Hi all,

few days ago I needed digital potentiometer for one application. A quick look at available pots has returned Microchip's MCP41HV31 Digital Pot. This pot is controlled via SPI, which is nice, because Bascom-AVR can handle SPI with ease. If you're interested how, Read more if interested...

Hi all,

it's nice to use 3x4 matrix keyboard to enter all variables via keyboard. But sometimes it's more convenient to use rotary encoder for that purpose.

In this blog I will write something about rotary encoder, how to use it and how to make a system with main menu and submenus. All will be displayed on the LCD of course. Read more if interested...

Hi,

we all know matrix keyboard. Two types are most common: 3x4 and 4x4. The numbers indicate number of keypads on the keyboard. Most of them are connected as matrix.

I have attached keyboards from the photo directly to MiniPin dev. board (which is by the way Arduino compatible), no resistors were used.

In Bascom help you can find a nice command: Getkbd() and it's nicely documented but... Read more if interested..

Hi,

this blog is connected with my recent one, where HM-TRP was discussed. Why? Well, I wanted to see data comming from HM-TRP on an LCD but as such it displays data only at 5V power supply voltage, while HM-TRP operates at max. 3.6 V power supply voltage.

Sollution for that problem was found at this web page, where author was generating low frequency with a microcontroller or an oscillator. I did try a microcontroller, but it has turned out that this sollution uses one pin, which in "pin critical" applications is not what I wanted. Read more if interested...

In my blog I have been discussing new Hoperf modules which were performing very well however in one application I needed really long range, therefore I was looking for suitable modules.

Sure enough Hoperf has got a great module that operates on 868 MHz which here in the EU is a band that is available for users like myself. Allowed transmitted power is up to 0.5W, which is a lot of power.

For other regions other frequency ranges can be ordered from Hoperf, also the output power may be lowered with a simple command - see datasheet for more info.

Module that I used has 100 mW of output power and it's transceiver, which is great for my application.

The module has also one nice feature: RSSI. Read more if interested...

Hi all,

we have obtained new UHF modules from Hoperf company.

Photos of a new receiver and transmitter.

First impression is that modules are much better than those that we have been using so far and have been obtained elsewhere on the Ebay. I am sure that you've seen the image of the receiver like this:

Well, new modules have much better range thanks to the RF83 chip used on that module. The chip itself includes modern UHF receiver and therefore much better reception & range. Read more if interested...

Hi all,

I have been playing with ultrasound distance measurement module. Nice little module that does basic distance measurement in the range of 3 mm to up to 3 meters or more.

I have used this module.

Bascom-AVR program is very simple:

I did not complicate with designing a PCB, because module's connection to MiniPin is pretty straight forward with 4 wires like this:

Module works great. At measuring long distances one has to take care to disable unwanted echoes from the side of the module. My friend Vilko has put on sensors plastic tubes and achieved distance measurement of 4m.

Hi all,

with a little help of John (VK3TVZ) I have upgraded SW for the UHF Weekender and made an ebay listing available here:http://www.ebay.com/itm/222650125101?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

I invite all HAMs to contact me to modify SW so that the Weekender will be usable in your area.

Best 73s de Jure, S52CQ