[neonixie-l] Bonnie the pig-tailed monkey

[John Smout]

Does anyone have any of those symbol nixies used to train Bonnie the 
pig-tailed monkey for NASA?


Similar to the PlayStation symbols of a much later decade.


John S

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[neonixie-l] Dieter's IN18 Tube data

[John Smout]

Dieter,

Could you please change the data on your site for the IN18? Pin 4 is 
_NOT_ at the front. The whole world copies your website details and 
makes clocks that are wrong.


Best wishes,

John

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Re: [neonixie-l] Re: How dangerous is 150V - 170V DC?

[John Smout]

I am 67 and I regularly get shocks from various nixie supplies I forget 
to care about. I think it keeps me young, but what do I know? My wife 
takes a dimmer view of getting shocks from my work bench. A good belt 
from her is far worse though - have you seen her right-hander?


John S


On 28/10/2019 17:10, gregebert wrote:
Given my age (I'm approaching 60), I'm not taking any chances getting 
shocked; one wrong zap and my heart is toasted. I usually take more 
precautions than reasonable, and that's probably why I dont recall 
ever being shocked working on a project. It's the everyday things 
(lawnmower, fish tank)  that got me  zapped a few times over the years.



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Re: [neonixie-l] Putting ZM1350 behind perspex

[John Smout]

Yes I have used some of the orange translucent acrylic in the past. It improves 
the contrast somewhat.

⁣Get BlueMail for Android ​

On 11 Oct 2019, 09:28, at 09:28, Richard Scales  wrote:
>I have a project where I will be using ZM1350's in Smart-Sockets. I
>have 
>used Harwin socket pins on the sockets and the ZM1350's are easy to
>insert 
>and remove.
>Because they are easy to remove I want to put a perspex front on the
>device 
>to stop them falling out!
>I was going to use clear perspex / Acrylic but I find that I can also
>get 
>red and orange tinted perspex as well as red and orange 'florescent'.
>I was just wondering if anyone in the group had an experience or
>opinions 
>on this and the suitability of using coloured instead of clear?
>Thank you all.
>
>Richard
>
>
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[neonixie-l] Smartsocket yahoo group

[【ツ】John Smout]

OK folks,

Chris Barron has now made me a moderator of the smartsockets group on Yahoo.

I don’t see any pending applications for membership, so if anyone wants to 
join, then they should do so at:
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/smartsockets/info 


Best wishes,

John S


> On 6 Aug 2019, at 20:44, Bill Notfaded  wrote:
> 
> Funny you brought this up Mahdi... Michail Wilson aka M1 on here ran into the 
> same problem when we were wanting the B-5971 smartsocket documentation and 
> code... unfortunately for those all the code wasn't there but Michail did the 
> work and got it working anyhow after we ordered PCB and parts.  Big props to 
> Michail for making this happen too.  For a little show check out the finished 
> smartsockets video he made:
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSH4eYywX1A 
> 
> 
> Bill

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[neonixie-l] Smartsockets

[【ツ】John Smout]

> On 6 Aug 2019, at 18:28, Mahdi Al Husseini  wrote:
> 
> Thanks John, tremendously helpful! If you end up becoming a moderator, please 
> accept my request to join the group. 

For those not yet in the smartsocket group, Chris Barron posted this to the 
group today regarding my becoming a moderator of the aforementioned. I hope I 
am not telling tales out of school if I repost it here.

—snip—

Sounds like a great idea John. (when I've worked out the Yahoo way to do it you 
will no doubt get a confirmation email)

Apologies to anyone who has been left in the cold, I have had various IT issues 
(trying to merge old Yahoo accounts), and was hit by the death of my father 6 
months ago, so I haven't been spending much time on anything other than work 
and home life. I feel this is changing for the better now though..

Those of you who don't know John, I have known him from the first Neonixie 
group, (can't believe it's so long ago, my daughter was just a child then and 
she's now 23 !).. he has very high standards (be warned ;) ) and is a 
defintie asset as far as I'm concerned, and as I'm sure everyone else is aware 
of

I am warmed by people's continued interest in this project and feel it should 
remain a community affair (a very esoteric one at that)  and would like to give 
reassurance that I have no interest in monetising this work. All I ask is that 
anyone using it, if apprpriate, credits me as the original authour in some way 
(you never know when you need that sort of thing on your CV :) )

I have spent a lot of my leisure time motorcycling and as we move towards a 
Scottish winter the bike will take second place to my programming interests, 
and I hope to be able to find the time to port this project to a more capable 
microprocessor, and even if I can find some of the clock/four letter word 
projects I messed with and stored on old hard disks somewhere in my study, 
sharing more of that work too.

On that note, I've turned my thinking towards a four letter word tyupe device 
which is time sensitive, so that the type of words being displayed change 
throughout the day. For example around lunchtime food related words are 
displayed, in the morning work related words (unless it's a weekend !) and so 
on.I'ld be happy to share the progress and take/share ideas as it goes 
along.

Anyway, enough from me for now.

Chris

—end snip—

John S

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Re: [neonixie-l] ZM1350 Smart Socket Documentation

[【ツ】John Smout]

> On 6 Aug 2019, at 16:42, Mahdi Al Husseini  wrote:
> 
> Does anyone have documentation for ZM1350 smart sockets? Supposedly that 
> information is filed away in the closed yahoo group smartsockets, but no one 
> has been active there to verify my account to be allowed access.

I’ve written to Chris Barron suggesting he make me a moderator of the group.

Meanwhile I have uploaded docs to:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/sqzegpgecm5609n/SMARTSOCKETS.zip?dl=0 


Regards, John S

PS: I still have a few PCBs for ZN1350 smartsockets if anyone is interested.

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Re: [neonixie-l] LED Word Clock

[【ツ】John Smout]

Perhaps it’s worth mentioning that Simon Law and collaborated to amend PCBs and 
code for smartsockets back in 2010, so that they could drive LED ‘Union flag’ 
‘Starburst’ ‘Alphanumeric' displays.

Details etc on the smartsocket group, which is, as always, at:
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/smartsockets/info 


John S

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Re: [neonixie-l] Bipco units

[【ツ】John Smout]

I have 8 of these Bipcos, with tubes, two sets of four, built into aviation 
devices. I guess I should do something with them.

