hybridfree/eevblog-posts huggingface dataset:
soldiering station advice - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: peterthenovice
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2013, 05:35:15 pm
content: I found this iron on ebay its a hakko clone with rework gun and a 1 amp 1-15v power supply. for 109 us dollars.I want to upgrade from myplug it in heat it up slowly from radio shack.hers the ebay link:http://www.ebay.com/itm/853D-3in1-SMD-Soldering-Iron-Hot-Air-Gun-Rework-Station-DC-Power-Supply-Digital-/300861005053?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item460cb69cfdhere is a youtube link:

author: mariush
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2013, 06:27:39 pm
content: Could you possibly get some snapshots of the boards inside with a digital camera or something more high resolution?If it's not too much trouble.That thing you're not sure about... does it have some hole in the bottom to insert the multimeter probe in it? Maybe it's to measure electric field more easily.Otherwise... looks like a reasonable station, though it would bother me constantly if it's wobbly like it seems to be in the video.And that ampmeter... kinda hack-ish, like they cheap-ed out on implementing a proper digital meter

author: peterthenovice
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2013, 06:36:52 pm
content: the video is of a review of the product from youtube. I plan on purchasing this unit.I thing PeterG has this station
Windfarm Sickness  Spreads By Word Of Mouth Australia Study Finds - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Sionyn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2013, 05:30:15 pm
content: Just like the many stories surrounding alleged 'Wi-Fi sickness,'research is now showing that windfarm sickness spreads by word of mouth instead of applying universally to windfarms. Areas that had never had any noise or health complaints were suddenly experiencing them after 2009 when anti-wind groups targeted populations surrounding windfarms. From the article, 'Eighteen reviews of the research literature on wind turbines and health published since 2003 had all reached the broad conclusion that there was very little evidence they were directly harmful to health.' While there's unfortunately no way to prove that someone is lying about how they feel, it's likely a mixture of confirmation bias, psychosomatic response, hypochondria, greed and hatred of seeing windmills on the horizon that drives this phenomenon.man, what kind of idiot believes in these sicknesshttp://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/mar/15/windfarm-sickness-spread-word-australia
Diaper-wearing solder stop - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: babysitter
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2013, 12:12:10 am
content: I wonder if there are other people here who are distracted or otherwise kept off from soldering by little diaper-wearing tiny ones...Introducing Miss BC857 using EZGPIB and a HP3456A!Actually, I stopped soldering right in the pregnancy in our appartment due to health concerns regarding BC857, now I am looking for a hobby lab somewhere else.How do you put together kids and electronics labs ?BRbabysitter

author: chickenHeadKnob
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2013, 03:15:14 am
content: The problem is children at that age have a true physiological need to stick dirt in their mouths and taste everything, so you have dual challenge, remove the dangerous industrial chemical stoff but also to provide "clean" dirt so they can be inoculated with a healthy mix of gut bacteria (and nematode parasites!). I am a child of german immigrants and the last time I was in Germany was around 1977. I don't think even then it was easy to find such places to safely play in the dirt, for urban Germans anyway. Good luck.PS. for apartment dwellers the safest option is to have the hobby space in another building entirely

author: jtorba
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 17, 2013, 06:11:38 am
content: I meticulously pack my components and tools in plastic tubs and keep em above the kitchen cabinets, and do soldering on my balcony.
The "Upgrading/Unlocking Agilent Meters via EEPROM" thread is locked ? Why ? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2013, 09:59:55 am
content: This topic ->Upgrading/Unlocking Agilent Meters via EEPROMstarted by gnif

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2013, 11:08:34 am
content: Looks fine to me.

author: GeoffS
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 15, 2013, 11:18:07 am
content: Probably locked by the OP. Nothing in the moderation log to indicate otherwise.

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2013, 11:38:46 am
content: Strange, its unlocked now.Nope, the OP thru pm said it was not him, maybe it was locked accidentally by other mod member.
Own blog: Motherlaguage or English? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: knarf.be
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2013, 06:19:39 pm
content: I just wanted to know: I'm currently working on a solar project with RFID, XRF's (wbee clones), AVR's ...Because I'm interested in reading blogs of other people, I want to ask you guys if it would be appreciated if I translate the main posts (not the personal nonsense) to English.Writing a text in English usually costs me the double of time, so if no one is interested, it wouldn't be worth translating it.

author: Smokey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2013, 07:14:39 pm
content: Run it through Google translate first and see if it's readable. Sometimes it does a good job. You could use that as a basis, and then clean it up where Google translate didn't work so well.

author: Rick
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2013, 07:49:45 pm
content: Quote from: knarf.be on March 14, 2013, 06:19:39 pmIf your mother language is French google translate works best in that pair (English/French); use simple sentence structure, do not use complicated sentences. For the others I don't know. But if you want the widest exposure on internet you should write in English (whether good or not).

