hybridfree/eevblog-posts huggingface dataset:
Curiosity rover instrument head - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: MikeK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2012, 06:32:56 pm
content: This is a pretty cool photo of the instrument head:http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/684583main_pia15699-full_full.jpgSo what are those round cage things? My guess would be that they detect and/or limit movement of the head at its outer bounds. Looks like the center of the cage could be some distance sensor that measures how much it has been squashed. Anyone know for sure?Mike

author: RCMR
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2012, 01:40:54 am
content: Yep, I'd go along with your assumption. Seem to be some kind of movement stop device.
Raspberry Pi now being made in the UK - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: rolycat
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2012, 03:14:28 pm
content: The Raspberry Pi foundation announced yesterday that "Element14/Premier Farnell have made the decision to move the bulk of their Raspberry Pi manufacture to South Wales", which is a great result.This is the new Rev 2 board which among other improvements is a little less persnickety about USB power requirements.Production has already started, and they have been able to do this without affecting the price, in case anyone wondered.

author: kripton2035
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2012, 03:35:56 pm
content: nice - so I may be able to soon get one !

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2012, 03:40:15 pm
content: I wonder where was it previous ... China?

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 07, 2012, 04:03:07 pm
content: Great to here we have some British manufacturing

author: EEMarc
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2012, 04:18:28 pm
content: That is great news!I have always questioned their decision to offshore to China. They got a bad taste of poor Chinese quality for sure. No surprises there.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2012, 04:37:54 pm
content: One issue they mentioned a while ago that was part of the decision was that they would pay more import duty on parts than on finished boards -maybe they are now getting better volume discounts to compensate for the difference now the popularity has been established.

author: Zad
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2012, 04:58:23 pm
content: There is nothing quite like being able to drive to the factory and knock some heads together!Farnell were originally ordering 10,000 at a time. That sort of quantity would not have made UK production feasible. This run is 300,000! I understand the rev 2 boards now have a couple of mounting holes (actually for testing but hey it is better than none) and full JTAG connection. Hurrah!

author: EEMarc
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2012, 05:41:28 pm
content: I didn't see anywhere that it said 300,000. I did read 30,000 per month and 30 new jobs which is 360,000 units per year.

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2012, 06:35:23 pm
content: Together with Sony UK ...

author: Stephen Hill
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2012, 06:39:37 pm
content: Quote from: T4P on September 07, 2012, 03:40:15 pmThey never hid the fact they started making them in China.
The *real* record length of Agilent Infiniivision 3000 X series? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: michkhol
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 06, 2012, 03:05:34 pm
content: I'm totally confused by datasheets about the record lengh of these scopes. I actually have two datasheets, the old:Quoteand the new:QuoteBesides the funny way of measuring time in Kpts it is very hard to make any sense of it. So far I could come up with the maximum of only 250Kpts of data that can be actually explored on the screen at any point of time in the standard configuration. Any other opinions?Tek 3000 series says 5M per channel. Period.

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2012, 03:37:52 pm
content: I believe they actually mean Digital ON or Analog ON not at the same time.PS: The Tek 3000 is slow as molasses

author: w2aew
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2012, 01:49:46 am
content: The Tek spec is simple, because it has 5M on each channel - the four analog channels and the 16 digital channels (on the MSO models). The amount of memory used at any given time is user adjustable. This lets you decide which sample rate and record length you want.In my experience the Tek scopes are certainly not slow as molasses. Not that one big difference is that all measurements are made using the acquired samples, not on the decimated display points.

author: Rufus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2012, 06:09:32 pm
content: Quote from: michkhol on September 06, 2012, 03:05:34 pmIt is confusing even when you have the scope because it only shows the current sample rate.Basically I think it has 2M (or 4M with the upgrade) of memory per 2 channels which it can write at 4GB/s.The memory is halved in auto/triggered modes because it captures into one half while processing the other.A digital channel being on halves the sample rate and uses half the memory. The only 'waste' is digital and one analog channel where memory for the other analog channel isn't used and digital on a 4 channel scope were memory for digital on channels 1 and 2 isn't used on channels 3 and 4.That probably left you confused but basically I think it does the best it can with the limitation of 2M (4M) of memory and 4GB/s write rate.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2012, 06:29:51 pm
content: QuoteIt is also reduced (on the 6000 by a factor of 4) in peak display mode as it stores min & max for each sample. Don't know why the reduction is /4 not /2 - not sure if the X series is different.
Crystal Oscillators on eBay - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: AlphZeta
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2012, 07:14:18 pm
content: So, I bought ten 12Mhz crystal oscillators (HC-49) on eBay. But when I put it into the circuit I was building it didn't work. At first I was thinking it got to be something else as the oscillator portion is fairly standard. But after hours of trouble-shooting, I decided to switch to a different oscillator and the new oscillator worked perfectly.So, I decided to check all the ten oscillators. As it turned out, 4 are DOA and the remaining 6 are good. Since the price is so cheap, I can't really complain, but just thought I'd share this so you might want to verify all your parts bought on eBay before using them.

