I haven't touched a soldering iron for about fifty years, so I thought of
using this shutdown time to get geared up for a bit of tech activity. Got
myself a USB scope, a couple of multimeters and a dual stabilised DC power
supply so far. I have loads of new components in the loft (or at least
they were in 1970 - 1980) left over from various commercial/military
projects. I hope all this will keep me interested for a while. I started
building a novel design for a human presence/movement detector in 1976,
but shelved it because of work commitments, so I will probably continue
with that for starters.

Sorry, I am just rambling in my old age.

On 11/04/2020 19:35, John wrote:
I haven't touched a soldering iron for about fifty years, so I thought of
using this shutdown time to get geared up for a bit of tech activity. Got
myself a USB scope, a couple of multimeters and a dual stabilised DC power
supply so far. I have loads of new components in the loft (or at least
they were in 1970 - 1980) left over from various commercial/military
projects. I hope all this will keep me interested for a while. I started
building a novel design for a human presence/movement detector in 1976,
but shelved it because of work commitments, so I will probably continue
with that for starters.

Sorry, I am just rambling in my old age.


Like yourself, my electronics construction is in abeyance.

Your old components should all be OK apart from the
electrolytic capacitors.

In expectation of a revival in interest, I have been
sidelining my 40 year old components and building up
a stock of SMD, in particular the largest 1206 sizes
before they disappear. (0201 anybody?)

But what I will not be re-awakening is my Henley Solon
soldering irons because several of any size of SMD
will fit on their copper bits!

Perhaps something to stimulate a 50 year old interest
is the PDP11 and PDP8 emulator kits ...

https://obsolescence.wixsite.com/obsolescence

On 11/04/2020 19:35, John wrote:
I haven't touched a soldering iron for about fifty years, so I thought of
using this shutdown time to get geared up for a bit of tech activity. Got
myself a USB scope, a couple of multimeters and a dual stabilised DC power
supply so far. I have loads of new components in the loft (or at least
they were in 1970 - 1980) left over from various commercial/military
projects. I hope all this will keep me interested for a while. I started
building a novel design for a human presence/movement detector in 1976,
but shelved it because of work commitments, so I will probably continue
with that for starters.

Sorry, I am just rambling in my old age.

good for you

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On Sat, 11 Apr 2020 18:35:29 -0000 (UTC), John wrote:

I haven't touched a soldering iron for about fifty years,

I've been using them pretty regularly for as long. For most of that
time it was via a Weller Soldering station (with BT) and I'm still
using it today. ;-)

so I thought of
using this shutdown time to get geared up for a bit of tech activity.

Good man.

Got
myself a USB scope,

I'm not sure how much use you will put that to. I have a real
(Tectronics I think) scope and I can't remember the last time I used
it but I guess that depends on what sort of thing you are doing.

a couple of multimeters

Always handy. ;-)

and a dual stabilised DC power
supply so far.

An essential.

I have loads of new components in the loft (or at least
they were in 1970 - 1980) left over from various commercial/military
projects.

Hmm ...

I hope all this will keep me interested for a while. I started
building a novel design for a human presence/movement detector in 1976,
but shelved it because of work commitments, so I will probably continue
with that for starters.

If you get that sorted, I'd be interested as part of a lighting
project.

Sorry, I am just rambling in my old age.

Hey, it makes a change from the B that was replaced with the C word.
;-)

Most of my recent 'electronics' projects have revolved around the
Arduino micro controllers but there is also a certain purity with
something that just works made from discrete components.

Such an example is a LED I fitted to my Weller Soldering station that
comes on when the element is heating. ;-)

Cheers, T i m

On Sat, 11 Apr 2020 20:10:54 +0100, T i m wrote:

Most of my recent 'electronics' projects have revolved around the
Arduino micro controllers but there is also a certain purity with
something that just works made from discrete components.

I built one of these, for fun (it does work):

https://shop.evilmadscientist.com/652

and also one of these:

https://shop.evilmadscientist.com/productsmenu/762

--
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wish to copy them they can pay me £1 a message.
Use the BIG mirror service in the UK: http://www.mirrorservice.org
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On 11 Apr 2020 20:14:35 GMT, Bob Eager wrote:

On Sat, 11 Apr 2020 20:10:54 +0100, T i m wrote:

Most of my recent 'electronics' projects have revolved around the
Arduino micro controllers but there is also a certain purity with
something that just works made from discrete components.

I built one of these, for fun (it does work):

https://shop.evilmadscientist.com/652

and also one of these:

https://shop.evilmadscientist.com/productsmenu/762

I used many of those in their standard guise in my time (especially
the NE/LM555/6's). ;-) [1]

Something I've seen and fancied (a bit too young for thermionic
devices so not a tube amp or clock) but just the 1" cube blocks of
materials like Titanium and Tungsten etc.

