[Elecraft] SMD video? (was: Mystery Mods)

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

Bill, W4ZV wrote:

After removing an R or C, you
wick the pads clean and then apply the *tiniest* bit of solder to one pad. 
Then place the component on both pads, apply heat to the one with solder to
anchor it, then solder the other side and then revisit the first with a
little more solder.  If you make a "mound" of solder on the first pad, the
component will not fit on top of it very well and you'll have problems
anchoring it flush to the board.  "Less is more" when soldering individual
components (i.e. you can't wick them like ICs because they are not flush
with the board).

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

Well put. I do it a little differently. I clean off the pad so the SMD will
sit flat on it, position the SMD and hold it with a tool (small probe or
screwdriver on the body) while I touch one end with a soldering iron with a
tiny drop of solder on the tip. That way there's no significant solder on
the pad but the drop of solder will anchor the part well enough that I don't
need to use the tool to hold it in place. . 

Next I solder the other pad(s) properly, then go back and touch up the first
pad. 

You need TWO free hands to do this work. (Actually four would work better
but my pet Octopus isn't interested in electronics.) I find a binocular
magnifier (like OptiVisor) invaluable! 

Humph! If that Octopus would get interested we could try SO8R contesting
(single operator, 8 radios). 

Ron AC7AC