author: Achilles
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2012, 09:46:50 am
content: ....seller from china?For me it doesn't matter in terms of the price. Maybe you needed the oscillators for a small series and now you have to buy another pack...If it is sold as new and OK, then they should work! Otherwise it should be described as unknown functionality or so. Probably the seller had some bad stock by his source and just sells the components.When I buy things on ebay, especially when they are cheap like hell, I like to have a small look over them and test them. You can have luck or it goes wrong. I got a bag full with old AEG Scr's a few weeks ago. Three of them were used (but they were sold a untested), and all worked fine.Well, for new parts a 40% DOA quote is a bit high I guess.....

author: AlphZeta
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2012, 01:48:19 pm
content: QuoteYep, where else? I agree, for critical stuff should just stick to the big suppliers like AVNet/Mouser/DigiKey etc,. Anyway, the items were sold as new and appeared to be new. One thing about buy cheap parts on eBay is that you will never know how the parts ended up with the seller. It could be that the parts were genuine, but more likely than not, they may be rejected/rebanded/remarked parts....

author: Achilles
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2012, 09:44:21 am
content: Could also have been a clearance or so in the states. I often saw small packages sold pretty cheap in the states by private persons.......well, maybe someone bought some junk out of the production and resells it. I think if there would be a batch in the production which has a higher amount failing in QM they will just dispose it and sell it as junk.I am pretty sure that is like Christmas for some Chinese, Indonesian, Indian ebay sellers.
The London Underground Map - as a PCB? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Zad
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2012, 04:53:53 pm
content: http://london-underground.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/the-tube-map-as-radio-circuit-board.htmlHow brilliant is that! A working radio, laid out as a real tube map. I bet the stray capacitance is an absolute swine though.The designer of the original tube map, an engineering draftsman named Harry Beck, is widely thought to have based the classic London Underground tube map on electric circuit diagrams. Wiki disagrees, but he was an engineering draftsman, so mut have been at least been heavily influenced by wiring schematics.The same designer has also done this. Not quite sure what to make of it:http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/16/view/23447/yuri-suzuki-technology-will-save-us-denki-puzzle.html

author: firewalker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2012, 05:23:38 pm
content: Nice idea!Alexander.

author: nitro2k01
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2012, 07:06:23 pm
content: Correct link:http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/16/view/23445/yuri-suzuki-london-underground-circuit-map-radio.htmlNice alternate names for some of the stations. Piccadilly Circuit. Imperial Capacitor. Earl's Coil. Speaker's Corner Volume. White City BBC Tuner. (Apparently, BBC has a collection of buildings in White City.)

author: Kibi
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 08, 2012, 09:47:23 pm
content: That is fantastic, who thinks this sort of thing up

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 09, 2012, 10:59:07 am
content: They should've usedtubesfor that
Computing and DNA - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: AntiProtonBoy
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2012, 01:49:23 pm
content: Very cool video presentation about DNA sequencing and the computation problems surrounding the field:One particular aspect that was mind blowing is the potential to store data in DNA. In fact, researchers at Haward University have managed to storeapprox. 700 TB (5.5 petabits) of data in a single Gram of DNA.

author: M. András
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2012, 07:35:51 pm
content: finally they get to the point where we can have a shot with a knowledge of the biggest library in the world. it would be good if they solve some issues to inherit our knowledge to our decendants
A temperature clock display module made in holidays - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: nelson
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 05, 2012, 03:52:13 pm
content: This is a temperature clock display module made during holidays:This is a 16*16 matrx display module:My table:System core: 8051 MCU(STC, nice for begginers, not for industrial purposes), by the way, it's really hard to purchase all the components as a MCU beginner(so much kinds of them lol ), luckily I got them all atwww.orzparts.com,they sell a lot of electronic components, for my sistuation, the shipping costs me usd4 and 7days, ha.