author: Alana
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2013, 09:22:00 pm
content: If it comes to science and technology English is a must to know so personally I'd rather think if i have enough readers who do not know English to justify writing in my home language. But that's me.

author: knarf.be
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2013, 06:23:08 am
content: I speak dutch, and google translate is not that precise with dutch.Okay, so from now on I will write now and then an english post, in my awefull english

author: ttp
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2013, 10:23:29 am
content: If you write interesting stuff people will read and appreciate it regardless how bad your english is, don't worry too much about you language skills.

author: jpb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2013, 10:55:39 am
content: I am a native English speaker, despite being born and brought up abroad.A lot of people apologise for their English on this forum when it is very clear and well expressed - no apology is needed.But that is a different issue as to whether or not to blog in English when it is not your native language as it is harder work to do so. That all comes down to how big an audience you want.I work in a research laboratory. Probably most of the researchers are not native English speakers, but they generally converse in English as their native languages are all different.
Doug Ford blowing up a cap - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 10, 2013, 09:53:38 pm
content: For fans of Dougie:Dave.

author: RickieSalad
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2013, 06:37:53 am
content: I've put caps in multi colored containers and over powered them to get a little light show. Just need some musical accompaniment.

author: firewalker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2013, 08:34:24 am
content: I read "Doug Ford blowing up acar"!Alexander.

author: Alana
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2013, 08:52:18 am
content: Remember blowing up one durring classes

author: mwtheobald
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 11, 2013, 12:42:10 pm
content: Those don't look like safety glasses...You always need to remember safety when you are blowing things up

author: rbuck9
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 11, 2013, 12:56:22 pm
content: lol nice vid

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2013, 04:16:13 pm
content: Quote from: mwtheobald on March 11, 2013, 12:42:10 pmIt's not blowing up that hurts its the blowing down or to bits

author: Amarbir[Lynx-India]
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2013, 05:56:53 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on March 10, 2013, 09:53:38 pmLol Dave ,Poor Guy Was Terrified as soon as it was going seseseseseseseseseses haa haa

author: jack32
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2013, 09:29:37 pm
content: Quote from: firewalker on March 11, 2013, 08:34:24 amAs I am a big fan of Doug, I think he has enough Power to blow up cars

author: bustedcap
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 13, 2013, 09:35:44 pm
content: A definite lack of PPE there

author: tec5c
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2013, 06:44:20 am
content: This video made my day!

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2013, 06:48:32 pm
content: Wired a 100uF 16V wet tantalum in backwards one day, it lasted nearly a minute before it went ballistic. Took about 10 minutes to get the 2 cards out it had wedged itself between. Replaced cap, put the cards back and all was well. Tough stuff that Parylene board protector epoxy, not even a scratch on it from having a 20g slug of tantalum pentoxide blown into it. We used to take the 10uF ones and blow them like small .22 rounds, they went pretty far when they got hot enough to pop the solder seal out.

author: Frantone
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2013, 01:57:44 am
content: Oh...... That smell.
Pi day plans? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: kfitch42
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2013, 09:01:20 pm
content: Does anyone do something interesting for Pi day?I always stop on the way to work and pick up a few pies for the office. Usually the cashier gives me a funny look when I wish them a happy Pi day.

author: Kaluriel
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2013, 09:07:22 pm
content: I hope you cut them in half to be true to the number

author: JuKu
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2013, 09:04:42 am
content: I'm going to draw a circle at 1:59.

author: AppliedVoltage
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 14, 2013, 11:59:32 pm
content: I wish everyone a happy Half Tau day.

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2013, 12:03:19 am
content: I wish everyone a happy 1.155727e day.
What is the name of this tool in english - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: kxenos
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2013, 11:41:29 pm
content: Hello all, sorry for this stupid question.I want to find the tool that Dave (and probably all others except me) uses when he wants to open the case of a device without causing any damage. I thought it's called chisel but even at farnell, the only chisels that I find are the ones that carpenters use. Can you please help?Thanks

author: RJSC
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2013, 11:47:47 pm
content: I'm not a native English speaker, but searching for "plastic spudger" or "plastic pry tool" returns stuff like this:

author: kxenos
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2013, 11:55:26 pm
content: That's it! Thank you!

author: justanothercanuck
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2013, 01:02:11 am
content: If you're going to buy one, make sure it's high quality. I bought one off Mouser and it lasted all of 5 minutes.

author: notsob
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2013, 01:28:31 am
content: Have a look at ifixit.com - they have quite a range of spudgers, both plastic and metal ones

author: FenderBender
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2013, 01:47:00 am
content: I'd go with one made by 3M. I somehow think those would last.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2013, 04:33:16 am
content: Spudgers are also made of wood. Try searching for "Orange Stick", and see if that might be of interest to you. Very inexpensive, and if it wears out/breaks, just grab another one from the bag.

