[Elecraft] Availability of lead solder in Europe

[stephen Farthing]

Greetings from England everyone,

	Lead free solder is becoming difficult to get in Europe because of
the environmental legislation forced upon us by the somewhat undemocratic
European Union. If you guys in the states think you have problems with the
Federal Govt try living within the European Union. At least you elect your
federal officials. The people with real power in the EU are mostly unelected
failed domestic politicans such as the Kinnocks and Peter Mandelson who for
the most part are clueless about environmental issues. Whilst I agree with a
lot of environmental legislation it seems odd that we are banning lead
solder...which in years to come will make tons of lead soldered kit
difficult to repair and thus on the scrap heap and yet we will not restrict
the use of aviation fuel.....I can fly to Spain and back for less than I can
travel to London one way on the train!!!!!!! Anyway this is way off
topic......

	My understanding from the radio engineers at work is that lead
solder is permitted for use in the aerospace and military industries because
the lead free stuff is not reliable enough. What will become difficult in
time is obtaining leaded solder for amateur use in the EU; it is no longer
stocked by Maplins (the nearest thing we have in the UK to radio shack)
which is odd because they also sell kits which need lead solder to make. So
it might be a good idea if the fine folks at Elecraft were to offer a roll
of lead solder as a purchasable option for those of us who are unable to
source it in Europe. 

	That's all folks,

Steve G0XAR

	

-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Larry Phipps
Sent: 25 August 2006 16:13
To: Robert T. Davis Jr.
Cc: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Ordering of Elecraft kits


Bob, here is an excerpt from an email Eric Swartz posted here recently...

"We -strongly- recommend continuing to use regular lead based solder to 
build our kits. Kester 44, and other 63/37, 60/40 lead/tin mix solders 
are not going away in the US or in Eu and work much better for soldering 
both RoHS and non-RoHS tinned parts. Removal of non-lead solder is 
difficult at best for most builders, potentially damaging PC boards and 
components, and thats why our warranty prohibits its usage. Lead free 
solder is really designed for use in mass production lines. "

Elecraft strongly recommends (and their warranty requires) continued use 
of traditional lead/tin solder, and it is perfectly legal to do so in 
EU. That's good enough for me.

Larry N8LP


Robert T. Davis Jr. wrote:
>
>   I  am  thinking  of  ordering  the  K2,  but  I live in Spain and I am
>   wondering if this lead free solder is going to be a problem for me. In
>   other  words  can  I  order  the  Elecraft  kits  without encountering
>   problems with the new EEC reg's.     Bob AB5HG/EA7AQP
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Post to: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
>
>
>
_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft    

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com