14 Jun
2006
14 Jun
'06
12:22 a.m.
On Saturday 10 June 2006 05:40 pm, Tony Duell wrote:
I find it helps when prototyping to be able to build one bit of the
circuit, check it works properly, then add a bit more, and so on. This is
easy with wire wrap, harder on a PCB.
That was the way I learned how to build things as well, only we started with
a hunk of blank sheet metal and ended up with a 5-tube radio. :-)
--
Member of the toughest, meanest, deadliest, most unrelenting -- and
ablest -- form of life in this section of space, a critter that can
be killed but can't be tamed. --Robert A. Heinlein, "The Puppet Masters"
-
Information is more dangerous than cannon to a society ruled by lies. --James
M Dakin
For electronic test instruments (not including hand
tools, etc), my order
would be something like
1) A good VOM (analogue) or DMM, whichever type you prefer.
You need both! Though I do tend to reach for the digital stuff more often
than not, but that's more a matter of physical convenience than anything
else (little teeny DMM sits on my desk AAMOF).
2) A logic probe
I've not found those as useful as I'd have thought at one time. Got one here
that's "Continental Specialties" (?) or maybe later when they changed their
name to "Global Specialities" and I don't remember the last time I used it.
I even bought another one that Yamaha had out that produces an audible tone
as well. And I don't remember the last time I used it.
3) A bench power supply (at least 5A output)
5A at what voltage?
4) The other of the VOM/DMM pair
Yes.
5) A 'scope or logic analyser, depending on what
sort of work you're doing
6) The other one of those instruments
Scopes I've been using for ages, but never had occasion to use a logic
analyzer. Or could afford one.
7) Strange stuff that you get because you see it at a
cheap price and it
looks interesting (curve tracers, valve testers, LCR bridge, etc)
I'd love to get my hands on an LCR bridge, and am considering building one.
Got a curve tracer given to me some time back, and it's proved useful. And
built a tube tester from a kit, because that was the cheapest way to get one
at that time. Still works, too.
PS. I notice most TTL projects are wire wrapped that I
have seen on the
web rather than having a PCB made.
Obvious reason. Rework in the form of circuit corrections are easily
done with wirewrap and can be costly and time consuming with PCB.