So This is Christmas,  What Have YOU Done? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: VK3DRB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 21, 2016, 11:25:46 am
content: I had never really heard of Celine Dion's music, but today I stumbled across this on an Internet radio station whilst spending the day at work laying out a rather dense PCB. It made squeezing in tracks quite bearable. As I was hearing her superb voice, it made me think of the question: What have we done this year? So you might want to share: What have YOU achieved this year that is significant, maybe in the electronics sense? Hobby, career, education, new skill, life event?Let me start: This year I completed building my new garage. It is air conditioned; Just in time for the hot 35 degrees C here forecast on Christmas day.MERRY CHRISTMASAND AHAPPY NEW YEAR!

author: imidis
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 21, 2016, 11:30:15 am
content: A little lame maybe, but this is my hobby accomplishment (LEDs/ATTINY13A) for christmas this year.Which is probably outdone by the project my wife did sits in. LOLhttps://youtu.be/BS_vRBvCBO8

author: KhronX
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 21, 2016, 11:33:42 am
content: Well, let's see...Been through my first recording experience, as a drummer, with one of the guitarists as my assistant-engineer / co-producer (for our band's upcoming album)... Moved house, to a half-as-big-again apartment... Found myself a girlfriend a few months ago (after several years of searching)...On the electronics front, found and revived a real nice pair of studio monitors (Tannoy Precision 6D), finally started a project i had been brainstorming for some time (multichannel cue mix distribution system, inside a studio / on stage, inspired by some Behringer gear, of all things), joined this forumOh, and (finally) had a bunch of PCB's manufactured for some TAS5630-based class-D amplfiers.

author: GK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 21, 2016, 02:08:38 pm
content: Quote from: VK3DRB on December 21, 2016, 11:25:46 amI wish I hadn't either. In all seriousness I think I'd rather listen to this (he is French, which I think probably explains it).

author: CJay
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 21, 2016, 04:03:02 pm
content: I spent last weekend pushing WS2812 LEDs, an Arduino Mini clone, a cheap Chinese MP3 player and a pound shop mobile phone charger up a squirrel.(The intention for the project was to create as tacky and gaudy decoration as possible)

author: VK3DRB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 22, 2016, 07:40:44 am
content: Quote from: GK on December 21, 2016, 02:08:38 pmI looks like an electronics engineer that blew a fuse after not being able to route that one last net trace in a circuit when there was a tough deadline to meet and was subsequently fired. That guy reminded of a weirdo engineer I once worked with. The industry seems to attract the abnormal.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 22, 2016, 07:53:02 am
content: Many things, most too boring to share.But the highlight has been 30 years in the making, the success of our children.Airline pilot. (oldest)Production manager.Self employed earthmoving contractor. (youngest)I'll have someto celebrate.

author: VK3DRB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 22, 2016, 07:56:59 am
content: Quote from: KhronX on December 21, 2016, 11:33:42 amYou have made some pretty interesting achievements in the last year. Some nice electronic stuff. Congrats on the girlfriend too. Several years seems a long time. You must be very selective. One reason I studied to become an electronics engineer was that I thought women be queuing up to date an electronics engineer over any other profession...Got that wrong.

author: VK3DRB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 22, 2016, 08:06:10 am
content: Quote from: tautech on December 22, 2016, 07:53:02 amAt the end of the day, our family is our legacy. Because any electronics thing we work on will be gone in 5 to 10 years. Your kids have done well. I had a close colleague who left engineering. He went into earthmoving as a self employed contractor abut 6 years ago and he loves it. Inconsistent income, but he said he would never go back to being a desk jockey.Yours was 30 years in the making. And engineering friend who now lives in the US works on 5 year plans (like Chairman Mao), except this guy is quite successful family wise, career wise and financially wise.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 22, 2016, 08:19:38 am
content: Quote from: VK3DRB on December 22, 2016, 08:06:10 amThanks, the oldest (daughter) is just 30 and just passed her Captain exams.Hell they are all so very different, the youngest is probably the most outspoken but probably more worldly than his elder siblings having done his fair share of working for arsehole employers which in some way helped to make him what he is today.So this year Christmas is a celebration ofourtheir achievements.

