hybridfree/eevblog-posts huggingface dataset:
Building a Synthesizer in <10 minutes - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: LektroiD
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2016, 12:15:30 pm
content: And this is what it sounds like...

author: Electronoooob
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 16, 2016, 07:00:31 pm
content: 10 minutes was quite misleading but enjoyed watching and especially listening. were you the artist of said music?

author: magetoo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2016, 07:24:06 pm
content: I was going to say the same about those 10 minutes, but forgot about posting. Tab's still open. :-)It's interesting to see this particular field of analog electronics being alive and well when everything else is going towards "just do it with a microcontroller".I guess the keyboard is capacitive, is it part of the PCB? Hard to see exactly, but it looks like those key outlines are just silkscreen.Is anyone making similar control surfaces with more oddball arrangements? (X-Y pads, non-piano key layouts, etc) Seems like there would be room for experimentation in that area, and the modular crowd doesn't seem like the type that would always stick to established conventions.

author: LektroiD
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2016, 08:55:26 pm
content: Hi, and thanks for your replies...Yes, the music is mine, an old track from 1994 which I retrieved from analogue tape - since I can't sell those old recordings, I use them for my youtube videos, I have hundreds of unreleased tracks...I should have been clearer that it is in fact a time-lapse recording.There is a big resurgence of analogue synthesizers and effects just now following the documentary "I dream of Wires", which can be found on Netflix.This design is cloned from the EDP wasp from the late '70s and has a capacitive touch keyboard using 4000 series CMOS chips.There are many other input devices when it comes to modular synthesizers, Don Buchla has been making very unique input devices on his synthesizers since the 1960s...

author: RobK_NL
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 17, 2016, 12:34:26 pm
content: I really must build one of these things for my son, if only for the name.

author: cvanc
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 17, 2016, 02:43:15 pm
content: So... how do you actually BUY one of these kits?I'm interested but in looking around many web pages I haven't found pricing and ordering information. Can someone point me in the right direction? Thanks.

author: Andy Watson
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 17, 2016, 03:01:05 pm
content: Quote from: cvanc on August 17, 2016, 02:43:15 pmLooks like you have to register on MuffWigglers. The basic kit of PCB, front panel and a few hard-to-get components is £60 plus postage. Somewhere further down the thread somebody has estimated that the remaining components will cost in the order of $125. I am very tempted too.https://www.muffwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=151625&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
Silicon Valley TV series - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Srbel
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2016, 11:30:09 am
content: Are you watching it? I have just started couple of weeks ago, and I love it. It is great. It reminds me of The Big Bang Theory, but I like Silicon Valley a lot more. I am currently at S03E02 (will watch it today), and I can't wait for 4th season. Every episode so far was great. The only downside - it only has 10 episodes per season.What do you think?http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2575988/P.S. Please no spoilers, for season 3 at least.

author: bufu1O1
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 16, 2016, 02:48:25 pm
content: This song was awesome at the end of an episode.

author: Assafl
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2016, 03:24:24 pm
content: It is pretty accurate description the life of a startup. Apart from the techno mumbo-jumbo. But the pivots, the fundraising, the quacks you meet along the way - pretty dead on.

author: Srbel
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 17, 2016, 06:00:19 am
content: Yeah, and all of the main characters are great.And concerning start-ups. Man, I would like to be able to do something like that. 100 times better than daily grind on the regular job.

