hybridfree/eevblog-posts huggingface dataset:
analogue meter issue on ohms scale - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 11, 2010, 08:42:51 pm
content: I was the proud owner of a Hansen AT-1200 analogue multimeter (which I specifically bought) untill I found that the ohms scale reads wrong (higher tna it should) now it has a fresh set of batteries and even have new battery compartments, as far as I know the volts and amps are pretty much ok so it is a mystery

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 11, 2010, 10:15:24 pm
content: Its Hard to believe that one Japanese multimeter will get that wrong.I would check if the zero Om pot, are still in good shape.As about me I am fun of Hansen too..

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 12, 2010, 06:50:31 am
content: looking at the diagram i was thinking of the trimmer pot as well because it only comes into the circuit as a trimmer when ohms is used, the odd thing is that I can set "0" fine but then the measurements go wrong. I'd like to get it working as I paid £20 for it new altrhough it was marked at £58

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 12, 2010, 04:19:23 pm
content: Well if there is no plan about warranty , open it up .. and check the pot.Its not the first time that something could came damaged, even stored in the new box,because of an serious accident in transit.And no one, to be aware of it.My own analog MetraWatt, came from Germany with the ohm knob miss aligned with the trimmer ,or better the knob was not controlling the trimmer at all ..I was ready to send in return a cargo of Nukes at German seller , from my "happiness".Any way I just removed the top screws and open up the front panel,and found the problem .Luckily no true damage .. in a minute the AMM (New word ) was perfect.

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2010, 03:00:52 pm
content: So, did you got it fixed ?

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 18, 2010, 04:19:55 pm
content: haven't looked into it yet as I'm moving house
Uncharted 2 disc problems? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 25, 2010, 11:37:45 am
content: when i try 2 play un2, it wont get past the little dagger spinning around in the bottom left corner. i lent the disk to a friend with a ps3, and he said it worked. i can only see one scratch on the disk, and i cleaned it a lot. any suggestions?
Departure from Hong Kong  -  Postal services and speed in Europe. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 14, 2010, 03:39:49 pm
content: I have buy many items from China , the last three years ..And I know well that the Greek postal service works like a clock .So I am trying to find the truth of whats happening at Hong Kong , and the services vary so much from seller to seller .I do not have an clear picture about the problem , but I do know some facts ...1) The fastest shipping time , that I had got a parcel was as 7 days ..So thats my starting point , everything slower than 7 Days , includes an delay in it.2) Some sellers are far away from the main large airports , so they delay one week or more to send the goods, and they mail them all together ones a week .3) Some sellers use the cheapest service , more delay just from that ... Even if recently one HK seller was swear , that there is no slow mail as option.4) Many of those HK sellers are dying to find excuses or even to invent excuses.The volcano dust ... the crisis in the price of fuels .. the local holidays .. or even the Christmas days that causes traffic collision , in a country who does not have " Christmas " , because they are not Christians.5) Lost packages = packages never send .. why? its must be mostly , because the workers in those warehouses , speaks even worst the English language than I do .. or not at all .When an seller writes to me , By calling me as " Dear " , and not as Dear customer or Dear Sir ,I am aware that the quality of the service will be poor, as the quality of the language.Its supposed , that the one who will be responsible for the post of the communicator ,he is the best of the pack.6) The tracked item :First day- takes the track codeSecond day- becomes active - tracking works.Forth day- get in the Airplane - bye bye HK .Forth day- Arrival goes for custom clearancetwo extra daysto clearone daylocal travel .Delivery to you ..=7-8 Days .So, vote about the average that you get as speed from the sellers .In Greece its like 13 days .And comment what ever you feel like .

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 14, 2010, 07:21:37 pm
content: can't really see your point, you have no idea how they operate in HK so it is difficult to determine the cause. I have found that small items arrive faster

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2010, 01:03:40 am
content: Huh .. they do have slow Airmail ...Check this out ..http://www.hongkongpost.com/doc/common/pos15.pdfSection 6 ..
clamp probe with BNC - compatible with DMM ?  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2010, 07:03:14 pm
content: Well I found one Clamp probe AC/DC in good price , but it haves an BNC connector.And officially called as Clamp for Oscilloscopes.It has double output as 1A/10mV & 1A/1mV , and probably True RMS as it has a range up to 10 kHz.So the question is , is it also compatible with DMM , If I use one BNC to banana adapter ?

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 15, 2010, 07:09:39 pm
content: Probably, assuming it doesn't take other signals like power from the scope. The major difference is that a scope's input is 1Mohm, and most DMM's are 10Mohm. But since it behaves like a voltage source, a higher impedance should be fine. The output has probably the same waveform as the input (limited by the bandwidth), so there's nothing true-RMS about it, the conversion to DC is done by the DMM.

