hybridfree/eevblog-posts huggingface dataset:
Electronics Engineering Study Next Year - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 06, 2010, 11:06:43 am
content: Ok so next year I am going to do a Degree in Electronics Engineering, this is a not the problem, my problem is trying to choose between two different streams, I am interested in both lol. My Choices are between Maritime Electronics Engineering and Biomedical Electronics Engineering.Now both appeal to me as I have worked both industries as a tech. I love working on boats (and if I do the Maritime course will get the chance to work in Adelaide on Navel boats and subs) I also like medical industries, I have worked a lot in hospitals doing various jobs from biomed tech (repairing ECG's, IV pumps etc) to Nurse call systems, patient tracking systems etc.I have tried to research job opportunities in AU, specifically Adelaide as my partner wants to move back home. Apart from being a hospital employee I do not see much calling for Biomed engineers (maybe I am not looking in the right places). I am worried that Maritime engineering is going to be like the Electrical engineers I have worked with at Austral ships in Perth, 99% of their work was ok we will use company a for this project, so we need a coax between box a and b it will be labelled J101-K20-C1 etc. This would bore me to bits, I want hands on Development work doing schematics and PCB's.Does anyone have any pointers ?(BTW the Maritime Electronics Engineering course I am looking at is at Flinders Uni, this is the first year it has been offered, only down side is spending a year in Tasmania

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 06, 2010, 12:32:29 pm
content: Adelaide is where plenty of military marine action is at, or not, depending on contracts and the cycle of the military white paper budget planing.I've worked in the marine engineering business (military and civilian) for a long time, and it's either boring as bat shit, or working on a cool project when the budget is fresh.But the cool projects are rare, so it's going to be 90%+ boredom guaranteed. Yep, it's all paperwork, and wait five weeks for coax part J101-K20-C1 to complete your trivial task.The trick is to only get in on the new development projects from the beginning, then once it hits the trial phase, run like hell!Never ever join a "refit" project.Biomed is mostly big in traditional spots like Sydney and Melbourne, lots of companies around. They are pretty anal places to work for. Half my former colleagues ended up at biomed companies, and the ones that were happy to trade boredom for cushy are still there.For marine it won't matter what degree you get given your past experience, but biomed are more picky. The trick to getting into Biomed is to not be too dumb, and not bee too smart, you have to be just right and tick all their silly HR boxes.Dave.
[ electronic designs websites ] - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: texane
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2009, 07:09:40 am
content: Hi,If you have website references for free electronic designs, I am interested. Sowhy not to share all of them in a common thread?I found this one this morning, seems very good:http://www.edn.com/community/47038/Analog+Design.htmlCheers,

author: charliex
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2009, 05:06:12 pm
content: http://www.opencircuits.com/Main_Pagefree as in beer

author: armandas
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2009, 01:47:55 am
content: Looks like a nice idea! Licensing is free as in speech (not beer), which is awesome.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 11, 2009, 09:40:53 am
content: really cool sites...

author: Brett
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2010, 04:38:17 am
content: What's a free design without free understanding?http://www.allaboutcircuits.comAnd here's a really cool site dedicated to metal detecting circuitry:http://www.geotech1.com(free for non-profit use)

author: Erik
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2010, 10:43:07 am
content: http://www.epanorama.net/Has some nice information and circuits.

author: Brett
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2010, 02:34:39 am
content: In my search for ever-cooler uses for my Arduino, I stumbled upon this site:http://harkopen.com/projects

author: badSCR
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2010, 09:41:51 pm
content: Quote from: Brett on February 04, 2010, 02:34:39 amwow, Sweet, Thanks for that link. From that link I foundhttp://www.techshopdurham.comit is only 1.75 Hours drive to the techshop for me.(hackerspace or hackspace)
POLL: How do you watch the blog? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 04, 2009, 06:00:59 am
content: I'd like to get some stats on how people are actually watching the blog, thanks!

author: armandas
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2009, 01:00:06 pm
content: I read the blog on Google Reader, but often come to read forum posts as well. I also have this blog subscribed on my phone's podcast program which uses mp4s, but I tend to use embedded youtube player more.BTW: I clicked the "I subscribe and watch via the Youtube channel" option by accident

author: SteveMoody
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 04, 2009, 01:29:57 pm
content: I use iTunes to watch the blog myself.

author: charliex
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2009, 04:37:36 pm
content: google custom homepage with the rss feed

author: Magicmushroom666
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2009, 10:44:20 am
content: I visit the main blog page every day for updates and usually watch them embedded there!The Cap video's showed up on my youtube subsciption early so i ended up watching those directly on youtube.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 08, 2009, 12:17:12 am
content: I subscribe through Google Reader and watch it there. I hit "other" but maybe should have hit RSS feed?

