On 18 Apr 2003 at 17:43, W2AGN wrote:
>
> Maybe I wasn't tuned in, but what is the "well known" solder failure?
>
Hmmm.........? Maybe it was only "well known" by me. :-) I have
three Paragons and I had the failure in two of them. I also know of
several other Paragons that had the same failure.
I don't know the mechanics of what happens but one of the PLL
boards, I think the major loop board but please don't hold me to that,
develops intermittent solder joints. A little touch-up with a small iron
and you're good for another 10 years or so. I use a 20 power
microscope to find the joints. They have an interesting failure mode.
It does not seem to be a cold solder or otherwise poor soldering job
at the factory. It looks like a fatigue failure. The solder actually
fractures at the point of failure. I usually find several such joints
when I go over the board.
That's the only problem I've had and it is easily fixed so all in all, I
consider the Paragon a good radio.
73 de Lee, WA3FIY
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