Category Archives: Building
KiCad
KiCad is an EDA program, similar to Eagle, Altium and the like. I last tried it some years ago and found it to be very difficult to use, not least because of the inevitable steep learning curve that all CAD … Continue reading
Constructing an RC2014
Whilst working on the ZAViouR v1.02, I discovered a kit for a Z80 based micro-computer designed by Spencer Owen. Spencer called it the RC2014 since it was for the Retro Challenge in 2014. It’s a nice, simple modular design which … Continue reading
ZAViouR Demo and plans
Development continues on ZAViouR Boards v1.01 and v1.02. With a simple bit of Arduino code, you can insert Z80 Hex coded machine code into the ‘Sketch’ via bin2h.exe then compile and run it. Demonstrated here with a simple routine to … Continue reading
Universal Regulator Board
I have just published my design for a Universal Regulator Board in the Non-AVR Projects section. The idea behind it was that I was using much the same power supply for the majority of my projects, a 7805 and associated … Continue reading
ESP’ecially good!
The ESP8266 ESP-01/03 Flash/Proto v1.4 boards arrived today. I set about building one up to test it and it all checks out. I used my usual SMD soldering technique of placing blobs of solder paste on each of the connections … Continue reading
Summer Developments
It’s been busy at ProjectAVR. I’ve been squirreling away, making up minDUINO kits for the Scouts JOTA event. They are almost finished now. Just a few last minute additions on back-order. The assembly instructions are complete with included circuit diagram … Continue reading
JOTA – 2014
This year, I’ve been invited to the Scouts JOTA/JOTI event on October 18 & 19th. JOTA (Jamboree on the Air) & JOTI (Jamboree on the Internet) organises Scouts all over the world to communicate via radio and the internet. Primarily, … Continue reading
ICSP to Breadboard Adaptor
Frustrated by having to poke jumper wires into the socket of my AVR ISP MkII every time I wanted to program a breadboarded AVR, I quickly built an adaptor from strip board. It consists of a 6-pin shrouded header plug … Continue reading
minDUINO v1.7 Arrival
I’m very pleased to report that the minDUINO v1.7 boards have arrived and are excellent! Fabricated by the fantastic Hackvana. They have never failed to deliver a top quality product. I’m very much looking forward to building one up to … Continue reading
ICSP Test Rig
On a whim, I bought a Maplin project to build. I needed an audio signal generator for something I’m planning and the £15.99 Function Generator Kit seemed to fit the bill. I have a very local Maplin shop where the … Continue reading