WELCOME TO ALT.COMP.HARDWARE.HOMEBUILT
(v.13 Modified 12/24/95)

Please note: I'm currently in the process of trying to finish my thesis. As a result, I haven't been able to work on this for very much in the last while, so I'm rather far behind the ASCII edition. Sooo, until I can manage to get my thesis done (hopefully soon), I'm only making corrections sent to me by users. If you need the latest info, please refer to the ASCII edition. There is also a more up-to-date HTML edition available from Mark's homepage

HTML version last changed: Oct 24, 1996


This file contains frequently asked questions (FAQ) and general information pertaining to the newsgroup alt.comp.hardware.homebuilt. It is maintained by Mark Sokos (msokos1@g...). It is posted every two weeks to the newsgroup alt.comp.hardware.homebuilt. The latest version may also be obtained by sending an e-mail request to the above address.

A DOS text version is available from Dave Badlwin's FTP site: ftp://ftp.netcom.com/pub/di/dibald/ (an alternate local ASCII copy is also available.)

This HTML version, maintained by Hai Pham, lives at: http://www.qucis.queensu.ca/home/pham/homebuilt/achh.faq.html

This file is copyright 1995 by Mark Sokos. It may be freely copied and distributed as long as this notice remains intact and the file is not modified, and no fee is charged for its duplication.


Contents:

1.0 What the group is about

2.0 Questions
2.1 Can I post ads on the newsgroup?
2.2 Can I post questions involving hardware problems?
2.3 What's this about a new homebuilt newsgroup?
2.4 What is a "Wally"? (and other terms specific to this newsgroup)
2.5 Where can I get more information about [x]?
2.6 Where can I get an EEPROM programmer?
2.7 How can I make my own SIMMS?
2.8 Where are the pinouts for [IBM clone port]
2.9 How do I interface to [port/bus]
2.10 Where can I get hard drive specs?
2.11 How can I make my own circuit boards?
2.12 What is the Net Station?
2.13 How do I homebrew an LCD controller?
2.14 How do I make good front panels/cover plates?
2.15 Is there a CD ROM covering semiconductors?
2.16 Where can I get technical information about Game Boy?
2.17 How can I build a POST code reader for my PC?

3.0 Where to get more information
3.1 Vendors
3.2 Internet Resources
3.3 BBS Numbers
3.4 Book/Magazine List

4.0 Misc.

1.0 What the group is about

This group was formed for the discussion of homebuilt computer hardware, as the name implies. The term "homebuilt" or alternately, "homebrew", refers to the hobby of building electronics at home, generally with a soldering iron or wire wrap. No knowledge or experience is required for posting to this group. Postings may deal with real hardware, or absract concepts, and are not restricted to any specific cpu or architecture. Topics may also include homebuilt peripherals added to existing off the shelf systems, or hardware hacks to existing systems/accessories.

Please note: Unfortunately, the term "homebuilt" causes a great deal of confusion amongst IBM clone builders, which leads to a large number of inappropriate posts on this newsgroup. This group, as a general rule, is not for discussion of IBM related hardware, unless there is some aspect of home built electronics involved, such as connecting your own device to an IBM serial/parallel/game port, etc. or using IBM clone hardware as part of a homebuilt design (non-IBM design). Common IBM clone hardware hacks, such as overclocking and changing the UART chip, are best discussed in one of the IBM related newsgroups. An IBM clone hardware questions pointer is posted frequently on news.answers, and due to its length the information within it will not be repeated here.

Warning: Any post that may be considered an "alt.fix.my.pc" post is likely to draw flames or intentionally misleading advice from the regulars at a.c.h.h. Following such advice for a "fix my PC" type post may be damaging to your computer. You have been warned.


2.0 Questions

Answers to specific questions are included in this section. Many of the answers are only pointers to more information, so that large volumes of information are not duplicated unnecessarily.


