[Elecraft] K3 Buffer Mod

[Jack Smith]

Jim

A Hakko tweezer handpiece makes removing surface mount parts easy, but 
it's a pricey solution for just a couple parts.

Depending on the tools you have and the size of the part, you might 
consider using a pair of small cutters to snip  the resistors in half 
before removing it. Then you can use a standard soldering iron and 
solder wick to clean the pads up. You're not trying to salvage the part, 
of course.

Surface mount  resistors are made with a ceramic substrate so they 
shatter easily. That's what you want to do--shatter the ceramic so that 
you can work on each end individually.

The practicality of this approach depends on the part size, how much 
free room you have to access it and the size of your cutters. It works 
well for 1206 parts and OK for 805 size resistors, but I have not tried 
it with smaller devices. If there's a risk of damaging other components 
or a PCB  trace, of course, don't use this approach.


Jack


Jim Denneny wrote:
> I am about to attempt the N8LP K3 Buffer Mod for improved RX performance.  It involves exchanging two, extremely small, surface-mount resistors.
>
> I have never attempted as delicate a procedure as this.  I am soliciting suggestions on how to do this without damaging the rf board.
>
> Jim
> K7EG
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