John

> On 15 Jul 2019, at 14:24, 'John Rehwinkel' via neonixie-l 
>  wrote:
> 
>> Those Bipco things aren't documented, so they're pretty useless.
> 
> There's documentation out there:
> 
> https://worldpowersystems.com/archives/tube-datasheets/Datasheets/Burroughs-1061K/11.JPG
>  
> 
> 
> A.J. has some documentation on some other ones.
> 
>> Anyone know what to do with old Bipco units for burroughs tubes? I have a 
>> bunch and am wondering what I could use them for(apart from the 
>> obvious), which probably means nothing. Anyone out there need some?
> 
> I'd be interested in some just to have an odd bit of history.
> 
> - John

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Re: [neonixie-l] The Ramen Udon Noodle Vending Machine

[【ツ】John Smout]

How many of these machines are still operating I wonder? It seems there are 
many. Here’s another…

https://youtu.be/733T4O1eW4o

John S


> On 14 Jul 2019, at 07:58, Tidak Ada  wrote:
> 
> This reminds me a pommes chips deepfrying vendimg machine that stood at a 
> railway station here. I can not remember it had a nixie display, but 
> nevertheless it was amazing to see it at work!

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[neonixie-l] The Ramen Udon Noodle Vending Machine

[【ツ】John Smout]

The Ramen Udon Noodle Vending Machine with nixie countdown - how did we live 
without it?

https://youtu.be/hgN9BX8aux0

John S

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[neonixie-l] Eurorack timing module

[【ツ】John Smout]

I thought this was a rather jolly little video featuring Doepfer Eurorack music 
synthesiser modules.
https://youtu.be/15I2BcjC_VA

John S

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Re: [neonixie-l] OT - 20 chr VFDs >blech

[John Smout]

I now have my displays and the schematic.

I have scanned relevant manual pages, power supply, interconnect, display board 
and component identification.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/bltgd4w4o9gonuy/Alvin_G_Display.zip?dl=0 


John S

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Re: [neonixie-l] OT - 20 chr VFDs >blech

[【ツ】John Smout]

Hi Keith,

I just found out where my boards are. I got hit with some customs duty and I 
only just got a bill to say so today. My displays should be with me on Monday 
now as I’ve sent the government its due.

The manual was sent out to me via second class post yesterday, so I might get 
it tomorrow or perhaps on Monday. I told the guy there was no hurry and second 
class was fine, because he was paying for the postage and I didn’t even know 
where my boards had disappeared to or, indeed, if I’d ever see them.

I am sure that among us all, we shall find a way to drive these babies.

Best wishes,

John S

> On 31 May 2019, at 19:53, Keith Moore  wrote:
> 
> John, 
> 
> Great. Let me know when you get this.  These boards look luscious.  It looks 
> like a parallel interface in, but the mapping of the pins would be tedious 
> without manual/schematics. 
> - Keith 

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Re: [neonixie-l] OT - 20 chr VFDs >blech

[【ツ】John Smout]

I have a complete manual, inc. schematics, for Alvin G’s 'Dinosaur Eggs' on its 
way to me. This should be compatible with the VFD display boards.

https://www.ipdb.org/search.pl?name=dinosaur+eggs=20=name=advanced

Once I have the manual, I’ll scan the relevant pages and post them somewhere.

Best wishes,

John S

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Re: [neonixie-l] OT - 20 chr VFDs >blech

[【ツ】John Smout]

I am not having much success with a schematic. I just wrote to another contact 
who may be able to help.

I am also not having much success with delivery of the boards either. I 
received a note that they had cleared UK customs. I received a further message 
that they tried to deliver to me on Monday (a public holiday in the UK). If 
they did then they left no note and I was in the room next to the front door 
all day. The tracking number now doesn’t show up on the system. So I don’t know 
if I shall ever see these displays or not.

John S

> On 30 May 2019, at 04:12, Keith Moore  wrote:
> 
> I grabbed some, too. Did you find a datasheet or Alvin manual? 
> 
> It is a parallel interface but it'll be interesting to try and reverse 
> engineer this. These are lovely display boards. 

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Re: [neonixie-l] audiophiles are crazy...

[【ツ】John Smout]

> On 29 May 2019, at 16:19, Jonathan Peakall  wrote:
> Audiophools are really on another planet! Occasionally when I am bored I will 
> go look at cryogenically cables and the like: 
> https://www.takefiveaudio.com/contents/89-cryo 
> 
> Simply hilarious.
> 

I wonder how many audiophools syringe their ears before each listening or, 
worse, insist that their audiences do likewise. This would surely have more 
effect on sound quality than this electrickery.

John S

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Re: [neonixie-l] OT - 20 chr VFDs >blech

[【ツ】John Smout]

> On 22 May 2019, at 18:13, Jon Jackson  wrote:
> 
> John,
> 
> I have a couple of these 20-digit VFD displays.  The label says it's a 
> Noritake itran model FG2013A1 display which is listed as discontinued on the 
> Noritake web site.
> 
> A search has not come up with a datasheet.  Do you have a copy of the 
> datasheet you could share?
> 
> Jon D.

Noritake itran will be Noritake itron, Jon.

The old kiss-off came from pinballspareparts.com 
, they are not playing ball as it were. I know 
they sell the manuals. I was hoping they’d offer to scan the page for me as I'd 
bought 10 boards. I may rattle their cage again - what have I to lose?

Just thought of someone else to ask… a walking encyclopaedia of all things 
pinball. All is not yet lost.

Incidentally, anyone visiting London into pinball, with all its neon and 
flashing light loveliness, should visit http://www.flipoutlondon.com/ 
 but check opening times. Over 50 machines to 
play, in a permanent location run by collectors and enthusiasts.

John S

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Re: [neonixie-l] OT - 20 chr VFDs >blech

[【ツ】John Smout]

I don’t have a datasheet, nor do I have my displays yet. My main pinball man 
has drawn a blank on getting me a schematic and he’s been thorough. The manual 
is available from Marco in the US and the Australian seller also has manuals - 
https://www.pinballspareparts.com.au 


I have asked the Australian place if they can send me a schematic just for the 
display. I await their response. If they are good boys they will do me a scan.

Andrew Jardine lurks here - he is good with VFDs such as these. I already 
suggested I send him a board to play with, but he’s not responded yet with his 
address. Andrew, where are you boyo? 

Regards,

John S

> On 22 May 2019, at 18:13, Jon Jackson  > wrote:
> 
> John,
> 
> I have a couple of these 20-digit VFD displays.  The label says it's a 
> Noritake itran model FG2013A1 display which is listed as discontinued on the 
> Noritake web site.
> 
> A search has not come up with a datasheet.  Do you have a copy of the 
> datasheet you could share?
> 
> Jon D.

