JimG50's instructable
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- JimG50 commented on Palingenesis's instructable Tim's Hot Plate
- JimG50 commented on Phil B's instructable Automotive Current DetectorView Instructable »
Yes, good idea but maybe include a 7 or 8 V zener diode in series with the resistors. Two positive results, First, protection from reverse connection to a battery and second, a dead battery (<11V) won't light the LED
- JimG50 commented on bekathwia's instructable Urban Rooftop Ham Radio AntennaView Instructable »
I add my comments as a 64 year ham. By all means disconnect the coax at the window when a storm arises and get some distance. Only a slight chance of a lightning hit with surrounding buildings there, and your pictures didn't show all the building profile(s) but it can be devastating. I'm speaking from experience and 15K$ loss even though in Texas where everything is big, had 3, 8 foot ground rods at the tower base but it still got in the house. Second hit went within 4 feet of my 80 meter dipole to hit the TV antenna on chimney sure took out the coax and cable TV box! Same storm, Ham up the street took a hit blowing screws out of the walls so hard it deeply dented his refrigerator, set all the globes on the wagon wheel light fixture at a 45 Degree angle. Couple months later a fire from hi…
see more » - JimG50 commented on dariocose's instructable Rotellino - 3€ Battery Free Contactless Bike LightView Instructable »
Such a neat idea. Thanks. Just think, after some miles the wheel will become magnetized and if you let go of the handle bar the bike will turn due east! - Just kidding. 😜
- JimG50 commented on sqij's instructable LoRa Mesh RadioView Instructable »
Unless radio transmitting devices are designed to meet Part 15 (no license required), then 902MHz to 928MHz use requires a license. Amateur Radio stations are permitted to use power levels up to 1500 Watts. This means any device using 902-928 MHz must put up with interference as well as not interfere with licensed stations. Same goes for the 433 MHz band. - just saying.
- JimG50 commented on SEB TECH DIY's instructable 2X4s TRUCK RACKView Instructable »
Neat idea and nicely done.
- JimG50 commented on gravityisweak's instructable Instant Bug Bite ReliefView Instructable »
Fire ant problem is easily solved by placing a teaspoon full of cornmeal by the ant mound entrance. They take it inside and it expands due to moisture and chokes off their passage. Make sure it doesn't rain the day you do this.
- JimG50 commented on MatiasMamo's instructable How to Size Your BATTERY: Beginner to EngineerView Instructable »
When using an 18560 (only available battery at home) in low current applications, say, 10mAh, what is a good way to determine length of usable time? What is the recommended low voltage to begin recharging?
- JimG50 commented on OEsirik's instructable RF Transmitter and ReceiverView Instructable »
For info and books about Amateur Radio (Ham Radio) see ARRL.ORG. For equipment google ICOM, Yaesu, Kenwood or go on Ebay searching for amateur equipment. Or build your own. 73. JIm
- JimG50's instructable Low Current Li-Ion Battery Capacity Meter's weekly stats:
- JimG50 commented on makjosher's instructable Bent Metal Coat HooksView Instructable »
Nice work. Be sure to spray with a clear coating to prevent rust.
- JimG50 commented on ShakeTheFuture's instructable Make a Wing Bolt From a Plastic BottleView Instructable »
Neat idea. Thnx.
- JimG50 commented on mikeasaurus's instructable Unusual Uses for WD-40View Instructable »
Good input on general lube of WD-40. Another was to remove labels. I found if substrate can handle it, use a heat gun. On cardboard boxes I remove the shipping labels to reuse the box when needed. WD-40 would ruin the box.
- JimG50 commented on omars2's instructable Simplest 12V to 220V DC to AC Power Inverter DIYView Instructable »
Perhaps a voltage clamp and R-C combo on the primary would assist in reducing arcs on the contacts and high voltage spikes. Otherwise used in 1920s to 50's on car radios.
- JimG50 commented on jumson's instructable How to Solder SMD / SMT Components With a Soldering IronView Instructable »
Neat idea to solder only one contact then place part first. Thanks.
- JimG50 commented on jessyratfink's instructable Unusual Uses for Coconut OilView Instructable »
Found an occasional coconut oil wipe of brass doorknobs in this high humidity environment where knobs are exposed to sunlight keeps them shined up.
- JimG50 commented on Spaceshark's instructable The Easiest Arduino High Altitude Balloon Data LoggerView Instructable »
Hi,For info I attended a Ham meeting last night where the guest speaker discussed flying balloons around the world. Amazing stuff. He described ten milliwatt transmitter chips bought from Texas Instruments using surface mount components and GPS for tracking from Blox - or a name close to that. The GPS must be able to work at high altitudes. All components were controlled by an ARM microprocessor. Amazing construction weighing only 20 Grams but so small required magnification to assemble to solder parts. With temperatures at 14 KM around -60C parts have to be reliable. Balloons were small, maybe a meter in diameter but filled to just provide a small amount of lift. Now if you want to have fun with a short duration flights at low levels, I suggest you google milliwatt transmitters that con…
see more » - JimG50 commented on Spaceshark's instructable The Easiest Arduino High Altitude Balloon Data Logger
Neat deal Spaceshark. I've been a ham 62 years starting at 14 years old and even made my career in electronics due to Ham Radio, getting patents and all that stuff, What is so interesting is the science of shortwave propagation, talking to other Hams around the world, using Ham satellites, building gear like you did plus hour upon hour of fun experiences and experiments. How about putting a small VHF transmitter on a balloon and finding how far it can be heard? The formula for line of sight on a curved earth could be checked out and I bet distances (DX) will be greater due to the bending of radio waves due to the atmosphere. In addition you can send pictures as the balloon is in the air. Again, very nice instructable, I plan to use some of your ideas. 73, Jim K5BTV.
View Instructable »Real fun project for school. What lucky students to have someone like you do this. You could get a HAM Radio license and shout out real time data including landing site. Besides students would find terrific scientific and every day use of the license if they were encouraged to get their own.
- JimG50 commented on robotgeek_official's instructable Automatic Plant Watering System with ArduinoView Instructable »
Neat idea to use a bucket of water and a pump instead of using water mains. This way any problem will be limited to water in the bucket. A small amount of Miracle grow ought to be a great fertilizer too. I'm gonna try it next spring
- JimG50 commented on geekrex's instructable How to make an Universal DC Motor Speed ControllerView Instructable »
Good app and will work well with DC motors. I've used this circuit for several years for another application . The graphic of PWM is a little misleading though because it does not apply to this circuit design. In this circuit, the modulation is a fixed width of one polarity as set by the potentiometer not variable during the "firing" as shown the sine wave example.
Thanks Tim. Neat idea for SMD work. Jim
Nice project. Actual use video was helpful. Wonder if some kind of low cost thermal paste would transfer heat better than pushing on the board with a probe? Besides, it might secure the board to allow component positioning.