Wiardgroup

Not to "speak" for Grant, but in *general* terms:

a) current pcbs have lead because the copper traces
are coated with solder. There are alternate pcb
"coatings" that are lead-free.

b) All SMT (surface mounted) parts will be lead-free
by December. The RoHS directive takes effect July of
2006. So, that is 1 year away. Still time to ponder
what to do. No reason to run around in a panic (if you
want something to panic about, think about all the 25
year old EPROMS that will corrupt the next few years,
killing 95% of every currently working polysynth and
drum machine).

c) It is *very likely* that a RoHS complaint solution
will be possible in the 1 year time frame. Now, you
the humble customer will more than likely *pay more*.

d) as far as kits go: the most likely option is the EU
customers must user their own (cough cough) solder.
You *can* easily solder RoHS parts with lead solder
(HINT!!). It's the other way around that you can't do.

Paul S.


__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around 
http://mail.yahoo.com