EEVblog #722 - Mailbag - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 10, 2015, 02:22:08 pm
content: A monster Mailbag, with extra waffle and advice for youngsters.SPOILERS:GPS based Back To The Future speedometer displayhttp://firmtec.co.uk/Manual SMD Pick & Place reeling tool:https://www.tindie.com/stores/FemtoCow/https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/femtocow/manual-smd-soldering-traysCypress Semiconductor PSoC Bluetooth Low Energy demo kithttp://www.cypress.com/?rid=102636&utm_source=PSoC_BLE_PioneerKit_Banner&utm_medium=Cypress_Homepage_Banner&utm_campaign=BLELaunchPCB Backlit calendarGeoaching waypoint altitude decoderWho do strain gauges work?Vintage components from the cold war eastern blocRadio Shack T-Shits:http://www.radioshack.com/t-shirts

author: Moondeck
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2015, 02:28:48 pm
content: FirstGreat one Dave

author: kayvee
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2015, 02:48:38 pm
content: T-Shits

author: Towger
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2015, 03:10:19 pm
content: Not available in safety mode. WTF. ...

author: Barny
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2015, 03:33:48 pm
content: QuoteThe English text below the German text is a 1:1 translation.I think, the other text is also a 1:1 translation.

author: mrkva
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 10, 2015, 03:49:44 pm
content: I for one like the recycled envelopes. I hate separating the plastic bubble wrap from the paper part, so I can put it into paper & plastic recycling bins.

author: Hydrawerk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2015, 03:57:03 pm
content: That TDS3000 scope is still inverted.

author: optionen100
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2015, 04:05:05 pm
content: Its sad they dont sell the GPS Speedo anymore....i think it was 2012 when they shut down the Shop.Had to build one without GPS myself

author: Howardlong
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2015, 04:18:58 pm
content: Isopropyl alcohol works well at removing permie marker.

author: German_EE
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2015, 05:09:05 pm
content: Who do strain gauges work?Also the link to the backlit calendar is missing.

author: Neverther
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2015, 05:12:54 pm
content: The 6145 bluetooth module looked too similar.It is crap, atleast mine was. The firmware installed only gave option for mono audio output, where I needed the hands free and audio protocols.Here are the pinouts on the module, function and in the parenthesis is the pin on chip itself.Bonus pic of breadboard mounted one where I discovered it being not what it was advertised as.Datasheets for the chip itself are easy to find.

author: daqq
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2015, 06:18:06 pm
content: Hi Dave,Thanks for the mailbag. On the bag from Slovakia:Tesla was the Czechoslovakian state company that made all things electronical - from resistors through radios, computers to military radars. Seehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tesla_%28company%29. A lot of the components and systems made were copies of their western equivalent - we had a 8080 and all its friends. Seehttp://hackaday.com/2014/12/15/home-computers-behind-the-iron-curtain/After the fall of the regime the company desintegrated into smaller companies through stealing, privatization, stealing, management incompetence and in many cases just the market being opened and slow reactions to the new conditionsSad really. There are still offshoots of it though.edit:By the way, when in doubt as to a particular spelling, try the text to speech button onhttps://translate.google.com/#. Works generally close enough.David

author: TASK
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 10, 2015, 06:26:50 pm
content: Hello Dave!Zdravím všechny Cechy a Slováky! : -)I really like to see someone sending stuff from our "brother" republic Slovakia.TESLA was our national Czechoslovakian firm, yeah big stuff. There was Tesla fabric in every big town. They still exist today but they do only satellite stuff etc..They made everything, televisions, speakers, gramophones... Im a really big fan of it. (there is a lot of people collecting tesla stuff).I am collecting speakers from Tesla. I also have a speakers from cinema! You can chech some out in my roomhttp://task-ava.rajce.idnes.cz/Pokoj/And here is my osciloscope (not working, there is really a lot of things missing) it have about 50 vacuum tubes!https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/117801715606905349610/albums/5967707300492847329<- here is old photos where i take it apart and fixing something.And even your favourite things! (tesla have really lot calculators, even with printers)https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/117801715606905349610/albums/5953683264834643361Today really a lot people collecting tesla things, someones is doing it just for money...I have an Tesla ARS 844 wich is like 2nd best speakers you can get back in the day to home. Theyre price today is like something about 10 000 crowns (about 450$)http://task-ava.rajce.idnes.cz/Tesla_ARS_844Please if you have some times, you can check a lot of my stuff herehttps://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/+TaskTesla1/albumsAnd newer photos herehttp://task-ava.rajce.idnes.cz/Im really thinking to send you something, i have a lot of stuff from tesla. They do really good things, but they was really limitated by the regime back in the day.btw that RFT loged thing - RFT is german firm : )Have a nice day! : )

author: elgonzo
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 10, 2015, 07:48:51 pm
content: Quote from: TASK on March 10, 2015, 06:26:50 pmIncoming nitpickRFT was a brand and name of an East German association of producers; it was not the name of a single company.RFT is the abbreviation for "Rundfunk- undFernmelde-Technik" (Broadcasting and telecommunication technologies).

