Author Topic: Blitzortung Red Build Complete  (Read 7411 times)

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Offline Cutty Sark Sailor

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Blitzortung Red Build Complete
« on: August 02, 2013, 07:17:41 PM »




Click for example live signal video

Click for Original breadboard build controller video
 


Offline DaleReid

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Re: Blitzortung Red Build Complete
« Reply #1 on: August 02, 2013, 08:03:55 PM »
I'm pretty jealous.  All those blinking lights and see through packaging.

You set the bar high for the rest of us waiting to build.
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Offline Cutty Sark Sailor

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Re: Blitzortung Red Build Complete
« Reply #2 on: August 02, 2013, 08:30:56 PM »
Yeah, Blister Boxed Blitzy... Well, ya buy stuff, they give ya nice project boxes...
Your time's coming, Dale... . Payshunse, muh boy... payshunse
 


Offline pvw

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Re: Blitzortung Red Build Complete
« Reply #3 on: August 02, 2013, 09:41:13 PM »
Second time I'm saying this, That's a work of art! =D>
Better living and lower productivity through the use of technology.

Offline Jumpin Joe

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Re: Blitzortung Red Build Complete
« Reply #4 on: August 02, 2013, 09:59:26 PM »
I agree, he has really set the bar pretty high for us wanna-be's.

Really nice, great job!
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Offline DaleReid

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Re: Blitzortung Red Build Complete
« Reply #5 on: August 03, 2013, 05:40:11 PM »
Lights.  Blinking lights.  Must see blinking lights.  (better than the old lava lamps, especially if you have built it yourself).
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Offline Cutty Sark Sailor

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Re: Blitzortung Red Build Complete
« Reply #6 on: August 03, 2013, 06:12:15 PM »
Lights.  Blinking lights.  Must see blinking lights.  (better than the old lava lamps, especially if you have built it yourself).

When did you last consult your Dr???
 


Offline Cutty Sark Sailor

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Re: Blitzortung Red Build Complete
« Reply #7 on: August 03, 2013, 06:13:17 PM »
Lights.  Blinking lights.  Must see blinking lights.  (better than the old lava lamps, especially if you have built it yourself).

When did you last consult your Dr???
Ok, when I get time, I'll make you a new video, complete with the buzzer sounds also....
 


Offline SlowModem

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Re: Blitzortung Red Build Complete
« Reply #8 on: August 03, 2013, 06:17:20 PM »
(better than the old lava lamps, especially if you have built it yourself).

That depends on your state of mind.   8-)
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Offline miraculon

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Re: Blitzortung Red Build Complete
« Reply #9 on: August 03, 2013, 08:21:08 PM »
Lights.  Blinking lights.  Must see blinking lights.  (better than the old lava lamps, especially if you have built it yourself).


Somehow, this seems strangely appropriate. (apologies to our German friends)

From Blinkenlights.net http://blinkenlights.net/blinkenlights



Greg H.


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Offline BigOkie

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Re: Blitzortung Red Build Complete
« Reply #10 on: August 04, 2013, 12:01:56 AM »
Lights.  Blinking lights.  Must see blinking lights.  (better than the old lava lamps, especially if you have built it yourself).


Somehow, this seems strangely appropriate. (apologies to our German friends)

From Blinkenlights.net http://blinkenlights.net/blinkenlights



Greg H.


This variation is actually funny as well..maybe funnier, IMO.

Quote
"Achtung!
Alle touristen und non-technischen lookenpeepers! Das machine is nicht fur fingerpoken und mittengrabben. Is easy schnappen der springenwerk, blowenfusen und poppencorken mit spitzen sparken. Das machine is diggen by experten only. Is nicht fur gerwerken by das dummkopfen. Das rubbernecken sightseeren keepen das cottenpicken hands in das pockets. Relaxen und watchen das blinkenlights."
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Offline wxtech

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Re: Blitzortung Red Build Complete
« Reply #11 on: August 04, 2013, 07:29:32 AM »
I posted the old version above our department copy machine back in the 80's.  The Office Manager removed the paper sheet because people were wasting too much paper running copies of it.  It seemed very appropriate for a copy machine.
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Offline Cutty Sark Sailor

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Re: Blitzortung Red Build Complete
« Reply #12 on: August 04, 2013, 08:04:09 AM »
I posted the old version above our department copy machine back in the 80's.  The Office Manager removed the paper sheet because people were wasting too much paper running copies of it.  It seemed very appropriate for a copy machine.
Some office managers have no class... .
 


Offline Cutty Sark Sailor

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Re: Blitzortung Red Build Complete
« Reply #13 on: August 04, 2013, 08:17:11 AM »
Been monitoring microprocessor temp. That device is rated up to 85°C, and runs in the 'Blitzed Blister Box' at 44-46° so far, so we're looking good. It ran around 40°C when in open air testing.
Don't know about the amp... it's out in the garage, which will get quite warm, but I'll need to confirm temp conditions...
 


Offline miraculon

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Re: Blitzortung Red Build Complete
« Reply #14 on: August 04, 2013, 10:07:35 AM »
Been monitoring microprocessor temp. That device is rated up to 85°C, and runs in the 'Blitzed Blister Box' at 44-46° so far, so we're looking good. It ran around 40°C when in open air testing.
Don't know about the amp... it's out in the garage, which will get quite warm, but I'll need to confirm temp conditions...

I am pondering whether to blow more $$$ on another Davis temperature station to stick up near the amplifier. The PGAs and MCP6292 op amps are 125C parts. The LMH6642 is industrial temp rated at 85C. I didn't check the electrolytic caps. I am hoping that they are also industrial grade. 0C to 70C parts would be a problem out in the garage... (at cold for sure, maybe at high temp since 70C is 158F and up in the rafters on a hot day it could get there.)