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Re: [neonixie-l] OT - 20 chr VFDs >blech

[【ツ】John Smout]

I don’t have a datasheet, nor do I have my displays yet. My main pinball man 
has drawn a blank on getting me a schematic and he’s been thorough. The manual 
is available from Marco in the US and the Australian seller also has manuals - 
https://www.pinballspareparts.com.au 


I have asked the Australian place if they can send me a schematic just for the 
display. I await their response. If they are good boys they will do me a scan.

Andrew Jardine lurks here - he is good with VFDs such as these. I already 
suggested I send him a board to play with, but he’s not responded yet with his 
address. Andrew, where are you boyo? 

Regards,

John S

> On 22 May 2019, at 18:13, Jon Jackson  > wrote:
> 
> John,
> 
> I have a couple of these 20-digit VFD displays.  The label says it's a 
> Noritake itran model FG2013A1 display which is listed as discontinued on the 
> Noritake web site.
> 
> A search has not come up with a datasheet.  Do you have a copy of the 
> datasheet you could share?
> 
> Jon D.

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Re: [neonixie-l] US source for French Enamel Varnish - Fire Red?

[【ツ】John Smout]

> On 20 May 2019, at 16:24, Robert L  wrote:
> 
> Hey John,
> 
> From your reply: I have tried water based Pebeo Vitrail and been unable to 
> get an even coating.
> 
> The product I have on order is specified as a solvent based formulation that 
> may be thinned with mineral or white spirit... not a water based solution. 
> Not clear this is what you previously used.
> 
> In any case, I'd already placed the order and will give it a try! I'll report 
> back here on my experience.
> 
> Thanks for your comments and best regards,
> Bob

The stuff I bought is called Pebeo Vitrea 160. I thought I was buying the 
spirit stuff. Be careful out there, as it’s an easy mistake to make.

John S

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Re: [neonixie-l] US source for French Enamel Varnish - Fire Red?

[【ツ】John Smout]

I have tried water based Pebeo Vitrail and been unable to get an even coating. 
It dries quite slowly and I get a gradation as the coating slides down due to 
gravity. Admittedly I was trying to coat 200mm test tubes, not a small nixie. 
Maybe it’s OK for that but don’t try and coat a Dalibor.

You can make your own FEV, french enamel varnish, if you buy shellac, available 
as dry flakes or liquid, some methylated spirits (aka denatured alcohol), and 
some spirit dye of a suitable hue (usually this is a powder). Mix to suit.

John S


> On 20 May 2019, at 03:41, Robert L  wrote:
> 
> Many thanks folks... including a couple of private messages...
> 
> Bought this on Amazon:  Pebeo Vitrail Glass Paint 45Ml Crimson
> 
> https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001DVSRF0/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8=1
> 
> Now to create a small dust free space with decent ventilation!
> 
> Onward!
> 
> Bob
> 
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Re: [neonixie-l] OT - 20 chr VFDs >blech

[【ツ】John Smout]

> On 16 May 2019, at 20:37, Bill Notfaded  wrote:
> 
> Did you get your ordered boards John?  I'm curious how they come apart.  

10 boards, 20 displays, are on their way from Australia to UK as we speak. I 
just hope I don’t get hammered for import duty. I only went for these because 
they are 20 digit Union Flag style and I’ve never seen any longer than this.

The displays will no doubt unsolder from the PCB easily enough, but as the 
driving circuitry is on there, I may keep them as is.

A good source of similar 16 digit serial driven displays are available in 12v 
or 5v from old AWP and SWP machines. These choke at high speed, but are really 
easy to drive. Beware of used ones as many of these are dim, mottled and at the 
end of their life. If you can find access to the filament pins, driving them 
with 12v for a short while (the filament will glow hot) can renovate them, but 
this can only be done a finite number of times before the filament burns out. 
Fine for a machine which is only switched on for a short while, ie home use. 
For a clock, not so great.

For the uninitiated, UK slot machines have these trade terms and come under 
different licensing laws, which may depend on the premises, from kebab shop to 
casino:

AWP means Amusement With Prizes. They provide some level of player interaction, 
perhaps hold buttons on slot reels for example. They do not depend on the skill 
of the player. The prize is usually coins, tokens or more plays and are 
regulated as gambling devices.
SWP means Skill With Prizes which do depend on the skill of the player. These 
might be quiz machines which might be considered to be a variation of video 
games. Maybe crane machines where you pick up goods to drop into a hopper. 
These have software control of the gripper timing and strength that will 
guarantee you lose most of the time. It appears to be pure skill, but borders 
on the criminal in operation - perhaps only one in ten tries will have a strong 
enough electro-magnetic grip to ever hold an object. You have no chance with 
heavy objects like watches, always prominently displayed.

It’s always been my contention that it is far cheaper to buy the entire machine 
and mess with it at home than throw money away in an arcade. You can usually 
sell it at the very least for what you paid for it.

John S

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Re: [neonixie-l] Pricing Insanity

[【ツ】John Smout]

Was he selling the donkey also?

John S

> On 12 May 2019, at 22:08, Thomas Kummer  wrote:
> 
> I’m tempted to ask the guy if they come with a bottle of KY jelly to shove 
> ‘em up his ass. lol

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Re: [neonixie-l] OT - 20 chr VFDs >blech

[【ツ】John Smout]

> On 8 May 2019, at 19:01, Dylan Distasio  wrote:
> 
> Good point.  BTW, just a heads up, but based on the same seller's eBay 
> listing, it looks like all of these boards being sold were returns initially.

Also a good point. I await their arrival to see what dogs I have bought, or not.

Best wishes,

John

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Re: [neonixie-l] OT - 20 chr VFDs >blech

[【ツ】John Smout]

> On 8 May 2019, at 18:26, Dylan Distasio  wrote:
> 
> Thanks, I was about to place an order but the shipping to the US is extremely 
> expensive, so now I'm debating (It's $64AUD for the cheapest!).

Maybe. With US shipping based on 10 PCBs that is US $4 for each 20 character 
VFD and people easily pay $4 for single nixie tubes. These are big heavy 
display boards to ship.

John S

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Re: [neonixie-l] First nixie clock: do I need to switch anode?

[【ツ】John Smout]

On 2 May 2019, at 18:41, Paul Andrews  wrote:
> 
> I also want to use Osmond to design some simple PCBs on the Mac - I am 
> interested in producing PCBs that are themselves a work of art (as far as I 
> can make them), and I think this would be a great project for that. 

I am a beta tester for Osmond PCB and know it quite well. So if you need help 
or a second pair of eyes, do let me know.

John S

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Re: [neonixie-l] IN-18

[【ツ】John Smout]

Seconded.

