[TowerTalk] DIN Connectors You Can't Solder To

[Jim Brown]

Tower Talkers,

I just received a couple of ICE switchable bandpass filters that I 
ordered 3 months ago, and quickly began wiring cables to interface 
them to band decoders. That operation came to a screeching halt when 
I couldn't solder to the DIN connectors that came packed with the 
filters. The pins don't take solder (AT ALL), AND the holder for the 
pins melts. I'm using thin 60/40 solder and a nice temp controlled 
iron.

I've run into these connectors before -- I have a half dozen that I 
bought from RF Connection 3-4 years ago, and gave up on them when I 
tried to use them. I ended up buying replacements from a ham store 
that were sold through the Yaesu or Kenwood distribution chain.  

First, take this as a warning to avoid these connectors. Second, take 
this as a question as to who makes the GOOD connectors of this type 
(yes, I know "good" and "DIN" don't go together). These are the 8-pin 
connectors that Yaesu uses for band data. 

73,

Jim K9YC