News, Updates and Other Minutiae
August 2019
Website outage - I made some hosting changes and there was a minor hiccup. Hopefully everything is now back to normal but please let me know if anything is missing.
The start of a new project added in the Homebrew category. Specifically, a Frequency Dependant Switch. Measures the incoming frequency and switches 1 of 8 outputs on. Software for this project uploaded.
June 2019
Added another project for the AD9850 DDS modules. A Simple DDS sweeper in the Homebrew section. This is an absolutely basic, no frills project using a 12F1840 to sweep a DDS module between a range of frequencies. Plenty of scope for you to improve on the software and add extra features.
Privacy Policy uploaded. It may be viewed at the Privacy Policy link in the footer.
Custom code/webhost costs
I have, for quite a while, provided modified versions of the code for my projects free of charge. However, the cost of webhosting for this site has tripled in the last few of years and shows no signs of getting any cheaper.
As of October 2017, I will be asking for a donation in exchange for providing custom modified code for my projects to help keep this site available.
GPDR and all that stuff
In accordance with various bits of legislation around the world, either currently in force, about to come into force or proposed, you will now find that annoying "We use cookies" notice at the top of this website. Please note that the ONLY cookies currently used on this site are for that pop-up (see https://cookieconsent.insites.com/) and Google Analytics. The full Privacy Policy is available at the Privacy Policy link in the footer at the bottom of the page. (If you don't know what GPDR is, Google it. Real scary shit for ANYBODY with a web presence.)
Model Railway Layout - Webpage Under construction - Dec 2017
I don't know why, but quite a lot of Amateur Radio operators also have an interest in trains. Mine started in the UK when my mother used to take me (on a train) to Waterloo Station to watch the trains as a days outing back in the late 50's. Model trains for me started with the old Hornby 'O' gauge clockwork types through to the 3 rail Hornby Dublo (boy, do I wish I had kept all those) and later Triang equipment. I have other the last few years started collecting a bit of the 3 rail Hornby Dublo items I used to have. There were the usual not very sophisticated layouts as a youngster which slowly progressed into something better like that of the Porthleven trackplan below. Unfortunately, I never did get any pictures of it, even though I had a father who was a photographer.
Then the usual things got in the way, cars, girls, work, amateur radio (not necessarily in that order) and modelling took a back seat. All the model railway equipment I do have, is stored in boxes on top of the wardrobes and now I have the urge to do something with it again. The intention is to recreate something like Porthleven, but this time in OO9/HOn30 (I'm not a 'rivet counter' or a stickler for exactness, I much prefer to model something pleasing to my eye, with the odd memory of younger years back in the UK thrown in). Oh and one of the reasons for going to OO9 is that every time we moved house in the last few years, the house got smaller and smaller, so room is at a premium. This trackplan for Porthleven was published in the UK magazine Railway Modeller in July 1967. It is a fictitious extension of the railway into a part of Cornwall (UK) that didn't have railway access.
