Thoughts on removable transformers

[philipus]

Hello everyone
I suppose I'm not the only one who likes to try, test and tweak things so I was just curious — and this may be a stupid question, so apologies in advance — if, when building antennas, you have any preference with respect to connecting transformers etc to be able to test different ones, for instance with more or less turns and the like?

Sure it's possible to use boxes but before one has settled on a design it feels a bit unnecessary to commit it to a box. While it is evidently easy to remove a transformer soldered in place, attaching it a manner that makes it simple to disconnect may be preferable to facilitate trying and testing. If so, what type of connectors do you like to use?

cheers
Philip

 

[JDKelley]

I've never thought about it that way. If you plan on experimenting with several values of transformer, I'd look into wire wrapping as a means to connect your transformers - the wire is literally wrapped around the wire lead for a short distance (1/4" or so) to effect the connection.

This will work with your transformer, if the leads are long enough. You can put pins in up-circuit from the transformer just enough to make sure you only need to wrap one wire.

Alternatively, take those copper pins and insert them from the bottom and solder the heads in place, then set the transformer atop the ends of the pins and solder there. You'll still pick up interference from the leads/pins, but it will be easier to access and solder the leads. If you can, use a chisel point in your pencil iron to make contact with the two wires at once, to properly flow the solder. A conventional pointed tip can be used to solder the head of the pin in place to the PCB pads - once you pick your transformer, simply unsolder the pins and solder in the transformer leads. The pins need not be long - 1/4-1/2" long or thereabouts. I'm not wholly sure where to get them - I haven't done wire wrap in 30 years. . .