> On 30 Apr 2019, at 20:51, Nick  wrote:
> 
> Replies off-list and directly to the vendor please.
> 
> On Tuesday, 30 April 2019 13:57:19 UTC+1, Юрий Овчинников wrote:
> Sale IN-18 - 42 pcs. for $45 ea.

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Re: [neonixie-l] Tube/bulbs for colon separators?

[【ツ】John Smout]

I bought a bunch of little neons on Aliexpress in three different sizes. I know 
some of you despise Aliexpress, but these items arrived very promptly and I 
have no complaint.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/30pcs-Neonlight-Indicator-Lamp-Assorted-4-10mm-5-12mm-6-16mm-10pcs-each-Red-Neon-Light/32343993534.html
 


Just to confirm, the quantity is 60 pcs in total, 20 pcs of each and not as 
suggested by the item title 30 and 10.

John S


> On 27 Apr 2019, at 16:07, Jasper C.  wrote:
> 
> What are my options for colon separators to use in a nixie clock?  I'm 
> looking for something that works with small tubes, say GR10M/U or even 
> better, IN-17s.
> 
> I know there's the INS-1, but it does still seem a little big.  I also know 
> Yan has some 3mm neon bulbs on his store, but are those a good match to 
> nixies?

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Re: [neonixie-l] Universal Nixie Tube Tester - pro version

[【ツ】John Smout]

On 23 Apr 2019, at 21:32, Paul Andrews  wrote:
> 
> Well for me, part of the artistry is creating a device like this. 

The craftsmanship and technical prowess shown is without question. I think we 
can all say that it is really excellent. I certainly admire the dedication that 
has gone into it all. If you say this constitutes art, then it is art, simply 
because you say it is. But if art is perhaps conscious self-expression, then 
what is the art conveying exactly, according to the artist, over and above the 
intent to test a range of nixies?

John S

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Re: [neonixie-l] Universal Nixie Tube Tester - pro version

[【ツ】John Smout]

I am going to be very very naughty here and perhaps play Devil’s advocate if I 
may, for just a brief moment? Yes it is a wonderful project indeed, the 
Universal Nixie Tube Tester - pro version™ - one to be admired greatly, but 
I’ve seen similar things happen to people of all varieties, especially 
photographers, painters and musicians. People start with an emotional/artistic 
attraction to something. After a while they start collecting associated kit for 
its own sake and instead of doing something artistic with it, they spend more 
time messing with collecting/cleaning/testing/calibrating/documenting than they 
do actually making something with the stuff they collected. I think it’s a 
creative trap, but maybe creativity is low on some people’s to do list and we 
need all sorts of attitudes.

My question is, once you find your tubes are all in tip-top condition or not, 
what do you intend to do with them next?

I shall now run and hide behind the sofa to avoid the incoming brown and sticky 
that will interface with my round and twirly, but please take this in the 
quasi-humorous spirit it was intended.

John S

> On 23 Apr 2019, at 20:03, Marcin Saj  wrote:
> 
> I would like to show off my new project.

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Re: [neonixie-l] Unusual Gabel lamp

[【ツ】John Smout]

The guy messaged me to say it isn’t neon. I’ve asked if it is fluo ’n’ phosphor 
and if it is still for sale.

John S


> On 20 Apr 2019, at 17:41, jb-electronics  wrote:
> 
> Fascinating! Does it still have neon? You could hold it to a plasma globe to 
> see. If it has been sold it would be great to get in touch with the buyer. 
> Can you find out?
> 
> Cheers
> Jens
> 
> On 2019-04-20 7:28 a.m., 【ツ】John Smout wrote:
>> I came across this rare lamp for sale today - the guy wants £500 GBP. 
>> Someone is already in discussion with the seller, so I expect it has sold. I 
>> am not sure if it is neon or not, but I suspect so.
>> 
>> The John Gabel Manufacturing Co. had the distinction of having manufactured 
>> the first true jukebox in 1906. Also they made the first light up jukebox in 
>> 1936, the Starlight. Their last jukebox was the now extremely rare Kuro of 
>> 1940. I think two examples survive, one of which was imported into Holland 
>> from the US.
>> 
>> The lamp
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> The Art Deco Gabel Kuro jukebox
>> 
>> 
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Re: [neonixie-l] Welcome & please introduce yourself!

[【ツ】John Smout]

Interesting VFD project Hannah, I am sure you will find yourself at home here 
and plenty of good advice should you need it.

If you have a problem with sourcing obsolete LM9022 filament driver ICs, you 
can use an LM4871 - someone here proved it is the same die, just rebadged.

John S


> On 19 Apr 2019, at 12:42, Hannah Mishin  wrote:
> 
> Hello!
> I'm Hannah and I am in NYC.  I am really interested in old technologies as 
> they correlate to modern ideas.
> I am currently working on a VFD build (no Nixie specific experience) and 
> playing with a flying spot scanner!
> Here is a blog on my VFD project.  
> https://hannahmishin.com/blog/2017/4/30/russian-tri-color-vfd-indicator-clock 
> 
> I am an Open Source Hardware supporter and believe in the sharing of 
> knowledge (its how I know so much of what I do).
> Cheers!

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Re: [neonixie-l] B-5971 Smartsocket / Driver

[【ツ】John Smout]

Just be aware that there is sometimes a startup issue with smartsockets. This 
is something I have experienced myself and others have reported it also. This 
results in a mangled display. Usually removing and restoring power will cure 
the issue. Sometimes it might take a couple of tries. Once in operation there 
is no further issue.

What I think is happening is that when the sockets start up they 
self-enumerate, the first socket daisy-chains to the next and they assign 
themselves a number. If a later one in the chain is not yet ready, the 
enumeration fails. I’ve had displays like 1-2-1-2 where I would expect 1-2-3-4 
for example.

The possible fix might be to use the reset pin on the PIC, but the fuse for the 
reset pin was disabled when the code was compiled. Fortunately this pin is not 
used as an output and is still available. When I made the ZM1350 smartsocket 
PCBs I added access to the reset pins so that the smartockets could be reset in 
reverse order, to guarantee that each is ready at startup. The fuse for the 
reset pin can then be changed in the programmer - I use a Pickit - once the 
current hex file has been loaded into it. This code can then be saved back out. 
Be sure to use a pullup on the reset lines if they are to be used.

It would then be up to whatever master controller you devise to send resets to 
each of the smartsockets in turn before sending messages to them.

Maybe there is a way to ensure appropriate delays for each socket by delaying 
power to them - any suggestions?