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2015, 08:10:34 pm
content: Quote from: TASK on March 10, 2015, 06:26:50 pmI came across this TESLA company at the last electronica 2014 in Munich.They presented themselves a a manufacturer for large high power, low ohm resistors and they showed a lot of automotive electronic parts.

author: Jacko
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2015, 08:15:31 pm
content: Dave,Alcohol will get the permanent marker off the mat. The sooner you clean it; the better it will work.regards, Jack

author: DanielS
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2015, 08:21:00 pm
content: Quote from: Hydrawerk on March 10, 2015, 03:57:03 pmThat's how you invert all four inputs at the same time!

author: Zbig
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2015, 08:23:37 pm
content: Quote from: TASK on March 10, 2015, 06:26:50 pmYou have one hard rocking rabbit in there, it seems.

author: aargee
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2015, 08:51:10 pm
content: What do you mean, the TDS3000 is still inverted? It's the only Australian model there.

author: German_EE
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2015, 08:54:11 pm
content: I know that we all like some music now and again, but I am so glad that Zbig is not my neighbor

author: daqq
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2015, 09:09:23 pm
content: Quote from: HighVoltage on March 10, 2015, 08:10:34 pmThe one you saw was one of the many Teslas that still exist - well, rather parts of it, though the ownership is different and the entities that are left are mostly separate. For instance:http://www.tesla.sk/sk/-about-ushttp://www.teslalh.sk/web/index.php?open=3&id_menu=3&lng=enghttp://www.jj-electronic.com/(electron tubes and stuff)http://www.sev-litovel.cz/en/(hi fi gear)...There are many parts that have been bought of by other companies.

author: mrkev
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2015, 09:26:19 pm
content: Hi, I was really surprised that you've never heard about Tesla. In the USSR times, each socialistic region had one manufacturer that did basically everything F.e. in Yugoslavia, there was Iskra, in Czechoslovakia, there was Tesla.They made everything from TVs, radios, audio reproduction systems (stuff for whole TV and radio broadcast - like TV cameras, amps, transmitters), small components, discrete parts, logic & analog IOs, oscilloscopes (I have one that goes up to 120MHz right on my bench), precise measurement stuff, even their own computers (some things were often copied or build around some western part that was hard to make here). A lot of stuff they made was (and still is) legendary here, like f.e. tantalum caps (even after 30 years, still better than some new ones) and those cermet trimmers you've got.TESLA as company didn't make it after the velvet revolution, IMHO mainly because it was company that could work like it did only under communism - it was kind of utopia based system...In which they basically designed without feedback. They produced huge number of devices and components that didn't have ANY economical potential (far too expensive, low demand or better equivalent already present on the market), often used old technologies and therefore had high expenses (f.e. they had to measure each part if it meets the spec as >10% didn't). Some accurate things were hard to make, so they made it just stable (temp.,time) and measured it with very precision tools - You could've buy "precision" resistor that had 10.5317xxx ohms (but you wouldn't be able to find another one with that value), two perfectly matched transistors, or zener diodes marked as f.e. 5.8563V. Best thing I saw was one zener diode and one normal diode together in series matched so they have almost 0 temp. drift. (sold as one part). And yes, they did that with a bunch of people who measured and selected those devices whole day long, by hand - after all, in communism, everybody had (and have to had) a job and people had to work somewhere and do something...Btw. that marking on the MHB8255 at 22:18 is two crossed swords. Those parts were designated for army as they were measured as better than spec. standard. And since TESLA (as every other communistic company) was owned by state, army took those parts right away from the process.A lot of former TESLA property was sold to big companies that make electronics, big part was taken over by ON-Semi (they make sil. wafers and design devices for switching apps and automotive stuff), and Honey Well (they make electronics for industrial boilers and other stuff).

author: kjn4685
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2015, 09:50:28 pm
content: Hey guys thanks for sharing. Very interesting stuff.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 10, 2015, 10:25:46 pm
content: Quote from: Howardlong on March 10, 2015, 04:18:58 pmNot on rubber ESD mats it doesn't.

author: TASK
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 10, 2015, 10:51:39 pm
content: Yeah they do that sort of stuff, even for army.There is today too a tesla what makes a products for kitchen etc. but this is an some china firm that buy logo tesla for that... Pile of crap.btw. thanks for correcting me on that RFT

author: mrkev
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2015, 12:05:17 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on March 10, 2015, 10:25:46 pmIsn't simple alcohol (ethanol) enough?

author: Tomorokoshi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2015, 12:23:58 am
content: That "velvety" coating is known as a "Soft Touch" coating. Here is an example of one:http://www.bayercoatings.de/BMS/DB-RSC/BMS_RSC_CAS.nsf/id/COEN_1A5SoftfeelIf the permanent marker uses xylene as the solvent, then xylene might get it off the mat.Now the trouble is to get xylene.

author: RupertGo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2015, 01:37:58 am
content: Awww, you've made some Scousers very upset!A native of Liverpool is called a Liverpudlian, or Scouser (from lobscouse, a kind of stew eaten by sailors. Lots of those in Liverpool). Half-inch = pinch = thieve. That's not a Royal Mail satchel, it's a pukka mailbag. A satchel is a bag with a shoulder strapThey can be quick to take offence, the Scousers. I'd watch those C5 hubcaps.

