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Here is a AVR project, easy on the wallet too ! http://www.ikalogic.com/scanalogic_home.php

DON'T touch the dragon pc board while it is powered up, you can KILL it.  I'm NOT kidding, the voltage regulator section is VERY sensitive to stray impedances such as the kohms of body resistance.  Many have reported blowing up a dragon by touching the circuity while powered up.  Also ALWAYS use a powered USB hub to connect the dragon to your PC.  NEVER connect the dragon to a laptop WITHOUT a powered hub inbetween.  The reason is that the dragon MUST see 5v of power NO LESS.  The voltage regulator on the board will overheat and fry itself if it is powered by anything less than about 4.9v!  This has been documented on the web (search the avrfreaks forums for this!!!).  Finally buy a nice project box to house the dragon in.  It will be a lot cheaper than the $49 you paid for the dragon!

The AVR Dragon is a very good Jtag programmer.  It's just that it was built to be as low in cost as possible.  I like both PICs and AVR processors, each has it's own good points.  The AVR's generally have more ram and more program space and can be programmed using the Winavr "C" complier.  The 12 and 16 series PICs need to be programmed in assembler to get the most out of them, but they are dirt cheap and tiny.  The 18 series PICs are more like the AVRs, and there are several free C compliers for them.  I think there are more PIC based projects out there with downloadable hex files, but I usually think AVR first when I design my own.  If you REALLY want to give up on the Dragon I might consider making you an offer on it, but I think you might want to give the AVR's a try.  (I'm still working on my AVR front end for DDS controllers that will become the front panel for a transceiver).

  I installed a USB hub in one of the 5.25" disk bays in my computer.  You can find these things on Ebay for around $25 or so.  They contain a 3 port powered USB hub, a Firewire connector, audio input/output jacks, and a memory card reader.  The gizmo is powered by a standard 5.25" disk power connector.  It's a useful way to get many of the connections that live on the back of the PC to the front for easy access and it solves the USB power issue for things like the Dragon and the Pickit-2 programmer.

PS the LC meter PC board is in the mail.

I just ordered 4 Solar Powered Torches on Ebay, They are LED's on a keychain for lighting. I'm thinking the battery should be about 3.5 volts with a Solar Charger,and for 99 cents plus 45 cents shipping (apiece) its not too hard on the wallet  and should work fine for PIC/AVR projects requiring low power. Time will tell

Sorry Diz and group. here is the actual  sale I bought  http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi … K:MEWNX:IT

   and here is a general search that may have better deals if you look long enough  http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=torch+ … ;_osacat=0


I may be wrong on battery voltage, based on the specs of this auction  http://cgi.ebay.com/Solar-Power-recharg … 3efaf56611   the batterys are 1.2 volt, so may have to have 2 to  3 together to operate most older AVR PIC's , example, the 12F683 reqires  2.0 volts, still should be useable and price makes it dobale :-)

Gary W4GNS

W8DIZ wrote:

W4GNS wrote:

I just ordered 4 Solar Powered Torches on Ebay, They are LED's on a keychain for lighting. I'm thinking the battery should be about 3.5 volts with a Solar Charger,and for 99 cents plus 45 cents shipping (apiece) its not too hard on the wallet  and should work fine for PIC/AVR projects requiring low power. Time will tell

How about an eBay link...PLEASE
-Diz

Last edited by W4GNS (2009-12-10 19:15:09)

illuminating: 2 hours lighting time
charging time: approximately 3 - 6 hours


is the specs based on that last link I have given, Again i don't think this is a magic power source, but on projects like a remote temp sensor that  I'm presently working on, I think they should serve there purpose.were talking less than a 1.50 here apiece. I got a good laugh out of the AC in in a igloo, thanks Ken !

wa2mze wrote:

A solar powered flashlight, makes as much sense as an air conditioner in an igloo. :-)
Actually the solar cells are  recharging a battery, the output of the solar cells should be a bit higher than the battery voltage, but the current might be a bit too low (how long does it take to recharge the battery?)

Last edited by W4GNS (2009-12-11 10:40:53)

Looks like Dan is off vacation  http://stores.ebay.com/Dans-Electronic- … s-and-kits

Well he did answer some questions in this thread:
http://www.kitsandparts.com/fluxbb/viewtopic.php?id=59

Hey Gary (W4GNS), got your package today.  See you threw in a surprise in there too.
Thanks.  One of those AD9835's may end up as the carrier osc/bfo in the rig I'm currently hatching in my head.  The DDS-60 will be the HFO.

Last edited by wa2mze (2010-01-19 16:53:46)

Wonder if this http://www.dzkit.com/ is related to 'our'  DIZ.

No it's W0DZ.  Still looks interesting.

Last edited by wa2mze (2010-01-19 20:46:02)

W4GNS wrote:

I have seen those advertised in QST, but have not heard a peep out of them on the reflectors or forums, which is kinda odd, as there are always some to try and then inform................... Somebody buy one, and ship it to me, and I'll demo it

wa2mze wrote:

Wonder if this http://www.dzkit.com/ is related to 'our'  DIZ.

No it's W0DZ.  Still looks interesting.

I have the following Elecraft products K3,K2,K1, and  to be honest I love the K2 more than any of these rigs, or any I have ever owned, though , of course the K3 is a much better radio,  but I love me ole K2 . And of course the MultiPig+  has a nice receiver, just a pain in the rear to change bands. Speaking of the MultiPig+ , I sent a request out on QRP-L for a receiver and Xmitt board and got about 3 hits for people willing to sell a complete MP+, so there are still some out that are still unbuilt, never did get the boards that I wanted, I did not ask but I assume they were unwilling to split the boards up

wa2mze wrote:

I found some talk on eham about it.  A few have been built and most reports are good.  Reminds me of the computer controlled rig that ten tek had for a while.