[Elecraft] KBPF3A and KBPF3B

[Edward R Cole]

I believe Wayne stated the caps on the main board that require 
replacement are 0403 sized sm "chips".

If you have never done any sm work you will find them very difficult 
to handle.  I have built some boards that use that size and had to 
use a magnifier to be able to see well enough to place them.  You 
need a very fine chisel-point solder iron and small jeweler's 
tweezers to handle them.  Also very small diameter solder.

I would recommend you find a nearby ham that does this kind of work 
or maybe a local two-way radio shop that does component level repair 
(though those are becoming rare).  In the end it may be better to 
send the radio into Elecraft and have all the work done by 
them.  Ham's in the lower-48 of the US this it not that bad.  For 
oversea's hams shipping and customs becomes a real hassle/expense.

I will make my own mods but I regularly build sm equipment and have 
the necessary equipment.  Saying that, 0403 are still very difficult 
for hand replacement.

73, Ed - KL7UW
the kits I build use 0805 & 1206 chips.

Message: 22
Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2015 15:18:12 -0400
From: <ejkkjh at gmail.com>
To: "Wayne Burdick" <n6kr at elecraft.com>
Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KBPF3A and KBPF3B
Message-ID: <541B0A7DEB164B95BA75735F144A7F86 at ejhPC>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="UTF-8";
         reply-type=original

I think I understand all this now.
One other question, please.  Will it be possible to just send in the KBPF3
from my K3 to be modified by Elecraft?  not the whole K3?
I think I can handle installing the one cap on the RF board but never done
surface mounts.
Thank you  73
Emory  WM3M



73, Ed - KL7UW
http://www.kl7uw.com
     "Kits made by KL7UW"
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