[sdiy] There are prototyping options out there...

[Grant Richter]

Somewhere out there is an Analog Devices article about prototyping  
using Surfboards and double sided tape to stick them to bare PC board  
as a ground plane.

You also cut little "islands" out of raw PC material to use for power  
busses and general connect points.

Aside from the Surfboards, it is very inexpensive and fast.

The main advantage of using the ground plane is you can prototype  
circuitry above 100 MHz, which perf board won't do. This method is  
essential for video work.

I used to do my own PCBs for prototype but have switched to this  
method because it is much faster and produces more stable results.  
Much better control in the RF range, no more TL074s oscillating in  
the AM band due to rats nest wiring.

You can also mix thru-hole and SMT easily.

I'll look to see if the article is on line, if I can remember the title.