I mean, I'm aware of the mass of 'heavy' metals but offering someone
to hold the Titanium and then the Tungsten and seeing their reaction
would be fun.

Cheers, T i m

[1] The last being an 8 channel disco lighting controller that had 4
main programs and other timers that allowed the automatic stepping
between them or sub functions (like a auto reversing running light
with analogue control over the speed and change of direction (1 x
556)).

Zero crossing detection between the opto-isolated outputs and the
triacs, all made on Veroboard and hand wired using solid strand
insulated wire.

All that (logic) could now be done with a single Microcontroller. ;-(

"Bob Eager" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 11 Apr 2020 20:10:54 +0100, T i m wrote:

Most of my recent 'electronics' projects have revolved around the
Arduino micro controllers but there is also a certain purity with
something that just works made from discrete components.

I built one of these, for fun (it does work):

https://shop.evilmadscientist.com/652

I use alexa.

and also one of these:

https://shop.evilmadscientist.com/productsmenu/762

--
My posts are my copyright and if @diy_forums or Home Owners' Hub
wish to copy them they can pay me £1 a message.
Use the BIG mirror service in the UK: http://www.mirrorservice.org
*lightning surge protection* - a w_tom conductor

On Sun, 12 Apr 2020 07:22:39 +1000, cantankerous trolling geezer Rodent
Speed, the auto-contradicting senile sociopath, blabbered, again:

FLUSH the trolling senile asshole's latest troll****

NOBODY asked you anything, senile Usenet scum!

--
about senile Rot Speed:
"This is like having a conversation with someone with brain damage."
MID:

On Sun, 12 Apr 2020 07:22:39 +1000, "Rod Speed"
wrote:

snip
I built one of these, for fun (it does work):

https://shop.evilmadscientist.com/652

I use alexa.

See, there is another example of you trying to be funny or clever but
just coming across (because you do so much of it) as a nutjob.

Any idiot (that can speak) can 'use Alexa' but not everone can solder
(well) or do other practical stuff.

You say you built your own place but from your comments here, it could
well be all made out of pallets and cinder blocks with a tarp for a
roof?

Cheers, T i m

"T i m" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 12 Apr 2020 07:22:39 +1000, "Rod Speed"
wrote:

snip
I built one of these, for fun (it does work):

https://shop.evilmadscientist.com/652

I use alexa.

See, there is another example of
you trying to be funny or clever

No its not. Its me pointing out that alexa
works a lot better as a time, because you
can have as many timers going at once as
you like and name them so its obvious which
timer has gone off when it does go off.

Any idiot (that can speak) can 'use Alexa'
but not everone can solder (well)

And end up with a grossly inferior timer.

or do other practical stuff.

Like work out how to get the best timer and
even get real radical and work out hot to get
a lot more force on a tree that you are
bending back to where it needs to be.

You say you built your own place but from your
comments here, it could well be all made out of
pallets and cinder blocks with a tarp for a roof?

If you havent even noticed that some
****wits try desperately for an insult...

As you yourself are doing...

On 11/04/2020 21:14, Bob Eager wrote:
On Sat, 11 Apr 2020 20:10:54 +0100, T i m wrote:

Most of my recent 'electronics' projects have revolved around the
Arduino micro controllers but there is also a certain purity with
something that just works made from discrete components.

I built one of these, for fun (it does work):

https://shop.evilmadscientist.com/652

how old hat is the triple five timer.....

On Sun, 12 Apr 2020 07:12:56 +0100, Jim GM4DHJ ... wrote:

On 11/04/2020 21:14, Bob Eager wrote:
On Sat, 11 Apr 2020 20:10:54 +0100, T i m wrote:

Most of my recent 'electronics' projects have revolved around the
Arduino micro controllers but there is also a certain purity with
something that just works made from discrete components.

I built one of these, for fun (it does work):

https://shop.evilmadscientist.com/652

how old hat is the triple five timer.....

Or even Dekatrons...takes me back.

On 12/04/2020 11:14, John wrote:
On Sun, 12 Apr 2020 07:12:56 +0100, Jim GM4DHJ ... wrote:

On 11/04/2020 21:14, Bob Eager wrote:
On Sat, 11 Apr 2020 20:10:54 +0100, T i m wrote:

Most of my recent 'electronics' projects have revolved around the
Arduino micro controllers but there is also a certain purity with
something that just works made from discrete components.

I built one of these, for fun (it does work):

https://shop.evilmadscientist.com/652

how old hat is the triple five timer.....

