On Thu, 2007-04-26 at 10:44 -0700, Vasile Surducan wrote: > On 4/26/07, Herbert Graf wrote: > > On Thu, 2007-04-26 at 09:35 -0700, Vasile Surducan wrote: > > > http://dkc1.digikey.com/us/en/mkt/NewT071/Microchip/mrf24j40.html?dkcid=5338 > > > > Yup, received one in a sample kit a few days ago, looks interesting, but > > given the package I doubt I'll ever be able to play with it. TQFP is > > about as small as I'm willing to play with. Shame. > > Herbert, I think you gave up too soon. > I have soldered with success a 5Ghz switch from Soshin which is less > than a quoter from this package and needs a perfect clean joint. > Use: > a. a lot of patience > b. a pair of glases or better a stereomagnifier (a true one with cold > air jet and light source) > c. some high quality solder paste ROHS compatible ( has a lower > melting temperature) > > The rest is just "making your hand" on several tries. There are a many > TQFP packages nowadays (some of them I've used are the 400Mhz DDS from > Analog Devices or any RF transciever from Maxim) I now notice I wasn't specific enough in my response. First off, I can easily solder the QFP package, being near sighted it makes those jobs pretty easy (0201 parts, THOSE are fun...). However, as a hobbyist, the problem isn't the soldering, the problem is the board. For pretty much any package, down to even TQFP, I have ways of getting them onto a board without making a board specifically for the part in question (adapter boards, dead bug, scoring a blank PCB, etc.). This part OTOH I don't see any way to get around making a board. Considering it would be a hobbyist project I can't justify the time (at least few hours to make the schematic, symbols and layout the board, and then the wait for the board to arrive), or the expense (about $100 to my door) just to PLAY with a part. I'm sure MCHIP has their reasons for not making any other package available for that part (time to market, layout issues at 2.5GHz, etc.), but I am disappointed (I know the part was in the sample kit, but I neglected to look at the package). Please note that IMHO MCHIP has been the BEST company out there for hobbyist friendly packages for a LONG time (Maxim used to be OK, but these days all their new parts are only available is really unfriendly packages, which is why I barely look at their parts anymore, shame since their sample system is suberb). I guess all good things... TTYL -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist