Search found 206 matches

by dr_when
Wed Mar 24, 2010 6:03 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Vintage Radio Shack Catalogs- LIVE ONLINE!
Replies: 7
Views: 5270

Re: Vintage Radio Shack Catalogs- LIVE ONLINE!

Vern, What a great find!!! Since I was a teenager in the 70's I always looked forward to the latest Radio Shack catalog and actually wore them out in the course of a year lookin' at all the equipment. The site you found was a trip through the past as I paged through each of the catalogs. I could fai...
by dr_when
Fri Mar 12, 2010 4:40 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: help needed on cadsoft eagle
Replies: 2
Views: 1877

Re: help needed on cadsoft eagle

Yes, you can modify any part in the Library with the library editor. Bring the part in, make a change to it and save it with a different name (essentially).
by dr_when
Sun Jan 24, 2010 2:53 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Oreck Vacuum Cleaner
Replies: 11
Views: 5003

Re: Oreck Vacuum Cleaner

I have used Orecks and the only thing good about them is that they are engineered to be service-friendly...i.e. most parts are easily replaced by the user. Otherwise, they are not that great. Dyson on the other hand are more powerful and really do not lose suction because of the vortex they use. No ...
by dr_when
Wed Dec 02, 2009 6:04 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: why infra-red and not visible led?
Replies: 5
Views: 2770

Re: why infra-red and not visible led?

Thanks guys. I can see that in some sensor applications where the sensor is visible that red leds may not be preferred because they can be seen. I suspected the IR was better suited for the phototransistors but I don't think that is a real problem. I guess in the application that I am looking at aes...
by dr_when
Mon Nov 30, 2009 6:06 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: why infra-red and not visible led?
Replies: 5
Views: 2770

why infra-red and not visible led?

Hi, Someone threw this question at me and I could not come up with a definitive answer off the top of my head. They asked " why are almost all optical sensors, like photo interrupters, etc made with infra-red Leds and not visible (red) leds" ? My thinking was maybe less interference from a...
by dr_when
Wed Oct 21, 2009 11:33 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: composite video pattern generator
Replies: 18
Views: 7049

Re: composite video pattern generator

thanks, that item you showed, is NTSC, i need composite video.
I thought NTSC WAS composite video.
by dr_when
Fri Oct 02, 2009 12:26 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Etchant solution
Replies: 19
Views: 8361

Re: Etchant solution

Why bother with any of this. Take a small foam sponge and dip it into Ferric Chloride etchant (with gloves on) and go over and over the copper for a few minutes and you can remove the copper from a small board with less than a capfull or two of etchant. Doesn't seem possible but it works. I had to t...
by dr_when
Sun Aug 30, 2009 4:35 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: This one evaded me for too long...
Replies: 3
Views: 2115

Re: This one evaded me for too long...

Miguel,

You must have been under a rock for a few years. These "craptacular" devices have been around a long time and are barely worth the effort. You should find them at swap meets, etc. for a few dollars. There are better ways to get MP3, etc. into your auto sound system.

Bob
by dr_when
Wed Apr 08, 2009 5:13 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: timed outlets anyone?
Replies: 6
Views: 3977

Re: timed outlets anyone?

Thanks all for some good ideas. Especially liked the Intermatic stuff suggested by Jollyrgr that just may fit the bill. I will check Home Depot and Lowes to see if they have anything like that in stock. I should have thought of that as I do recall seeing the bathroom fan timers some time ago.

Bob
by dr_when
Tue Apr 07, 2009 5:26 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: timed outlets anyone?
Replies: 6
Views: 3977

timed outlets anyone?

Hi, I am looking for something that probably does not exist and if it indeed does not maybe I will make some. I am looking for a plug in module or outlet strip but instead of having a switch would have maybe 2 or 3 buttons and matching leds. You could press one button for 1/2 hour on-time, another f...
by dr_when
Thu Jan 08, 2009 11:59 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Thyratron
Replies: 21
Views: 10714

Bigglez,

Very nice collection and photos too!!! Something pretty cool about that era despite the heat.

Bob
by dr_when
Wed Dec 10, 2008 3:51 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: How to use a relay in a breadboard.
Replies: 8
Views: 5043

I always get a kick out of analog guru Bob Pease's "rat nest" prototype circuits that use no breadboard. All the part leads are soldered to each other and the finished product looks like a tangle of parts and wires. He does not advocate the use of plug in proto boards for analog or high sp...
by dr_when
Tue Sep 23, 2008 5:11 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: IP Intercom?
Replies: 12
Views: 7241

What about the wireless line-carrier intercoms that are out there. I have used them throughout a home with no problem. There is a situation with multiple electrical circuits but I believe you can bridge breakers with caps to jump the circuits. (sorry...just saw you mentioned power line modulation......
by dr_when
Tue Sep 09, 2008 6:38 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: locking down pots
Replies: 6
Views: 3780

Dave,

Thanks. I think Glyptal is the ticket and for some reason rings a bell (from the past). I will look into it further. Thanks also for all the related info!!!

Bob
by dr_when
Tue Sep 09, 2008 4:40 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: locking down pots
Replies: 6
Views: 3780

Thanks Dean, I am primarily looking for a recommendation for trimmers and surface mount potentiometers. Once set, they need to be "locked" with something like nail polish, etc. I believe nail polish would actually be fine but it's hard to get an MSDS on nail polish and quality folks like t...