2.1 Can I post ads on the newsgroup?

As a general rule, alt.comp.hardware.homebuilt is not a forsale group and thus does not allow advertising. An exception is made for advertising that is directed specifically for electronics homebuilders, and is not otherwise available on the net in general. Examples of this are device programmers and electronics parts. Trading between homebuilders is encouraged.

Items that fit well into other existing forsale newsgroups should not be advertised here. PC related advertising, such as hard drives, motherboards, and other standard PC clone parts, is not permitted. While CPU advertisements in general are permitted, CPU advertisements for the common PC clone CPU's (such as 486 and Pentium chips) are not permitted because of the existing PC clone forsale groups that already provide plenty of coverage for these parts.


2.2 Can I post questions involving hardware problems?

This question was asked to the group in general, and the overwhelming response was NO! The only exception would be if you are having a hardware problem with your homebuilt hardware, not pre-fab hardware. As Andrew noted in an early version of the FAQ:

"Since EVERY SINGLE ONE of the replies I got re: the FAQ said "no, this is not the appropriate place for questiongs about PC building and pre-made parts and compatibility between them, the answer obviously is a very strong NO. This is not to say that you should not post questions, but only post questions about homebuilt computers, not computers built from pre-made parts. The difference should be very clear. If you post here about your hard drive that you want to slave, i doubt if people will have much mercy. It is getting on peoples nerves."

Replies to PC hardware problems are also strongly discouraged. Such replies should either be posted on the appropriate groups or should be done via private e-mail.


2.3 What's this about a new homebuilt newsgroup?

It has been suggested at times (often sarcastically) that a new newsgroup should be made up with some name other than alt.comp.hardware.homebuilt, so that the group would not be plagued with off topic pc-clone related posts. Creating a new moderated group has also been suggested. To date, the only change in the newsgroup structure has been the creation of a new newsgroup specifically for "homebuilding" in the PC clone sense of the word, which is alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt.


2.4 What is a "Wally"? (and other terms specific to this newsgroup)

A "Wally" is someone who posts off topic noise to the group. No offense to real persons named Walley is intended. Homebrew referes to the art of designing and building electronics at home, and has nothing at all to do with alcohol. Midnight Engineering also refers to designing and building devices at home. Anyone who has stayed up till the wee hours of the morning trying to get something to work knows the origins of this term all too well.


2.5 Where can I get more info about [x]?

AMD
408-732-2400 Facts-On-Demand. 1-800-222-9323 Option #1

Cypress Semiconductor
3901 North First Street, San Jose, CA 95134

Dallas Semiconductor
Fax-Back: 1-214-450-0441
Data sheets and application notes for Dallas Semiconductor devices.

Harris Semiconductor
WWW page: http://rel.semi.harris.com/docs/datasheets/
Contains PostScript files for all their products, and a 'AnswerFAX' service to request faxes of the data sheets through a form page.

Intel Literature
PO Box 58130, Santa Clara CA 95052-8130
1-800-548-4725

Microchip
http://www.mchip.com/microchip

Motorola
Phone: 1-512-928-6800, 1-800-441-2447
Motorola Literature Distribution
PO Box 20912, Phoenix, AZ 85036
automatic fax-back information: 602/244-6609
regular fax: 602/994-6430
BBS: 512-891-3733 9600 V32 8N1
European Literature Center, 88 Tanners Drive
Blakelands, Milton Keynes, MK14 5BP, England

National Semiconductor
2900 Semiconductor Drive, PO Box 58090 Santa Clara, CA 95052
Phone: 1-408-721-5000

NEC
401 Ellis St, PO Box 7241, Moutain View CA 94039
1-415-960-6000
http://www.nec.com
http://www.nectech.com

Texas Instruments
PO Box 655012 MS 308, Dallas TX 75265

Zilog
Phone: 1-408-370-8000
Technical center: 1-215-653-0230
http://www.zilog.com


2.6 Where can I get an EEPROM programmer?

Advin Systems
1050-L East Duane St. Sunnyvale, CA 94086
1-408-736-2503

Andromeda Research
PO Box 222, Milford, OH 45150
1-513-831-9708

BP Microsystems

DATA I/0
(http://www.data-io.com)

General Device Instruments
Phone: 408-241-7376
Sales: 408-241-7376
FAX: 408-241-6375
BBS: 408-983-1234, All software to demo free
email: ICDEVICE@i...