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2013, 11:33:12 am
content: Get a metal one or two of them as well, cheap and they last forever as long as you don't use them for lifting floor boards.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2013, 06:21:46 pm
content: Mine had an original description of "chaff/flare extractor" on the box. First use was as a teaspoon.
Spell checker gone? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2013, 12:30:21 pm
content: I'm sure there was a spell checker button next to the Post and Preview buttons, but I don't see it anymore.Looked at my profile settings because maybe it was changed by the upgrade like the time settings, but nothing.Anyone else noticed this?

author: robrenz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2013, 12:51:34 pm
content: Yes, mine is missing also. And I sorely need it

author: Thor-Arne
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 13, 2013, 01:47:04 pm
content: Don't think I've ever seen a spell-check button, but there's automatic spell check in the input form.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2013, 03:25:46 pm
content: I'm also missing the spell checker feature.And another that can really use it.

author: psycho0815
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2013, 07:54:13 am
content: Yepp, same here . No Spell-checker anymore. The automatic one comes from the Browser, which is set to German in my case, so no real help. And changing its settings all the time is a bit annoying. I'd really rather have the button back.
Resistor and capacitor values U.S. vs. Europe  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: gregfox151@gmail.com
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2013, 01:53:31 am
content: Resistor and capacitor values U.S. vs. EuropeFor years I never had a problem reading Resistor, voltages, and capacitor values but now…A schematic would have 22k and I would know it’s a 22,000 ohm, or a cap may be listed as 22uF (22 microfarad) no worries!Would someone explain what is a;2R 10n22R 10n22R2 23f222R2 2v5 5v5 etc. etc?Many thanks

author: amspire
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2013, 02:01:16 am
content: 2R - 2 ohms10n - 10nF22R - 22 ohms10n2 - Not sure - would need a photo2R2 - 2.2 ohms23f2 - if this is a super cap, 23 Farads 2v22R2 - 22.2 ohms2v5 - 2.5 volts5v5 - 5.5 volts

author: gregfox151@gmail.com
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2013, 02:25:05 am
content: Thanks, helps alot! one or two more2u2100n

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2013, 02:28:33 am
content: Seriously? Look at the pattern. They're exactly like the others. 2u2 - The letter is used as a decimal point. 100n - there's no secret code here. It's 100 nF.

author: Gall
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2013, 11:53:40 am
content: There still is a "secret code" in some countries of East Europe.For a resistor, "10" means 10 Ohm and "10.0" means 10 MOhm.For a capacitor, "10" means 10 pF and "10.0" means 10 uF.This code is rarely used nowadays.Everything else is just putting the letter in place of decimal point. That's because small decimal point may be hard to read on a poor copy. It was also commonly used in USSR for printing on small parts before the color code was accepted in USSR. The letter may be G, M, k (or K), m, u, p (with "Ohm" or "F" omitted), or "R" for Ohms, or "F" for Farads. "E" is the same as "R" and was sometimes used in 1960s.One more letter may be used for tolerance. 1K2J means 1.2 kOhm "J" tolerance ("J" is 5%). Note that USSR used Russian letters, and i.e. Russian "C" (10%) is NOT the same as Latin "C" (0.25%).
Moisture Sensitive - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Kaluriel
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2013, 08:31:51 pm
content: I ordered some SRAM to replace the two in my Gameboy which have died, and the parts I received had something different that I'm not use to seeing.Thought I'd share with you all.

author: exp1
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2013, 03:59:39 am
content: Some SMD packages need controlled moisture to prevent them from "popcorning" in the reflow oven.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2013, 04:32:47 am
content: Yeah, it's not something you have to worry about if hand soldering.I wish there was a tickbox on digikeys ordering system to specify that you don't need all the moisture sensitive packaging.It's quite a waste of material as well as their time.
Albert Einstein vs Stephen Hawking - Nikola Tesla vs Thomas Edison - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: RJSC
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2012, 02:14:45 pm
content: Worth watching... Sounds better than EE Rap and its still science themed.

author: PeterG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2012, 02:33:18 pm
content: I am not sure about this one. Part of me likes it as an entertaining video and part of my thinks its sacrilegious.......Regards

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 09, 2012, 06:41:36 pm
content: I guess it's funny if you are a gang member who just got out of prison and is into higher physics....