John S


> On 6 Apr 2019, at 09:14, Thomas Kummer  wrote:
> 
> Put me down for one kit too please. 
> Thank you, Michail 
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
> On Apr 4, 2019, at 22:06, Bill Notfaded  > wrote:
> 
>> I'm in put me down for two sets at least.  Did you get the PIC hex too?  
>> This is exciting stuff!  Thanks Michail!
>> 
>> On Thu, Apr 4, 2019, 7:03 PM Michail Wilson > > wrote:
>> I was able to get the files from Yahoo Groups.
>> 
>> I've decided to go about putting the kits together myself since I will have 
>> about 24 tubes.
>> 
>> So, I just ordered 40 sets of the boards to have extras in case anyone wants 
>> kits.
>> 
>> Michail 
>> 
>> -Original Message-
>> From: neonixie-l@googlegroups.com  
>> [mailto:neonixie-l@googlegroups.com ] On 
>> Behalf Of Bill Notfaded
>> Sent: Wednesday, April 3, 2019 8:34 PM
>> To: neonixie-l
>> Subject: Re: [neonixie-l] B-5971 Smartsocket / Driver
>> 
>> Ok guys I'm in too!  Let's do this.  I posted asking for the files from the 
>> Yahoo group a while ago... We need the PIC code for that PCB.  I have a 
>> mother that's hoping she and my old V2 clock will have a baby soon.
>> 
>> The trifecta would be sawt!  I picked up six from that auction too.  
>> Only 3 sets are left.  I ran up those two B-7971 tubes a little then held 
>> off... They sold for 530$for two I think a new record.
>> 
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Re: [neonixie-l] Push-pull driving cathodes

[John Smout]

I am currently working on a set of multi-digit panaplex displays. One is a 16 
digit, 16 segment alphanumeric display and the other is 6 digits and 7 
segments. Both were originally intended to be multiplexed across all the 
digits. There is a 'keep alive’ cathode and an 80v mid rail to keep the display 
just below firing level. A consequence is that both displays like some off-time 
before a new selection is made, otherwise I am seeing a very ‘hot’ display with 
arcing over to supposedly unlit segments. It’s a bit of a fine balance to get 
right, but software can cope with this.

John S


> On 3 Mar 2019, at 10:03, Jasper C.  wrote:
> 
> I'm still new when it comes to nixie tubes, and was reading this page 
> , in particular the 
> "partial glow" that occurs if the prebias voltage of an "off" cathode is too 
> low.  Wouldn't that imply that the ideal solution would be to pull the 
> cathodes to the supply voltage of the anode when their respective segment is 
> off?
> 
> Only in this EEVblog video, starting at 14:25 
> , he does just that and it doesn't go 
> well.  I get that the anode voltage here is lower than the HV supply because 
> of the 22k resistor, though I don't understand why that then has the effect 
> that it does.  Is the segment shorted to HV acting as an anode? (Which might 
> explain the higher current he's seeing.)
> 
> Would a totem pole circuit like that work if the anode resistor was removed 
> and each cathode connected to the totem pole output by it's own resistor?

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Re: [neonixie-l] ZIN18

[John Smout]

I am a moderator of this group. Normally I would defer to Nick to moderate, but 
I know that he is travelling right now, in places where the internet may not be 
so accessible. 

Could people please not air their grievances directly on this forum. I have put 
 a few people on moderated posts which wil lhave to go through me first and I 
hope any disagreements may be resolved amicably among those responsible.

I wish everyone my very best wishes and I am sure we all look forward to 
hearing about any new nixie production developments in due course,

John S
Moderator

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Re: [neonixie-l] Pinball score reel clock

[John Smout]

You really won’t want to hear one of these clocks clattering away in your home 
for too long. I had a house that was detached from my neighbo(u)r and they 
asked me if I was using an old typewriter.

The correct term in pinball circles for these electromechanical devices are 
decagon reels. Some early ones were indeed faceted into a ten flat segmented 
drum rather than the later circular ones. The video seems to show a standard 
set of Gottlieb decagons.

The reels themselves have a switch that is open at zero and a switch that 
closes at nine, so the next pulse can clock the next reel along. The open at 
zero switches allowed resetting of reels to zero at the start of a game, they 
simply kept being pulsed until a line through all three or four reels opened. A 
common fault on pinballs is the reels pulsing continually because one switch 
doesn’t open at zero.

A set of additional relays was usually employed between the point-scoring 
playfield game features and the reels, one per reel. These pulsed the bells or 
chimes and also the score reels, which in turn broke the cicuit back to the 
relay driving it, ensuring a single pulse. If a ball had stuck on a switch 
somewhere and was still sitting on it, a continuous pulse usually meant you had 
only a few minutes before the decagon coil burned out.

As for where you get them, most pinball enthusiasts have a few old reels from 
scrapped machines. Rarely, if ever, were whole reels or assemblies replaced, 
because all the parts can be replaced individually. Most parts are still 
available from Steve Young in the US through http://www.pbresource.com/ 
.

French Rally pinballs used similar steppers, but wipers selected the cathodes 
on nixie tubes. Nixies were never used in US pinball machines.



John S

> On 18 Feb 2019, at 07:32, Tom Harris  wrote:
> 
> Where do you get the displays from?  They appear rarer than the more exotic 
> Nixie's. 
> 
> On Mon, 18 Feb 2019, 3:05 p.m. Shaun Merrigan   wrote:
> Just saw an interesting a article about building a 4 digit clock using 
> electro-mechanical score reels from pinball machines:
> 
> https://www.elektormagazine.com/magazine/88/42431 
> 
> 
> Video here:
> 
> https://youtu.be/lQL2Vk1Hj-o 
> 
> I will be building this one.
> 
> Shaun M

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Re: [neonixie-l] GR10G on Ebay

[John Smout]

Hi Jens, I have a brand new in box ETL GR10j. The box is complete and good for 
its age. Not a lab sample.

Regards,

John S


> On 27 Jan 2019, at 15:57, jb-electronics  wrote:
> 
> Hello Nixie friends,
> 
> This morning two interesting auctions on a "lab product" version of the GR10J 
> ended:
> 
> http://www.ebay.com/itm/192790491882  , 
> $520
> http://www.ebay.com/itm/192790517653  , 
> $530
> And yes, the prices I listed are US dollars, so quite pricey. Did anybody 
> around here get them? I would be interested in a single tube, please send me 
> a message. I already have one of these in my collection, but not in new 
> condition, see some pictures here:
> 
> http://www.jb-electronics.de/html/elektronik/nixies/n_gr10j_2.htm?lang=en 
> 
> Best wishes
> Jens

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Re: [neonixie-l] Counterfeit RTC modules

[John Smout]

Which IC is this? I have a couple of clocks that are gaining time in a similar 
way to each other. I’ve checked my software and think it must be down to rogue 
DS3231s. Funny thing is I think the ICs are samples direct from Maxim.