Jason-Ranheim Company
3105 Gayle Lane, Auburn, California 95603.
Jason-Ranheim, 1805 Industrial Drive, Auburn, Ca. 95603
Technical Support: (916) 823-3284
Outside The USA: (916) 823-3285
Orders Toll Fre: (800) 421-7731
From California: (800) 421-7748

JDR Microdevices
1850 South 10th Street, San Hose CA 95112-4108
Orders: 1-800-538-5000
Cust. Service: 1-800-538-5001
1850 South 10th Street, San Hose CA 95112-4108

Logical Devices
130 Capitol Drive, Golden, CO 80401
Phone: 1-303-279-6868, 1-800-315-7766
tech support (in Flordia): 1-305-428-6868

M2L Electronics
3526 Jasmine #4 Los Angeles, CA 90034
Phone: 310-837-7818 (9am-1pm)
BBS: 310-837-7818 (all other hours)
email: m2l.electronics@f...

Needham's Electronics
4630 Beloit Drive, Suite #20, Sacramento, CA 95838
Phone: 916-924-8037
Fax: 916-924-8065
BBS: 916-924-8094
ftp://ftp.quiknet.com/users/needhams
http://www.quiknet.com/~needhams

Stag Micro Systems
1600 Wyatt Dr., Santa Clara, CA 95054
Phone: 1-408-988-1118

System General

XELTEK
Unipro Universal Programmer that programs: Eproms, EEProms, Bipolar, Epld, Flash, Gal, Pal, and some Microcontrollers. Also tests TTL, CMOS, DRAM & SRAMS.
3563 Ryder St. Santa Clara, CA 95051
Voice: (408) 524-1929
Fax: (408) 245-7084
BBS: (408) 245-7082
http://www.calweb.com/~pplus

Plans for making your own can be found at:
FTP sites:
ftp.paranoia.com/pub/users/defiant
ftp.cistron.nl/pub/hacking

WWW pages:
http://www.gpl.net/paulmax/
http://www.paranoia.com/~defiant/
http://www.paranoia.com/~filipg/HTML/LINK/F_pal_gal.html
http://www.cs.ucla.edu/csd-grads-gs3/loving/www/m2l.html EZ-EP info (cheap, easy eprom programmer)

Popular Electronics
in the July 1982 issue.

"Build This PLD Programmer" by Robert G. Brown
Electronics Now (magazine), May 1994

Various kits and software are available from
R.G. Brown, 30 Wicks Road, E. Northport, NY 17731

"Project: GAL programmer" by Manfred Nosswitz.
Elektor Electronics (magazine), May 1992

"Project: GAL Programmer Upgrade" by M. Nosswitz
Elektor Electronics, June 1993
The software and PC boards are available through the Elektor publishers/franchises in various countries.

Old Colony Sound Lab
P.O. Box 243, Peterborough, NH 03458
Phone: (603) 924-6371 or -6526
Fax: (603) 924-9467

In the UK:
Elektor Electronics (Publishing)
P. O. Box 1414, Dorchester DT2 8YH, England

"Generic Array Logic (GAL)" D. Gembris
Elektor Electronics, April 1992

"EPLD programmer design" John Cromie
Electronics & Wireless World, February 1989

"Create Your Own IC's", Bill Green
Popular Electronics, January 1990

"A PAL Programmer" and "Getting Started with PALS", Robert A. Freedman
Byte, January 1987


2.7 How can I make my own SIMMS?

September 1995 issue of "Electronics Now" starting on page 35 has plans for 30 pin SIMMs

SIMM blanks may be obtained from:

There are several versions of blank SIMM boards available from the UK including 1x1 ZIP, 1x1 DIP, 1x4 SOJ and 1x1 SOJ. http://www.dircon.co.uk/linefeed/hcs/mempcb.html Web page offering a number of unpopulated PCBs for making 30 and 72 pin SIMMs.

http://www.dircon.co.uk/linefeed/hcs/mempcb.html Web page offering a number of unpopulated PCBs for making 30 and 72 pin SIMMs.

