[Elecraft] Keying Mod; Construction technique - cutting PC traces

[Don Wilhelm]

Paul,

Cutting PC lands for changes/upgrades is an industry accepted practice, so
it should not be regarded as 'hacking' at all - the result will still look
neat and clean.

There are many ways to make a cut - if there are a lot of cuts the easiest
is to use a small dental burr (it could be a Dremel wit a very tiny burr
bit), or for one or two cuts, a sharp knife will suffice.  I usually use the
tip of my pocket knife just because it is handy (and yes, it will need
sharpened afterward).  I cut a 'V' groove through the circuit trace with the
tip of the knife - I exert some downward pressure with one hand and control
the knife blade with the fingers of the other hand placed on the back of the
blade near the tip - it does take some pressure there as well.  I make 2
angled slicing cuts about 1/16 inch apart and flick out the cut piece.
Check continuity before and after the cut to be certain that the copper has
been completely severed.  It is harder to explain than to do.

73,
Don W3FPR

> -----Original Message-----
>
> I just purchased the KPA100 for my K2 (serial
> 3640), and in going over the instructions I see
> that the installation of the keying modification
> is highly recommended.  I'm a little nervous
> about the part of the mod that requires the
> cutting of a circuit trace.  What's the best way
> to perform this operation?  (Kind of a shame to
> have to hack at my K2 this way, but you gotta do
> what you gotta do.)
>
>