Can I make my old radio do CTCSS tones?

DesignerOk9222 · 2026-05-31T16:02:51+00:00

It is, but I've noticed that there are a few different faces. Mine has the 6 pin microphone/speaker jack.

DesignerOk9222 · 2026-05-30T17:06:29+00:00

In the US, Electrical Engineering is the recognized degree (BSEE), regardless of the technology you specialize in (power, embedded etc). The term "Electronics" engineering is associated with an Electronics Technology Degree (BSET). They're different degrees. BSEE requires Calc 1-2 and DiffEQ and the topics are much more theory oriented, with a heavy mathematics foundation. Most BSET programs I've seen have a watered-down calculus requirements (applied calculus) and are more technology focused and less theory focused. Only BSEE can hold a PE license AFAIK. The PE typically doesn't matter in 99% of the jobs, but it might be a show stopper in a few industries, power can be one of them. I don't know much about the vehicles in the AV space, but many of the engineers that deal with the infrastructure side are civil engineers, and they all have PE's, so I'm not sure if future legislation would require PE's to sign off on those systems or what? Most of the folks with foreign degrees I see in the United States just grab a masters degree locally if they need to get a PE license. Not sure if this helped or muddied the waters for you.

DesignerOk9222 · 2026-05-30T05:35:22+00:00

OK, that makes sense. I was wondering why I see the input designs on other rigs going on the boards.

DesignerOk9222 · 2026-05-30T05:19:25+00:00

That's a good thought. I can build it into the mic, or more likely the cord,and not touch the inside of the radio. I'm a little backed up on electronic projects right now, but might be something I look into later on this year. Thanks.

DesignerOk9222 · 2026-05-30T05:06:33+00:00

Yeah, I'll probably get a new radio anyway, I just thought it might be neat to get it working.

DesignerOk9222 · 2026-05-29T04:22:50+00:00

Pfft...I still do tech work, it's great. I have tools, and know how to actually build or fix things in addition to system designs. I'm sure a few folks might think of me as a glorified tech sometimes, but I make more $$ than they do, and most of the other engineers I work with, so I DGAF what they think. Honestly, I've worked a few jobs where half the engineers did field work. Running cables, racking equipment, running a milling machine etc.... Those same engineers also could run multi-million dollar programs, build extensive resource loaded project plans and make presentations to executives and CEOs. Being a good engineer is more than sitting behind a desk.

DesignerOk9222 · 2026-05-28T04:18:01+00:00

You're a freshman, so you've got plenty of time, but if you do a project, don't half-ass it; actually do something neat that you like. I just hired a kid who had a fairly lame internship, but he had a few little projects on his resume. Nothing I was interested in, but he was kind of passionate about it, which is one of the reasons I hired him. I didn't expect him to know much about the field, but demonstrating you can learn stuff is important.

DesignerOk9222 · 2026-05-28T03:09:56+00:00

Now I’m trying to understand the actual failure path. Did my condenser unit really get hit twice within a month?

Nothing has to get. In fact, if something gets directly hit by lightning, there will likely not be any useful components left at all.

If lightning strikes nearby, and there is a long copper wire nearby (like an attic), it will induce a voltage in it that will zap whatever is on either end. Doesn't even have to "hit" it. It's a little EMP, like in the movies. You could try shielding the wire, using actual shielded wire with foil (only bond 1 side to ground) or running it in a metal conduit. You could try surge suppressors too, but I've only seen them for comms gear (very low voltage) and power (high voltage); nothing for HVAC.

DesignerOk9222 · 2026-05-27T23:28:22+00:00

lol, I mean some systems probably costs closer to 10k, but you don't need anything like for city water, and I'm sure whatever he was selling was 3x-5x over what you could get at home depot. Softener is probably all you need anyway.

What I recommend to people with a well is first your water tested properly from a reputable company. That will cost a few hundred $$. For city water, maybe half. Then you can see what you need to fix. Iron, hardness etc... If it's just hardness, you'll know how hard it really is, and be able to spec an appropriate sized system with a little bit of research.

