[Elecraft] K3 Circuit Board Traces

[Brian Lloyd]

>  I've watched a good training video for working with SMTs but my  
> concern is with the board and not with the process.  Even after  
> nearly 48 years of kit-building including two all-up K2/100s, I'm  
> still intimidated by the thought of those danged SMTs and can't  
> decide whether or not I want to take 'em on.

Soldering SMT is easier than soldering through-hole. I have now done  
several SMT boards and I love it. I have even taught the kids at  
school (we are building several softrock boards) and they like it  
better too. (We are talking 11-year-olds here.) We have used both the  
hot-air and "bake it in a toaster oven" techniques to solder the  
boards. No problem either way.

You will want a good magnifier with plenty of light, tweezers, solder  
paste, and either a hot-air gun or a toaster oven. Apply the paste  
with a syringe. Pre-loaded syringes are available from Cash Olson.  
Here is his web site with materials and techniques:

http://www.zianet.com/erg/SMT_Soldering.html

I did try soldering the devices using a fine-tip soldering iron. It is  
*<MUCH>* more difficult than using solder paste with hot air or a  
toaster oven.

(You use a toaster oven because it will heat up faster than a regular  
oven. You preheat the board to about 90C and then crank it up to about  
250C and watch for the solder paste to turn to solder and flow out.)

--

73 de Brian, WB6RQN
Brian Lloyd - brian HYPHEN wb6rqn AT lloyd DOT com