SMT

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SMT

Vic K2VCO
The discussion on using SMT in kits has been fascinating.  I think the
following is true:

1) SMT does not suit itself to amateur construction, except for very
simple assemblies, because of inherent difficulty and support issues.

2) SMT components can be used to build equipment with better performance
and more reliability and repeatability.

3) Many modern components are not even available in leaded form.

Therefore,

If we want the best performance and to take advantage of modern
components, we will need to use SMT.  So most likely, future kits will
include machine-made SMT subassemblies which will be put together by the
builder.

Is this bad?  I don't think so.  I didn't complain about not building
the microprocessor in my K2!

--
73,
Vic, K2VCO
Fresno CA
http://www.qsl.net/k2vco
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Re: SMT

Thom LaCosta
On Tue, 19 Jul 2005, Vic Rosenthal wrote:

>
> If we want the best performance and to take advantage of modern components,
> we will need to use SMT.  So most likely, future kits will include
> machine-made SMT subassemblies which will be put together by the builder.
>
> Is this bad?  I don't think so.  I didn't complain about not building the
> microprocessor in my K2!

I'm starting to wonder about the reading skills of some folks.....one of the
concerns expressed about the noise blanker in the K2 was that it wasn't
effective for many folks.  Seems to me that while it's fine to build a kit and
be proud of it, there are certain instances when there's more to the story.

There are some owners of K2s that can not build...but aquired their units
because they wanted to operate and the K2 appealed to them.

It seems to me, but I am one of those "can't build it folks", that there isn't
a lot of sense saying that a noise blanker for the K2 MUST be a non-SMT Kit.

73,Thom-k3hrn
www.zerobeat.net Home of QRP Web Ring, Drakelist home page,
Free Classified Ads for amateur radio, QRP IRC channel
Elecraft Owners Database
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Re: SMT

Mike Morrow-3
In reply to this post by Vic K2VCO
Vic wrote:

>... most likely, future kits will include machine-made SMT subassemblies
>which will be put together by the builder.
>
>Is this bad?  I don't think so.  I didn't complain about not building
>the microprocessor in my K2!

I think it would be great.  Think of the construction time saved, the reduced opportunities for construction errors and missing parts, and the increased completed system reliability that would result.

I know there's not a whole lot of regard for the little MFJ Cub QRP rigs that have been out for a few years, but one of the really wonderful pioneering characteristics of this kit is the use of pre-assembled SMTs on the PCB for all the mundane and boring components like fixed-value resistors, capacitors, transistors, and ICs.  The components that are hand assembled are the frequency determining inductors, transformers, crystals, variable resistors, connectors, etc.  As a result, there is very little in the way of small parts to inventory or lose, and the kit goes together in no time.

If only the Cub design had used a separate LC VFO stage rather than using the one that is integral to the first 612 IC to reduce drift, and used a larger non-SMT PA driver transistor (better key-down power output stability), these would be quite servicable.

I'd have loved it if my K1 kits had been predominantly pre-assembled SMT.  In fact, that's one of the few things I can think of to improve the K1.  I'd buy a mostly pre-assembled SMT version of a KX1 in a heartbeat.

73,
Mike / KK5F
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Re: SMT

NR5A
SMT's I don't think I mind, since that was my job for 9 years. A rework
operator where I dealth with SMTs all day long. Using a microscope, and
really thin solder. Here at home now that I have disabilty and lots of free
time I'm going to try a SMT kit or two.

The worse part of building any kit to me is those stinking nasty torroids, I
hate them with a passion. If I were going to have any parts on a kit
premounted it would be those horrible things. hi hi hi

Jerry - NR5A - South Dakota

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RE: SMT

Ron D'Eau Claire-2
Jerry, NR5A wrote:
The worse part of building any kit to me is those stinking nasty torroids
(sic), I hate them with a passion. If I were going to have any parts on a
kit premounted it would be those horrible things. hi hi hi

---------------------------

And that's why we have Mychael the toroid guy to take those cares away with
Elecraft approved ready-to-drop-in your board toroids!
([hidden email])

Ron AC7AC


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RE: SMT

EricJ-2
In reply to this post by NR5A
You build my SMT stuff and I'll wind toroids for you!

Did you get your ATS-III yet?

Eric
KE6US

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of NR5A
Sent: Tuesday, July 19, 2005 2:56 PM
To: Elecraft Reflector
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] SMT

SMT's I don't think I mind, since that was my job for 9 years. A rework
operator where I dealth with SMTs all day long. Using a microscope, and
really thin solder. Here at home now that I have disabilty and lots of free
time I'm going to try a SMT kit or two.

The worse part of building any kit to me is those stinking nasty torroids, I
hate them with a passion. If I were going to have any parts on a kit
premounted it would be those horrible things. hi hi hi

Jerry - NR5A - South Dakota

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RE: Torroids

Craig Rairdin
In reply to this post by NR5A
> The worse part of building any kit to me is those stinking nasty
> torroids, I hate them with a passion.

