[Elecraft] short circuit varactor diodes 1SV149

[W3FPR - Don Wilhelm]

Chris and all,

This is another one of those subjects that come up from time to time - and
each time, the answer is -- Don't Worry -- Even if that VERY short varactor
leg is connected inside (unlikely, but I don't really know), the insulation
afforded by the RF Board masking is sufficient to provide adequate
insulation.  So just put those 1SV149s down close to the board - of course,
don't force them and scrape off the PC board masking in the process - just
use good old fashioned common sense.

73,
Don W3FPR

> -----Original Message-----
>
> You almost gave me a heart attack; I had just finished putting the
> SV149s in #4768 this morning. I snugged them down tight to the board. So
> I ran off to the bench and checked with the meter, but all mine are fine.
>
> I had assumed that the middle leg was just something left over from a
> manufacturing run where they had used transistor tooling, but with a
> transistor inside. Your comments made me think that maybe they are
> transistors with a leg missing.
>
> Perhaps somebody who hasn't installed theirs yet could check with a
> meter? Or does somebody know what is actually inside the package?
>
> Had to break off this afternoon to attend a nephews birthday party and
> do some token woodworking in the bathroom that I am supposed to be
> renovating, but got back to the bench this evening and have just
> finished the crystals - first toroid winding session tomorrow.
>
> Chris VP8BKF
>
> PA2A Steef wrote:
>
> >Today I soldered the 6 MV209 varactor diodes and the 11 1SV149
> 's on the RF-board of my K2 #4654 According to the text on page
> 50 the varactor diodes should be pressed all the way down on the
> board to prevent stray signal coupling. The SV149 varactors may
> have a center lead that has been cut flush with the body of the device.
> >
> >The center leads are clearly visible, about 0.5 mm coming out of
> the varactor bodies! The soldering islands for the two varactor
> leads have a very narrow gap, not more than half a mm on top of
> the board. The center pin can easily short against one or even
> both leads of the 1SV 149 's. I left them about one mm above the board.
> >
> >
>