author: dmlandrum
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2009, 12:02:25 am
content: I subscribe via the RSS feed in a program called Miro. I didn't check to see if you're listed in the Miro directory, but if you're not, it might not be a bad idea to do.

author: septer012
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2009, 12:07:29 am
content: I get it as a Podcast on my zune, but never watch it on it, as I visit the mainpage every day and catch it that way.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 01, 2009, 01:32:25 am
content: Quote from: dmlandrum on December 01, 2009, 12:02:25 amThanks for the tip, it's now submitted!Dave.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 04, 2010, 10:18:28 am
content: That's how i found you dave, through miro.Dave your insane, like that old kitchen knives sales person that used to be on the telly" but wait......there's still more"Your hillarious!

author: yoshiki
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2010, 01:04:07 pm
content: On youtube usually having cereal.

author: migsantiago
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2010, 06:52:42 pm
content: I have a suscription on Youtube and I visit it once in a day. If there's a new video of yours, I watch it.
Board House that does THIN boards? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Veramacor
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2010, 12:46:33 am
content: Anyone know of a board house that accepts PCB boards < .5" in width? (not thickness, .062 FR4 is cool)I'm looking at making a sensor that can fit in some pretty small diameter tubing.The sensor IC is SIO8 so its well under half an inch. PCB wing for example has a minimum with of 20mm or .78"I'm looking at maybe around .25" width...J

author: DJPhil
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2010, 04:09:20 am
content: This may not be helping any, but could you lay out two or more on one large board?When you get your board you can score and snap the edges or use a paper cutter, and you'll have several boards to work with.

author: desolatordan
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2010, 05:08:29 am
content: Best to cut it down yourself as DJPhil suggests. Or you can panelize your boards and get vscoring or tab routing, but it will be more expensive.BatchPCB allows 0.5" width, not sure if that's small enough for ya.

author: mkissin
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2010, 05:11:00 am
content: I think you'll find that the limits they post are for sales reasons, not technical process limits.If you wanted a bunch of these boards, they should be able to panelise them for you and make really thin ones. Try sending them an email and asking.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 19, 2010, 07:31:14 am
content: The reason for a minimum size is mechanical stress and tooling.Most places can do smallish boards, they can panalise in large boards and V score or route the pcb.This will make it more expensive.

author: Veramacor
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2010, 11:52:35 am
content: The V-scoring on a larger panelized board sounds like the way to go.I think I'll go that... 'route', uh huh huh...
What is this - odd connectors - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: adam1213
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2010, 04:45:42 am
content: I have some odd connectors and was wondering if anyone has any ideas what they might have been used for. The cables all went into a device that I no longer have.- I originally thought it might be related to really old computer / phones but after taking a connector apart the wires look thick enough for it to be related to powering something.

author: adam1213
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2010, 04:49:36 am
content: .

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 04, 2010, 06:22:38 am
content: CongratulationsYou have found some IBM Token Ring Networking equipmentThey are an old lan system developed by IBMI have not installed any since 93, so I can not remember which type they are

author: adam1213
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2010, 06:46:27 am
content: Thanks for replying so quickly.Do you know if any power went into the device by a dedicated cable or not (when I had the device I don't remember seeing any place for the power connector - unless they use the same type of connector for it)

author: DJPhil
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2010, 06:59:46 am
content: I'm in a bit over my head here, butthis linkmight help.See the links right above the big table for illustrations.I used it a long time ago to help a friend study for a networking exam, it's amazing what you remember sometimes.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 04, 2010, 08:46:39 am
content: Quote from: adam1213 on February 04, 2010, 06:46:27 amAll the "hubs" I installed on IBM TR networks were passive (ie no external power). I never had the chance to open them up, but I am wondering if it was not just a "Tx from last port to Rx of next port" type system that made a huge circular ring....
didj on woot - better be quick! :) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: charliex
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 01, 2010, 07:09:24 pm
content: They have the didj on woot for $19 (i believe it's usa only)http://www.woot.com/Useful little linux deviceshttp://elinux.org/DidjI use them for all sorts of things, at $19 its hard to beat.
Powering target via PicKit 3 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Thermal Runaway
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 03, 2010, 04:38:58 pm
content: Okay, so I've been forced to add the PicKit3 to my programmer/debugger tools due to device support issues. Earlier this afternoon I set up a breadboard based dev board for a new project I'm working on, and tried to program the device with a simple program - I do this every time I start something new, just so that I can confirm everything is up and running.But... the programming stage failed! The PicKit 3 was complaining that I should connect a target device first. The target device was already connected, so I started checking everything out - is the MCLR line connected properly, including pull up? Are the supply rails connected to the right pins on the PIC? Did I get the clock/data lines the wrong way around?But nope, it all checked out. So then... what's going on here?Then I remembered a previous EEV Blog where Dave complained that you have to manually tell the PicKit 3 to power the target device - it doesn't do it automatically like the PicKit 2. And what do you know, that was the cause of my problem too! Set it up to power my target, tried again, and Bob's your uncle.So... why change this? It was fine the way it was with the PicKit 2 <shrug>. Anyway, I leave this topic in case anyone else has similar head scratching moments with first try of the PicKit 3 which... if you want to play with new devices... then we're all going to have to jump to sooner or later.Brian