author: Aeternam
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 22, 2016, 08:56:29 am
content: 2016 was very good to me, I finished my first electronics project and released it into the wild!My dad is retired and fixes hall clocks for a hobby. For this, he needed a counter to check the alignment of the cogs in the movement. The way we implemented this is we measure the frequency of the pendulum movement via a couple of photoelectric barriers. The input stage consists of a pulse detector and a Schmit trigger to clean up the signal which is then interpreted by an MCU that calculates the frequency and displays it on an LCD.I started out in november 2015 as a complete noob with an Arduino starter kit that I ordered on Amazon. Working through the tutorials I got hooked real quick, I started to google things which is where I found Dave's Youtube channel and this forum.Needless to say, you guys have all been a great help, I guess I'd still be switching LEDs on and off without this great community.Thanks all, merry Christmas and a happy new year!

author: Seekonk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 22, 2016, 10:12:33 am
content: I've been trying to instruct people how to use the Arduino. It's like teaching Labradoodles.

author: george graves
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 22, 2016, 10:24:40 am
content: You really should take a few more pics (maybe the set up working with a clock? Or a 10-20second video of it working, schematic, board files, and what ever else you want to give away, and submit it to Hackaday. We love that kind of stuff. Especially from a self-described "noob".Quote from: Aeternam on December 22, 2016, 08:56:29 am

author: tatus1969
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 22, 2016, 10:41:57 am
content: Quote from: VK3DRB on December 22, 2016, 07:40:44 amI'd rather say the topic attracts the "abnormal". (Of course that includes me) In my opinion the reason is that our field requires a very high level of abstraction and the ability to penetrate a complex logical complex to a very high degree. That requires brains that are optimized in this way, setting back other abilities to some degree.

author: KhronX
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 22, 2016, 11:09:06 am
content: Well, it was a bit of a combination of being selective, on one hand, and being what some might call "difficult", so the challenge was somewhat two-fold.We all have our idiosyncracies, and just finding someone we like isn't all that enough (at least in our western world) - the "someone who likes us back" is just as importantIt's no (real) good to find someone that's "ok", but who kinda "just doesn't feel right", y'know?But yeah, thanks"Better late than never" and "if something's worth doing, it's worth doing right"Nah, i got into the field for (way more) selfish reasons, AND way before i cared about girls / womenMy kit all mic'd up and everything:https://scontent.fomr1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/13329334_10153818443388897_1420024943679842514_o.jpg?oh=6cd6237c45fcb903f13185061889ba52&oe=58F13F75And just a couple weeks ago, we (my band and i) moved our gear to the other half of the rehearsal space (a literal bomb-shelter):https://scontent.fomr1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/15250801_10154299725448897_5724474018496632247_o.jpg?oh=2b25449ce0e28c5ec0dc4bb7aadea17e&oe=58E0D8BEThe company who was renting out that "corner" for some storage, cleared out, so we took full advantage of thatQuote from: VK3DRB on December 22, 2016, 07:56:59 am

author: CJay
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 22, 2016, 11:38:38 am
content: Quote from: tatus1969 on December 22, 2016, 10:41:57 amI think the topic and the abnormal are a pretty good fit for each other, I've met many IT and electronics techs/engineers who are on various 'spectrums' which seem to be an asset to their chosen careers, so much so I think it's wrong to suggest they 'suffer' with them (I most definitely count myself in there somewhere)

author: KhronX
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 22, 2016, 11:41:41 am
content: How did that old saying go? "I don't suffer from insanity - i enjoy every minute of it", or something?Quote from: CJay on December 22, 2016, 11:38:38 am

author: NivagSwerdna
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 22, 2016, 12:24:10 pm
content: I designed my first PCB, got some made by Elecrow, sold a couple of spares to a fellow EEVBlog member [ and he assembled it before I even got my finished myself.... in fact finishing off that will be a Christmas project... if I don't get side tracked....]And i've spent too much time watching YouTube and reading this forum

author: Alex Eisenhut
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 22, 2016, 12:25:34 pm
content: Quote from: VK3DRB on December 21, 2016, 11:25:46 amOh, how I envy you. Living in Quebec, regularly hearing her nasal screech is a hazard of living here.

