[Elecraft] Elecraft CW Net Report

[kevin]

Good Evening,

   QSB was slow and deep.  S2 to S9 for some of you.  The forty meter 
net had a lot of competition.  A few RTTY stations drifted through and a 
few tuners.  But signals were good enough.  I am glad the power remained 
on through both nets.  It has been on for more than 24 hours.  I reset 
the clock on the microwave so I have faith.  The temperature is going 
up, now the snow shedding is continuous, and loud.  A few more hours of 
this and the power lines will be safe again.



  On 14050.5 kHz at 2300z:

NO8V - John - MI

W0CZ - Ken - ND

K6XK - Roy - IA

K0DTJ - Brian - CA


  On 7047.5 kHz at 0024z:

K0DTJ - Brian - CA

K7TXA - Jim - ID

K6PJV - Dale - CA

W0CZ - Ken - ND



Until next week 73,

   Kevin.  KD5ONS



-


I believe in evidence.  I believe in observation, measurement, and 
reasoning, confirmed by independent observers.  I’ll believe anything, 
no matter how wild and ridiculous, if there is evidence for it.  The 
wilder and more ridiculous something is, however, the firmer and more 
solid the evidence will have to be.  -  Isaac Asimov




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Re: [Elecraft] Problem with KAT500 firmware v. 2.05

[Andy Durbin]

"for my antennas, the new version found better matches than 1.75"

I realize now that could have been misunderstood.  I intended - the new 
firmware version found better matches than firmware version 1.75.

Anyway, good to hear that Dick is investigating.  We had exchanged several 
emails on the problem of finding false matches.  It's an interesting problem, 
particularly with an insensitive reflected power detector and an exciter that 
folds back when mismatched.

Andy, k3wyc
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Re: [Elecraft] KXPA-at Sold

[Johnny Matlock]

Thank you it’s sold --
Check out the 4SQRP website at 4sqrp.com
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[Elecraft] KPA1500 does not power up - FAULT 5V SUPPLY

[wa3afs]

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Re: [Elecraft] Problem with KAT500 firmware v. 2.05

[Jim Brown]

On 1/2/2022 9:46 AM, Bart Campbell wrote:

Any ideas?


Where is it resonant? How high? What feedline?

73, Jim K9YC
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[Elecraft] For sale KXPA-100-AT

[Johnny Matlock]

I have a KXPA 100-at that works like it should. I upgraded to a K3-100.
$1100.00 shipped with insurance.
Pay pal is ok.
Pictures on request.
Thanks
Johnny ACØBQ
jomatl...@gmail.com
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[Elecraft] P3 for sale

[Johnny Matlock]

I have a extra clean p3 for sale.
I comes with the cables and the manual.
Pictures on request.
jomatl...@gmail.com
$800.00 shipped with insurance.
Pay pal is preferred.
Thanks
Johnny ACØBQ
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Re: [Elecraft] Problem with KAT500 firmware v. 2.05

[Bart Campbell]

Hi Andy,

Thanks for your interest.  Just FYI, Dick, K6KR, from Elecraft responded to
my initial email and is assisting me (on a Sunday during a holiday weekend
- one of the great things about Elecraft!).  He had me send him traces from
both versions of the firmware.  He has not had time to look at them yet in
great detail.

In the meantime, to answer your questions:

<< How does the KAT 500 fail to find a solution?  Does it give a "no match
fault" or does it end the search with a solution that is not satisfactory?
>>

It churns through its routine and does not end with a satisfactory
solution.  While running the traces for Dick, I noticed that it *will* find
a good solution but when it ends the tuning routine it is at a solution
that leaves it with a high SWR.  By carefully watching the values displayed
in the utility, I can manually enter the values displayed at the lowest SWR
and fix the problem for a given frequency range.  At Dick's suggestion, I
have done this for every frequency range on 80 meters and had the tuner
memorize them.  Let me tell you, this takes patience and concentration.  :)

So, I have a workaround for now and hopefully K6KR will be able to diagnose
the problem from the traces I sent him.

<< What power are you running for autotune?  Do you see a different result
if you increase power? >>
25 watts, and no.

Thanks again for your interest.

