Thankfully it's easy enough for me to have the PCBs made. Only issue is I hate having so many spares that just end up collecting dust.
I use a simplified version of Jules' original 1642 'Alice OPA' project schematic for my various OPIC project variations: OPIC Impedance Converter
I have tons of spares of most boards I've had made, and over time I can usually find buyers up here to take them off my hands.
Yes, from PCBWay. The link is on @rogs website shown in his signature. I just ordered a few. They are nice, but don't burn up the OPA chips. I have toasted a few already.
Awesome. Thanks.
Since the capsule connection and hiZ resistors, opAmp input are all soldered directly to the pcb the mic would potentially have humidity/noise/leakage issues depending on where you live and how you use the mic. There are some brands that do this, but they do different stuff to prevent these issues from happening.
I've built a few of Jules' circuits from PCBway boards and found using solder paste instead of wire solder works really well for the SM op amps. I still use an iron, but you only have to touch it for a split second to liquefy the solder. I tried a heatgun once and blew the SMC across my bench. I don't get that process...
SMD is easy. Put solder paste on the pads (helps if you use a stencil but not absolutely necessary), place the components on there and heat the bottom of the board with a heat gun until you see the solder melt (you can heat that PCB a lot more than you would think), clean the board and you're done. You will need one of these to hold the pcb while you heat it: PanaVise Products, Inc.
That's a great idea. I just happen to have some of this stuff on my desk, gathering dust. I will try that out on the next one I solder.
I'd at the very least like to think i'm not privy to any sort of "arcane secrets"...
I foud that 'lining up' without the need for any heat at all a bit easier.... Even a single pin 'tack solder' really needs 3 hands, if the device itself can still move about...
