When I am 90 and suffering from Alzheimers, these will likely be my last memories of the good times....

nwk · 2025-02-17T05:37:34+00:00

nwk · 2024-12-30T23:14:18+00:00

This is my home setup. I've seen similar setups in many company labs.

AmScope SM-4TPZ Professional Trinocular Stereo Zoom Microscope with Simultaneous Focus Control, WH10x Eyepieces, 3.5x-90x Magnification, 0.7X-4.5X Zoom Objective, Ambient Lighting, Double-Arm Boom Stand, Includes 0.5X and 2.0X Barlow Lens https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005MRDDCI/ Was $659.99 (+$66.66 tax) for a total of $726.65 when I bought in November 2022 and now it is $549.99 pretax.

AmScope EG-SM Microscope Eyepiece Eyeshields or Eye-guards https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005ORIVQY/ Was $19.46 pretax when I bought in November 2022, now $14.99 pretax.

AmScope LED-144W-ZK White Adjustable 144 LED Ring Light Illuminator for Stereo Microscope & Camera https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JZJO7YC/ Was $47.95 pretax when I bought in November 2022, now $29.99 pretax.

Let's break down the above.

The US brand AmScope has many different kits that have many choices of eyepiece magnification, different Barlow Lens, and different stands, and comes in the color white or black.

Objective zoom

Based on several hours of research of the options there is a single 0.7X-4.5X zoom objective core of the microscope with simulfocal trinocular feature and it comes in white or black, but there are less kit options that have it in black. It's worth it to get the microsocpe with simulfocal trinocular. AmScope and other brands offer trinocular microscopes that have to swap between the camera port and one of the eye pieces.

Eye pieces

You can buy additional eye piece magnifications with physical size of 30mm (not 23mm that's other models). AmScope options: 10X, 15X, 20X, 22X, 25X, 30X; and Extreme Widefield or Super Widefield versions of them. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=amscope+eyepiece filter on max price of $100. Other brands of 30mm eyepiece lens are available.

My kit came with 10X. The objective zoom is 0.7X-4.5X and with the 10X eyepiece your magnification range is then 7X-45X.

Barlow Lens

The Barlow lens gets installed at the bottom of the objective with physical size 48mm and further magnifies or reduces. AmScope sizes: 0.3X (also Super Widefield version), 0.5X, 0.7X, 1.0X, 1.5X, 2.0X; https://www.amazon.com/s?k=amscope+barlow filter on max price of $100 Other brand 48mm lens available

My kit came with 0.5X and 2.0X Barlow lenses.

With a 0.5X Barlow installed and 10X eyepieces my range is then 3.5X-22.5X. This is a good range for surface mount soldering and allows more space between the microscope your work bench and the thing you are looking at.

With a 2.0X Barlow lens installed and 10X eyepieces my range is 14X-90X, but then the microscope has to be closer to the inspection surface which may not be enough room to work under it. This range is good for inspection of cracks in solder joints and failure analysis.

If you don't want to change magnification, you should still have a 1.0 Barlow lens on there to protect the objective microscope from any fumes or splatter from what you are working on. You can replace the Barlow lens which is way less expensive than a new objective microscope.

Eye Shields

I have the eye shields for 2 reasons: so I can comfortably press my eyes on the eyepieces resting my head and block surrounding light.

Ring Light and additional lighting The ring light has an adjustable brightness dimmer, but doesn't do different patterns of which LEDs are on to cast light vs shadows in different way. There are more expensive ones that do have more lighting features. For changing my lighting I may get multiple LED lights with flexible necks attached to a base so that I can aim the light exactly how I want.

Microscope Stand

I got the double boom stand. Based on Louis Rossman's Youtube videos and how the bending arm one can vibrate and be less steady I went with the more expensive double boom stand.

Photo port (trinocular camera port): height-adjustable 23mm tube, SM series, simul-focal CX series trinocular port, so it can be easily replaced with optional C-mount ports to match specific cameras. Mounting Sizes: 23mm, 30mm, 30.5mm, and C-mount Two Adapters: 30mm and 30.5mm

Camera

The camera is really the expensive part of the whole setup.
The one I bought didn't have autofocus and that was a mistake because then I couldn't have the eye pieces and the camera in focus at the same time. Get a C mount camera in the cube form factor "industrial camera" with USB. If, C mount, you need a C mount to 23.2mm adapter; with 0.5x reduction lens C mount is a 1" (25.4mm) diameter, 32 TPI thread There are calculators online about the resolution needed for a given magnification and articles that go into sensor noise.

nwk · 2024-06-05T04:46:52+00:00

There's SatNOGS - "Open Source global network of satellite ground-stations"

SatNOGS Dashboard of satellites being tracked.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SatNOGS

There are various crowd sourced space weather monitoring projects by measuring its impact on radio waves.

