JDS6600 Signal Generator vs. PLJ-8LED Frequency Counter
Okay here's the thing, two recent purchases, a JDS6600 Signal Generator and a PLJ-8LED Frequency Counter, when connected together display about 42 Hz difference. Which do I believe?
Looks like I have to dig out the Hantek 6022BE USB DSO for the tie breaker. I hope!
Thursday, August 2, 2018
Connecting a USB serial Adapter to an Arduino Pro Mini Clone
A Banggood Order arrived with 3 Arduino Pro Mini's, a USB serial adapter and a box of LED's.
Now I have to ask my 2-3 week past self "Why Pro Mini?".
I have a project that uses an embedded Arduino board that is currently sporting one of my Arduino Nano's. Since the sketch would not require frequent revisions, nor would it need PC communications while running, the project could run on the Pro Mini instead. I might save a dollar per board for the three but I spent that on the $3 USB serial adapter I needed to upload to the Pro Mini's. I guess it was just an excuse to play with another Arduino board.
Wiring the USB serial Adapter was another chore in order to successfully download a sketch I had to put a 5th wire from RST pin (USB) to the DTR pin (ProMini). Also to avoid download sync errors I had to connect the RX and TX pins RX to RX and TX to TX instead of RX to TX and TX to RX as I would first assume since for two communication devices it makes sense to go mouth to ear and ear to mouth. Can't argue with success so I'll go with the current cable I made.
While my bench activity has crawled to a standstill due to Summer laziness and family commitments, I found a cheap and simple project that even my limited junk box could fulfill.
An ATtiny45/85 programmer UNO shield!
On running continuity checks on my programmer, I found a "Murphy's Whisker" between DIP pins 6 & 7. A piece of the old 30AWG wirewrap wire I used for hookup wire got underneath both solder fillets on the right hand header pin row. A little solderwick in between the header pins exposed the little culcript for removal.
On the Video: While waiting for my order of ATtiny modules to arrive, I checked the programmer's on-board LED by jumping DIP pins 3 & 7. Running a modified "Blink" sketch causes the UNO D13 output to go to the Programmer's LED thru the jumper. A really slow LED Morse code "V" for Victory.
Be Happy and Melt Solder,
73
AB1OP_Ralph
Screen shot of the circuit from the ExpressPCB program I use to design PCB for home etching.
I ended up using an Epoxy-glass protoboard and point to point wiring using 30AWG wire.
Saturday, June 30, 2018
Too late for the 2018 ARRL Field Day but I pitched the tent anyway. It'll give me a bug-free zone for the 4th of July!
Chris LaFrance does it look familiar? Yep, it's the one I swapped tents with you! This tent must be a least 20 years old now. 🤔
I pulled it out of deep storage and then set it up to air out. Setup took almost an hour, I remember when I could erect it in less than 15 minutes unassisted and eight minutes with help. Had a few rain showers and it's still dry, but I think I'll reseal the seams before repacking it back up next week .
The XXL wide directors' chair in the picture was a Father's Day gift from the step-daughter and her family. (Thanks Calla Cobb and crew!😘 ) It's nice to have some sports / camping gear that was actually manufactured in this century! 🤣
Got my green radio go box packed. Just need to fill the Igloo cooler with ice and beverages, pickup some brats, rolls and chips. Find an old grill and buy some new charcoal. I'll then be all set to deploy and operate QRP picnic portable in the back yard!
