> I notice that the pins from the TSSOP chip aren't long enough to fit
> through a PCB - I assume I have to mount/solder this on the opposite
> side of the PCB, i.e. to the copper/track side of the PCB?

Yes, but you don't necesselery have to put the chip on the main PCB.
Anytime I get a chip like that that I wouldn't ordinarily use, and might
want to try in different circuits, I'll make a little personal PCB for it
and that's what gets moved around. This doesn't need to be etched -
you can make short straight tracks with a modelling knife. Once, when
only SMT AVR were available, I mounted the chip on a DIP socket
with small wires going to the pins. Not ideal, but 30 mins doing that is
better than waiting unproductive weeks for DIP stocks

BTW, another trick - recently a few small assemblies were required.
Basically a PIC + 3 relays + drivers. The only way this would squeeze
into the enclosure was to mount the components, all through-hole, on
the copper side of the board. The thickest component was the DIP
PIC so a rectangular hole was routed and it sat mid-PCB with its legs
splayed sideways. Relays could then be laid flat on the top side. Saved
a couple of mm in height and fitted in the box provided very snugly

_______________________________________________
http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
View/change your membership options at
http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist