[geeks] GPS antenna connector question

[Dan Duncan]

> Dan Duncan wrote:
> > Has anyone used those new "cold solder" units I keep seeing on
> > tv?  I read up on how they work, but I've never known
> > anyone who actually used one.

On Tue, 12 Jul 2005, Phil Stracchino wrote:
> I have great skepticism, myself.  If it cools that fast once powered
> off, it can't have enough thermal mass to matter worth a damn, and
> that's a recipe for dry joints.

The unit itself really only gets hot as a side effect.  The tip is
split in half and the two halves are electrically insulated
from each other.  It actually heats the joint/solder itself by running
current through it.  I'm not sure I'd WANT to use it for small
electronic components, but hooking wires together might be ok.
I haven't bought one because I'm not sure how versatile it is
and I already have a butane powered iron and a 12V (cigarette lighter
plug) iron for portable use and a few AC-powered ones otherwise.  I
like to use really skinny solder so it melts very quickly on even a
low-powered iron.

-DanD

-- 
#  Dan Duncan (kd4igw)  dand at pcisys.net  http://pcisys.net/~dand
# It is easier to get forgiveness than permission.  -Cecile Stewart