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2010, 07:30:16 pm
content: Quote from: alm on May 15, 2010, 07:09:39 pmTrue, I was referring about the Pickup bandwidth , As it has from 40Hz to 10kHz bandwidth .
Anyone else get confused by the forum navigation? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: RayJones
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 14, 2010, 08:33:40 am
content: I often find myself clicking on the next button at the bottom right when reaching the end of a page of comments in a thread.Instead of going to the next page of comments, it takes you to the next thread.I know you can select the page at the left    etc, but that requires more thought! (what page am I on?)Can this be made better / more obvious?

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 14, 2010, 12:06:26 pm
content: I do the same thing!I don't know of any way to change it, anyone?Dave.

author: armandas
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 14, 2010, 01:29:25 pm
content: Had a quick look at the source of this forum, and I think you can disable these links like this:In file forum/Themes/default/index.template.php, comment lines 106-109. The code should look like this after the mod:Code:// If we're viewing a topic, these should be the previous and next topics, respectively.//if (!empty($context['current_topic']))//echo '//<link rel="prev" href="', $scripturl, '?topic=', $context['current_topic'], '.0;prev_next=prev" />//<link rel="next" href="', $scripturl, '?topic=', $context['current_topic'], '.0;prev_next=next" />';On a related note, have you considered upgrading the forum software to version 2?

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 14, 2010, 01:44:11 pm
content: Quote from: armandas on May 14, 2010, 01:29:25 pmNo. I only upgrade when the admin panel alerts me there is a new stable release version to download.Ver 2 is still pre-release and they don't recommend running it on a working site yet.Dave.

author: thedigitalprincess
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 14, 2010, 09:15:00 pm
content: Simple Machines forums are easy to nav usually, but that "previous/next" thing is a bit stupid.
Why conventional current sucks! - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: kc1980
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 14, 2010, 12:21:21 am
content: In the beginner's sub-forum, we recently had a brief discussion on conventional current and how it has no impact on real-world calculations. Well, I recently had a confusing situation that I blame squarely on "conventional current" (conventional current is defined as positive charges flowing in the opposite direction as electrons).http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hall_effect.pngConsider the first illustration on the Hall Effect wiki page:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hall_effectCase 1, Real Current (flowing electrons):The illustration shows electrons flowing through a uniform magnetic field and deflecting as one would guess using the left-hand rule for electrons; accordingly, a voltage is induced in the metal plate with the top being more negative than the bottom.Case 2, Conventional Current (flowing positive charges):If you convert the illustration to conventional current and pretend that there are positive charge carriers flowing in the opposite direction as the electrons, you will find -- using the right-hand rule for positive particles -- that the top of the metal plate should be more positive than the bottom.How can that be possible?In reality, the majority charge carriers are the negative electrons and the positive charges are bound in the metal lattice. We also have to keep in mind that "holes" play a significant role only in semiconductors and not metals. Case number 2 is somewhat correct in that it predicts the direction in which the current is deflected; however, the notion of conventional current incorrectly predicts the charge distribution.

author: XynxNet
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 14, 2010, 10:14:18 am
content: Left hand rule appliece to both situations. Conventional current with positive charges is mathematical equivalent to current with negativ charges in the other direction. So the same left hand rule appliece.But shafri is right. Don't forget that the hand rule is just a matematical artifact of the convention how we set up or coordinate systems. Understanding the underlying principle is the important thing. Otherwise the Hall effect can become quite confusing, for example in some semiconductors electrons can behave like positiv charges and this results in an inverted hall voltage.
Welec scope (mainly for European people) project  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Polossatik
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 11, 2010, 11:24:42 pm
content: after seeing Dave's rant I checked ebay a bit for scope prices and came acrossthis sellerwho's offering an 100Mhz W2012A (it seams the HW of the 200Mhz W2022A model is identical - where did we seen this before?) 2 channel welec scope for 295 euro.Nothing to funky (a rigol seams a far better deal - it's a sell out of 2008 scope that is not maintained - welec went bust - and seams to have firmware that has some issues), but seams some people are writing new firmware for this stuff ,project page here, it's not so alive, but has a fair bit of information about the welec scopes.Just mentioning in case someone wants to design his/her own DSOor in case you're simply interested in DSO's...edit: just to be sure to be clear, while 300 euro for a 100Mhz DSO seams a good deal, check out the thing before buying, it has issues!!!

