They're 0603 size, which is a *lot* easier to handle than 0403. But you'll still need tweezers and good eyesight (or what we fondly call a "Geezer Gazer").
If you have any doubts about your ability to tackle this mod, you might practice with some random SMD capacitors on scrap board, first. Or send your KBPF3 to us to add the new capacitors. Wayne N6KR On Jun 25, 2015, at 4:28 PM, Edward R Cole <[email protected]> wrote: > I believe Wayne stated the caps on the main board that require replacement > are 0403 sized sm "chips". > > If you have never done any sm work you will find them very difficult to > handle. I have built some boards that use that size and had to use a > magnifier to be able to see well enough to place them. You need a very fine > chisel-point solder iron and small jeweler's tweezers to handle them. Also > very small diameter solder. > > I would recommend you find a nearby ham that does this kind of work or maybe > a local two-way radio shop that does component level repair (though those are > becoming rare). In the end it may be better to send the radio into Elecraft > and have all the work done by them. Ham's in the lower-48 of the US this it > not that bad. For oversea's hams shipping and customs becomes a real > hassle/expense. > > I will make my own mods but I regularly build sm equipment and have the > necessary equipment. Saying that, 0403 are still very difficult for hand > replacement. > > 73, Ed - KL7UW > the kits I build use 0805 & 1206 chips. > > Message: 22 > Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2015 15:18:12 -0400 > From: <[email protected]> > To: "Wayne Burdick" <[email protected]> > Cc: [email protected] > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KBPF3A and KBPF3B > Message-ID: <541B0A7DEB164B95BA75735F144A7F86@ejhPC> > Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="UTF-8"; > reply-type=original > > I think I understand all this now. > One other question, please. Will it be possible to just send in the KBPF3 > from my K3 to be modified by Elecraft? not the whole K3? > I think I can handle installing the one cap on the RF board but never done > surface mounts. > Thank you 73 > Emory WM3M > > > > 73, Ed - KL7UW > http://www.kl7uw.com > "Kits made by KL7UW" > Dubus Mag business: > [email protected] > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:[email protected] > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to [email protected] ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [email protected]