Bart, NS4X




On Sun, Jan 2, 2022 at 6:08 PM Andy Durbin  wrote:

> "I upgraded one of my KAT500 tuners to firmware version 2.05.  I had
> already upgraded the KAT500 utility to the current version, so no issues
> there. After the upgrade, the KAT500 is unable to find a tuning solution on
> my 80 meter dipole."
>
> How does the KAT 500 fail to find a solution?  Does it give a "no match
> fault" or does it end the search with a solution that is not satisfactory?
>
> What power are you running for autotune?  Do you see a different result if
> you increase power?
>
> I won't be able to fix your problem but I am very interested in the
> details as I spent many hours testing alpha loads and, for my antennas, the
> new version found better matches than 1.75 and never failed with no match
> found.
>
> It's unfortunate that more people didn't try the beta while the firmware
> was still open for development.
>
> Andy, k3wyc
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[Elecraft] Problem with KAT500 firmware v. 2.05

[Andy Durbin]

"I upgraded one of my KAT500 tuners to firmware version 2.05.  I had already 
upgraded the KAT500 utility to the current version, so no issues there. After 
the upgrade, the KAT500 is unable to find a tuning solution on my 80 meter 
dipole."

How does the KAT 500 fail to find a solution?  Does it give a "no match fault" 
or does it end the search with a solution that is not satisfactory?

What power are you running for autotune?  Do you see a different result if you 
increase power?

I won't be able to fix your problem but I am very interested in the details as 
I spent many hours testing alpha loads and, for my antennas, the new version 
found better matches than 1.75 and never failed with no match found.

It's unfortunate that more people didn't try the beta while the firmware was 
still open for development.

Andy, k3wyc
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Re: [Elecraft] [POSSIBLE SPAM] Re: Cleaning solder flux

[Alan Bloom]

There are some components that can be damaged by water and/or cleaning 
detergent.  For example, you may need to re-lubricate the bearings of 
variable capacitors and other components with moving parts.


If water gets inside a power transformer it can be hard to dry it out.  
A method some use is to power up the transformer with low voltage, 
perhaps from a variable-voltage (Variac) transformer.  Make sure the 
power transformer has a big enough load to cause some self-heating 
(perhaps the filaments of the equipment that the transformer is 
powering) and leave it for a few days to dry out before applying full 
voltage.  Place the equipment in a safe spot (concrete floor) and make 
sure it is well-fused in case a short does occur.


Alan N1AL


On 1/2/2022 12:20 PM, Fred Jensen wrote:
My S-Line acquired some tropical fungus that lived in the IF cans and 
would creep out onto the chassis in fuzzy little splotches.  I found 
that a trip to the DIY car wash followed by a hair dryer worked 
wonders.  Never seemed to bother the operation or calibration of the 
RX and TX either.


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Re: [Elecraft] [POSSIBLE SPAM] Re: Cleaning solder flux

[Fred Jensen]

My S-Line acquired some tropical fungus that lived in the IF cans and 
would creep out onto the chassis in fuzzy little splotches.  I found 
that a trip to the DIY car wash followed by a hair dryer worked 
wonders.  Never seemed to bother the operation or calibration of the RX 
and TX either.


73,

Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW
Sparks NV DM09dn
Washoe County

Dr. William J. Schmidt wrote on 1/2/2022 7:10 AM:

On the subject of using water on electrical components... most components 
(particularly if they might be mil spec) are made for water emersion (NOT 
ALL!).  In my office lab we routinely clean circuit boards by scrubbing them 
with just water and force-drying them.  Works fine.  About a decade ago, I used 
to buy up surplus AM/ broadcast band transmitters for repurposing to other 
countries (mainly south America) for the Christian broadcasting markets.  Once 
back at my shop, the first stop was a good through power washing in the 
driveway (paper and other water damaged goods removed of course) followed by a 
good drying (leaf blower).  Works fine!


Dr. William J. Schmidt - K9HZ J68HZ 8P6HK ZF2HZ PJ4/K9HZ VP5/K9HZ PJ2/K9HZ 
VP2EHZ






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Re: [Elecraft] Cleaning solder flux

[Alan Bloom]

I believe that water-soluble flux does indeed need to be washed off to 
prevent corrosion.  That's what HP used (probably still uses) on 
production PC boards.


