5000 SMT Resistors Received

My order of 0603 SMT Resistors was just received - 15 days after order and I will NOT complain, because getting the little package from China was almost as much fun as getting a coveted DX QSL.

The package of 5000 count 0603 SMT Resistors cost me only $10.00 with shipping paid. The package has postage of 18.00 (of some currency) which I suspect is about $2.50 US.  That is a lot of Resistors for the price.

The return address was all in Chinese except the words "Guangdong Province, CHINA", and what looks like a routing sticker - has the words "PAR AVION" which I think maybe says "Air Mail".

Along with the Resistor, they sent a very nice note, thanking me for the order and sent along two interesting small Bead String "Chinese Style Gifts with the meaning of 'Blessing You' ". When was the last time your part supplier sent you a gift? I will add a photo of the Gifts to this blog when I have time.

The parts arrived in sorted-value labelled small bags - while holding the bags up together, the content looks like a little kids collection of silvery beach sand - the components are not on tape.

My plan is to find a divided plastic box to hold the small plastic bags - I do not think letting the resistors out of their bags directly into the divisions would be a good idea.

I do not think I have every had 5000 5% resistors before, especially in such a small space, they will very nicely complement my 0805 SMT Capacitor Kit.

Now all I have to do is "Finish Moving" and set up my Shop enough that I can start on some over due fun projects.

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Seattle QRSS Grabber - Offline

My Seattle QRSS Grabber is Offline - and has been for sometime.  In an effort to bring the Grabber back online and make some changes to stabilize its operations - I managed to almost kill the computer. The computer is remote and therefore most system admin is done with a program called "VNC", which is a remote console control program.

When things go wrong at a distance, . . .  they really go wrong - in this case I inadvertently removed some of the Gnome Windowing system, so I can no longer access the console window from remote.

Just to check on things, I went to the server (physical) location and tried to repair the damaged Gnome Windowing system. After lots of "futzing around" I have decided it is best to just re-install/upgrade to the current release of Ubuntu - which I think is 10.04.

Unfortunately, I will not have time to work on the system for a while.  I will do some planning and will download the install/upgrade Ubuntu CD's

Until then - No Seattle Grabber - Sorry!

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A Need for Magnification

For my continued work on very small Homebrew SMT projects, I am considering a real 3D Boom Microscope, so far I have used just an office "light ring with magnifier".

On the Internet there are many varieties of microscopes and vendors to choose from.

I think I want something with 7-30 zoom, and a camera mount/port would be useful for blog photos.

Currently I am looking at the Model SM-3T at about $350, has anyone used this model or does anyone have any other ideas or suggestions?

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Cap Kit Order Received

Today I received my order placed with ebay for a 0805 SMT NPO Cap Kit (see previous post), the order took about 10 days to arrive.  The caps were received in a single small plastic bag, on marked value tape strips. Another plastic bag contained yet smaller plastic bags to put each value tape into it's own bag - what a pain!  Fifty four values and only about 30 small bags (there should have been 54, I was short shipped - but no big deal).

The problem was sorting the values and stuffing the little bags.  OK - I ask for it - I wanted to work with smaller parts for all of my HomeBrew projects.
 
Normally I use just a few values of components within a project, with this Cap Kit, I will have lots of values from which to choose. But I don't think for my projects (and typical frequency used), selecting a 1.5pF  vs 1.8pF will make much of a difference. Over time I will expand the Kit with single value bulk order of standard values that I will typical use.

What is truly amazing is that the 540 capacitors in this Cap Kit fit into a small 3x5 inch plastic box (with room to spare). A decade ago, I maintained large containers of parts, just so that I "might" have the right part for a project.  And now, my 0805 NPO Cap collection, fits into my shirt pocket.

One note about my recent move, I have spent many hours changing my post mailing address to my new Shop location - this Cap Kit order reminded my that I am not finished making changes. The order was shipped to my old address, because my eBay (shipping) address was not one of the address that I changed. Before I began my move, I started a list of places where I would have changed my mailing address. But, long after I thought I was finished make changes, the list continues to grow.  Do yourself a favour; start your list of your online eLocations soon. I am sure your list will be much longer than you think.

