[AT] was generator=ee / tubes

[Thomas O. Mehrkam]

Sounds correct to me. We use the Microchip parts in many places in our 
systems. If you have limited programming capabilities then go with the 
Basic Stamp to start. The basic stamp is a actually a Microchip part 
with the basic program installed in the chip. At least that is what it 
use to be.

Unless you have a local electronics store that sells these things 
Digikey is the best place to purchase this stuff.

Al Walker wrote:
> Hi Cecil,
> As Ken mentioned, the Rabbit series is good.  Microchip has some pretty 
> good kits, but, so far, I have been using the Parallax Basic Stamp Board 
> of Education.  Arguably less complex than some but the books explain 
> each step pretty well.  The microcontrollers themselves are more 
> expensive that Microchip but most excellant for experimenting, proof of 
> concept,  and prototyping.  If you are going to do mass production, you 
> would want the low priced chips  from Microchip and others.  Parallax 
> uses a programming language called P-Basic, a version of Basic.  
> Microchip and others commonly use a language called C or C++.  If you 
> want to get down to each nit-picking detail, many elect to use assembly 
> language, which, I believe, is one step above machine code, or 1's and 
> 0's. All of these products and more are available from www.digikey.com .
> You EE's please correct me where I'm wrong or off base.
> Thanks,
> Al in NW MN
> 
> 
> Cecil Bearden wrote:
> 
>> Al:
>> I would also love to learn to program those microcontrollers.  I keep 
>> heaing that a 6 year old can program them, but I can never get just 
>> the information I need to buy a kit for programming them.  I am making 
>> some gate openers that would work great for micro control, instead of 
>> so many wires and switches....
>>
>> Here we go again with the complication.....
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>>
>>> Since I currently work in electonics distribution, I have found this 
>>> thread most interesting. I have been taking classes to learn how to 
>>> program those microcontrollers so that somewhere down the road, when 
>>> very few others know how to fix their "old" electronic tractors and 
>>> haulers, maybe I will be able to do so. Or maybe rig up some fancy 
>>> shcmancy LED light strings to hang on one of my tractors for 
>>> Christmas. Carry on, EE's. I can certainly learn from your knowledge.
>>>
>>> Al in NW MN
>>
>>
> <snip>
> _______________________________________________
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> Remembering Our Friend Cecil Monson 11-4-2005
> http://www.antique-tractor.com/mailman/listinfo/at
>