[Elecraft] K2 RF board - components on bottom?

[W3FPR - Don Wilhelm]

Bob,

This is the way I mount and solder RFC15:
Make nice gentle bends in the leads of RFC15 starting about 1/32 to 1/16
inch away from the choke body (close but not right at the body) - using
fingers only (tools may apply too much pressure without any tactle
indication) I bend the leads so they make a full 180 degree turn, ending up
with a half loop of lead at each end that has a diameter of about 1/8 inch
or slightly less.

Now I use the longnose pliers and hold the edge of the loop that is closest
to the choke body and bend the loose end of the wire down at about 45 degree
angle next to the plier jaws and then still holding the pliers in place,
grasp the very end of the lead and bend it upward - it should bend with a
smooth curve this time in contrast to the sharper bend at the edge of the
plier jaw.  This places a small offset in the lead. Do this at both ends of
the choke.  Now you should have the leads formed so that you can lay the
choke in place with both leads contacting the pads that they are to be
soldered to - if it doesn't fit, re-bend the leads again while protecting
the choke to lead junction with pliers as above.  Hold it GENTLY in place
and solder. Do not apply any stress to the leads, especially when they are
hot, and be certain the leads are formed to fit before doing any soldering.

It takes longer to tell than to do - form to fit and then solder.

73,
Don W3FPR

> -----Original Message-----
> ...
> 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.
>
> Before I do that, does anyone have any words of wisdom on how to
> manipulate
> and mount these components to increase my chances of success on the next
> attempt.  Thanks.
>
> Bob, WO3E
>