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What is the trick to soldering the one pin headers in the QCX kit? For multipin headers, I tack one end to hold the header in place, and then solder the other pins.
This doesn't work for single pin headers -- I can tack it, but it falls out when I subsequently do the final soldering. Any tips?
Steve N9SZ
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If I'm understanding the issue correctly, I hold single pins in place with a piece of Scotch Tape on the other side of the board.
Jack, W8TEE
From: Steve Zabarnick <zabarnick@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Saturday, January 13, 2018 3:11 PM
Subject: [QRPLabs] Soldering one pin headers
What is the trick to soldering the one pin headers in the QCX kit? For multipin headers, I tack one end to hold the header in place, and then solder the other pins.
This doesn't work for single pin headers -- I can tack it, but it falls out when I subsequently do the final soldering. Any tips?
Steve N9SZ
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Try a piece of tape on the circuit-side, holding the header in place.
From: Steve Zabarnick <zabarnick@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Saturday, January 13, 2018 4:11 PM
Subject: [QRPLabs] Soldering one pin headers
What is the trick to soldering the one pin headers in the QCX kit? For multipin headers, I tack one end to hold the header in place, and then solder the other pins.
This doesn't work for single pin headers -- I can tack it, but it falls out when I subsequently do the final soldering. Any tips?
Steve N9SZ
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I use the tape thing for resistors, sockets and such, I also use the thin? foam used to put ICs into as a padded cushion on tape to apply pressure to whatever is being soldered.?
Sent by me
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On Jan 13, 2018, at 3:19 PM, KP3FT via Groups.Io < kp3ft@...> wrote: Try a piece of tape on the circuit-side, holding the header in place.
What is the trick to soldering the one pin headers in the QCX kit? For multipin headers, I tack one end to hold the header in place, and then solder the other pins.
This doesn't work for single pin headers -- I can tack it, but it falls out when I subsequently do the final soldering. Any tips?
Steve N9SZ
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Blu-tack.
I don’t know what it’s called in America but I find it invaluable for holding components in place while assembling PCBs.
73 Keith G6NHU
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What is the trick to soldering the one pin headers in the QCX kit? For multipin headers, I tack one end to hold the header in place, and then solder the other pins.
This doesn't work for single pin headers -- I can tack it, but it falls out when I subsequently do the final soldering. Any tips?
Steve N9SZ
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I hold the pin in place with my finger while I solder the other end. It gets hot but only for an instant. You can put a bandaid on your thumb to help protect it from the heat if you like. Be careful with using standard tape on the circuit boards to hold things. A lot of these tapes can have very high static charges and could damage the ESD sensitive components. 73 Tim KB2MFS<div id="DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2"><br /> <table style="border-top: 1px solid #D3D4DE;"> <tr> <td style="width: 55px; padding-top: 13px;"><a href=" target="_blank"><img src=" https://ipmcdn.avast.com/images/icons/icon-envelope-tick-round-orange-animated-no-repeat-v1.gif"alt="" width="46" height="29" style="width: 46px; height: 29px;" /></a></td> <td style="width: 470px; padding-top: 12px; color: #41424e; font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Virus-free. <a href=" target="_blank" style="color: #4453ea;">www.avast.com</a> </td> </tr> </table><a href="#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2" width="1" height="1"></a></div>
On Sat, Jan 13, 2018 at 2:01 PM, Steve Zabarnick <zabarnick@...> wrote: What is the trick to soldering the one pin headers in the QCX kit? For
multipin headers, I tack one end to hold the header in place, and then
solder the other pins.
This doesn't work for single pin headers -- I can tack it, but it falls out
when I subsequently do the final soldering. Any tips?
Steve N9SZ
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Hi Steve This is one situation I’ve been considering myself after burning my finger doing one of them on my kit..
I ended up by making a small tool of wood, 4 matchsticks bound together with the pin header jammed in the middle.
Oh, and an assistant to hold the bundle steady while I soldered from the other side of the board.
Or I could have used just a pair of radio pliers with a rubber band around the handles to hold them closed, on to the pin header. ? ? I think the safest way is to move these three – single pin headers –forward in the procedure list to maybe the point where one has fitted the ceramic caps and crystals but before fitting the resistors, a new step 3.20-A.
Alternatively they could be fitted after all the resistors as these are of a similar height, making a new step 3.35-A.
The idea being that the pin headers protrude enough so that the PCB rests on them while they are soldered.
I intend trying this out on the next course of activity evenings when we get to put together a new series of QCX transceivers. It is probably the lowest tech solution. ? I’m uncertain as to which of these two would be the better, or if another opportunity can perhaps be found.
