> Eric Grabowski <ejgrabow...@...> wrote: >> I'm not sure about the MSR2000 ... Motorola uses > multi-layer PC boards in most of their radios. > > Yep, they do in the newer ones, especially the portables. > I've had experience with 4 and 6 layer boards but this one > looks to be just a plain vanilla 2 layer board.
The VHF MSR-2000 CD PA PC Board is a 2 layer board. > > Wattage is of less importance than tip temperature and size. > I tend to agree but for soldering/desoldering components > to/from large groundplanes wattage does come into play. Well... not really. You need enough wattage to heat the right size tip. A large tip 35/40 watt iron can be kind of a popcorn fart. Like formatting an old MFM Hard Drive, you'd better have some serious extra wait time available. > Personally, I've found that I get better results using > a little hotter iron for a shorter period of time. The > joints look better and the components stay cooler than > if I had used a cooler iron for a longer time. Depends on technique... but fast and hot (enough) on/off soldering (& removal) should work pretty well. Others have good luck with the "grill and kill" sometimes excessive time-on the PC Board soldering technique. > YMMV. I think I may have first heard about this > technique from building Heathkits back in the day. > Also, I believe Skipp mentioned this technique in one > of his responses (maybe not on this particular thread > though). This is the only thread I've replied to... :-) > > Skipp wrote: > > Yes (Motorola used a higher temperature solder on > > the MSR2000 units) > > Well, ok then. Since I've got a few more MSR2000 receiver > and exciter boards to fix, I guess I'll start hunting > for a tool more suitable for the job, i.e., one with a > higher temperature and more mass. Thanks to all who responded. > 73 and aloha, Eric KH6CQ Cheers Eric, I can use the same large vintage iron for different types of solder and temps if contamination (purity) of the solder is not an issue. It doesn't have to be excessive in size, "just enough, for the city". s.
