ORIGINAL MESSAGE: On Mon, 24 Dec 2012 16:17:30 -0800, you wrote: >I don't know that Amperex pins are welded, as the pins themselves are plated Kovar and I can't think of any advantage to welding them; REPLY: The advantage of welded pins is they will not unsolder themselves if they get overheated, an all too common occurrence. 73, Bill W6WRT