There are many great minds pondering these and other situations on this reflector, let’s open your question for more answers. ? ? Peter – LB0K ?
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From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Steve Zabarnick
Sent: 13 January 2018 21:02
To: [email protected]
Subject: [QRPLabs] Soldering one pin headers ? What is the trick to soldering the one pin headers in the QCX kit? For multipin headers, I tack one end to hold the header in place, and then solder the other pins.
This doesn't work for single pin headers -- I can tack it, but it falls out when I subsequently do the final soldering. Any tips?
Steve N9SZ
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Yep I do what Tim and Hans suggest as well. I can still see the burn mark on my finger end. Who cares the pin is perfectly vertical!!! I once grabbed the soldering iron without looking and got the wrong end. After that a small burn is nothing. 73 Roger G4IUP
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One should always consider static discharge with working with components. I'm lucky: My workshop is in the basement and I could run two cats together and never get a spark.
Jack, W8TEE
From: Tim and Janet <kb2mfs@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Saturday, January 13, 2018 3:38 PM
Subject: Re: [QRPLabs] Soldering one pin headers
I hold the pin in place with my finger while I solder the other end. It gets hot but only for an instant.? You can put a bandaid on your thumb to help protect it from the heat if you like.? Be careful with using standard tape on the circuit boards to hold things.? A lot of these tapes can have very high static charges and could damage the ESD sensitive components. 73 Tim KB2MFS<div id="DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2"><br /> <table style="border-top: 1px solid #D3D4DE;"> ??? <tr> ? ? ? ? <td style="width: 55px; padding-top: 13px;"><a href="" target="_blank"><img src=" https://ipmcdn.avast.com/images/icons/icon-envelope-tick-round-orange-animated-no-repeat-v1.gif" alt="" width="46" height="29" style="width: 46px; height: 29px;" /></a></td> ??? ??? <td style="width: 470px; padding-top: 12px; color: #41424e; font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Virus-free. <a href="" target="_blank" style="color: #4453ea;">www.avast.com</a> ??? ??? </td> ??? </tr> </table><a href="#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2" width="1" height="1"></a></div> On Sat, Jan 13, 2018 at 2:01 PM, Steve Zabarnick < zabarnick@...> wrote: > What is the trick to soldering the one pin headers in the QCX kit? For > multipin headers, I tack one end to hold the header in place, and then > solder the other pins. > > This doesn't work for single pin headers -- I can tack it, but it falls out > when I subsequently do the final soldering. Any tips? > > Steve N9SZ >
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It's called Blu Tack here too and it's available in some hobby stores. ?There are a number of similar things available that are basically the same thing as well.
W0EB
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On Jan 13, 2018, at 2:32 PM, Keith, G6NHU < nentecular@...> wrote: Blu-tack.
I don’t know what it’s called in America but I find it invaluable for holding components in place while assembling PCBs.
73 Keith G6NHU
What is the trick to soldering the one pin headers in the QCX kit? For multipin headers, I tack one end to hold the header in place, and then solder the other pins.
This doesn't work for single pin headers -- I can tack it, but it falls out when I subsequently do the final soldering. Any tips?
Steve N9SZ
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How do you hold the pin with your finger, while also manipulating the iron and solder?
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Place a small amount of solder in the hole, hold the pin with your finger and re melt the solder. Easy! 73 Roger G4IUP
On 13 Jan 2018 22:10, "Steve Zabarnick" < zabarnick@...> wrote: How do you hold the pin with your finger, while also manipulating the iron and solder?
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I like to use the small yellow roles of modeling tape for holding parts down while soldering.?
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Hold with finger, position solder on other side of PCB and move board / iron to touch solder.? Bit fiddly but works and toughens up finger too ;-)
73
David VK2JDR
On 14 January 2018 at 09:26, Guy N7BIR <sgbridge@...> wrote: I like to use the small yellow roles of modeling tape for holding parts down while soldering.?
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I've also used a rubber-band around the circuit board and stuffed something between the band and header or whatever component is being soldered.
From: David Rushworth <david.1.rushworth@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Saturday, January 13, 2018 6:46 PM
Subject: Re: [QRPLabs] Soldering one pin headers
Hold with finger, position solder on other side of PCB and move board / iron to touch solder.? Bit fiddly but works and toughens up finger too ;-)
73
David VK2JDR
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I stick the one pin in a female header and solder it that way. ?Then pull the header off.?
