Re: [Elecraft] [K2] MAB - anyone picking this up?
I'd just noticed the MAB on the LA3ZA modifications page and was doing initial research, although my feeling is that the component sourcing costs are going to be too high to justify, especially if one has to buy the extender and pay customs clearance fees on it as well as multiple lots of international shipping (Mouser is OK if one can bulk up the order with other things that only they can supply, as they have special arrangements to pay UK taxes up front). I don't have the capabilities for cutting up the boards and I'm not sure if I could sell them on anyway (also there may also be consequences of becoming a manufacturer in terms of legal responsibilities). However, I did have a look at the ExpressPCB site and I noted: 1) they advise against cutting up four layer boards because of the risk of shorting power and ground planes. That suggests yields from the separation process could be low. 2) they do do large runs much more cheaply, so creating industry standard CAD files may not be necessary. 3) it is difficult to understand why the setup costs are so high and I wonder why they can't give a discount on re-orders from the same CAD file. -- David Woolley Owner K2 06123 On 27/05/14 19:42, Dave KW4M wrote: Each panel contains three MAB boards. So the cost per MAB board would be $11.98. I used a shear to cut out the individual boards. I believe Tom used a band saw. If there was sufficient demand it would make sense to convert the layout to use industry-standard Gerbers and place a larger order from a regular board house. The cost would then be very low. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] [K2] MAB - anyone picking this up?
The project is at that awkward point where more than a few prototypes are desired but likely not enough to enable a reasonably priced production run. Ideally someone with resources beyond mine would want to pick it up at some point if the numbers are there to justify it. ExpressPCB's advice against cutting four layer boards was noted and considered. To reduce the possibility of shorts, the internal plane layers were designed to have voids in the areas where cuts are to be made. In my estimation, electrical shorts due to cutting the boards is not an issue. -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K2-MAB-anyone-picking-this-up-tp7589489p7589611.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] [K2] MAB - anyone picking this up?
I know not what a MAB board is, but I bought pcb's from ExpressPCB and cut them using a dremel cutoff wheel run against a metal ruler to keep a straight line. Comes out very neat. The clue is to allow some space on the board for cutting. For little projects this works out cheaper. I made TR boards with RF sensing ckt as example and my five band LP filter for the amplifiers I built. Those were large boards (5.5x9 inch) so cutting was required. 73, Ed - KL7UW http://www.kl7uw.com Kits made by KL7UW Dubus Mag business: dubus...@gmail.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] [K2] MAB - anyone picking this up?
Thanks, Ed. Sounds like good advice -- and I have that tool :-) Phil W7OX On 5/28/2014 11:59 AM, Edward R Cole wrote: I know not what a MAB board is, but I bought pcb's from ExpressPCB and cut them using a dremel cutoff wheel run against a metal ruler to keep a straight line. Comes out very neat. The clue is to allow some space on the board for cutting. For little projects this works out cheaper. I made TR boards with RF sensing ckt as example and my five band LP filter for the amplifiers I built. Those were large boards (5.5x9 inch) so cutting was required. 73, Ed - KL7UW __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] [K2} MAB - anyone picking this up?
I'm willing to place an order for these boards under these conditions: These boards come 3 to a sheet from ExpressPC boards. You have to cut the three boards out with a shear to use them, then there are some other minor mods to each board as documented in the PDF I linked to above. The per order setup fee for this 4 layer board is very high at $276 minimum. If I order 6 sheets the order total will be $336. If 5 other people will each commit to buy a sheet of 3 boards for $56 I'll place the order. Each person would be responsible for doing with those three boards what they please, be that sell to friends, list members, or whatever. I'm not optimistic that enough will express interest, but its worth a shot. I emailed Tom Taylor's contact over a week ago but haven't heard back, so don't know whether or not Doug will be following through with those plans. So, if there is interest in this, let me know. Chip AE5KA __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] [K2} MAB - anyone picking this up?
It does not have to be that expensive. The boards can be purchased using their 4-layer MiniboardPro service. The current cost is $98 plus $9.85 shipping for three identical panels. Each panel contains three MAB boards. So the cost per MAB board would be $11.98. I used a shear to cut out the individual boards. I believe Tom used a band saw. If there was sufficient demand it would make sense to convert the layout to use industry-standard Gerbers and place a larger order from a regular board house. The cost would then be very low. 73, Dave -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K2-MAB-anyone-picking-this-up-tp7589489p7589572.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] [K2} MAB - anyone picking this up?
Thanks for pointing out my error Dave. I wasn't looking closely enough, and that makes it much better. I'll modify my proposal: I'll order three sheets for $110, so $37 each sheet with three boards. If two others will agree to buy a sheet of three boards for $37, I'll do it. Chip On Tue, May 27, 2014 at 1:42 PM, Dave KW4M gene...@bellsouth.net wrote: It does not have to be that expensive. The boards can be purchased using their 4-layer MiniboardPro service. The current cost is $98 plus $9.85 shipping for three identical panels. Each panel contains three MAB boards. So the cost per MAB board would be $11.98. I used a shear to cut out the individual boards. I believe Tom used a band saw. If there was sufficient demand it would make sense to convert the layout to use industry-standard Gerbers and place a larger order from a regular board house. The cost would then be very low. 73, Dave -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K2-MAB-anyone-picking-this-up-tp7589489p7589572.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to lightdazz...@gmail.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] [K2} MAB - anyone picking this up?
Chip - I am in for a three board sheet for $37. Thanks for picking this up. Lou W2ROW Chip Stratton wrote Thanks for pointing out my error Dave. I wasn't looking closely enough, and that makes it much better. I'll modify my proposal: I'll order three sheets for $110, so $37 each sheet with three boards. If two others will agree to buy a sheet of three boards for $37, I'll do it. Chip -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K2-MAB-anyone-picking-this-up-tp7589489p7589577.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] [K2} MAB - anyone picking this up? (Lou Voerman W2ROW)
I would like one of the boards. I would be willing to to pay for one of the three board sheets if no one comes forward to buy the second sheet. -Thanks Matt, N4MTT __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] [K2} MAB - anyone picking this up?
Anybody working on another batch of the Modular Accessory Board for the K2 as documented here: http://www.genebitsystems.com/david/K2MiscAccessoryBoard/index.htm Tom Taylor did a couple batches and distributed the boards, for which he deserves a round of kudos, but he isn't in a position to do it again. He had suggested that someone was giving thought to the project, but I don't know if that is coming to fruition. Any word on this? I need a blank board myself, btw. Chip AE5KA __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] [K2} MAB - anyone picking this up?
Me too, Chip. Bad part is I had one, collected all the parts to do the build and now I can't find it: Not in envelope it arrived in nor the drawer that and the components are in -- so I fear it may have somehow been trashed. Phil w7ox On 5/25/14, 5:48 AM, Chip Stratton wrote: Anybody working on another batch of the Modular Accessory Board for the K2 as documented here: http://www.genebitsystems.com/david/K2MiscAccessoryBoard/index.htm Tom Taylor did a couple batches and distributed the boards, for which he deserves a round of kudos, but he isn't in a position to do it again. He had suggested that someone was giving thought to the project, but I don't know if that is coming to fruition. Any word on this? I need a blank board myself, btw. Chip AE5KA __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
