Ramsey Electronics FT146 - Manual (Page 8)

FT146 • 8
RAMSEY Learn-As-You-Build KIT ASSEMBLY:
There are over 200 solder connections on the FT146 printed circuit board. That
means your work could be 99% perfect and you could STILL have 2 or 3 cold
solder points or solder bridges. Since this circuit is more sophisticated than a
direct-conversion HF receiver or a CW HF transmitter, a beginner or casual
amateur could have a harder time tracing a problem due to a poor solder
connection. Therefore, PLEASE take us seriously when we say that good
soldering is essential to the proper operation of your transmitter!
•
Use a 25-watt soldering pencil with a clean, sharp tip.
•
Use only rosin-core solder intended for electronics use.
•
Use bright lighting, a magnifying lamp or bench-style magnifier may be
helpful.
•
Do your work in stages, taking breaks to check your work.
•
Carefully brush away wire cuttings so they don't lodge between solder
connections.
We have a two-fold "strategy" for the order of the following kit assembly steps.
First, we install parts in physical relationship to each other, so there's minimal
chance of inserting wires into wrong holes. Second, whenever possible, we
install in an order that fits our "Learn-As-You Build" Kit building philosophy.
For each part, our word "Install" always means these steps:
1. Pick the correct part value to start with.
2. Insert it into the correct PC board location.
3. Orient it correctly, follow the PC board drawing and the written direc
tions for all parts - especially when there's a right way AND a
wrong way to solder it in. (Diode bands, electrolytic capacitor
polarity, transistor shapes, dotted or notched ends of IC's, and
so forth.)
4. Solder all connections unless directed otherwise. Use enough heat
and solder flow for clean, shiny, completed connections. Don't
be afraid of any pen-style soldering iron having enough heat to
damage a component.
5. Trim or "nip" the excess component lead wire after soldering.
NOTE: Save some of the longer wire scraps nipped from resistors and
capacitors. These will be used to form wire jumpers (JMP1, etc.) to be soldered
in just like parts during these construction steps.
Now, let's start building!
❒ 1. Install J1, the RCA-style antenna jack. Solder all 4 points.
❒ 2. Install P1, the 5 pin DIN jack.