Equally informative is the web page which Joe Moell, KØOV, has dedicated to the Montreal Controller. Make it your second destination: <http://members.aol.com/joek0ov/mfcupdate.html>.
List I: Uncommon Parts
Description | Digi-Key Part# | Qty Needed |
Printed Circuit Board | n/a | 1 |
PIC Processor* | PIC16F84-10/P-ND | 1 |
18-pin DIP socket | AE7218-ND | 1 |
DIP switch (9 pos) | CKN3008-ND | 1 |
4.19 MHz Crystal | CTX007-ND | 1 |
10K Pot | 3386P-103-ND | 1 |
5V Regulator | LM78L05ACZ-ND | 1 |
22 pF low-temp-coef 5% cap | P4841-ND | 2 |
List II contains those parts that are fairly common. You might want to try to scrounge the parts listed in List II before resorting to buying them new.
List II: Parts to scrounge
Description | Digi-Key Part# | Qty Needed |
10K resistor | 2 | |
4.7K resistor | 1 | |
1K resistor | 1 | |
47K resistor | 1 | |
100K resistor | 1 | |
6.8K resistor | 2 | |
0.1 µF cap | 5 | |
0.01 µF cap | 2 | |
SPST mom. cont. | 2 | |
1N4148 diode | 5 | |
2N2222 transistor | PN2222ADICT-ND | 2 |
LED | 67-1106-ND | 1 |
Other parts you may want or need: battery, battery holder and connector, wires & connectors to connect the controller to your HT, chassis box, PCB mounting hardware.
An inexpensive way to program the PIC16F84 is to modify a Montreal Fox Controller circuit board so that it can program the PIC in circuit. The so-called No Parts PIC Programmer can be wired directly to the modified Fox Controller circuit board allowing the PIC to be programmed and then tested without having to remove the PIC from its socket. This is especially handy if you ever write software for the PIC, or make modifications to the Montreal Fox Controller software. You'll be able to quickly make changes to the software, assemble it, program it into the PIC, and then test it.
Many electronics projects have been designed using the PIC16F84 processor. Having a way to program them will open up a world of new project possibilities. So, if you enjoy building small electronics projects, the afternoon spent turning a Montreal Fox Controller into an in-circuit PIC programmer is time well spent.
FOXBOX2.ASMIf you have an interest in making the Montreal Controller use shorter transmit intervals, then this new version of the Fox Controller for ROCA-style hunts might be of interest:
FOXBOX2.HEX
ROCAFOX.ASM
ROCAFOX.HEX