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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>SMT soldering can be done fairly easily with
magnifiers. Techni-Tool (<A
href="https://webvia.techni-tool.com/VIA/index.jsp">https://webvia.techni-tool.com/VIA/index.jsp</A>) and Stanley
Supply and Services (<A
href="http://www.stanleysupplyservices.com/">http://www.stanleysupplyservices.com/</A>)
carry magnifiers. A 5X eye loupe or a loupe that mounts to glasses frames
works well for general soldering. 10X has a lot of distortion, but is
useful for looking for hairline shorts. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>If you'e going to solder QFPs, 0.8-mm lead spacing
parts are trivial and 0.65-mm parts are relatively easy with
magnifiers. 0.5-mm lead spacing parts can just be done with
these magnifiers. If you are going to solder a lot of 0.5-mm QFPs, a
small microscope is a good investment. Luxo makes a 5-10-20X microscope (model
1855LG) mounted on an adjstable arm that is easy to position
over workbench. The advantage of a microscope over a magnifier is that the
working distance is longer (10" instead of 2" for 5X).</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>If you live in a large city, it's also possible to
get glasses with built-in telescopes (see <A
href="http://www.eschenbach.com/">http://www.eschenbach.com/</A>) through an
optometrist that specializes in low-vision patients. An
opthalmologist would know who to contact.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>You probably have better eyesight than I do.
Since I've had eye surgery for a detached retina, cataracts and
glaucoma, I could be overstating the problem. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>73,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>John</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>KD6OZH</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=merickse@tampabay.rr.com href="mailto:merickse@tampabay.rr.com">Mark
Ericksen</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=hpsdr@hpsdr.org
href="mailto:hpsdr@hpsdr.org">hpsdr@hpsdr.org</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Sunday, June 18, 2006 16:01
UTC</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> [hpsdr] Atlas, How do I hand
solder this thing?</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>***** High Performance Software Defined Radio Discussion List
*****<BR><BR>
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>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.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>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.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Mark Ericksen</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>AD4MA</FONT></DIV>
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