author: jsoderquist
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2012, 10:05:26 pm
content: It made me chuckle, thank you

author: FenderBender
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2012, 12:26:16 am
content: What does this have to do with gang members getting out of jail? =oThat wasn't even half bad. Usually white people trying to make "funny" raps doesn't work too well. I'm white.

author: RJSC
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2013, 11:37:22 pm
content: Here's a new one from the same guys:Nikola Tesla vs Thomas Edison

author: MikeK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2013, 01:09:12 am
content: I agree that there is a cult of Tesla, but at least he was an engineer. Edison was a businessman. Why even compare them?
Question about Dave's PSU (Rev. C) - OpAmp gain - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: NewBeginner
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2013, 07:28:48 pm
content: Hi,I have a question about Dave's PSU (Rev. C).I noticed that the text on the schematic shows a gain of 10 for the voltage set op-amp (U3A).But isn't the gain of that op-amp in fact 11.1 (due to R11 and R12)?Doesn't this introduce some extra error?I'm new to op-amps so I may be wrong.In case I am right, in order to get a gain "closer" to 10 (but maintain R11 so that the op-amp remains happy in current limit mode) would it be ok to increase the values of R14 and R15 || R16. Or increasing these values would "upset" some other op-amp parameters?Thank you

author: Rerouter
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2013, 07:34:09 pm
content: i had the same issue when i first saw it when it was first produced, it is the correct gain, you can ignore the 2 output resistors as they are not actually part of the feedback loop, rather just buffering, similar to output impedance,the gain is determined by the divider on the - pin only,

author: LyTeo
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 12, 2013, 07:43:16 pm
content: Have not seen this schematic before, but my guess is, he meant the signal increase on the transistors collector. It`s 10 times bigger there!

author: NewBeginner
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2013, 09:39:23 pm
content: Quote from: Rerouter on March 12, 2013, 07:34:09 pmI don't think this is quite correct.I simulated this part of the circuit using LTSpice and I got a gain of 11 for the op-amp (without using R12).My guess is that is works because R11 is equal to R14 (R12 is small compared to the other resistors from the feedback loop) and the output (set voltage) is not taken directly from the op-amps output?Is this correct? Any thoughts?Thank you

author: firewalker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2013, 09:53:11 pm
content: The output of the circuit is after R12. The computed gain is for that node.Alexander.

author: NewBeginner
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2013, 04:07:33 pm
content: Thank you all.I thought that the text from the schematic was referring directly to the op-amp output and not the "R12" node.It makes sense now.
optical audio or analogue - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: peterthenovice
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2013, 12:30:30 pm
content: on dave's vblog on audio phoolery he said that analogue is better, but I was under the thought that the dac in a nice pricey surround sound system would be better than in the 550-800$ tv. I guess it just depends on your setup,but maybe dave was 100% on the mark.bad versionthe picture in my mind of half and half: media device-digital---hdtv/24 bit dac---analogue-surround sound/better dac.good versionthe picture in my mostly analogue: media device-analogue---hdtv/24 bit dac---analogue-surround sound/better dac.if you have a cheap dac but a good amp and speakers, it like running good wire with bad connectors. I am very open about this topic please correct me if i am wronge.

author: olsenn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2013, 01:13:08 pm
content: Your DAC is not going to be what limits your system; that title goes to the source (don't expect 24/192 audio to be better either) and your speakers. Between digital and optical, go for whichever is more convenient. Make sure you place your speakers correctly for the room you are in.

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2013, 01:31:31 pm
content: Modern amplifiers don't even use DACs in the traditional sense. They use Delta Sigma modulators and perform the actual D/A conversion at high power levels.

author: peterthenovice
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2013, 02:04:37 pm
content: thanks for clearing that up
RaspberryPI based Pick N Place - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Sionyn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2013, 08:09:24 pm
content: he claims this machine will be able to etch traces soon....http://hardware.slashdot.org/story/13/03/11/1731227/sxsw-imagine-a-practical-low-cost-circuit-board-assembly-system-video

author: Thor-Arne
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 11, 2013, 08:40:00 pm
content: It would be nice if they managed to make something useful and reliable in the suggested price range.But I'm a bit skeptical there's a lot there's a lot of things that have to work together for this to be a success.I guess we'll have to wait and see, and hope Dave does a review.

author: MikeK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2013, 10:45:19 pm
content: I go by the rule of: It's all bullshit UNTIL they prove their claim. There's way too much speculation these days.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2013, 11:40:06 pm
content: Yet another 'we made an xy gantry and now have a pick & place' . Yawn.Next.

