Paul Yes, for the KX1 get the flush cutters - I have found the Lufkin or Xcelite 170M in Home Depot for a good price - they are often packaged with a nice set of needle-nose pliers and are relatively inexpensive.
When handling transistors (particularly MOSFETS) and ICs, you should be using some type of ESD protection - and since the KX1 has the DDS SMD IC already soldered to the board, you must take ESD precautions throughout the build. If you do not use a wrist strap, work on an anti-static mat. Be careful with a non-temp controlled iron - they have a tendency to overheat, but if you are experienced and comfortable using the RS iron, you can get the job done - just be careful and be aware of the possibility of excess heat. 73, Don W3FPR > -----Original Message----- > > Hello everybody, > > My KX1 has just arrived and I am hoping to have construction > completed in time > for good-weather field operations. Before I start building I > would appreciate > any and all opinions on the following questions: > > 1. Elecraft recommends an ESD-safe temperature controlled > soldering station. I > have a simple Radio Shack 25-watt soldering iron that I have > successfully used > for all of my previous kits, including a TenTec Tkit 1320, > Wilderness Radio > SST40, and an Elecraft K1. Have any of you built the KX1 with a > similar iron or > is the upgrade really needed? > > 2. Elecraft also recommends flush-cutting diagonal cutters. I > currently have a > pair of miniature cutters. They are not flush-cutting, but they > can probably > get within 1/16”. Are the spacing tolerances that crucial? > > 3. I have never used a conductive wrist strap on my other > projects and have > done fine. Do I really need to wear one for the KX1? > > 4. If any of the above tools are really needed, do you have > suggestions on > economical sources for purchasing them? > > Thanks in advance for your input. > > 73 > Paul – N8XMS > > _______________________________________________ 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
