I want a long term project - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 16, 2013, 06:13:48 pm
content: Hello Group,I want a long term project such as a good quality Signal Generator, has anyone got any idea's where I can find a good circuit from, I'm thinking of a wide band one, I feel I could learn a lot from this type of project, Thanks in advancePaul

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2013, 08:04:13 pm
content: I'd start with an analog devices synth chip test board. The software to drive the synth via usb is also available.Here's a little reading for you to perusehttp://www.analog.com/en/rfif-components/pll-synthesizersvcos/products/index.html

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 17, 2013, 06:09:53 am
content: Quote from: KJDS on May 16, 2013, 08:04:13 pm

author: bingo600
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2013, 11:13:23 am
content: Quote from: Telequipment on May 16, 2013, 06:13:48 pmHe..he can't resist ....Your wife can prob. keep you busy long term .... (mine can)Paint the living room, move the coutches , move the lamps etc ..etc ...No problem at all./Bingo

author: Dave
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2013, 12:50:47 pm
content: How exactly would it be a long term project, if you are looking for an existing circuit to copy? What will be left to do, if you will copy most of the work from someone else?I suggest designing something entirely from scratch, perhaps use the circuits you find elsewhere only as inspiration for your own project. You will learn much more from that than just copying an existing design.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 17, 2013, 01:08:02 pm
content: Quote from: Dave on May 17, 2013, 12:50:47 pmGood point , I probably didn't make my self very clear, that's what I'm doing , looking at the basic blocks and making my own design, as I'm doing it in blocks, I'll keep at the one block until I get it right, then move on to the next, I'll will also be my first attempt to make circuits boards to, sorry if I sounded a bit vague, hope this makes it more clear.

author: robrenz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2013, 01:20:10 pm
content: Pick anything, they all turn into long term projects

author: ptricks
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2013, 01:43:39 am
content: Quote from: robrenz on May 17, 2013, 01:20:10 pmI have an old lab power supply I was planning to improve, it has now been 8 years since I started.

author: glatocha
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2013, 02:03:53 am
content: Quote from: Telequipment on May 16, 2013, 06:13:48 pmHonestly? Didn't you think that "Signal Generator" would be a better subject?

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 18, 2013, 12:40:06 pm
content: Quote from: glatocha on May 18, 2013, 02:03:53 amPardon isn't that what I'm building, what ever your on I want a pound of it.

author: RPBCACUEAIIBH
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2013, 06:13:12 pm
content: Interesting topic... I'm never out of ideas... Let's find something for you too...The question is to learn something by doing something or to do something that is interesting or fun, or even useful? So decide what are your interests?The question is that you are only interested in electronics or you wanna do something with even mecanic part, or a circuti with microcontroller or FPGA and you're willing to program it as well, and if you don't know how are you willing to learn that as well in order to finish it? Are you brave enough to do something else then the routine?The fact is that something that you done already or others have done, will gain less experience, but something that you design may be fail miserably, and it may cost a lot. Which leads me to one more question... Are you willing to pay the price to get more experienced and learn? Are you prepared for repeated failures?If you know what do you want, and you are willing enough, and you are prepared for the worse, while doing your best, then I'm sure you can find something for yourself, if the answer is no to these questions, then this topic have no sense because no one can find a project suitable for you.

author: elgonzo
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 18, 2013, 06:25:47 pm
content: Quote from: RPBCACUEAIIBH on May 18, 2013, 06:13:12 pmHoly sh*t! You just scared the hell out of me. Luckily, i am not looking for a project...

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 18, 2013, 09:26:42 pm
content: Quote from: elgonzo on May 18, 2013, 06:25:47 pmHe scared out of me to, maybe to many solder fumes I'm told it has a strange effect on people

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 18, 2013, 09:28:56 pm
content: Quote from: RPBCACUEAIIBH on May 18, 2013, 06:13:12 pmI think I'm following your jist of it , surely failure is apart of learning, without failure you learn nothing, blimey now I'm on the solder fumes

author: elgonzo
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 18, 2013, 09:42:15 pm
content: Quote from: Telequipment on May 18, 2013, 09:28:56 pmThat approach works just fine.1 + 1 = 3See, now i just learned Math! (That must have been your solder fumes...)

author: PA4TIM
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2013, 10:24:46 pm
content: I'm in the last fase off my longest project upto now. A signalgenerator that can sweep, has AVC, digital readout for frequency and power and does 25MHz to 2000MHz. Started in 2011 and my own design.http://www.pa4tim.nl/?p=2662

author: RPBCACUEAIIBH
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2013, 06:03:07 am
content: Quote from: PA4TIM on May 18, 2013, 10:24:46 pmWow! Man... those pieces on some of the boards stand like you scared the hell out of them... :S