FT-301D Replacement Display Build Hints:

20130923.1 PM

When building the FT-301D Replacement Display using non-plated through hole
PCB's (i.e., etched at home), it is important to install top to bottom via
wires.  ALSO, the 7-segment LED displays require top to bottom wires
to be installed in the through-holes BEFORE the component is
installed; as the component's body will block access for soldering the
top side pad to the 7-segment LED's leads.  To install the components' via
wires, put a 30 gauge wire through the hole, insert a round wooden toothpick
into the hole, bend the wire over the top and bottom pad, cut off the excess
wire length top and bottom with an X-ACTO(R) knife, solder the top and
bottom pad to the wire, and then remove the wooden toothpick.
The wooden toothpick holds the wire for soldering AND it keeps solder from
plugging the through-hole; which, would prevent the component pin from
later being inserted into the hole.  Before installing the via wire,
it may help to flatten the wire by using flat nose pliers to squeeze
the wire over its length or to use a small hammer and anvil (flat steel
plate) to make the round wire flat. The flattened wire will give more
room for the pins to be installed in the holes.

Prepare the two 8 pin square pin strips by removing the pin 2 pin.  Pin 2's
position acts as the key for the radio's connectors.  Be sure to install
the square pin connector strip with the correct orientation!
These two 8 pin square pin connector strips are installed on the back
side of the PCB.  Install the two connectors and solder the protruding
short pins on the top side of the PCB.  THEN, carefully raise the black
plastic carrier strip a few tenths of an inch above the back side PCB
surface by slipping a small screw driver blade under the plastic and
prying it up.  Solder the pins on the back side of the PCB to the PCB
pads.  You can now either slide the black plastic carrier strip back
down or remove it entirely from the pins.

AND, don't forget to install the necessary jumper wires when building
the display using a two layer PCB.  The jumper wire locations are
shown in the document photos and may also be referenced by looking
at the "bottomside_jumper_wires.pdf" and "topside_jumper_wires.pdf"
files in the design documentation .zip file.

We hope these build hints will help you successfully build a new
working display for your old trusty FT-301D transceiver!

73!,
Paul
WA7ZVY

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