However, RA (rosin activated) or RMA (rosin mildly-activated) fluxes 
that are used in repair and rework (or homebrew projects) may be left in 
place.  They only need to be removed for cosmetic purposes. In fact, 
attempting to remove the flux with alcohol or another solvent can 
actually cause problems if the removal process is not complete.


Alan N1AL


On 1/2/2022 11:16 AM, Ray wrote:

I worked at a large Computer Company in Cupertino, and we used Water Soluble 
Flux,
Then washed the Boards in a Dishwasher, with Water.
Open Air Drying to keep water from Wicking into any Parts.

Ray WA6VAB  Engineering.  K3



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Re: [Elecraft] Problem with KAT500 firmware v. 2.05

[Wes]

I have had issues with the new FW not finding solutions as well.  I haven't 
really investigated beyond discovering that the input attenuator is not the same 
topography as the schematic and the resistor value isn't either.  I don't know 
whether this is a component failure or not.  On a band or two I've done a better 
job matching manually with the utility program than the tuner algorithm does.  
Don't ask for particulars, I did this in the heat of battle and didn't document 
anything. I may just roll back the FW, even though I too am using a Kenwood.


Wes  N7WS


 On 1/2/2022 10:46 AM, Bart Campbell wrote:

I upgraded one of my KAT500 tuners to firmware version 2.05.  I had already
upgraded the KAT500 utility to the current version, so no issues there.
After the upgrade, the KAT500 is unable to find a tuning solution on my 80
meter dipole.  My first thought was that there was an issue with the
dipole, but I checked it with an AA-230 antenna analyzer and there was no
change from previous measurements.  I then switched the upgraded KAT500
with another KAT500 that I have which was running firmware version 1.75.
It found a tuning solution on the dipole just fine, as has always been the
case with the first KAT500 prior to the firmware upgrade.  So, I
"downgraded" the updated KAT500 to firmware version 1.75 and it once again
was able to easily find a tuning solution for the 80 meter dipole.  It
seems that something in the tuning algorithm was changed in the latest
firmware that affects the tuner's ability to find a tuning solution on 80
meters (I did not notice this issue on other bands after I updated the
firmware, but I concentrated my troubleshooting on the 80 meter dipole).

Any ideas?  I really want to use the latest firmware to take advantage of
the capability to accept transceiver TX frequency messages in Kenwood
format.

Bart, NS4X
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Re: [Elecraft] Cleaning solder flux

[Ray]

I worked at a large Computer Company in Cupertino, and we used Water Soluble 
Flux,
Then washed the Boards in a Dishwasher, with Water.
Open Air Drying to keep water from Wicking into any Parts.

Ray WA6VAB  Engineering.  K3 



From: Hal Massey
Sent: Sunday, January 2, 2022 9:11 AM
To: Jim Bruce
Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Cleaning solder flux

In an SMT production facility that was in the home city of Elecraft 
(Watsonville, CA) we went to aqueous wash very early on. I was on the design 
engineering side in Cupertino, CA but I can probably connect with some of those 
Manufacturing Engineers. I remember it well because the design side had to 
select components that would allow for this.  This was the former Tandem 
Computers, Inc. manufacturing line. The company’s president and founder was 
Jimmy Treybig- W6JKV. 