Dr.?William J. Schmidt - K9HZ J68HZ 8P6HK ZF2HZ PJ4/K9HZ VP5/K9HZ PJ2/K9HZ ? Owner - Operator Big Signal Ranch – K9ZC Staunton, Illinois ? Owner – Operator Villa Grand Piton - J68HZ Soufriere, St. Lucia W.I. Rent it:
email:??bill@... ?
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On Jan 13, 2018, at 2:01 PM, Steve Zabarnick < zabarnick@...> wrote: What is the trick to soldering the one pin headers in the QCX kit? For multipin headers, I tack one end to hold the header in place, and then solder the other pins.
This doesn't work for single pin headers -- I can tack it, but it falls out when I subsequently do the final soldering. Any tips?
Steve N9SZ
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Blue tack. It’s perfect for the job.?
It’s what I always use.?
Once in position, it helps to hold the PCB steady once the board is turned over when soldering.?
Easy to remove, cheap too. What more do you need.?
Keep it simple..!
All the best. James.?
On 14 Jan 2018, at 01:34, J68HZ < bill@...> wrote:
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I stick the one pin in a female header and solder it that way. ?Then pull the header off.?
Dr.?William J. Schmidt - K9HZ J68HZ 8P6HK ZF2HZ PJ4/K9HZ VP5/K9HZ PJ2/K9HZ
?
Owner - Operator
Big Signal Ranch – K9ZC
Staunton, Illinois
?
Owner – Operator
Villa Grand Piton - J68HZ
Soufriere, St. Lucia W.I.
Rent it:
email:??bill@...
?
On Jan 13, 2018, at 2:01 PM, Steve Zabarnick < zabarnick@...> wrote:
What is the trick to soldering the one pin headers in the QCX kit? For multipin headers, I tack one end to hold the header in place, and then solder the other pins.
This doesn't work for single pin headers -- I can tack it, but it falls out when I subsequently do the final soldering. Any tips?
Steve N9SZ
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Gm ? Blue-tack and a heated solder sucker are the two must important tools I have. ? Cheers ? Paul ? M0pnn ? ?
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From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of James Anderson
Sent: 14 January 2018 08:16
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [QRPLabs] Soldering one pin headers? Blue tack. It’s perfect for the job.? Once in position, it helps to hold the PCB steady once the board is turned over when soldering.? Easy to remove, cheap too. What more do you need.?
On 14 Jan 2018, at 01:34, J68HZ <bill@...> wrote:
I stick the one pin in a female header and solder it that way. ?Then pull the header off.? ? Dr.?William J. Schmidt - K9HZ J68HZ 8P6HK ZF2HZ PJ4/K9HZ VP5/K9HZ PJ2/K9HZ ? Owner - Operator Big Signal Ranch – K9ZC Staunton, Illinois ? Owner – Operator Villa Grand Piton - J68HZ Soufriere, St. Lucia W.I. Rent it: ? email:??bill@... ?
On Jan 13, 2018, at 2:01 PM, Steve Zabarnick <zabarnick@...> wrote:
What is the trick to soldering the one pin headers in the QCX kit? For multipin headers, I tack one end to hold the header in place, and then solder the other pins.
This doesn't work for single pin headers -- I can tack it, but it falls out when I subsequently do the final soldering. Any tips?
Steve N9SZ
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And the winner is:
The female header method -- Tried this morning and it worked great. I inserted the one pin male into a three pin female and was easily able to solder the one pin headers. The female header gave the pin enough length to allow me to turn over the board and balance the board via the header on the table.
I finished building 40 meter QCX serial number 2325 and it seems to work perfectly. The soldering pads on this kit are way smaller than the Norcal 40a PCB that I just built, but it was no problem. Hans' manual showing the location of each component relative to the board and parts already installed was key, as the PCB silkscreening is very hard to read, especially for the small capacitors. The toroids are wound in the opposite direction from the Elecraft kits I've built, so I had to rewind the first one. The big toroid was just barely big enough to fit the 53 windings with no extra room to spare (I was worried while winding, though). I found using large loops between sections, burning off and sanding the wire to strip the enamel, and the hand-drawn figure made this toroid a doable, but challenging task.
I had three extra capacitors and an extra diode after finishing.
It is a great feeling when you power up a new kit! Thanks to Hans for the experience!
Steve N9SZ
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On Sat, Jan 13, 2018 at 12:11 pm, Steve Zabarnick wrote:
What is the trick to soldering the one pin headers in the QCX kit? For multipin headers, I tack one end to hold the header in place, and then solder the other pins.
This doesn't work for single pin headers -- I can tack it, but it falls out when I subsequently do the final soldering. Any tips?
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jjpurdum
Jeff KP3FT
Keith, G6NHU
Jim Sheldon
J68HZ