[Elecraft] Surface Mount tech et. al.

[Brendan Minish]

>-----Original Message-----
>From: tlogan7@cox.net
>
> > Could this mean  that the next level of Elecraft evolution
> > could be based on SM technology and utilize some of the Orion
> > type concepts?

I would LOVE to build an all (or mostly) SMT kit of k2 complexity, the 
larger format SMT components (1206, 0805 etc) are not much more difficult 
to work with than normal leaded components using a normal very fine pointed 
soldering Iron, fine solder (with some silver content) a decent pair of 
Stainless steel tweezers and something to help the eyes if needed (in my 
case removing my glasses, I am far sighted! )

Most of the problems that people have with SMT stem from not actually 
having tried it, they are perceived problems !

My first SMT project was a Khune 10Ghz transverter and much to my surprise 
(never having done any SMT before) assembling the tin box was the hardest bit.

Even if you don't give a SMT kit a go someday, don't write off all SMT 
parts, some of them can be incredibly useful to the dedicated tinkerer, for 
example.

the DTA114EKA (PNP) and DTC114EKA (NPN) ' digital ' transistors can be real 
problem solvers for all sorts of projects.
They are tiny little switching transistors with the bias resistors built in 
(EKA ones have 2 x 10 K bias resistors but there is a range of different 
values available)  they are small enough to fit anywhere you need a solid 
state switch. The ones I use are in SC-59 size (2.9mm by 1.3mm (0.11 by 
0.05 inches))

SMT diodes are very useful for all sorts of things in tight spaces as are 
SMT capacitors (especially for rf bypass applications where the lack of 
lead inductance can be very useful  )


here is guide to SMT sizes
http://www.niccomp.com/smtsizes0901.html-ssi
and another (PDF format)
http://www.rohm.co.uk/downloads/Transistorspackage.pdf