[Elecraft] K4? No, I want a KX2!

[N4OI - Ken]

Ericj-2-2 wrote
> ... SMT is a breeze with a magnifying bench lamp, a decent soldering 
> station, tweezers and a reasonably steady hand. You have to learn a 
> couple of different and sometimes scary techniques. Melting all the pins 
> together into a long solder blob on an expensive SMT chip, then wicking 
> off the excess took some guts...

I agree the SMT work is not an issue.  I just finished a SoftRock Ensemble
Rx II -- the first SMT I tried was the microscopic 3V regulator -- trial by
fire!  But the hot air and solder paste approach is the way to go.  Here is
what I bought on Amazon for about $55: 
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009PPRJHS/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Although now showing "unavailable" -- I am sure a similar item could be
found elsewhere.  By the way, the hot air gun is also great for removing
components, as compared to using an iron...  So please bring on the SMT
kits!

73 ES GOD BLESS U ES URS DE KEN N4OI  



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