=  NOW 30 WPM  =  TEXT IS FROM FEBRUARY 2023 QST  PAGE 45 =

ALLOWED ME TO KEEP THE PCB IN PLACE AND LOOK THROUGH THE MAGNIFYING GLASS
TO CONFIRM THAT MY SOLDERING JOINTS WERE ACCEPTABLE.  JOSH NASS, KI6NAZ,
USES A VICE GRIP/BLOCK AND SEEMS TO HAVE SATISFACTORY RESULTS.  I WOULD
VENTURE TO SAY JOSHS WAY OF SECURING THE PCB IS STURDIER AND EASIER TO WORK
WITH, AND I WILL TEST THAT METHOD IN THE FUTURE.  AFTER ABOUT 45 MINUTES, I
COMPLETED THE BUILD MINUS THE CASE DRILLING.  IF YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE IN
SOLDERING, THIS MIGHT TAKE YOU ONLY 30 MINUTES, AND IF YOU ARE LESS
EXPERIENCED, DONT WORRY ABOUT TIME.  YOUR FOCUS ON PATIENCE AND PROPER
TECHNIQUES WILL BE MOST CRITICAL.  IN TIME, YOULL GET FASTER AND MORE
PROFICIENT WITH DIFFERENT TECHNIQUES.  I CHOSE TO BUILD AN IAMBIC PADDLE.
IT REQUIRES A CENTER POST SO THAT EITHER PADDLE MAY TAP THE CENTER AREA,
CREATING A SHORT AND THUS ACTIVATING A DIT OR A DAH.  MY CENTER POST WAS
NOT HIGH ENOUGH OFF THE PCB, AND I WAS NOT MAKING ELECTRICAL CONTACT WITH
THE PADDLES.  ULTIMATELY, I USED AN ADDITIONAL NUT SCREW ON THE CENTER
POST.  ONE NUT WAS BELOW THE PCB, AND ONE NUT WAS ABOVE THE PCB, FOLLOWED
BY A WASHER ON TOP FOR GROUNDING.  I HAVE FOUND THIS SOLUTION TO WORK
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