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 Ensemble RX Kit Build
I was presented with an opportunity to build an software defined receiver from one of the generous hams here on the Zed. It is our hope to stimulate interest in kit building in the hobby. I have always enjoyed building kits, I built a number of Heathkits back in the day and this kit looks like an enjoyable build and (for me) a challenge considering there are some SM parts involved in the build. So join us for the journey over the next few days and at the end I should have a working receiver...
http://www.wb5rvz.com/sdr/ensemblerx/
First thing was to read the assembly manual through, making sure I understand each step and there is clarity of procedure. After that the tools needed for the build are set aside....
The usual items are seen above pliers, soldering iron with a tip for the work at hand...
my two magnifying loops one is a 10X which I use daily it has a dual lens one 2X one 5X then my dual loop that has 10X and 20X loops along with my monocular I use for most things at a distance beyond 18".. Solder Flux, etc...........
Hopefully I am the only one who actually needs all this high powered magnifying stuff, in those three appliances there is tied up as much money as I paid for my IC-756 (two Killobucks). I have used dime store magnifying glasses but they are poorly ground, easily damaged and seldom come in a power that is usable for my daily use.
So the next thing to do was take inventory of the parts, I did that last Friday afternoon and I sorted things into the Official AF6LJ anti-static parts storage containers.
Yah okay the chip caps are not in a anti-static container....
I took particular care not to loose the 3.3V regulator IC....
I'll bet Pat is good at changing these, once he has them sorted out from the Pepper and the fly PooP.
There is a cautionary note in the instructions not to install this part after the second cup of coffee. While my eyesight is crap my fine motor control is above average and I don't anticipate having too much trouble with this part....
Murphy always manages to find a way into the best laid plans, I received calls from a couple of clients yesterday so this afternoon I will be off fixing computers.....
Tomorrow I will begin the building process.....
Stay tuned...........
I can't wait to get started 
73,
Sue
AF6LJ
Conspiracy Theorists Are People
Who Question The Statements Made By Known Liars.
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Thanks for this. I'm very interested in trying something like this.
73
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You'll enjoy building that and using it Sue - I've built several of the softrock SDRs over the years. I think the first was 3 or 4 yrs ago. The 4.3MoBo is really neat. They've really came a LONG way with the SDR rigs based around the first softrock.
Have fun. 73 de Ken H>
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 Originally Posted by K9FV
You'll enjoy building that and using it Sue - I've built several of the softrock SDRs over the years. I think the first was 3 or 4 yrs ago. The 4.3MoBo is really neat. They've really came a LONG way with the SDR rigs based around the first softrock.
Have fun. 73 de Ken H>
I am enjoying putting it together, albeit with a degree of eye strain....
And for those who don't know, I am legally blind and on a good day my vision is 20/300. I don't anticipate anybody with more or less normal vision and reasonably good fine motor control having much trouble....
73,
Sue
AF6LJ
Conspiracy Theorists Are People
Who Question The Statements Made By Known Liars.
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Sue, have you ever seen any better built instructions than Rob provides on his webpage? They are GREAT!!!
With your vision any electronics is a challenge - you do good with it. My eyesight is ok (about 2.75+ for close up) and I use a stereo microscope for some of those tiny parts. Keep the post active with photos.
73 de Ken H>
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Originally Posted by K9FV
Sue, have you ever seen any better built instructions than Rob provides on his webpage? They are GREAT!!!
With your vision any electronics is a challenge - you do good with it. My eyesight is ok (about 2.75+ for close up) and I use a stereo microscope for some of those tiny parts. Keep the post active with photos.
73 de Ken H>
Those are great and after I post the test results and pictures (after clean up) of the USB power supply I will post some of the links he uses to bring the newcomers up to speed.
They are great.
If only Heath had color pictures and could publish their manuals on a Nook or a Kindle.
73,
Sue
AF6LJ
Conspiracy Theorists Are People
Who Question The Statements Made By Known Liars.
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Looking good Sue! 
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Nice close up photos Sue, but if you would include a six inch wide finger tip by those extremely small parts for reference to give any newbie an inkling to if they would even want to tackle SMT projects.
I just built a 30m Rock mite last winter. It has 1 SMT, and that scared me a bit.
Thanks for sharing
Mike
if you say "gullible" slowly, it sounds like oranges. 
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