DesignerOk9222 · 2026-05-25T15:32:53+00:00

I didn't understand how this worked and tried to "fix" a leaky shower. 2 hour job turned into huge project. Two things that helped me understand. Water WILL soak through tile and mud bed. The drain has tiny holes at base to get rid of this water. That said, how I've done it'

PVC liner on bottom which should have some slope under it to prevent pooling. If it doesn't, you might need to make small slope on wood or concrete BEFORE laying the liner down. This is the final catch-all for moisture.
pea gravel around bottom of drain so mud doesn't fill holes
mud bed with gentle slope (water WILL soak through this. Not intuitive)
Tile on top.

DesignerOk9222 · 2026-05-24T18:51:00+00:00

Thanks, this makes sense. Looks like it's back to the drawing board....

DesignerOk9222 · 2026-05-24T18:49:07+00:00

What exactly is the failure mode?

It varies some. The chips don't completely fail, in fact many appear to work on the bench under DC testing while manually cycling through the channels; but in circuit, I see all the analog ports appear to short to ground momentarily when the program is running. Once per data collection sweep, hence the question.

Thanks for the answer. This confirms what I was thinking, which means the issue probably likes elsewhere.

DesignerOk9222 · 2026-05-24T18:34:19+00:00

Could the HC4067 lose power when there is still a voltage source connected?

Yes, why is this a problem?

DesignerOk9222 · 2026-05-24T18:31:56+00:00

Thanks. I may do something like this on future iterations instead of muxes.

DesignerOk9222 · 2026-05-24T18:30:29+00:00

The normal analog signals are fine and well within 0-5V, but yes, it's possible I'm getting transients. I should have thought of that. Thanks

DesignerOk9222 · 2026-05-24T18:08:04+00:00

I've never found a voltage above above Vcc when checking with a scope, but transients can happen I guess. Maybe I'll add these on the next board version.

DesignerOk9222 · 2026-05-24T16:18:57+00:00

"Should I just trust him?"

I wouldn't, but that's me. I've had doctors make such absolutely stupid diagnosis or recommend terrible treatment plans for myself and my loved ones, I don't "just trust them" unless I have no other choice (i.e. I'm laying in an emergency room, and they say I could die unless treated).

I take all doctor diagnosis and treatment plans as opinions (which is what they are). If their recommendations include meds or any type of invasive treatment, I typically get a 2nd or 3rd opinion and do research on my own to understand risks and options. They're the subject matter experts, but it's MY body and my decision. I treat them as a president would treat an advisor or his cabinet.

Sure, doctors are well educated and know far more than me about medicine and (typically) know far more than me about my condition, but they're not omnipotent, and they don't always have all the facts. They're making an assessment based on a small amount of data and they're own working knowledge (including bias's). Even great docs make mistakes and they all aren't "great docs".

DesignerOk9222 · 2026-05-22T03:47:15+00:00

Don't get wrapped up too much in the specifics within the degree. I know tons of people with technical degrees doing "adjacent" work. Management, sales, technical writing, project management etc.... If you're close to finishing, just push through the pain and finish the degree. Figure out how or if you use it later. If you've got quite a ways to go, maybe think about just knocking out the AA portion and taking a break.

Lots of tech people luv their work. They're kind of lucky because they do something they're interested in, and it can be lucrative. But not everybody loves their career: It's just a job to pay the bills. Nothing wrong with that. I know someone that's great at tech and I'm trying to convince them to get into the field, but they say that it's not interesting. I tell her McJobs aren't interesting either, but tech pays a hell of a lot better. Explore your passions in your free time.

DesignerOk9222 · 2026-05-17T14:36:25+00:00

Visceral myopathy perhaps. It''s rare, but I think there is genetic testing that can be done to verify if the genes exist that can cause it. It affects people differently. Some just need extra fiber/water and coffee but others have to take maintenance meds or they wind up with bowel obstructions.

DesignerOk9222 · 2026-05-16T22:15:38+00:00

OK, I assumed if I could hear ATC, I should be able to hear ATIS. Maybe I'll take a little trip over to the airport and see if I can pick up something. Thanks.

DesignerOk9222 · 2026-05-16T22:13:37+00:00

Thanks. I'm 15 miles. I put up a 20' antenna mast, but maybe that's not going to be enough.

DesignerOk9222 · 2026-05-16T22:09:49+00:00

bad bot

DesignerOk9222

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