2013-10-25 Assembling the SoftRock RXTX Ensemble Transceiver Kit

SoftRock RXTX Ensemble Transceiver Kit Giveaway

A give-away for a SoftRock RXTX Ensemble Transceiver Kit took place at the "2013-09-19 Kit Ideas" meeting. The kit was donated to the DARA Thursday Night Group. The give-away resulted with Steve Coy, K8UD, winning the kit. The kit recipient is required to build the kit and make a presentation, sharing the kit building experience with the DARA Thursday Night Group.  Steve, K8UD, honored his end of the agreement by providing an enlightening presentation on the SoftRock RXTX Ensemble Transceiver Kit.

Presentation Summary

Steve, K8UD, prepared an organized and excellent PowerPoint presentation on assembling, testing, configuring, and demonstrating the SoftRock RXTX Ensemble Transceiver Kit. He shared valuable observations and advice helpful to those that may be building the kit. 

Basic Kit Information

The presentation to the Group began with pointing out basic information on the SoftRock Kit. Kit information is contained on the "FiveDash Website" with building instructions at the "WB5RVZ.Org - Ensemble RXTX Builder Notes Website"

Tools Needed

Steve points out the tools he used in construction.  A magnifying glass is helpful for identifying some of the smaller components. 

Component Check

The FiveDash website has a Bill Of Materials (BOM) listing containing the list of components included in the kit. The WB5RVZ Builder's notes provides additional component detail. It is useful to check component values visually as well as testing resistor values with a digital multimeter. Images in the builder's notes are helpful, however, component appearance, such as color or construction may vary.

Organize Assembly Area

The parts are laid out on the assembly bench.

Assembly Strategy

Since Steve is an experienced kit builder, he decided to jump over the stage-by-stage method described in the "WB5RVZ Builder's Notes" . The WB5RVZ Builder's Notes outlines the steps to build and test each stage. This incremental procedure provides a beginning kit builder with a better chance of success since each preceding stage is successfully built and tested before moving on to the next stage. Steve's expert approach is to install all the surface mount components on the bottom of the board followed by the through hole components on the top, without stage-by-stage testing. With this method, Steve stresses that a careful soldering quality inspection needs to be performed after completion of assembly, and after a day or two pause in the project for an unbiased look. During the inspection, Steve found a few solder joints that needed to be corrected. Some of the components are very small and have closely spaced leads. The chance for solder bridging is greater for these small components. Steve points out the requirement for a good magnifying glass as an absolute need during assembly and inspection of this kit.

Configuring The SoftRock

Demonstrating The SoftRock

Steve's SoftRock RXTX Ensemble Tips and Tricks

Kit Builder's Notes 

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