[hpsdr] So I ordered an atlas, preparation is in order

[Chris Smith]

Dwayne

I'm 67 years old and have Dupuytren's Contracture in both hands and, after an unsuccessful operation for this condition on my left hand, have very little feeling in the middle two fingers. Handling SMDs is a little problematic for me, so I was delighted to see Kirk, KI4RK's, article in QST November 2008 - Hints and Kinks.

He describes using a "magnetic base"  - about $7 at hardware stores -  ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_base ) and a large sewing needle to hold the devices in place so you have both hands free for fine positioning and soldering. I've used this for all the SMDs on the various parts of the HPSDR project and only had two component failures - one to static and one to too much pressure on an LED where the needle went through the plastic package and destroyed the semiconductor!

Don't worry if you don't have a magnetic surface as the magnetic base is heavy and will stay put under its own weight.

Like Jim, VA3KV, I also use a magnifying lamp.

Good luck.

Vy 73

Chris G4NUX

I also use 
On 15 Jul 2010, at 16:49, Dwayne L wrote:

> ***** High Performance Software Defined Radio Discussion List *****
> 
> Thanks to the folks that answered my previous questions, and I apologize for not following up right away.
> 
> I was skimming the assembly manual, and I was curious. I just noticed the caps were polarized, which was my first question. Darn thorough instructions! Is there any real way, other than starting to plug everything else in to test that I didn't goof up? I'll probably have this guy done long before I start ordering more.
> 
> On the scale of difficulty, it doesn't look terrible, but I do know I have to wrap my brain around the idea of "small".
> 
> Does anyone have any tips or ideas on tools of the trade? I've built stuff before, mostly heathkit stuff. Never done surface mount other than tapping boards for test leads and voltage modifications (gotta love nvidia video cards). I'm ordering a real soldering station, instead of my little 15 watt rad shack special, but not sure if it will be here in time.
> 
> 
> -----------
> There are 10 kinds of people in the world...
> those who understand binary, and those who don't
> 
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