[Elecraft] K3 amplifier board gold header mod

[Keith]

We are working on instructions to go with the kit. Here are some for now 
to get you going.
Keith
The female connectors are already gold plated. But they get damaged and 
should be replaced anytime the male connectors are damaged. Or replace 
the KPAIO3 board.

The male connector pins can be heated well and then pulled out through 
their plastic carrier one by one.  Use a little extra solder to speed 
the heating and removal process (you can remove it later). You can 
replace just the 6 male pins of the connectors at P68B on the KPA3 and 
at P67B on the RF board that carry the 12V current to the KPA3,  if they 
are the only ones that look to be damaged. But do check the female 
connectors too for signs of high heat, oxidation, and pitting.

You can remove the plastic carrier as with the female connector, to make 
it easier to get the pins out one by one.  Then vacuum out the remaining 
solder and use desoldering braid to finish the job, followed by a good 
cleaning with Q-Tips (cotton swabs) or a cloth moistened with acetone, 
alcohol, or flux solvent. Take extreme care to not damage the PCB or any 
nearby parts either. Get the connector pins out first, then remove the 
solder from the plated through holes. This works better in most cases 
than trying to remove the connector intact unless you are truly an 
expert at desoldering and have the best desoldering tool made. Make sure 
there are no solder bridges remaining between pins and the board is in 
good shape before installing the new connectors. Inspect it well under a 
bright light with a magnifier.

You should have good desoldering skill and a good desoldering station 
like the Pace, Weller, Waasco, Xytronic, OK/Metcal, Aoyue, etc.) or a 
Hakko 808 desoldering gun to do this work. Clean the desoldering tool 
well  before starting so it works as well as it can.



On 3/1/2012 11:52 AM, Mike K2MK wrote:
> I received the mod kit for the gold plated pin replacements but I can't find
> an instruction sheet on the Elecraft site. I really wanted to view the mod
> before diving into it. Can someone point me to a link. The number on the
> parts envelope is KPA3CONMDKT.
>
> 73,
> Mike K2MK
>