author: cookie
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2012, 11:11:12 am
content: not very clear....still thanks for sharing
µCurrent - Where am I going wrong? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: rocksoft
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 05, 2012, 08:39:15 pm
content: Hi,Got my µCurrent the other day, bought it specifically because I have a 3.0v microcontroller system and I need to measure the sleep current accurately, it draws somewhere in the region of 900na.When I connected it all up it works fine for the milli-amp and micro-amp range and the micro runs and I get the output I expect from the µCurrent. However, when I switch to the nano-amp range it doesn't work as I was hoping. My micro fails to run and the voltage drop I get from the µCurrent is about 50% from my 3.0v source.Since this is a micro it has some distinct levels of current consumption, at bootup it's around 6 milli-amps, it then does some work which takes around 20ma it then goes to sleep which is the current I wish to measure.I'm suspecting the µCurrent is not allowing it to boot properly as I'm probably exceeding some of the spec for the range I'm selecting when the micro boots up.I really just wanted to ask if anyone had any advice or point me to where I might be going wrong. I'm thinking I need to bypass the µCurrent initially while the micro boots up and goes to sleep, is it "safe" to just bridge the "current+" and "current-" terminals? By safe I mean will it damage the µCurrent?Cheers,Liam.

author: gxti
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2012, 08:44:16 pm
content: You can always short the current terminals. There is nothing in the uCurrent that would try to drive current in or out of the terminals, so shorting them together just forces it to a zero reading.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 05, 2012, 09:39:02 pm
content: With hindsight, a small shorting switch across the input would have been handy I think.Easy to mod in such a switch though.Dave.

author: krish2487
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2012, 03:46:13 am
content: @liamI think your problem is with the burden voltage drop on the current shunt. There is nothing wrong with your ucurrent, nor are you doig anything wrong.the 50% drop on the shunt in the nano amp range is indicating that the current consumption is more than what you expect the micro to draw.Try to see if it works when you switch the range "on the fly" to nano amps after you apply the power in milli/micro amps for a couple of tens of seconds.If your guess is right about the initial current consumption, let it boot up, settle down and then change the mode to nano amps range.If it works, you know you are right.. If it doesnt, then you know your estimation of the current drawn is off..
A Arduino Is Born - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Sionyn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2012, 05:42:43 pm
content: enjoyhttp://www.bunniestudios.com/blog/?p=2407

author: Daniyal
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2012, 12:12:36 pm
content: thanks for sharing, pretty cool!

author: HackedFridgeMagnet
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2012, 02:13:45 pm
content: Quotenice comment at bottom of page

author: nitro2k01
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2012, 11:02:47 am
content: Pretty sure it tastes like blood. Your own blood.

author: LEECH666
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2012, 12:13:56 pm
content: I remember bunnie to be the person who hacked/unlocked the XBOX 1 ...I loved the XBOX 1 back in the day ... and then M$ killed it ...
Exploring Quantum Physics through Hands-on Projects - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: openthomas
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2012, 03:27:17 am
content: Hi all,A Father and Daughter team have put together a book and blog on diy projects exploring quantum mechanics. Its really fascinating stuffhttp://www.diyphysics.com/http://www.amazon.com/Exploring-Quantum-Physics-through-Projects/dp/1118140664

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 05, 2012, 09:11:31 am
content: So awesome!And then I saw such smart and creative people are caught in god mythhttp://www.jewishexponent.com/article/26460/FatherDaughter_CoAuthors/QuoteDave.

author: GK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2012, 10:13:29 am
content: As a general statement that common expression is nonsensical and is one of my pet peeves (amongst many on this topic).How about “well, it’s good to know that a person’s personal religion may not necessarily hinder their scientific outlook”?

author: Rerouter
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2012, 10:17:38 am
content: but are there ideologies forced upon you in the book?that is what holds most great science writers apart from the rest,

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 05, 2012, 11:38:59 am
content: Quote from: GK on September 05, 2012, 10:13:29 amBoth comments are stating the obvious of courseDave.

author: GK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2012, 01:04:45 pm
content: Argh.The latter statement isnotin the same category as the former! At this point I'm not sure that it is even worth expending the energy to explain the difference.
VC8045II benchtop multimeter, anybody tried it? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Dago
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2012, 06:05:14 am
content: I saw this on ebay yesterday and got interested:http://www.ebay.com/itm/280957511044It is a VC8045II type benchtop multimeter with true RMS and it costs something like 130$ shipped. Specs say its good for 0.05% +3 on the DC volts range which is pretty impressive. I'm not sure but I think it is made by Atten.Does anybody have one or has anyone tried one? Dave should review it if its good for anything.

author: shebu18
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2012, 06:55:13 am
content: You do not have microAmp on the DC scale.