> On Jan 2, 2022, at 9:47 AM, Jim Bruce  wrote:
> 
> In all of the places I worked beginning with the Air Force we used
> isopropyl alcohol to remove flux from repairs on boards with the exception
> of one. At I believe General Radio(GenRad) in Rockville, Md we used banana
> oil for flux removal.
> 
> Has anyone else used something other than alcohol??
> 
> Jim/W3FA
> 
> On Sun, Jan 2, 2022, 10:13 Dr. William J. Schmidt 
> wrote:
> 
>> During my under-graduate and graduate school careers, I worked at
>> Honeywell's circuit board fabrication shop for about a year and a half.  We
>> had two machines in the shop that dealt with flux: a reflow machine and a
>> parts set machine.  The reflow machine was used to reflow the solder after
>> plating so that it looked shiny.  The board was emersed in a 601-type flux,
>> heated to about 425F, cooled down, and then scrubbed (brushed) with
>> Isopropanol alcohol three times (stages) with a water rinse and force-air
>> dried (all automagically).  The solder was beautiful and shiny at the end
>> of
>> this process.  The parts-setting machine was similar... the whole
>> (pre-reflowed) board was fluxed, the parts set, heated, and then cleaned.
>> All fluxes come off with Isopropanol alcohol (remember IPA is polar like
>> water and works that way).
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Fluxes come in various forms... some are more corrosive and some not... so
>> you should follow the directions (right off the website).  Rosin can remain
>> on a board, but also can be problematic because it can collect debris (dust
>> and other unwanted materials) because its plastic (flows at room
>> temperature) sticky.  Many of the water-soluble fluxes are more acidic, and
>> will tarnish the solder joints if not removed.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> On the subject of using water on electrical components... most components
>> (particularly if they might be mil spec) are made for water emersion (NOT
>> ALL!).  In my office lab we routinely clean circuit boards by scrubbing
>> them
>> with just water and force-drying them.  Works fine.  About a decade ago, I
>> used to buy up surplus AM/ broadcast band transmitters for repurposing to
>> other countries (mainly south America) for the Christian broadcasting
>> markets.  Once back at my shop, the first stop was a good through power
>> washing in the driveway (paper and other water damaged goods removed of
>> course) followed by a good drying (leaf blower).  Works fine!
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Dr. William J. Schmidt - K9HZ J68HZ 8P6HK ZF2HZ PJ4/K9HZ VP5/K9HZ PJ2/K9HZ
>> VP2EHZ
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> --
>> This email has been checked for viruses by AVG.
>> https://www.avg.com
>> __
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>> 
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[Elecraft] Problem with KAT500 firmware v. 2.05

[Bart Campbell]

I upgraded one of my KAT500 tuners to firmware version 2.05.  I had already
upgraded the KAT500 utility to the current version, so no issues there.
After the upgrade, the KAT500 is unable to find a tuning solution on my 80
meter dipole.  My first thought was that there was an issue with the
dipole, but I checked it with an AA-230 antenna analyzer and there was no
change from previous measurements.  I then switched the upgraded KAT500
with another KAT500 that I have which was running firmware version 1.75.
It found a tuning solution on the dipole just fine, as has always been the
case with the first KAT500 prior to the firmware upgrade.  So, I
"downgraded" the updated KAT500 to firmware version 1.75 and it once again
was able to easily find a tuning solution for the 80 meter dipole.  It
seems that something in the tuning algorithm was changed in the latest
firmware that affects the tuner's ability to find a tuning solution on 80
meters (I did not notice this issue on other bands after I updated the
firmware, but I concentrated my troubleshooting on the 80 meter dipole).

Any ideas?  I really want to use the latest firmware to take advantage of
the capability to accept transceiver TX frequency messages in Kenwood
format.

Bart, NS4X
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Re: [Elecraft] Cleaning solder flux

[Hal Massey]

In an SMT production facility that was in the home city of Elecraft 
(Watsonville, CA) we went to aqueous wash very early on. I was on the design 
engineering side in Cupertino, CA but I can probably connect with some of those 
Manufacturing Engineers. I remember it well because the design side had to 
select components that would allow for this.  This was the former Tandem 
Computers, Inc. manufacturing line. The company’s president and founder was 
Jimmy Treybig- W6JKV. 