SIMM pinouts are available at http://www.cistron.nl/~nctnico/info.htm

Motorola's data book - Dynamic RAMs and Memory Modules


2.8 Where are the pinouts for [IBM clone port]

See the comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.* FAQ (posted on news.answers and comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.misc).

ISA pinouts can be found at http://www.cistron.nl/~nctnico/index.htm


2.9 How do I interface to [port/bus]

IBM:
Parallel Port:
ftp://ftp.ee.ualberta.ca/pub/cookbook/comp/ibm/pport094.doc.Z
ftp://ftp.armory.com/pub/user/rstevew
the filenames are: *lpt.faq; ibmlpt.faq, tomlpt.faq, and krislpt.faq each meets different skill levels and needs.

PC Magazine,. Oct 27, 1992 pages 367-376

ISA bus:
You might also want to look into the book: AT BUS DESIGN, IEEE P996 Compatible, by Edward Solari ISBN 0-929392-08-6

Articles about XT and AT type keyboards
can be found in April/May 1995 issues of Circuit Cellar Ink. An early copy of Micro Cornucopia ( March-April 1990 ) has all the details about standards, interface chips etc

The "pc-hardware-faq"
from "comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.*" by Willie Lim and Ralph Valentino also has a great deal of information in it.

http://cal003109.student.utwente.nl/stefan
has info on various ports (parallel, serial, keyboard, etc.)

Information on IDE and parallel port interfacing:
ftp://iglou.com/members/ITU/pc-int.
See the ATAr4c.txt and ide-tech.txt files for more info.

For a complete treatment of IDE interfacing to 8-bit CPUs
(particularly the Z80 family), check out issues 56, 63, 64, and 66 of The Computer Journal.

Connecting IDE devices to 8 bit machines:
http://http.tamu.edu:8000/~jdb8042/SmallSys/8bitIDE.html

SCSI2 interface specs:
http://www.symbios.com/ftp/pub/standards/io/scsi2
http://www.abekrd.co.uk/SCSI2/SCSI2-index.html

IBM, Technical Reference, Personal Computer AT, 1984

"The IBM Personal Computer, from the Inside Out" by Sargent and Shoemaker
(published by Addison-Wesley) provides a lot of information about interfacing an IBM type PC to various things.

Official standard for the EISA bus
are available from BCPR services, (Texas)
Tel: 1-713-251-4770

Standards for the EISA bus
are available from Global Engineering Documents, Englewood, Colorado USA
Phone: (800)854-7179
Fax:(303)397-7935

PCI Special Interest Group (SIG)
P.O. Box 14070, Portland, OR 97214
Phone: (800)433-5177, (503)797-4207
FAX: (503)234-6762

"Using a serial port for discrete I/O operations"
September/October issue of MicroComputer Journal.


MAC:
Brian A. Cole's (tuc@c...) Repository of Macintosh Information
http://www.cs.wisc.edu/~tuc/mac/

Hardware Descriptions and Technical Notes
ftp://ftp.support.apple.com or http://www.apple.com


Other Bus Architectures:
The VME bus FAQ
is at http://www.ee.ualberta.ca/archive/vmefaq.html or http://www.oritools.com/info

The I2C FAQ
is available from: ftp://ftp.uni.paderborn.de/elrad

Universal Serial Bus home page:
http://www.teleport.com/~USB

MIDI interface:
http://daemon.apana.org.au/~ghansper/MidiAxis.html



2.10 Where can I get hard drive specs?

For jumper settings, etc. consult the appropriate newsgroup. Information on ATA 1,2,3 can be found at ftp://ftp.symbios.com/pub/standards/io directory.