Or even Dekatrons...takes me back.

I came across some of those 42 years ago in the CEGB's
private telephone network, replacing in some way either
Uniselectors or Strowger switches.

The interesting thing is that there was a low power
incandescent bulb permanently lit inside the cabinet
and when I queried this, ws told that it improves the
behaviour of the Dekatrons, but I guess that was because
of the background heating it supplied rather than
some optical effect?

On 12/04/2020 07:12, Jim GM4DHJ ... wrote:
On 11/04/2020 21:14, Bob Eager wrote:
On Sat, 11 Apr 2020 20:10:54 +0100, T i m wrote:

Most of my recent 'electronics' projects have revolved around the
Arduino micro controllers but there is also a certain purity with
something that just works made from discrete components.

I built one of these, for fun (it does work):

Â* https://shop.evilmadscientist.com/652

how old hat is the triple five timer.....

But an interesting device in that it has both
analogue and digital parts!

I used one about 5 years ago to make up the
standard design for a capacitance meter (and
how I now regret in a periodical clear out of
consigning the box of Baekelite meters to the skip)

On 12/04/2020 12:05, Gareth Evans wrote:
On 12/04/2020 07:12, Jim GM4DHJ ... wrote:
On 11/04/2020 21:14, Bob Eager wrote:
On Sat, 11 Apr 2020 20:10:54 +0100, T i m wrote:

Most of my recent 'electronics' projects have revolved around the
Arduino micro controllers but there is also a certain purity with
something that just works made from discrete components.

I built one of these, for fun (it does work):

Â* https://shop.evilmadscientist.com/652

how old hat is the triple five timer.....

But an interesting device in that it has both
analogue and digital parts!

I used one about 5 years ago to make up the
standard design for a capacitance meter (and
how I now regret in a periodical clear out of
consigning the box of Baekelite meters to the skip)


have you sold your ic7300 ???????

I'm sure there could be a number of one off things disabled folk might
require these days that are not catered for by mass market forces.

Incidentally a person detector is very close to a Theramone. Did I spell
that right, one of those musical instruments that makes sounds by waving
your arms around near to two metal electrodes.
Brian

--
----- --
This newsgroup posting comes to you directly from...
The Sofa of Brian Gaff...

Blind user, so no pictures please
Note this Signature is meaningless.!
"T i m" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 11 Apr 2020 18:35:29 -0000 (UTC), John wrote:

I haven't touched a soldering iron for about fifty years,

I've been using them pretty regularly for as long. For most of that
time it was via a Weller Soldering station (with BT) and I'm still
using it today. ;-)

so I thought of
using this shutdown time to get geared up for a bit of tech activity.

Good man.

Got
myself a USB scope,

I'm not sure how much use you will put that to. I have a real
(Tectronics I think) scope and I can't remember the last time I used
it but I guess that depends on what sort of thing you are doing.

a couple of multimeters

Always handy. ;-)

and a dual stabilised DC power
supply so far.

An essential.

I have loads of new components in the loft (or at least
they were in 1970 - 1980) left over from various commercial/military
projects.

Hmm ...

I hope all this will keep me interested for a while. I started
building a novel design for a human presence/movement detector in 1976,
but shelved it because of work commitments, so I will probably continue
with that for starters.

If you get that sorted, I'd be interested as part of a lighting
project.

Sorry, I am just rambling in my old age.

Hey, it makes a change from the B that was replaced with the C word.
;-)

Most of my recent 'electronics' projects have revolved around the
Arduino micro controllers but there is also a certain purity with
something that just works made from discrete components.

Such an example is a LED I fitted to my Weller Soldering station that
comes on when the element is heating. ;-)

Cheers, T i m

Incidentally a person detector is very close to a Theramone. Did I spell
that right, one of those musical instruments that makes sounds by waving
your arms around near to two metal electrodes.
Brian

Nearly there Brian it is a Theremin

Richard

On 12/04/2020 09:32, Tricky Dicky wrote:
Incidentally a person detector is very close to a Theramone. Did I spell
that right, one of those musical instruments that makes sounds by waving
your arms around near to two metal electrodes.
Brian

Nearly there Brian it is a Theremin

Richard


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rhw8lk-DUGU

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On 12/04/2020 09:32, Tricky Dicky wrote:
Incidentally a person detector is very close to a Theramone. Did I spell
that right, one of those musical instruments that makes sounds by waving
your arms around near to two metal electrodes.
Brian

Nearly there Brian it is a Theremin

Richard


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0zQHNmz0gU

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On 12/04/2020 09:32, Tricky Dicky wrote:
Incidentally a person detector is very close to a Theramone. Did I spell
that right, one of those musical instruments that makes sounds by waving
your arms around near to two metal electrodes.
Brian

Nearly there Brian it is a Theremin

Richard


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwdaGW-5f5I

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On Sun, 12 Apr 2020 09:25:00 +0100, Brian Gaff \(Sofa 2\) wrote:

I'm sure there could be a number of one off things disabled folk might
require these days that are not catered for by mass market forces.

