Alright, electrical engineer friends... I'm trying to figure out why my drawing tablet's display broke. I was able to pry it open, and found a cracked diode, but I can't identify it. A bit of searching makes me think it's a tvs diode, but I've no idea what it specifically is (or what an appropriate replacement might be). It looks like it's marked "XM", and I can't identify the logo beneath it (thought it was ST, but that doesn't match their logo)
#Connaissez-vous les #diodes ? Saviez-vous qu'une #diode est #composé de deux #dipôles : #l'anode et la #cathode et qu'elle ne #laisse #passer le #courant #électrique que dans un #seul #sens ? Alors quel est ce #sens de #circulation? dites-nous dans un #commentaire quel est ce #sens de #circulation et découvrez avec #electro-robot d'autres #types de #diodes telles que les #diodes à #Zener, les #diodes #LED, ...
https://electro-robot.com/electronique/composants/les-diodes
"Try our new deodorant smell, Diode! You, too, can attract the ladies by smelling like a diode!"
"Is it a diode I smell, or are you happy to see me?"
So after figuring out which bits to remove, I set about building it. I first tried laying it out on a single one of my custom #protoboards I posted about before. It gets very dense, and would require cutting / splitting a whole lot more of the 6-hole #pad #strips than I really wanted to do. So I built it on two boards, using the same modular connection between them that I use for the rest of my effects boards.
Even the original Boss pedal used 2 separate boards, so I don't feel too badly about it.
Anyway... it took a while to fiddle with the layouts to get something I like, then document my parts placement, remove all the parts and start re-populating and #soldering them into place. But I got that done this evening.
I did a little meter #probing of the results to find any obvious missing connections or such, and fixed a couple. Then I plugged in my guitar, and ...
It #worked, perfectly, the first time. I believe that's the first time any of my effects have not required any #debugging at all. I'm #chuffed .
And it sounds *fantastic*.
The originally-called-for #transistors and #diodes are mostly #obsolete and hard to find. I dug through datasheets to find ones I thought would (a) be acceptable substitutes, and (b) I already had in my parts bins. Frankly, given the nature of the effect, I doubt the selections are too critical, but I'll include what I used for completeness, in case anyone else wants to make one of these.
#maker #components #substitute
4/x
Needing to understand the diode a little more? Want to know what it does and how to use them in circuits? Check out our post titled "The Diverse World of Diodes: Types, Characteristics, and Applications" via our link below:
The Diverse World of Diodes: Types, Characteristics, and Applications
➡️ https://motbots.com/the-diverse-world-of-diodes/
Basic Electronics for the Amateur Radio Operator: What You Need to Know for Your Technician License
1,003 words, 5 minutes read time.
If you’re preparing for the Amateur Radio Technician License Exam, understanding basic electronics is a must. While you don’t need to be an electrical engineer, the exam includes fundamental concepts like Ohm’s Law, circuits, components, and RF safety. This guide will walk you through the essential topics, ensuring you’re ready for the test and your first steps as a ham radio operator.
Understanding Electricity: The Basics for Amateur Radio
Electricity is the movement of electrons through a conductor, like a wire. Three key electrical properties define how electricity behaves:
These three are tied together by Ohm’s Law, a fundamental equation in electronics:
V=I×R
This means if you know any two values, you can calculate the third. Understanding this equation is critical for both the exam and real-world troubleshooting.
Direct Current (DC) vs. Alternating Current (AC)
Electricity comes in two forms:
For amateur radio, most equipment runs on DC power, but you’ll also need to understand AC because radio signals are alternating currents that oscillate at high frequencies.
Essential Electronic Components and Their Functions
Several key electronic components appear on the Technician Exam. Here’s what they do:
Understanding these basics helps you answer questions about circuit behavior and troubleshooting.
Series and Parallel Circuits
Circuits are made up of components arranged in either series or parallel:
For the exam, you should know how voltage, current, and resistance behave in each type of circuit. For example, total resistance in a series circuit is the sum of all resistances, while in parallel circuits, total resistance is lower than the smallest individual resistor.
Basic AC Concepts and Frequency
Radio waves are AC signals that oscillate at different frequencies. Frequency (f) is measured in hertz (Hz) and tells us how many times per second the wave changes direction. One kilohertz (kHz) is 1,000 Hz, and one megahertz (MHz) is 1,000,000 Hz.
Ham radios operate in different frequency bands, such as:
Higher frequencies allow for shorter antennas and are good for local communication, while lower frequencies travel further.
Modulation: How We Send Information Over Radio Waves
Modulation is how a radio wave (carrier wave) carries information. The Technician Exam covers three main types:
Knowing these helps when selecting modes for different types of contacts.
Power, Batteries, and Safety
Most ham radios run on 12V DC power sources, such as batteries or regulated power supplies. It’s important to understand:
Another key topic on the test is RF exposure safety. High-power transmissions can generate strong radio frequency (RF) radiation, which may cause health risks. To minimize exposure:
Ohm’s Law in Real-World Ham Radio Applications
A common exam question might involve calculating current or voltage using Ohm’s Law. For example:
Question: If a radio operates at 12V and draws 2A of current, what is the resistance?
Using Ohm’s Law:
Understanding these calculations can help with troubleshooting and designing circuits.
Final Thoughts: Studying for the Exam and Beyond
The Technician License Exam covers these topics, but learning electronics doesn’t stop there. Once licensed, you’ll continue exploring concepts like antenna design, signal propagation, and digital communication.
Great resources for studying include:
By mastering these basic electronics concepts, you’ll be well on your way to passing the exam and starting your journey in amateur radio. Keep practicing, get hands-on experience, and soon, you’ll be making contacts on the air!
D. Bryan King
Sources
Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in this post are solely those of the author. The information provided is based on personal research, experience, and understanding of the subject matter at the time of writing. Readers should consult relevant experts or authorities for specific guidance related to their unique situations.
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#ACVsDC #am #AmateurRadio #amateurRadioEducation #amateurRadioTraining #antennaTheory #ARRLStudyGuide #basicElectronics #beginnerHamRadio #capacitors #circuits #current #diodes #electricalComponents #electronicsBasics #examPrep #FCCExam #FM #hamExam #hamLicense #hamOperator #hamRadio #hamRadioBands #hamRadioBeginner #hamRadioComponents #hamRadioEquipment #hamRadioOperator #hamRadioStudy #HamRadioStudyGuide #HamRadioTraining #hamStudyGuide #inductors #modulation #OhmSLaw #powerSupply #radioBroadcasting #radioCommunication #radioFrequencies #radioFrequency #radioFundamentals #RadioLicensing #radioSignals #RadioTechnology #radioTransmission #radioWaves #resistance #resistors #RFExposure #RFSafety #SSB #technicianClass #TechnicianLicense #transistors #UHF #VHF #voltage
Because I have some background in electrical and electronics engineering back in college, I was already somewhat familiar with Nakamura’s work in inventing the blue LED. But this Veritasium video is really excellent in explaining how wonderful this invention was. Plus, the animations are so good that I wish we had these back when we were learning how semiconductors and diodes work.
#physics #semiconductors #diodes #LEDs #BlueLEDs #ShujiNakamura
We were poor students. Electronics were still quite #expensive (it's a long time ago ... mumblety-five years or more...). I needed #transistors and 10W power #resistors and 1/4W resistors and #diodes and I don't know what else, and most of them besides the 1/4W resistors were a dollar or more each. Even plain resistors were 20 or 30 cents.
By splitting the shipping charge between us and buying common parts so we got the #price #break at 10, or 100, or whatever units, we saved a bunch.
3/x
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