author: Dago
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2012, 07:12:03 am
content: Quote from: shebu18 on September 05, 2012, 06:55:13 amDid not notice that! But it's just a minor con because with really small currents I usually use my (copy) of daves µcurrent adaptor (http://www.dgkelectronics.com/quick-project-of-the-day-a-current-adapter/).

author: glicos
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2012, 07:23:50 am
content: Try to look here for more choices:www.toolboom.com

author: Short Circuit
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2012, 03:47:52 pm
content: The manual range selection of that VC8045 doesn't seem very practical.Apart from being very outdated (>1990's handheld meters had this), this seemsquite impractical fro a benchy meter, which tends to stand further away.That VC8145 looks like a better choice.
circuit idea - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: electros6
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2012, 02:53:26 am
content: Hi guys,Can anybody give me a idea about the circuit I need. Here is the specs . The circuit should on when power up and give a single shot pulse of around 10 secs and the circuit should got into power down ie. it should not react until it get reseted. Guys sorry about my English.Any idea Please let me knowDave sir I am a very big fan of yours. You are my first teacher of electronics after my Engineering degree. Please suggest me any idea about the circuit I mentioned above.Based on your power supply design project I already did a power supply based on atmega16 & LM317 and its works very fine. Now I am trying to do scope based on your MKIII but the user interface is GLCD. Please bless me to finish my project because this is my dream project.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2012, 03:05:58 am
content: monostable 555 or maybe a micro if you want ultra low power when its inactive.or you could probably do it with a flipflop and some caps/resistors for timing.

author: TerminalJack505
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2012, 07:44:14 am
content: What you're describing sounds kind of like a power-on reset circuit. Just with a longer pulse. The attached circuit is pretty much straight out of theArt of Electronicsbook. You can reset it simply by discharging the cap with a transistor.The 555 is a good choice too.

author: NewBeginner
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2012, 08:24:44 am
content: Quote from: electros6 on September 05, 2012, 02:53:26 amMaybe this is off topic: but if you used the same current limiting method as in Dave's design it may not work properly if you replaced the LT3080 with LM317.I am not 100% sure. I did not test this but userkevotronicdid some tests.More details here:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects-designs-and-technical-stuff/general-purpose-power-supply-design-7488/msg143536/#msg143536
PCB design dought - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: electros6
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2012, 03:07:28 am
content: Hello guys and Dave sir ,I have some dought in pcb design. Please help mei) After arrange the components in pcb design whether I have to route signal first or powerand ground first.ii) For digtal and analog signal on the same board is it essential that AGND and DGND has tosplit

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2012, 03:14:36 am
content: Quote from: electros6 on September 05, 2012, 03:07:28 amI route the VCC power and signal at the same time and leave ground to the end.Then i do a ground plane and fix up any missing grounds.However if you need two grounds it's a little more involved.Quote from: electros6 on September 05, 2012, 03:07:28 amThat depends on a few things.- How much current will be flowing around the pcb. If its all low level currents then ground problems are much less of an issue. If some of it is high current then yeah, you want to keep them separate so the voltage drop across the high current ground path doesn't upset other signals.- How accurate you need your analog inputs/outputs. If they don't need to be very accurate then the issues caused by digital noise may not be serious enough to worry about.Keep in mind that it isn't just about analog ground vs digital ground, (which is about keeping digital switching noise off your analog paths).It's also about high current vs low current grounds (where high currents pull ground from 0V to 0.3V and that means all your analog inputs read 0.3 lower than they really are)
Ideal 6kA-10kA MOVs for multimeters - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 04, 2012, 06:10:06 pm
content: So i am replacing a meter with blown (very very charred) MOV'sWell i did go to element14 and i ran into a headstop1) Ratings aren't exactly what i'm looking for ... this is for a Cat III 1000VDC 750VACbecause i don't know what clamping voltage i should spring for and that their mov's collection is very limited for through hole high voltage partsAnybody can guide me?
Electronic Cartoon Humour - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 04, 2012, 03:36:47 pm
content: (c) jucole 2012As a hobbyist I know this can be a very real scenario! ;-)

author: FenderBender
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 04, 2012, 06:04:03 pm
content: http://www.ohmart.org/
Dancap Electronics - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: steve30
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2012, 06:39:12 pm
content: Just thought I'd give a thumbs up to Dancap electronics, since they are (as far as I'm aware), the only people in England who sell Hakko gear.They sent my order for next day delivery as soon as my cheque arrived with them. Unfortunately, the next day delivery was quite slow due to it being sent over a bank holiday weekend.I now own a lovely FX-888 and a chisel tip. Its a big improvement over my old Antex iron.It was more expensive than in other countries (about £110), but remember, a fair chunk of the price was delivery and VAT. It still seemed quite cheap in comparison to other well known brands.http://www.flickr.com/photos/36651585@N04/7880907712/#

author: poptones
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2012, 07:22:10 pm
content: How does stuff go in the UK regarding chinese imports from ebay? I've bought at least $1000 worth of stuff off ebay in the last few months and customs never touches it.