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 03, 2010, 10:32:30 pm
content: And I believe it resets back to the default off state when you load MPLAB, so be careful.The Microchip CEO said it was done to prevent inadvertently damaging user boards, and they figured the small user inconvenience was better than having users pissed off about their board getting fried.They said they will re-investigate having a user option to make it automatic, but admitted it probably won't fly.Dave.
Educational Resources for the Electronics Engineering - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: badSCR
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2010, 09:15:15 pm
content: I don't know if you all know about this web site.Word to the wise. Setup an dedicated email for this Site. They will send you hundreds of emails per week, no joke.!!!Use an dedicated email for this Site.!!!Other than all the spam , It is a very good web site. They have a ton of webinars for Electronics Engineering.http://www.techonline.com/

author: charliex
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2010, 10:25:17 pm
content: It looks like its part of eetimes, if they get your number, they'll call you constantly offering the free publication, regardless of how many times you ask to be taken off the list, ask me how i knowi've been trying to get off it for years, they just go to another list. Same with junk snailmailhttp://www.mailinator.com/FTW
Cost of development tools - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: armandas
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2010, 08:10:42 pm
content: There is one thing that ticks me off every time I think about using FPGAs or CPLDs for my projects. That thing is the price for aXilinx USB programming cable: 225 USD! How on earth can this thing be so expensive? The starter kit I currently use costs $189, but it has all the peripherals etc. INCLUDING usb programming support.I thought that affordable development tools is a good business practice. Not for Xilinx apparently..The cheapest I could find is $145 for a "compatible" unit, but that's still bit high.P.S. Feel free to rant about or praise other development tools, relevant to you.

author: charliex
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2010, 08:35:37 pm
content: The digilent platform 1 is cheaperhttp://www.digilentinc.com/Products/Catalog.cfm?NavPath=2,395&Cat=5It's what the market will bear, Xilinx originally didn't have a free dev tool either, lots of large corp and government contracts no doubt. Last night i ended up buying an AVR STK600 + adapter because it was cheaper than buying just the TQFP64 adapter for my eeprom programmer... BDM's are what kill me though, I have stacks of them, the prices are all over the shop.But if you think those are expensive, try emulators, the lauterbachs cost as much as a decent car.

author: armandas
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2010, 08:58:49 pm
content: 89 USD! Now we're talking. Thanks for the link.I'm probably not prepared to face prices of the real worldBut I guess if you get to the point where company pays for your toys, it doesn't matter any more.

author: joelby
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2010, 12:45:38 am
content: It might not help if you already have a board, but for anyone else interested in getting in to FPGAs, Avnet have a Spartan 3 evaluation kit for $50 that can be programmed over USB. It also includes a Cypress PSoC and a programming cable for that - the cable must be dirt cheap if they can throw it in! The kit uses the PSoC to program the FPGA's flash, and presumably avoid having to bother with JTAG.

author: charliex
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2010, 12:51:58 am
content: fyi though some of the digilent adapters require their software, and don't work with the xilinx software, ( adept)some of them have plugins for ise
MATLAB, Mathematica & Maple demonstration suggestions. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: yoshiki
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2010, 02:49:17 am
content: So one of my teachers asked me to make a little demonstration of some of the basic & advancedthings you can do using this 3 pieces of software I think I know them well but I want to know whatwould you like to see in a demonstration like this. I was thinking in teaching how to do the basicsignal processing algorithms, some graphs, some animations & a little tutorial on how to importdata from BIOPAC, this Demonstration is adressed to BME students, so any suggestion is greatlyappreciated.What would you like to see?&Would it be too much to make a little manual of the basic & most common used functions? (thiswould be a short manual just for future reference for the audience).