author: sigxcpu
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 12, 2010, 11:11:42 am
content: I've had one of those up to about 2 months ago. I've replaced it with a Tek TDS220 and then with a Rigol DS1052E (didn't like the absence of easy measurements, at least a crappy FFT and others on the Tek).My opinion is that on Welec scope 90% of the problems are software, so the SF project will address this. Currently, the most advanced VHDL redesign is on the Sparc/Leon3 side. Lately the guys have started to push a lot of commits to the repository (last being just today) after more than 6 months of silence. If they finish the project, it will be MUCH better than Rigol, imho. In the previews, the UI is insanely fast (one of the worst things about Welec DSO is the responsivness of the UI. If you enable measurements, you can make some cofee between two updates).Regarding the analog part, the heavy guys in the project already started to tinker with, but this will require hardware changes, which are a lot harder than a simple software reflash.Somehow, seeing them working hard again on the software, I feel sorry selling that DSO now. I'm 99% programmer and 1% electronic hobbyist, so a device with an open software is more interesting somehow
What does "Budgetary Pricing" really mean when it comes to suppliers like maxim - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: haxby
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 12, 2010, 12:22:05 am
content: All the main chip suppliers such as Linear Technology, Maxim, etc have their components listed with "Budgetary Pricing" so that you can compare chip prices equally.However, since you can buy a complete DVD player for $30 I doubt most manufacturers would be paying even close to the "budgetary pricing" figure.I wonder if the designers out there can tell me what % of the budgetary price you actually pay as a ballpark figure? Obviously the bigger the buyer the better the bargaining power, but say you are going to Maxim with a total $30,000 USD order. What bargaining power do you have?50% of the "budgetary" price? 10% of the price?

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 12, 2010, 03:23:25 am
content: Budgetary pricing is usually for a standard volume like 1000.Once you get into the hundreds of thousands then you start wheeling and dealing.Many companies will also have special purchasing agreements in place with manufacturers.Real high volume design is a bit of an art, and often it's a matter of sourcing gray market components and cheap substitutes etc.Dave.
Help me get Slashdotted - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 10, 2010, 06:06:31 am
content: In my never ending quest to get slashdotted, because, well, I've heard it's cool and I like getting lots of hits :-> my Telstra video is up to "orange" level which I guess is good?If any slashdotters out there want to vote it up I'd appreciate it!http://slashdot.org/submission/1233588/Proof-that-Telstra-Bigpond-is-Throttling-Youtube-B?art_pos=13I still have no real idea how Slashdot works thoughThanks.Dave.

author: GeoffS
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 10, 2010, 06:21:11 am
content: To get slashdotted, you need to post something that really cool (to the geek crowd) or make some outrageous statement about the Internet.Your servers will soon be paying the price.Oh and posting to Whirlpool often helps, someone there is sure to pass it on to slashdot

author: rossmoffett
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 12, 2010, 01:53:44 am
content: I gave it a plus, but I don't think it'll make it past the editors. That's not very compatible with the usual Slashdot format. For starters, you don't need to speak in the third person. You can be a little more wordy, 2-3 paragraphs. You should've also linked to your video rather than just the Youtube page. There's really not a lot there to incite discussion. Slashdot isallabout the comments, people talking about their own opinions, so you might throw something in there like, "Have you noticed your ISP is throttling your bandwidth on any particular site? Speak up!"Many of the stories are actually blatantly false opinions or news stories posted solely to incite discussion and keep people visiting the site, so if you really want a lot of comments, make a grammar mistake or a wildly false statement about internet technology.
FLUKE 87  got  an  Cousin marketed by RS  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2010, 11:56:49 am
content: Not a True RMS , but close enough .http://in.rsdelivers.com/product/iso-tech/rscal422365-idm101-digital-multimeter/0422589.aspx#headerIf some one finds a better picture of it , just post it.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 09, 2010, 12:51:58 pm
content: That meter is or was shit.I had one many years ago (they still sell it it seems) and the plastic internal case supports just broke off when I took it apart. Crap.Dave.

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2010, 02:46:39 pm
content: Well the most "interesting part " are the similarities , housing - buttons - even the fusing ratings.Its 100% a Cousin , but how in earth came up ?The chicken came up first , or the egg ? ( hard to tell question )

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 09, 2010, 06:13:54 pm
content: They likely copied the Fluke design to piggyback on Fluke's marketing and popularity. It's much more likely that some unknown Chinese factory copied the Fluke design than the other way around (what would Fluke have to gain?). Plenty of DMM's, oscilloscopes and other equipment that copies the looks of a brand-name product, unfortunately they don't usually copy the quality.
Youtube Speed - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 07, 2010, 11:23:15 pm
content: HiTime to ask a favour from the Australian viewersCan you go towww.youtube.com/my_speedand email me a screen capture of what you get and let me know which ISP you are with.Telstra are screwing me and throttling my Youtube bandwidth and I want to expose them!Preferably a few others who use Telstra too!, but I need other ISP comparisons too.ThanksDave.