> On Jan 2, 2022, at 9:47 AM, Jim Bruce  wrote:
> 
> In all of the places I worked beginning with the Air Force we used
> isopropyl alcohol to remove flux from repairs on boards with the exception
> of one. At I believe General Radio(GenRad) in Rockville, Md we used banana
> oil for flux removal.
> 
> Has anyone else used something other than alcohol??
> 
> Jim/W3FA
> 
> On Sun, Jan 2, 2022, 10:13 Dr. William J. Schmidt 
> wrote:
> 
>> During my under-graduate and graduate school careers, I worked at
>> Honeywell's circuit board fabrication shop for about a year and a half.  We
>> had two machines in the shop that dealt with flux: a reflow machine and a
>> parts set machine.  The reflow machine was used to reflow the solder after
>> plating so that it looked shiny.  The board was emersed in a 601-type flux,
>> heated to about 425F, cooled down, and then scrubbed (brushed) with
>> Isopropanol alcohol three times (stages) with a water rinse and force-air
>> dried (all automagically).  The solder was beautiful and shiny at the end
>> of
>> this process.  The parts-setting machine was similar... the whole
>> (pre-reflowed) board was fluxed, the parts set, heated, and then cleaned.
>> All fluxes come off with Isopropanol alcohol (remember IPA is polar like
>> water and works that way).
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Fluxes come in various forms... some are more corrosive and some not... so
>> you should follow the directions (right off the website).  Rosin can remain
>> on a board, but also can be problematic because it can collect debris (dust
>> and other unwanted materials) because its plastic (flows at room
>> temperature) sticky.  Many of the water-soluble fluxes are more acidic, and
>> will tarnish the solder joints if not removed.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> On the subject of using water on electrical components... most components
>> (particularly if they might be mil spec) are made for water emersion (NOT
>> ALL!).  In my office lab we routinely clean circuit boards by scrubbing
>> them
>> with just water and force-drying them.  Works fine.  About a decade ago, I
>> used to buy up surplus AM/ broadcast band transmitters for repurposing to
>> other countries (mainly south America) for the Christian broadcasting
>> markets.  Once back at my shop, the first stop was a good through power
>> washing in the driveway (paper and other water damaged goods removed of
>> course) followed by a good drying (leaf blower).  Works fine!
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Dr. William J. Schmidt - K9HZ J68HZ 8P6HK ZF2HZ PJ4/K9HZ VP5/K9HZ PJ2/K9HZ
>> VP2EHZ
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> --
>> This email has been checked for viruses by AVG.
>> https://www.avg.com
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>> Message delivered to jimw...@gmail.com
>> 
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Re: [Elecraft] Cleaning solder flux

[Jim Bruce]

In all of the places I worked beginning with the Air Force we used
isopropyl alcohol to remove flux from repairs on boards with the exception
of one. At I believe General Radio(GenRad) in Rockville, Md we used banana
oil for flux removal.

Has anyone else used something other than alcohol??

Jim/W3FA

On Sun, Jan 2, 2022, 10:13 Dr. William J. Schmidt 
wrote:

> During my under-graduate and graduate school careers, I worked at
> Honeywell's circuit board fabrication shop for about a year and a half.  We
> had two machines in the shop that dealt with flux: a reflow machine and a
> parts set machine.  The reflow machine was used to reflow the solder after
> plating so that it looked shiny.  The board was emersed in a 601-type flux,
> heated to about 425F, cooled down, and then scrubbed (brushed) with
> Isopropanol alcohol three times (stages) with a water rinse and force-air
> dried (all automagically).  The solder was beautiful and shiny at the end
> of
> this process.  The parts-setting machine was similar... the whole
> (pre-reflowed) board was fluxed, the parts set, heated, and then cleaned.
> All fluxes come off with Isopropanol alcohol (remember IPA is polar like
> water and works that way).
>
>
>
> Fluxes come in various forms... some are more corrosive and some not... so
> you should follow the directions (right off the website).  Rosin can remain
> on a board, but also can be problematic because it can collect debris (dust
> and other unwanted materials) because its plastic (flows at room
> temperature) sticky.  Many of the water-soluble fluxes are more acidic, and
> will tarnish the solder joints if not removed.
>
>
>
> On the subject of using water on electrical components... most components
> (particularly if they might be mil spec) are made for water emersion (NOT
> ALL!).  In my office lab we routinely clean circuit boards by scrubbing
> them
> with just water and force-drying them.  Works fine.  About a decade ago, I
> used to buy up surplus AM/ broadcast band transmitters for repurposing to
> other countries (mainly south America) for the Christian broadcasting
> markets.  Once back at my shop, the first stop was a good through power
> washing in the driveway (paper and other water damaged goods removed of
> course) followed by a good drying (leaf blower).  Works fine!
>
>
>
>
>
> Dr. William J. Schmidt - K9HZ J68HZ 8P6HK ZF2HZ PJ4/K9HZ VP5/K9HZ PJ2/K9HZ
> VP2EHZ
>
>
>
>
>
> --
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Re: [Elecraft] Cleaning solder flux

[Larry (K8UT)]

Kester now sells a line of "No Clean" solder that leaves less residue 
than traditional products. It's not perfect (a Q-Tip and alcohol is 
better) but it's good enough for most work.


