[Elecraft] OT: Another quick question about solder...

[James Sarte]

Hi Paul,

I have an Aoyue 937+ digital solder station.  I bought it from SRA for
around $50.  It's a great value compared to the Weller units.  It's also ESD
protected.  I'll use the same anti-static mat I used to assemble my K3 when
it's time to perform the mods.

Anyway, I just ordered Kester 285 RMA 1# spools in .020 and .031 sizes from
Mouser.  Should be here in a few days.

Thanks to all.

73 de James K2QI

On Tue, Aug 18, 2009 at 11:04 AM, Paul Christensen <w9ac at arrl.net> wrote:

> > Anyway, I'm about to nervously perform the VFO noise mod and jumper mod
> to
> > my K3.  I'm not looking forward to it.  I have soldered other things
> > together like the repair work on my SB-220, but I've never been happy
> with
> > the quality of my solder.
>
> Practicing on a scrap PC board with "vias" may instill some confidence in
> the job.  Ensure that the work area is well-lighted, and you're using a
> solder station of reasonably good quality.  Depending on your degree of
> risk
> aversion, you may also want to consider the use of an anti-static mat.  If
> the budget allows, purchase one with an adjustable, temperature-controlled
> tip.  Either a conical or very narrow chiseled tip will work well.  Be
> mindful of the tip temperature and clean the tip often on the wetted
> sponge.
> For wicking and extraction purposes, I generally set the tip temperature
> between 750-800 degrees F -- and 700 degrees F for general soldering.  For
> use with 2% silver bearing solder, I inch the tip temperature up just a
> bit.
>
> When you're ready to proceed, you may find that one or more vias as
> described in the Application Notes may be filled with solder.   I first
> attempted to wick the solder by adding slightly more solder onto the via --
> and also tried using a Soldapult.  However, the diameter of the via is
> quite
> small -- nearly the exact diameter of the component lead.  Rather than risk
> PCB damage, I pre-cut the component lengths, added a slight amount of
> solder
> to the via, then gently inserted the component's lead into the via while
> keeping it hot with the soldering tip.  That worked very well, although I'm
> sure others will have suggestions for clearing out a via without the need
> for an expensive re-work station.
>
> Moving on to the "K3 Extreme Signal Rx Protection Mod," I used #26 Kynar
> (i.e., wire wrap) wire between the via and  component pad.  A hot glue gun
> was then used to dab glue at the wire bend locations as shown in the
> Application Note photos.  This makes for an easy, fast and
> professional-looking way of securing the wire onto the PCB.
>
> Paul, W9AC
>
>
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-- 
73 de James K2QI