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2013, 12:51:06 am
content: Feeders? "Anyone" can make an XY pick and place, but if you can't get commercial packaging to work with it, it's no better than most hand pick and plonk efforts.

author: Corporate666
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 13, 2013, 05:13:16 am
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on March 11, 2013, 11:40:06 pmYou hit the nail on the head.I have bought about a dozen pick and place machines over the years trying to find a low cost solution. There isn't one! I had a non-working Celmacs that we put a Mach3 control on which never worked right (or if it did, not for long), and we had a glue dispenser that we modified into a pick and place that never worked perfectly.But the Fuji and the Quads I bought just do what they are supposed to, first time, every time. There are many many little details involved in P&P machines... component feeders, repeatability, vision, reading fiducials and offsetting boards, board fixturing and transport, programming, mechanical rigidity, component blow-off, Z height precision and Z position acceleration, and so much more.X, Y movement is the really easy part - but everyone thinks they can make a P&P because they can do XY movement. You notice that almost all these P&P's skimp on many or most of the items I mentioned above. This one is no different... strips of tape on one side of the machine, boards taped to the table, no provision for component blow off, nothing for transporting/fixturing boards, etc, etc.Why spend $2k on that crap that will never work right (and you'll spend thousands more messing with it), when you could spend $7-10k on a good, used, working, reliable P&P that will be 10x faster, 100x more reliable and can be supported if you run into any issues.
How Computers Are Made - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: mzacharias
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2013, 05:25:43 pm
content: Yes, stolen from a Facebook post. Worth it.

author: StubbornGreek
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2013, 05:42:31 pm
content: Fantastic!

author: ecat
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2013, 06:04:11 pm
content: Very goodWould you believe the internet also has pictures of how human babies are made?

author: LyTeo
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 12, 2013, 06:41:28 pm
content: Quote from: ecat on March 12, 2013, 06:04:11 pmWasn`t internet made for that stuff? And cats, don`t forget about cats!
radio shack elctronics lab spring terminals - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: peterthenovice
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2013, 08:09:36 pm
content: I am looking for some spring terminals like the ones in radio shack electronics learning lab. I need to replace some in the digital logic lab that i own.

author: peterthenovice
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2013, 08:22:17 pm
content: you could orignaly buy them as replacment parts for the first gen of modles

author: peterthenovice
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2013, 08:43:03 pm
content: i ripped the other half out put in a bread board

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2013, 09:19:57 pm
content: Replace them with binding posts.

author: MikeK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2013, 11:11:55 pm
content: I'm sure McMaster-Carr has something close.

author: dimlow
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2013, 11:24:18 pm
content: The things people will do to get their post count up.
Ferrite Cores on the PSU cables ? Any good? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: kuddo
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 13, 2013, 10:01:05 pm
content: I have lots of ferrite cores. Will it do any good to put ferrite cores on each group of cables (PC power supply) ? I've read somwhere that those high frequency parasitic currents are sent back to the PSU if i do that and it's not good for it because the PSU aren't meant to withstand this effect.

author: smashedProton
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2013, 05:31:10 am
content: More series inductance won't do inthing assuming your psu is well designed. But see for yourself with a scope. That is the scientific method after all.

author: Neilm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2013, 06:52:18 am
content: Ferrites are quite often used to suppress high frequency emissions from equipment. Generally, they provide impedance at frequencies in the order of 50MHz - 300MHz. I wouldn't bother putting them on to a PCs PSU. The high frequencies will mostly stay on the motherboard - that is the purpose of all those capacitors.Neil

author: AndyC_772
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2013, 07:40:27 am
content: The only purpose of putting a ferrite on a power cable is to reduce the radiated emissions from that cable. There's no effect on the PSU itself.If you have a problem with interference on a nearby radio or TV then adding them might help - although I'd be surprised if it actually makes any difference in practice. If you don't have a radio interference problem, they're a waste of time and completely unnecessary.
Screen Printing of PCBs - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: dimlow
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2013, 02:08:41 am
content: I found this video interesting and wanted to share.https://www.youtube.com/embed/8-WGaAmpfOU

author: Quick5pnt0
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2013, 02:47:05 am
content: Thanks

author: ecat
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2013, 03:04:59 am
content: What a great video, it all looks so simple

author: seth13699
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2013, 12:26:23 pm
content: Hmmmm....interesting!!!

