Socket IC's

[Glenn Haffly]

Hello All , I have K1 1850 up and running and a K2 in the box to assemble
when time permits.
When assembling the K1 several IC's were soldered directly to the RF board.
When I build the K2 , Is there a reason for not using an IC socket soldered
to the various
boards rather than direct soldering an IC to the boards ? It seems logical
that for future
upgrades and component replacements a socket would  make more sense. Anyone
building a K2 use IC sockets ?

Tnx Glenn
K5ZE

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[Don Brown-4]

Hi

This question comes up from time to time with new builders. You should not use sockets except where Elecraft provides them. The use of sockets in RF circuits will add capacitance and/or inductance and may cause the circuits performance to degrade. None of the mods to date have required removal of an IC except for the firmware upgrades and those IC are already in sockets. Sockets also add height to the part and may cause clearance problems when the boards are assembled or an option is added at a later date. Lastly a part installed in a socket is less reliable than a properly soldered part. Bottom line don't waste you time and money. Build your K2 exactly as the manual describes. I have built 14 K2's and never used any sockets other than the ones supplied.

Don Brown
KD5NDB
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Glenn Haffly<mailto:[hidden email]>
  To: [hidden email]<mailto:[hidden email]>
  Sent: Tuesday, June 15, 2004 5:26 PM
  Subject: [Elecraft] Socket IC's


  Hello All , I have K1 1850 up and running and a K2 in the box to assemble
  when time permits.
  When assembling the K1 several IC's were soldered directly to the RF board.
  When I build the K2 , Is there a reason for not using an IC socket soldered
  to the various
  boards rather than direct soldering an IC to the boards ? It seems logical
  that for future
  upgrades and component replacements a socket would  make more sense. Anyone
  building a K2 use IC sockets ?

  Tnx Glenn
  K5ZE

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[Jack Brindle]

Sigh...

On Jun 15, 2004, at 3:26 PM, Glenn Haffly wrote:

> Hello All , I have K1 1850 up and running and a K2 in the box to
> assemble
> when time permits.
> When assembling the K1 several IC's were soldered directly to the RF
> board.
> When I build the K2 , Is there a reason for not using an IC socket
> soldered
> to the various
> boards rather than direct soldering an IC to the boards ? It seems
> logical
> that for future
> upgrades and component replacements a socket would  make more sense.
> Anyone
> building a K2 use IC sockets ?

Yes. Several very good ones.
1) Sockets are mechanical devices and will fail over time mostly due to
oxidation.
2) Sockets add inductance and / or capacitance to the circuits into
which they are inserted, disturbing ICs which involve tuned circuits.
This can lead to an inability to tune various parts of the radio.
3) Sockets add height to the ICs. Space inside the K2 is at a premium,
especially vertical height. Many of the modifications and options make
use of this vertical space. Socketing ICs may very well limit your
ability to add these options or modifications.

The ICs which would be changed for upgrades is pretty much limited to
the microcontrollers. These are socketed to allow their replacement
when upgrades are issued. Don't socket the other ICs unless you really
want to regret it or are VERY handy with a desoldering tool...

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[Mike Morrow-3]

Glenn Haffly wrote:

> Is there a reason for not using an IC socket soldered to the
> various boards rather than direct soldering an IC to the boards ?

Glenn,

IC sockets are generally appropriate only for ICs containing firmware which may need upgrading.  For almost all other situations, the use of IC sockets is a bad, obsolete, and very poor-engineering practice that can do nothing but reduce unit reliability and performance.

Most importantly, Elecraft wisely discourages this practice and has officially stated that performance problems due to the use of IC sockets that were not specified in Elecraft's design will **NOT** be covered by warranty.

The last sentence says it all.

73,
Mike / KK5F
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[Tom Mc]

And don't forget the most important reason -- You haven't lived until you've
removed the wrong 16 pin IC from the right spot on a PC board.

(The first IC I installed was in the wrong place, and that's why I posted
the same question as Glen)

Tom     WB2QDG
K2 1103




----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------
One thing I don't like about this country is that everyone gets to have his
own opinion on things!
-----Original Message-----
From: Glenn Haffly <[hidden email]>
To: [hidden email] <[hidden email]>
Date: Tuesday, June 15, 2004 5:49 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] Socket IC's


Hello All , I have K1 1850 up and running and a K2 in the box to assemble
when time permits.
When assembling the K1 several IC's were soldered directly to the RF board.
When I build the K2 , Is there a reason for not using an IC socket soldered
to the various
boards rather than direct soldering an IC to the boards ? It seems logical
that for future
upgrades and component replacements a socket would  make more sense. Anyone
building a K2 use IC sockets ?

Tnx Glenn
K5ZE

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