--- Stan Rife <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I wonder who makes that station for them. > > Stan Rife > W5EWA > Houston, TX > K2 S/N 4216 > >
My guess is that it is a contract out of China. I don't think they are 'rebranded' from another manufacturer (although my knowledge of electronics tools and soldering stations is quite limited). I bought the R/S setup (ESD matt/wrist strap and Temp controlled iron) thinking - "It would be a good experiment for others who don't want to, or can't, acquire the higher end tools like Weller, etc". Since I know that they worked for me - I offer my little endorsement - but keep in mind that the soldering station might not be grounded by plugging it in - you should use an extra cord that does not come with either the station or the ESD matt & wrist strap. That cord was easily assembled with some simple wire and a couple banana plugs from R/S. I think I ran the soldering iron and wrist strap to the matt, and the matt to the ground plug on the outlet. Most of the time I ran the iron around 700 deg F. Although it's not really a bragging point - I was able to build the kit completely from resources I acquired at R/S (including a mini-screwdriver kit, flush cut diagonal cutters, needle nose pliers, forceps, solder, etc). They're not the best tools, but they worked - and they enabled me to put together the 'best' little radio. I built my K2 (#3421) and all of my options (KNB2, KAF2, KAT2, KSB2, KBT2, PLL stability kit, Dummy Load, 4:1 Balun) with this set up - and the only problem I had was non-ESD related (flakey PLL crystal started to go out after a few weeks). This is perhaps more of a testimony to the design of the kit than it is to the quality of the tools - but it can be done. ===== For those lurking... If you are on the fence wondering whether or not to build a K2 - wonder no longer. 90% of the requests for help you see here are from fewer than 10% of kit builders (should I dare say 3%?). The chances that you will really need help are low - and if you do need help - you'll get a reply very quickly from this group. For any new builder ... keep in mind the following: - If you don't know how to solder - practice on one of the mini-kits or a K1 - Inventory before you build - Use ESD safe procedures - Build when you are awake and alert - Check twice & Solder once - Make sure the K2 works before you start adding options Finally - have fun! This is one of the greatest little radios you'll ever build and own. 73, Daniel AA0NI > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Daniel Reynolds > Sent: Thursday, March 03, 2005 11:13 PM > To: George Cortez; [email protected] > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] RS solder station and ESD Equipment > > It's what I used for K2 #3421 almost two years ago. Both are ESD safe - just > have to use an extra wire with banana plugs betwen the matt and the > soldering > iron to get everything at the same potential. I have had no trouble at all > with > any of the ESD sensitive devices in my rig (although, I did have a flaky PLL > crystal). > > Daniel AA0NI > > --- George Cortez <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > Took a walk throrugh Radio shack today and they had a digital soldering > > station for about 69$ in stock > > also has a ESD set with mat and hand strap for 25$ (I bought this one) > > May be worth a look if you need the stuff now. > > > > George NE2I _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [email protected] 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
