Is SMT a practical proposition for the occasional kit builder?
If you've got a steady hand, the right tools, and a properly-
equipped work area, sure.
Seems like a fair bit of investment - special tools and techniques to learn?
Yes. Chip components and SOT transistors are relatively easy to
deal with. It's when you start working with ICs that it gets dicey, and
starts working up into the realm of $400-$700-$multi-thousand dollar
surface-mount rework equipment.
SMT components not stocked at hobby electronics shops?
No, but they're available in plenty through channels such as
Allied, DigiKey, Mouser, et al. They're also widely found at surplus
electronic component dealers.
Do we need to learn it, or only when size matters?
Definitely worth learning at least enough to do testing and
repairs, considering how much of commercially-made ham (and land/mobile)
radio gear uses surface-mount stuff.
Happy hunting.
--
Dr. Anton T. Squeegee, Director, Dutch Surrealist Plumbing Institute.
(Known to some as Bruce Lane, ARS KC7GR,
kyrrin (a/t) bluefeathertech[d=o=t]calm --
www.bluefeathertech.com
"If Salvador Dali had owned a computer, would it have been equipped
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