author: Alex Eisenhut
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 22, 2016, 12:37:02 pm
content: Here's a Quebecoise who made a nice little Christmas album that's actually listenable.Sweet and simple, not overly produced and loud and commercial like La Dion.

author: tatus1969
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 22, 2016, 12:39:59 pm
content: Quote from: KhronX on December 22, 2016, 11:41:41 amDirect Google-to-englisch of a German saying: "There's/It's a fine line between being a genius and being crazy" ... although I'm not sure on which side of this coin I am ...

author: NivagSwerdna
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 22, 2016, 12:48:52 pm
content: Quote from: rubenvann on December 22, 2016, 12:34:41 pmIt's 4-way 10MHz distribution amplifier and also generates some PPS outputs, it's a companion to a GPSDO... seehttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/a-look-at-my-symmetricom-gpsdo-(ocxo-furuno-receiver)/?all

author: KhronX
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 22, 2016, 12:58:18 pm
content: Quote from: NivagSwerdna on December 22, 2016, 12:24:10 pmDepending on board size and quantity, these guys have pretty damn good prices too:http://www.smart-prototyping.com/Prototyping-Services/Electronic-Prototyping/PCB-Prototyping.htmlShipping might differ, but for 5pcs 5x5cm or 10x10cm from Elecrow you could get 10pcs 5x5cm from these other guysOr for a couple extra bucks, 10pcs 10x10cm (a couple bucks under Elecrow).

author: GK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 22, 2016, 02:25:50 pm
content: Quote from: Alex Eisenhut on December 22, 2016, 12:37:02 pmAnd just as boooooooring and instantly forgettable as the half million other "French chic" artists/bands out there. Fortunately as an antidote you also have Sophie Milman over there:I'd let her ride my rocket any day

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 22, 2016, 03:50:08 pm
content: At least it is not the wall to wall Boney M here in the malls. I am avoiding malls as much as possible, and tying my best to ignore the muzak.

author: Cubdriver
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 22, 2016, 09:29:08 pm
content: Quote from: VK3DRB on December 22, 2016, 07:56:59 amHave you ever considered stand up comedy?That there was funny!-Pat

author: KhronX
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 22, 2016, 09:54:08 pm
content: Makes a person wonder whethere he was, in fact, "born yesterday"Hint:

author: VK3DRB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 23, 2016, 01:08:35 am
content: Quote from: Cubdriver on December 22, 2016, 09:29:08 pmWell in fact I did attract one chick at uni when I was studying engineering. We have now been married for 36 years. I was PNP and she was NPN - a perfect complimentary pair, and there are three harmonics at the output: The first is an engineer in living in Japan, the second is a university lecturer living in France and the third is a programmer still living with us. The third harmonic I have not been able to filter out.This year's garage achievement is shown in the photo. It is 6.6 squares, with fully insulated walls and ceiling, has 64 mains power outlets (16 x quads, most at bench height), 2 reverse cycle air-conditioners, 10 Organic Response LED ceiling lights, an German imported electronic panel door that insulates sound, heat, dust and ants; and three electronic entry side doors. I two-packed epoxied the concrete floor, doing the final clear coat on top this morning - a close up is shown with the embedded black, blue and white chips in the grey bottom layer. Over Christmas I will be installing the skirting boards. Did the lot myself except the concreting and the bricklaying, as I am not good enough at those two skills. It has been a great joy building this dog house. Doing it yourself not only saves a lot on costs, but you get the time to think things out and get it right.The Organic Response lights are terrific. Fully programmable via my phone. They automatically go brightest where I am working, and go dull further away, saving a lot power costs. At full power, 260 watts of 4000 deg K LEDs all up.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 23, 2016, 01:32:13 am
content: Quote from: VK3DRB on December 23, 2016, 01:08:35 amThat's hilarious.Classic stuff, made my day. Thanks.