author: steve30
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2012, 07:39:30 pm
content: No idea, sorry.Its quite rare that I buy anything internationally, and when I do, its usually low value.

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2012, 07:52:44 pm
content: Quote from: poptones on September 03, 2012, 07:22:10 pmI have bought things through ebay from abroad and found that from China I generally don't get caught by customs, well I did once during the Olympics with all the extra security but from the US I have been charged every time even on occasions ending up paying more customs and VAT and handling charges than I paid for the goods and shipping so now I don't buy from the US at all if I can possibly help it, i believe this disparity occurs due to the port of entry items from the US go through somewhere in the north (Liverpool)where as from China it mostly comes in through the south (Stanstead or Gatwick) and during the Olympics they moved most of the airfreight north to free up the airports for extra passenger traffic.

author: wade
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 04, 2012, 04:13:04 am
content: Quote from: G7PSK on September 03, 2012, 07:52:44 pmSo much for free trade between the US and the UK, eh? That stinks! You'd think it would be the other way around. In the end, nothing's free, especially when governments get in the way.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 04, 2012, 04:18:54 am
content: Quote from: wade on September 04, 2012, 04:13:04 amWhat free trade? There has never been any kind of free trade agreement between the UK and the US that I'm aware of
Anyone here? (EMF in Milton Keynes) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 01, 2012, 05:39:30 am
content: The first ever "Electromagnetic Field Festival":http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-19441861So named, I guess, because it is located in a field...

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 01, 2012, 07:24:28 am
content: If only I'd known I'd have gone, I'm about 30 (British) miles away

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 01, 2012, 07:37:32 am
content: Quote from: Simon on September 01, 2012, 07:24:28 amis that like a regular mile travelled in a under-powered and unreliable car?

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 01, 2012, 07:39:06 am
content: Quote from: Uncle Vernon on September 01, 2012, 07:37:32 amDepends on the car

author: mianchen
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 01, 2012, 07:48:11 am
content: Quote from: IanB on September 01, 2012, 05:39:30 amahhh...didnt know anything itmaybe next year

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 01, 2012, 09:04:52 am
content: Still time to go and have a quick look. It does not end until September 2nd.

author: rolycat
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 01, 2012, 11:59:24 am
content: Quote from: Uncle Vernon on September 01, 2012, 07:37:32 amWhat, like an Aston Martin or a McLaren

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 01, 2012, 12:05:01 pm
content: Quote from: rolycat on September 01, 2012, 11:59:24 amI was talking about the cars you English get to drive.Nothing about a few speciality items built for a few foreigners (who can afford them) to drive.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 01, 2012, 12:07:18 pm
content: ohi don't knock my fiesta, now that we are entering autumn she's performing nicely

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 01, 2012, 12:51:43 pm
content: Nowt wrong with a Forzda, nice engines and cheap to maintain. I did 100 000km in mine, and even did the overhaul as it was so easy when you have the crankshaft out to change the rear oil seal. New rings and seals all round and away again. 1400 4 speed, ran well, empty or loaded.

author: cookie
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2012, 03:17:00 pm
content: kidding?<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/86676642@N06/7937354388/#" title="Flickr ? maggiecookie11 ? 0b7b02087bf40ad18a2ace5d572c11dfa8ecce46"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8443/7937354388_8eab1b0873_m.jpg" width="118" height="90" alt="0b7b02087bf40ad18a2ace5d572c11dfa8ecce46">
Perth named Australia's digital boom capital - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: JonnyBoats
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2012, 02:03:13 am
content: http://www.zdnet.com/au/perth-named-australias-digital-boom-capital-google-7000003535/

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 03, 2012, 03:04:05 am
content: Go figure!Dave.

author: Zad
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2012, 03:43:29 am
content: 1800 miles away from the nearest big city, it makes sense to specialise in the only thing that can be moved quickly and cheaply - data!

