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More SMT Talk
25 July 2014 | by  |
| Hakko FX-888D Soldering Station |
Jack was a NASA level B instructor for 26 years with Bristol Aerospace in Winnipeg, Manitoba. During that time he was instructing on an 'as required basis' but mainly working as an instructor and designer for the SCISAT-1 satellite. Worked involved all electrical systems, harnessing, manufacturing, designing of PC boards and all NASA hand-soldering and SMT soldering processes. That also included writing all the documentation for all the NASA processes used for the manufacturing and testing of the satellite electrical systems.
Although my first and only SMT experience several years ago resulted in the successful completion of a simple 40m transceiver, I found the process tedious and less than enjoyable. Jack suggested that my laborious technique was not the way to do it and was probably to blame for my negativity towards future SMT work. He gave me a wealth of encouraging suggestions for a more 'enjoyable' outcome:
Yes I agree our old eyes are not the same, but a good 6" magnifier ~2.25X lens with light (preferably incandescent IMHO), this is what I use plus a loop if needed for closer-up inspection. An alternate is a binocular magnifier with ~ 2.25X or better, they are widely used by inspectors, jewellers or home hobbyists.
This is what I think I'll invest in next. Without these you haven't a hope or chance of doing the job as well, it is next to impossible. Sorry, not going to talk you out of building with SMT parts, We've gone from tubes to transistors and now to SMT, time to make the change :-) BTW, not sure what that instrument is that you have on the blog, looks something like a tool that may be used to hold down the chip while soldering. You don't need it.
Helpful hints if you so decide to go with SMT:
First purchase a good sharp pointed long ESD type plastic or metal tweezers.
Tack solder one side only, then go to the other side of the chip and solder it correctly, THEN go back to the 1st side and re-solder that side correctly, keep your dwell time to <3-4 seconds. Start with using a tooth pick and apply a small drop of solder paste on each side of the chips pads. If soldering a large 14-16 pin chip, tack solder one corner then the opposite corner first being careful to have the correct alignment/position. Now apply solder paste down the length of each side, don't worry if you apply paste between the pads as the heat will draw it away once you apply the tip. Slowly draw the long soldering iron tip down each pad starting from any corner, allow a few seconds to cool, then repeat for the opposite side. Fine solder will also work but it's slow and far more time consuming.
Use liquid paste SN63/PB37 eutectic solder {no plastic state} for best application, use sparingly as it's too easy to get some under the chip which can easily cause a short cct.
Hope that helps you and convinces you to give it a try.
Personally, I prefer just 63/37 liquid paste in a syringe, far less cleaning up with IPA. Besides, using IPA means cleaning it 100% with a stiff bristle brush. Once the flux is exposed to IPA or rubbing alcohol, there is a chemical action that slowly takes place and it is quite corrosive if the area is not thoroughly washed. Besides, you can't afford to expose certain parts like pots that are not hermetically sealed, once the flux gets inside the pot is contaminated and becomes useless. It's OK to not clean your board, as long as you don't attempt to use any alcohol in a half-ass method. We used total immersion baths and not just one but three separate ones. Even then...I had to slowly pour pure distilled water over the board, capture it in a clean beaker then take it over to our chemical lab where they tested it for any flux residue. Those were required mainly for building all the satellite boards though. Most commercial manufacturers don't bother to clean their boards, a) one less manufacturing step, b) added cost and less chance of contamination. There are some no-clean solder pastes out there now, something to look into, see Digikey for examples. Don't worry about expiry date later down the road, mine expired in 2009! These paste manufacturers mainly deal with big companies that have a tight criteria to meet in order to comply with a wide range of standards imposed on them. Mine still works beautifully, I keep rotating it so the flux inside doesn't settle to just one side. Keeping it in a fridge can even extend the life, but don't worry about that, besides the xyl may not like the idea.
Yes, there have been many attempts back in the mid 70-80s to come up with a simple solution for a simple problem of having a third hand to hold the part in place while you hold the soldering iron with the other hand. NASA, ESA (European Space Agency) and IPC have never used anything like that since the very beginning. Although most hams probably wouldn't want to go to the trouble of learning NASA standards as it's a bit overkill, but it's far better than what some are portraying on the web as the right way to do it.
There are tons of YouTube videos out there that actually show the wrong process of soldering these small parts, but you can't blame them, they were not trained to know any better, but it gets them by as far as they are concerned. I've written many soldering processes on the correct methods on soldering SMT and regular through-hole parts over the years. I still have copies of all these documents which I could send you but they are huge documents.
Many thanks Jack...your encouraging response has definitely given me new hope to tackle some future SMT work!!
Steve McDonald, VE7SL, is a regular contributor to AmateurRadio.com and writes from British Columbia, Canada. Contact him at [email protected].
Baby Steps in the Second Century of Radio
Everyone is talking about where the hobby is going in this “Second Century” of amateur radio and big ideas are falling like rain. Here’s something fairly simple that I’d like to see come to fruition. It should go without saying that these are fictional press releases…
#PRESS RELEASE
January 3, 2015
Chinese electronics manufacturer WunDuko announed today the immediate availability of a new VHF/UHF handheld transceiver for the amateur radio market. The device supports a thousand memory channels with alphanumeric display. The advanced communications device includes low-power Bluetooth communication permitting it to be programmed and upgraded via Bluetooth from a smartphone or personal computer. The handheld is expected to retail for $159 US.
END
#PRESS RELEASE
January 4, 2015
Internet Labs today announced the availability of a suite of Android applications intended to work with the new dual-band amateur handheld from WunDuko. The software enables Bluetooth communications between a smartphone and the transceiver. One of the apps included provides easy access to the full menu of options in the handheld, including the ability to program the memory channels, via the phone interface.
