You can read the assembly manual and find that there is a substitute part for the IC. It is a SMD, but I had no trouble soldering it to the board and I'm two years younger than dirt. You can find the assembly manual at QRPGuys.com. They also sell the PCB.
From: Roy Appleton <twelveoclockhigh@...> To:[email protected] Sent: Friday, March 17, 2017 8:48 AM Subject: Re: [BITX20] MAR-3SM+ and new display/VFO board coming
If there isn't, it would probably be a good idea, as many boards that have been sold already!