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 03, 2012, 04:02:12 am
content: Quote from: Zad on September 03, 2012, 03:43:29 amTrue.It's cheaper and quicker to fly from Sydney to New Zealand than to Perth!Dave.

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2012, 06:34:51 am
content: Quote from: Zad on September 03, 2012, 03:43:29 am& what "big"city,pray tell me,is that?If you are talking about road distance,I guess you would be talking about Adelaide,with a population of around1.3million,to Perth's1.8million.(Perth,in international terms is a midsized city,being larger in population than such cities as Edinburgh,Manchester,Birmingham,& Athens.)If you go for air distance,that brings Melbourne in under your figure,at 1698 miles,so that would count as "big".Or,again air distance,we have Djakarta with a population of around 8.5 million,(which you will agree,is a seriously large city),very close to your figure at 1856 miles.It is cheaper & faster to fly to Djkarta than to Sydney!I find it hard to believe that the "digital economy" is worth as much as iron ore exports,as I don't see much sign of it around,except for those few companies hanging in there messing with such things.Most contact we have with anybody involved with the digital economy is the guy in India on the help desks.One Perth company which seems to be a success story,is Immersive Technologies,with their Mining machinery simulators,but they are as much hardware as Software.I guess I don't speak the language!
Motor direction - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Dane Bear
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 02, 2012, 05:35:44 am
content: Is there any way to tell how to wire up a polyphase motor to a predetermined direction? I work with heavy industrial equipment that uses 50+ horsepower motors and sometimes the wrong direction can be devastating. All I have is a Fluke 289.Thanks guys!!!

author: Rerouter
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 02, 2012, 06:08:00 am
content: with a polyphase motor, which ever phase is leading determines the direction, here may be some relevant informationhttp://www.allaboutcircuits.com/vol_2/chpt_10/4.html

author: Dane Bear
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 02, 2012, 06:18:19 am
content: Awesome!!! I am definetely trying this tomarrow.

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 02, 2012, 10:00:22 am
content: You could get a phase rotation meter or indicator, they can be had quite cheap.http://www.multimeterwarehouse.com/MS5710f.htmhttp://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-Phase-Sequence-Presence-Rotation-Tester-Indicator-New-/250863105457?_trksid=p4340.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSICOr build your own.http://www.ee.iitb.ac.in/~esgroup/es_mtech03_sem/sem03_paper_03307071.pdf

author: notsob
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 02, 2012, 10:22:05 am
content: here's a cheap one from dealextremehttp://dx.com/p/sm-852b-3-phase-sequence-rotation-tester-112968?item=1
Old Australian broadcasting equipment - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: SoftwareSamurai
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2012, 01:31:20 am
content: Pretty amazing technology back in the day.

author: poptones
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2012, 01:49:25 am
content: That was very cool.

author: GK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2012, 01:35:20 pm
content: Nice!Here is one of mine:http://www.users.on.net/~glenk/ctm2k/ctm2k.htmIt is to be converted to operate on the 2200 meter band. All I have to do now is sit for my Advanced HAM ticket. I have already cleared a space behind my chicken coop next to the shack for what is going to be one big ass mother%$#@^% antenna loading coil. I have a 240V/50A line to the shack and a 10kVA power transformer to complete the single phase conversion for the HV plate supply. Will be just the ticket for getting close to that 1W ERP legal limit

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 30, 2012, 03:51:26 pm
content: Some of Australia's earliest communications equipment still in operation

author: SoftwareSamurai
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2012, 05:15:29 pm
content: Quote from: GK on August 30, 2012, 01:35:20 pmSo are you doing all the restoration work yourself?

author: GK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2012, 11:20:57 pm
content: Yes, but there really isn't that much to it. Getting the antenna system built up is going to be more fun. Even with four 4CX1000A's getting even close to that 1W effective radiated power with a backyard antenna is going to be a challenge. >100kV across the loading inductor for a start.
How to Build a Satellite (BBC Doco) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: AntiProtonBoy
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 01, 2012, 10:47:25 am
content: A one hour long documentary, How to Build a Satellite, was shown on Aussie TV just a few minutes ago. As far as technical coverage is concerned, it was watered down for sixpack Joe consumption, but was still worth watching every minute. Really interesting stuff in there, including a bit of rude custom electronics porn.With exclusive access to specialist manufacturer Astrium, this program shows step-by-step how to assemble one of the most complicated machines in the world. The engineering team is followed as they construct a massive communication satellite - from the inner carbon-fibre skeleton to the fuel tanks and engines. At the Portsmouth site, the electronic payload is built and then tested. It has to operate for a minimum of 15 years, so precision is everything.

