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KX1 construction questions

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Paul Huff

KX1 construction questions

Hello everybody,

My KX1 has just arrived and I am hoping to have construction completed in time
for good-weather field operations. Before I start building I would appreciate
any and all opinions on the following questions:

1. Elecraft recommends an ESD-safe temperature controlled soldering station. I
have a simple Radio Shack 25-watt soldering iron that I have successfully used
for all of my previous kits, including a TenTec Tkit 1320, Wilderness Radio
SST40, and an Elecraft K1. Have any of you built the KX1 with a similar iron or
is the upgrade really needed?

2. Elecraft also recommends flush-cutting diagonal cutters. I currently have a
pair of miniature cutters. They are not flush-cutting, but they can probably
get within 1/16”. Are the spacing tolerances that crucial?

3. I have never used a conductive wrist strap on my other projects and have
done fine. Do I really need to wear one for the KX1?

4. If any of the above tools are really needed, do you have suggestions on
economical sources for purchasing them?

Thanks in advance for your input.

73
Paul – N8XMS

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Mike WA8BXN

Re: KX1 construction questions

I would especially recomment item 2. Things do get a bit close in there for
one. Great tool to have in general. Radio shack used to have a nice pair for
well under $10, I don't see them at their web site any more. Looks like it
may have been replaced by one that also strips wire for around $10, but its
hard to tell from the picture. A decent temperature controlled iron is in
general a very nice thing to have. What you have will probably work but if
you do a lot of experimenting and will be building other kits in the future,
you might want to get a new iron now rather than later.
73 - Mike WA8BXN

-------Original Message-------

From: Paul Huff
Date: 03/11/06 10:39:23
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] KX1 construction questions

Hello everybody,

My KX1 has just arrived and I am hoping to have construction completed in
time
for good-weather field operations. Before I start building I would
appreciate
any and all opinions on the following questions:

1. Elecraft recommends an ESD-safe temperature controlled soldering station.
I
have a simple Radio Shack 25-watt soldering iron that I have successfully
used
for all of my previous kits, including a TenTec Tkit 1320, Wilderness Radio
SST40, and an Elecraft K1. Have any of you built the KX1 with a similar iron
or
is the upgrade really needed?

2. Elecraft also recommends flush-cutting diagonal cutters. I currently have
a
pair of miniature cutters. They are not flush-cutting, but they can probably
get within 1/16. Are the spacing tolerances that crucial?

3. I have never used a conductive wrist strap on my other projects and have
done fine. Do I really need to wear one for the KX1?

4. If any of the above tools are really needed, do you have suggestions on
economical sources for purchasing them?

Thanks in advance for your input.

73
Paul N8XMS

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Don Wilhelm-3

RE: KX1 construction questions

In reply to this post by Paul Huff

Paul

Yes, for the KX1 get the flush cutters - I have found the Lufkin or Xcelite
170M in Home Depot for a good price - they are often packaged with a nice
set of needle-nose pliers and are relatively inexpensive.

When handling transistors (particularly MOSFETS) and ICs, you should be
using some type of ESD protection - and since the KX1 has the DDS SMD IC
already soldered to the board, you must take ESD precautions throughout the
build. If you do not use a wrist strap, work on an anti-static mat.

Be careful with a non-temp controlled iron - they have a tendency to
overheat, but if you are experienced and comfortable using the RS iron, you
can get the job done - just be careful and be aware of the possibility of
excess heat.

73,
Don W3FPR

> -----Original Message-----

>
> Hello everybody,
>
> My KX1 has just arrived and I am hoping to have construction
> completed in time
> for good-weather field operations. Before I start building I
> would appreciate
> any and all opinions on the following questions:
>
> 1. Elecraft recommends an ESD-safe temperature controlled
> soldering station. I
> have a simple Radio Shack 25-watt soldering iron that I have
> successfully used
> for all of my previous kits, including a TenTec Tkit 1320,
> Wilderness Radio
> SST40, and an Elecraft K1. Have any of you built the KX1 with a
> similar iron or
> is the upgrade really needed?
>
> 2. Elecraft also recommends flush-cutting diagonal cutters. I
> currently have a
> pair of miniature cutters. They are not flush-cutting, but they
> can probably
> get within 1/16”. Are the spacing tolerances that crucial?
>
> 3. I have never used a conductive wrist strap on my other
> projects and have
> done fine. Do I really need to wear one for the KX1?
>
> 4. If any of the above tools are really needed, do you have
> suggestions on
> economical sources for purchasing them?
>
> Thanks in advance for your input.
>
> 73
> Paul – N8XMS
>
>

