Recommendation for RF Prototype "Vector Board" with groundplane needed

Ask my wife about ferric chloride and kitchen ovens ;-)

...Jim Thompson

How did the breadboards scale? Or was this just for conceptual ev?

My own films from that period look increasingly dicey - no doubt thanks to my own hit and miss developing methods.

It isn't too hard knocking out fresh gerbers, especially for prototype boards with no netlist; but I still tend to use simple counter-sinking to disconnect through-hole leads from a bulk ground or power plane, with at least one side carrying a useful foil pattern.

RL

I had integrated transistors, 4-5 per DIP, depending on type. Once the circuit was proven it was laid out as GDSII for masks.

I'll just use the existing films to create a new layout, then add surface mount patterns inside the DIL patterns, so I can handle whatever is available.

...Jim Thompson

Well, I don't know about everyone else, but I *like* making my own boards. I've got a lab set up with everything ready to go, to reduce the overhead of making one board. I don't make *all* my boards, but being able to make a 2" square board and have it the same day sure is handy.

But if time is more valuable than money, having a vectorboard (or a prototype) made, especially if you need plated vias, is surely economical. Assuming you can wait 1-4 weeks for it to arrive, or can afford faster service.

You dare to put a smilie on that?

How about this one, copperclad and x-acto knives pushed to the limits of sanity:

ftp://66.117.156.8/BB_fast.JPG

John

_Now_ I do, but I'm banned from the kitchen ;-)

I've done that. I'd love to have one of those milling machines that automatically works from a layout.

...Jim Thompson

I believe you're referring to the Wainwright Instruments "MiniMount" product line (sold as "Solder-Mount" in the U.S.).

According to one report I've read, this product was discontinued in

I left sanity a while ago:

(5/5 rules for three CSP packages, home-made)

Haven't tried populating it yet though. It's next on the list.

We had one of those for a couple of years. After some initial enthusiasm, we never used it. It was a real pain. It's a lot easier to order a plated-through, or even a multilayer board, and do something else until it arrives.

Oh, two tricks about x-acto copperclad protos:

1. After you hack the board, scrub it good with a Scotchbrite pad. It takes off all the ridges and burrs beautifully. And solder loves a freshly Scotch-brited surface.
2. Kapton tape is great. Stick some down, carve patterns, put parts right on top.

I still want to get a pcb house to gold plate a bunch of FR4 scraps for me.

John

Thanks Dave, that's what I meant. See this

There is also a "Manhattan style" DIY version here

Arie de Muynck

That looks promising!

That looks promising!

Good articles. Thanks!

You lay this artwork out and get PCBs in the mail, you get a few copies for srew ups or replicas, depends o the results :-) I do tis stuff all the time

Marc