Incidentally a person detector is very close to a Theramone. Did I spell
that right, one of those musical instruments that makes sounds by waving
your arms around near to two metal electrodes.

Nearly. Theremin.



--
My posts are my copyright and if @diy_forums or Home Owners' Hub
wish to copy them they can pay me £1 a message.
Use the BIG mirror service in the UK: http://www.mirrorservice.org
*lightning surge protection* - a w_tom conductor

On 11/04/2020 19:35, John wrote:
I haven't touched a soldering iron for about fifty years, so I thought of
using this shutdown time to get geared up for a bit of tech activity. Got
myself a USB scope, a couple of multimeters and a dual stabilised DC power
supply so far. I have loads of new components in the loft (or at least
they were in 1970 - 1980) left over from various commercial/military
projects. I hope all this will keep me interested for a while. I started
building a novel design for a human presence/movement detector in 1976,
but shelved it because of work commitments, so I will probably continue
with that for starters.

Sorry, I am just lying.

No, you're late forties/early fifties.

On Sun, 12 Apr 2020 07:02:18 +0100, Richard wrote:

On 11/04/2020 19:35, John wrote:
I haven't touched a soldering iron for about fifty years, so I thought
of using this shutdown time to get geared up for a bit of tech
activity. Got myself a USB scope, a couple of multimeters and a dual
stabilised DC power supply so far. I have loads of new components in
the loft (or at least they were in 1970 - 1980) left over from various
commercial/military projects. I hope all this will keep me interested
for a while. I started building a novel design for a human
presence/movement detector in 1976, but shelved it because of work
commitments, so I will probably continue with that for starters.

Sorry, I am just lying.

No, you're late forties/early fifties.

Eighty this year..

On 11/04/2020 19:35, John wrote:
I haven't touched a soldering iron for about fifty years, so I thought of
using this shutdown time to get geared up for a bit of tech activity. Got
myself a USB scope, a couple of multimeters and a dual stabilised DC power
supply so far. I have loads of new components in the loft (or at least
they were in 1970 - 1980) left over from various commercial/military
projects. I hope all this will keep me interested for a while. I started
building a novel design for a human presence/movement detector in 1976,
but shelved it because of work commitments, so I will probably continue
with that for starters.

Sorry, I am just rambling in my old age.

I have just received an interocitor kit from Ryberg electronics
Electronic Service-Unit 16...my usual supplier Continental doesn't know
anything about it....strange

On Sun, 12 Apr 2020 07:29:56 +0100, Jim GM4DHJ ... wrote:

On 11/04/2020 19:35, John wrote:
I haven't touched a soldering iron for about fifty years, so I thought
of using this shutdown time to get geared up for a bit of tech
activity. Got myself a USB scope, a couple of multimeters and a dual
stabilised DC power supply so far. I have loads of new components in
the loft (or at least they were in 1970 - 1980) left over from various
commercial/military projects. I hope all this will keep me interested
for a while. I started building a novel design for a human
presence/movement detector in 1976, but shelved it because of work
commitments, so I will probably continue with that for starters.

Sorry, I am just rambling in my old age.

I have just received an interocitor kit from Ryberg electronics
Electronic Service-Unit 16...my usual supplier Continental doesn't know
anything about it....strange

Excellent film...

On 12/04/2020 11:17, John wrote:
On Sun, 12 Apr 2020 07:29:56 +0100, Jim GM4DHJ ... wrote:

On 11/04/2020 19:35, John wrote:
I haven't touched a soldering iron for about fifty years, so I thought
of using this shutdown time to get geared up for a bit of tech
activity. Got myself a USB scope, a couple of multimeters and a dual
stabilised DC power supply so far. I have loads of new components in
the loft (or at least they were in 1970 - 1980) left over from various
commercial/military projects. I hope all this will keep me interested
for a while. I started building a novel design for a human
presence/movement detector in 1976, but shelved it because of work
commitments, so I will probably continue with that for starters.

Sorry, I am just rambling in my old age.

I have just received an interocitor kit from Ryberg electronics
Electronic Service-Unit 16...my usual supplier Continental doesn't know
anything about it....strange

Excellent film...

superb film and the book/magazines it was based on

The main difference these days is everything is surface mount, ie no holes
etc.
This was just becoming the norm when I retired, but my eyesight by then was
shot in any case.