Technical information about Seagate drives may be found at http://www.seagate.com.

Western Digital technical support 1-800-275-4932

"Yet Another Enhanced IDE/Fast-ATA/ATA-2 FAQ" is posted on comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.storage and .misc. It is also available, together with related material, by FTP from:
ftp://ftp.aimnet.com/pub/users/clau/ide_ata/
ftp://ftp.rahul.net/pub/lps/hard-disk/
ftp://ftp.wi.leidenuniv.nl/pub/faqs/
and by WWW from:
http://www.wi.leidenuniv.nl/ata/
http://www.seagate.com/techsuppt/faq/faqlist.html

2.11 How do I make my own circuit boards?

There are several methods available. Most involve etching, where a mask is drawn or transferred onto copper clad board, and the board is immersed or sprayed by an etching solution. Boards and etchant can be purchased at most electronics hobby stores, and various manufacturers products are available via mail order. Some methods use iron-on transfers, and others use a photo-etching process. There is even a method using conductive ink and laser printers. Some people have reported good results using Vector wire and Verowire (UK). These methods are more similar to wire wrapping than PCB fabrication.

A detailed PCB FAQ has been written by Vincent Himpe (vincent.himpe@p...). It is posted on alt.comp.hardware.homebuilt and sci.electronics monthly.

PCB FAQ:
http://cal003109.student.utwente.nl/stefan/el in the PCB section.

Toner Transfer System (laser printer)
DynaArt Designs
3535 Stillmeadow Lane,
Lancaster, CA 93536

Electrolube
Photo Resist, developer, Lacquer , Nickel spray, Etchant
Electrolube Limited
Blakes Road,
Wargrave,Berkshire,
RG10 8AW U.K.
Tel: +44 1734 404031
Fax: + 44 1734 403084

Isel: Etchant,plating solution etching equipment etc...
Isel Automation
6419 Eiterfeld 1,
Germany

Sifco: Plating Pen
Sifco
5708 Schaaf Rd.
Cleveland OH 44131
USA
Tel: 216-524-0099
Fax: 216-524-6331

Vero Electronics
Phone: 1-800-242-2863

Circuit Works Conductive Pen
is available from Ocean State Electronics, (800) 866-6626. The catalog number is CW2200

Niche Software's PCB Designer (Windows based PCB CAD program)
A fully-functional (except for printout) demo is available from ftp://ftp.demon.co.uk/pub/ibmpc/win3/apps/pcbdemo

Windraft from Ivex (shareware CAD schematic editor) and Winboard (PC board layout tool)
Both can be obtained at ftp.ivex.com. Ivex also has a webpage at http://www.ivex.com/


2.12 What is the Net Station?

The Net Station was a project whose goal was to create a computer architecture and operating system that would be freely distributed on the net. An agreement on the architecture, etc. was never reached, and the project seems to have been abandoned. The thread does see occasional revival, but little practical progress has been reported lately (to the group, at least). There are unconfirmed reports that the project is still being worked on, but details are presently unavailable.


2.13 How do I homebrew an LCD controller?

LCD FAQs can be found at the following locations:
http://cal003109.student.utwente.nl/stefan or http://cal003102.student.utwente.nl
http://www.paranoia.com/~filipg/HTML/LINK/F_LCD_tech.html
ftp://ftp.ee.ualberta.ca/pub/cookbook


2.14 How do I make good front panels/cover plates?

"K-SUN"'s "Letter Quick" Electronic Lettering and Labeling System.
American Draftsource
1152 Marina Blvd. San Leandro, CA 94577
Phone: (510) 352-8688

Toner Transfer System by DynaArt Designs
A wet method for transferring laser prints for making printed circuit boards. The maker claims it can also be used for decals and faceplates. This material can be obtained from All Electronics, (818) 904-0524.