Greg H.


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CoCoRaHS: MI-PI-1
CWOP: CW4114 and KE8DAF-13
WU: KMIROGER7
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Offline Cutty Sark Sailor

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Re: Blitzortung Red Build Complete
« Reply #15 on: August 04, 2013, 12:49:52 PM »
Man, thats 257° / 185°  F... Thanks. I am no longer even minutely concerned about the garage. Shoot, those lytics will hold short of a propane torch also, 'specially since they ain't next to a 10W resistor or a power transistor.
« Last Edit: August 04, 2013, 12:58:24 PM by Cutty Sark Sailor »
 


Offline Cutty Sark Sailor

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UPDATE: Blitzortung Red Build Complete
« Reply #16 on: August 14, 2013, 08:15:28 PM »
Not much has been said about power supplies, far as I know just a "USB 5V supply"... so I started with various chargers I had kicking around, found 'em unwilling to remain within 5-10%, even the 3 amp'ers, and that just bugged the tar out of me.

So, got me a 2.5A $20 regulated switcher, cut off the DC plug cord, and replaced it with a 6' USB mini. set it for 5V,...
Now, my touch of OCD is relatively happy, considering 4.94-5.01 closer to perfect than  4.69-4.81, and a consistent 4.98 beats the heck out of 4.74... jest muh ohpenyun. (although I suspect this electronics doesn't care all that much... I do.) 'Course that's enough to forward bias 4 junctions....

After all, Red seems a good stable design, and I felt it didn't need 2nd rate juice...
Always said that 1% was better than 6%... unless you're talking beer
 


Offline DaleReid

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Re: Blitzortung Red Build Complete
« Reply #17 on: August 14, 2013, 09:35:43 PM »
Mr. Sailor,
Do you have a 'pin out' of the USB cord, so those of us with a similar bent will know what is hot and what is not in the cord?

Just hoping....
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Offline Cutty Sark Sailor

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Re: Blitzortung Red Build Complete
« Reply #18 on: August 14, 2013, 09:46:14 PM »
Mr. Sailor,
Do you have a 'pin out' of the USB cord, so those of us with a similar bent will know what is hot and what is not in the cord?
Well, 1 is 5v and 4 is ground. Don't even worry about it. The colors are standardized. Just cut the standard USB end off,  ignore green and white wires. Connect red wire to positive power supply wire, and the black wire to negative.
'Bout as simple as it gets.
On the supply I bought the ribbed wire is positive, smooth is ground
 


Offline Cutty Sark Sailor

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Re: Blitzortung Red Build Complete
« Reply #19 on: August 14, 2013, 09:50:53 PM »
Here's that little jewel:
http://www.powerstream.com/AC-1898.htm
price is incorrect... it's 18.25
I've bought several items from Lund... good stuff..
« Last Edit: August 14, 2013, 09:53:05 PM by Cutty Sark Sailor »
 


Offline DaleReid

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Re: Blitzortung Red Build Complete
« Reply #20 on: August 14, 2013, 09:58:27 PM »
Oh, it's like the surgeon who likes to operate on artists, they are all color coded inside.  I've seen some cables that are all hot molded and all of them are black wires leading to some unknown spot inside the plug.  This sounds much more sane.

I like the Jameco wall switching supplies that run about $12 and are cool running, smaller than most wall warts, and I have several on hand.  I will see what the variation is, but to my best recollection when I did look at them a bit ago, they tested out to nearly as good as your specs. 

Thanks for the link, always nice to hav alternatives.

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Offline Cutty Sark Sailor

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Re: Blitzortung Red Build Complete
« Reply #21 on: August 14, 2013, 10:08:05 PM »
Under 2.5 amps won't be that stable, don't think. The supplies I tried were rated 2. Heck I have a 1 amp that held better'n a couple of those called 2 amp'ers, though loaded to 4.6. I haven't measured the load, but I suspect under certain conditions it probably hits 2.2-2.3 amps.
 


Offline W3DRM

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Re: Blitzortung Red Build Complete
« Reply #22 on: August 15, 2013, 12:08:30 AM »
I ordered a 5V 1A USB supply from Adafruit.com. I'm hoping it will do the job. If it doesn't it's no big loss at $5.95 but thought I would give it a try.

The supply can be found at the following URL:


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Offline Cutty Sark Sailor

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Re: Blitzortung Red Build Complete
« Reply #23 on: August 15, 2013, 06:54:57 AM »
Under 2.5 amps won't be that stable, don't think. The supplies I tried were rated 2. Heck I have a 1 amp that held better'n a couple of those called 2 amp'ers, though loaded to 4.6. I haven't measured the load, but I suspect under certain conditions it probably hits 2.2-2.3 amps.
I ordered a 5V 1A USB supply from Adafruit.com. I'm hoping it will do the job. If it doesn't it's no big loss at $5.95 but thought I would give it a try.

The supply can be found at the following URL:



While the build instructions say the system will draw about 440ma, I believe the consumption to be higher in operation, and in 'surges' as hinted above, though I haven't measured it... I wonder if some of the issues reported with 'switch bounce' on the user menu, noise from LCD, intermittent 'noise', and noise rejection etc aren't due to power supplies.
 


Offline miraculon

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Re: Blitzortung Red Build Complete
« Reply #24 on: August 15, 2013, 09:20:58 PM »
I have also wondered about these USB power supplies and how noisy they might be.
I am using one from an old Moto phone, but I decided to order one of these:
http://www.ab-system.hk/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=64
There were some fancy "audiophile" units in Germany but they were quite a bit more expensive.

Greg H.



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CoCoRaHS: MI-PI-1
CWOP: CW4114 and KE8DAF-13
WU: KMIROGER7
Amateur Radio Callsign: KE8DAF