I found an easy way to remove and jumper the muRata filters in the Maxtrac. You can do it without removing the board.
This is just if you are going to jumper them, not replace them.
Slice the plastic label the long way down the middle of the top with a razor blade.
Peal it off completely.
Pry the metal holding the ceramic off the sides with a knife blade (just enough to crack it free).
Lift out the ceramic (and show to friends).
Heat the plastic insulators with a slodering iron and pull them off (do NOT just pull on them as you will rip the stud out).
Solder a wire jumper across the studs, (don't heat too much or the stud will fall out).
Done!
Easy Maxtrac muRata filter removal instructions.
Moderator: Queue Moderator
No need to slice the label. It'll just peel right off. Slip your knife blade under one side and pry it loose, then pull it off.
The plastic insulators over the signal pins might come out if you just squeeze them several times from all directions with a needle-nose pliers. This will crack the glue holding them to the pins and you should be able to slide them off.
Of course, you still have to disable Q205 somehow to keep the VCO in its high range.
Once you've pulled the ceramic filter body out of the mounting clip, removing the clip itself should be easier and require less heat. However you can no longer reuse the original filter after you've taken it apart this way.
Bob M.
The plastic insulators over the signal pins might come out if you just squeeze them several times from all directions with a needle-nose pliers. This will crack the glue holding them to the pins and you should be able to slide them off.
Of course, you still have to disable Q205 somehow to keep the VCO in its high range.
Once you've pulled the ceramic filter body out of the mounting clip, removing the clip itself should be easier and require less heat. However you can no longer reuse the original filter after you've taken it apart this way.
Bob M.
