[Elecraft] ROHS COMPLIANT?

[Larry Phipps]

If you know Wayne, you know he is a very environmentally responsible guy 
(Eric may be as well... we haven't talked about it). I can't imagine he 
would make that recommendation if it weren't absolutely necessary. With 
kits as complex as some of the Elecrafts are, there will inevitably be 
some rework to remove misplaced parts, not to mention the possibility of 
blown finals down the road, etc. Plus, there's the rework required to 
add options (you could buy the "unpcbs" that KI4GGX offers to minimize 
that problem... very inexpensive and convenient, http://www.unpcbs.com/). 

I plan to make the same stipulation to new builders of my kits, which 
are now shipping in RoHS compliant form, when I next update the manuals.

73,
Larry N8LP
www.telepostinc.com



Dave Sergeant wrote:
> On 4 Sep 2006 at 4:02, Nick Waterman wrote:
>
>   
>> After trying lead-based and lead-free solder on some of the mini-kits, I
>> went leaded for my K2 in the end. I knew it was going to be a whole lot
>> easier especially if I ever had to rework anything... but this comment
>> from Eric really stunned me:
>>
>> Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft wrote:
>>     
>>> 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.
>>>       
>
> I was going to comment about this myself.
>
> Elecraft have gone to great effort to supply their new kits with 
> components which are ROHS compliant andnow these new kits will come 
> with a revised warranty which prohibits use of lead free solder in 
> construction. Total contradiction.
>
> The fact remains that in Europe the law now requires such equipment 
> to be assembled with lead free. There may be exemptions for kits, but 
> in my reading of the regulations this is not that clear. USA and 
> other assemblers who are currently not subject to ROHS regulations 
> obviously can use leaded solder, but in Europe we should be given the 
> option to use lead free if we wish to meet those requirements and 
> work within the law. If rework with lead free is a problem then 
> Elecraft must solve them rather than effectively wiping their hands 
> of it.
>
> Perhaps Eric or Wayne will comment??
>
> 73 Dave G3YMC
>
> http://www.davesergeant.com
>
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