"Copi-Tak"
A peel and stick plastic sheet that you first print on with a laser printer. You can cut it to fit your panel shape and then peel & stick.

Fidelity Products Co.
5601 Intl. Prkwy.
P.O. Box 155
Minneapolis, Mn. 55440-0155

3M Dynamark II system
uses a photo-sensitive label material that is exposed to UV light - through your negative - in much the same way as you produce prototype PCB's. It is then developed and produces a very nice professional label.

3M House,
28 Great Jackson Street,
MANCHESTER. M15 4PA.
Tel: 0161-237-6142
Fax: 0181-237-9320

3M Specialty Marking Systems Project
St. Paul, MN 55144-1000


2.15 Is there a CD ROM covering semiconductors?

CD-ROM from D.A.T.A. Digest
1-303-799-0381, 1-800-447-4666
Fax: 1-303-700-4082
Over 1.25 million active devices from more than 1000 manufacturers. These cover trnasistors, linear, diodes, optoelectronics, digital and microprocessors.


2.16 Where can I get technical information about Game Boy?

Jeff Frohwein's Gameboy technical page, http://fly.hiwaay.net/~jfrohwei/
Follow the links for Technical Information and Gameboy.


2.17 How can I build a POST code reader for my PC?

Aug. 1993 Electronics Now magazine, page 31, "Post Code Reader For Your PC". It is idendical to the JDR card.


3.0 Where to get more information

3.1 Vendor List

US:

All Electronics
PO Box 567 Van Nuys, CA 91408
Phone: 1-800-826-5432

Allied Electronics
Phone: 1-800-433-5700, 1-817-595-3500
FAX: 1-817-595-6444

Alltronics
2300 Zanker Road, San Jose CA 95131
Phone: 1-408-943-9773

American Science and Surplus
Phone: 1-708-982-0870

Arrow Electronics
1860 Smithtown Ave, Ronkonkoma NY 11779
Phone: 1-800-93-ARROW

B.G.Micro
P.O.Box 280298, Dallas, TX, U.S.A. 75228
Phone: 800/276-2206
FAX: 214/271-2462
email: bgmicro@i...

Circuit Specialists Inc.
PO Box 3047 Scottsdale AZ 85271
Phone: 1-800-528-1417

DC Electronics
PO Box 3203 Scottsdale AZ 85271
Orders: 1-800-423-0070
Phone: 1-602-945-7736

Digi-Key
Phone: 1-800-344-4539 (1-800-DIGI-KEY)
WWW: http://www.digikey.com

Heath (Heathkit)
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
Phone: 1-616-925-5899, 1-800-253-0570
US/Canada: 1-800-44-HEATH (US/Canada)
Canada: 1-800-444-3284 (Canada)

Hosfelt Electronics
Phone: 1-800-524-6464

Images Company
Phone: 718-698-8305

International Components Corp
1803 W. Lincoln Way, Toledo OR 97391
Phone: 1-503-336-4400, 1-800-325-0101 (US/CANADA)

ITU Technologies
kits and electronic products
Phone: 513-574-7523
E-Mail: sales@i..., or itutec@a...
FTP: itutech.com
WWW: http://www.itutech.com/

Jameco (components)
1355 Shoreway Road, Belmont, CA 94002-4100
Phone: 1-800-831-4242
Fax: 1-800-237-6948

Jason-Ranheim Company
3105 Gayle Lane, Auburn, California 95603.

