[Elecraft] S meter

[Don Wilhelm]

James and all,

Someone on this reflector commented some time ago that solder 
connections should look like mountains, but not look like volcanoes.   A 
good solder connection will look like a mountain with a concave surface 
where the solder edge is nearly invisible - the solder should flow to a 
very thin edge on both the component lead and the solder pad.  If the 
edge is quite noticeable, insufficient heat was applied to the 
connection.  If the solder fillet surface is convex, too much solder was 
applied, and that can mask a poor solder connection.  If the solder 
looks like a 'ball' on the component lead, that is a combination of too 
much solder and inadequate heat.

Look critically at your soldering and compare the results with the 
diagrams in the soldering tutorial on the Elecraft website.  If the 
soldering is not up to par, functions can work initially, but fail later 
(up to 2 years or more) after a bit of oxidation sets in and makes a 
marginal solder connection a problem.

In case of trouble, check the soldering, then re-check the soldering, 
and when you have completed that - check the soldering.

73,
Don W3FPR

JC Quinn wrote:
> Wow!  Don, you're good!  I had looked at those pins under 5x 
> magnification and they looked fine.  I reflowed those pins and a 
> couple of more on the board that did look questionable and now she 
> works fine!
> 73 and Thanks a Million!
> James
>