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K2 RF board X7-X11

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Conway Yee

K2 RF board X7-X11

What is the best way to solder X7-X11 crystals? The instructions say to
solder two ground leads on the side. The ground leads on the left are
between the crystal and the resistor packs.

I think I should solder the ground leads onto the crystals before
soldering the leads onto the crystal case (at least on the left side if
not both).

Options?

tnx.
Conway Yee, N2JWQ

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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: K2 RF board X7-X11

Conway,

Use a hot soldering iron - 800 deg F - to heat the crystal cases
quickly. Use a flat bladed screwdriver to form the ground leads up
against the crystal case. Then apply the soldering iron (out a bit of
solder on the iron tip to aid heat transfer). Hold the solder on the
crystal can a bit away from the soldering iron tip, and as soon as the
solder begins to melt, move the end of the solder over to the crystal
case, soldering iron, ground wire junction - that adds a bit of flux to
the combination. Remove the heat and observe a nice smooth solder
connection.

Important is to form the wire into contact with the crystal case before
beginning the process - then adding the extra flux when the solder
begins to flow.

73,
Don W3FPR

Conway Yee wrote:

> What is the best way to solder X7-X11 crystals? The instructions say to
> solder two ground leads on the side. The ground leads on the left are
> between the crystal and the resistor packs.
>
> I think I should solder the ground leads onto the crystals before
> soldering the leads onto the crystal case (at least on the left side if
> not both).
>
> Options?
>
>

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Conway Yee

Re: K2 RF board X7-X11

Don,

The issue is that the ground leads on the left side of the case is between
a resistor pack and the crystal case. There isn't the room to solder the
ground lead after soldering the crystal in place.

Should I solder the ground leads onto the case BEFORE I solder the crystal
onto the PC board?

tnx.
Conway Yee

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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: K2 RF board X7-X11

Conway,

There is space to solder them. Solder at about the height of the top of
the RPaks, and clip the leads off just above that point so the KSB2
option will fit. Hole the soldering iron tip so that is lots of contact
with the crystal case to maximize the heat transfer.

The solder does not have to be *exactly* at the base of the crystals -
just as far down toward the base as is practical.

73,
Don W3FPR

Conway Yee wrote:

> Don,
>
> The issue is that the ground leads on the left side of the case is between
> a resistor pack and the crystal case. There isn't the room to solder the
> ground lead after soldering the crystal in place.
>
> Should I solder the ground leads onto the case BEFORE I solder the crystal
> onto the PC board?
>
> tnx.
> Conway Yee
>
>

Conway Yee

followup on K2 contruction and assistants

In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm-4

My daughters (3yo and 7 yo) and I are continuing the K2 build.

Both daughters are now capable of holding the soldering iron and the
solder during soldering. They take turns now: one holding the solder and
the other holding the iron. Both are sitting on my lap when soldering is
done.

Needless to say, the 7 year old is steadier than the 3 year old but both
are capable. No obvious cold solders and Dad occasionally reflows the
joint when suspicious. I am having them do only resistors/capacitors. No
semiconductors.

I haven't tried having the 7 year old hold both the solder and the iron at
the same time but will try in the next few days. I don't think the 3 year
old can hold both.

tnx.
Conway Yee, N2JWQ

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