Which PIC will be tge good choise?

[OS5N]

My antenae rotor remote is stuck. Reconstruct it as the old hardware set-up today wouldn't permit me to connect the remote to dedicated Radio Amateur ( Ham) programs. Quite a time now I was involved with computer hardware. My age 74! Last assembler language I used to play around with was The OS4 for Naked Mini from Computer automation. Processor was build on a 4 square foot board with discrete elements...Seems I am to old and missing part of my neurons to learn a a PIC assembler today with about forthy instructions . Thought a standard Mel Picbasic would do, as I still remember Basic I used in 1975. The mean question, which PIC ?
It should handle some analogue sigs, translate to azimuth indicator ( motor drived repeator )or why not use a LCD So as to visualise some other status of the system. Looked around and thought maybe a PIC 16F716 would do the job. Which other might be a better choise? Then the second question, does Mel pic basic ( standard ) runs under VISTA ...ha ha ! Would be great if some of the Pic specialist could help me and put me back on the rails. Oh RS232 serial communication is generaly used, but USB will probably be used in the futur. Thanks for a shout. sorry for my bad English and please dont tell Shakespeare about Willy wouln'ty appreciate it that much.

[mackrackit]

Welcome.

I am not one of the specialist, but I would start off with the 16F877A. ADC, comparators, USART, plenty of IOs.

Then when you are comfortable go with an 18F??? for the USB.

Do not forget to start with "blinky", then communication between two PICs and a PC.

Not sure about vista, I use Linux and sometimes XP.

[Jumper]

Hi,

I would say that 18F452 or 18F4620 is a great choice. If you want USB, sure it is the future but RS-232 is easier to get started with, you would have to use 18F4455 or something similar.

It more or less comes down to what you can get your hands on the easiest way.

If you plan to use serial communication it is recommended to have an external x-tal or oscillator.

[OS5N]

Thanks for the prompt replies, MACKRACKIT and JUMPER. Guess I'lle stick with a 16F877A for instance or 876A I can obtain easely. But what is " Blinky " ?

[mackrackit]

" Blinky " is a test circuit and program to test things. Make one or more LEDs blink the way you want them and go from there.

It seems like most people want to bypass " Blinky " but it is the best way to start. When I am setting up a new project I still make an LED blink just to make sure the fuses and whatever else are set correctly.

[OS5N]

First thanks to all those who encouraged me to wet my feet . Hope the wetted feet enjoy PBP before they turn their toes upwards....! Dave, my callsign as a Ham is ON4KJ since 1958 ( merely CW and contests )!! Have a look at QRZ.com and you'll find out somewhat more about, OS5N is my vanity call. IF I can find your e-mail, I'll tell you somewhat more about me! And now I'll get my wetted socks off! What comes next to PBPro? Hardware platform, what is " crossgrade " about, is " compile upgrade " a must etc. Take into account I still handle the soldering iron, and dispose of some discrete elements from an earlier live! But can't afford K$. Retired, and no Gov. in Belgium for instance, we dont know what will be next !!!! Thanks for reading me. All proposals will be welcome to make up my mind definitely. Jos.

[mackrackit]

Belgium! That is a little t far for my 2 meter rig. :) You can PM me though.

If you do not have a programmer yet, I would reccomend the PICKIT2 from microchip.
http://www.microchipdirect.com/productsearch.aspx?Keywords=PG164120
$34.99 US. All you will need then is a header and breadboard to get started.

The PICKIT2 works great with XP. I have not been able to make it work with Linux though.
The PICSTART PLUS works with Linux and MPLAB under wine with no problems but it is expensive. $200.00



what is " crossgrade " about, is " compile upgrade " a must etc.

Not sure what you mean?

