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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Mark,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>I’ve pasted in some expanded
construction notes I wrote for the RefLock II. They are a bit more complete
than what is in the Atlas Manual. There is also a pointer there to a description
of the “two-fisted” soldering technique which I now prefer.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>I would strongly recommend first-timers
practice with the NorCal SMD Dummy Load Kit, http://www.norcalqrp.org/ncdummyload.htm.
It is very inexpensive, ~$10, uses slightly larger parts and is a lot of
repeats with parts that are not static sensitive. Besides, it’s a useful
gadget to have around.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>You should definitely try to get some kind
of optical magnifier to work with. I have _<i><span style='font-style:italic'>not</span></i>_
found a binocular microscope to be necessary yet. I use a clamp-on magnifier
lamp I got at Staples for ~$20.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Since all hands will be occupied with
soldering irons, solder, whatever, you will need something to firmly hold the
PCB in place while working on it. There are a bunch of third-hand gadgets out
there that should work for not much money. I came across a PanaVise with heavy
base and PCB holder at my local Fry’s Electronics [may only be “local”
in Greater Silicon Valley] and use that.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Good luck! It gets to be addictive, and
watch for flying parts!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> Chris
– AE6VK<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>P.S. – I’m 58.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<div style='mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;
padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in'>
<p class=MsoNormal style='border:none;padding:0in'><font size=2 color=navy
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<pre style='background:white'><font size=2 color="#333333" face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></pre><pre
style='background:white'><font size=2 color="#333333" face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'>Tool suggestions:<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre
style='background:white'><font size=2 color="#333333" face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre
style='background:white'><font size=2 color="#333333" face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'>A magnifying lamp or equivalent. The parts and silk-screen markings are<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre
style='background:white'><font size=2 color="#333333" face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'>quite small.<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre
style='background:white'><font size=2 color="#333333" face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></pre><pre
style='background:white'><font size=2 color="#333333" face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'>A pair of tweezers with sharp points and a soft squeeze. Check local<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre
style='background:white'><font size=2 color="#333333" face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'>cosmetic boutiques. If the tweezers are too stiff, there will be a lot<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre
style='background:white'><font size=2 color="#333333" face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'>of energy stored in them while you are trying to manipulate tiny parts;<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre
style='background:white'><font size=2 color="#333333" face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'>a slip will send the part flying into oblivion.<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre
style='background:white'><font size=2 color="#333333" face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></pre><pre
style='background:white'><font size=2 color="#333333" face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'>Some kind of "third-hand" to firmly hold the circuit board while you are<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre
style='background:white'><font size=2 color="#333333" face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'>soldering parts. I used a Panavise with circuit board holder head.<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre
style='background:white'><font size=2 color="#333333" face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></pre><pre
style='background:white'><font size=2 color="#333333" face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'>One, preferably two, sharp tipped 15W soldering irons. I got mine at<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre
style='background:white'><font size=2 color="#333333" face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'>RadioShack.<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre
style='background:white'><font size=2 color="#333333" face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></pre><pre
style='background:white'><font size=2 color="#333333" face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'>In a few cases, 15W will not supply enough heat so something bigger will<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre
style='background:white'><font size=2 color="#333333" face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'>be needed. I used a small 100W soldering gun; I would be careful going<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre
style='background:white'><font size=2 color="#333333" face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'>to higher power, and 50W is probably sufficient.<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre
style='background:white'><font size=2 color="#333333" face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></pre><pre
style='background:white'><font size=2 color="#333333" face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'>A non-clean flux pen is handy. I found a Kester #951 pen at my local<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre
style='background:white'><font size=2 color="#333333" face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'>RadioShack.<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre
style='background:white'><font size=2 color="#333333" face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></pre><pre
style='background:white'><font size=2 color="#333333" face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'>Keep the tweezers non-magnetized and the tips clean of adhesive from the<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre
style='background:white'><font size=2 color="#333333" face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'>parts tapes. It can be frustrating to place the part perfectly and then<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre
style='background:white'><font size=2 color="#333333" face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'>not be able to let go of it.<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre
style='background:white'><font size=2 color="#333333" face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></pre><pre
style='background:white'><font size=2 color="#333333" face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'>Keep the soldering iron tips sharp, and clean with a damp sponge, cloth<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre
style='background:white'><font size=2 color="#333333" face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'>or paper towel.<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre
style='background:white'><font size=2 color="#333333" face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></pre><pre
style='background:white'><font size=2 color="#333333" face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'>Use anti-static precautions. Ground yourself just before touching<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre
style='background:white'><font size=2 color="#333333" face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'>components, or use a grounding wrist strap. The CPLD at least is static<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre
style='background:white'><font size=2 color="#333333" face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'>sensitive.<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre
style='background:white'><font size=2 color="#333333" face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></pre><pre
style='background:white'><font size=2 color="#333333" face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'>For soldering techniques, I basically followed the procedures described<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre
style='background:white'><font size=2 color="#333333" face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'>at <a
href="http://www.tapr.org/~n7hpr/dsp-10.">http://www.tapr.org/~n7hpr/dsp-10.</a> I particularly like the twin<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre
style='background:white'><font size=2 color="#333333" face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'>soldering iron technique for handling SMD resistors and capacitors. One<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre
style='background:white'><font size=2 color="#333333" face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'>modification I made to the process was to put down some flux _before_<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre
style='background:white'><font size=2 color="#333333" face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'>tinning the pad and placing the components. The parts in this project<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre
style='background:white'><font size=2 color="#333333" face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'>are smaller than those on the DSP-10, and these tend to stick to the<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre
style='background:white'><font size=2 color="#333333" face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'>flux pen.<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre
style='background:white'><font size=2 color="#333333" face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></pre><pre
style='background:white'><font size=2 color="#333333" face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'>It should take no more than a second or two with the irons to melt the<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre
style='background:white'><font size=2 color="#333333" face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'>solder for each of the small parts. Don't linger as the small pads will<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre><pre
style='background:white'><font size=2 color="#333333" face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#333333'>delaminate if too much heat is applied.<o:p></o:p></span></font></pre>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center tabindex=-1>
</span></font></div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'> Mark Ericksen
[mailto:merickse@tampabay.rr.com] <br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Sunday, June 18, 2006 9:02
AM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> hpsdr@hpsdr.org<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> [hpsdr] Atlas, How do I
hand solder this thing?</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>I need help. I have two Atlas boards coming, and I
have never soldered surface mount in my life. I have performed a lot of
soldering over the years, but not surface mount. Are there links to sights
that show the proper way to solder these boards as they are constructed (gold
pads)? Keep in mind I am 54 years old and the eyes are failing.
This question may have been answered before, and if that is the case I
apologize in advance.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Eric Ellison, I want you to know how much I appreciate your
efforts in distributing these boards as well as boards from prior
projects. You helped me out on a Delta 44 interface card a while back,
and you went out of your way to do it. You have a tremendous commitment
to the hobby as well as a commitment to helping others and I thank you.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Mark Ericksen</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>AD4MA</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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