[Elecraft] Re: SMD-based kits and retirement [not!]

[G3VVT at aol.com]

In a message dated 20/04/05 06:06:43 GMT Daylight Time, n6kr at elecraft.com  
writes:

Don't  worry -- leaded parts aren't going away anytime soon. We still 
have access  to every part we designed into the K2 over five years ago. 


Reply: -----------------------------------------------------
 
Leaded parts may not go away, but may be increasingly difficult to obtain.  
Some types of IC are a case in point where the DIL type are getting very  
difficult to source and new types of devices are only available as SMD. There is  a 
way around this in adapting a similar SMD IC with a DIL header  adaptor, but 
this would become impractical if the number involved get too great.  All 
volume manufacturers of equipment seem to be changed over to using SMD  which can 
only hasten the decline. Have been involved recently with sourcing  some CTCSS 
decoders for home constructed repeater logic systems. Very little is  now 
available in DIL format as the radio manufacturers have only only used SMD  for 
quite a long period. What is little still available in DIL commands quite a  
hefty price premium compared to the SMD type.
 
More worrying if the information turns out to be correct is that Toko are  
reported in the UK PW radio magazine for May 2005 to be ceasing manufacture  of 
through hole PCB type transformers and concentrating on surface  mounted 
types. Unless another source is found of these components,  this could make home 
construction though not impossible, a great  deal more difficult.
 
Bob, G3VVT