author: David_AVD
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 01, 2012, 10:55:31 am
content: I found it interesting enough to keep me watching until the end.

author: PeterG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 01, 2012, 11:37:03 am
content: For those who are interested.http://thepiratebay.se/torrent/6854272/BBC_How_to_Build_Series2_3of3_A_Satellite_x264_AAC_HDTV_Regards

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 01, 2012, 07:05:49 pm
content: Although not very detailed technically it was really interesting with some unexpected stuff, like the fact that they grow their own crystals.Thanks for sharing!It also made me think of something else. Of course you have to do this kind of testing, but how do you make sure that you don't test it to within 5 minutes of faillure?

author: rbola35618
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 02, 2012, 04:43:36 am
content: I work in the Space industry as well and when people ask me what I do, I also get a funny look. I guess they think I am embelishing. So far I have worked on New Horizons which is on its way to Pluto, IBEX, and KEPLER. Presently, I am working on project call MMS (Magnetospheric Multiscale) and STROFIO (Start from a Rotating FIeld mass spectrOmeter).
Electrical Designer jobs - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Enron
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2012, 11:57:38 pm
content: I see that there are a lot of Electrical Designer jobs in my area. Quite a few are from temp agencies. I was wondering, are most designer jobs only temporary? I saved up enough "screw you" money, and was thinking about quieting my current job, and becoming one. I just don't want to be let go after a couple months.Electrical Designer's, any thoughts/concerns about your current your past designer positions?

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 29, 2012, 12:15:01 am
content: I guess that the majority are still permanent jobs.Temp contract jobs very often get extended beyond the original term, and it's not unusual to be there for many years.I was a contractor at one job for 5 years, it started as a 1 month term. Most people didn't even know I was a contractor, they assumed I was just full time and 'part of the furniture"Most contract roles are in the 6m+ category, it's not common to get one for only 1 or two months.So if you want a bit more security only apply for the 6m+ contract jobs.Contracting can be nice. You generally get paid more, you get a change of scenery every year or so (without the hassle/stigma of "quitting"), and usually some good time off between jobs.Beware though, being a contractor can put you into an entirely different tax category and set of rules etc. Varies by country.It used to be tax advantageous to be a contractor here in Oz, but not so much any more.Dave.

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2012, 05:02:19 am
content: Beware of the temp agency job offer multiplication effect.It goes like this. A company is looking for a contractor. They approach a few temp agencies. Each temp agency puts out their own job ad for the job, typical via multiple channels, to find candidates. What is one single job is now advertised as if there are many.On top of that you have the leachers. Free agents who look at agency ads, try to find an own candidate and then try to sell that candidate to an agency or directly to the company, if they can identify it, to score some commission. These pimps also advertise the job to find a candidate.What is one single job is now advertised as if there is a huge demand for that type of job.

author: Neilm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2012, 06:35:04 pm
content: I started my current job on a 3 month contract. That was 8 years agoNeil
Where do you buy your equipment? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: FinalTest
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 28, 2012, 07:47:14 pm
content: Hi, Im new to this forum and have seen some awesome things.I got a question for you fellas, where do you usually buy your stuff when buying test equipment?

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2012, 07:49:19 pm
content: If you are in the USA, ebay is a good source. I'm in Canada, but if I can convince the seller to ship to Canada, I have gotten some really good deals.I also look on my local kijiji, craigslist, but I get most of my stuff off ebay.

author: StubbornGreek
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2012, 08:52:42 pm
content: Welcome to the forum.In the US, I purchase from Techni-Tool, SRA Soldering (few things), Newark, Grainger, Amazon, Ebay, - components from Digi-key or Mouser, there's lots of options really.

author: prenato
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2012, 09:24:23 pm
content: If you want to buy used test equipment, ebay is not a bad place. However, I've found that you can get some really great deals on Craigslist (better than ebay), depending where you live of course. The key on Craigslist is to be patient and wait until the equipment you need shows-up...