-larry (K8UT)

-- Original Message --
From: "Dr. William J. Schmidt" 
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Sent: 2022-01-02 10:12:08
Subject: [Elecraft] Cleaning solder flux


During my under-graduate and graduate school careers, I worked at
Honeywell's circuit board fabrication shop for about a year and a half.  We
had two machines in the shop that dealt with flux: a reflow machine and a
parts set machine.  The reflow machine was used to reflow the solder after
plating so that it looked shiny.  The board was emersed in a 601-type flux,
heated to about 425F, cooled down, and then scrubbed (brushed) with
Isopropanol alcohol three times (stages) with a water rinse and force-air
dried (all automagically).  The solder was beautiful and shiny at the end of
this process.  The parts-setting machine was similar... the whole
(pre-reflowed) board was fluxed, the parts set, heated, and then cleaned.
All fluxes come off with Isopropanol alcohol (remember IPA is polar like
water and works that way).



Fluxes come in various forms... some are more corrosive and some not... so
you should follow the directions (right off the website).  Rosin can remain
on a board, but also can be problematic because it can collect debris (dust
and other unwanted materials) because its plastic (flows at room
temperature) sticky.  Many of the water-soluble fluxes are more acidic, and
will tarnish the solder joints if not removed.



On the subject of using water on electrical components... most components
(particularly if they might be mil spec) are made for water emersion (NOT
ALL!).  In my office lab we routinely clean circuit boards by scrubbing them
with just water and force-drying them.  Works fine.  About a decade ago, I
used to buy up surplus AM/ broadcast band transmitters for repurposing to
other countries (mainly south America) for the Christian broadcasting
markets.  Once back at my shop, the first stop was a good through power
washing in the driveway (paper and other water damaged goods removed of
course) followed by a good drying (leaf blower).  Works fine!





Dr. William J. Schmidt - K9HZ J68HZ 8P6HK ZF2HZ PJ4/K9HZ VP5/K9HZ PJ2/K9HZ
VP2EHZ





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Re: [Elecraft] Cleaning solder flux

[AL7CR]

Moderator save us … PLEASE

On Sun, Jan 2, 2022, at 7:12 AM, Dr. William J. Schmidt wrote:
> During my under-graduate and graduate school careers, I worked at
> Honeywell's circuit board fabrication shop for about a year and a half.  We
> had two machines in the shop that dealt with flux: a reflow machine and a
> parts set machine.  The reflow machine was used to reflow the solder after
> plating so that it looked shiny.  The board was emersed in a 601-type flux,
> heated to about 425F, cooled down, and then scrubbed (brushed) with
> Isopropanol alcohol three times (stages) with a water rinse and force-air
> dried (all automagically).  The solder was beautiful and shiny at the end of
> this process.  The parts-setting machine was similar... the whole
> (pre-reflowed) board was fluxed, the parts set, heated, and then cleaned.
> All fluxes come off with Isopropanol alcohol (remember IPA is polar like
> water and works that way).
>
> 
>
> Fluxes come in various forms... some are more corrosive and some not... so
> you should follow the directions (right off the website).  Rosin can remain
> on a board, but also can be problematic because it can collect debris (dust
> and other unwanted materials) because its plastic (flows at room
> temperature) sticky.  Many of the water-soluble fluxes are more acidic, and
> will tarnish the solder joints if not removed.
>
> 
>
> On the subject of using water on electrical components... most components
> (particularly if they might be mil spec) are made for water emersion (NOT
> ALL!).  In my office lab we routinely clean circuit boards by scrubbing them
> with just water and force-drying them.  Works fine.  About a decade ago, I
> used to buy up surplus AM/ broadcast band transmitters for repurposing to
> other countries (mainly south America) for the Christian broadcasting
> markets.  Once back at my shop, the first stop was a good through power
> washing in the driveway (paper and other water damaged goods removed of
> course) followed by a good drying (leaf blower).  Works fine!
>
> 
>
> 
>
> Dr. William J. Schmidt - K9HZ J68HZ 8P6HK ZF2HZ PJ4/K9HZ VP5/K9HZ PJ2/K9HZ
> VP2EHZ
>
> 
>
>
>
> -- 
> This email has been checked for viruses by AVG.
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Re: [Elecraft] Cleaning solder flux