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 16, 2010, 06:46:15 pm
content: Its been many years since I was in Engineering school, however as a student, I would probably like to see it solve differential equations from my last applied PDE or boundary value problems course. You know, they ones you sweat over in the final exams. It would be cool to see some of those problems solved symbolically in Mathematica or Maple.

author: joelby
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2010, 01:06:55 pm
content: I was pretty pleased when I discovered that you could get Matlab to compute indefinite integrals. This simplified uni maths assignments a great deal.. or at least made it possible to check your work!

author: yoshiki
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2010, 10:15:04 pm
content: Those are great suggestions, I didn't even think on that I have even one idea, sinceMATLAB lacks of symbolic representation, I am thinking on solving an DE & thenexport it into Maple with the Maple Toolbox for MATLAB, I just have to make thatthing work correctly, I guess it is going to probably look great.Thanks any other suggestion is greatly appreciated, the presentation is going to benext thursday, I'll let you guys know the details.
Fluke Support - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: rossmoffett
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2010, 06:18:17 pm
content: My oldest brother is also in the electronics business, in maintenance of telecom systems. He gave me his old Fluke 87-V for college a couple of years ago because it had some blemishes on the screen. Someone had the nerve to weld with the meter nearby on the floor and it melted little pits all over it. Still a perfectly functioning meter, I used it in all of my electronics classes.The other day I was watching some of the Fluke reviews and it started bothering me, so I thought I'd try to remove the screen blemishes. First I tried to polish it with a dremel metal polish wheel and some polishing compound, but it was way too abrasive and created worse problems. Then I cleaned it carefully until the abrasive compound was gone, and found an instructional site only saying that I could torch it very briefly to remove blemishes. That made it WAY worse. So then I tried what I should have done all along, and I used very fine sandpaper. It was working, but the blemishes were too deep at this point. I gave up and started looking for replacement parts. Turns out Fluke has replacements for pretty much everything except the electronics, and it only cost me $11 to replace the whole top cover! This meter is 12 years old, and my brother had bought it used. I thought about it, and I'll probably never buy a new meter again as long as I can find replacements. I could save hundreds of dollars and still have it look and work like new, maybe requiring a calibration check! That is the quality of Fluke meters and service.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 02, 2010, 08:41:56 pm
content: any serious manufacturer should provide such support, these days so many sell stuf with a fail by date in mind and have a so called new product ready for you.

author: rossmoffett
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2010, 08:49:14 pm
content: Exactly! But almost no one else does. It pays to buy quality products.

author: charliex
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2010, 10:52:35 pm
content: Yep thats why I like fluke, they have a fixed price for repair and calibration certificate too, regardless of when you bought it, who bought it, what condition its in..

author: rossmoffett
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 03, 2010, 04:37:49 am
content: Do you know what that fixed price might be, for, say, an 87-V?I looked into that and the cal is to .05% accuracy! The component drift is not bad, I imagine, and I expect I have +/- a few millivolt accuracy at least. Still, I'm curious.

author: charliex
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 03, 2010, 06:10:21 am
content: It was $150 if i recall, i inherited a very well used and busted up 88. broken case, internal case broken and broken lcd.
transistors - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Gamal
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 06, 2010, 01:40:02 am
content: How does a p.n.p works when current flows from negative.

author: APS
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 06, 2010, 02:15:12 am
content: Can you explain your question. What do you mean "current flows from negative".

author: desolatordan
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 06, 2010, 02:52:56 am
content: Quote from: Gamal on January 06, 2010, 01:40:02 amYou won't have current flow from a negative to positive node unless it's an active component with some chemical or magnetic emf.Are you referring to the orientation of the collector/emitter of a pnp versus npn?

author: Gamal
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 06, 2010, 05:53:33 am
content: Correct, I expect emmiter to collector current flow (negative to positive) n to p through a n.p.n. transistor. Would I getthe same emmiter to collector current flow through a p.n.p. transistor with changed polority? Dont make sense to me that`spositive to negative current flow (p to n). I am still confused.Gamal

author: desolatordan
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 06, 2010, 06:59:25 am
content: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bjt

author: APS
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2010, 02:25:59 am
content: http://www.mayothi.com/transistors.html

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 08, 2010, 05:32:04 am
content: Reading the above two links won't help you understand *how* it works unfortunately. If you want to know *what* it does though, the above two links will be just fine. However, you won't be able to make sense of why it does the things it does until you learn about the model. There is a book, Physics of Semiconductor Devices (3rd edition), which might help you begin to understand it.Unfortunately, BJTs are a lot more difficult to understand than MOSFETs or diodes. Hope this helped.

author: yoshiki
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2010, 06:22:45 am
content: I seriously recommend you get Microelectronics Circuit Analysis & Design by Donald A. Neamen (excellent book) as I am not really understanding your question (sorry). That book will tell you all you would want to know about a transistor either that or try to re-structure your question
Professional Electronic Engineering and/or Computing Association? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 22, 2009, 08:29:51 pm
content: I apologize if this question has already been answered here. If so, please let me know if you decide to move it elsewhere on the forum.I was wondering if this would be useful or not for Electronic Engineers and Computer Professionals. I know of a few that are good but was wondering if there are any for Electronic Engineers. If so, do they share both the Electronic and Computer mind set.Which professional engineering and/or computing association should I consider joining or should I even be wasting my time with them?Thank You