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 08, 2010, 12:09:38 am
content: I know that I am not Australian , not in this life, but here is my stats.Dave you should describe the problem with more details,like :1) what is the average good bandwidth ?2) what is the low that will trigger your interest ?I am just trying to help ..(ADSL lock to 10Mbits/sec)

author: cqmiao
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 08, 2010, 06:02:56 am
content: YOTUBE was blocked In CHINA?F~U~C~K P.P.C government!
Frequency Generator Kit - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Rowland
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 05, 2010, 07:18:28 pm
content: Thought I would share this kit info with the members.Primarily of interest to Radio Amateurs this kit for the price seems to be a nice poor mans signal generator.With a series of LPFs you could get a nice sine wave alsoSeehttp://www.qsl.net/k5bcq/Kits/Kits.htmlPlease read the reviews also there is a lot of information in them.Rowland
RIGOL DS1052E Logic Analyser ? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: rayyolanda
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 04, 2010, 10:06:28 am
content: Hi guys,Does anyone know what is in the Logic Analyser adapter?Is it possible that the DS1052E has all the circuitry for the 1052D and that the LA is just a breakout box or a buffer / isolation box?Any thoughts?Ray

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 04, 2010, 11:49:16 am
content: No, it's an entirely separate daughter board that is not fitted to the non-LA units.I think there are photos and info on the rc forumDave.

author: rayyolanda
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 04, 2010, 10:08:49 pm
content: Thanks Dave.Are you the same Dave Jones that did some articles for EA?Ray

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 05, 2010, 02:02:37 am
content: Quote from: rayyolanda on May 04, 2010, 10:08:49 pmYep, that's me.http://www.eevblog.com/about/Dave.
LinkedIn - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 30, 2010, 09:03:37 am
content: Totally selfish plug time.My LinkedIn profile in looking kinda lame at 42 connections. Anyone got a profile and want to link in?http://au.linkedin.com/in/davidjoneselectronicsDave.

author: armandas
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 30, 2010, 01:33:46 pm
content: By having people in your network you imply a professional relationship with them. So yeah, if you agree that I put your name on my CV and promise to give me a good reference, I'd be pleased to link inlol

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 30, 2010, 06:42:08 pm
content: I don't social network on these websites, but if I ever do, I'll definitely link you.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 02, 2010, 11:50:32 am
content: I find social network websites very shallow, particularly facebook, half the time stuff does not even work as it should, what a bunch of wankers

author: Polossatik
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 02, 2010, 10:51:11 pm
content: that site is a lie on itself, but what the heck, linked you in...
Potentiometer -  Fader -  Cleaner - Spay - Chemicals  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2010, 05:32:42 pm
content: Every Good magician in electronics , hides some special Chemicals under the hoodIn Greece the most know line of such spray products, are the made by Philips ones.Degreaser Cleaner with oil - with out .Freezing ones .Relay contacts cleaners.etc etc ..Name your own selection for its task ..Brand + codeCopy paste if it helps .Fader - Degreaser Cleaner with oil............Fader - Degreaser Cleaner with out oil.......Freezing spray ......................................Relay contacts cleaners..........................Other useful to you .............................

author: flolic
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2010, 08:28:24 pm
content: I use Kontakt 60 spray to clean corroded electrical contacts, dusty potentiometers and stuff like that. It works really well. Manufactured by Kontakt Chemie.Other spray produced by same manufacturer is Positiv 20 photoresist, I use that to make PCB's.Freezing spray -good substitute is regular 'canned air' handled upside downI use cheapest available, Sigma branded.Other chemicals, various solvents for cleaning. Ethanol as general purpose cleaner, acetone for tougher stuff and ethyl acetate as best flux remover (but also dissolves various kind of plastics, so be careful).

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 02, 2010, 09:18:27 am
content: I am aware of "Kontakt Chemie" as manufacturer .And actually are equally good with the Philips ones.Even so , I am still interested to see what the planet uses as alternative solutions.Plus, to find out witch ones worths to be bought, as "ml VS cost" ratio.Most of them are very expensive , with few ml in them.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 02, 2010, 02:44:00 pm
content: i thoughtr WD40 was good for cleaning contacts and potentiometers

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 02, 2010, 04:41:51 pm
content: potentiometers are a sensitive beast ..Usually if the cleaner its not suitable for the job, the potentiometer will start having again bad contact issues.I would use WD40, only in a emergency.Contacts is another animal , those sprays usually just freezing the contacts, hopping that the carbon layer on the metal contact will be removed , by the systole or diastole of the metal it self.The carbon can not follow the movement, so its just separates for the metal..
ESD safe slipper - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 02, 2010, 11:01:29 am
content: Jesus .... what else they will think of to produce ??The next will be ESD safe pajamas !!http://shop.ebay.co.uk/smtzone/m.html?_nkw=ESD+safe+slipper&_sacat=0&_trksid=p3911.m270.l1313&_odkw=&_osacat=0&bkBtn=

