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

[Darwin, Keith]

I have 3 or 4 tips, all are 700 degree ("7") versions.  The one that came with the station was the PTA7 and it seems just a bit big.  The PTH7 I have seems too small.  Apparently the PTK7 is in between these and maybe is the one I should have gotten...
 
My current meter is a RS rig.  It was about $25 on sale 10 yrs ago IIRC.  Not Auto-ranging and the test leads are stiff.  Still, it works and I'm not wanting to spend over $50 on another to replace it.  I'd like auto ranging and cap measurement.  Other than that I'm OK with what I have.
 
Thanks!
 
- Keith KD1E -
 
 
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From: Don Brown [mailto:DolfinDon at msn.com]
Sent: Fri 3/10/2006 1:39 PM
To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net; Darwin, Keith
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K2 Arrives - WTCPT question, DMM Question.



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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