[Elecraft] K2 Arrives - WTCPT question, DMM Question.

[Don Brown]

Hi

Look one bottom of the tip for a number. If it is 7 then the tip is a 700 
degree f tip if it is a 6 then you have a 600 degree tip. The 600 degree 
tips are too cold for most work with standard solder. You should use a 700 
degree tip. I prefer a PTA7 tip.

For meters I have several Fluke meters. They are not cheap but they are very 
good and measure much faster and are more rugged than the cheap meters. I 
have an 8050A that is over 25 years old and with the exception of a couple 
sets of ni-cad batteries it has never needed any repair or calibration. You 
may be able to find a used Fluke on Ebay at a low price. Other than that 
there are many cheap meters out there. Radio shack, Circuit Specialists 
Telequipment all have inexpensive made in China meters that will work and 
are almost throw away.

Don Brown
KD5NDB


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Darwin, Keith" <Keith.Darwin at goodrich.com>
To: <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2006 11:22 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] K2 Arrives - WTCPT question, DMM Question.


The kit arrived yesterday.  SN 5411.  I'm still waiting for my magnifying 
lamp to arrive.  Then soldering begins.

With my WTCPT station, I accidently left it on for about a week.  I turned 
it off and put in a new tip (PTH).  When I assembled my mini-module, I found 
I had to dwell a long time (5-10 seconds) before I could get solder to melt. 
In a few cases I felt the board getting warm.  I changed tips to my original 
tip (after cleaning it up) and dwell times dropped to about 3 seconds.

So what tip should I be using?

Also which DMM should I buy?  Is there one out there that is considered a 
best buy or a great unit at a good price (the cheaper the better)??

- Keith KD1E -
- K1 12xx -
- K2 5411 (pile'o'parts) -
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