author: rbuck9
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 11, 2013, 12:40:35 pm
content: thanks

author: Dongulus
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2013, 08:50:52 am
content: Why would this be preferrable to using photoresist already applied to the copper board? It seems to me that the silk screening is just an extra step.
Hackers Believe Something Can Always Be Better - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Sionyn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2013, 09:32:36 pm
content: bunnie is raising money he's giving his awesome book on reverse engineering the xbox he say's As you read my book, I hope that you’ll be reminded of how important freedom is to the hacking community and that you’ll be inclined to support the causes that Aaron believed in.http://nostarch.com/xboxfree

author: peterthenovice
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2013, 04:33:47 am
content: Hackers can make anything a joy once again
trs-80 color computer video mod - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: peterthenovice
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2013, 04:19:45 am
content: I found a simple mod for the trs-80 color computer 1-3 that adds composite video. the pdf below is my schmatic from a nice post i saw on the net.http://coco_docs.tripod.com/id53.htmI used circuit lab to draw it, it is a cloud app.
Tungsten carbide drill bits and agony... - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: smashedProton
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2013, 10:52:24 pm
content: I got a package of pcb drills in the mail today. I broke half of them just opening the package. Time to go to the closet and suck my thumb

author: PeterG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2013, 11:03:39 pm
content: Sounds like they were packed in 'Adult Proof' packaging. There is never a 10 yo around when you need one.Regards

author: smashedProton
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2013, 11:09:42 pm
content: Or maybe I was the 10 year old!

author: Frollard
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 11, 2013, 11:13:57 pm
content: Ouch! I hope they weren't pricy ones! I've kept my pampered in a tissue lined plastic beer cup to stop them walking away when I'm not looking! It's a miracle the roommate hasn't throw it away yet!

author: grumpydoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2013, 11:22:39 pm
content: QuoteIf I had a (male) roommate with a tissue lined plastic beer cup I don't think I'd ask what was in it and I'm sure I wouldn't examine it to find out

author: akcoder
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2013, 03:08:19 am
content: Quote from: smashedProton on March 11, 2013, 10:52:24 pmSounds to me like they were poorly packedThe bits I get from drillbitcity.com come in a hard plastic case with a piece of foam at the top where the bit end is at. I've only broken one bit, and that was because I hand-edited the GCODE and didn't pickup the bit while moving.The V-bits they sell are super sharp, my hands have the scars to prove it :-)-dan
(another) cheap thermal imager that attatches to a phone - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2013, 09:07:26 am
content: First theIR BlueNow this.http://www.theatlanticcities.com/technology/2013/03/just-think-all-things-you-could-do-affordable-infrared-scanner-your-smartphone/4871/However I'm smelling bullshit on this second one. They claim the expensive parts if a TIC are the electronics & "stuff that's already in the phone" - rubbish. It's the germanium optics and vacuum-encapsulated sensor.And why do they need to "persuade all the big-box hardware stores to stock it" ? Haven't they heard of the internet?Sounds fishy to me.

author: exp1
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2013, 11:30:59 am
content: I really wonder how they got the optics and sensor so cheap. It might (probably) be bullshit but also it might be some super cheap IR sensing technology nobody told us about.Edit: Looking a bit more again around in the market, it really does look like they are full of bullshit, a thermal sensor of that resolution belongs to the several thousands of dollars category. I'm kinda expecting them now to use a decapped phone camera CCD and pretend it can see far IR

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2013, 12:20:32 pm
content: My guess is they may be using image processing to compensate for inadequacies of cheap optics, which could potentially save quite a lot if it reduces the number or size of lens elements. This may also help explain why they're pushing it as a phone add-on rather than standalone. A simple internal display would be fairly cheap, but add the processing capability & both part and development costs become more significant.

author: Marco
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2013, 04:59:34 pm
content: Quote from: exp1 on March 05, 2013, 11:30:59 amPhill Hobb's described a relatively cheap sensing technology based on PVDF a decade ago.http://electrooptical.net/

author: exp1
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2013, 05:22:53 pm
content: Quote from: Marco on March 05, 2013, 04:59:34 pmDoesn't look like it would easily scale to the resolution and form factor needed for that device. (i'd really love to be proven wrong though)

author: Hypernova
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 06, 2013, 08:21:22 am
content: Raised an eye brow when he mentioned that he ditched the optics. Nor do I believe the part about processing power being the main cost driver. Even a dumb one-to-one pixel dump to the screen is plenty useful and would sell like hot cakes in the hobby world.

author: jack32
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2013, 09:25:48 pm
content: now i want an IR-Blue! Would be awesome!
Which Circuit Design program - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: snipersquad100
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2013, 05:56:17 pm
content: Which Circuit Design program is best for beginners, I’m using eagle free software at the moment, even thou I can use the basic tools the library's are a bit hard to find certain components.

author: IonizedGears
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2013, 06:18:05 pm
content: Well, I have used a couple circuit design programs such as multisim eagle, and fritzing with a few other programs. IMHO I like multisim the most for simulating circuits but that is all it is good for, no pcb design and it costs a buttload of money so not the best for hobbyists. Eagle is good for pcb design mostly but I haven't used it that extensively to get to know it that well. Fritzing is one of the easiest circuit builder/pcb design I have used but it has no simulation capability and is seen by most as a childs toy. Kicad is something I haven't really used before but it seems to be quite decent based of reviews. I hope you can benefit from my explanation.

