On Sun, 16 Mar 1997 00:16:00 +0000 gary skinner writes: > >As far as PCB layout program, I currently use AMS >it isn't bad but crashes my win95 system regularly. >reasonable cost, not bad for 2 sided. Don't expect any support. Interesting! I've had absolutely no problems with the DOS version of AMS CAD and have done some relatively complex dense boards. I often run it under WFW 3.11 when I want to switch back and forth between part definition, schematic capture and board layout, but when in a hurry to do error checking (continuity and clearances) on a board, I drop back to DOS where it's a LOT faster. I've also had excellent support from them. On making your own boards... I agree, I think it's more trouble than its worth. A little while back I did some RF stuff that was all surface mount. Our local board supplier (Pacific Coast Circuits) could turn those boards around in 1 day cheap. I just sent them the Gerber files and picked up the uncut undrilled boards that afternoon. It was enought for me to try out my design. I have tried having them make boards for thru hole without drilling (which seems to involve more setup time), but drilling the holes myself is a real pain! Harold Harold Hallikainen phone/fax/bbs +1 805 541 0201 Hallikainen & Friends, Inc. web http://slonet.org/~hhallika PO Box 4737 email hhallika@slonet.org San Luis Obispo, CA 93403-4737 email hhallika@broadcast.net USA email ap621@cleveland.freenet.edu