John S


> On 1 Jan 2019, at 20:43, gregebert  wrote:
> 
> Happy New Year, unless you rely on the dirt-chip RTC module I bought several 
> months ago, because today would be Sept 2, 2018.
> 
> WHAT ???  That's the date my RTC chip reported this morning: 09/02/2018
> Last night, before midnight and right after I got tired of writing software, 
> it was correct at 12/31/2018. 
> 
> The funny thing is, this counterfeit RTC module has kept the time very 
> accurately over several months. My previous experience with a different fake 
> chip was that it was losing about 2 hours per day; since this one was 
> accurately keeping the time I assumed it was a genuine Maxim device. Nay, not 
> so...
> 
> After resetting the correct date, it's showing that now. So I wonderif 
> someone went to such lengths to make such a time-wise accurate fake, why 
> would they bungle so poorly on a simple Dec31 --> Jan01 rollover ?
> 
> Sure enough, when I forced the RTC back just before midnite and let it 
> roll-over, I got another wrong date (09/01/2018), so this RTC is even more 
> messed-up than I thought.

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Re: [neonixie-l] Something new something old...

[John Smout]

> On 29 Dec 2018, at 05:24, Nick  wrote:
> 
> The acrylic cover of my NixieSat is starting to break down (crazing), 
> probably due to UV, which would be odd as it's never been in direct 
> sunlight...
> 
> The joints are going too...
> 
> Nick

Cast acrylic cracks more than extruded. I’ve had cast acrylic instantly craze 
using some quite mild solvents. Your problems may be down to plasticisers 
within the material leaching out and it becoming brittle as a result.

John S

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Re: [neonixie-l] Nixie Slot Machine (concept test)

[John Smout]

On 20 Dec 2018, at 14:45, Paul Andrews  wrote:
> 
> Wonderful example of applied psychology. Perhaps I should have majored in 
> that instead of moving to computer science?
> 
> My Uncle used to rent slot machines to pubs (cafes, wherever) in the UK. Once 
> he showed me inside one - it had vertical tubes inside that some of the coins 
> were stored in, and there was a little trip switch located part way up these 
> tubes. If the coin level fell below the trip switch, the machine just 
> wouldn't produce a winning sequence. Period. Until the tubes gradually filled 
> up again. It was a way of ensuring that the machines stayed profitable.

Another naughty trick is in those coin-op mechanical cranes. The coil strength 
of the gripper is adjusted in a feedback loop, so that it is too weak to 
actually pick anything up once people start winning prizes.

John S

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Re: [neonixie-l] Nixie Slot Machine (concept test)

[John Smout]

On 20 Dec 2018, at 14:45, Paul Andrews  wrote:
> 
> Wonderful example of applied psychology. Perhaps I should have majored in 
> that instead of moving to computer science?
> 
> My Uncle used to rent slot machines to pubs (cafes, wherever) in the UK. Once 
> he showed me inside one - it had vertical tubes inside that some of the coins 
> were stored in, and there was a little trip switch located part way up these 
> tubes. If the coin level fell below the trip switch, the machine just 
> wouldn't produce a winning sequence. Period. Until the tubes gradually filled 
> up again. It was a way of ensuring that the machines stayed profitable.

Another naughty trick is in those coin-op mechanical cranes. The coil strength 
of the gripper is adjusted in a feedback loop, so that it is too weak to 
actually pick anything up once people start winning prizes.

John S

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Re: [neonixie-l] Nixie Slot Machine (concept test)

[John Smout]

Another feature that slot machines use is delayed anticipation - all three 
numbers do not come up at once, the reels stop a second after each other, just 
enough time to register the information on the reel that has already stopped. 
Needless to say, more apparently winning symbols settling on reels one and two 
will increase the mark’s excitement - you only need to blow his or her winning 
chances on the last number.

I hear that social media sites and others are using similar psychology - that 
fraction of a wait before that red dot appears, the number of likes, friends, 
special offers, responses, whatever. It’s all been analysed now to the nth 
degree.

Pinball machines do the same trick when they display the score. It would be 
easy to blat the latest score up immediately, but they don’t, you have to watch 
the numbers rack up, enhanced with music that increases in pitch and added 
vocal commentary. It has to be immersive fun.

John S

> On 19 Dec 2018, at 15:04, SWISSNIXIE - Jonathan F.  
> wrote:
> 
> Happy to hear any feedback on this idea!
> 
> - Jonathan

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Re: [neonixie-l] Nixie Slot Machine (concept test)

[John Smout]

There is in fact a 50s/60s english slot machine that used nixie tubes. I posted 
a pic of it in the group ages ago.

One of the chief characteristics of the original US slots was that the reels 
vertically scrolled down so you could see the symbol above the middle line and 
the symbol below. The cogs operated on peaks and troughs so that only every 
other possibility would occur. The selections above and below could be larded 
with winning cherries and bells and bars that were winning symbols, giving the 
appearance that you had always just lost out, encouraging further play. It also 
gave the impression that there were far more winning combinations to be had 
than there actually were.

Later machines dispensed with this idea after the deceit became widely known, 
understood and probably outlawed too, but slots were often illegal in US states 
anyway, The three lines idea still remained to encourage play as you could 
still see what you had just missed. 

Much later, with electronics involved, winnning free ‘nudges’ increased your 
opportunity to get your winning three lined up.

In short I think you could expand your three in a row to be a matrix of nine to 
include the horizontal lines above and below. You could then do the downward 
vertical rallentando scrolling effect of the original machines.

Modern machines are so calculated that an operator can set any payout 
percentage desired. The stepper motors know exactly in advance where they are 
going to stop.