author: ivaylo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 17, 2016, 06:47:43 am
content: Yup, pretty accurate. Even small culture things,https://youtu.be/InNgTcuxkZc,two females in a startup expected to be friends, etc, etc. A book by one of the SV writers I liked -https://www.amazon.com/dp/B013CATZIC
For you TDS210/220 afficionados - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: karoru
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2016, 11:36:01 pm
content: For some reason these old Teks like TDS210 or TDS220 tend to have somewhat crazy price/performance coefficient (especially considering this "display" and "responsible interface" fetarures), as Dave said in one of his old videos. For some random nostalgia reason at late night I wanted to reminisce my old university (in Poland), where I studied physics. Place was (and probably still is) filled with these digital Teks (and some 1000 series)It seems that site with experimental setup pictures and laboratory classes manuals is still available.So, what you can do with that old clunky scope?http://www.fuw.edu.pl/IIPRACOWNIA/home/zdjecia/C2.jpgObserve many nice things about diffusion & conductivity in germanium monocrystal.http://www.fuw.edu.pl/IIPRACOWNIA/home/zdjecia/P3.jpgMeasure cosmic ray mions lifetime, scope used for looking at pulses from scintillation counter.http://www.fuw.edu.pl/IIPRACOWNIA/home/zdjecia/L6.jpghttp://www.fuw.edu.pl/IIPRACOWNIA/home/zdjecia/L4a.jpgSome random student fiber optic & laser stuff.http://www.fuw.edu.pl/IIPRACOWNIA/home/zdjecia/J13.jpgAlpha particles measurement.http://www.fuw.edu.pl/IIPRACOWNIA/home/zdjecia/J7.jpgMeasurement of manganium content in steel.Some oldschool clunky test gear (and HV supplies lying everywhere, I think you can't do any serious experimental physics setup without any old spark-generating device or flammable/very cold gas in place) photos here, sorry;)
Help with identification - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Voodoo 6
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2016, 12:28:58 am
content: Greetings,Hope I posted in the proper place, This device was in another forum I visit and to date nobody has been able to identify it. I asked the OP there for permission to post it here to ask a wider audience. Information from original post:Here, listed for your convenience, Everything I can see as far as letters, references, or any other indications that would help identify the unit. All theses indications are on the pictures shown but may be difficult to read.On the top: PILOT GP ADAPTOR 460V em 38-8 with a little circle with 4 lines at 12 3 6 and 9 hours.On the back: +DC IN -DC IN GROUND CHASSIS RS232 PIN 1 POWER RESET RS232On the front: Current Breakers POWER GROUND CHASSIS PILOT and this sign that look like a Yin Yang circle.No writings on either side neither on the bottomInside the unit are a whole lot of electronic including a complex PWM power supply and what looks like a Z80 computer board with the Z80 processor.I am quite certain this unit a some sort of EEPROM programmer from a UK company (by the spelling of ADAPTOR) but mainly I'd like to identify it so I can retrace the instructions and perhaps software to run it as intended.Thanks!

author: Voodoo 6
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 17, 2016, 06:43:25 am
content: Dave, would you happen to know what this is? I think it is a one off. I am not sure what the protocol is to link to another forum but nobody has been able to identify this. There are high res photos on the original forums. Its an old school forum which I am sure you have run across. I have a 5 dollar PayPal to anyone on the planet who can identify this one.

author: CJay
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 17, 2016, 07:26:03 am
content: Pic is too small and internal pics would help an awful lot.Links to the Hi Res pics if you can't post them here would be useful

author: Voodoo 6
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 17, 2016, 07:41:28 am
content: http://forum.nutsvolts.com/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=17447The thing is you will need to create an account to view the pics which is what i was afraid of. There are like 30 pics in high res. I was not sure of the protocol for exchanging cross forum.

author: Voodoo 6
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 17, 2016, 08:16:09 am
content: Images:
$16 action camera - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Electronoooob
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 16, 2016, 07:44:54 pm
content: awesome find, how can they be so cheap??

author: Electronoooob
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 16, 2016, 07:47:23 pm
content: oh the video says use VGA mode as the other two modes [720p and 1080p] are faked.shame

author: hamster_nz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2016, 08:42:46 pm
content: Here is my boy out on his bike trailer, filmed on a similar cheap camera -http://www.dx.com/p/d001-camera-helmet-1080p-fhd-30m-waterproof-action-sports-helmet-camera-mini-dv-light-yellow-403207#.V7N5xJh95hE(yes, as you no doubt guessed, he is non-verbal, has Cerebral Palsy and Gross Developmental Delay)Not spectacularly great video, but the video is fine for posting to Youtube... for about the same cost as a DVD I can't complain.
project for customer - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: ccesaretto
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 17, 2016, 09:44:16 am
content: Hello.As a side business I design VERY SIMPLE electronic boards for customers, mainly used to build game controllers.A customer asked me a board that drives some LEDs and have some inputs for push buttons.He also asked that the board won't be sold to other customers.Considering that designing game controllers that use LEDs and buttons is the core of the business, what do I do if another customer asks me for a board with functionalities similar to those of the board designed for the first customer? I would design a new board but the first customer won't be happy because the new board does the same or similar things to his. What is the industry practice to deal with this situations?Usually my customers are not buying the design (pcb design, firmware) but just the final product.Thanks

author: Mr.B
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 17, 2016, 09:53:44 am
content: Quote from: ccesaretto on August 17, 2016, 09:44:16 amThis is the key.If they are only purchasing the final product they have no right to the IP.Unless they have had you sign a contract to prevent you from doing so, you are free to reuse a design.If you were a retailer selling XYZ product you would not accept a constraint from a customer saying that you can only sell XYZ product to him/her and nobody else.

