[Elecraft] K2 RF board - components on bottom?

[G3VVT at aol.com]

In a message dated 26/03/05 15:27:54 GMT Standard Time, BobConvers at aol.com  
writes:

After  several failures, and much thought and preparation with pre-bending 
and  
tinning of leads, I was finally able to get C91, C88, RFC15 soldered to  the 
correct points on the bottom of the board - with no shorts.   However, I now 
have no continuity through RFC 15.  I assume that  means I destroyed the 
choke 
during the mounting process, so I'm ordering a  replacement and will try 
again 
next week.



-----------------------------------------------
 
I found the easiest way to mount these was to get the component in  
approximately the correct position holding it with the end of a finger (asbestos  
tipped from many years of pulling hot tubes) and then quickly tack one end with  
solder to hold it. Then the component can be positioned correctly. First the  
opposite end is soldered and finally the end that was tacked soldered. RFC15 has 
 to be handled with great care. I would recommend holding the RFC15 leads 
next to  it's body with fine needle nosed pliers and then bending the free end of 
 the lead to the required shape. That way strain is kept off the component. 
Some  disagree with this method, but it does work successfully for me at least.
 
There are other components in the K2 that benefit from such gentle  treatment.
 
Bob, G3VVT