[Elecraft] Socket IC's
Hello All , I have K1 1850 up and running and a K2 in the box to assemble when time permits. When assembling the K1 several IC's were soldered directly to the RF board. When I build the K2 , Is there a reason for not using an IC socket soldered to the various boards rather than direct soldering an IC to the boards ? It seems logical that for future upgrades and component replacements a socket would make more sense. Anyone building a K2 use IC sockets ? Tnx Glenn K5ZE ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft You must subscribe to post. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, Unsub etc): http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Socket IC's
Glenn Haffly wrote: Is there a reason for not using an IC socket soldered to the various boards rather than direct soldering an IC to the boards ? Glenn, IC sockets are generally appropriate only for ICs containing firmware which may need upgrading. For almost all other situations, the use of IC sockets is a bad, obsolete, and very poor-engineering practice that can do nothing but reduce unit reliability and performance. Most importantly, Elecraft wisely discourages this practice and has officially stated that performance problems due to the use of IC sockets that were not specified in Elecraft's design will **NOT** be covered by warranty. The last sentence says it all. 73, Mike / KK5F ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft You must subscribe to post. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, Unsub etc): http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Socket IC's
Hi This question comes up from time to time with new builders. You should not use sockets except where Elecraft provides them. The use of sockets in RF circuits will add capacitance and/or inductance and may cause the circuits performance to degrade. None of the mods to date have required removal of an IC except for the firmware upgrades and those IC are already in sockets. Sockets also add height to the part and may cause clearance problems when the boards are assembled or an option is added at a later date. Lastly a part installed in a socket is less reliable than a properly soldered part. Bottom line don't waste you time and money. Build your K2 exactly as the manual describes. I have built 14 K2's and never used any sockets other than the ones supplied. Don Brown KD5NDB - Original Message - From: Glenn Hafflymailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To: elecraft@mailman.qth.netmailto:elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Tuesday, June 15, 2004 5:26 PM Subject: [Elecraft] Socket IC's Hello All , I have K1 1850 up and running and a K2 in the box to assemble when time permits. When assembling the K1 several IC's were soldered directly to the RF board. When I build the K2 , Is there a reason for not using an IC socket soldered to the various boards rather than direct soldering an IC to the boards ? It seems logical that for future upgrades and component replacements a socket would make more sense. Anyone building a K2 use IC sockets ? Tnx Glenn K5ZE ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.netmailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecrafthttp://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft You must subscribe to post. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, Unsub etc): http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htmhttp://mailman.qth.net/subscribershtm Elecraft page: http://www.elecraft.comhttp://www.elecraft.com/ ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft You must subscribe to post. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, Unsub etc): http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Socket IC's
Sigh... On Jun 15, 2004, at 3:26 PM, Glenn Haffly wrote: Hello All , I have K1 1850 up and running and a K2 in the box to assemble when time permits. When assembling the K1 several IC's were soldered directly to the RF board. When I build the K2 , Is there a reason for not using an IC socket soldered to the various boards rather than direct soldering an IC to the boards ? It seems logical that for future upgrades and component replacements a socket would make more sense. Anyone building a K2 use IC sockets ? Yes. Several very good ones. 1) Sockets are mechanical devices and will fail over time mostly due to oxidation. 2) Sockets add inductance and / or capacitance to the circuits into which they are inserted, disturbing ICs which involve tuned circuits. This can lead to an inability to tune various parts of the radio. 3) Sockets add height to the ICs. Space inside the K2 is at a premium, especially vertical height. Many of the modifications and options make use of this vertical space. Socketing ICs may very well limit your ability to add these options or modifications. The ICs which would be changed for upgrades is pretty much limited to the microcontrollers. These are socketed to allow their replacement when upgrades are issued. Don't socket the other ICs unless you really want to regret it or are VERY handy with a desoldering tool... ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft You must subscribe to post. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, Unsub etc): http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Socket IC's
And don't forget the most important reason -- You haven't lived until you've removed the wrong 16 pin IC from the right spot on a PC board. (The first IC I installed was in the wrong place, and that's why I posted the same question as Glen) Tom WB2QDG K2 1103 -- One thing I don't like about this country is that everyone gets to have his own opinion on things! -Original Message- From: Glenn Haffly [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net elecraft@mailman.qth.net Date: Tuesday, June 15, 2004 5:49 PM Subject: [Elecraft] Socket IC's Hello All , I have K1 1850 up and running and a K2 in the box to assemble when time permits. When assembling the K1 several IC's were soldered directly to the RF board. When I build the K2 , Is there a reason for not using an IC socket soldered to the various boards rather than direct soldering an IC to the boards ? It seems logical that for future upgrades and component replacements a socket would make more sense. Anyone building a K2 use IC sockets ? Tnx Glenn K5ZE ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft You must subscribe to post. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, Unsub etc): http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft You must subscribe to post. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, Unsub etc): http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft page: http://www.elecraft.com
