Circuit Break - A MacroFab Podcast

ParkerRTL SDR functional setup? RTL-FMSeems to work fine for FM stuffAM works in direct sampling mode but I can’t seem to get that to work with RTL-FM Upconverter needed?Auto switching signals?RTL_FM also does not support stereo soundMight need a new option? R820T P7K5 Software Defined Radio?KiCad User improvements for MacroFab in the future KiCad Python API has awful documentationParticle Spectra ConferenceWorkshops for IoT hardware and softwareMEP EP#122: Brandon Satrom and the LANoTStephenVox in a box tester layout is complete. Will order tonight May use this to also develop a preamp for a friends leslie rotary cabinetR.F.O.Parallax Propeller 2 Soon? Production samples work!Changes from First Prop 80Mhz -> 180Mhz32 -> 64 I/OHardware peripheralsBuilt in DebuggerPreliminary Specifications and DatasheetKen Gracey  and Chip Gracey on the Podcast?Luke Robertson from the Slack Channel How do you search for technical information? I am specifically thinking in regards to forums. I realize there is a niche forum for everything but I was wondering if there are a few standouts people prefer (presumably ones that aren't laced with kids looking for answers to their homework).Luke mentions Eevblog.com and diystompboxes.comTags: electronics podcast, KiCad, MacroFab, macrofab engineering podcast, MEP, Parallax Propeller 2, Particle Spectra, R820T P7K5, RTL_SDR, RTL-FM, Vox in a Box

2 Okt 201859min

ParkerDiagnosing power drops in the WagonRTL SDR update? RTL-SDR for the Raspberry PiMaybe a Live twitch session with some seasoned Python / SDR Peeps?Wrote about PCB Stackups for the MacroFab knowledge baseStephenVox in a Box Power supply and Power amp have schematicsTest BoxDesign for the power supply and power ampR.F.O.SQFMI Leaks new project#WatchyE-ink, ESP32 based, Accelerometer, 25 day battery life, Arduino support, and Open SourceProductivity, Unfinished Projects, and Letting GoSteven Dufresne wrote this article for Hack A DayDoing Only The Interesting PartsGetting Lost on a TangentBroken Taps Suck… Have you ever broken a tap?What is your method for removal?Raspberry pi development Pi-top?Tags: #Watchy, Breaking Bad Taps, Breaking Taps, development, electronics podcast, Lost and Forgotten Projects, MacroFab, macrofab engineering podcast, MEP, PCB Stackups, Power Drops, Raspberry Pi, RTL SDR, SQFMI, Vox in a Box

26 Sep 201848min

We would like to thank everyone that entered into the MacroFab Design Contest: Blink an LED Sponsored by Mouser Electronics. The winner for the Pragmatic Blinky was Dillon with the  Disintegrated LM3909 – 1.5V LED Flasher. The winner for the Most Complicated Blink was Paul Gallagher with  The Bouncy Thief LED Blinking Machine. And The winner for the Wearable blink was Gerben with the Led eyelashes.MacroFab Engineering Podcast Favorite discussionWinner : Bobricius with the Solar-powered flashing LED heart pendant PCB coilStephenTPS4021 4.5-V to 52-V Input Current Mode Boost ControllerPMP8621 TI app note for doing an 18V to 300V@ 10mA supplyDatasheet issues Two dimension drawings?The thermal pad - What do you connect it to?TPA3116 - 30W from an 18V supplyR.F.O.RE: Simulation talk from last week David Patterson emailed in and suggested HyperLynx Design Rule Checking (DRC)RE: Jeep Wagoneer Project Brian Gosney emailed in about his '77 Dodge Colt Radio project Taking the stock AM radio, removed electronics and replaced them with Brian’s own designBluetooth connectivityFuel Injection: MegaSquirt?OpenMV Cam H7 - Machine Vision w/ MicroPythonThe OpenMV Cam H7 is an open-source MicroPython powered machine vision camera designed for low-power real-time applicationsMore powerful than the previous version (2x)Removable camera modules: Global shutter and thermal sensor supportKwabena was on MEP EP#27: If There is a Bug, You Can Fix ItTags: Blink an LED, Contest, Design Contest, DRC, electronics podcast, HyperLynx, Kwabena, MacroFab, macrofab engineering podcast, MegaSquirt, MEP, OpenMV, PMP8621, TPA3116, TPS4021

19 Sep 201843min

Before we get started I would like to thank everyone that entered into the MacroFab Design Contest: Blink an LED Sponsored by Mouser Electronics. The judges are going through the entries this week and we will announce the winners on the blog and typical social media locations on September 17th, 2018. Stephen and Parker will announce the winners of the MacroFab Engineering Podcast Favorite on the next episode 138.StephenBoth Introduction and Design Posts for the uTracer are live on AnalogEng.comVectrexModding the internals to display synthesizer "sounds"Vectrex Service ManualParkerSoftware Defined Radio update Python on the Raspberry Pi talking to ArduinoR.F.O.Simulation of circuits Do you use it?Should engineers do more simulations?uConfigKiCAD Schematic Symbols from PDFsSamsung Caps? Counterfeit parts rampant? James Lewis from Slack - “Established brand name, new to the market, and famous for being the cheapest. It’s a thief’s dream.”Tags: Counterfeit Capacitors, electronics podcast, MacroFab, macrofab engineering podcast, MEP

