[Elecraft] Re: a K2 thought

[Jim Campbell]

No problem with the plated-through holes.  The problem was that I hadn't 
soldered one connection and was unintentionally relying on the contact 
between the component lead and the plated-through hole for the 
electrical connection.  It had worked OK up to that time, but one 
doesn't want to rely on such contacts for the long run.

72,

Jim
W4BQP

VR2BrettGraham wrote:

> W4BQP reported:
>
>> I've had my K2 for several years now (#2268).  Recently, my audio pot
>> developed the noisy condition so I decided to do the noisy pot mod.
>> During the mod I discovered an unsoldered connection.  Apparently there
>> was enough contact with the plated-through hole to make the connection.
>> And I used the component by component method of soldering. So even with
>> the most careful of construction techniques you can occasionaly mess up.
>
>
> Plated through holes connect traces on one side of the printed
> circuit board to those on the other side.
>
> As my K2 is of about the same vintage as yours, such reports of flaky
> plated through holes is of great concern, as the very same issue has
> been a problem with other equipment manufacturers.
>
> Problems with plated through holes is a serious PCB QC issue & is
> one no decent PCB vendor should let slip through.  I doubt Elecraft
> does its own QC on incoming PCBs (other than visual).
>
> Would you be so kind as to elaborate on the dickie plated-through
> holes that you found?
>
> Based on your report, I am concerned my K2 is a time bomb waiting
> to happen.
>
> Thank you.
>
> 73, VR2BrettGraham
>