Craig NZ0R asked: "...what are the most common soldering problems? Could we head off errors by discussing them here or beefing up the material on the Elecraft Web site on this topic?"
--------------------- Based on what I've seen I'd say the most common soldering error is not soldering. Missing joints, especially in the PCB construction we use these days. A part can sit there in a plated hole for months, sometimes years, before the connection oxidizes enough to impact performance. I'd guess that Gary might opine that a more immediate problem with soldering it the dreaded PTTL (poorly-tinned toroid lead) that proves that a solder joint can firmly hold a wire and look just perfect - shiny and bright with solder that obviously flowed well - and still not make electrical connection to the wire if the wire still had enamel insulation covering it! Actually, such joints are visible if one knows what to look for. There will be a tiny dark ring around the wire where it exits the solder. It's easy to miss and usually requires a very strong magnifier for even the best of eyes to see. The ring is the circle of blackened enamel on the wire that has not been penetrated by the solder. Ron AC7AC _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net 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
