paul,
the PCBs have been printed component side! to mark the correct side, i had put the letters BITX in the middle of the PCB as a reminder so that it reads properly.
I guess the fault is partly mine, I am used to imagining the circuit from topside, so i designed it from component side. This is my first PCB and i designed it using the Microsoft Paint program. I should have flipped the entire image over before uploading it. I felt that the builder would figure out the correct side looking at the "BITX" text.
Now, there are two resolutions:
1) for the existing boards, put the LM386 on the foil side.
2) bend all the IC legs by 180 degress so that they are all pointing up rather than down, then flip the IC over and solder it in place on the component side.
The new boards will have take care to flip the circuit around.
It might be a good idea for those buying from FAR to be refered to the BITX20@... for updates and help with assembling the board.
- farhan
