AD9834 SMD Soldering

Soldering a small 20-Lead TSSOP IC might seem a difficult task, but by applying some very simple techniques, even the not so skillful amateur can have success.

The photo, taken using a small USB webcam in macro mode, shows a manually soldered AD9834  TSSOP SMD chip. This was achieved using the following procedure:

1. apply water based flux to the board
2. apply some solder to the tracks
3. remove excess solder with solder wick
4. align the IC
5. add some more flux
5. gentle touch each lead to re-flow the solder

PCB was done using the toner transfer method.

40m CW QRP Direct Conversion Transceiver

This 40m CW QRP transceiver started as an empty box. The idea was to build the box then try to fit a transceiver inside. Why? Because so many projects never get a proper enclosure, so this one started the other way around!

The schematic diagram is based on several ideas from the following sources: Forty-oner by SP5DDJ, W1FB QRP Design Notebook.

The enclosure was built using FR4 PCB cut using tin snips. Holes were drilled using a step drill, a very useful tool.

The final transistor, a 2N2219A, provides an output power of approx. 800mW @ 12V DC.

I hope this project will have a side effect ... learning to copy cw :)