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Ron D'Eau Claire-2

RE: KX1 construction questions

In reply to this post by Paul Huff

Paul, N8XMS wrote:

My KX1 has just arrived and I am hoping to have construction completed in
time for good-weather field operations. Before I start building I would
appreciate any and all opinions on the following questions:

1. Elecraft recommends an ESD-safe temperature controlled soldering
station. I have a simple Radio Shack 25-watt soldering iron that I have
successfully used for all of my previous kits, including a TenTec Tkit 1320,
Wilderness Radio SST40, and an Elecraft K1. Have any of you built the KX1
with a similar iron or is the upgrade really needed?

2. Elecraft also recommends flush-cutting diagonal cutters. I currently
have a pair of miniature cutters. They are not flush-cutting, but they can
probably get within 1/16". Are the spacing tolerances that crucial?

3. I have never used a conductive wrist strap on my other projects and have
done fine. Do I really need to wear one for the KX1?

4. If any of the above tools are really needed, do you have suggestions on
economical sources for purchasing them?

----------------------------------------------

The manuals are written to give the average builder a confident path to
success.

I've worked on boards more tender than that in the KX1 using a
butane-powered "Port-A-Sol" soldering iron that was hot enough I could also
mount SO-239 connectors, but it was out of necessity, not choice. If you are
good enough with your uncontrolled iron, you can get away with it. The
problem is that you only find out whether you are good enough by whether pcb
traces or pads come off the board stuck to the tip of your iron. It's a bit
late by then.

Consider the cost of a good set of tools compared to the cost of your kits:

A Hakko 936 ESD-safe soldering station is about $90.

A good wrist strap such as the Elenco is all of $5.

Nice Hakko flush cutters are a whole $11.

A good plunger-type desoldering tool is $20.

Those are prices from
http://www.tequipment.net/

I have no connection with Tequipment other than as a customer. Certainly,
there are many other sources. And sometimes all it takes is a little effort
with what you've got on hand. For example, I found myself needing a good set
of flush-cutters some years ago. I had lost mine - a natural consequence of
working on large ships every day. If I forgot to pick up a tool when I was
done, it'd be halfway to Singapore before I missed it. That day I had a
grinder nearby so I grabbed a pair of cheap Radio Shack diags I had around
for cutting stuff I didn't want to use my good tools on. I had noticed that,
in spite of chomping through a variety of things, the RS cutters were still
not nicked. So I used the grinder to sharpen them from the flat side,
working carefully to avoid going too far. I just ground them to a flat face
on that side. That was 10 years ago! They are still sharp and flat. Your
mileage may vary. RS may have accidentally gotten some good steel cutters
<G>. My point is that you can get a little creative and adapt what you have
on hand at times.

I am a strong believer in learning to use the tools I have on hand to their
best advantage. Still, that's no excuse for not using the proper tools for
the job. Using the proper tools leads to the proper state of mind when
working on gear. After all, as the wise old sage observed, "When all you
have is a hammer, everything starts to look like a nail."

Ron AC7AC

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Dave Sublette

Re: KX1 construction questions

With tongue firmly in cheek, let me offer the following advice ......
Just remember the motto of the Red Green Show, "Any tool can be the
right tool for the job." I have used the wrong tool for the job for so
many years that, now that I can afford to buy what is needed, I don't
know what the appropriate tool for the job is. It's a good thing to have
such an illustrious group to turn to for guidance. :-).

73,

Dave, K4To

Ron D'Eau Claire wrote:

> <SNIP>
> I am a strong believer in learning to use the tools I have on hand to their
> best advantage. Still, that's no excuse for not using the proper tools for
> the job. Using the proper tools leads to the proper state of mind when
> working on gear. After all, as the wise old sage observed, "When all you
> have is a hammer, everything starts to look like a nail."
>
> Ron AC7AC
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
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> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
>
>