A recent thread discussed a problem disassembling a MSR2000 continuous duty PA.
That triggers this query: Does anyone know if Motorola used a higher
temperature solder on the MSR2000 units?
My reason for asking is that this past weekend I had a hard time removing three
leaky electrolytic capacitors from a MSR2000 VHF receiver board. I ended up
using a 45 watt soldering pencil, which I only use for stubborn jobs, but even
it had a very hard time melting the solder on the positive leads and didn't do
anything for the leads soldered to ground. I've never experienced this before
on a PCB. In fact the 45 watt pencil usually works well on double-sided PCBs
with small to moderate groundplanes, although I'll be the first to admit that
it doesn't have enough heat to handle really massive groundplanes found on some
industrial PCBs.
I've replaced components on many a Micor and Mitrek mobile using my 15 and 20
watt soldering pencils without a problem, so this experience came as a complete
surprise. Any thoughts?
73 and aloha, Eric KH6CQ
