I built a couple of Elecraft transverters which use a mix of SMD and
conventional parts. They came with the SMD components soldered in.
For higher frequencies, some parts like chip capacitors are in fact
better because they has less stray/component inductance.
Yes, SMD are daunting but they can be done at home. There are plenty
of advantages:
- newer ics, and other devices, better designs
- much much smaller finished products, a real plus for portable QRP gear
The other are ways of mitigating the problems with size:
1. Throw in a few extra capacitors/resistors. This will only increase
the cost by a buck or two and take the anxiety away.
2. Solder in the really fine pitch parts.
3. Change/reeducate the homebrewers to install parts by
variety/type/value rather than component number.
I have built a number of SMD / part SMD based projects (dsp10, iq-vfo,
AA908) and actually find installing some parts, like 1206 resistors
easier and faster with SMD rather than the leaded parts.
Raj
--
Rajiv Dewan, N2RD
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
FN13fc
--
On Apr 20, 2005, at 9:45 AM, Mike Morrow wrote:
Wayne wrote:
We'll pre-install SMD replacements in future kits should that become
necessary. If SMDs start to dominate, we'll up-level the kits so that
the builder is still working with small units: individual modules that
are small PCBs with some or all SMDs.
That's the ideal solution, IMHO.
I'd love to see a K1 or KX1 type rig with nearly all SMD
componets...as long as *all* of these SMD components were completely
pre-installed on the PCB. Kit parts inventory would be easier,
opportunity for builder error would be greatly reduced, most
importantly the kit could be completed much more quickly, etc. The
builder would still get familiar with the circuit design and get to
align the unit (i.e., all the higher-level skills part of the
kit-building experience would still be present).
The use on pre-mounted SMD components is the one outstanding design
feature of MFJ's otherwise unremarkable Cub series of QRP rigs. It
would be great to see something similar in an Elecraft rig, even
before the scarcity of through-hole components forces it. I'd buy
one, whether I needed it or not.
73,
Mike / KK5F
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