author: edy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2015, 01:55:17 am
content: Hi Dave,Great mailbag as usual.Just in case you didn't catch it... That GPS coordinate you got was in the middle of the Indian Ocean, but if you just look at the numbers...12 34 567 89 01 123Yes, it is just a series counting up by one. I don't think that part of the program was actually written or it is missing a GPS sensor. Perhaps the developer put it in as a "place marker" in the software, to get back to in the future when a GPS actually does get integrated into the device. For now just a dummy screen.

author: dexters_lab
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 11, 2015, 08:57:06 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on March 10, 2015, 10:25:46 pmi use my Electrolube LFFR (flux remover) for cleaning all sorts of stuff, works better than IPA in most cases

author: Wilksey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2015, 01:16:34 pm
content: Quote from: edy on March 11, 2015, 01:55:17 amHuh, good spot! I don't know how many people noticed that, but I certainly didn't!

author: Excavatoree
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2015, 01:31:49 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on March 10, 2015, 10:25:46 pmI've said it on the forum before, but you should try "Goop" brand hand cleaner. The plain white cream stuff. It will take permanent marker off of a yellow Fluke case, so it may work on your mat. Just glop some on, let it set a while, and wipe it and, hopefully, the marker off. Sometimes it takes multiple applications. I did a search, and I believe it is available in Australia, but I apologize in advance if I messed up and it is not.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2015, 01:53:24 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on March 10, 2015, 10:25:46 pmAcetone will get it off. Ask she who must be obeyed to lend you some nail varnish remover.(But try it on a corner of the mat first in case it does anything bad...)

author: 1xrtt
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2015, 01:56:18 pm
content: Quote from: mrkva on March 10, 2015, 03:49:44 pm+1

author: cow
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 11, 2015, 02:14:48 pm
content: Quote from: edy on March 11, 2015, 01:55:17 amHi, this Michal from FemtoCow. It was showing just some dummy coordinates, normally you enter there a coordinates to the next stage. The device doesn't have GPS sensor, it doesn't need one. It calculates difference in altitude by measuring difference in air pressure. When the goal is met, it just display a message.You can purchase the device herehttps://www.tindie.com/products/FemtoCow/arduino-based-altitude-geocache/

author: cow
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 11, 2015, 02:17:20 pm
content: Quote from: German_EE on March 10, 2015, 05:09:05 pmYou can buy the PCB calendar herehttps://www.tindie.com/products/FemtoCow/backlight-stand-for-pcb-calendar/the new version has 12 LEDs for more even backlight.

author: cow
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 11, 2015, 02:20:19 pm
content: Quote from: TASK on March 10, 2015, 06:26:50 pmCaute ciciny, tu je Michal z FemtoCow

author: mrkva
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 11, 2015, 06:39:15 pm
content: Quote from: cow on March 11, 2015, 02:20:19 pmcau cicinaje nas tu viac! O0

author: Zbig
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2015, 08:30:51 pm
content: Quote from: Tomorokoshi on March 11, 2015, 12:23:58 amI personally had at least two cases of the damn thing decomposing in some way after few years, getting all "moldy", sticky and really unpleasant to touch or look at. In both cases, it virtually rendered the devices unusable as it got both very susceptible to scratches and hard to remove completely and cleanly at the same time. I really hope there are different, more chemically stable, variations of this material as I have a really nice USB audio interface I'd hate to be forced to throw away just because its surface turns into yucky mess in a year or a half! And before you ask: no, I'm not a smoker, I don't live in humid area and the things weren't subjected to any aggressive vapors or anything like that

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2015, 10:06:19 am
content: Quote from: Zbig on March 11, 2015, 08:30:51 pmMe too. It went really nasty/sticky and rubbed off on everything. Had to bin the device.Quote from: Zbig on March 11, 2015, 08:30:51 pmI think it decomposes all by itself.Mine was in a drawer. I remember pulling it out and thinking "WTF!" when it stuck to my hand.

author: aargee
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2015, 10:12:02 am
content: All the "plastic suede" stuff of mine that eventually goes sticky gets the metho (methylated spirits) treatment. A rag soaked in said metho then rub the surface until the stickiness goes.This is not always permanent and it sometimes requires a second treatment a couple of years later.

author: hikariuk
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 13, 2015, 08:26:16 am
content: Quote from: Zbig on March 11, 2015, 08:30:51 pmThe top of my PC's case has a panel with that coating on it; it's done exactly what you said. It's all sticky and icky now. At some point I need to just scrape it all off.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2015, 10:44:33 am
content: Quote from: hikariuk on March 13, 2015, 08:26:16 amUse a solvent. Normal alcohol worked last time I had to do it.

author: delmadord
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2015, 12:58:06 pm
content: Quote from: cow on March 11, 2015, 02:20:19 pmNazdar!Bol by aj som zvedavý, ko?ko nás tu je z TUKE

author: SNGLinks
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2015, 11:14:03 am
content: Don't worry about marks on your mat. It gives it character!Look at mikeselectricstuff's mat!