[sdiy] dual "VCA" chip

[Matthew Smith]

Quoth Seb Francis at 2009-01-04 11:44...
> I used to think like that, but have been going more and more towards 
> SMT.  Admittedly one has to use adapters or thru-hole versions if 
> building a prototype on breadboard, but from a PCB point of view SMT is 
> just better, smaller & cheaper... (IMO!)

I know that a lot of people are vary wary of using SMDs but they ARE 
suitable for hand-assembly, although I hold some reservations about BGA 
packages in this respect.

Whilst the older/larger packages can be soldered by (a steady) hand, 
even the fine pitched devices can be soldered at home using hot-air 
reflow equipment, hotplates or toaster ovens.  (Yes, toaster ovens can 
make handy soldering equipment.)

The real beauty of SMD for me is the reduction in the number of holes 
that I have to drill - and thus the less drill bits that a clumsy oaf 
such as myself can shatter.

For those thinking of giving it a go, I would suggest doing some reading 
on the Homebrew PCBs Yahoo Group:
<http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs/>

With the ease of PCB design given decent CAD software, I don't even 
consider prototyping on breadboard now.  I've had discussions in the 
past where it was concluded that PCBs can actually save time in the long 
run due to reduced debugging that can arise from breadboards and 
"spaghetti" wiring - especially when dealing with small signals/high 
gain amplification and/or high frequencies.

Cheers

M

-- 
Matthew Smith
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