MOTM

As you all know, starting July 1st the RoHS legislation for the countries in the 
EU takes effect. Although the RoHS (sometimes *incorrectly* referred to as 
'lead-free') requirement was targeted towards cell phones and computer monitors 
being chunked into landfills, as of *right now* anything that is either an 
"audio amplifier" or a "musical instrument" or "power supply" is under the RoHS 
directive.

*In general*, equipment designed "to be in service at least 10 years" can be 
petitioned to be exempt. The category "professional recording equipment" is 
*under consideration* (whatever THAT means).

I am going to contact my solder supplier (Kester) next week to see if they have 
released "solder on a spool" (they call it wire solder) that can be used with a 
standard soldering iron (the temperature MAY be different). If none is 
available, then I WILL NOT be able to supply solder with MOTM kits. I can supply 
*everything else*, because everything else IS RoHS COMPLIANT. The last 'piece of 
the puzzle' was the pc board, and now all MOTM pc boards are run on a lead-free 
process.

Now, notice I DID NOT SAY that MOTM was "lead free", I said it was RoHS 
compliant. "Lead-free" is sort of tossed about, but the laws do NOT specify 
"lead-free", they specify RoHS compliant which allows SOME lead.

So, I *strongly suggest* (cough cough) that EU MOTM kit builders acquire both 
Kester 331 (organic) and Kester 245 (no clean) solder. 2 spools of each is a LOT 
of solder (probably 100 modules worth). You want the 63/37 alloy. I have seen 
recent solder prices *dropping*.

For US customers: business as usual, except you CANNOT SELL a MOTM module built 
with leaded solder overseas after July 1st.

The MOTM FRAC modules are also RoHS compliant.

Lastly: what about assembled MOTM modules? The MOTM-650 is OK. The others, as of 
right now are NOT. If Kester does not have a hand-solderable compliant solder, 
then I will have to use wave solder. IF I go to wave solder, the prices of 
assembled modules will go up. Chances are, if this is the case I will not be 
able to ship *assembled* MOTM modules to the EU :(

If you are in the EU and have assembled MOTM modules on order, you can rest 
assured I am going to do everything I can to ship before July 1. EU customers 
will get priority over US customers. If I cannot ship, the orders will be 
cancelled. There is nothing I can do about it, sorry.

Maybe, the whole RoHS thing will be thrown out or at least pro audio equipment 
can get an exemption. Stay tuned.

Paul S.