A number of folks asked for parts sources, more details, about the projects shown at the November 2 meeting. The following lists a number of parts sources worth knowing about. The first 2 are where almost all the parts used in the projects you saw were obtained. However, a couple of other sources are shown because depending on what you are buying, you may find a better deal.

DigiKey is a major parts supplier. They offer almost all electronic components at attractive prices. DigiKey accepts credit cards, and will generally deliver a telephone or web order to Midland in 2 days via UPS ground. They have a charge for orders under $25 and shipping depends on the weight of the order. DigiKey is fairly weak in supplying RF parts, however. They have no varactor diodes, for example, except in surface mount packages, and very few RF transistors other than surface mount.

B.G. Micro has a varying and eclectic collection of parts, often surplus or pulls. You should carefully read their catalog to be sure you are getting what you want. While they will rarely (in my experience) try to deceive you, there are often important details hidden in the text. B.G. Micro will generally have much better prices than DigiKey but their selection is very much more limited. (BG's paper catalog is 24 pages compared to DigiKey's >600). Look carefully, tho, sometimes their prices are pretty high. For example, their price on the crystals used in both projects is twice DigiKey's. B.G. will take most credit cards for orders over $10 and charges $5.50 shipping. A phone order will generally take about 10 days to arrive.

Dan's is the first place to look for RF parts. If you need a varactor, an RF transistor, a toroid, or a variable capacitor, Dan's will be cheaper than anywhere else, if he has it. Dan's collection is quite different from BG's and perhaps even more limited, but he has a lot of parts that are difficult to find or expensive from other sources. Dan's does not take credit cards, so the only way to order is via snail mail. This means at least a 2 week turnaround.

While www.radioshack.com is the same company with the store at the mall, the inventory and prices are totally different. rs.com has a similar inventory to DigiKey, with perhaps a little less emphasis on being a commercial supplier and more a consumer supplier. They do have some RF transistors, toroids and varactors. Their price on some toroids is quite attractive. www.radioshack.com offers steep quantity discounts on some parts, so if you need more than 2 of something, it can be worthwhile putting in 10 or 100 for the quantity to see what happens. For example, their price for a single resistor is 7 cents, for 10 it's 50 cents, and for 100 it's a dollar. Their shipping is dependent on the value of the order and it is very attractive for small orders. If you only need a few things, they can be the best bet. It generally takes about 5 days for a phone or web order to arrive.

MECI is in some ways very similar to BG Micro. They have an unusual collection which is somewhat larger than BG's but having a lower percentage (IMO) of useful stuff. Their strength is in small hardware, connectors, and various odds and ends. If they have what you need, they will generally be cheaper than anyone else. Same caveats as BG about reading the fine print.

The LCD displays shown at the meeting were from B.G. Micro. The counters used BG's LCD1003 ($2.99) and the CW readers used LCD1010 ($5.95). Note that the LCD1003 took quite a bit of mechanical work. In both cases (the ERO and RCR versions) the original cable was removed and a new cable soldered in place because the connector was unusual. The 14 conductor cable is soldered onto the LCD with 0.05" spacing, so the soldering is a bit tricky. WB8RCR cut the bezel down to fit in the case. RCR used BG's SOC1020 to connect the LCD1003 and ACS1019 for the LCD1010. ERO hardwired both.

The larger, 4MHz crystal used in the CW reader was DigiKey's CTX004 ($1.03). The teeny 10MHz crystal in WB8RCR's counter was DigiKey SE3420 ($1.17)

All the projects used DigiKey's 16F84-10/P ($7.38), however, WB8RCR also tried a DigiKey 16F84A-20/P ($6.00) successfully in both circuits.

RCR used a case from the local Radio Shack store for the counter, and a B.G. Micro CAS1003 for the CW reader. The original front panel of the CAS1003 was replaced with a piece of Plexiglass rather than try to cut a neat hole.