[R-390] Ping Tests and Solder

[Curt]

I still prefer the old 60/40 standby...especially for all older 
terminal-styles and general use.

The lower temperature, and smaller diameter stuff I sometimes use for 
touchups on SMD but general SMD work is done without wire-form solder.

Not sure what kind of silver solder you mean.  real silver solder is 
really a brazing alloy that requires a torch to melt.

There is some silver bearing solder but I have no experience with it for 
electronics.  I was a field engineer for Tek and never heard anything 
about it.  We were all solid state by then however.

I would hesitate to use a water soluble flux on anything I wasn't going 
to wash after soldering.  If left in place, one may end up with a mess 
in high humidity environments.

Remember, most boards are now washed completely after auto soldering to 
remove flux residue.

FWIW

Curt
KU8L
Celebrating my 50th year in Amateur Radio.



On 2/27/2012 2:11 PM, Barry wrote:
> My gratitude to all those who have served.  You have my respect.
>
> To change the subject slightly, what kind of solder do most of you guys use?  I've run out of my 1lb spool and looking to get another.  Is 63/37 eutectic better than good old Kester 44 (60/40)?  What rosin(s) have been better.  I think I understand that some rosins are water soluble and wondering if those work as well as the old standby.
>
> I assume most folks use diameters in the 1/32" to 1/16" range, correct?  I know much larger might be inconvenient for old radio repair use but are there any real advantages to smaller (like 0.020 or 0.015) except for SMT, etc.?
>
> Anyone try silver solder?  I know it's used a lot in Tek scopes, etc., and haven't seen it much in old radios but was wondering.
>
> Yeah, I know "it's just solder" and pretty much any good non-acid-core will do but thought I'd spark some new conversations.
>
> Thanks guys,
> Barry - N4BUQ
>
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