author: Kilrah
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 17, 2016, 11:09:23 am
content: Find an agreement that works for both of you e.g. I give you exclusivity on controllers for "this particular device" i.e you could reuse any part of the design in a controller that was meant to connect to another device, and of course this exclusivity comes at a cost of X for a limited time of Y. The bigger the restrictions the higher the price for exclusivity, if he really wants full exclusivity on any "controller style" thing for 2 years price it as high as you want to be compensated for not having other customers for 2 years.If he doesn't want to be reasonable then don't deal with him, simple as.

author: rrinker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 18, 2016, 12:58:08 pm
content: Nothing wrong with exclusivity contracts, happens all the time, especially in the cell phone industry (in the US anyway, where the FCC was too busy persecuting Howard Stern to do their job and define a cell phone standard, so every carrier used a different, incompatible system and thus could compete on who offered the coolest phone, not the best service). But such exclusivity usually comes at a price - either the buyer pays more, or agrees to a significantly large volume, and there is usually a time limit - nothing wrong with saying you will sell only to this guy for some set period, a year or two, and after that you are free to sell your product to anyone who wants to buy. That way he gets his head start, and you aren't tied to any unreasonable limits to use what you've designed and built.
Fourier Equations - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: PTR_1275
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2016, 09:27:26 am
content: I saw this the other day and it made me chuckle. It looks to be a few years old so you may have seen it before.http://www.smbc-comics.com/?id=2874

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 16, 2016, 11:04:16 am
content: No, I hadn't seen that before.I did smile, though.
"Tear-down" of really old food in cans, packets and just plain weird "food" - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 16, 2016, 11:04:47 am
content: OK, so I actually discovered this guy as he did a video of opening archive boxes full of old tech.However strangely entertaining... Think of it as a tear-down of things that just shouldn't be in cans and packets. Here is a small selection:
Best Multimeter Tips & Tricks Video - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: made2hack
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2016, 07:31:37 am
content: Quite possibly the best.Sorry if it's a repost.http://youtu.be/uFTQxWlMGeE

author: Dave
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2016, 06:54:09 pm
content: I've been following This Old Tony for some time now. Fantastic bloke, great videos, both from the machining point of view, as well as the editing and the jokes.
Thinking about EMP in fiction and in reality - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Artlav
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 15, 2016, 10:13:46 am
content: A common trope in fiction is to use some sort of "EMP pulse" to destroy electronics without harming living things.I wonder if something like that is possible for real, against a wide variety of stuff up to well-designed military/spy gadgets?Consumer grade stuff is easily killed by mere proximity to a little tesla coil or cooked in a microwave, so if the goal is to deprive clueless students of their e-cheating material, then it might be rather straightforward.But the problem that most fields can be easily shielded from by a simple wire mesh - the same phone or a camera will happily run on top of a big-ass tesla coil if they are in a proper faraday cage. Any spy gadget worth zapping would be designed with that in mind.A more constrained scenario would be preventing electronic intelligence from leaving a site.Here we can scale the pulse energy without worrying about harming any biological electronic devices like human nervous systems.Consider a pulsed generator that could ramp up a field of hundreds of T in microseconds.Clothes won't mind, but a thumbdrive with a metallic case and a shielded chip would get physically shredded by Z-pinch effect.Not quite EMP-zapping, but close enough.Kind of a random thinking spree i got into in the morning...So, is any of it plausible, and how could you actually make something that would fit the name of "EMP pulse" and be able to destroy most recording devices with less collateral damage than burning it with fire?
SMA to LEMO assemblies? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Fulcrum
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2016, 12:29:42 pm
content: Hi everyone.I am designing a board that will output a sub-1GHz signal via a SMA (or SMB, design is not finalized) board connector. This signal will go through ~4m of coax to a daq system. The problem lies in the fact that the daq uses LEMO input connectors, and from doing a bit of googling it seems like it's not a very standard coax connector. All the cable assembly companies I found didn't offer LEMO as an option! Does any of you know a company that can offer SMA/SMB to LEMO cable assemblies? And why is LEMO so underrepresented? We use it all the time in our university lab so I thought it would be more common.

author: Kalvin
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2016, 12:49:11 pm
content: There are decent priced lemo-to-bnc and bnc-to-sma adapters available.About the (un)popularity, there are some issues according to this Wikipedia articlehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LEMO:Quote

author: Kilrah
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 13, 2016, 01:28:56 pm
content: Which LEMO is it? There are thousands of references but only few are standard and stocked by distributors, most are custom order and a lot are proprietary (e.g. the manufacturer of your DAQ system asks LEMO to develop connector type Y specifically for their purpose, of which they will have exclusivity so that mating connectors/cable assemblies can only be sourced from them, that's a commonly used way for manufacturers of pro equipment to ensure vendor lock-in).