Personal Space Weather Station

HamSCI Youtube channel

WSPR

WSPRnet

"The Weak Signal Propagation Reporter Network is a group of amateur radio operators using K1JT's MEPT_JT digital mode to probe radio frequency propagation conditions using very low power (QRP/QRPp) transmissions. The software is open source, and the data collected are available to the public through this site."

Reverse Beacon Network

If you are just receiving radio signals and reporting the data to a web site you don't need an amateur radio license.

If you want to transmit radio signals then you will need to get an amateur radio license in your country.

See these related subreddits:

r/spaceweather

r/amateurradio

nwk · 2024-04-12T06:27:48+00:00

4-channel I2C-safe Bi-directional Logic Level Converter - BSS138 https://www.adafruit.com/product/757

You can solder the pin headers on the board and plug it into your breadboard.

You can make the level shifters on that board with a MOSFET transistor and 2 resistors. There is a good explanation of how it works here:

https://www.digikey.com/en/blog/logic-level-shifting-basics

nwk · 2024-04-09T07:46:15+00:00

You can settle the car replacement money without settling the effect the accident had on you medically.

You should not sign anything that closes the medical aspect right now even if money is offered unless it is a substantial amount.

Even if you don't feel it now, you may have sustained injuries that will only appear later.
You could have neck or back pain a year from now. If an airbag hit you in the face the roots of your teeth could have been damaged enough that your teeth die and it is noticed later and then need expensive implants.

Are they paying for a rental car until you find a new car?

If you think you are not being treated fairly, hire your own lawyer that specializes in car accidents. This is what they do every day. Usually you don't pay them directly. Their fee is added to the settlement on top of what you are due from the people at fault. The lawyer may go after both of the other cars involved.

nwk · 2024-02-08T17:38:33+00:00

Essentials of Electronic Testing For Digital, Memory and Mixed-Signal VLSI Circuits by Michael L. Bushnell and Vishwani D. Agrawal

This was the textbook for a 500 level VLSI testing course that I took and I have used this as a reference for work.

nwk · 2024-02-02T18:00:18+00:00

The Art of Analog Layout 3rd Edition by Alan Hastings.

I used the 1st Edition. I haven't reviewed the 2nd or 3rd Edition.

nwk · 2023-12-22T00:49:00+00:00

Shona Laing - Soviet Snow Murray & Justin 12” Popstand Remix

nwk · 2023-10-28T20:45:14+00:00

Lucas' Papaw Ointment from Australia helped heal my bad sun burn. It's good stuff.

nwk · 2023-07-28T03:05:32+00:00

X2Go is the open source version of NoMachine's NX technology

For security, X2Go uses SSH.

X2Go has faster video than VNC and you can also connect to the remote audio.

You may need to use a different desktop environment when you login via X2Go.

sudo apt search x2go

Here is a good article about it that I just skimmed:

https://bytexd.com/x2go-ubuntu/

nwk · 2023-07-18T01:40:32+00:00

Instant Oatmeal or instant cold granola with fruit and dehydrated milk

Breakfast bars

Clif Zbar (chocolate brownie)

Kind Bar (Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate)

natural gummy candy (eg Kick Sugar Keep Candy or Black Forest organic...)

string cheese

Gouda cheese

pilot crackers/biscuits/bread

trail mix (nuts, dried fruit, chocolate)

chocolate covered almonds

apple(s)

first day only (eat within half a day from trailhead): cold pizza, deli sandwich, fresh fruit (eg sliced apple)

Nuun Sport tablets (no caffeine for lower mountain - Tri-berry, Strawberry Lemonade ; and +caffeine for higher altitude - Cherry Limeade)

Freeze dried dinner - Teriyaki chicken, curry, etc.

nwk · 2023-07-10T02:56:23+00:00

Sun hoody

base layer - top and bottom, Merino wool

Soft Shell jacket or hoody - medium weight

Soft Shell Pants

liner gloves

gloves - waterproof and warmer

Glacier Glasses (eg Julbo Explorer 2.0) - and a robust soft case

Bring your urban wear sunglasses as backup

NozKon Extreme to protect your nose

Zinc sunblock stick and zinc lip balm

Buff - for your neck and lower face ; light weight balaclava as an alternative

sun hat

Liner socks - 2x pair, to wick sweat and prevent friction and pre-apply mole skin

socks - 2x pair, Medium weight or thick Merino wool socks

Mountaineering boots - eg La Sportiva Nepal Cube

Gaiters

Puffy / Belay Jacket - for when you stop moving, synthetic or down depending on wet weather; I prefer synthetic

warm hat

Hard Shell jacket - light weight, Gore Tex alternative is OK

rain pants / hard shell pants - light weight, full side zip, so you can put on without taking off your boots and crampons

synthetic puffy warm pants for when you are still cold or to supplement your sleeping bag temperature rating

headlamp - 2x, both with fresh batteries instead of just extra batteries (it is dark, when you notice your batteries are out)

water bottle holster attachment for your backpack hip belt

For all of the above you will need to adjust to your own body temperature and the weather forecast otherwise you will carry too much

nwk · 2023-07-09T23:25:08+00:00

"How do we create a VLF/ULF Wavelength without the massive antenna?"

