Vectronics VEC-1012K User Manual

Page 2

VEC-1012K Owner’s Manual

! Solder Sucker, Vacuum Pump, or Desoldering Braid

! Bright Desk Lamp

! Magnifying

Glass

Special Tools for This Kit:

! 6-32 screw, at least 3/4" long, for winding coils.

! Insulated hex-head tuning wand.

! Small flat-blade screwdriver or tuning wand.

! Voltmeter, digital or analog.

! VHF "high-band" antenna to receive off-air signals.

BEFORE YOU START BUILDING

Experience shows there are four common mistakes builders commonly make.
Avoid these, and your kit will probably work on the first try! Here's what they
are:

1. Installing the Wrong Part: It always pays to double-check each step. A 1K

and a 10K resistor may look almost the same, but they may act very
differently in an electronic circuit! Same for capacitors--a device marked
102 (or .001 uF) may have very different operating characteristics from on
marked 103 (or .01uF).

2. Installing Parts Backwards: Always check the polarity of electrolytic

capacitors to make sure the positive (+) lead goes in the (+) hole on the
circuit board. Transistors have a flat side or emitter tab to help you identify
the correct mounting position. ICs have a notch or dot at one end indicating
the correct direction of insertion. Diodes have a banded end indicating
correct polarity. Always double-check--especially before applying power to
the circuit!

3. Faulty Solder Connections: Inspect for cold-solder joints and solder

bridges. Cold solder joints happen when you don't fully heat the connection--
or when metallic corrosion and oxide contaminate a component lead or pad.
Solder bridges form when a trail of excess solder shorts pads or tracks
together (see solder tips below).

4. Omitting or Misreading a Part: This is easier to do than you might think!

Always double-check to make sure you completed each step in an assembly
sequence.