[Elecraft] Installing the K3AUDPROTMDKT ??

[Don Wilhelm]

Fabio,

It is good to hear that you were successful.

Sometimes you have to whittle down the toothpick, but with the thin 
"squarish" ones ones they usually work out-of-the box.

I am gald to hear you had success with the SS needle.  The only problem 
with the metallic needle is that it heats and can burn your fingers if 
you do not take precautions.

I use stainless steel needles fashioned from the ground down shafts of 
dental tools for that purpose.  They are often found at hamfests here in 
the US.  But then I work mostly on the K2 where that procedure is often 
required.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 11/21/2016 6:58 PM, Fabio IZ4AFW / NZ1W wrote:
> Thanks guys,
>    I finally made it. I had to use needles and to heat the pad and the 
> needle itself. The toothpick was too big to be used (maybe we have big 
> teeth in Italy?)
>
> Thank you very much for the replies! I was feeling stupid but, hey, I 
> wanted that mod done!! :)
>
> Ciao,
>  Fabio
>  IZ4AFW
>
> Il 21.11.2016 23:46, Don Wilhelm ha scritto:
>> Fabio,
>>
>> To open the thru-plated holes after you have used solder wick, heat the
>> solder pads and push out the remaining solder with a wooden toothpick or
>> a stainless steel needle.
>>
>> 73,
>> Don W3FPR
>>
>> On 11/21/2016 5:06 PM, Fabio IZ4AFW / NZ1W wrote:
>>> Hi guys,
>>>   I'm having some tough time installing the K3AUDPROTMDKT assembly on
>>> the main board of my K3.
>>> As for every upgrade, I am following the instructions. I removed the 
>>> two
>>> old electrolytic caps in a few seconds, it was easy and quick.
>>>
>>> But installing the new tiny board, as easy as it seems, is just a
>>> different matter. I was able to remove almost all of the remaining
>>> solder, but the pass-thru holes just remain closed with some solder. I
>>> tried with some solder wick but to no avail.
>>> In addition, the pass-thru holes are so small that I don't have any 
>>> tool
>>> that I can use to try to open those holes while heating the board with
>>> my soldering iron.
>>> I tried to align the 4 legs of the assembly but -of course- pushing 
>>> them
>>> through the holes is not easy, as they bend as soon as I apply a 
>>> minimum
>>> force.
>