12 Sep 201850min

ParkerWagon Chime Module Experimented with brake clean and that seemed to not remove the finishAny other suggestions?Wagon Powered Mirror Module Schematic complete and Board laid outUsed DRV8872 motor drives SOIC-8 style package instead of SO-36 of the BTM7742GJust another project to work on Raspberry Pi - RTL SDR radioWood front panelTube preamp that runs off of 12VTouch VFD?StephenuTracer blog post by the DesignerNew blog: Analogeng.comHickok 5055 power supplyRFOHow we built a connected custom PCB badge for the Kentucky DerbyStephen's Counterfeit Capacitor ProblemCapacitance Multiplier VideoStephen used this technique beforeBrandon Drury asks “What do we think of engineering paper that is green and looks exactly like graphing paper...but isn't. All my professors require it this semesters and I'm exceptionally fond of you and Stephen making fun of your respective academic institutions. Ignore my request at your peril/benefit.”From the previous podcast on 1D mousesTom Anderson has experience with a 1D mouseDials/rotary encoders for scrolling through terminal text Tags: 1D mouses, Capacitance Multiplier, Chime Module, Counterfeit Capacitors, electronics podcast, Hickok 5055, Kentucky Derby, MacroFab, macrofab engineering podcast, MEP, Raspbeery Pi RTL SDR, uTracer, Wagon

5 Sep 201856min

ParkerWagon Chime module Two ICS MC14001BMC14069Interesting metal can for a speaker moduleTwo transistors in a push pull configurationReplaced electrolytic caps and it kinda functionsPowered Mirror Circuit RKJXT1F42001BTM7752GStephenuTracer complete! Cleaner signals?Lessons learnedThings Stephen would do different if he couldRFOCraig Rettew askes: “Cost comparison between 2 layer and 4 layer boards. Are 2 layer much cheaper? Would a 4 layer board allow for a smaller board area vs 2 layer to make up for cost?”Tags: BTM7752G, Chime Module, electronics podcast, MacroFab, macrofab engineering podcast, MC14001B, MC14069, MEP, RKJXT1F42001, uTracer, Wagon

29 Aug 201852min

John TeelFounder of Predictable Designs, a company which helps startups, makers, and small companies develop new electronic productsPreviously, John was on Episode 106 of the MacroFab Engineering Podcast where John spoke about making the product development process as predictable as possibleInjection Molding Enclosure DesignWhat is the general process of injection molding?Challenges of Injection Molding: Why does it have this “mystic” aura around it?Designing enclosures for injection molding? Difference between designing for 3D printing and Injection moldingWhat should you look for if you need to get a design done correctlyWhat files will I need to have created?Do I design the mold or does someone else?Design is done. Who do I look for to get my design built? What questions should I have answered before contacting someone?Who do I talk to to get it done?How do I find a manufacturer locally or overseas?Who owns the mold?Should I go with a more expensive/larger mold or cheaper/smaller?How much should I be prepared to spend?Prototyping TL;DR for prototyping an injection molded enclosure Protolabs online DFMWhat if I want a sample?How do I pick the right material?Tags: electronics podcast, injection molding, John Teel, MacroFab, macrofab engineering podcast, MEP, Predictable Designs

22 Aug 201849min

ParkerBuilding the electronics for the Thermal DetonatorArduino NanoLM386 amplifierPinHeck REV8 update! PCM5122 moving on PCBFabricating a rear window wiper for the Wagon Forum post on modifying a Dodge Durango rear wiper motorStephenuTracer PCB arrivedSTM32 MicrocontrollerSTM32CubeMXSystem Workbench for STM32NUCLEO-L476RGRFOMacroFab Design Contest: Blink an LED Sponsored by Mouser Electronics Have entries already! The Bouncy Thief LED Blinking Machine by Paul GallagherA simple countdown timer by CDMDisintegrated LM3909 by DillonCheck out all the projects submitted to the contest by checking this linkElectrical Engineering phone applications Bubble levelCalc-PCutterColor DetectorSound MeterFunction generatorFFTAsk Hackaday: Is There a Common Mechanical Parts Library?Tags: electronics podcast, LM386, MacroFab, MacroFab Design Contest, macrofab engineering podcast, Mechanical Parts Library, MEP, NUCLEO-L476RG, PCM5122, Phone Apps, PinHeck, STM32, STM32CubeMX, thermal detonator, uTracer, Wagon

15 Aug 20181h 2min