[jerry]

On 2022-01-02 07:12, Dr. William J. Schmidt wrote:

 About a decade ago, I
used to buy up surplus AM/ broadcast band transmitters for repurposing 
to

other countries (mainly south America) for the Christian broadcasting
markets.  Once back at my shop, the first stop was a good through power
washing in the driveway (paper and other water damaged goods removed of
course) followed by a good drying (leaf blower).  Works fine!




*** I used to do this with old radios from the flea market.  As a first 
step
to restoration, I'd blast them with the garden hose.  Then I'd set them 
on top

of a big square room-ventilation fan for a few hours.

  A Heathkit DX-40 disabused me of that notion.  Water apparently got 
into the power transformer,

and when I started up the radio, it fried.

 - Jerry KF6VB









Dr. William J. Schmidt - K9HZ J68HZ 8P6HK ZF2HZ PJ4/K9HZ VP5/K9HZ 
PJ2/K9HZ

VP2EHZ

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[Elecraft] KPA1500 Fault: 5V Supply 0.0 Volts...back again this morning

[wa3afs]

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[Elecraft] Cleaning solder flux

[Dr. William J. Schmidt]

During my under-graduate and graduate school careers, I worked at
Honeywell's circuit board fabrication shop for about a year and a half.  We
had two machines in the shop that dealt with flux: a reflow machine and a
parts set machine.  The reflow machine was used to reflow the solder after
plating so that it looked shiny.  The board was emersed in a 601-type flux,
heated to about 425F, cooled down, and then scrubbed (brushed) with
Isopropanol alcohol three times (stages) with a water rinse and force-air
dried (all automagically).  The solder was beautiful and shiny at the end of
this process.  The parts-setting machine was similar... the whole
(pre-reflowed) board was fluxed, the parts set, heated, and then cleaned.
All fluxes come off with Isopropanol alcohol (remember IPA is polar like
water and works that way).

 

Fluxes come in various forms... some are more corrosive and some not... so
you should follow the directions (right off the website).  Rosin can remain
on a board, but also can be problematic because it can collect debris (dust
and other unwanted materials) because its plastic (flows at room
temperature) sticky.  Many of the water-soluble fluxes are more acidic, and
will tarnish the solder joints if not removed.

 

On the subject of using water on electrical components... most components
(particularly if they might be mil spec) are made for water emersion (NOT
ALL!).  In my office lab we routinely clean circuit boards by scrubbing them
with just water and force-drying them.  Works fine.  About a decade ago, I
used to buy up surplus AM/ broadcast band transmitters for repurposing to
other countries (mainly south America) for the Christian broadcasting
markets.  Once back at my shop, the first stop was a good through power
washing in the driveway (paper and other water damaged goods removed of
course) followed by a good drying (leaf blower).  Works fine!

 

 

Dr. William J. Schmidt - K9HZ J68HZ 8P6HK ZF2HZ PJ4/K9HZ VP5/K9HZ PJ2/K9HZ
VP2EHZ

 



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Re: [Elecraft] [POSSIBLE SPAM] Re: Cleaning solder flux

[Dr. William J. Schmidt]

During my under-graduate and graduate school careers, I worked at Honeywell's 
circuit board fabrication shop for about a year and a half.  We had two 
machines in the shop that dealt with flux: a reflow machine and a parts set 
machine.  The reflow machine was used to reflow the solder after plating so 
that it looked shiny.  The board was emersed in a 601-type flux, heated to 
about 425F, cooled down, and then scrubbed (brushed) with Isopropanol alcohol 
three times (stages) with a water rinse and force-air dried (all 
automagically).  The solder was beautiful and shiny at the end of this process. 
 The parts-setting machine was similar... the whole (pre-reflowed) board was 
fluxed, the parts set, heated, and then cleaned.  All fluxes come off with 
Isopropanol alcohol (remember IPA is polar like water and works that way).

