[Elecraft] Removing relays and other components

[W3FPR - Don Wilhelm]

Folks,

The except below brings up an important point that has not been discussed in
a while and may need to be repeated occasionally - REMOVING COMPONENTS -
especially from thru-plated hole PC boards.  As tempting as it is to try to
remove a component intact, don't try it unless you have good de-soldering
equipment. Your primary goal is to protect and preserve the circuit board -
you have put a lot of work into it, and the total value of the good
components already installed is quite high - if you hurt the board badly,
you may have to start over from scratch again.

The best way to remove components is to destroy the component - if it is
already dead, you will not kill it any more!  Clip its leads off, cut it
apart slowly with your diagonal cutters (not the flush trimmers - most are
too flimsy), or crush its little body with big pliers - any method that will
not destroy the board is acceptable.

After you complete your mini-demolition project, the pins can be removed
individually and the holes can be cleaned with de-soldering braid, inserting
a large stainless steel needle into the molten solder, or a variety of other
methods.

73,
Don W3FPR

> -----Original Message-----
> Subject: [Elecraft] K2 #4768 is alive
>
>
> K2 #4768 lives!
>
> Finished the Tx section Saturday night. Only problem was a faulty relay
> (K8) which was refusing to change over so 80m was deaf and had 0 power
> output. Got around the problem by substituting one from my K160Rx.
> Tricky things to get out from those plated through holes when you can
> only get at one side of the board!
>
>