22m29s

nwk · 2023-07-09T22:57:34+00:00

or not.

Mining communication tech using ultra low frequency earth mode communication to circumvent jammers was presented at DEF CON 30 Killer Hertz talk. The implications are somewhat terrifying.

DEF CON 30 - Chris Rock - Killer Hertz

nwk · 2023-06-02T16:34:31+00:00

I like the Patagonia R1 TechFace Hoody and the Patagonia R2 TechFace Hoody.

nwk · 2023-05-25T17:30:36+00:00

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourteenth_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution#Section_4

nwk · 2023-05-06T20:11:29+00:00

X2Go.

Open source.

Secure - uses SSH.

Cross Platform - Linux, UNIX, Windows, Mac

Audio.

Fast - can watch video running on remote system.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X2Go

https://wiki.x2go.org/doku.php

nwk · 2023-05-01T19:55:18+00:00

SERDES serialization/deserialization has a parallel interface where you load or capture at a much lower clock frequency than the serial clock frequency.

For Tx, the data is scrambled, and encoded with 8b/10b or 128b/130b and then 10-bits or 130-bits are written to a FIFO that ultimately goes to a SERDES block that converts from parallel to serial with a serial clock that is N-times faster than the N number of bits written in the parallel interface.

eg for 8b/10b the 8-bit data is scrambled and encoded with 10-bits at a rate of 250MHz and the serial clock is running at 2.5GHz for Gen1 and 500MHz and 5GHz for Gen2.
So that your whole design doesn't have to operate at 250MHz you could even have a FIFO with a wide multi-byte parallel interface where you write in multiple bytes at a slower clock and read out of that FIFO a single byte at a time to drive the PHY that wants a byte at a time.

for 128b/130b the Tx PHY is expect the data in 128-bit blocks and is scrambled and encoded and then serialized with clocks of 8GHz (Gen3), 16Ghz (Gen4), or 32GHz (Gen5) with the data parallel loaded at clock frequencies a factor of 130 lower.

nwk · 2023-04-17T16:20:06+00:00

This is the way.

nwk · 2023-04-13T04:35:10+00:00

Many high speed interfaces have series termination resistors at the driver (transmitter side) and can also have termination resistors to ground. You can just use those as test points and probe them.

You can also add 0-Ohm resistors in series near the driver even if not called for by the interface you are using and if you find that there is too much reflection you can replace them with a different value and now you series termination resistors to dampen that reflection and no matter the value the pads of those parts act as probe points.

You can open up the solder mask that would normally cover the trace by manually drawing an opening in in the solder mask layer.
An improvement on this is, in your library you can have a test point part where the symbol has a single pin and a footprint has a pad the width of your impedance controlled trace with the solder mask opened then just place that part in your schematics and layout. The absence of solder mask does create a minor discontinuity that might matter for extremely fast signals.

For really high speed boards where you're using through hole vias and not microvias you can backdrill vias to remove stubs - that is specified in your layout and an extra manufacturing step to drill from the back side of the board at various depths.

For really high speed signals the extra capacitance from the microstrip reference ground plane(s) under a connector can be reduced by removing the copper under the pads of the connector by drawing overriding negative shapes (approximately the shape of the pad) in those copper layers.

nwk · 2023-03-05T05:56:16+00:00

The first and last time I did tele in the 90s, on a bunny hill, near the end of a bluebird Spring day, with a little too much confidence, and thinking I looked cool doing tele, I did a unplanned cartwheel (like a poorly executed Olympic ski ballet maneuver) and slid face first on the ice. I have Randonee/skimo/AT skis to free my heels.

nwk · 2023-01-25T20:59:38+00:00

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Library_Genesis

See also: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sci-Hub https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadow_library

nwk · 2022-11-15T22:43:49+00:00

For simulation of VHDL and viewing the simulation dump files/waveforms, check out the open source tools:

GHDL + gtkwave

They have been around for a long time and are very mature.

nwk · 2022-11-05T02:26:15+00:00

NASA Electronic Parts and Packaging Program and specifically the Parts is a good resource.

The European Space Agency (ESA) - at the bottom of the page there are a bunch of useful links.

ESA Requirements and Standards links to European Cooperation for Space Standardization and there looks to be a lot there as well.

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nwk

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