Allison Phillips, a professional engineer, gave a walk through of the design, simulation, and production of simple circuits using free tools, during last nights NCRC meeting.

Allison Phillips Presenting to NCRC Members

Allison used LT-Spice, a free circuit simulation tool, available from Linear Technology at:  http://www.linear.com/designtools/software/

For her PCB Prototypes, she used another free tool that is well integrated with the DigiKey parts catalog, called ExpressPCB.  This CAD software is used to capture a schematic and layout a PCB which is then produced in a few days by ExpressPCB (a set of 3 identical small boards costs $51, for example)

Allison reviews Googled oscillator designs

Coincidentally, the February 2015 QST had an article on rapid prototyping:  “Make Homebrewed Look Factory Built”.  That article also described using ExpressPCB, as well as other companies to produce metal enclosures and attractive front-panels. (Reprinted with permission, February 2015 QST; copyright ARRL)

(Thanks to Dave Brown, KC1AAA, for the photographs)