Vectronics VEC-1290K - Manual (Page 5)

VEC-1290K Instruction Manual AM Radio Transmitter
Kit
fill in behind the lead as you extract it-especially if you are working on a
double-sided board with plate-through holes. Should this happen, try heating
the pad again and inserting a common pin into the hole. Solder won't stick to
the pin's chromium plating. When the pad cools, remove the pin and insert the
correct component. For ICs or multiple-pin parts, use desoldering braid to
remove excess solder before attempting to extract the part. Alternatively, a
low-cost vacuum-bulb or spring-loaded solder sucker may be used. Parts
damaged or severely overheated during extraction should be replaced rather
than reinstalled.
Work Habits: Kit construction requires the ability to follow detailed
instructions and, in many cases, to perform new and unfamiliar tasks. To avoid
making needless mistakes, work for short periods when you're fresh and alert.
Recreational construction projects are more informative and more fun when
you take your time. Enjoy!
Sorting and Reading Resistors: The electrical value of resistors is indicated by
a color code (shown below). You don't have to memorize this code to work
with resistors, but you do need to understand how it works:
When you look at a resistor, check its multiplier code first. Any resistor with a
black multiplier band falls between 10 and 99 ohms in value. Brown designates
a value between 100 and 999 ohms. Red indicates a value from 1000 to 9999
ohms, which is also expressed as 1.0K to 9.9K. An orange multiplier band
designates 10K to 99K, etc. To inventory resistors, first separate them into
groups by multiplier band (make a pile of 10s, 100s, Ks, 10Ks etc.). Next, sort
each group by specific value (1K, 2.2K, 4.7K, etc). This procedure makes the
inventory easier, and also makes locating specific parts more convenient later
on during construction. Some builders find it especially helpful to arrange
resistors in ascending order along a strip of double-sided tape.
This VEC kit contains molded chokes which appear, at first glance, similar to
resistors in both shape and band marking. However, a closer look will enable
you to differentiate between the two-chokes are generally larger in diameter