[Elecraft] K3 KBPF3 mod for LF questions capacitor size ?

[Edward R Cole]

OK, brace your self, but I told you so (a few weeks ago) - not 
specifically you, Emory.

Surface mount work takes skill and calmness.  I compare it to the 
process precision shooters use.  Breathing in/out and out half-way 
and hold will calm nerves.  Mental thinking to calm yourself vs 
saying "do not shake" is some of the zen stuff that works.  Resting 
the heel of your hand on something helps holding still.  Whisky or 
some of that tobaccy that will mellow you...but you might get 
munchies so caveat emptor!  (legal in only three states)

Bees wax or putty with a toothpick are beginners 
methods.  Professionals get a fine jeweler's tweezer to hold sm.  Use 
what works for you.

Soldering a sm cap on top of an existing cap is a little tricky.  Add 
a bit solder to one end of the existing cap so the new cap can be 
slid into it.  You melt that solder with iron and slide in the top 
cap - hold - carefully remove iron -keep holding a couple seconds 
till solder solidifies.  Now add a bit of solder on the other 
end.  Use an ohmmeter to test continuity from the top cap to the pc 
trace where the cap is installed.  Good continuity - you're 
done!  Continuity across the cap - bad - do over.

If this is just too hard for you, then find a local ham to help you 
with it.  Or send it to Elecraft. The filter is not large so not real 
expensive to ship. This is not a service that would be cost-effective 
for me to do for you.

73, Ed - KL7UW (wish I could still pass the soldering inspection that 
I used to get from NASA - brag blah blah)
-------------------------
Date: Tue, 7 Jul 2015 14:49:03 -0700
From: Wayne Burdick <n6kr at elecraft.com>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 KBPF3 mod for LF questions capacitor size ?
Message-ID: <5A527057-CDD2-4997-B957-62DEF2F218C0 at elecraft.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252

They're 0603s (.06" x .03"), which would be considered "mediums size" 
by today's SMD standards. But it does take a bit of courage (and a 
good pair of tweezers, and maybe a shot of cheap whisky) to install 
them by hand. Hats off to our intrepid customers attempting this for 
the first time!

73,
Wayne
N6KR

P.S.  Our engineers and technicians routinely work with with packages 
that are about 0603 size, but have *6* leads that must all be 
soldered. This is done by flowing solder onto all 3 pins on one side 
at a time (carefully!), then wicking the excess solder off with 
solder wick or a vacuum tool. Not for the faint of heart.

73, Ed - KL7UW
http://www.kl7uw.com
     "Kits made by KL7UW"
Dubus Mag business:
     dubususa at gmail.com