RE: [N8VEM: 1326] Re: Peripheral board

["Andrew Lynch" <lyn...@yahoo.com>]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: n8...@googlegroups.com [mailto:n8...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of
> James Moxham (Dr_Acula)
> Sent: Saturday, December 06, 2008 5:22 PM
> To: N8VEM
> Subject: [N8VEM: 1326] Re: Peripheral board
> 
> 
> More notes to myself. The PCB manufacturer I use has a large setup
> cost but the boards themselves cost hardly anything. So it makes sense
> to put lots of seperate things on one board and use that board
> partially populated for various different functions:
> * 5x2 header null modem -for the standard N8VEM so you don't have to
> make a null modem cable.
> * 5x2 headers on all RS232 (as per the standard N8VEM pinout) as well
> as D9 sockets. So can either have a D9 soldered to the board, or bring
> the wires out to a D9 some distance away. D9 on the board is useful
> for bench testing. D9 on a ribbon cable is useful if the box isn't
> exactly the size of the board.
> * Display 20x4 to a D15 plug/socket. So can put a display in a box by
> itself, and bring that out to a D15. Then a D15 on the N8VEM box. For
> N8VEMs out in the field, you don't need a display or a keyboard
> connected for it to run. But to debug it or change it, you can take a
> keyboard and a display out and plug them in and change things.
> * Pullup resistors on the floating multiplexer outputs. How could I
> have forgotten those?!
> [AJL>] 
Hi James!  You are doing the right thing!  I understand where you are coming
from on getting your own PCBs done.  Those upfront costs are a beast but
once you get over that it gets better.

Probably would be a good idea to set the design aside for a couple of days
and let your brain reset some.  Then take another review of the design and
I'll bet you'll find it is amazing what a little break can do for you!

Keep up the good works!  Your contributions are making this project a
success!  This is what home brew computing is all about!  What a great
hobby!

Thanks!  Have a nice day!

Andrew Lynch