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2012, 11:10:33 pm
content: local fleamarket , local surplus stores , ebay , online auctions and looking in the newspapaer for companies that went out of business. The again... living in silicon valley helps the most ...

author: bullet308
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2012, 02:24:38 am
content: Government auctions and disposal sites, occasionally a flea market (picked up a B&K timer/counter for $3 the other day...not a very good one, but still, $3!) :-)

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2012, 02:49:35 am
content: If you're interested in used equipment, you could see if there's a Ham Fest in your area and get to know the people there. They might have something they're willing to part with at a decent price, and tend to take good care of their gear.Worth looking into anyway IMHO.Past that, eBay, CL, or dedicated sites for new, some of which have already been mentioned. For Rigol, and if in the US, you can buy directly from them (rigolna.com).

author: timcki
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2012, 04:09:37 am
content: A friend told me about something he heard or saw(I know friend of a friend said...)something called green list or something similar to that effect...it is like a c**igsL**t for electronics and lab equipmentI don't know maybe a rumormaybe somebody knows something more than meForgot to add, I am located in Southern California, U.S.A.
Damn Epoxy Potting Crap.... - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: bullet308
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2012, 01:37:45 am
content: Hi:Trying to do a little reverse engineering on a product, but the electronics are potted in a solid blob of epoxy. Bastards. :-/ Given the build quality (or lack thereof) in the rest of the product, I think prevention of RE is the main purpose of the blobbing rather than making it more rugged.From one lonely post I dug up, I inferred that the approach is to let this thing soak in methyl ethyl ketone for several days and then pick it apart ever so slowly. Will do a Dave-eque teardown when I am done (no video but lots of stills). BTW, on what forum would it be best for me to post such a teardown?Thanks:

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2012, 02:55:53 am
content: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/product-reviews-photos-and-discussion/!

author: phil_jp1
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2012, 09:18:45 pm
content: This video from Pace on removing conformal coating might be handy for you:

author: bullet308
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2012, 12:21:07 am
content: That was genuinely helpful. Thanks. :-)

author: phil_jp1
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2012, 03:15:55 am
content: Quote from: bullet308 on August 29, 2012, 12:21:07 amYou're welcome!
Bionic eye. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: firewalker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2012, 07:12:42 pm
content: Just saw it on the news.http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2195683/Bionic-eye-breakthrough-Australian-woman-receives-radical-world-implant.htmlAlexander.
Fluke 289 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Dane Bear
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2012, 07:46:47 pm
content: Is there any way on the Fluke 289-FVF to graph two or more items at once, then upload into View forms?

author: AndyC_772
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2012, 08:20:00 pm
content: Not simultaneously - it can only measure one thing at at time, after all. You'd need multiple meters to record more than one channel. I believe you can overlay multiple sets of readings in Forms, though.To record multiple channels you'd need a multi-channel logger like the Hydra Databucket.

author: M. András
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2012, 04:53:04 pm
content: you can only do that in the fluke software but with 1 item at a time from 1 meter. but you can overlay them if you have multiple in some way as Andy said. would be handy to log the dual display functions

author: AndyC_772
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2012, 05:11:24 pm
content: The 289 already logs the max, min and average readings during each interval or event, as well as the instantaneous reading, so I'm not sure what other information there is to gain.I was quite surprised the first time I used my 289. I set it to log at 1s intervals, and ended up with quite a long log file and a trend graph which took a long time to draw - but in fact I needn't have bothered. It's worth reading and understanding the manual, because it actually does quite a good job of interpreting a measurement the way an engineer would. Rather than having to wade through a long log file looking for anomalies, the 289 will do it for you. It logs an 'event' each time the reading deviates by more than X%, and will record periods of stability vs instability in the reading. It's quite clever and well thought-out, and means that sometimes at least there's no need to set it to capture very frequent samples.

author: M. András
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2012, 07:15:45 pm
content: when i brought mine home, i played with the logging function right from the start. 10k samples takes a long time to load in even to pc, but if you log directly to pc it takes 8 samples/seconds

author: Dane Bear
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2012, 12:00:18 am
content: Cool. I guess I didn't know it logged on a specific deviation as well.

author: AndyC_772
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2012, 06:59:19 pm
content: RTFMhttp://www.newark.com/pdfs/promos/fluke/Fluke-289_Event_Logging_app_note.pdf
Interesting new product - "The Unit" - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Poe
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2012, 09:51:53 pm
content: Found this online.http://themeetingroominc.comAssuming it only triggers the heating element during a drag and instantly turns it off afterwards... I wonder how much less tobacco is used. I'm no smoker myself, but my co-workers appear to waste >80% of each one.If it works as claimed...What are the chances Philip Morris holds them in court until the company folds?

author: ProBang
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2012, 02:58:40 am
content: What's that? The klingon version of the "electronic cigarette"?

author: Poe
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2012, 02:52:36 pm
content: Quote from: ProBang on August 28, 2012, 02:58:40 amjIyajbe'qaStaH nuq?Probably should have mentioned it uses real tobacco and not liquid 'synthetic' tobacco like most 'eCigs'.