Thread: Some VSD questions

Originally Posted by Dave J

You walk into Dick Smith's these days and your lucky to see electronics components. All they seem to sell now is TV's computers etc like Harvey Norman etc. Sad, as all my life I have loved shopping there and looking at all the bits a pieces, now if you do see something it's on clearance because they are getting out of it all.

I have been talking to Ray via pm about getting some electronic components for my DRO power supply, the closest place is WA of all places, or the US of course, but unless you buy big the postage is the killer.

Dave

If you are looking for individual parts eg transistors or IC chips, I've had good luck on EBAY .

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/WHOLESALE...item2eb97307b7





If you have any hamfests near you, you can pick up electronics stuff very cheap , it's basically a flea market for ham radio people . Look up your local radio clubs for the dates and locations. Recently, I bought a top of the range ex-govt. 0 - 40 Volt .. 30 Amp regulated Power supply for $60 at a hamfest . MIKE

Dave

Looks like you just missed the big hamfest at WYONG


CCARC Field Day at Wyong : Central Coast Amateur Radio Club Field Day

Originally Posted by RayG

Not completely surprised by that, I guess whoever who wrote the software is expecting to get some re-imbursement by selling the pre-programmed chips.

I'm still keen to build one, and maybe after getting familiar with the hardware it might make a good open-source project to re-write the software... I wouldn't expect it to be a trivial exercise however..

Regards
Ray

I just find it rather disappointing, there is so much open source software out there (a miniscule amount written by me!), that people have written and then distribute for free. Many commercial businesses operate like this, then they charge like bulls for support!

An excellent proposal, Ray, the article actually gives enough detail to be able to implement a controller, and the techniques are all well known in the trade, and the microcontroller is easy to program with free tools. Maybe another project...

Originally Posted by morrisman

Dave

Looks like you just missed the big hamfest at WYONG


CCARC Field Day at Wyong : Central Coast Amateur Radio Club Field Day

Thanks a lot for that Mike, it looks like I missed that one, though it was $12.50 just to walk in.
Thinking about it, they have a computer one up here as well and the parts I need are for a 5v switch mode power supply which computers have as well.

Dave