I recently built an AA-908 Antenna Analyst which is a SMD-based kit. I have been in electronics since age 14 and have built hundreds of kits of all types including a K2 (#1107) with 100 watt amp. DSP, KSB, NB, 160 meter and various mods. This was my first SMD kit and while I had no particular problems. Now at age 66, I had to wear 3.5 diopter reading glasses and use an 8 power loupe to inspect solder joints (with SMD "joints" is not an exact term).
A kit such as the AA-908 seems about the maximum complexity that a moderately skilled ham could expect to build and get working. Something as complex as a K2 would be a real challenge and repairs and mods will be a snarl.
I suggest that SMD kits of the future will be about like building your own computer today. You would mount the completed circuit boards, hook up the cables, put on the knobs and put the lid on the box.
73 Allen KA5N
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