author: Fulcrum
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2016, 02:20:30 pm
content: Quote from: Kilrah on August 13, 2016, 01:28:56 pmThat's the kind of proprietarity I hate. Luckily the daq uses the standard L00 1-lead plug, no custom job. Lots of lemo-to-lemo assemblies with the L00 connectors, but no lemo-to-somethingelse...Quote from: Kalvin on August 13, 2016, 12:49:11 pmYeah, doesn't seem to be very popular except in the scientific/academic world, and to some extent the high-end camera world (for some reason...). Most of the crates and swappable modules we use in the lab has lemo connectors. I guess it just sort of became a standard in the experimental physics world, which make sense given how often experimental setups have to be changed and modified. LEMO has very quick and easy mating, I'll give them that.

author: Kilrah
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 13, 2016, 02:27:23 pm
content: Quote from: Fulcrum on August 13, 2016, 02:20:30 pmFirst Google result:http://www.cdint.com/catalog/category/Cables/L00

author: Fulcrum
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2016, 02:37:56 pm
content: Quote from: Kilrah on August 13, 2016, 02:27:23 pmI honestly can't believe I missed it. I've been through a dozen sites (that one included I think...). Thanks a bunch. Now I have one option at least.
Need to make Floppy Boot Disk (dd) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: metrologist
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 12, 2016, 07:12:56 pm
content: I have no idea what I'm doing here.Some old test equipment used a floppy boot disk for a repair sequence (some embedded system). The design engineers created a folder with files (boot, debug, and mon), without extensions. These are just in some old archive, and there are no instructions about any of this.I suspect the "boot" file needs to be written to the first 500 bytes of the disk (the boot sector). However, the boot file is over 100kB. I assume it writes and just keeps writing, so that may be OK. The other files may be copied to the disk normally?I tried using dd for Windows and these procedures:http://stackoverflow.com/questions/32893607/how-do-i-write-a-bin-file-512-bytes-to-the-first-sector-sector-0-of-a-floppyhttp://www.chrysocome.net/ddI did not get a file (I had dd and the boot file in the same Windows folder):"dd if=boot of=disk.img conv=notrunc"Any ideas what to do?

author: Kilrah
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 12, 2016, 07:28:57 pm
content: My bet is that the guys inserted the disk, copied those 3 files that were on it, and completely missed that there was a custom boot sector on the disk and they should have made an image... i.e. you'd be screwed.

author: boffin
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 12, 2016, 11:36:31 pm
content: Quote from: metrologist on August 12, 2016, 07:12:56 pmassuming your 100k file is called boot1st find the name of your floppy driveCode:C:\USERS\DESKTOP\metrologist> dd --listlikely it will be \\?\Device\Floppy0therefor the command you're looking for:Code:C:\USERS\DESKTOP\metrologist> dd if=boot of=\\?\Device\Floppy0(under linux it would be)$ dd if=boot of=/dev/fd0

author: metrologist
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2016, 12:59:10 am
content: Thanks. I haven't been able to get dd to do anything other than echo what I enter. I tried with and without the angle bracket and other variants. Even run as admin. Both Win7 and 10. I might try on old PC.Of course, I'm assuming the boot info needed for the floppy is in that boot file.
Speaker reconing - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Homer J Simpson
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2016, 04:26:09 pm
content: I had heard about this way back but never looked into how it was done.Found this video, probably better ones but the process is interesting. Amazing its economically viable. I can see it for restoration on vintage stuff though.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6CCrLz-Zts#t=2671.859843

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 11, 2016, 11:23:24 pm
content: Homer, you do find some interesting videos!Very interesting process, I agree.

author: calexanian
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 12, 2016, 02:23:29 am
content: Here is where my nerd shows. That is not a genuine JBL redone kit. It appears to be something the video creator is offering. Genuine JBL kits are pre assembled. Cone, Spider, and coil are pre glued. You strip out the old, drop in the voice coil spacer, glue the surround and spider spaces on the basket and drop in the assembly. Solder the tinsel wire, glue in the gasket, pull out the spacer, glue on the dust cap, and away you go! Done many of them. I used to be a Waldom speaker recone provider.

author: CJay
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 12, 2016, 05:34:41 am
content: Well, I knew it was possible to do but I've never seen it done.Quite impressive and I guess it must be cost effective, is it a service that's offered by PA companies or something that's just done for 'in house' stuff?

author: Seekonk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 12, 2016, 02:16:41 pm
content: I visited a speaker manufacturer once. A friend was having a line of speakers built for his chain. They has a whole wall of stuff. Pick out the type of cone, surround, magnet, etc and we will build it for you. For the prices of speaker foam on ebay you can almost buy a new speaker.

author: AntiProtonBoy
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 12, 2016, 02:20:04 pm
content: Uncle Doug did pretty good video on the subject as well:I love his channel.