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 02, 2010, 11:46:19 am
content: the top way to increase sales and sell a useless product is to create a need for your product first which is generally done by advertising it as something special which makes people feel the need for it.
Driving an led with 2.9V forward voltage drop from 3.3v source - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: cksa
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2010, 03:55:12 am
content: Driving an led with 2.9V forward voltage drop from 3.3v sourceWhat would be a reliable way of doing this? This is just a regular led (in a rgb led). Not of the high power intensity. I'd want around 10-15mA through this.If i use the regular resistor method, then slight changes in voltage from the voltage source will dramatically change the current going through the led. Is there a simple way of regulating the current? whilst still have it controllable by a GPIO?Thanks

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 01, 2010, 05:46:51 am
content: If you do the math the current won't "dramatically change" when the source voltage varies "slightly". It will of course if the supply changes from say 3.3V to 5V, or 9V or something, but is that what you expect?A 3.3V supply is usually very well regulated, so the resistor will be just fine. A constant current driver would be overkill.LEDs are approximately linear light output with current, so changing your current by even say 10% will have little if any noticeable effect on the perceived brightness.Dave.
Multimeter Repurpose Ideas - Anyone? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Veramacor
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 26, 2010, 08:54:22 pm
content: I just got a flyer in the mail. This has to be a record. Harbor Freight are selling their multimeter for $1.99 US!http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=90899(The web price is $4.99 but the mailed coupon is for $1.99)Radio shack sell their project boxes for that price!Of course its not a serious meter, but, for the above deal you can re-purpose the multimeter to make something else.If you take the Centec apaaahgt, you get:* A ready made project box:* LCD* Radial Switch* 9V Battery connector* Test Leads (we know, don't use them for mains!)All for $1.99. For $4.99 you can still make out.Oh the possibilities....

author: Polossatik
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 26, 2010, 09:06:51 pm
content: Love the "Get accurate readings..." ...use it with an old PC that has a parallel port and use a R 2R DAC to count the number of unread messages in your inbox...

author: Veramacor
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 27, 2010, 03:19:54 am
content: A Tricorder!I'll also like "noisemaker". Each selection on the turning knob plays a different tune to annoy your friends

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 27, 2010, 01:07:39 pm
content: 02 meters output linear voltage proportionate 02%. I built an 02 meter around this, but this should work as a backup.Where is the coupon?I need to buy this NOW before the price changes!

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 27, 2010, 01:34:17 pm
content: Lets make a prank to Dave , we will buy one of those and send it to him for review..

author: Veramacor
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 27, 2010, 08:33:41 pm
content: Excellent idea!The coupon was mailed to me as I'm on their mailing list. Its only an In-store coupon and they do have it for only a buck more in store ($2.99).Fluke Destruction parody video anyone? LOL."The Centec survived a drop from .03 meters!"
Free/affordable SPICE simulator - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: dengorius
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2010, 02:08:52 am
content: Hello everybody,can anybody suggest me a (preferably) free or not too expensive SPICE simulator?I'd like one that has a reasonable amount of parts and, at this stage, i'm only looking for basic functions: no funky stuff like monte carlo simulations or similar.I've only tried ltspice and pspice. I was curious to see if there is anything else worth mentioning out there.Just out of curiosity, does Altium Designer include it's own SPICE simulator?Thanks in advance

author: wd5gnr
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2010, 02:16:29 am
content: I have not found a thing to beat LTSpice for free. There are several options on Linux but LTSpice is still better.If you haven't found it yet, there is a very active Yahoo group for LTSpice.

author: DJPhil
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2010, 05:37:10 am
content: Quote from: dengorius on April 25, 2010, 02:08:52 amChalk up another vote for LTSpice. There's just so much hobbyist community support with LTSpice and it's brethren that whenever I've tried something else I felt somewhat lost by comparison. Admittedly my needs are very modest, but I'm confident it will take quite a project indeed to make me wish I had more power. I find it knits well with KiCad, and those two pretty much have me covered from idea to pcb.Quote from: dengorius on April 25, 2010, 02:08:52 amAs I understand it, Altium Designer does everything . . no, I mean everything. I think there's a module for poaching eggs, and I'm pretty sure there's one for selecting the ice cream preferences of your future children.Here'sa bit from the wiki about mixed signal simulation, and there's other types of simulation as well (likesignal integrity). With an omnivorous development environment like this you're usually covered, it's just a matter if whether it's done the way you want or are familiar with.

author: dengorius
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 26, 2010, 07:43:50 pm
content: Thanks guys, yes i know the yahoo group for ltspice and i have to say it's pretty cool.I'll also try national instruments' multisim just to see what it looks like
Forum reply issue - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: orbiter
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2010, 04:10:02 pm
content: Having a bit of a problem with the forums which I hope someone can fix please. The problem is... When I reply to a topic and the text starts to fill the reply windows and scroll up, instead what I'm typing staying in view, the text will just start to disspapear from so I don't know what I'm typing without having to continuosly scroll down to see what I've typed. It's very frustrating when your trying to type and your text keeps jumping out of view all the timePlease could this be fixed please?Many thanksorb

author: armandas
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2010, 04:56:40 pm
content: What browser do you use, does this happen with other browsers? Can you write steps that should be taken to reproduce the bug?My Firefox 3.6.3 doesn't seem to have this problem.

