[Elecraft] [KX3] 160/80 meter SMT mod

[Jessie Oberreuter]

      An easy way to remove SMT parts with a traditional iron is to use a 
small piece of wire to create a solder bridge across both ends of the 
part.  This will conduct the heat to both pads and then you can just lift 
the part off the board :).  -kb7psg.


On Sat, 12 Jan 2013, John Fritze wrote:

> I got some time today to look at the back side of the RF board, and yes
> it's pretty tight but the mod went well with no problems.  I ordered the
> parts (and spares) from Mouser with a couple of smaller tips for my Weller.
>
>
> Removal of the old parts was accomplished by moving back and forth between
> both ends of each part until I could push them off the board. Everything
> came off so cleanly that there was very little clean up on the pads.  I
> used some extra flux, applied with a wooden toothpick both to the pads and
> the new parts.  I put a little solder on one pad, oriented the new parts
> and lightly soldered one end.  Holding it in place with another toothpick,
> I then final soldered both ends.
>
> Slow, carefully and viola' job done.  Maybe an hour or so total time.  I
> don't have any test equipment to prove a difference with the dynamic range
> on 160/80 meters, but I regularly have wall to wall noise on those bands so
> it will be interesting to see what improvement there is.
>
> For those considering making the change themselves, I have only had minimal
> experience with SMT but am familiar with working with tiny stuff in my
> business.  I am proficient at home brewing.
>
> -- 
> John Fritze Jr
> K2QY
> AARA president 2013
> ACACES secretary 2013
> Albany County RACES Radio Officer
> ARES ENY DEC Northern District
> ARES Albany County EC
> Hudson Div. Asst. Director
> Twitter: @k2qy
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