[Elecraft] Heathkit Returns!

[Don Wilhelm]

Actually, I will celebrate my 32nd birthday next February.  Since "Life 
begins at 40", I decided to start counting from there. :-)

73,
Don W3FPR

On 9/9/2011 10:57 PM, Ron D'Eau Claire wrote:
> I concur with Don. Although my "advertised" age is 36-1/2, that's derived by
> counting only birthdays on even numbered years, Hi!
>
> I use good lighting, an Optovisor magnifier and organize my work area as if
> I'm going to disassemble a wrist-watch.
>
> Also my work area is set up so that my arms rest comfortably on the table
> top. Only my wrists and fingers move. Sometimes I rest the side of my hand
> on the table so I move ONLY my fingers. (I do not use vises that hold the pc
> board up in the air. The board lies flat on the ESD pad.)
>
> I simply refuse to let the demon win who decreed that as I get older the
> parts I work with must get smaller.
>
> 73 (&  for the math challenged, that's my real age too),
>
> Ron AC7AC
>
>
> ----Original Message-----
>
> I disagree that Surface Mount Technology has taken kit building out of
> the hands of most hams.  Yes, it is not a task for the sloppy builder,
> or for those who do not have good hand and small muscle control - you
> must hold those small parts in the proper place while soldering, but
> kits designed with 1206 or even 0802 size components are not a major
> undertaking.  Surface Mount is easier and faster to assemble than
> through-hole components -there are no leads to clip, and all the
> soldering is on one side of the board (at any one time).  Yes, care must
> be exercised - holding the component too tightly in tweezers can launch
> it into remote corners where only the vacuum cleaner can find it, so a
> gentle touch is required.
>
> For those who cannot place the parts precisely, the solder paste and
> "toaster oven" techniques will work just fine, when heated to the proper
> temperature, the parts simply float into position.  It is a wonder to
> see the results.
>
> OK, with the "aging of ham radio", there may be some problems, but that
> is an individual problem.  I am 71 1/2 years old and currently have no
> problem with SMD construction, but that may change as the years go by,
> but if I am still able to put through-hole components in the correct
> location, I should be able to deal equally well with Surface Mount
> devices.  Give it a try, it is not difficult at all, just different than
> thru-hole construction.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
>
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