As I mentioned in another thread, I just bought a new Siglent scope and I am starting to wonder why. Most of my up coming projects I probably won't even need a scope. So I am wondering why I bought the thing. I should have listened to @GopherT and just stuck with my Rigol. But I wanted a new toy so. I was ale to buy it with credit card points plus I will likely be able to sell my Rigol for a $100 or so from what I paid for it. And I would likely be able to do the same for the Siglent.

But it all got me to thinking about projects I want to build and I am running out of ideas. Some ideas on the list are:

2 types of POV clocks. The propeller type and the pendulum type. I need to figure how to make the "pendulum" move at POV speeds.

A remote volume control for my tablet PC.

2 types of wifi notifiers that will interface to my Kodi multimedia software . One for caller ID and one to notify me that the washer dryer is done.

A Nixie tube clock.

Maybe a pair of obstacle avoiding robots. First phase would just lave a leader and follower. If I could get that working, I was thinking of making one as the explorer, it would find the best path through a maze then report to the second of the optimum route.

I have a bunch of 6502s. I'd like to build at least a KIM or better something that can run BASIC. But that is an awful lot of connections with data and address bus and all.

This group built a 6502 out of individual transistors which is really cool.

I thought about building a 3D printer but I am not sure what I would do with it. I am not much of a draftsman so doubt I would ever be able to design anything custom.

A indoor temperature / humidity logger was another idea I have been tossing around.

I probably should get the Arduino and shields working on my little router but that is more of just throwing modules together and no real design.

After that I am fresh out of ideas. I was hoping this hobby would keep me active well into my old age but I am afraid I will be running out of ideas. My list might be a year or two of projects. Three if I stretch it out.

Any other ideas for cool projects? They probably should involve micro controllers since that is my strong suit. Not so big on the analog stuff but guess I am willing to learn there.

I am actually a little depressed I am running out of ideas.

 

As I mentioned in another thread, I just bought a new Siglent scope and I am starting to wonder why. Most of my up coming projects I probably won't even need a scope. So I am wondering why I bought the thing. I should have listened to @GopherT and just stuck with my Rigol. But I wanted a new toy so. I was ale to buy it with credit card points plus I will likely be able to sell my Rigol for a $100 or so from what I paid for it. And I would likely be able to do the same for the Siglent.

But it all got me to thinking about projects I want to build and I am running out of ideas. Some ideas on the list are:

2 types of POV clocks. The propeller type and the pendulum type. I need to figure how to make the "pendulum" move at POV speeds.

A remote volume control for my tablet PC.

2 types of wifi notifiers that will interface to my Kodi multimedia software . One for caller ID and one to notify me that the washer dryer is done.

A Nixie tube clock.

Maybe a pair of obstacle avoiding robots. First phase would just lave a leader and follower. If I could get that working, I was thinking of making one as the explorer, it would find the best path through a maze then report to the second of the optimum route.

I have a bunch of 6502s. I'd like to build at least a KIM or better something that can run BASIC. But that is an awful lot of connections with data and address bus and all.

This group built a 6502 out of individual transistors which is really cool.

I thought about building a 3D printer but I am not sure what I would do with it. I am not much of a draftsman so doubt I would ever be able to design anything custom.

A indoor temperature / humidity logger was another idea I have been tossing around.

I probably should get the Arduino and shields working on my little router but that is more of just throwing modules together and no real design.

After that I am fresh out of ideas. I was hoping this hobby would keep me active well into my old age but I am afraid I will be running out of ideas. My list might be a year or two of projects. Three if I stretch it out.

Any other ideas for cool projects? They probably should involve micro controllers since that is my strong suit. Not so big on the analog stuff but guess I am willing to learn there.

I am actually a little depressed I am running out of ideas.

Build a ham radio so you can talk to people from all over the world - you'll never get bored.

 

Build a ham radio so you can talk to people from all over the world - you'll never get bored.

Analog.

Unless you can design me an all digital one.

 

Build a ham radio so you can talk to people from all over the world - you'll never get bored.

You are really trying to push those parts aren't you.

 

You are really trying to push those parts aren't you.

I know a guy who knows a guy - I'm sure he can get few at a big discount.

 

I know a guy who knows a guy - I'm sure he can get few at a big discount.

Next thing you will be telling me is "they fell off of a truck".

 

Next thing you will be telling me is "they fell off of a truck".

I was saving that for my next post.

 

When you ordered the scope you probably did not have any particular task in mind, but you wanted to have the scope available any time you wanted to use it. That is exactly what you have - a nice scope that is ready when you are. I don't see any need for remorse other than the fun of shopping is over.

Don't worry, a need for the scope is likely to arise in many of those potential projects that you mentioned.

 

I am actually a little depressed I am running out of ideas.

I know the feeling i think it's like a writer you write a good book then it months before you can thinks of something new.
Never was a writer
Thought about the ham radio then I read some of DickCappels stuff radio controled house started to come to mine.

 

I see where another member wants to do a "community" graphics card. That's a perfect project for a group of cut...er...I mean bored engineers with time and resources on their hands.

https://forum.allaboutcircuits.com/threads/custom-graphics-caprd.143616/

Maybe one of you can feel his pain.

 

When you ordered the scope you probably did not have any particular task in mind, but you wanted to have the scope available any time you wanted to use it. That is exactly what you have - a nice scope that is ready when you are. I don't see any need for remorse other than the fun of shopping is over.

Don't worry, a need for the scope is likely to arise in many of those potential projects that you mentioned.

I wish there were still things to repair. Stuff just doesn't break the way it used to. When it does it is likely it can't be fixed by the common hobbyist anyway. What I wouldn't give to have that scpope back in high school when I had my TV repair business. I enjoyed working on those old sets. and they broke a lot.

 

How about a Segway?
Looks like a fun project.

Max.

 

When you ordered the scope you probably did not have any particular task in mind, but you wanted to have the scope available any time you wanted to use it. That is exactly what you have - a nice scope that is ready when you are. I don't see any need for remorse other than the fun of shopping is over.

Don't worry, a need for the scope is likely to arise in many of those potential projects that you mentioned.

An idea I have been noodling around with is to use the X/Y inputs to display shapes on the scope. Maybe eventually a game like asteroids which was a classic raster graphics game. I would really be making use of the scope there.

 

How about a Segway?
Looks like a fun project.
View attachment 142436
Max.

A mini one is in my plans too. Self balancing robot.

 

I got interested when I built the Picmicro inverted Pendulum.
In the PIC AN964.
Max.

 

I got interested when I built the Picmicro inverted Pendulum.
In the PIC AN964.
Max.

This is more of a remorse thread. Post that idea with a link in the Project Ideas thread in the projects forum please. Sounds like a cool idea. I listed a few new ones there.