Design

RTD linearization
Does anybody remember the value of negative resistance that linearizes a 100 ohm platinum RTD? John ... 24 Dec 2009 01:04

retrofitting an auto-mute volume control?
To start off, I'm not looking for a specific design, though of course I will be very happy for any such attempts. I'd like some thoughts about approaches or problems I may need to consider. I'd be happy to then expose some design I come up with, to criticism. I need an auto-mute circuit that I can use to retrof... 23 Dec 2009 13:52

Triac controller IC
Vishay makes some nice 6-pin (4-terminal) optocouplers frotriac control; their VO3052 is rather inexpensive and their IL420 costs bout $ 2 more for the same control. The difference is that the cheapie is non-zero crossing; a quick look on a scope did not show zero-crossing glitches of the triac itself (use... 12 Dec 2009 18:56

Suggestions for a good used oscilloscope
Looking for suggestions for a good used oscilloscope. Also looking for opinions as to how viable Ebay is today for a source of good used oscilloscopes. Thanks TMT ... 10 Dec 2009 06:49

Screw Behind Mantis
There's an adjustment screw behind the older(previous gen) mantis dynascope. This model: http://www.accuswissinc.com/Vision%20Mantis%20Microscope.JPG What's that screw for? When I was cleaning lenses, I noticed that this screw tilts a mirror. btw...I was investigating and turned the screw to the point of 'bo... 11 Dec 2009 14:44

USB Spectrum Analysis S'ware
I am looking for spectrum analysis software, with similar capabilities to "Sigview" or "Spectrum Lab+, but that will read data from the USB port instead of soundcard input. I don't need dedicated PC test equipment like BitScope, or a full blown science package like LabView. Just a way to display the output of my... 11 Dec 2009 16:57

A good digital oscilloscope?
Hi all, I think I'm going to try and treat myself to an oscilloscope this Christmas. I've managed to go without one for the last 15 years or so and, frankly, did not have a burning need or even much space for it. I do some digital design (PIC based mostly) - LED, motor controls and such and every once in a whi... 31 Dec 2009 19:50

Using ice-cubes to cool cpu ? Plausible ?
You have to make the ice cubes out of heavy water, the tritium kind. ... 7 Dec 2009 07:23

The use of transistors
Gut into a discussion the other day about the use of bipolar transistors. I told them I was negatively biased on PNPs ... 7 Dec 2009 04:10

core memory
Testing some FTP stuff, threw up some test files... ftp://jjlarkin.lmi.net/Core_304bits.jpg ftp://jjlarkin.lmi.net/Core_4K.jpg ftp://jjlarkin.lmi.net/Core_4Kdetail.jpg John ... 12 Dec 2009 00:36