Mike Young wrote:

I'm sure this has been beaten to death already, but I missed it. Is
there a very small SMT QRP kit or design somewhere, maybe on equal to
the NorCal 40 or better? I'm aware of the SMK-1. Am looking for the
smallest possible rig with 5W and good RX. Would it be reasonable to
repackage, say, the NorCal 40 with all surface mount parts? Certainly
someone must have already tried this. What results did you find?

By way of introduction, I am N9XI. My main rig is a K2, an early first
run kit from '99. I think I understand the apparent trepidation
surrounding SMT, although I believe it's unfounded and not entirely
rational. After all this time, the dearth of very small rigs based on
the smaller parts is surprising. (Yell if a quick primer on SMT
construction will be useful. I reflow boards in a skillet on the kitchen
range.)

I am aware of toaster oven reflow, but I haven't seen skillet reflow.
If you have the time and inclination to prepare a little web site --
particularly if you could do pictures -- that would be cool.

--

Tim Wescott
Wescott Design Services
http://www.wescottdesign.com