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Thread ID: 120317	2011-09-03 09:52:00	PCB routing\milling bits	Agent_24 (57)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1228497	2011-09-28 07:30:00	I do quite like the appearance of the 'Manhattan style' circuit construction style too. It's like a modernized version of the old valve-era tag-strip wiring (and a lot neater!) Yeah...me too. Takes me back to my ham radio days. PCB enclosures have the advantage of providing RF shielding, both externally and internally. I'm currently building a kitset receiver for the HF bands, on a PCB no bigger than half the palm of my hand. It's an SDR (software defined receiver) that plugs into a PC via USB, uses the monitor as the tuning interface and the sound card to provide the audio output. The whole thing runs off 12v DC. The kit cost me around $US60.00 and performance is equivalent to stand-alone commercial receivers worth $5000.00 and up. It's the way communications equipment is going and equipment manufacturers are scrambling to catch up. BTW...I don't know if you've seen these vids: (1) (www.youtube.com) (2) (www.youtube.com) (3) (www.youtube.com).	braindead (1685)
1228498	2011-09-28 09:39:00	Good point, for a receiver or such that would be quite a useful feature - I wonder if a steel enclosure wouldn't be cheaper though? By the way, do you have a link for your SDR kit? It sounds rather interesting... And yes, I have seen those videos in fact. Quite good (I was trying to remember them for the other thread where I suggested the use of a copyshop instead of buying a laser printer) - Thanks for the reminder, I've now favourited them! I'm not sure I agree with his comment on acetone though, I have used cheap nail polish remover (which I believe uses acetone) to remove the toner and it works very well. The trick is to let it soak a few seconds before you start scrubbing. It does cause discolouration if you leave it to dry on the PCB, but I then wash it off with water and dry straight away and I don't get that problem. I also don't know why he discards his etchant after only 2 or 3 uses. What he seems to be using is the mixture used to get the cupric chloride etchant which can apparently be regenerated with air for almost indefinite use!	Agent_24 (57)
1228499	2011-09-28 20:55:00	By the way, do you have a link for your SDR kit? Softrock kitset order and pricing page (http://kb9yig.com/) (Tony Parks is the whizz kid who developed these kits) Documentation (http://www.wb5rvz.com/) Yahoo Support Group (groups.yahoo.com) WebSDR (http://w4ax.com/) - A web-based Softrock radio "station" - needs javascript and java implemented on your PC to be able to tune and listen. You're right...a steel enclosure would be cheaper :)	braindead (1685)
1228500	2011-09-30 11:03:00	They look pretty neat indeed! That whole SDR concept is pretty darn clever too. I wonder if there are any open source designs?.... Maybe I will try one someday if I ever want to get into ham radio (and am competent at soldering SMD parts) Last time I seriously tried SMD, the result was only slightly worse-looking than one of these: www.qrp.pops.net I do have some hopes though, after watching some pretty nice tutorials on SMD soldering on YouTube. Just have to find something in the sweet-spot between actually serving a practical purpose and not being too complex that a screwup would mean a big waste of money :lol:	Agent_24 (57)
1228501	2011-09-30 21:26:00	Ugly has its place, as long as it works . Box it nicely and no one will know what lurks inside :) I've been through the learning loop with soldering SMD :) After trying unsuccessfully to do a good job with cheapo gear, I imported an affordable lower-end but good stereo microscope, fine tweezers (with very sharp tips), an affordable Hakko 888 soldering workstation with a small selection of chisel and angled tips (the default needle cones are useless) and 0 . 8mm or less lead-based solder . Never looked back . The right soldering tip, fast heat transfer, controllable solder amount and good lighting (I used a modded LED torch with a wall wart) are the keys to successful SMD technique . One smooth movement and the job is done . Being able to see what I'm doing has made an enormous difference . I'm ashamed to speak of my early attempts with unsuitable equipment . Eech!	braindead (1685)
1228502	2011-10-01 06:27:00	Thought you might find this (makeprojects.com) interesting Agent_24: This (blog.makezine.com) is the video URL. All materials are available in NZ (www.psp.co.nz)	braindead (1685)
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