Richard, I already sent you my comments directly
as you requested, but feel I should respond to some of the
comments posted here.
By way of background, the only SMT parts I had used
previously were mounting 5 SMT caps on an Inrad roofing filter
kit for my Orion. That went well so I began looking for another
SMT kit to try. I decided to try KD1JV's AT Sprint II which is
described here:
http://www.al7fs.us/AL7FS5ATSprint2.html
The ATS-2 is a quasi-competitor to the KX1 in that it covers
80/40/30/20 and comes in a very small lightweight package
for $205 shipped. I was particularly interested in the weight
since I've gotten interested in the Adventure Radio Society's
Spartan Sprints, which place a premium on weight. My ATS-2
including paddle, earphones, modules for 80/40/20 and a 9V
battery (good for 2.5W for the 2 hour Sprint duration) altogether
weighs 0.59 pounds. Steve KD1JV has now ended production
of the ATS-2 in favor of an ATS-3 which should be even lighter!
Construction was really a non-event and it was actually
fun to build. I was initially worried about the AD9834 DDS chip
which has extremely small leads but even that was no problem.
The only trick to SMT is to use the proper tools--a magnifying
visor (I got one for $4.95 plus shipping), 0.015" solder and a needle
point tip on a standard solder station (mine is the $35 Circuit
Specialists version) are the only musts . Special SMT soldering
equipment is NOT needed. I also did NOT use any hold-down
device although it is very easy to construct one with several web
references (one on AL7FS's site above).
Bottom line for me: SMT is nothing to be afraid of if you
use the proper tools (which are neither expensive or specialized).
I'm now just waiting for KD1JV to bring out his ATS-3 and get my
weight down WELL below 0.5 pounds for more Spartan Sprints.
73, Bill W4ZV (K2 #4119)
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