THE HAM NOTEBOOK

Surface-mount technology (SMT), Surface-mount devices (SMD), and microprocessors (µP) are modern construction techniques that are taken for granted in all the electronic products we use every day. They are the products of a construction evolution that began with point-to-point wiring, which led to printed circuit boards (PCB) to SMT. Photo A is a picture of an old stereo amplifier with point-to-point wiring. No, this is not used for an amateur radio purpose, but it illustrates the point-to-point wiring technique.

These modern construction and manufacturing techniques and devices revolutionized the way our equipment is designed, built, and tested. Nearly 100% of electronic products today are made using these techniques and components. Even wire connections between boards and modules are being replaced with flexible, multi-conductor strips.