One of the other apps provided in the suite enables GPS data from a capable smartphone to be transmitted periodically via the handeld transceiver while position data from the radio appears on the phone via Google Maps. A company spokeman said, “it’s the perfect mobile APRS solution. There’s no klutzy hardware interface required between the devices and no reason at all to carry multiple GPS receivers.”
He also noted that the GPS in the smartphone works regardless of having a cellular connection. “Pairing the smartphone that you carry everywhere you go with the new handheld transceiver is the kind of sensible innovation we’ve been waiting on from the Japanese manufacturers for years”.
The Android app suite is available now in the Google Play Store for $9.99 US. Look for it to also be available on iOS in the coming months.
END
Filed under: Ham Radio Tagged: aprs, fiction, future, hr
Jeff Davis, KE9V, is a regular contributor to AmateurRadio.com and writes from Indiana, USA.
Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1928 July 25 2014
- FEMA and the ARRL announce a new Memorandum of Agreement
- IARU Region 2 Executive Committee meets in Connecticut
- 2 meter channels in the UK being used for the Commonwealth Games
- Australian launched ham radio balloon reaches South America
- WA1ZMS named to receive the first Triennial Brendan Medal
- Last big Collins shortwave transmitter saved from the scrap heap
TX Factor from Friedrichshafen 2014
Episode 4 from the TX Factor team is a Ham Radio special, filmed entirely on location at this year’s convention in Friedrichshafen on the shores of Lake Constance.
Bob and Mike report on ham radio technology old and new, including a look at the new System Fusion DR-1 144/430 Dual Band C4FM/FM Digital Repeater from Yaesu, and an amazing transceiver from Hilberling.
There’s also a chance to win a Yaesu FT-60E dual-band handie in our first free-to-enter competition.
Visit the website to see the latest episode.
Happy viewing!
Nick Bennett 2EØFGQ co-hosts TX Factor with Bob McCreadie GØFGX and Mike Marsh G1IAR. Contact the team at [email protected]
WRTC Radio and Software Data
The World Radiosport Team Championship 2014 team has posted data on the radio equipment and software used by the teams. There are a few interesting take-aways for me:
The top two radios used are no surprise, the Elecraft K3 by a wide margin at 64%, and the Yaesu FTdx5000 at 7%. The third choice surprisingly was the modest Kenwood TS-590 at 6% usage. I’ve often thought this rig is one of the best in amateur radio today based on the price, features, performance, and value. Despite Kenwood getting the number 3 spot with the TS-590, there was only one other Kenwood rig used, a single TS-850. Ten Tec had a meager showing with two Orion II rigs. Various other Icom and Yaesu rigs rounded out the statistics. I find it sad that Kenwood doesn’t have more product offerings in these statistics. The data suggests that there’s an opportunity in the market for another high performance $2.5K to $3K USD compact rig.
For software I expected the N1MM contest program to be the most popular choice, however Win-Test was used in 68% of the stations and N1MM garnered only 25% usage. Perhaps it’s time I try Win-Test. Despite the price of the N1MM program being attractive, the lack of source code for this freeware program has concerned me. Win-Test costs 50 Euros or about $67 USD, however with the features listed it may be worth it. There must be some “secret sauce” in the program that hardcore contesters like.
Anthony, K3NG, is a regular contributor to AmateurRadio.com.
DXCC Manager Injured
DXCC Manager Bill Moore, NC1L, was seriously injured in an automobile accident about two weeks ago. His neck was broken, leaving him paralyzed from his upper body down, with limited movement of his arms. Recovery will be difficult and slow, and is not expected to be total.
Bill would like to hear from his friends. He is currently in the Mount Sinai Rehab Hospital in Hartford, but cards and well wishes should be sent to 92 Reservoir Rd, Newington, CT 06111.
Filed under: Ham Radio
Jeff Davis, KE9V, is a regular contributor to AmateurRadio.com and writes from Indiana, USA.
This Spewed Out of the Internet #28
More important things have spewed forth from the interwebz:
HamRadioNow interviews the Ham Hijinks guys and has the nerve to actually publish the video. Later the Hijinks crew posted this article about changes being made to Field Day.
Baofeng is going to change its name. Or is this just another Ham Hijinks article?
WE2F writes: 146.52 Reasons to Monitor VHF Simplex but whatever you do, do not use 146.52 MHz on Field Day. Mike AD5A posts Why Operate QRP from Summits? The FCC kicks the butt of a cell phone jammer manufacturer, to the tune of $34.9M and also fines a couple of 14.313 MHz problem children.
A Broadband Over Powerline (BPL) provider bites the dust. Did I mention that it is a really dumb idea to transmit bits over AC power lines?
I did a little explaining about those antenna connectors on handheld radios. Randy (K7AGE) has a neat video showing some basic 2m FM portable operating.
I knew it: Digital is overrated and vinyl is making a comeback. Really.
Due to popular demand, I updated the VHF QRP page. Yes, some radio hams do operate QRP above 50 MHz…apparently for the same reasons that people operate HF QRP. Which is to say we really don’t know why.
I also found that the domain name for the Colorado 14er Event was broken, so I fixed it. See ham14er.org This event is the most fun you can have dorking around with radios in the Colorado mountains. Also, be sure to check out these operating tips.
73, Bob K0NR
Bob Witte, KØNR, is a regular contributor to AmateurRadio.com and writes from Colorado, USA. Contact him at [email protected].
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