author: orbiter
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 23, 2010, 09:51:20 am
content: Quote from: armandas on April 21, 2010, 04:56:40 pmIt's whilst using IE8.To reproduce the bug all that has to be done is to reply with a quote. Then once your text fills the reply window and progresses a further couple of lines downwards the text will try to start scrolling up, but will immidiately flick back down out of sight and continue to do so meaning that you can't see what your typing

author: migsantiago
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 23, 2010, 02:48:09 pm
content: Try two things...- If you are on a laptop, disable the touchpad. Most people touch the touchpad while writing and click things they are not supposed to click.- Press the INSERT key on your keyboard. You may have activated the overwrite function.

author: orbiter
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 23, 2010, 04:15:26 pm
content: Quote from: migsantiago on April 23, 2010, 02:48:09 pmThanks for the suggestions my friend however it's neither of those things. I don't use the pad at all on my laptop so it's already disabled.I'm expecting it to start happening soon during this reply..Once I get around 3 lines below the available typing space then press 'Return'.. The type will try to scroll up a it should but then just jump back down hiding my typed text.Perhaps you guys could try it?.. Just quote this whole message and start typing underneath it as if to reply. You should see what I mean every time you press enter???Regardsorb

author: armandas
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2010, 07:10:50 pm
content: I thought you may be using IE. I suppose there are reasons why you don't use an "alternative" browser. Probably the best thing you can do is to report the bug here:http://dev.simplemachines.org/mantis/my_view_page.php

author: orbiter
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2010, 09:42:46 am
content: Thanks for the link mateI'll let them knowCheersorb
Rigol DS1052E has no Ultrazoom logo - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: angelo
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 23, 2010, 03:31:52 am
content: I just noticed that my new rigol DS1052E oscilloscope doesn't have the Ultra-zoom logo on the top sticker, I'm pretty confident that its not a counterfeit, it looksexactlylike the ones online and Dave's except for that. Its firmware looks exactly like Dave's and it came in a Rigol stamped box, with Rigol packaging tape unopened. It also has the certificate of calibration, Rigol software CD etc. the internals have the same shielding visible, but I'd rather not open it.Is it just an older model ? (FW 2.02) or just from Rigolna (China) instead of Rigol (USA).Everything seems to work fine, what does the Ultra-zoom do exactly, how would I know if i had it or not ?

author: wd5gnr
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 23, 2010, 04:00:14 am
content: I noticed that too. I got mine from a US distributor with a US power cord. No "Ultra Zoom" sticker. Actually that's good! I thought it looked silly. And the Delayed Trigger is sure nicer than on my old Tek455.

author: rf-loop
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 23, 2010, 08:35:51 am
content: btw Rigol is not USA. Rigol (www.rigol.com) is in China.rigolna is some foreign country.After some days (maybe beginning of next week I wait more these from China) This time I strongly believe they are with FW02.02.SP2.If there is some counterfeit they are not 1052E's.They maybe are 1102E's (made from 1052E) if there are any.(Inside China example 1000RMB is good money... maybe (not accurate) same purchasing power for living things as 1000USD or more in some ( noname western) country or something like this... so making some "business" is littlebit different... here we can think that not so good business to get some few dollars ... )

author: ChrisNYC
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 23, 2010, 11:46:35 am
content: My scope DS1052E arrived last month directly from Rigol NA as it was drop shipped. It has no Ultrazoom logo either.

author: clonecrp
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2010, 12:48:14 am
content: Gents: Is there an ultra-zoom definition somewhere. Have one with ans the second ... who knows..DT

author: wd5gnr
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2010, 02:18:34 am
content: As far as I know "Ultra Zoom" is just their word for "delayed sweep". If you click the Horiz scale button the screen splits and you see a "zoomed" version of the trace on the bottom. You can twist the scale button to zoom in or out as you wish and move the "window" with the horiz position knob.I think that's all it means. Funny when compared to my old Tek 455 where you knew what part you were zooming by the intensified trace.
unreliable usb connectors - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: cksa
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2010, 08:40:20 am
content: On my current design, there is a USB B Type connector on the PCB, but after much use, it seems to be a failure point for the design. I.e. I shake the cable, and the signals drop out. It's not the solder joint's, but rather the connector itself.Are different brands of USB Type-B connectors any different? What about the USB Type-A ones?