[skimask]

PICKIT2 (the debug kit with the prototype board with the 16F887) from Microchip...~$50

PicBasicPro 2.50a from MeLabs...~$250 (or download the 31 line limited demo)

MPLAB 8.xxx - download freebie from Microchip.com

Microcode Studio - download freebie from mecanique.co.uk

$300 gets you into playing with the programmer, programming, writing PBP code, a bit of hardware play (on the debug board from Microchip) with a couple of switches, a pot, some LEDs, and a few other goodies.

[OS5N]

Just a couple of proposed Melabs products. Oh ! Found an old PIC progammer board in my sons rubish, date 1992/ pic 17c42 /\\I/O / 28 pins zif. He used it for his end work 1994. A sun follower system. Seems it becomes actual nowadays. At that time I prefered playing arround a while with FPGA's from Xilinx !!. Gaved up when their shematic compiller disapeared. I'll order the BPpro today, keep you informed. I digged up a couple of old but brand new LCD 2x16 and 1x16, guess the expirimentors board will be home made. The virus becomes alive again. Greetings Jos

[skimask]

Did I mention that the $300 and the software/hardware also come free with extras?
Yep, you get sleepless nights, sore fingers, a higher electrical bill, a higher credit card bill, less space in your play area, and relatives who get mad at you because you'll be 'just another couple of minutes!

[skimask]

The PICKIT2 works great with XP. I have not been able to make it work with Linux though.
The PICSTART PLUS works with Linux and MPLAB under wine with no problems but it is expensive. $200.00
Did you ever get the PICKIT2 software to work under WINE in Linux? For that matter, how about PBP?

Now that Ubuntu 8.04 is out, I've been thinking much harder about 'breaking Windoze' permanently. Ubuntu 7.10 seemed to run well on my box (everything worked when using the LiveCD), but 8.04 doesn't like my machine as well (video card doesn't want to update, wireless card won't fire up, etc.)...
But for those Windows only type programs (i.e. the above mentioned), I'll most likely have to run them under Wine.

[mackrackit]

Did you ever get the PICKIT2 software to work under WINE in Linux? For that matter, how about PBP?

Now that Ubuntu 8.04 is out, I've been thinking much harder about 'breaking Windoze' permanently. Ubuntu 7.10 seemed to run well on my box (everything worked when using the LiveCD), but 8.04 doesn't like my machine as well (video card doesn't want to update, wireless card won't fire up, etc.)...
But for those Windows only type programs (i.e. the above mentioned), I'll most likely have to run them under Wine.
Nope. I can not get the PICKIT2 to work with Ubuntu 7.10, I have not tried 8.04 yet.

Using Wine and Ubuntu 7.10, MPLAB with PBP as the language suite and the PICSTART PLUS works great. Better than on my XP machine (lap top with out a serial port). I have one USB to serial converter that will work part of the time with the PICSTART, so I just leave it hooked up to my Linux box.

I have thought about using a virtual machine, but they take a lot of power. Do not go down the dual boot road. In my opinion that is asking for trouble. MBR gets messed up and then both OSs are gone.

To me it all comes down to everything has its use. I have at my work station in the shop two Linux boxes, one with dual monitors and two XP's, one with dual monitors.

Most of the CAD (non PCB) stuff is done on the XP's and about 50% of the PIC's. Linux is used for most everything else though. PC software development depends on what OS it is being designed for. I use KiCad for schematics and PCBs, works on both platforms.

Doing the kind of stuff we do I doubt if you will ever be able to get away from windows completely. But is is nice to run an OS that works (LINUX) for at least part of the day.

[skimask]

Thanks for the heads-up on the programs in question (PBP, MPLAB, PICKIT2, etc.etc.etc.)
I've been reading around this morning trying to find 'easy' fixes for getting the video card (7600GS) and wireless card (D-Link generic 802.11b PCI card) to work in 8.04. Turns out there aren't any 'easy' fixes to anything. I've still got the ISO's still, I'm going to give that another go later this week...and yes...a dual-boot setup. I've never had problems in that arena. Just have to be careful I guess.
And thanks for the tip about KiCAD. Never heard of that before. Looks interesting though...