Elektrosluch 2 - my first crowd-funded project - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: mrkva
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 10, 2014, 11:26:10 am
content: Hey guys,maybe some of you will like my simple project. It is namedElektrosluch 2- a device for listening to electromagnetic fields.http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/elektrosluch-2/x/6356259Regards,Jonas

author: dexters_lab
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 10, 2014, 12:18:39 pm
content: interesting projectdo you see this has any practical use or is it just for fun?

author: mrkva
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 10, 2014, 12:20:46 pm
content: Most of the customers from previous version were experimental/electronic musicians, getting inspired by these EMI sounds.But I can see it being useful for 'measuring' EMI around your designs (in audio hardware for example). Discovering potential problems. Also, you can check where the wiring goes in the wall (by listening to 50/60 Hz).

author: mrkva
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 10, 2014, 12:22:06 pm
content: Maybe I should send one to Dave? It could be fun to see what kind of sounds all his measurement equipment makesDisplays are fun in particular.

author: scientist
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 30, 2014, 05:49:38 am
content: He'd probably roast it, but it's worth the design criticism!

author: mrkva
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 30, 2014, 11:21:59 am
content: Why do you think so?

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 30, 2014, 11:36:12 am
content: I love it! - I see the attraction for musicians - it produces some great weird sounds! don't forget to punt it to the ghost community as an audible ghost detector! :-)

author: peter.mitchell
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 30, 2014, 11:56:55 am
content: My design thoughts;I say toss the 9v battery and use 2x AAs, and a boost converter, so many reasons to do this;AAs are cheaper and more energy dense than 9v batteriesRechargeable AAs are very reliable and chargers are common compared to 9vsYou can use 2x 1x AA battery holders, and put you components down the middle, so they act as protectionThe cost difference between a 9v battery and the components for the boost converter are about the same - except the boost converter components will last forever.Other things;Use a slide switch, i mean, you don't need the massive current handling of the toggle switch, plus it will be harder to accidentally turn off and be less awkward to hold, also easier to manufacture and possibly cheaper.No idea what op amp you're using but I hope it's one with decent current output, people might stick massive headphones on this thing, they will probably want them driven and if it's used as a "tool" potentially a small speaker would be wanted to be driven.Check out this oneIf you used a 2+mm thick PCB, and used full SMD you could get away without a back cover, instead just using the PCB.I know this is all a bit late now but eh.

author: mrkva
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 30, 2014, 12:07:29 pm
content: Quote from: peter.mitchell on March 30, 2014, 11:56:55 amHey thanks!My answers - boost converter - wouldn't that be noisy and thus ruining the actual performance of the product? I amplifying EMF, and when my own circuit is creating one... Also, I don't have good experience with boost converters and audio (or expertise for doing it properly). And it'd probably take more space - bigger PCB - higher costs. Extra assembly time.Toggle switch is esthetically decision, simply looks and feels better. And trust me it won't turn on accidentally, it is quite stiff.I don't think full SMD is nice for components like jacks, pots etc., especially when their only support point is the PCB. I don't think they would last as much as proper THT ones.Anyway, thanks for the commentsRegards,Jonas

author: mrkva
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 30, 2014, 12:09:20 pm
content: How the final product looks like, btw.

author: scientist
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2014, 01:40:52 am
content: Quote from: mrkva on March 30, 2014, 11:21:59 amDave pretty much roasts everything.

author: dexters_lab
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 04, 2014, 12:53:21 pm
content: back when i was wielding screwdrivers in my teens i started digitally recording, isolating and filtering strange mechanical sounds like hard and floppy disk drives, tape decks, switches etc so this device was of interesti would have bought one but i'm saving ££ for my holiday!

author: mswhin63
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2014, 01:41:58 pm
content: Bit confusing, I haven't been n this site for a while, first appearance the symbol you are using is concerning as it is a copyright symbol international hearing impairment symbol.In Australia at least the copyright is managed by The Deafness Forum of Australia. There are widespread organisations that use that symbol.I have used this type of equipment for the last 12 years servicing a testing Audio induction Loop Systems. Very common product and a lot of very cheap kits that can be purchased at least in Australia. I personally have a professional version that is set up for the Australian Standard 61088.4 for testing loop systems.I got out of the audio aspect of the industry approx 2 years ago, so you have nothing to fear over the symbol as I couldn't give a rats arse any more, just careful of the commercialisation. Test it on installed Audio Loop System usually in cinemas and if it picks up the sound of the theatre then you can use the symbol, although not sure if the colour will impact. (Yes the bloody colour is copyrighted too)

author: mrkva
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 17, 2014, 01:52:17 pm
content: Quote from: mswhin63 on April 17, 2014, 01:41:58 pmHey,I took the bits for the logo from here:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:International_Symbol_for_Deafness.jpgWhich claims to be in public domain. "Any traffic control device design or application provision contained in this Manual shall be considered to be in the public domain."Jonas

author: mswhin63
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2014, 11:55:30 am
content: I can only vouch for Australia, Page 5 shows that it is a trademark in Australia -http://www.deafnessforum.org.au/images/pdf/Hearing%20Augmentation%20Systems%20Signage%20Guide.pdfAfter working in the industry, I know that recently the trademark has been enforced a lot more in Australia due to past mismanagement of the signage. I do know though that UK Standards are different in relation to the symbol, although I do not know if it is trademarked. I only assume that it is in some way as the standard we use here are derived from standards used in Europe. If I was living in the UK, I would check it first.I do not represent the Audio section products any more but just advising of the situation