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2010, 12:23:53 pm
content: Well if you can change your design , and use 6 pins mini Din plugs ( PS/2) , you will probably find one solid alternative solution to your problem.And as the most professional solution, I will suggest lockable 4 pin connectors,found on CB radios or VHF radios, and commonly called as MIC connectors.

author: mkissin
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2010, 12:13:55 am
content: I cannot vouch for how good they are, but Samtec makes a "high retention" USB B connector.http://www.samtec.com/ProductInformation/TechnicalSpecifications/Overview.aspx?series=USBR-BThey are available at Farnell, part number 1753809.If your cable is going to be shaken around a lot, a standard USB connector probably isn't the right connector to use. However be careful that, if you change connectors but continue using USB, you might have signal integrity problems with the higher USB speeds (High Speed USB 2.0 and USB 3 would be the problematic ones).
Pomona Oscilloscope probes - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: DavidDLC
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 23, 2010, 03:53:31 pm
content: Now that I converted my Rigol to 100 MHz, I need to get 100 MHz probes, since the current ones I have are 60 MHz.Are the Pomona Oscilloscope probes good quality ?Please give me some advice.Thanks.David DLC

author: Waifian
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 23, 2010, 05:34:39 pm
content: I thought the ones that came with the Rigol were up to 150Mhz bandwidth at 10x.

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 23, 2010, 06:04:15 pm
content: Pomona is now a brand of the Fluke company.Fluke is a major company of the Denaher group.http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:B9i_AXJ06oAJ:assets.fluke.com/service/Fluke_CSS_Everett_ISO_Cert.pdf+pomono+fluke&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESgaRrgkBskaLcpFTYmAbCGtfNVHLtxS0LnNoWH2290MxwTfNVlxkLumEEURb5TzuK6PiU2COMdt8xNdDDdpeN-OorwQWEIk8XNmODQZx-AE7ebQxJ8Y4FLXE6ZF_ivnMchNICoi&sig=AHIEtbSJRofXL8k6KIhwGFVKsNOU2GHVog

author: DavidDLC
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 23, 2010, 06:24:20 pm
content: Quote from: Waifian on April 23, 2010, 05:34:39 pmI don't have the originals anymore, so that's why I need to get new ones

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 23, 2010, 09:00:24 pm
content: They're probably better than the cheap probes that you can get for $20 or so. Agilent/Lecroy/Tektronix make good probes, PMK are pretty close, and a long way down are other brands like Probemaster. It's hard to really test probes without a clean, high-amplitude edge (eg. a clean 100V square wave with a rise time < 350ps), and signals with a high output impedance to test loading. For 100MHz, it's probably not too critical.Pomona was indeed bought by Fluke, but the probes that Fluke ship with their ScopeMeters are actually made by PMK, and not by either Pomona or Fluke.
Dave Needs your Help! - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Veramacor
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2010, 11:26:17 am
content: This is what appears to be a young David L. Jones, on the streets of Sydney, apparently after an experiment with a Delorean gone badly wrong!

author: migsantiago
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2010, 02:03:41 pm
content: lol

author: DJPhil
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2010, 02:19:38 pm
content: Good findThat can't be a young Dave though, I'll give you two reasons:1. He would have given it a thumbs down in his video if it crapped out on him. (Opens the possibility of a future Dave though)2. He would have asked for parts, not the whole thing, i.e. "Need money for unobtainium and pig feathers to repair my . . car"
More manufacturers should do this! - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: DJPhil
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2010, 05:16:02 pm
content: We are never in short supply of bad designs to groan about. I found something I thought was absolutely awesome, and I figured I'd post it to share the (for once) good news!I was poking around on Newark looking at enclosures and came acrossthis datasheet from Hammond. Usually they're just standard isometric drafts, but these guys went a step further. They put a 3d model in the datasheet! You can mousewheel zoom and drag the spinning 3d model of the exploded enclosure to see all the details.Now I'm not saying it's hard to read a draft sheet, but this makes it much easier to take it in at a glance. I can just imagine someone saying, "Well, we've got the mold models for these in the computer anyway, why not slap them in the pdf?!"Two thumbs up, as Dave would say.

author: Ferroto
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2010, 05:51:45 pm
content: I didn't know you could have interactive content like that in a PDF nice.Only thing I would change on it would be the rotation. It keeps rotating it when your moving it with your mouse trying to get it at the right angle.

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2010, 11:16:40 pm
content: Well I made an small discovery ... use your mouse pointer on the 3D model, right click,and move your mouse front or back ..

author: MTron
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2010, 03:50:30 am
content: Quote from: Kiriakos-GR on April 16, 2010, 11:16:40 pmNice find Kiri....zoom function....very niceIf you don't mind me asking Kiriakos, where abouts in Greece are you from?