Jason-Ranheim
1805 Industrial Drive, Auburn, Ca. 95603
Phone: 916-823-3284
Technical Support (and outside the USA): 916-823-3285
Orders: 1-800-421-7731, 1-800-421-7748 (From California)

JDR Microdevices Orders: 1-800-538-5000 Cust. Service: 1-800-538-5001
1850 South 10th Street, San Hose CA 95112-4108
Orders: 1-800-538-5000
Cust. Service: 1-800-538-5001
International Sales: 1-408-494-1400
WWW: http://www.jdr.com/

Kelvin Electronics
7 Fairchild Ave, Plainsview NY 11803
Phone: 1-800-645-9212, 1-516-349-7620

Marshall Industries
9320 Telstar Ave, El Monte, CA 91731-2895
Phone: 1-818-307-6000
Fax: 1-818-307-6187
WWW: http://www.marshall.com

MCM Electronics
650 Congress Park Drive, Centersville OH 45459
Phone: 1-800-824-TECH, 1-800-543-4330

Mouser Electronics
958 N. Main Street, Mansfield TX 76063
Phone: 1-800-346-6873, 1-800-992-9943

Newark Electronics
4801 N.Ravenswood Ave, Chicago IL 60640 (Attn: Catalog Dept)
Phone: 1-312-784-5100

Canada:
1625 Trinity Drive, Mississuaga, Ont. L5T 1K4
Phone: 1-800-463-9275

International:
Export Dept.
500 North Pulaski Rd, Chicago IL 60624
Phone: 1-416-673-7799, 1-312-784-5100

NTE Electronics, Inc
44 Farand St. Bloomfield, NJ 07003
Phone: 1-201-748-5089

Ocean State Electronics
PO Box 1458, Westerly RI 02891
Orders: 1-800-866-6626
Phone: 1-401-596-3080

Parallax, Inc. (Basic Stamp)
3805 Atherton Rd. 102, Rocklin, CA 95765
Phone: (916)624-8333
Fax: (916)624-8003
BBS: (916)624-7101
email: info@p...

Parts Express
340 E. First St, Dayton OH 45402
Phone: 1-513-222-0173, 1-800-338-0531

Scott Edwards Electronics

Small Parts, Inc. Mechanical parts - good for the home builder
13980 NW 58th Court, PO Box 4650, Miami Lakes, FL 33014
Orders: 1-305-557-8222
Catalog: 1-305-558-1255

Technological Arts
Microcontroller modules, socket adapters, other products
1644 Bayview Ave. Suite 1704, Toronto, Ontario, M4G 3C2
Voice & Fax: (416) 963-8996 (Toronto)

309 Aragona Blvd. Suite 102-418, Virginia Beach, VA 23462

WWW: http://www.io.org/~techart/
Email: techart@i...

The Electronic Source Book
A publication that lists component manufactures by brand names, and type, their original locations, and their local sources. The book is regional, you purchase one for your region in U.S. or Canada. It is published by Interec, at (800) 217-3372, or (913) 967-1719.

Non-US:

GMS Sperry-Sun (UK) Limited
Phone:+44-1242/265534-544
Fax : +44-1242/221336
E-mail: aiaccarino@s...

Gothic Crellon
Phone: ++ 1703 788878
FAX: ++ 1703 776095

Greenweld Electronics in Southampton
Phone: 01703 236363

IQD
Phone: (01460) 74433
Fax: (01460) 72578

ElectroValue Limited
Staines, Middx.
Phone: 01784 442253 (Mail order)

ELECTROMAIL
Phone: 01536 204555

RS COMPONENTS
Phone: 01536 201234

John Birkitt
1, The Strait, Lincoln
Phone: +44 522 520767

Maplin Electronics
PO Box 3, Rayleigh, Essex, SS6 8LR U.K.
Sales: +44 702 554161
Tech: +44 702 556001

N R Bardwell
Abbeydale Road, Sheffield
Phone: +44 742 552886

Rapid Electonics
Phone: +44 1206 751166

RS Components GmbH
Nordenstrasse 72-76, Postfacht 1365, 64528 Morfelden- Walldorf - Germany
Phone: 061 05 401 234
Fax: 061 05 401

RS Components A/S
Rugvaenget 21 , 2630 Tastrup, Denmark
Phone: 38 33 33 11
Fax: 38 34 22 32

