engineering practice that can do nothing but reduce unit reliability and performance.

Most importantly, Elecraft wisely discourages this practice and has officially stated that performance problems due to the use of IC sockets that were not specified in Elecraft's design will **NOT** be covered by warranty.

The last sentence says it all.

73,
Mike / KK5F