I've watched a good training video for working with SMTs but my
concern is with the board and not with the process. Even after
nearly 48 years of kit-building including two all-up K2/100s, I'm
still intimidated by the thought of those danged SMTs and can't
decide whether or not I want to take 'em on.
Soldering SMT is easier than soldering through-hole. I have now done
several SMT boards and I love it. I have even taught the kids at
school (we are building several softrock boards) and they like it
better too. (We are talking 11-year-olds here.) We have used both the
hot-air and "bake it in a toaster oven" techniques to solder the
boards. No problem either way.
You will want a good magnifier with plenty of light, tweezers, solder
paste, and either a hot-air gun or a toaster oven. Apply the paste
with a syringe. Pre-loaded syringes are available from Cash Olson.
Here is his web site with materials and techniques:
http://www.zianet.com/erg/SMT_Soldering.html
I did try soldering the devices using a fine-tip soldering iron. It is
*<MUCH>* more difficult than using solder paste with hot air or a
toaster oven.
(You use a toaster oven because it will heat up faster than a regular
oven. You preheat the board to about 90C and then crank it up to about
250C and watch for the solder paste to turn to solder and flow out.)
--
73 de Brian, WB6RQN
Brian Lloyd - brian HYPHEN wb6rqn AT lloyd DOT com
_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [email protected]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
