Abstract: A retainer for removable components that plug into a printed circuit board retains the removable component in an associated sockets on a printed circuit board. The retainer has the form of a clip including a retaining surface that applies a retaining force to the component. The retaining force is largely a spring force that directs the leads into the associated sockets by applying pressure to the top of the component. The retainer further has a positioning surface that positions the retaining surface in association with the component. This is done by the positioning surface engaging the exposed exterior surface of the associated sockets. A connecting surface connects the retaining surface to the positioning surface around the circuit board. In the preferred embodiment, the component is a crystal oscillator that plugs into the printed circuit board. Such crystal oscillators are removable to permit changing the operating frequency of an associated microwave transmission circuit.