Greetings...

I have been reading this forum anonymously for a couple of years and have been so very impressed with MMBASIC.  Geoff and Peter and everyone else involved in testing and refining this product are to be congratulated.

I was wondering if anyone is selling or putting together a group order of the Pico Computer 3 in the US?  It looks like a great device and I would definitely like a couple of them.

I would happily sign on for two, at least. One for me, one for a neighborhood kid who is just getting into computer stuff. Too early for my grandson, who is just 17 months old at this point (who knows what Peter and Geoff will come up with before he's ready to start!).

  llovhaug said  

Greetings...

I have been reading this forum anonymously for a couple of years and have been so very impressed with MMBASIC.  Geoff and Peter and everyone else involved in testing and refining this product are to be congratulated.

I was wondering if anyone is selling or putting together a group order of the Pico Computer 3 in the US?  It looks like a great device and I would definitely like a couple of them.

You're in luck! I bought five of them. PM me your address and I'll send you a couple for the cost of shipping. They have the two three-pin headers installed but no WiFi chips. I tried to solder one of the WiFi chips onto one of my boards and messed it up totally. I'm just no good at SMD.

The main thing with SMD is don't let it scare you. Beat it into submission. :)

You need good magnification and a *very* good light. I got a cheap Chinese illuminated magnifier a while ago and it's worth every penny.

I have a small mono microscope yjat I tend to use for inspection. I can solder under it but it's not that easy and I can't afford a binocular microscope. The lens is fine in most cases.

Don't start too small, get a couple of the SMD practice kits from your favourite Chinese bits seller and make sure you can complete them before tackling anything costly. Practice, practice, practice.

Get proper gel flux and solder paste in syringes. You use tiny amounts so it lasts for ages. Keep it in the fridge when you aren't using it and allow the splder paste (at least) to warm up before you use it otherwise you'll have a job getting it out of the syringe.

Use a temperature controlled iron (preferably a T12 type) with a pointy bit. The curved pointy one is the best, I've found. You can solder in odd positions with that or "drag" solder over a row of pins.

I've started laying out more boards using size 1206 components. They are (for me) a good compromise. I can go down to 0805 reasonably well, but 1206 is pretty easy. I can still melt 0805 LEDs too easily, :(

I really would like one as well. I'm here in. The Chicago area. I'm OK with SMID. Soldering. If it's not too small of a Gage. Any sys uh, systems left? Thanks either way. EDIt I will DM you just in case.
Edited 2026-07-09 03:40 by mclout999

I really want to run the HDMIWEB version, but unfortunately during my six decades on this planet I have never soldered anything in my life, so adding the WiFi module is outside of my skillset.

If there is someone out there who is confident in their skills, I would be willing to pay for their board in exchange for soldering the WiFi module on two boards for me.

Completely agree with everything Mick said about SMD.

I used to be so scared of SMD, I would not even do 8-pin SOIC op-amp chips, and they have a 1.27mm pin-pitch, which is pretty huge by SMD IC standards.  

Now I regularly solder SSOP @ 0.5mm pin-pitch, and very rarely have any issues at all.
It becomes second-nature, with practice, as Mick says.

1206 is still my "Standard" size for SMD passives, but I have had to use 0805 on some really small PCB's, where space requires the smaller parts.  These are easy to hand-solder too, but you really need a good magnifying glass or microscope as Mick also suggests - and good lighting.  

About the only thing I don't do by hand, is anything QFN or passives smaller then 0605.
The tiny stuff really does require factory assembly.

I'd be interested in one or two if an order is made...

Since I have no soldering skills, I am looking for a vendor to fully make and assemble some Pico Computer 3 units for US buyers.  My understanding is that the vendor many outside of the US have been using, JLC, does not have the PSRAM and WiFi modules in stock, therefore I have been looking at other vendors such as PCBWay.  

Unfortunately this is the first time I have ever done anything like this, so I am wondering if someone could help me by providing the following information to get a quote:

1. The Dimensions of the board
2. The thickness
3. The number of layers
4. The Material and FR4-TG specifications.
5. Anything else you think I might need to know to make a successful order

I have downloaded the Gerber, Bill of Materials, and Pick and Place files that Peter provided.

All of this stuff is foreign to me.  I am just a guy who wants hack around with this MMBASIC on this device.

Thanks for any assistance you can offer.

--Loren

Note that the German group buy says JLC is expecting to have the RM2 and PSRAM in August (if I have understood correctly). You might do best to wait.

Is there any particular reason why it would be best to wait?  Is there something particularly better or noteworthy about JLC versus any other contractor?

  llovhaug said  

Is there any particular reason why it would be best to wait?  Is there something particularly better or noteworthy about JLC versus any other contractor?

I just ordered a few weeks ago and didn't have to wait for anything other than the WiFi module, which I bought myself.

I still haven't had any takers for a board in the USA, though. Out of the five, one was bad. I'd like to send out a couple for just the cost of shipping but no one has expressed interest by PMing me their mailing address.

I was confused by your message earlier in the thread.  Probably my mistake.  

I would be willing to purchase some of your boards, however I do want the WiFi module and I do not have the ability to do the soldering.  My reading of your earlier message was that you also were struggling with the soldering.

Given your recent experience getting these fabricated, would you be willing to order additional units from JLC with PSRAM and WiFi installed (once they have the parts in stock)?  If so, I would be willing to help cover the cost of your initial run of units without the WiFi.

  toml_12953 said  

I just ordered a few weeks ago and didn't have to wait for anything other than the WiFi module, which I bought myself.

I still haven't had any takers for a board in the USA, though. Out of the five, one was bad. I'd like to send out a couple for just the cost of shipping but no one has expressed interest by PMing me their mailing address.

I missed this somehow but if you have one you'd be willing to send, I'd happily pay for shipping and your time. I'll PM you.

-James