author: snipersquad100
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2013, 06:26:30 pm
content: Cheers mate, Ive tryed fritzing but find it to limited, I will try the kicad you mentioned.

author: Hair_of_the_Dog
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 11, 2013, 06:28:49 pm
content: I use Diptrace and have found it to be fairly intuitive. I find somethings, like the lack of hot keys for many things annoying, but like it overall.

author: snipersquad100
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2013, 06:46:22 pm
content: I’ve downloaded kikad and its got the same symbol as eagle, and when I double click it, eagle opens.. go figer

author: IonizedGears
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2013, 06:47:24 pm
content: Huh, never heard that was happening before.

author: snipersquad100
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2013, 06:56:33 pm
content: hummm something's not right lol

author: StubbornGreek
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2013, 07:26:19 pm
content: Quote from: snipersquad100 on March 11, 2013, 06:56:33 pmTry launching the .exe directly from the program files menu. If this works, just create a new shortcut pointing to that exe. GL

author: ampdoctor
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2013, 08:59:58 pm
content: Circuitmaker 2000. Best entry level program by a long shot. Hell, even in it's geriatric state, it's better than a lot of the current offerings by the major players. It's lacking a few of the amenities of "modern" software but it's brain dead simple to use and extremely intuitive. The down side is that it's been off the market for the better part of a decade so you'll have to do some digging in some shady spots on the net to find a copy.
Tek scope failed to start - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: opa627bm
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2013, 10:21:55 pm
content: Hello,I have an old tex 30Mhz analog scope that stopped working and I can see the HV discharge lamp flashing with the same frequency as the noise from the HV PSU. I don't know if there is a short in HV line or some component failed. I hardly working with HV so I am looking for advice about how to fix the scope without end up twitching on the floor :pThe video has been uploaded to my serverhttp://opa627bm.dyndns.org/pad/v1.rarCheersLi

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2013, 10:29:56 pm
content: There are much better ways to share your video.

author: opa627bm
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2013, 10:34:42 pm
content: Quote from: c4757p on March 10, 2013, 10:29:56 pmUploaded on youtube

author: PaulAm
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2013, 07:11:55 pm
content: What model of scope is this?Does it use a switching PS and tick when you turn it on?You need to give some more information to get any answers.

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2013, 07:59:01 pm
content: I've got one with a similar fault.From memory, the power supply is fed from multiple taps of a transformer. One of those supplies, about +12V is used to provide the regulation for all of the supply lines. As there' s a fault on that line, or in the regulation curcuit, the 80V supply line is going too high. The flashing lights are neon bulbs put in place to flash over and restrict that high voltage supply if it goes too high.So the fault is showing up on the high voltage rail but it is very likely to be a fault on which ever rail your scope supply is regulated from. You'll need to inspect the schematic for you own scope and go from there.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 11, 2013, 08:38:19 pm
content: Well, it's trying to fire-up !... then shutting down; your going to have to do some power supply tracing, and component removing at some point.This could be anything... that's loading the supply start-up, or a leaky cap even short, even a regulator transistor short ?... worst case situation might be the actual PSU chip feed-back stage failing.However, it sounds more like a component fault stopping the start-up stage from reaching full regulation; a circuit would help to see what the power supply design is, and then do some X Y PCB stage-by-stage DC open circuiting and DC testing, until the supply runs; or otherwise do a low resistive ohm testing, to common rail of the supply.Good luck.
Graphene supercapacitors DVD burner - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Gonzini
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2013, 05:42:23 pm
content: http://www.rapidonline.com/News/DVD-burner-used-to-produce-graphene-supercapacitors-3483?utm_campaign=0803%20-%20IND%20newsletter&utm_content=34360979206&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Emailvision

author: mrflibble
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2013, 05:46:42 pm
content: Fun, yet a wee bit old news.http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/news/2010/sep/23/graphene-makes-supercapacitorhttp://physicsworld.com/cws/article/news/2012/mar/20/laser-writer-makes-graphene-supercapacitors

author: SoftwareSamurai
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2013, 01:06:31 am
content: Looks like a perfect KickStarter opportunity! Raise some funds, buy a few burners, make Graphene supercaps, sell on eBay, profit! Easy!

author: westfw
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2013, 02:06:36 am
content: The process may be cheap, but the ingredients are rare.The "graphite oxide" that is the starting material is pretty much "un-obtainium."