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Jeff's Second Visit to my Hanger/Shop

Yesterday, I had a fellow HAM "drop by" my Hanger/Shop - Jeff - KO7M.  This was Jeff's second visit to the Shop, But this time he flew in via his Piper Cub!

 A Repeat Visitor to My Hanger/Shop

It was grand to see Jeff and his airplane, it is immaculate, extremely well maintained.

Jeff - KO7M - with his CUB

There is still to much brush to try to taxi up to down to the hanger, as seen in the background below, as it was, we had to bushwhack a little on each side of the drive, just to let Jeff return to the taxiway.

This is only the second airplane that has ever been on my hanger driveway, only my own C-182 RG (about 15 years ago) was the other.

We did not do much HAM Radio work while Jeff was there, but the event was made possible by a mutual enjoyment of HAM Radio, as we met about a year ago as a results of each listening to;  Bill - N2CQR - of SolderSmoke Podcast fame.  Thanks Bill.

Because I have now moved my Shop to the airport, I have plans to re-kindle my interest in flying - and maybe, just maybe, you will hear me on 30m QRP CW as - WA0UWH / AM from a knee key!

Jeff's Departing Wing Wave 

From maybe 2000 feet above
It is not CW, but universally well understood!

73 K07M/AM de WA0UWH



UPDATE:

I got to thinking about the "Wing Wave" - it has probably communicated more "welcomed information" than any other used message format (and for it's duration) than that which has ever been used.  And, it is perhaps the most universally understood - regardless of the pilots language or actual intended message. In a disport situation this is the message that I would want to receive.

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A visitor to the Shop/Hanger

Jeff - KO7M - Found his way to my Shp/Hanger today. He help put up an experimental High Bay Light via the forklift, see my other blog http://HangerShop.blogspot.com
 
Jeff is NOW a qualified Forklift Operator, or at least I trusted him enough that I was the one up on a pallet at the 21 foot ceiling, installing the light. I have a "man basket" for the forklift, but it is hid in an inaccessibility corner of the Shop at the moment.

Afterward installing the light, we talked about new antennas for the Hanger and what we might do for Salmoncom this year for the same.  I have a commercial 40/80 meter rotatable Cliff Dweller Dipole that would be fun to put-up about 20 feet at the next event this summer - I will have to see if it still works.  It is very old, about 45 years old or so, but is in good shape.  I checked the WEB but could not find information on it. I will have to check for a name plate.

We installed a new PCB generation program on Jeff's laptop, I have been watching the development of the program on the WEB, the program is called "Autotrax DEX". I would normally install it on my computer. but I use Linux (Ubuntu) for most things.  Autotrax only works for MS systems (and it does not work with Wine on Linux),  I will just have to wait until I have more time to build a MS system. Everything I have read and seen (via tutorials) make AutoTrax look very good - the Yahoo forum is very active - the developer providing new capabilities and feedback every day.

I hope to use AutoTrax for a HB project - soon.

Thanks Jeff, for the help!

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A Needed "HB FIX"

OK, I am Now Back, to do some HomeBrew (HB) project planning.

I currently have many 1206 size SMT parts, but in my effort to build ever smaller future HB projects, I just ordered a SMT 0603 Resistor 5% Kit and a SMT 0805 NPO Capacitor 5% Kit from eBay, the price seemed reasonable.  I would have liked the 1% tolerance kits, but the price was much higher. The kits are sold and shipped by "NightFire Electronics".

I will not have time to use them for a few more weeks, but I just had to get my "HB FIX" - to keep me going.

I am almost finished moving my Shop to my Frontier Airport Hanger (Grid: CN88xc), things are a mess, power is not hooked up to many of the tools, useful lighting is not installed - yet, but it will get better with time.

UPDATE:

I forgot, I also ordered some SMT 0603 Super Bright Yellow LED. These will be fun to use in future projects.

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To My Friends and WEB Family

For the last year or so, I have immersed myself in HAM Radio, Electronic Projects and WEB Blogs, all the while working through a messy divorce of 42 years. My projects have provided relief from an otherwise mind numbing and gut wrenching process.