So if you need any new components it is very hard to find the ones for
normal fixings, ie with wires etc, at a reasonable cost and genuine.
Brian

--
----- --
This newsgroup posting comes to you directly from...
The Sofa of Brian Gaff...

Blind user, so no pictures please
Note this Signature is meaningless.!
"John" wrote in message ...
I haven't touched a soldering iron for about fifty years, so I thought of
using this shutdown time to get geared up for a bit of tech activity. Got
myself a USB scope, a couple of multimeters and a dual stabilised DC power
supply so far. I have loads of new components in the loft (or at least
they were in 1970 - 1980) left over from various commercial/military
projects. I hope all this will keep me interested for a while. I started
building a novel design for a human presence/movement detector in 1976,
but shelved it because of work commitments, so I will probably continue
with that for starters.

Sorry, I am just rambling in my old age.

I still have plenty of Veroboard, discrete components and a microscope
Brian.


On Sun, 12 Apr 2020 09:19:59 +0100, Brian Gaff \(Sofa 2\) wrote:

The main difference these days is everything is surface mount, ie no
holes etc.
This was just becoming the norm when I retired, but my eyesight by then
was
shot in any case.

So if you need any new components it is very hard to find the ones for
normal fixings, ie with wires etc, at a reasonable cost and genuine.
Brian

I still have plenty of Veroboard, discrete components and a microscope.

On 12/04/2020 11:21, John wrote:
I still have plenty of Veroboard, discrete components and a microscope
Brian.


On Sun, 12 Apr 2020 09:19:59 +0100, Brian Gaff \(Sofa 2\) wrote:

The main difference these days is everything is surface mount, ie no
holes etc.
This was just becoming the norm when I retired, but my eyesight by then
was
shot in any case.

So if you need any new components it is very hard to find the ones for
normal fixings, ie with wires etc, at a reasonable cost and genuine.
Brian

I still have plenty of Veroboard, discrete components and a microscope.



.... for which you need to know the colour code, which was taught to me
when working at Westinghouse Brake And Signal Co
in Chippenham 45 years as the now most politically incorrect ...

Black *******s Rape Our Young Girls But Virgins Go Without.

On 12/04/2020 12:20, Gareth Evans wrote:
On 12/04/2020 11:21, John wrote:
I still have plenty of Veroboard, discrete components and a microscope
Brian.


On Sun, 12 Apr 2020 09:19:59 +0100, Brian Gaff \(Sofa 2\) wrote:

The main difference these days is everything is surface mount, ie no
holes etc.
Â* This was just becoming the norm when I retired, but my eyesight by
then
Â* was
shot in any case.

So if you need any new components it is very hard to find the ones for
normal fixings, ie with wires etc, at a reasonable cost and genuine.
Â* Brian

I still have plenty of Veroboard, discrete components and a microscope.



... for which you need to know the colour code, which was taught to me
when working at Westinghouse Brake And Signal Co
in Chippenham 45 years as the now most politically incorrectÂ* ...

Black *******s Rape Our Young Girls But Virgins Go Without.


you have to remember things some how ....tee hee

In article ,
Brian Gaff \(Sofa 2\) wrote:
So if you need any new components it is very hard to find the ones for
normal fixings, ie with wires etc, at a reasonable cost and genuine.

I've never had any problems. If anything, Ebay etc makes it easier than
once.

Not quite sure what you mean by genuine. Most such things have several
different makers.

--
*Learn from your parents' mistakes - use birth control

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

On Saturday, 11 April 2020 19:35:31 UTC+1, John wrote:
I haven't touched a soldering iron for about fifty years, so I thought of
using this shutdown time to get geared up for a bit of tech activity. Got
myself a USB scope, a couple of multimeters and a dual stabilised DC power
supply so far. I have loads of new components in the loft (or at least
they were in 1970 - 1980) left over from various commercial/military
projects. I hope all this will keep me interested for a while. I started
building a novel design for a human presence/movement detector in 1976,
but shelved it because of work commitments, so I will probably continue
with that for starters.

Sorry, I am just rambling in my old age.

One thing you could really do with is one of those almost universal component testers, £12 or so on fleabay. Essential if using old caps, otherwise just very useful.


NT

In article ,
wrote:
One thing you could really do with is one of those almost universal
component testers, £12 or so on fleabay. Essential if using old caps,
otherwise just very useful.

Indeed. If you think back a few years and just how much the equipment
would cost then to do everything they do.

--
*What was the best thing before sliced bread?

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.