Been playing with a few projects around the HAM shack. I bought a Parallax Basic Stamp (OEM BS2) computer and a breadboard and have been experimenting on making it do things. The picture shows what it looks like. The square board sticking up at the rear is the BS2.
In this configuration the LEDs flash in a programmed sequence then the BS2 plays one of five short musical tunes (including Star Wars). Not practical but it is good practice in programming.
This little computer is programmed in a small version of BASIC so is very easy to get the knack of it. I used to do a lot of BASIC programming in the early days of computer hacking so it comes easy to me. Anyone should be able to pick up the coding in short order. There is much written material to take the novice all the way up to expert. Parallax has complete training courses available. Check out: http://www.parallaxinc.com.
I built up the board from a kit and saved a few bucks. You can buy the BS2 assembled if your eyes and hands are not too steady at soldering small leads.
There are many amateur radio applications already written for the BS2 and other basic stamp computers. Morse Code Keyer (what's code?), Tone Decoder, Voice and CW Fox Hunt Transmitter IDer, DTMF Decoder, Ham Radio Interface are but a few of the programs I gleaned from the LOSA (List of Stamp Applications) on the WWW. Another place to check is:
Nuts and Volts magazine has a regular Basic Stamp column. Their web address is: http://www.nutsvolts.com
Here are some general uses for a Stamp computer.
- General electronics
- Home automation
- Robotics
- Mini PLC
- Education
- Prototyping
- HAM related applications
- Special effects in films
- Industrial control
- Geological instruments
- Computer peripherals
- Scale model hobbyists
- Model train hobbyists
The list can be as long as your imagination can make it. When I get a amateur radio device designed and tested, I will share it here. No promise when that might be. Anyone want to beat me to it?
I do have a goal of building a Christmas tree light controller. The little BS2 can be set up to control high power devices through outboard devices... SCR's etc. I want to be able to turn on and off and vary the brightness of separate strings of lights in response to a fixed program or variable input. Should make for an interesting holiday display. Update: This goal was achieved. I cheated and built some kits. They did fit my vision so why reinvent the wheel? I also threw in audio and broadcast band FM radio. Here is the result: Wizards of Winter
Have fun with computers!