author: apelly
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 23, 2016, 02:26:17 am
content: Became a HAM. Drank booze.Not exactly an over achiever.

author: tatus1969
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 23, 2016, 08:17:22 am
content: Quote from: VK3DRB on December 23, 2016, 01:08:35 ammade my day either, and raises more thoughts- if she is NPN, is she then also the more efficient one needing less resources?- in which configuration you typically operate, eitheror?

author: tatus1969
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 23, 2016, 08:23:22 am
content: is that the missionary position?

author: tatus1969
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 23, 2016, 08:36:37 am
content: OK, it's hard, but I'll try to get back to the topic...This year I destroyed some thingshttps://www.dropbox.com/s/zafmnkip425pks9/Short_wo_fuse.mp4?dl=0https://www.dropbox.com/s/rl3eulupbhkxfe5/short_with_fuse.mp4?dl=0https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/how-to-build-my-own-brushless-motor-driver/msg1060115/#msg1060115in order to get this one right

author: KhronX
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 23, 2016, 09:47:37 am
content: Crossover distortion's a b*tch, ain't it?Quote from: tatus1969 on December 23, 2016, 08:17:22 am

author: roffvald
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 23, 2016, 09:51:36 am
content: I bought my first(owned) appartment, advanced quite a bit in my electronics hobby, and I got final approval as a certified commercial maritime radio operator instructor(GOC and ROC certificates) so I now teach those classes in addition to my primary job(Coastal Radio Operator).

author: steve30
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 23, 2016, 02:22:10 pm
content: For this Christmas, I built myself a Velleman Deluxe Christmas Tree kit, to complement the surface mount christmas tree kit which I did a couple of years ago. I also have their basic christmas tree kit with red LEDs which I built about 14 years ago, but I seem to have misplaced it.The battery is running down a bit now, so in the photo, the green LEDs aren't very bright.

author: Rick Law
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 24, 2016, 01:28:37 am
content: I wont tell you what I have done, but I will tell you what naughty girl Tammy Strickland has done...* ---- *The Florida Sheriff Grady Judd (Polk County, Florida) held up the picture of the green sinister figure. He said "This really is not the Grinch" and put the photo down. He then held up a mug shot of a 38 year old woman, Tammy Strickland, and said: "This is the Grinch."Acting on a tip, the Sheriff discovered this lady filed29 requeststo "Toys for Tots"under different aliasesrequesting toys for144 children. "Toys for Tots" is a program run by the United States Marine Corp Reserve to distribute free toys to poor kids whose parent cannot afford toys.With her incessant emails asking "when do I get my toys", the Sheriff set up a sting. Sheriff Grady described: "She drove up [to the warehouse] in her Cadillac ..." to pick up the toys and was arrested.The number I have here differs from the article link below. I just saw an TV interview of Sheriff Grady with updated information. Following her arrest, it was later discovered she has an EBT card (welfare) collecting food assistance of $511/month from tax payers! Hard to afford a Cadillac Escalade when you cannot afford food! So, instead of the 164 counts cited in the article, she now faces248 counts of felony charges!Good chance the Grinch will be in a Florida jail this Christmas...Article:https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/12/22/the-grinch-woman-accused-of-stealing-childrens-christmas-gifts-from-toys-for-tots/?utm_term=.a27dbf84d651

author: KhronX
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 24, 2016, 02:41:04 am
content: At this rate, there's a chance her stocking might not be where she gets her lump of coal...