John S

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Re: [neonixie-l] IN-4 eagle template

[John Smout]

Also don’t forget that there is an online Valve and Socket Calculator for Eagle 
on Nick’s website:

https://www.desmith.net/NMdS/Electronics/soculator.html

John S

> On 29 Oct 2018, at 23:22, Paul Andrews  wrote:
> 
> I uploaded a fix to my library (which is the one you mention below, but with 
> other fixes too): 
> https://github.com/judge2005/Eagle-and-KiCAD-Nixie-Libs/blob/master/nixies-us.lbr.
> 
> I haven't tried it, but you should be able to verify it.
> 
> On Wednesday, October 24, 2018 at 12:39:49 PM UTC-4, Mateusz Dziuba wrote:
> Hi! My name is Mateusz and I am trying to build nixie clock on 6 IN-4 lamps.
> I based my design on 
> https://www.instructables.com/id/simple-user-adjustable-DIY-Nixie-Clock/ 
> 
> 
> I want to redesign front shield, but cannot find proper eagle template for 
> IN-4 on internet. 
> I download adafruit libraries with russian_tubes.lbr, but it seems they just 
> link IN-18 template to it. I managed to change pins order as it is for IN-4, 
> but I am still thinking, the pins positions are not correct.
> 
> Do You have NIXIE IN-4 eagle template? How You manage to design clocks with 
> IN-4?
> 
> 
> 
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[neonixie-l] NIMO tube in operation

[John Smout]

Firing up a NIMO tube on Youtube - Fran Blanche's Franlab:
https://youtu.be/xmWg7CtN0Ac

John S

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Re: [neonixie-l] Heads-up - spammer using this group to harvest email addresses

[John Smout]

> On 30 Sep 2018, at 03:47, neonixie-l  wrote:
> 
> Hmmm. As an ordinary member, can you see other members' email addresses 
> either in the digest or from the forum?
> 
> Nick

I use the emailed version and can see most people’s email addresses but not all.

The ones that I cannot see say ‘X Y’via neonixie-l.

John S

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Re: [neonixie-l] My Nixie Clock

[John Smout]

I have just read about the 25% tax that Mr Trump is going to put on Chinese 
imports to the USA from July 6th. Most electronic components will be taxable.

What effect will this have on US manufactured electronic goods or the hobbyist? 
Will it delay the import of Chinese goods and how will the consumer pay the tax?

John S

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[neonixie-l] OT - costly cables

[John Smout]

https://www.musicdirect.com/cables/nordost-tyr-2-usb-a-b-10m
If this is a USB 2.0 printer cable for $1,899.00 then how much is their USB 3.0 
version I wonder?

https://www.musicdirect.com/cables/nordost-tyr-2-speaker-cables-pr
Speaker cables at $7,699.99 for 3m seems high also.

John S

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Re: [neonixie-l] PCB fabricator recommendations/comparisons?

[John Smout]

On 21 Apr 2018, at 13:35, Paul Andrews  wrote:
> 
> Hi,
> 
> I've been using OSHPark to have my designs made up, and they are great, but I 
> figure I should try a few other manufacturers and recently went to look at 
> pcbway. So I am wondering if anyone has experience of OSHPark and any other 
> manufacturer (but particularly PCBWay), and could give me some idea of what 
> to Watch out for when trying to move from OSHParknto someone else.

I am still enthusiastic about Elecrow’s service. I have had several dozens of 
PCBs done by them now and I still find them competitive and perhaps more 
importantly responsive when things don’t quite go according to plan. They are 
fair and will reprint at their cost when it is their fault, with no argument. I 
do stuff with odd custom pad shapes (offset holes on weird wedge-shaped nixie 
pin pads etc and slotted tag plated hole issues) that sometimes confuses their 
checking software.

https://www.elecrow.com/pcb-manufacturing.html 


10 green pcbs 10cms x 10cms are made and shipped to UK for $16.36 USD or £11.68 
GBP. I am sent a snapshot of the order and the boards when they are shipped to 
me and I then know they are on their way. They do not add any extra idents of 
their own to the silkscreen layer, something I personally hate seeing. If there 
are any extra PCBs you will be sent these free of charge - you will alway get 
the minimum 10 PCBs, but the most I have been sent is 14. A nice touch.

Other places I have used seem to want to charge extra for panelised boards, 
however you decided to do them - a series of holes, milled profile or V-groove. 
I use a 1mm milled slot between PCBs, with a few 1mm wide tabs to hold the set 
together and this always works. I used a V-groove on one board and it went 
through fine and was reprinted fine twice more, but another time they wanted to 
charge me extra because of the V-groove. Their documentation is vague on the 
topic.

I am a Mac person and use Osmond PCB to design my boards. I am very happy and 
programmer Joe Chavez is extremely responsive to bugs and issues. We have 
co-operated together on a number of features in the last few years.

If you are also a Mac user may I recommend Cuprum for checking your gerber 
files? The free Cuprum community edition will add a feature to OSX that 
displays ripped previews of the gerber files right there and then in the Mac 
Finder. Checking these gerber views against my layouts has saved me a number of 
disappointments. Cuprum itself allows you to view the various layers and hole 
information.

John S

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Re: [neonixie-l] IN1 tubes with no bases...

[John Smout]

On 14 Mar 2018, at 14:18, Nicholas Stock <nickst...@gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> That'll teach me to readthanks for that John!
> 
> Hmm, I wonder how easy that would be tooI have a few of these beasties..
> 
> On Wed, Mar 14, 2018 at 7:08 AM, John Smout <j...@jsdesign.co.uk 
> <mailto:j...@jsdesign.co.uk>> wrote:
> The auction says he took the IN1s off the bases himself. I wonder how easy it 
> is to do?
> 
> John S

Hot air gun? Maybe it plops right off.

John S

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Re: [neonixie-l] IN1 tubes with no bases...

[John Smout]

The auction says he took the IN1s off the bases himself. I wonder how easy it 
is to do?

John S



> On 13 Mar 2018, at 21:57, Nicholas Stock  wrote:
> 
> https://www.ebay.com/itm/IN-1-NIXIE-TUBES-FOR-CLOCK-with-FLEXIBLE-WIRE-PINS-6-NEW-NOS-TESTED-/362268596249?&_trksid=p2056016.l4276
>  
> 
> 
> Saw these, quite unusual as I've never seen IN1's without their rather ugly 
> brown bases
> 
> (Pharma) Nick
> 
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Re: [neonixie-l] My little IN-13 Spectrum Analyser

[John Smout]

> On 28 Feb 2018, at 01:26, Nick  wrote:
> 
> Lovely as always, Paul.
> 
> Are you using a multiplexed switched capacitor filter like the ltc1059, or 
> lots of distinct channels?

It’s lots of distinct channels - I laid out the PCB :)

John S

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Re: [neonixie-l] Odd clock chip....

[John Smout]

> On 27 Feb 2018, at 13:04, Terry S  wrote:
> 
> I had to google "bespoke", illiterate 'Merkan that I am. It's an uncommon 
> usage here. 