author: boffin
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 12, 2016, 03:12:09 pm
content: Quote from: AntiProtonBoy on August 12, 2016, 02:20:04 pmAgreed, and Rusty is really the star of his channel.As for reconing, I'm sure I watched a video about a reconing supplier that was in Arlington WA, but for the life of me I can't remember the name or find it on Google.

author: Seekonk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 12, 2016, 05:33:55 pm
content: Another friend worked for the other genesis speaker company on east side of the US. They touted ferro fluids. In spite of all the touts in the ads, he said the ferro fluids saved cost in manufacture by self centering the voice coil.
Metcal autosleep stands - how do they work? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: PaulAm
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 30, 2013, 10:41:41 pm
content: I've been looking for a bit trying to find out how the Metcal autosleep stands work without any luck. Anyone have a clue how they work? I need a stand for a DS1 desoldering handle and I'm not enthused about paying out the list price for one.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2013, 12:05:35 am
content: There is a pair of magnets in the stand that saturate the magic alloy to stop it absorbing energy from the RF coil

author: smashedProton
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2013, 05:31:25 am
content: ^^ called a curie point

author: PaulAm
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2013, 02:56:23 pm
content: Thanks, that was the clue I was looking for. One magnet doesn't do it, but with 2 fairly strong magnets I can get the tip temp down about 150F.

author: Signal32
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2016, 03:09:36 pm
content: Quote from: PaulAm on May 01, 2013, 02:56:23 pmAny tips on how to get the tip to idle at 60C ?I'm using STTC tips and even with the genuine MX-W1AV workstand, they idle around 150C.I've tried 2x strong neodymium magnets but I seem to be unable to get it below 120C.How did you position the magnets ?Thanks.

author: Assafl
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2016, 05:39:51 pm
content: Quote from: smashedProton on May 01, 2013, 05:31:25 amI thought curie point was due to temp only. In the case if the very strong Neodymium magnets used by Metcal - I think the mechanism is saturation of the energy absorbing core. Hence the eddy currents the form are much lower.Furthermore, since the eddy currents are lower, the voltage rises and the generator reduces power to the coil. So it actually messes with the power delivery feedback loop and causes it to drop power.

author: grifftech
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2016, 03:46:35 pm
content: Hall effect sensor in the the iron and magnet in the stand

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2016, 03:49:04 pm
content: Quote from: grifftech on August 11, 2016, 03:46:35 pmThere is no sensor in a Metcal iron.
Tour of Voice of America Transmitter Plant - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Homer J Simpson
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 08, 2016, 02:51:43 pm
content: 5 parts.

author: German_EE
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 08, 2016, 07:57:22 pm
content: Is it true that VOA was originally run or financed by the CIA?

author: Seekonk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 08, 2016, 09:25:07 pm
content: I've never been there and only live 20 miles away. It was, however, the first place all our Chinese visitors wanted to see.
Workshop Repair Costs - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: German_EE
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 08, 2016, 07:52:46 pm
content: Who wants to give these guys your business?

author: calexanian
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 08, 2016, 08:32:20 pm
content: That joke is so old its a true antique! So true though. When people look over my shoulder here when I do their repairs I want to charge them a spectators fee! hahaha.

author: NottheDan
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 08, 2016, 08:43:13 pm
content: What if I bring coffee and donuts?

author: ZeTeX
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 08, 2016, 08:46:44 pm
content: Quote from: NottheDan on August 08, 2016, 08:43:13 pmthen its only 87.99$

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 08, 2016, 09:02:33 pm
content: Quote from: calexanian on August 08, 2016, 08:32:20 pmI just look back at them with my very special face expression and they just go away. Sometimes even apologize LOL, no need to say any words.

author: German_EE
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 09, 2016, 12:05:38 pm
content: It depends on what's being fixed. As a kid I watched the TV repair man do his thing and he was kind enough to give me a guided tour around the innards of the TV set. I've also sat and watched a plumber turn a collection of water and gas pipes in one combination to a collection of pipes in another using nothing more than elbow joints and experience, THAT was fun to watch. My father was a plasterer and even now I can stand there and watch someone who has the knack chase a bead of water around the wall until the surface is dead flat.Now, what IS annoying are the people who constantly want to know 'what's that'? or 'what does that do'? as their fingertip gets close to the 1100V anode cap on a power amplifier. As for the 'why didn't you do that, it's much better' crowd, they get shown the door, the secret is to watch an expert at their trade and listen.

