To Do

If I remember correctly, my first introduction to circuits was in my 4th grade when my dad’s friend gave me a neat science-projects like kit. The kit contained components to teach the basics of electronics - switches, a buzzer, small incandescent bulbs (I absolutely dislike using these bulbs nowadays because of the power they drain), wires, steel wool, and other such things.

I was in the US at that time, and Lucas, a friend, and I, used to perform the ‘experiments’ given the handbook. I don’t know what Lucas’ dad did exactly, but to me he was some sort of god; he had tons of toasters and mixers and radios and TVs and machines lying open in his house. My mom would definitely have hit the roof had she seen such an untidy house. But I loved that house because, I suppose, it contributed a lot towards encouraging me to explore electronics as a hobby. And would you believe I’ve still got components from that kit!

In the 6th grade I read something about an FM transmitter and pestered my mum to take me ‘shopping’. I bought a couple of condenser mikes and speakers, but not knowing anything about transistors and chips, got absolutely nowhere. I did, however, manage to build a working crystal radio – very interesting things, I must say.

I always loved mechanics, and continued tinkering with small motors and toy cars and bulbs till the 10th grade. Finally, when I moved to junior college, I got my first formal introduction to electronics. I had loved the mechanical aspect of things, and could put my hand to anything that had gears and rods and levers. So junior college, with its electronics, was a new experience.

Every year I keep growing in experience and exposure, and my ‘To Do’ list keeps expanding. There are a lot of things that I want to build, but I’ve either not had the time or the knowledge to see them through. A lot of the things in the list are half complete; some of them have passed the proof-of-concept stage and are awaiting, to borrow from software lingo, the transition from beta to release version. Summer break is the perfect time to hit these projects with a vengeance, and I certainly plan to achieve a lot during these two and a half months.

The only problem – as I’m researching one project I invariably come across something new and attractive, which but naturally, gets appended to the To Do list, making it longer still!

Here’s my list, in current form:

Project	Status
Linear PSU	v3; Revision required
SMPS	Proof-of-concept
Home Energy Meter	To be done
Air Conditioner Controller	v1; Revision required
Computer Controller DMX	To be done
Ultrasonic Rangefinder	Proof-of-concept
Digital LC Meter	To be done
Temperature Controller for Soldering Iron	Proof-of-concept
Long Range Walkie Talkies	To be done; (searching for info)
Home Intercom Using Old Phones	To be done
Drill Press	To be done (currently collecting parts)
CNC Milling Machine	To be done (currently collecting parts)
iTrip Mod	v1; Working
iPod Mini Remote	To be done
Auto-balancing Inverted Pendulum	To be done
PIC to VGA	To be done
Optical Mouse Based Navigation System for Small Robots	Proof-of-concept
Very Long Range IR Transmitter	Proof-of-concept; (currently collecting parts)
USB PIC Programmer	To be done
Class D Audio Amplifier	v1; Revision required
Digital Weigh Scale	To be done
Low Cost USB Oscilloscope	Proof-of-concept
Nokia 3310 / 6610 LCD Interface	Proof-of-concept
CYUSB6934 Radio Interface	Proof-of-concept
Lightweight Multipurpose Robotic Platforms (to be christened ‘Saxiest’ :-D )	v2; Revision required (currently collecting parts)
Foot Speed Controller for my Dremel XPR	To be done; (searching for info)

As you can see, several projects still need to be started. Any advice/help/experience is most welcome :-)