Another point worth making is that connectors and users "train" each other, so it all becomes easier with practice.
First-time assembly of multi-pole or TMP connectors may be a little difficult because of production tolerances. But once the pins have been successfully aligned with each other, they will connect much more easily in future. At the same time, the connector is training you - showing you how to line up the pins correctly, and how to recognize by look and feel when the connector has been correctly mated. And finally, don't forget "Rule 1 of Elecraft Assembly": Everything fits together *exactly*. If that doesn't seem to be the case, try repositioning the user. 73 from Ian GM3SEK >-----Original Message----- >From: Elecraft [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of >Guy Olinger K2AV >Sent: 20 October 2015 19:20 >To: Vic Rosenthal 4X6GP/K2VCO >Cc: [email protected] >Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 No Receive, No Transmit - SOLVED > >Vic has it correct. Thinking carefully about what I did, without ever >hurting my fingers: > >I gradually insert the TMP lightly with a back and forth twisting motion >and ALWAYS wiggle the connector a little until I feel the opening for the >center conductor. Then a slight bit more push after I'm sure the pin is in >the center. IMPORTANT and counter-intuitive: > > >===>>> Pushing hard on the TMP will frequently (always?) **NOT** force >the >pin into the center hole if the tip is even just a little misaligned. <<<=== > > >I think trying to force a misaligned center pin causes a lot of the finger >trauma and busted connector stuff. After correctly aligning the center pin >as above, seating the TMP is easy with the side of needle nose pliers held >flat across the flanges. > >A little tool would be nice. **But if the tip is misaligned,** the >increased pressure possible from the tool would just break more things. > >TMP connectors are a decent cost reduction if the folks using them are >educated to the technique. > >SMA connectors? A lot of things could be better if the K3(S) was >manufactured to MIL-Spec. But what would it cost? Currently Elecraft is >the >least expensive product still riding the bleeding edge of improvements in >our microscopic niche in the electronics world. We are capable of figuring >out and dealing with things like TMP connectors. > >Eight years later and Yakencom is just now catching up. They certainly did >not want to, but were thrashed so badly in technical head to head >comparisons they HAD to. Elecraft technology is singularly responsible for >forcing the greatest improvement in both analog SDR hybrid and pure SDR >ham >equipment across manufacturers. When JA1MP died, and the FT1000MP's >were >out, Yakencom just went to sitting on their collective b*tts, and >concentrated on fluff to sell more units. Nature abhors a vacuum, and >Elecraft appeared. > >These days one can't brag unless your rig is as good as a K3(S) in the tech >listings. And the legion of comparison-mongers out there will hit you on >every nit of difference on anything, CW keying shape, effectiveness of NB, >transmitting bandwidth, QSK, degree of overload in ridiculous >circumstances, yada, yada, you'll hear it about everything. Anyone sitting >on their laurels will be left in the dust. That "anyone" could potentially >include Elecraft. But thankfully Big E is still about doing things like a >vastly improved synthesizer and forever working on their firmware. > >Good luck everyone, and 73, >Guy K2AV. > >On Tuesday, October 20, 2015, Vic Rosenthal 4X6GP/K2VCO ><[email protected]> >wrote: > >> The TMP connectors are not that hard to insert, but the danger is that it >> is easy to apply too much force when they are not aligned properly, and >> damage the socket-board connection. You can lift the trace from the >board >> if you are not careful (yes, I learned this the hard way). >> >> The trick is to start them by hand and make absolutely sure the center pin >> is in its socket, and then push them all the way in with a tool like very >> small needle-nose pliers or forceps. >> >> >______________________________________________________________ >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]
