Rf Board And Chassis; Rf Board Description; Rf Board And Chassis Assembly Procedure - ELECRAFT K3s Kit Assembly And Instruction Manual

RF Board and Chassis

RF Board Description

The RF PCB (Printed Circuit Board) is the heart of the K3s transceiver, both physically and electrically. During
assembly, it serves as an attachment point for other PCBs as well as chassis panels, acting as the glue that holds
things together. During operation, the RF board provides signal routing to and from all modules. For more
information, see Theory of Operation, RF Board, in the K3s Owner's Manual.

RF Board and Chassis Assembly Procedure

There are components on both sides of the circuit boards. When handling them, be careful not
to damage components on either side by placing the board on top of tools or other objects, or
bumping or crushing the components while mounting parts or installing the boards
Remove the RF board from its anti-static packaging. The top side of the board is the side with the toroid
inductors and relays along with other components, including several connectors along one edge. The edge with
the connectors is the back edge of the board, while the front edge has notches cut in it that will fit around front
panel controls. Locate the six rectangular bare copper pads for the 2D fasteners (see Figure 5). There is one in
each corner of the board and one in the center of each side (see Figure 11 on page 18).
Install 2D fasteners at the six spaces provided (one at each corner and at the center of each side of the RF
board). Mount the fasteners on the bottom side of the board as shown in Figure 6. Be sure the 2D fasteners are
oriented so the side of each fastener lines up with the edge of the RF board as shown.
CAUTION
Figure 5. 2D Fastener Location on RF Board.
Figure 6. Installing 2D Fasteners on RF Board.
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