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2013, 05:18:49 am
content: CO2 is hard to find?

author: westfw
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2013, 10:22:31 am
content: If "Graphite oxide" were the same as CO2, it would be very difficult to "coat" it onto the DVD disks in the first place.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphite_oxideQuoteAnd also:Quote(which is to say: it explodes. Impurities apparently make it explode more easily.)Those "ingredients" for its preparation also either explode, cause almost anything they touch to explode/burst into flame, emit deadly fumes, dissolve almost anything, or a combination of those...(I gather that the DVD laser manages to decompose the thin Graphite Oxide film on the disk in a relatively controlled manner, giving you graphene, right where you want it to be. That's swell. But it's not something you can do in a (average) home lab, except for that last phase...)

author: rbuck9
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 11, 2013, 01:00:06 pm
content: graphene is some very interesting stuff

author: westfw
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2013, 04:48:49 pm
content: Heh. I did a web search on "sulfuric acid, sodium nitrate, potassium permanganate" (the "improved" graphite oxide prep.) This turns up mostly warnings about the incompatibility of the acid and permanganate, but also this nice summary of the graphite oxide prep:http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ja01539a017To yield less than 200g of graphite oxide takes about three liters of concentrated sulfuric acid, which more-or-less solidifies during the process, till eventually you dilute it (with "strong effervescence" (shudder)) with 20-odd liters of water.)(oh wait: you can just buy Graphite Oxide solution.https://graphene-supermarket.com/Ultra-Highly-Concentrated-Single-Layer-Graphene-Oxide-175ml.htmlLooks like 0.6%, about $400 per 175ml)More prep:http://horror-vacui.wikispaces.com/NBEXP0003
SpaceX Grasshopper - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: ptricks
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2013, 01:05:28 pm
content: Cool video of the new prototype by spaceX.Reminds me of those old 1940's rocket ships !

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2013, 04:14:30 pm
content: Thunderbird one is what it reminds me of.
What does it take to Get on the amp hour ? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: smashedProton
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2013, 02:35:06 pm
content: I have added the amp hour to my growing bucket list. What would it take to be featured on the amo hour as a hobbyist. The show is incredible, keep up the good workPs. I am a believerwww.GarrettBaldwin.com
Calculators! - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2013, 03:31:19 pm
content: Quite interesting article about calculators for electronics...http://www.electronicproducts.com/Computer_Peripherals/Systems/What_s_It_Worth_Calculators_Electronic_Wheel_and_Slide_Charts.aspxI guess I can be considered very old for having used both a resistor wheelchart (the first one) and one similar to the RCA Pindex chart (but for transistors)...

author: Nemesis04
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 11, 2013, 03:07:56 am
content: I've got an example of the first slide chat, wonderful bit of kit when I'm sorting out resistors without trying to fiddle with the multimeter.

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2013, 04:24:21 am
content: These things were very useful; I still miss the one I had that helped me quickly check the transistor printouts and polarity.

author: rbuck9
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 11, 2013, 12:20:35 pm
content: still like my old Ti calc

author: ngfish
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 11, 2013, 01:12:08 pm
content: My friend showed me an emulator app for the Ti-89 on your Android phone... it's pretty cool... but I have a iPhone

author: toster
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2013, 01:23:57 pm
content: Oh you mean the Nostalgia++? Yeah that's pretty awesome.
hardware random noise generation - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: smashedProton
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2013, 05:53:33 am
content: Does anyone have any experience with doing this with only jellybean parts? It's difficult to sense thermal noise... My thoughts are some sort of a little antenna with the gain shot way up, or to use zener noise somehow. Please enlighten me!

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2013, 06:08:02 am
content: http://dangerousprototypes.com/2012/10/22/7400-competition-entry-random-number-generator/That's the basic idea. More realistically, you'll use opamps instead of making logic gates behave in an analog manner and a PIC instead of discrete logic. A great trick is to digitize the noise and use the last few bits. If you use a secure hash (or encryption) to whiten the noise, then take the output and XOR it with the noise before sending it back through the hash to create the next value, you can get a great deal of random numbers with relatively little input.BTW, if you have a PC based on an Ivy Bridge CPU, then it already has a good RNG inside it. Many motherboards also have RNGs built into the chipset.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RdRand

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2013, 06:15:10 am
content: Reverse biased transistor base emitter junction, breaks down at around 7V. Feed it with 100uA and then AC couple to an opamp with a gain of 20. Use a 741 for the added noise, then use a second one to amplify 50 times. Gives a good audio range white noise.

author: grenert
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2013, 04:53:50 pm
content: What kind of frequency spectrum are you looking for? For audio, there are a lot of circuits online with reverse biased zener diode amplified by transistors or LM386.

author: asbokid
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2013, 05:00:52 pm
content: http://www.ciphersbyritter.com/RES/NOISE.HTMhttp://www.jtxp.org/tech/xr232web.htmhttp://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.46.5555&rep=rep1&type=pdf