Introduction

Most modern electronics is made using SMT or surface mount technology.  While different from older thru-hole or leaded components, this has not stopped inventive hams from figuring out how to use new SMT devices.

Additional information on this subject and related topics can be found in back issues of QST and the following:

The ARRL Handbook for Radio Amateurs

Articles

Note: Some of the following articles are in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) files. To view and print these files, you'll need a copy of Adobe's Acrobat Reader program. (Version 3.0 or later required). More information here.

• The World's Smallest Code-Practice Oscillator (104,455 bytes, PDF file)
  QST February 2001, pp. 39-41
  A very small and flexible code-practice oscillator using surface-mount devices.
• The Mystique Behind Miniaturization - Surface Mount Technology (1,976,008 bytes, PDF file)
  QST, October 1987, pp. 15-18
  Pocket-size hand-helds, TVs the size of a watch – isn't it amazing? Here’s a look at some of what makes this compactness possible.
  
• A Surface-Mount Technology Primer - Part 1 (1,807,550 bytes, PDF file)
  QST December 1990, pp. 48-51
  What makes today's compact electronics gear possible?
  
• A Surface-Mount Technology Primer - Part 2 (2,190,736 bytes, PDF file)
  QST January 1991, pp. 27-30
  Here's more on surface-mount devices - their makeup, where to get them and how to work with them.
  
• Surface Mount Technology - You Can Work with It! - Part 1 (339,191 bytes, PDF file)
  QST April 1999, pp. 33-39
  Start building your own projects with surface-mount devices! I'll show you how!
  
• Surface Mount Technology - You Can Work with It! – Part 2 (144,364 bytes, PDF file)
  QST May 1999, pp. 48-50
  
• Surface Mount Technology - You Can Work with It! - Part 3 (182,325 bytes, PDF file)
  QST June 1999, pp. 34-36
  
• Surface Mount Technology - You Can Work with It! - Part 4 (376,198 bytes, PDF file)
  QST July 1999, pp. 38-41
  
• SMALL: A Surface-Mount Amplifier that's Little - and LOUD! (54,554 bytes, PDF file)
  QST June 1996, pp. 41-42, 68
  A simple project using surface mount technology yet gives you a high quality audio amplifier.

Note:

Contact information for suppliers mentioned in the above articles should first be confirmed using TIS Address Database Search.

Article Reprints:

You can get a photocopy of any ARRL published article for $3 ($5 for nonmembers) for each article requested. Contact the ARRL Technical Department (reprints@arrl.org ),  or 1-860-594-0390, Noon to 5PM, Tuesday through Friday if you wish to get photocopies.

This information was prepared as a membership service by the American Radio Relay League, Inc., Technical Information Service, 225 Main St., Newington, CT 06111 (860) 594-0214. Email: tis@arrl.org (Internet). ARRL HQ is glad to provide this information on the Web free of charge as a service to League members and affiliated clubs.

If you have any questions concerning the reproduction or distribution of this material, please contact:

TIS Coordinator
American Radio Relay League
225 Main St., Newington, CT 06111
Tel: 860-594-0214 Fax: 860-594-0259
(email: tis@arrl.org)