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 09, 2016, 12:39:28 pm
content: It shouldn't be a linear scaling factor though. Each additional level of customer participation should be a multiplier on the base rate. The 'if you help' rate is discretionary - I've paid a good auto mechanic his hourly rate before now to work along side me rebuilding a type of marine engine he wasn't familiar with, as I didn't have the right tools for the job, and having a second pair of eyes checking it was worth the money. OTOH, I'd previously done electrical/electronic work for said mechanic when he'd been in a tight spot.

author: nowlan
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 09, 2016, 12:51:57 pm
content: Reminds me of this rant.
Part Identification - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: EEVaditya
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 09, 2016, 07:14:48 am
content: Hello,I am looking for part no. of SMD components with following marking codes.1) Packg: SOD-123Marking: A'2) Packg: SOT-23Marking: S S(Both S has got considerable distance)please guide.

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 09, 2016, 07:21:56 am
content: http://www.marsport.org.uk/smd/select.htm
Speaker cable bargain. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: DTJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 08, 2016, 03:41:37 am
content: Anyone interested in some twisted figure 8 speaker cable for $1500-Price seems just a little high but the label does say they are "hand made in the USA".http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/como/home-theatre-systems/synergistic-research-resolution-reference-speaker-cables-4-5m/1119844972

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 08, 2016, 03:56:05 am
content: Quote"so are perfectly broken in" ....Have I been doing it wrong all these years?

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 08, 2016, 04:14:34 am
content: Didn't you know? For the first 50 hours of cable use they should be used only on classical music at volume levels of four or below. For the next 200 hours you should change amplitude and genera every 20 hours keeping max volume levels under seven. Thereafter genera should be changed every 50 hours and wires should be rotated between left and right every 3000 hours. If music levels above seven are used regularly genera should be changed at 30 hour intervals.Cables which have been burned in through extended listening of a single genera, or extended periods at a constant volume level are permanantly damaged and should be disposed as hazardous waste to avoid recycling the damaged copper into new audio cables. Those with lower standards of audio quality may be able to partially restore these cables through use of the Cablizor, available only through specially licensed technicians.

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 08, 2016, 04:20:32 am
content: ... that seemed a bittoowell thought out.One wonders about how your mind works......

author: raptor1956
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 08, 2016, 05:29:34 am
content: Snake oil never went away, it just changed names...Brian

author: Towger
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 08, 2016, 06:59:20 am
content: Quote from: Brumby on August 08, 2016, 03:56:05 amDon't know. But I have the guts of 100m of RS branded speaker cable in the attic for years. Must be well aged now. Time to sell it by the meter on eBay to convert it in to a spectrum analyser or two...Proper 1.5mm copper, none of that CCA stuff.
Meteor  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: GEuser
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 12, 2016, 01:14:05 am
content: Q

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 12, 2016, 01:31:10 am
content: I believe being in the Southern Hemisphere really limits our chances. Being so low in the sky to us, it is difficult to get any decent view to start with - but add weather and the odds are against you.At least that's how it was the last time I tried. I even downloaded NASA's App for the event - but saw nothing but clouds.

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 12, 2016, 11:18:45 am
content: I might take a drive up the road to Bullaburra. Fantastic views to the north and east from up there.
Why didn't you get 800 on your SAT?  (Massive leak) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Rick Law
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 08, 2016, 05:41:58 am
content: Everyone into EE are likely college grads or heading to college. Some interesting SAT news here:----------------Hundreds of exam questionsfrom the College Board’s redesigned SAT college entrance examhave been leaked to Reuters, the news wire reports.Only several months after the launch of the new Common Core-aligned SAT college entrance exam, hundreds of confidential test questions were leaked in what test experts say is one of the most serious breaches in the history of college admissions assessment.The leak is “a problem of a massive level,” one that could “put into question the credibility of the exam,” says Neal Kingston, who directs the Achievement and Assessment Institute at the University of Kansas.It is unclear to date whether the breach will undermine the upcoming administration of the SAT on October 1.The College Board released the statement below regarding the breach on its website:The theft of unpublished test content is a serious criminal matter. The College Board and our partner ETS are responding quickly and deliberately to investigate and resolve this matter. To be clear, this stolen content has not been administered to students. Therefore, no students have or will be impacted by this theft.......... So on, so on...Read full article here:http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/08/07/breach-test-questions-common-core-sat/]http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/08/07/breach-test-questions-common-core-sat/

author: TheAmmoniacal
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 08, 2016, 07:30:41 am
content: Someone explain what the SATs are?

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 08, 2016, 07:36:02 am
content: Google is your friend:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SAT
dfc lamps - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: MatthewMorgan
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2016, 04:39:13 pm
content: So i got a projector with a dfc lamp in it and want to know more about how dfc works.

author: MatthewMorgan
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2016, 07:34:19 pm
content: anyone?

