John Honniball

Software Engineer and electronic tinkerer posting random musings about the Arduino, Dorkbot, plotters, oscilloscopes and Linux

Last Notes

2026-07-19 16:49:37 UTC

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@nprofile…xj4x @nprofile…6fvl @nprofile…tpfq Mmmm... Bang & Olufsen phone...

2026-01-24 22:17:44 UTC

Desoldered four suspect electrolytic capacitors from the Vivitar 285 flash (1983). Sure enough, the last one I removed has green corrosion under it and a dirty mark on the PCB. 10uF but reads 1.5uF on the multimeter. Values match the schematic for the 283 model, so that confirms that they're very similar in this area (photographed with Centon MR20 ring flash)
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/115/952/364/715/394/059/original/6d422316e2f1de57.jpeg
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/115/952/364/918/659/421/original/681089a04b28c549.jpeg

2025-12-05 22:11:43 UTC

The big chip here is a Mullard 2NOR60 module from the 1960s. It's a dual 4-input NOR gate. Pin spacing is 5.08mm/0.2 inch. Probably made from discrete components and then potted. Next step, of course, is to make a board to rig it up to some input switches and an output LED
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/115/669/242/578/958/837/original/2405f9767737387f.jpeg

2025-11-15 18:59:41 UTC

#makevember 15: I can't claim that this is an original design idea, but I must've seen it on Mastodon maybe a year ago. Combine two inexpensive drawing compasses into a pair of multimeter probes that can be used one-handed while holding something else in the other hand
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/115/555/224/161/498/022/original/1088cbd801bbdac4.jpeg
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2025-02-23 17:07:00 UTC

OK, here's the big stack of vintage IC databooks: AMD, Mostek, Mullard, NatSemi, TI. Three stacks in all, see photos. Free for collection from north Bristol (UK)
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/114/054/286/348/466/075/original/81cd2dbf511c872c.jpeg
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/114/054/286/710/313/742/original/ebdad34662552ded.jpeg

2025-02-23 15:02:10 UTC

And another stack of books and manuals looking for a new home. Basic Algol, Electronic Computers, Model Radio Control, PDP-11 Peripherals and PDP-11 05/10/35/40 Processor Handbook, amongst others. Free to a good home. Collect from north Bristol (UK)
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/114/053/798/067/162/313/original/aa048d8458afbf62.jpeg

2025-02-23 12:55:28 UTC

Do we have any vintage radio and TV enthusiasts here? I have some old books to give away: Radio and TV Servicing volumes III, IV, and V (abt 1954), Colour Television (NTSC), PAL Receiver Servicing, Mullard Transistor Audio and Radio Circuits, and others. Free to a good home. Collection from north Bristol (UK)
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/114/053/299/902/850/352/original/1dabfedc955dcf7f.jpeg

2025-02-17 20:32:13 UTC

Do we have any 8-track tape enthusiasts here? I'd like to find a new home for a few boxes of tape cartridges. Free of charge, for collection in north Bristol (UK)
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/114/021/115/846/630/746/original/33405cc7cd854811.jpeg
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