Fluxes come in various forms... some are more corrosive and some not... so you 
should follow the directions (right off the website).  Rosin can remain on a 
board, but also can be problematic because it can collect debris (dust and 
other unwanted materials) because its plastic (flows at room temperature) 
sticky.  Many of the water-soluble fluxes are more acidic, and will tarnish the 
solder joints if not removed.

On the subject of using water on electrical components... most components 
(particularly if they might be mil spec) are made for water emersion (NOT 
ALL!).  In my office lab we routinely clean circuit boards by scrubbing them 
with just water and force-drying them.  Works fine.  About a decade ago, I used 
to buy up surplus AM/ broadcast band transmitters for repurposing to other 
countries (mainly south America) for the Christian broadcasting markets.  Once 
back at my shop, the first stop was a good through power washing in the 
driveway (paper and other water damaged goods removed of course) followed by a 
good drying (leaf blower).  Works fine!


Dr. William J. Schmidt - K9HZ J68HZ 8P6HK ZF2HZ PJ4/K9HZ VP5/K9HZ PJ2/K9HZ 
VP2EHZ

Owner - Operator
Big Signal Ranch – K9ZC
Staunton, Illinois

Owner – Operator
Villa Grand Piton – J68HZ
Soufriere, St. Lucia W.I.
Rent it: www.VillaGrandPiton.com
Like us on Facebook! 

Moderator – North American QRO Group at Groups.IO.

email:  b...@wjschmidt.com


-Original Message-
From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net  On 
Behalf Of eda...@aya.yale.edu
Sent: Saturday, January 1, 2022 10:36 PM
To: 'Mark Goldberg' 
Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: [POSSIBLE SPAM] Re: [Elecraft] Cleaning solder flux

Yes, that makes sense; though my focus was on Elecraft’s boards in their 
traditional kits.  For my very limited purpose the replies have told me enough 
and I am grateful for them all.

 

I am reminded nonetheless of a trope that’s popular in the kind of work I do, 
or did:  “If all the economists in the world were laid end to end, they would 
still not reach a conclusion.”

 

There’s a similar quote by Dorothy Parker, but I’ll leave that one for off-line.

 

Ted, KN1CBR

 

 

 

 

From: Mark Goldberg 
Sent: Saturday, January 1, 2022 9:24 PM
To: eda...@aya.yale.edu
Cc: Elecraft Mailing List 
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Cleaning solder flux

 

There is no clear consensus because there are many different fluxes, different 
use cases and different environmental conditions that the products will be 
expected to be used in. It would be useful to find out what the manufacturer of 
the particular flux used says to do. That is not sufficient, as the product 
requirements then come into play. If you really want to go off the deep end, 
get copies of IPC-A-610 and J-STD-001, which define how electronic assemblies 
should be built and inspected. Unfortunately, unless you have access through 
work or academia, they cost money. They also reference many other documents for 
specific aspects.

 

73,

 

Mark

W7MLG

 

On Sat, Jan 1, 2022 at 7:56 PM mailto:eda...@aya.yale.edu> > wrote:

My thanks to the many who replied.  The answer to my question - whether there 
is a consensus about how (or whether) to remove solder flux from PCBs
- is a clear no, there is no consensus.



But I learned a lot.  Tnx to all,



Ted, KN1CBR



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Re: [Elecraft] Output power being eaten

[Ed Cole]

There are situations when running a driver at it full output is 
desirable.  Or when running at very low output is not as stable.


Two examples:

I have a 6-dB 30w attenuator on the input of my 2m 1500w LDMOS Amp 
(MRF1K50H) which ensures that my 25w transverter will not overdrive the 
amp.  The attenuator is a small board with high power resistors obtained 
from W6PQL:

http://www.kl7uw.com/2M_W6PQL_1500W_PA.jpg

My 600w 1296 amp requires 10w drive and is 100-foot from the 
transverter.  The LMR600 line loss is 6-dB so I use a 3-dB chip 
attenuator to get a stable 1.5w drive into the 10w driver at the amp:

http://www.kl7uw.com/23cm_driver_1.jpg

That allows me to run my transverter at 12w in the shack (max output is 
18w).


Of course I am using a K3 with KXV3 to drive to my transverter (no 
overshoot).  No external ALC for the K3.


73, Ed - KL7UW
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