[Elecraft] K2 - grounding of RCVR filter Xtals

[Don Wilhelm]

Glenn,

Tilt the board at about a 45 degree angle so gravity will help solder flow,
and more importantly, so you can see what you are doing.  Use a large flat
area of your soldering tip on the side of the crystals to provide a better
heat path and heat until the crystal case itself melts the solder.  I use an
800 degree F. iron to accomplish the soldering in about 3 seconds.

Yes, solder the xtals on both sides and as low on the xtal sides as you can
manage - it provides a lower impedance path to ground resulting in a filter
with a smoother shape and better stopband attenuation.

73,
Don W3FPR

> -----Original Message-----
>
> My K2 s/n 5361 is coming together nicely, up to now I've
> encountered no problems whatsoever.
> I just installed the receiver filter Xtals X7 through X11 and now
> I've arrived at the point where these Xtals have to be grounded
> (page 53, last step).
> The manual states that a special grounding technique is required
> for the grounding of X7-X11. Instead of soldering a grounding
> lead to the top of the Xtal housings the manual states that the
> grounding wires need to be soldered to the sides of the housings.
> There are 2 grounding pads for each Xtal. My question is: is it
> absolutely imperative to use 2 grounding leads for each Xtal? I
> don't see too many problems soldering the leads near the outer
> edge of the PC board, but the soldering points at the opposite
> sides of the housings are awfully close to RP4 and RP5...
> Any suggestions as to how I should go about soldering the
> grounding leads at those sides of the Xtal housings?
>
> Thanks for any advice.
>
> 73 de Glenn ON4WIX
>