Category Archives: Kits

Electronics, Kits, Projects

Introducing the MightyOhm Geiger Counter Kit

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Geiger Counter Kit - Finished

Look!  A new kit!

I admit that I’ve been working on this one for a while.  Sorry for the lack of updates, but I have been far too busy doing everything last minute and fixing bugs to post here!

I designed this Geiger Counter kit specifically so I could give a workshop at Chaos Communication Camp 2011.  I just couldn’t fly halfway around the world only to show up at a hacker conference empty-handed!

My workshops are tentatively scheduled for Thursday and Saturday.  I’m not bringing very many kits, so if you’re coming to Camp, sign up early!

More information about the kit is here.  I’ll be adding more documentation over the next couple weeks.

Hopefully I’ll also be showing off this kit next month at the OSHW Summit and the NY Maker Faire.

Electronics, Kits, Microcontrollers

HV Rescue Shield 2.1 Now Shipping

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HV Rescue Shield 2.1

I have good news.  The latest and greatest version of the HV Rescue Shield is now available!

Version 2.1 contains a new and improved 12V switching circuit that resolves an issue reading/writing to parts with certain startup timer settings.  This issue affects all previous versions of the Rescue Shield kit.

I have kits in stock and ready to ship this week.  If you have been waiting for the new release, you can place an order now.

Note to HV Rescue Shield 2.0 customers: Because the startup timer issue was identified so quickly after version 2.0 was released, I am offering a free upgrade for all customers who purchased a version 2.0 kit.  Please contact me to arrange for a replacement.  This offer only applies to HV Rescue Shield 2.0 customers.

Kits, Microcontrollers

HV Rescue Shield Update #3

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A quick update on the HV Rescue Shield:

About a week ago, I completed testing on a new switching circuit that allows me to leave the DC-DC converter on full-time and switch the RESET signal very quickly (risetimes in the microseconds).   Now there shouldn’t be any more  issues getting parts with zero SUT to enter HVSP/HVPP mode.

It’s taken a lot longer than I expected to get to this point, but the results look very good. I have had 100% success reading/writing all parts I have tested.

PCBs are on order and due to ship by the end of the week.  Assuming the layout is good and I didn’t just order a large batch of stylish (but small) coasters, I should have kits in stock again by the end of next week.

Watch here for updates, and my apologies to everyone who has been waiting on a kit – new and improved kits should be available soon.

Update 2/1: PCBs came in while I was away last week, and are currently being held at my local Fedex office, which is closed due to the power outages that are affecting Austin today.  Apparently Austin does not handle prolonged sub-freezing temperatures very well.   As soon as I can get my hands on the boards, it should only be a day or two before kits are available again.

Kits, Microcontrollers

HV Rescue Shield 2.0 status update

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Just before the holidays, an issue with the Rescue Shield 2.0 (which I have at times referred to as “2.x”) was identified.  The issue involves problems reading/writing to parts that have certain startup timer (SUT) fuse values set.

There is some more information about the issue on the forums and in a previous post here and I created a Known Issues page on the wiki.

While this issue will not affect most users (this is why no one, including me, noticed it until now), I am currently working on a fix.  Initially I had hoped that I could fix the problem in software, but after spending far too much time pursuing that approach, I have decided to address it with a hardware change instead.  This should make for a much more robust solution.  I’m in the process of revising the hardware this week and hope to release a new version of the shield in the near future.

As soon as I heard about the issue in December, I stopped taking orders for Rescue Shield kits.  Kits and PCBs will show up as out of stock until I release the new version.

I’ll post another update when I have an estimate of when kits will be available again.

Thanks for your patience!

Kits

HV Rescue Shield 2 and ICSPOV Shipping Update

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HV Rescue Shield 2ICSPOV

This week I’ve been busily shipping orders for the HV Rescue Shield 2 and the ICSPOV.  Some folks have been buying one of each kit and building their own mightyohm sampler pack.  Cool!

A couple notes about shipping:

  • While the shipping notes on the product pages say to allow 1-2 weeks, this is really the worst-case scenario (parts shortages, I’m on travel, etc.).  Typically I ship within 3 business days max, and often I ship the next business day if possible.   Domestic customers, you will typically receive your order within 5-6 business days.  International shipping takes quite a bit longer because of the shipping time and customs delays.
  • I will not be shipping orders between Dec. 23rd and Dec. 30th, so if you place an order during this time, you’ll get it sometime after Jan 1st.   If you want kits sooner, order before 12PM CST on Dec 22nd.

Lastly, I want to thank everyone who has placed orders this week.  Thank you!

Happy Holidays everyone.

– Jeff