possible proto board service (cheap!) USA

[Paul Perry (Frostwave)]

http://www.farcircuits.net/terms1.htm

I don't know him, just fell into his site! Provides PCBs for mostly ham radio stuff, but looks a rare opportunity to get bords made from artwork!
(as opposed to files).

[aron]

Looks good. I may try this!

[gtrmac]

On the other hand, someone I know has recommended //www.olimex.com as a low cost place to get PCBs from software files.

[Paul Perry (Frostwave)]

Olimex in Bulgaria are by all accounts very competent & cheap, but they were very rude when I asked if they would accept a Protel file! They want the common European formats (including Eagle, I thnk). Whereas, this guy will work from a transparency!! now that is my kind of prototype shop Let me know if anyone here uses him, pleae.

[drew]

Thanks for the link paul! & let us know if you get any boards made...

[gtrmac]

Olimex says that they accept Protel files on the website I believe. So I'm a bit surprised to hear about your experience Paul. Actually, I was planning to send Protel files myself although I could redo them in Eagle I suppose.

I have a friend that has done business with Olimex and I'll have a look at his boards soon.

Has anyone used RCS Radio in Australia by the way? I bought a couple of the boards from the magazine projects and they were nicely made.

[Ansil]

Olimex in Bulgaria are by all accounts very competent & cheap, but they were very rude when I asked if they would accept a Protel file! They want the common European formats (including Eagle, I thnk). Whereas, this guy will work from a transparency!! now that is my kind of prototype shop Let me know if anyone here uses him, pleae.

he will work from a transparency?   so can i just do my board in pbrush and send it to him as long as its correct size.

ok i read the whole thing i am an idiot

[Paul Perry (Frostwave)]

It was at least a year ago I contcted Olimex, maybe they do Protel now! (cracked Protel is the commonest PCB prog in South-East Asia, I think).
It was the other guy that appears to be prepared to work from transparencies (or indeed any artwork, when he mentions magazines).

[Mike Nichting]

So please help me to understand this because it seems to good to be true. He will make a PCB from any medium that I send the circuit on~??
So I could hand draw one or have him copy one out of Popular Electronics or draw one or send a printed copy of it on a sheet of paper??
Am I completely off base here??  
That would be awesome~!!

Mike N.

[Paul Perry (Frostwave)]

So please help me to understand this because it seems to good to be true. He will make a PCB from any medium that I send the circuit on~??
So I could hand draw one or have him copy one out of Popular Electronics or draw one or send a printed copy of it on a sheet of paper??
Am I completely off base here??  
That would be awesome~!!

Mike N.

I tlooks like it! Quoting from his site,
"All boards are made of G-10, FR-4 material, 1 oz. copper, solder coated, and drilled. Double sided boards DO NOT have plated through holes.

Custom boards may be made for $.50 square inch or $4.00 minimum per board for single sided, etched, drilled and solder coated. Custom double sided non-plated through holes, etched, drilled and solder coated boards may be made for $.75 per square inch or $6.00 minimum per board. A clear film negative is required for custom boards. Film from camera ready artwork is $8.00 per shot based on 8" x 10" film per shot. Quantity pricing available. Far Circuits reserves the right to change the pricing based on the complexity of the board."

Go for it!