[Elecraft] K2 first light
Don Wilhelm
w3fpr at earthlink.net
Mon Apr 3 23:17:16 EDT 2006
Folks (especially new builders),
Perhaps I should dust off my old adage here in the reflector:
First check the soldering, then re-check the soldering, and when you have
completed that, check the soldering!
Seriously, soldering failures is the most common cause of problems. Use an
adequately hot soldering iron - 700 degrees to 800 degrees so you can 'melt
solder' quickly and then get the heat away from the solder joint. I have
worked on many kits where the solder has melted but only on either the pad
or the component lead, but not both - this is a good indication of
inadequate heat to the joint - be certain that both members receive adequate
heat to flow the solder. Do not be afraid of the higher soldering
temperatures, it takes both temperature and time combined to create a heat
related failure, so use a high enough temperature to keep the time element
to a minimum (2 to 3 seconds is ideal, 5 seconds is likely too long) and no
damage will be done.
73,
Don W3FPR
> -----Original Message-----
> ...
>
> I've been very careful with my solder joints, doing all my soldering
> under the magnifier lamp and examining each joint afterwards. Still,
> there were apparently some bad ones. Fortunately that is all that has
> been an issue so far. The rest of the tests & alignment have all been
> comfortably in spec the first time. Nice!
>
> ...
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