Now, with extra “off the cuff” thanks to a last minute recording!
The Amp Hour Episode 13, Chips and Fabs and Garages.
(If you want to know why I posted a music video by the Postal Service, listen to the show!)
Category Archives: Electronics
Cheap Prototype PCBs from DorkbotPDX
Laen of DorkbotPDX has been running a PCB proto service for some time now, and I finally got a chance to try it out this month.
The pricing is simple. For 2-layer boards, it’s $5 per square inch for three (3) PCBs, with no setup charge, and shipping is free.
The tunaround time is typically 9 days + first class mail shipping, which ends up being just under two weeks total fom PCB release to delivery in Austin. This is pretty good for a group order, and signficantly faster than BatchPCB (based on my experience).
The only downsides that I am aware of are:
- PCB orders only go out once a month, unless there is enough demand to justify a 2nd run.
- If you wait too long, the panels can fill up. Again, if there is enough demand, sometimes a 2nd panel can be added, but don’t count on it.
- The soldermask and silkscreen can be any color (and you don’t get to choose!) BatchPCB at least guarantees the standard white/green.
4-layer boards are available as well, but at a higher cost ($10/square inch) and less frequent intervals.
Entries for the next PCB order are due on October 25th. The more orders Laen gets, the more likely he is to continue the service, so if you have some designs you’ve been thinking about but have been put off by expensive PCB costs, finish them up and get some boards made!
“State of Electronics” Trailer
State of Electronics – Trailer from karl von moller on Vimeo.
After several months of researching, interviewing and filming, I’m excited to present the first public Trailer to my new Documentary “State of Electronics” – A discussion on the Electronics Industry in Australia. Even though the documentary is focused on Australian Electronics Design and Manufacture, much of it applies to all countries from around the world.
The discussion is focused initially on the world of Hobby Electronics and how it’s decline could effect the Electronics Industry in the future. The Documentary then discusses many issues that face industry including the issue of “Repair and Recycle”, “Education”, “Surface Mount Technology”, “Globalisation”, “Opportunities” and many many more off the cuff & candid comments from Industry professionals.
The Documentary features interviews with famous Australians and Industry professionals including Dick Smith, Dave L Jones, Doug Ford, Leo Simpson, Grant Petty, Matthew Pryor, Jonathan Oxer, Andy Gelme, Andrew Griffiths, Eugene Ruffolo & Bill Petreski. In the future, I am planning to interview just a few more before the final release of the Documentary soon.
Please visit www.karlvonmoller.com for more on the progress and information on “State of Electronics”
Shot completely on the Canon 5DMK2, using the Zoom H4N Audio recorder. Directed, Edited and shot by Karl von Moller, this version of the trailer is largely ungraded and only has an FCP sound mix applied. Music track is composed by Karl von Moller also. Enjoy!
This just came to me by way of Dave Jones of the EEVBlog. The shots of the electronics store aisles remind me of HSC Electronics in Santa Clara, CA! Check it out!
Guest hosting this week’s episode of The Amp Hour
This week I am honored to be not just a guest, but a guest host of The Amp Hour, an “off-the-cuff radio show for electronics enthusiasts and professionals.”
The Amp Hour is usually hosted by Chris Gammell of Chris Gammell’s Analog Life and Dave Jones of the EEVblog. Dave is out sick this week, so Chris invited me to come on the show and talk about EE trade magazines, getting kids interested in studying science and technology, the Arduino Uno, and the book I am writing with hardware hacker Mitch Altman.
You can listen to episode #11 here or subscribe with iTunes to get them all.
Arduino Oops!
That’s a closeup of resistor R1 on my new Arduino Uno board. See how the left terminal isn’t touching the solder bump on the land pad? That’s not good.
Surprisingly, my Arduino seems to work just fine with one side of the resistor open. Arduino, don’t let the cost reduction guys see this one, or they’ll eliminate it in the next rev!
More photos of the tombstoned resistor on my Arduino Uno.
The Arduino team has responded to other claims of manufacturing defects (most of which seem fairly trivial) in their blog post “One bad Arduino doesn’t spoil the barrel“. I have already contacted my reseller and will do everything possible to help Arduino improve their manufacturing process and quality control.