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KPA100

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n0jrn

KPA100

Gang:

I'm in the process of replacing U4 on the KPA's board.

Just curious if it would hurt anything if I install a socket in this
position.

That would make it much easier to replace should I have an issue with this
IC again.

Your opinion would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks and 72: Jerry N0JRN

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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: KPA100

Jerry,

Since U4 does not carry any RF signals, a socket there would not be a
problem, other than reduced reliability because of socket contact
failure. Use a good quality socket for longer trouble-free operation.

73,
Don W3FPR

n0jrn wrote:

> Gang:
>
> I'm in the process of replacing U4 on the KPA's board.
>
> Just curious if it would hurt anything if I install a socket in this
> position.
>
> That would make it much easier to replace should I have an issue with this
> IC again.
>
> Your opinion would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks and 72: Jerry N0JRN
>
>

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Ken Alexander-2

Re: KPA100

I hope to be building a KPA100 myself in another month or so. How does one distinguish a good quality IC socket from a less-than-good one? Is there something apparent to the naked eye?

Thanks and 73,

Ken

--- On Wed, 12/9/09, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:

> From: Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]>
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA100
> To: "n0jrn" <[hidden email]>
> Cc: "Elecraft" <[hidden email]..net>
> Date: Wednesday, December 9, 2009, 1:18 PM
> Jerry,
>
> Since U4 does not carry any RF signals, a socket there
> would not be a
> problem, other than reduced reliability because of socket
> contact
> failure. Use a good quality socket for longer
> trouble-free operation.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> n0jrn wrote:
> > Gang:
> >
> > I'm in the process of replacing U4 on the KPA's
> board.
> >
> > Just curious if it would hurt anything if I install a
> socket in this
> > position.
> >
> > That would make it much easier to replace should I
> have an issue with this
> > IC again.
> >
> > Your opinion would be greatly appreciated.
> >
> > Thanks and 72:
>    Jerry
>    N0JRN
> >
> >
> ______________________________________________________________
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> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>

Don Wilhelm-4

Re: KPA100

Ken,

It is not something that is apparent just by looking. It has to do with
the contact material and the plating. Is the material springy enough to
retain tension on the IC leads? Is the plating of sufficient depth to
withstand many removals and insertions? Questions of that nature can
only be determined from the specifications (if you can get them).
I would not recommend sockets for anything other than the firmware
(already socketed in the kit). A soldered-in IC will be more reliable
over time, and the frequency of IC failures (unless abused) does not
warrant it. But then make your own decision.

Machined pin sockets are usually better because they should have a
gas-tight contact area, but require more force to seat the IC.

BTW - gold plated sockets should only be used with ICs having gold
plated leads - use tin plated sockets because normal ICs have tin plated
leads. There were industry studies about tin/gold contact problems that
I was aware of about 20 years ago (yes, I worked in a reliability
group), and I do not know that anything has changed in the meantime -
just because it is gold does not make it better.

73,
Don W3FPR

Ken Alexander wrote:
> I hope to be building a KPA100 myself in another month or so. How does one distinguish a good quality IC socket from a less-than-good one? Is there something apparent to the naked eye?
>
> Thanks and 73,
>
> Ken
>
>
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Matt Palmer-4

Re: KPA100

Don,

Gold embrittlement is still a problem, and we have a chem egr dept
that spends a great deal of their time analyzing gold plated parts to
determine if we need to either slim down the gold plate or possible
dip the IC's to avoid these issues.

Matt
W8ESE
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