The biggest issue is time.? I don't build the boards, I'm just the "software guy".? It's not practical for Lee to make boards one at a time so he does them in batches which makes the time commitment?larger.? My understanding is that he has PCBs and processors but needs to order some of the other parts.? The processor is very difficult to hand solder, but the rest isn't too bad.? Way back (16 years ago in 2004!) we decided against kitting the Xcat because we were concerned about the soldering skills and equipment available at the time.
If we were doing this project today there are lots of Chinese board houses such as??can do cheap fast and decent quality PCBs *AND* assembly fast and cheap.? The board setup fee alone back in 2004 would probably buy 50 built and assembled boards today.? Of course you have to use parts that already use and I doubt?the archaic PIC I used in 2004 is on that list...