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2016, 09:42:21 pm
content: Looks like a conventional halogen lamp with sideways reflector included in the envelope from googling.What do you want to know?
What type of solder is used on circuit boards for space probes? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2016, 11:09:07 pm
content: That's my question for today. Thank you.

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 05, 2016, 02:12:54 am
content: Most likely some very high grade leaded silver solder. Space hardware generally uses tried and true processes and materials since reliability is top priority.

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 05, 2016, 05:22:32 am
content: The OP in this thread listed below links a NASA paper related to this subject. Generally NASA requires something like 2-3% lead in the solder. The paper describes why. I believe the other space agencies have similar policies.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/whiskers-on-components-worth-a-read/msg996258/#msg996258

author: ConKbot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 05, 2016, 06:03:07 pm
content: From nasa-std-8739.36.11 Solder6.11.1 Types and Usage. All solder used for tinning and solder connections shall conform toANSI/J-STD-006 (Requirement). Flux-cored solder shall be either composition SN60 or SN63containing flux types R or RMA, or equivalent (Requirement). For all soldering applicationswhere adequate subsequent cleaning is not practical, only solder containing flux type R shall beused (Requirement). Solid solders (no flux) for use in solder pots shall be of the samecomposition (Requirement).

author: Stray Electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 05, 2016, 10:42:09 pm
content: I don't know what they're using now but about 5 years ago they HAD been using lead-free ROHS solder and they lost a LOT of satellites due to that stuff. I live with a few miles of KSC and a friend of mine had a job removing the lead free solder and re-soldering the circuit boards with leaded solder. I don't know what alloy though.

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 05, 2016, 11:10:53 pm
content: Thanks for the answers.

author: German_EE
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2016, 08:10:59 pm
content: I was at a place on Thursday that made space qualified parts and they used leaded solder.
Model Trains -> Electronics - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: techie1234
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2016, 02:07:36 pm
content: As a boy I learned a bit about basic electricity from working on my Lionel model train: series/parallel circuits, shorts, debugging, and the like. Having gotten back into trains last year because of my 3YO son, this is now leading me as an adult to learning more about proper electronics. I’m curious if others have followed a similar path or have an interest in both hobbies.

author: Ampera
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2016, 03:08:43 pm
content: My interest in EE work came from computing, and I still hope to have some impact in the computing world.

author: Seekonk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2016, 03:17:43 pm
content: I wanted a machine shop and all I got for Christmas was a voltmeter. While other kids were hiding cigarette and beer purchases from their parents, I had to hide my purchases from Radio Shack.

author: techie1234
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2016, 03:51:33 pm
content: Quote from: Seekonk on August 07, 2016, 03:17:43 pmI guess my path was more akin to:Trains -> Computers -> Beer & Girls -> Son -> Trains -> Electronics

author: Ampera
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2016, 06:51:03 pm
content: Mine goes aboutComputers -> Electronic -> Being Born
Radioamatuer meetup in Holice, Czech Republic - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: daqq
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2016, 07:04:53 am
content: To whomever it may interest:On the 26th–27th August 2016 in Holice, Czech Republic there will be another radioamatuer get together as well as the traditional fleamarket. I will certainly be going.http://www.ok1khl.com/view.php?cisloclanku=2016030603Enjoy,David
Australias CSIRO Wi-Fi 101st object in British Museum Exibition - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2016, 09:33:24 am
content: Quotehttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-08-03/csiro-wi-fi-invention-added-to-british-museum-exhibition/7683066

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2016, 10:55:28 am
content: to become the 101st item in A History Of The World In 100 ObjectsWait... what?

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2016, 03:07:28 pm
content: Quote from: PA0PBZ on August 03, 2016, 10:55:28 amI know right?
Fun time at the office the other day - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Red Squirrel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2016, 09:50:25 pm
content: I work at a NOC, we monitor telecommunications across multiple separate regions. Came to work on night shift after being off for 2 weeks, and 15 minutes before I showed up, one of the main central offices got hit by lightening. It blew up the GPS antenna and clock so everything was going out of sync. It also blew tons of other equipment including lot of DMS cards etc (for telephony switching). Basically like 60kish people had no dial tone, and long distance was very sketchy due to trunks going out of sync on and off. Even where I was since LD goes through that CO's toll switch. The fibre optic network was lit up like a Christmas tree as well. The clock is suppose to keep sync if the GPS goes out, but the clock itself got damaged too. I think Dave may have actually done a teardown of something similar if I recall... this one is a Symetricom, there's a A side and B side. Would be interesting to do a teardown of the one that got hit by lightening.I don't know all the details but someone did meantion there was even equipment that was on fire with flames shooting out. Not sure if it was that or something else.They had to rush spare cards and an antenna from the CO I was at, so I went around the building taking pictures of our clock and other equipment so they can confirm model # before they start digging for spare cards.Apparently the main ground for the building vaporized in that process too. One of the techs was in the telephony switching room when it hit, he said one of the frames light right up in a bright flash. Must be quite something to witness that.A coworker who ironicly was the one on shift for that, actually was in our CO when it got hit by lightening many years back before I started. He said he actually felt his hair rise and felt all staticy, then the lights started to dim, then he heard a huge bang. Said it sounded like a truck hitting the building. He ran outside to check it out, and the GPS antenna was in the street, on fire. Those GPS antennas sure seem to attract lightning.