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 22, 2009, 08:46:55 pm
content: Quote from: EETAAS97 on December 22, 2009, 08:29:51 pmThe IEEE is the most widely recognised.http://www.ieee.org/portal/siteIn Australia we have the IEA as well.Yes, they are generally a waste of time, but some people like them on your resume.The journals they send you are the typical boring academic papers, but if that excites you then go for it.They organise even more boring lectures and things too.Dave.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 08, 2010, 05:45:22 am
content: If you're working in Australia, don't waste your time. Very few companies (except woodside, for example) actually care as long as you know your stuff. Its a different story in Europe/America though, mostly because being a Professional Engineer is more prestigious there. Unfortunately, in Australia most people don't know/care what Engineers do and rarely have to interact with one, thus no point!
'Twas the Internet Night Before Christmas  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 20, 2009, 06:28:17 am
content: 'Twas the Internet Night Before Christmas'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the Net,There were hacker's a surfing. Nerds? Yeah, you bet.The e-mails were stacked by the inbox with care,In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.The newbies were nestled all snug by their screens,While visions of Java danced in their dreams.My wife on the sofa and me with a snack,We just settled down at my rig (it's a Mac).When out in the Web there arose such a clatter,I jumped to the site to see what was the matter.To a new page my Mac flew like a flash,Then made a slight gurgle. It started to crash!!I gasped at the thought and started to grouse,Then turned my head sideways and clicked on my mouse.When what to my wondering eyes should appear,My Mac jumped to a page that wasn't quite clear.When the image resolved, so bright and so quick,I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick!More rapidthan mainframes, more graphics they came,Then Nick glanced toward my screen, my Mac called them by name;"Now Compaq! Now Acer!", my speaker did reel;"On Apple! On Gateway!" Santa started to squeal!"Jump onto the circuits! And into the chip!Now speed it up! Speed it up! Make this thing hip!"The screen gave a flicker, he was into my "Ram",Then into my room rose a full hologram!He was dressed in all red, from his head to his shoes,Which were black (the white socks he really should lose).He pulled out some discs he had stored in his backpack.Santa looked like a dude who was rarin' to hack!His eyes, how they twinkled! His glasses, how techno!This ain't the same Santa that I used to know!With a wink of his eye and a nod of his head,Santa soon let me know I had nothing to dread.He spoke not a word, gave my Mac a quick poke,And accessed my C drive with only astroke.He defragged my hard drive, and added a "Dimm",Then threw in some cool games, just on a whim!He worked without noise, his fingers they flew!He distorted some pictures with Kai's Power Goo!He updated Office, Excel and Quicken,Then added a screensaver with a red clucking chicken!My eyes widened a bit, my mouth stood agape,As he added the latest version of Netscape.The drive gave a whirl, as if it were pleased,St. Nick coyly smiled, the computer appeased.Then placing his finger on the bridge of his nose,Santa turned into nothing but ones and zeros!He flew back into my screen and through my uplink,Back into the net with barely a blink.But I heard his sweet voice as he flew from my sight,"Happy surfing to all, and to all a good byte!"

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 20, 2009, 03:48:08 pm
content: pretty good, who wrote it ?

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 21, 2009, 01:31:34 am
content: No idea, I asked the person who emailed it to me, but she does not know

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 21, 2009, 12:36:43 pm
content: obviously a mac fan though
High Voltage Linear Regulator  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: danny
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: December 16, 2009, 04:53:26 am
content: I am looking for this particular part number VB408 TO-220 packagebut the part is obsolete, I couldn't finde one selling here in the USDoes anybody know what is a good substitute for this oneplease advice.thanksdanny

author: danny
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: December 16, 2009, 04:56:39 am
content: by the way, here is the datasheet for it.http://www.datasheetcatalog.org/datasheet/stmicroelectronics/6421.pdf

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 16, 2009, 05:07:08 am
content: http://www.supertex.com/pdf/datasheets/LR8.pdfIs a posibility, depends on the max current you are drawing and the package.

author: danny
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: December 16, 2009, 05:14:37 am
content: Thanks for the quick reply.I'm not sure how much is the exact current drawingthe part is defective, unable to make measurement.I will try to check the specs on LR8Thank you very much geekgirl

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 16, 2009, 06:36:48 pm
content: what are you powering with it ?

author: danny
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: December 20, 2009, 02:03:30 am
content: It is used on a LINN preamp power supply

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 20, 2009, 08:24:23 am
content: sounds like 1 amp will be all you need to supply, do you know the Vin and Vout ?

author: danny
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: December 21, 2009, 02:52:13 am
content: Quote from: Simon on December 20, 2009, 08:24:23 amI have to look on the schematics to see if there are any voltages mentionedusually if the power supply failed we replace it with a new one.but since the whole supply is so expensive then component level is the other options.will keep you guys postedthanks
Paul McDermott (way OT) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: dmlandrum
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2010, 03:46:37 am
content: You need an "Altogether Off-Topic" section.Through some strange happenstance, I came across this video on YouTube, and fell in love with the song:Searching for his name yields all sorts of clips. Apparently, he's more well-known for being a comedian... ?

