Wellington VHF Group, Inc: Online.

ZL2WAL demonstrates his abilities with Surface Mount Soldering!

The SIG meeting on Thursday was an unqualified success with a large turnout. For many, it was a start towards using Surface Mount Technology and there were members who managed to impart their experience very well.

Many of the kits from Tim, ZL2RST, were built and in some cases, debugged. A variety of test equipment was available ranging from frequency counter, a rubidium standard, oscilloscope and a spectrum analyser. Thanks to Tim for showing us the way, Gavin for the PCB and everyone who brought tools, test equipment and other items of interest.

Careful cutting or grinding to form the copper pattern required tested one’s steady hand on a small item. Parts were mounted and tested and we had a number of pure 10MHz units and more marker generators that showed up every 10Mhz on the spec. an.

Those with good eyesight did have a certain advantage but there were a number of aids pressed into use from a “maggy lamp” to binocular magnifiers and even cheap 4+ glasses from the $2 emporium.

Tom, ZL2TDD, showed us the use of “electric chopsticks” and a little practise on some surplus boards,. Most boards were build up using one fine tipped iron and fine solder, which the experts in the group made look easy, while the rest of us got there in the end.

Final testing and alignment to frequency saw the culmination of one’s efforts and in some cases, surprise at how easy and simple the whole exercise was.

Next month sees the start of the construction of the Softrock SDR kits. CDs containing constructional and theoretical information were distributed by Peter, ZL2VK, who still has a few available.

After the customary “cuppa”, members finally cleared the building at 11pm and ready for the next SIG meeting.

de Peter ZL2VK