[Elecraft] K1 - Front Panel - Nothing on LCD

[Don Wilhelm]

Ian,

Glad you found it.  Keep warm down there! 
Yes, soldering is *the* most common builder problem.  When in doubt, 
check the soldering, then re-check the soldering, and when that is done 
- check the soldering.

For those just starting to build, use an iron temperature at about 750 
degrees F (800 for the KPA100), and watch carefully for the solder to 
flow - if you do not see the solder wicked into the thru-plated hole, it 
is not a good solder connection.  Use a small diameter solder to assist 
in controlling the amount (I prefer .015 inch diameter in a 63/37 alloy 
with a midly activated rosin flux).  Too much solder can be just as bad 
as not enough.

73,
Don W3FPR

Ian Nightingale wrote:
> Hi Don, I bow to your genius. The problem appears to be a soldering issue with the main chip. I was very lucky in that I was able to remove the solder from one side of the LCD and lift it up enough to get to the chip soldering points. A re-solder of each pin and all is well with the world.
>
> Very lucky, as the next post for me arrives late October.
>
> I wonder if it would be worth adding a test stage pre-LCD install to prevent juniors like myself going down this route.
>
> Hopefully I'll have time to complete in the next few weeks and be transmitting from the hills of Adelaide Island when the sun comes back.
>
> Many thanks again
> 73,
> Ian - VP8ROT (G0VZM)
>   
>>  7:20 AM
>>