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 03, 2010, 05:23:44 am
content: He's most well known in Australia for his TV show Good News Week (I've been to taping of it), but used to be part of the popular comedy group The Doug Anthony All Stars in the 80's.He's also in a comedy band called GUD (I find their material a bit flat though).Very versatile and funny guy, with a lightning fast wit.Dave.
Do you have problems comapring parts..... - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 05, 2009, 06:05:01 am
content: Well here is the new way to do ithttp://googlegooglegooglegoogle.com/Lots of google pages on one monitorJust found this and it made me laugh.

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 05, 2009, 11:00:20 am
content: Providing you're using a browser in a graphical windowing environment i.e. pretty much anything except for MS-DOS, UNIX console or a phone that shouldn't be needed. It's pretty easy to arrange the browser windows so you can compare different sites to each other.Speaking of Google:When answering lazy person who's asked an easy question, I direct them to this site:http://justfuckinggoogleit.com/Or:http://lmgtfy.com/?q=browserIf I'm feeling generous.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 05, 2009, 11:13:20 am
content: ROFLMAO, I love those sitesOn a list I run, I get sick of "homework" questions, will have to use these the next time someone asks a simple question

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 05, 2009, 10:53:29 pm
content: The spoilt brats who sa plz giv me prjt then whine when you tell them not to be so lazy and to help themselves before you'll help them are the most annoying.By the way, here's an example of what I was talking about earlier.

author: charliex
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2009, 04:56:37 am
content: thats neat, funny i was just thinking of that tonight. I was using the technique hero999 posted, but its annoying and i'd like to have tabs work as most mdi's and have cascade/tile horizontally/vertically.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 08, 2009, 10:41:34 pm
content: yea i like the justfuckinggoogleit.com website, although many times you need a human to talk to, often you have to go out there and find your own answers

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 11, 2009, 09:04:17 am
content: awesome...thanx...
why is the 16F88 more exspensive than the 16F883 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 02, 2009, 01:00:16 pm
content: simple question, why is the bigger chip a whole £ 1 cheaper ? the 16F883 has got 4 ports where as the other only 2

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 02, 2009, 01:55:06 pm
content: Because the older IC is either no longer made or is produced in smaller numbers so commands a higher price?

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 02, 2009, 02:44:21 pm
content: i thought it was quite current, unkless you have a large project its powerful and has up to 16 I/O pins

