Microcode built

After only a total of about 2 hours construction time I've completed the Microcode kit. Tested it and powered it up, and I'm happy to say that it ran first time. I had to adjust the contrast on the screen to get the characters up which gave me a little fright but all seems to be working ok.

So far I haven't decided on how I'm going to box it up as something like a hammond extruded case will look a bit over the top and the sizes are not quite there. Maybe a sweet tin or something like that.

I had a small problem with the kit being short of 1 resisitor and no spare of that value in the spares box. But within a day I had one and a spare from Ron at Cumbria designs. Excellent service. I will be setting up the kit over the next few days, we have visitors this weekend so it'll be next week I actually get to do the fettling but so far the construction was a simple affair. The instructions were excellent with a good explanation as to how the circuit works, which is good for me as I'm on a steep learning curve with these things. Hopefully one day I'll de designing my own circuits, but for the time being making these kits is fun and simplified by the quality of documentation that comes with it.

I think I'll enjoy using this gizmo and am very glad that it worked first time. Does your homebrew confidence the world of good.

Here's a little bit of video to show you. The Yaesu VX3 has a cw training function that sews out random letter and numbers at a preset speed. The Micorcode hasn't been adjusted at all, this is as built so treat it as a bench test.

[youtube]vufscix0cJY[/youtube]

Down load it Microcode build

Alternatively its onYou tube Here