author: Dave Atom
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2016, 12:18:06 pm
content: Quote from: Red Squirrel on August 02, 2016, 09:50:25 pmEveryone knows that GPS antennas have special circuits in them to attract the gps signals, they don't just absorb radiated signals, they actually 'suck' the signal in, that's why they are so expensive and often hit by lightning, that's why you have to turn your gps units off in a storm.

author: StuUK
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2016, 12:27:47 pm
content: Quote from: Dave Atom on August 03, 2016, 12:18:06 pmI didn't but consider myself educated now
Old Patent Finds - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: calexanian
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2016, 04:28:24 am
content: Here is a patent originally filed in 1906 by General Electric for an "Electrolytic Condenser"https://www.google.com/patents/US1074231?dq=inassignee:%22general+electric%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjcx4qN8aHOAhVI92MKHZp5Cr4Q6AEIXzAJIt literally can fit on one page! A modern parent does not even have a vague description of the idea on the first several pages.

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2016, 06:23:06 am
content: Most good patents in those days have been very short and powerful.After WW2, the USA took about 650,000 patents from Germany as war reparation payment and I read in one report that they looked mainly for very short and powerful patents. It seems these days of short patents are over.

author: AntiProtonBoy
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2016, 08:36:22 am
content: The patent system, as it is today, is fucked. The whole thing should be abolished I reckon.
Help! Atom (text editor) hates me - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Synthetase
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2016, 04:10:52 am
content: Slightly off topic, but I'm not sure where to put this. I only know a couple of other people that useAtomand they couldn't tell me what I've screwed up. I figure there are plenty of coders on this forum who might know, and I'm not sure who else to ask.Anyway, I think I accidentally hit some kind of magic key combination yesterday and Atom started reporting all its core functionality at the bottom of the screen while I'm editing (see attached). It's really annoying, as it's both distracting and sometimes the messages end up covering the line I'm working on, so I can't see what I'm doing.My Google foo seems to have failed me as I haven't been able to find any info on turning this off. Mostly, I think, because I'm not actually sure what it is that I've turned on. If anyone knows either what this feature is called and/or how to turn it off, I'd be very grateful.Thanks
"target" priceing.. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: mrpackethead
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2016, 10:30:34 am
content: I'm currently experiencing quite a lot of growth and am buying components from a number of vendors.. I often have a choice of suppliers for the same part.I'm pretty sure that the listed price is not the best pricing that you can get, and I think its worth the effort to chase..it seems common practice in this industry that the vendors ask for a "target" price. This is annoying, i really just want them to give me their best price and i can pick..How do you get the best price when they ask for these target prices.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2016, 10:52:47 am
content: Start out by sending a group email to all so the can all see who they might be competing against.Then sit back and enjoy thinking of them sharpening their pencils.Each will be in a different position of inventory, cash flow and lead times, make the hungriest win.

author: Kilrah
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 03, 2016, 11:01:14 am
content: Quote from: mrpackethead on August 03, 2016, 10:30:34 amTheir "best price" is their list price of course, that's what they ideally want you to pick, nobody would straight away give offer the lowest they'd accept.They'll bend but you have to be the active part of the negociation...

author: rollatorwieltje
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 03, 2016, 11:11:52 am
content: Quote from: mrpackethead on August 03, 2016, 10:30:34 amWe all want that of course, but that's not how this market works. It's all about good relations. There's a huge difference between buying random stuff and giving your supplier an order to deliver X items every Y weeks for Z years. When you move enough volume prices can go down significantly, in the order of 50+% in some cases. Being a long time customer also helps.I can't share exact numbers of the company I work for (don't even have most of them), but as an example, we buy din rail power supplies from a very well known manufacturer for about 1/3th of the retail price. We use around 6k units per year, and the contract spans multiple years (3 or 5 I think).

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2016, 11:15:01 am
content: Find a vendor, like Arrow, Avnet or something local. They work differently than Digikey, or buying direct, but they can help you a lot. You really need to think differently with these price negotiations.