:-) I've found for the K2 and KPA100 I do the torroids while I'm waiting for
some other time-consuming task. I just got to the page in the KPA100 manual
where you do like 12 torroids all at one time. I've been creating CD-ROM
masters for a new product we have coming out, and the time to write a CD is
just about enough time to wind a torroid. Whipped through 'em pretty quick.

The other thing I've found that helps is that I get up, take off my
magnifying glasses, and walk around while I wind. Otherwise I'm hunched over
the bench staring at little loops of wire for minutes at a time.

Craig
NZ0R
K1 #1966
K2 #4941

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ARRL Video features K2

Jim Wiley-2
In reply to this post by Vic K2VCO


Check out the new ARRL Video.  It features Walter Cronkite,  using a
K2!   The on-screen time is short, but there it is, in all it's glory.  
The same(?) K2 appears again later as part of the story.


Caution: the download is 96 MB!!!.  Unless you have a high speed link,
it will take quite a while.  Even at DSL speeds, it took about 15
minutes. Here is an edited version of  the article, from the ARRL web site:


The ARRL Goes to Washington now is available  Produced by Dave Bell,
W6AQ, Alan Kaul, W6RCL, and Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, this video documents
the League's activities on behalf of Amateur Radio on Capitol Hill and
at the FCC. Because ARRL's advocacy to support Amateur Radio in
"official Washington" typically occurs behind the scenes, it receives
little fanfare in relation to its importance and significance.  
Featuring ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, and narrated by former CBS
News anchor Walter Cronkite, KB2GSD, the presentation's debut at Dayton
Hamvention was resoundingly positive. The video makes a great
centerpiece for an Amateur Radio club program or meeting, and it's ideal
for showing at hamfests, forums and even civic group meetings.  The ARRL
Goes to Washington is available for  download free of charge from the
ARRL Web site.


Copy and paste this line into your browser to get the video:  
http://www.arrl.org/pio/VTS-Video.mpg   


Remember, this is a 96 MB download.  It's gonna take a while.  Have a
fresh cup of coffee while you wait.


Copyright notice:  Access permission is for private and Amateur Radio
club meeting use only.  Permission is not given for broadcast.


- Jim, KL7CC


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Re: ARRL Video features K2

Earl W Cunningham
Jim, KL7CC Wrote:

"Check out the new ARRL Video.  It features Walter Cronkite,  using a
K2!"
==========
I doubt that the K2 sitting on Cronkite's desk is actually his.  I'm more
inclined to believe that it belongs to a known Elecrafter, Dave Bell,
W6AQ, who was the producer of the "ARRL Goes to Washington" video.

73, de Earl, K6SE
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Re: ARRL Video features K2

Paul Gates
In reply to this post by Jim Wiley-2
I just use this URL and the video is quick for me!

http://www.arrl.org/pio/VTS-Video.mpg

Paul Gates
K1  #0231
KX1 #1186
XG1
[hidden email]


----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Wiley" <[hidden email]>
To: "Elecraft Reflector" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Friday, August 19, 2005 4:40 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] ARRL Video features K2


>
>
> Check out the new ARRL Video.  It features Walter Cronkite,  using a
> K2!   The on-screen time is short, but there it is, in all it's glory.
> The same(?) K2 appears again later as part of the story.
>
>
> Caution: the download is 96 MB!!!.  Unless you have a high speed link,
> it will take quite a while.  Even at DSL speeds, it took about 15
> minutes. Here is an edited version of  the article, from the ARRL web
> site:
>
>
> The ARRL Goes to Washington now is available  Produced by Dave Bell,
> W6AQ, Alan Kaul, W6RCL, and Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, this video documents
> the League's activities on behalf of Amateur Radio on Capitol Hill and
> at the FCC. Because ARRL's advocacy to support Amateur Radio in
> "official Washington" typically occurs behind the scenes, it receives
> little fanfare in relation to its importance and significance.
> Featuring ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, and narrated by former CBS
> News anchor Walter Cronkite, KB2GSD, the presentation's debut at Dayton
> Hamvention was resoundingly positive. The video makes a great
> centerpiece for an Amateur Radio club program or meeting, and it's ideal
> for showing at hamfests, forums and even civic group meetings.  The ARRL
> Goes to Washington is available for  download free of charge from the
> ARRL Web site.
>
>
> Copy and paste this line into your browser to get the video:
> http://www.arrl.org/pio/VTS-Video.mpg
>
>
> Remember, this is a 96 MB download.  It's gonna take a while.  Have a
> fresh cup of coffee while you wait.
>
>
> Copyright notice:  Access permission is for private and Amateur Radio
> club meeting use only.  Permission is not given for broadcast.
>
>
> - Jim, KL7CC
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Post to: [hidden email]
> 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
>
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Re: ARRL Video features K2

k6dgw
OK, give me a break here, it is 98 MB.  Quick for you, maybe not for me
at 256 KB wireless.

Fred K6DGW
Auburn CA CM98lw

Paul Gates wrote:
> I just use this URL and the video is quick for me!
>
> http://www.arrl.org/pio/VTS-Video.mpg
>
> Paul Gates
> K1  #0231
> KX1 #1186
> XG1
> [hidden email]

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