author: qno
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 02, 2009, 06:51:33 pm
content: I wonder if Microchip also monitors the forum.Maybe they will reply after a while.......It could be that the silicon is a different technology and/or the yield of the wafer is less.Or it is a less popular chip so they have to interrupt the more popular production to produce a batch.In short, could be all sorts of things.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 02, 2009, 07:04:54 pm
content: interesting possibilities, I can understand why the price of the 16F84 would rise i mean its ancient and time it went, I had no issues starting on the 16F88 and infact have moved down to the 12F615 as the 16F88 had more than i needed, now the 16F883 is bigger physically so more material goes in, it is still 20 MHz like the '88 it just has more ports I beleive. I can understand two chips the same size being different in price to give one the push but these are products meant for different things, apart from price there is no way I'd go for a '883 over a '88 if the '88 did all i need.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 03, 2009, 08:58:43 pm
content: I believe the 883 is much more recent so it likely has better wafer yield and all the other "newer product" company/marketing politics that goes along with it.Due to moore's law, semiconductor makers have to be seen to come out with more powerful devices at lower prices points. So whether or not the 16F88 costs more to produce than the 16F833 might be a moot point.Microchip have to be careful with all these new devices, it can be a blessing and a curse. Witness Maxim.Dave.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 03, 2009, 09:42:20 pm
content: point is if microchip don't mind i'm not going to edesign stuff eavery year to suit the latest and cheapest chip, if one really needs a smaller chip that cheaper to make why charge more ?, is there a superior 18 pin pic to the 16F88 to the point that it justifies trying to push the '88 out ?
I hate consumer equipment (automotive) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 01, 2009, 06:44:48 am
content: My Partners father is in Adelaide, We are in Perth (~3000Km away), He collects peugeot cars, and restores them.He had one with a broken clock (LCD), so bought one from America for Au$75. It did not work, so he grabs the two clocks, sends them to me with a request to fix them. How hard should it be, one has a flex-pcb for the globe to illuminate the rear of the LCD, this has a crack in it. The other has missing digits.These clocks have a LCD squeezed between the front case and the PCB. So I pull them apart BEFORE I power them up, the damaged LCD has a nice cloud look, where as the good LCD is a uniform colour through out. So I grab the good PCB, good front panel, good back and assemble, I now have one working.The Bad LCD looks like the zebra strips (although these are all black on this one) came out of the light pipe, the LCD separated, and now refuses to work most of the digits. There is some slop in the LCD glass to the light pipe, two pieces of translucent plastic and an orange filter (I wish I had some green, I detest orange LCDS!!!!!) He is now going to start sending me all the broken clocks he can find so I can repair them for him. It would not be so bad, but the two screws that hold the BACK in place also squeeze the LCD assembly, so once the back is off, it is hard to make sure that it all works.I would have liked to know the IC used, but it has had its numbers removed!!!! not ground like a Rigol DAC, but a light sand to remove the printing (this was done off PCB or they did a great job of cleaning up the epoxy dustThe PCB layout is impressive, single sided PCB with no jumpers, mind you there is only 3 diodes, 1 resistor, cap, variable cap and crystal.Lucky one of the PCB's had + and - on it so I only had to track down 1 terminal to work out how to make it work (has 4 terminals +,-,Ignition and light) the light is for rear lighting to make the time visible at night, Ignition is to turn the display on and +, - are the power and ground, power is there 24/7Regards,Kat.
Agilent handheld meters? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: cybergibbons
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 14, 2009, 06:05:01 pm
content: Has anyone had any experience with the Agilent handheld meters?The U1252Ahttp://www.home.agilent.com/agilent/product.jspx?nid=-34618.536910939.00&cc=GB&lc=engand U1253A (with funky OLED display)http://www.home.agilent.com/agilent/product.jspx?nid=-34618.803464.00&cc=GB&lc=englook pretty impressive on paper, and prices are competitive with Fluke offerings.

author: qno
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 14, 2009, 07:42:05 pm
content: I have used the 1253 for a while for basic measurements. It looked OK. It is quite big.I do not know anything about the battery life.HP/Agilent always had reliable meters. I have heared however that that these series of multimeters is not build in the US.Maybe a review of Dave would clear this??

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 14, 2009, 10:06:40 pm
content: I'd to review one if I could get my hands on one.Although I'm working on a partnership now where I could possibly have a lot more stuff for review, and an Agilent meter is on the listDave.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 18, 2009, 12:32:17 pm
content: Looks like an Agilent U1253A is on the way to me for review, stay tuned!In fact, quite a few people are coming on board now. I got an email from Fluke this morning saying they want to send me stuff, Gossen Metrawatt have already sent me some meters, and Farnell are on board with getting me the Agilent meter, and an open invite from a local to review most things he's got. The eevblog may be turning into review central!Dave.
Boing Boing - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 05, 2009, 11:31:19 am
content: Looks like my exploding capacitor blog make it onto BoingBoing:http://www.boingboing.net/2009/11/04/videos-of-exploding.htmlApparently that's a big deal of sorts?All I know is my Youtube hit counter went through the roof!These kind of sites seem to be the best way to get my blog out there and seen. I'm occasionally on the Make and Hacked Gadgets blog which get me a whole host of new subscribers each time. Anyone know of any other sites like this I should be trying to get my blog seen on?Thanks.Dave.

author: charliex
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2009, 04:13:10 pm
content: lifehacker, hacakday (which i think it was on already), mightyohm, engadget

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 06, 2009, 09:17:48 pm
content: hm interesting, mind you Dave you forget that UK kids are not going to be know where near as clever and less patient and be outside sticking their faces over reversed caps waiting for them to blow in their faces before your blogs finished(yes we brits are pretty dumb and stupid these days, most people i know beling in a insanity home as they can't cope with the realities of life like cooking a meal even!), I'd suggest safety warnings first to be honest.I remember as a kid when I accidently reversed a 3300 uF 25 V cap at 18 V, my that shot acid everywhere, I was lucky it didn't hit me in the eye, I had repaired a power supply and yes put it back backwards. I learnt a sharp lesson that touched my limited finaces at the time rather deeply.....

author: charliex
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2009, 04:51:31 pm
content: made it to mightyohm thenhttp://www.mightyohm.com/blog/2009/11/eevblog/
Anyone used protocase designer? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: charliex
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2009, 01:16:37 am
content: It seems like a nice idea, they've got some issues getting from the exact pcb dimensions to the case, and the version i'm running is in inches only, but it looks like an interesting idea. But as with all good ideas, i'm curious if anyones actaully tried it yet? they've got a decent enough client list. My PCBCNC could probably cut the case out but i like this for small runs.http://www.protocasedesigner.com/