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 17, 2010, 09:48:06 pm
content: hm won't work for me, maybe something to do with the fact that I'm using the foxit reader instead of adobe reader

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2010, 10:17:06 pm
content: Quote from: MTron on April 17, 2010, 03:50:30 amI am from Volos .. central Greece .http://dhost.info/ax1/html/greece___touring.html

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2010, 09:20:59 am
content: Quote from: Simon on April 17, 2010, 09:48:06 pmProbably, I assume you need the latest version of Adobe to do it.
Crazy Static Electricity Incident! - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: desolatordan
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 14, 2010, 07:22:15 pm
content: You think it's real?Quotehttp://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4252692.stm

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 14, 2010, 07:28:20 pm
content: Quotemeasured by what ?News Papers , needs fancy titles , so to gain the public interest, and sell .

author: Ferroto
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2010, 01:29:08 pm
content: Did he get the job?

author: XynxNet
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2010, 09:29:13 pm
content: Inventive methode to show the ignorants from human resources your sparkling personality.30-40kV static electricity is not unusal.But the scorch marks, I don't know.It is interesting, that the firemen had an kV-meter at hand. Even in my old physics departement, we had only a few of those.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 17, 2010, 09:44:20 pm
content: sounds a bit far fetched to me, if he burnt the carpet it would have discharged him (before the coincidently well prepared fireman measured him) if he was making that much and close to the energy that makes things combust he should have burnt up himself ? really if this is true the guy has unlocked the secret of free power ! highly unlikely

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2010, 08:53:05 am
content: I'm not sure.It's possible to ignite some highly flammable materials such as petrol and propane but not plastic so I doubt it's true.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 18, 2010, 09:00:23 am
content: having said that I do have a book on phenomenoms and one is "spontaneous human combustion" bit the incidents do not involve nylon clothing and are far weirder, some occuring many years ago
Apple accuires PA semiconductor - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Ferroto
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2010, 11:14:36 am
content: http://www.beyond3d.com/content/news/634I know old news (about a year ago)So here's the gossip section. We haven't heard much of PA semi since then, which leaves me to wonder. Apple accuired a semiconductor foundry a year ago, what do you guys think they've been working on all this time?

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 16, 2010, 01:38:54 pm
content: Clearly the A4 processor in the new iPad at the least. They just acquired another semi design company who worked on that chip also I believe, name escapes me.I think I read somewhere about a big turnover in the group since being acquiredDave.
Art with electronic parts and used PCBs - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: celsung
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 11, 2010, 08:58:26 pm
content: Take a look at this:http://tecnologia.uol.com.br/album/20100410_objetos_placas_album.jhtm?abrefoto=2#fotoNav=1Pretty cool!

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2010, 10:01:57 pm
content: Great findingThanks ..

author: logictom
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 12, 2010, 06:31:24 pm
content: Very nice, anyone know where can pick these up or something similar? Always after anything to make my desk that little more nerdy lol

author: Zad
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2010, 04:08:10 am
content: My current notebook (paper not computer type) is one of these:and my coffee mug coaster is one of these:The company uses fully etched / resist / screenprinted but unpopulated PCBs which are CNC routed into whatever shape they need. Great idea!For those in the UK this is their sitehttp://www.cutouts.net/They are based near Huddersfield (I have no connection with them whatsoever). Im sure local alternatives will be available.Mike

author: logictom
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 13, 2010, 04:16:52 pm
content: Cheers Zad, think the card holder I received as a gift must be from them. Will have to pick up a couple of things once the old student loan is in

author: celsung
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 15, 2010, 07:28:32 pm
content: Here is the artist home page:http://www.pcbcreations.com/
Battery impedance meter, RC battery tester - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 27, 2010, 09:38:19 pm
content: Just check this out , and tell me your opinion.http://motors.shop.ebay.com/service369/m.html?_nkw=Battery+impedance+meter%2C+RC+battery+tester&_sacat=&_trksid=p3911.m270.l1313&_odkw=&_osacat=0&bkBtn=Is there any alternative way to use an DMM to do the job ?

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 28, 2010, 09:35:08 am
content: Quote from: Kiriakos-GR on April 27, 2010, 09:38:19 pmNot really, but you could probably rig something up with a function generator and a scope. I believe the principle is the same as measuring the ESR of electrolytic capacitors. The Bob Parker ESR meter is often used for batteries with the protection diodes removed (they'd short the battery terminals).

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2010, 02:08:30 pm
content: Its worth it only if you use high current drain expensive batteries. Do to manually, requires, as alm says, a frequency generator and good DMM.http://visforvoltage.org/forum/2268-how-measure-internal-impedance-cell-batteriesThe only question I have is how accurate is that ebay meter?I would need to convince myself it does work by measuring Z myself first then comparing it to the meter.http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=5&ved=0CDMQFjAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.battcon.com%2FPapersFinal2003%2FLawrencePaperFINAL2003.pdf&ei=Dz7YS5-qB4LY8ASx4IyWBw&usg=AFQjCNGJXzwoBvvtx55--78orrWC-UnKCg&sig2=ccTv25uX_nu5juT9W4QP_A