Because this blog is an extension of my coping efforts, I feel that I owe my Friends and WEB Family some details:

After more than a year of attempts for settlement, on Dec 29, 2009, my Wife and I went to Asset Division Mediation.  The Mediator, an ex Judge, was fair, impartial and the resulting division of our assets was finally mutually acceptable.  All should be finalised within the month, I am not bitter, I wish my Wife well.

For me, the big change is that I will no longer call "The Ranch and my Shop" - home.  I have 120 days to vacate. I have other assigned property where I will set up a small Work Shop, and I plan to live on our my Boat at a local Marina.

For the next 120 day I will be very busy moving, and therefore will not have time to add much to this blog (but, I will continue to read others).

Soon, it will all be over, and maybe after this transition period, I will have time to again enjoy HAM Radio, Electronic Projects and continue my blog.

This year should be much, much better, than the last.

Thanks for Listening.

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For Sale - REZNOR OH95 Oil Fired Heater

REZNOR OH95 Oil Fired Heater, #2 Fuel Oil, 82%, 118000 BTU

For information, Google “REZNOR OH95”

This heater was used for one season, and removed from service several years ago, and then has always been stored inside on a pallet. Very clean, but maybe dusty.

The heater would be good for a large Shop, Barn or Green House. All that is needed is connections to 115V AC, Fuel Lines, Thermostat, and Smoke Stack. See Label Photo for suggested installation details.

Heater originally cost more than $3000. It worked perfectly when removed from service, and assumed it still does, but it is being sold for Cash, as-is-where-is. It can be fired up for serious buyer.

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi46s-BllGabmRDeMo4jiW1k6O8LkxPrUZOpOwT5psejB1WRuO6GvHr5exfI99QfkVmadBJlbWIj5yIIPQtyIO-uLENHaV_LdWuoQA7i58t6wmvSufzMVQr7J4RGp0NKqXHcr04y32fz0xl/w279-h209-k/2011-11-04+13.42.55m.jpg

Lake Stevens, WA area, Pick up only, No Delivery, we can help load via Forklift.

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For Sale - Micro FM Transmitter

ForSale

For Sale

( I accept Bitcoins )

Mount Ready for Use
Previous Revision

Micro FM Transmitter:  $30.00 ea

Similar project as seen in previous posts.

• 0 Available (Now, only custom built)
• Built and Tested
• Free shipping in USA
• Payment via PayPal only 

• To reserve yours, send e-mail to: sales@ebcon.com

MFMT  -  PCB is 0.5 x 0.5 inches

• The current Micro FM Tansmitter (MFMT) circuit is now on a small 0.5 x 0.5 inch circuit PCB, my previous blogged version was on a larger board. Moving the phone jack to the other side of the board allowed the board to shrink. Most parts are 0603 or 0805 SMDs.

Hand Solder and Tested

• The MFMT uses a single 2N3904. The output can  be heard on a standard FM receiver on 107.5mHz (or near there). The usable range is about 30 feet. The stub antenna is about 1.5 inches long. The 9 Volt Battery clip is included. The phone jack and input circuit accept stereo, but the resulting transmitted signal is mono.

• The transmitted output power is more than enough to play my Cell Phone tunes on my car radio while driving. 

• The suggested Male-to-Male Audio Cable (not include) to connect Cell Phone to Transmitter is available at Radio Shack.

Suggested Cable,
Available at Radio Shack

• My goal was to make the MFMT available as cheap as possible, but without facility for mass production, the first few are being only being sold to for die-hard collectors that can help fund startup.

• For now I am only making Complete and Tested MFMTs available, kits may be available later.

Inventory to Build

My Warranty

• This MFMT is being sold from one Hobbyest to Another, and is not suited for any particular; function, use, or purpose, it is being sold AS-IS without warranty, Batteries not included. I will repair or replace defective units for up to 15 days from date of purchase via an RMA number, buyer pays for return shipping.

• If not satisfied, return the like-new working device within 15 days of purchase, when received I will refund via PayPal the full price minus my initial shipping.

End

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