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 29, 2009, 02:22:02 am
content: Interesting, thanks for the link.Shame they don't appear to do fully custom case design?I'm considering usingwww.emachineshop.comfor my fully custom uWatch Mk2 case.Dave.
Low voltage rectification/measurement - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 26, 2009, 12:08:52 am
content: I'm trying to measure a low A/C voltage with a Microcontroller (varies from 0-1 volt p-p). I realize this is not the 0-5 Volt DC range MC's like to see, but to start, I attached a FW rectifer with a 10uf cap to see if I could get a near DC equivalent (less the RMS value, of course), then send to the MC input analog input pin.I get no voltage on the output of my rectifier with a 0.8vac p-p. What's the deal? Is this too low voltage for a rectifier to rectify?Do I need an op/amp or something to boost the voltage, then rectify, then send to the MC?The larger scope of the project is current measurement - I'm using a current transformer that produces .1 mv per amp of current draw on the secondary winding given a specific burden resistor. That part of the circuit works.

author: jlcstrat
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 26, 2009, 12:46:58 am
content: It could be you're dropping all your voltage in the rectifier...Blog 38 talks about using an AD8036 as a full-wave rectifier...check it out.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 26, 2009, 12:52:04 am
content: You'll likely need a "precision rectifier", Google will give oyu plenty of example circuits.Or else use a True RMS converter chip which gives you a nice DC output relative to actual RMS value. They use these in Multimeters.Analog Devices make a range of them.Dave.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 29, 2009, 06:59:43 am
content: Good info. I've ordered a few chips, I'll see how they work out. One from Silicon Labs, one from Microchip. The silicon labs one is interesting because it's in series with the load. Whoa.Oh, and Dave - thanks to your magnanamous review of the Rigol, I ordered one. Got mine on ebay for $385 USD shipped from Hong Kong. Arrived in 7 days. My first digital scope (My dad's hand me down 15 MHz BK Precision was my first).But you can't go with an analog scope anymore with these kinds of projects.Now we need a newbie tutorial for the digital features on these DSOs. I'm a fast study, but I'm new.Cheers.
EETEE t-shirt design - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Mastro Gippo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 15, 2009, 06:40:45 am
content: Post here your best slogan!! Then Dave can print and sell them so we can finance some hardware blowing-up tests!!

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 15, 2009, 12:24:28 pm
content: I love NerdsI love geeks

author: Mastro Gippo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 15, 2009, 12:52:46 pm
content: I was thinking about something like this:http://xkcd.com/643/But xkcd has already its own shop!A good slogan for Dave could be "go figure!" as he says it a lot!

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 15, 2009, 01:55:27 pm
content: Quote from: Mastro Gippo on October 15, 2009, 12:52:46 pmI think Dave uses it enough to qualify as a trade mark

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 15, 2009, 02:04:45 pm
content: I am trying to come up with some slogans for Tee's, but my brain is mushI hate the hacker type ones (the ones with leet speak), I love the ones on think geek like the caffeine molecule etc, even Jeri has some good ones on her webshop

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 15, 2009, 02:22:05 pm
content: I guess dave's "Checwk eet ooouwt" would be nice slogan too :-)

author: Ferenczyg
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 15, 2009, 04:37:17 pm
content: Quote from: GeekGirl on October 15, 2009, 02:04:45 pmYou mean like this one?http://www.evilmadscientist.com/images/articles/20060719034708594_4.jpg

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 15, 2009, 06:33:42 pm
content: We're missing the best one of all-- Dave's one truly unique trademark--Dave holding up a screwdriver in his right hand, product in the left, saying "Let's take it apAHt!"Any caricature artists in the audience?

author: Mastro Gippo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 15, 2009, 07:07:24 pm
content: Quote from: GeekGirl on October 15, 2009, 01:55:27 pmFunny fact: the way Dave pronounce "go figure", to an Italian sounds like "go figa", and figa basically means... pussy. So it's nice for Dave to wish us to go there. Thank you Dave!

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 15, 2009, 08:01:43 pm
content: Italians.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 16, 2009, 02:27:25 am
content: Quote from: Mastro Gippo on October 15, 2009, 07:07:24 pmLOL! Oops...Dave.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 25, 2009, 09:52:05 pm
content: I've got some merch on the way, Zazzle looks pretty good (anyone used them before?), and I've created my first design (not EEVblog themed, but cool anyway), sneak peek:http://www.zazzle.com/eevblogDave.