I had to google Merkin,

John S

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Re: [neonixie-l] Greetings from a eturning member

[John Smout]

Hi Chris,

Glad to see your moniker pop up again.

John

> On 15 Feb 2018, at 12:42, fixitsan  wrote:
> 
> Hello once again.
> 
> I was undergoing many years of nixie rehabilitation but unfortunately due to 
> cutbacks the hospital had to close and so here I am again !
> 
> Best wishes to all  :)
> 
> Chris Barron
> 
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[neonixie-l] British Vintage Wireless Society

[John Smout]

For British radio spares you could also contact the British Vintage Wireless 
Society - www.bvws.org.uk - their full colour glossy magazine is well worth 
having also.

John S

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Re: [neonixie-l] Dial bezel for the DAC10

[John Smout]

> On 4 Feb 2018, at 19:19, Terry S  wrote:
> 
> That's true of the DAC 90 but not true of the DAC 10, please google the 
> picture.. It's an ivory plastic bezel surrounding the dial glass, held on 
> with 4 screws.
> 
> DAC 10 
> 
> 
> Thanks
> 
> Terry

In that case, my friend does not have a spare one, I already asked him.

John S

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[neonixie-l] Dial bezel for the DAC10

[John Smout]

> On 4 Feb 2018, at 16:04, Terry S  wrote:
> 
> If you have any spares or breakers, I could use a better dial bezel for the 
> DAC10.


As far as I recall, the flat dial fits directly against the cabinet, there is 
no bezel - what part are you after? I know someone with tons of DAC spares.

Regards,

John S

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Re: [neonixie-l] MCU religious wars (OT?)

[John Smout]

A high proportion of the people who have wanted to rape my time and (very 
limited) ability electronic-wise are artists and designers. Which saddens me 
because I consider myself first and foremost a visual arty type person. At any 
rate it’s how I have always earned my living until I retired last year. If you 
want to struggle in life and starve at times any kind of artistic design career 
is a good way to go.

I have tended in recent years to say to these people, who usually have seen 
something of mine that they want to incorporate into something of theirs and 
which will involve a redesign of some kind and a new PCB: “OK let’s do it, but 
let's make two prototypes, one for you to keep and one for me. No money changes 
hands. I’ll do the circuitry if you will make and give me one of whatever it is 
that you are making.” 

The above angle, which seem perfectly reasonable to me, got me total outrage 
from a couple of different people - how dare I say my trivial work is as 
important as their great artistic vision? Don’t I know what precious brainpower 
has gone into their wonderful oevres? Which of course they cannot do unless 
someone makes their idea actually work for them. Well I have a backlog of my 
own ideas to bring to fruition, and while I am doing those I get other ideas, 
so why do I want to spend the rest of my life with these people?

On the other end of the spectrum, I have had to stop helping schoolchildren who 
want to use something of mine in a project. I have a real soft spot for helping 
children, but the amount of blown chips and free replacements I’ve sent out, 
together with giving them warnings about static and overheating, has totally 
fallen on deaf ears. This is a real pity and I wish I could do more, but again 
it is down to available time. It would be quicker to do the kids’ projects for 
them, but that is not what education is about and we encourage the same “Want 
it all now and done for me” gratification syndrome if we send kids a working 
module.

Having a great idea is the first step, not the last. If there is a vision then 
the person having it should do whatever he or she needs to do to make it 
happen, including learning how to do it if they want to say it is their own 
work. A lot of not-very-good-ideas would be weeded out at this stage. "Is the 
result really worth the personal effort?" is a question that rapidly arises if 
one relies on one’s own resources?

John S

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Re: [neonixie-l] MCU religious wars (OT?)

[John Smout]

> On 24 Jan 2018, at 00:23, Dan Hollis  wrote:
> 
> Why is it perfectly ok for people to use libc, ncurses, pthread, pcre, 
> opengl, etc on linux but using an i2c library on arduino is somehow verboten?

I don’t think it is forbidden at all, but it is my observation that the bulk of 
enquiries I get through my website are from empty vessels making the loudest 
noise. Empty because they don’t have any personal knowledge of their own. They 
don’t feel they have the time or inclination to learn either, but are quite 
happy to get me to waste my time on their behalf if at all possible. Whatever 
happened to the sheer joy of getting a blinky light to flash by one’s own 
efforts?

I am sure there are millions of people happy to code up and document their 
projects and annotate their libraries for the benefit of others and I am sure 
many people are grateful to take and use what they can from them. All is well 
in heaven and the gods can rest easy. I have no problem myself in sharing or 
being generous.

Maybe I have been unlucky in my experience, but often when I help someone whom 
I do not know it turns sour on me. As far as they are concerned I can gratify 
their needs but rarely does anyone consider how it might impinge on my 
available time and if I don’t give continued support to their projects people 
have turned ugly and rude very quickly. The level of this is in inverse 
proportion to people’s ability to help themselves. I fear that a grab-it-off 
the-shelf-ready-made culture only encourages this attitude.

John S

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Re: [neonixie-l] mason jar numitrons

[John Smout]

On 23 Jan 2018, at 19:54, Paul Andrews  wrote:
> 
> I agree. I see nothing wrong with using Arduinos - they opened hardware up to 
> a huge audience, including me, and they continue to enable rapid prototyping. 
> Perhaps we could carry on this 'discussion' in other threads, though I 
> suspect it is a religious thing with no specific conclusion to be drawn.

I do agree with you Paul. The Arduino seems to be a religious icon with little 
reason to be so in fact or reality. We could discuss this elsewhere, or we 
could discuss it here.

Why not just find a chip that one thinks one can deal with and program the 
son-of-uncertain-parenthood up? I just don’t get the 
let-me-totally-depend-on-someone-else’s-library thing. But I do understand, as 
Oscar Wilde pointed out, that "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that 
mediocrity can pay to greatness.”

Enquiries I get regularly are predominantly along the lines of ‘Hi, I really 
like it! Can you give me your code and tell me exactly how to build one?’ or 
'Hi, your idea was really great but I have a much better one that does 
something very different which I am sure, given your ability, will not take you 
long at all to code and send to me and I will of course tell everyone you did 
it for me and it will make you look really cool, because my idea is so 
amazing!’ 

Nooo!

Yours admitting to a great deal of age-related flatulence,

John S

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Re: [neonixie-l] $78 nixie watch on eBay

[John Smout]

Nobody today would sell petroleum under the explosive name of shell, would they?

> Here in Dubai we've have a building that in the last couple of years has gone 
> up in flames not once, but twice... 
> 
> It was, and still is, named "The Torch"...
> 
> Nick

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