Verospeed
Phone: (01703) 644555

Dubilier Distributors of new and surplus electronic components.
Hewgate House, Rabands Lane, Aylesbury, Bucks. HP19 3RT.
Phone: 01296 393233 Yorks.HG2 8QT
Phone: 01423 879787.
Fax: 01423 879030

Bull Electrical
250 Portland Road, Hove, Sussex, BN3 5QT
Phone: 01273 203500
Fax: 01273 323077

The CR Supply Co.
127 Chesterfield Rd., Sheffield S8 0RN.
Phone: 0114 255 7771

Cirkit Distribution Ltd.
Park Lane, Broxbourne, Herts. EN10 7NQ
Phone: 01992 448899 (Sales Desk), 01992 444111 (Schools, colleges, account holders).
Fax: 01992 471314

Cricklewood Electronics Ltd.
40-42 Cricklewood Broadway, LONDON NW2 3ET
Phone: 0181 450 0995, 0181 452 0161
Fax: 0181 208 1441

Display Electronics
32 Biggin Way, Upper Norwood, LONDON SE19 3XF
Phone: 0181 679 4414
Fax: 0181 679 1927

Electromail Ltd.
P.O. Box 33, Corby, Northants. NN17 9EL.
Phone: 01536 204555
Fax: 01536 405555

ElectroValue Ltd.
Unit 3, Central Trading Estate, Staines, TW18 4UX.
Phone: 01784 442253
Fax: 01784 460320

Suppliers of quality components to industry & constructors since 1965. Exceptional range of SIEMENS inductors and ferrites, also test equipment, tools and other components. Shops in Manchester and Egham, Surrey.

ESR Electronic Components
Station Road, Cullercoats, North Shields, Tyne & Wear NE30 4PQ
Phone: 0191 251 4363
Fax: 0191 252 2296

Variety of discrete components, i.c.s, transistors, p.c.b. materials etc.

Greenweld Electronic Components Ltd.
27D Park Road, Southampton, SO15 3UQ.
Phone: 01703 236363 (Sales & General Enquiries).
Fax: 01703 236307

Surplus electronic boards, new components, test equipment, video & audio accessories etc.

Keytronics
P.O. Box 634, Bishop's Stortford, Herts. CM23 2RX.
Phone: 01279 505543
Fax: 01279 757656

Magenta Electronics Ltd.
135 Hunter Street, Burton-on-Trent, Staffs. DE14 2ST.
Phone: 01283 565435
Fax: 01283 546932

Well known range of kits from UK magazine projects, also other kits, test equipment etc.

Maplin Electronic Supplies Ltd.
P.O. Box 3, Rayleigh, Essex SS6 8LR
Phone: 01702 554161 (Sales Orders), +44 1702 554000 (International Enquiries & Orders); 01702 552911 (Non-Technical Enquiries); 01702 556001 (Technical Enquiries, p.m. only)
Fax: 01702 553935

Omni Electronics
174, Dalkeith Road, Edinburgh, EH16 5DX.
Phone: 0131 667 2611
A wide range of components aimed at the hobbyist constructor.

Tandy (UK) Ltd.
Head Office, 5, Bilston Road, Wednesbury, W. Midlands, WS10 7JL.
Phone: 0121 556 0786.

Farnell Electronic Components Ltd.
Canal Road, Leeds, LS12 2TU.
Sales: 0113 263 6311
Tech. Support: 0113 279 9123
BBS: 0113 231 0160
Fax: 0113 263 3411

ElectroSpeed Ltd.
Boyatt Wood, Eastleigh, Hants. SO50 4ZY.
Sales: 01703 644555
Tech: 01703 641111
Fax: 01703 610282

Rapid Electronics
Heckworth Close, Severalls Industrial Estate, Colchester, Essex, CO4 4TB.
Phone: 01206 751166
Fax: 01206 751188

HB Electronics
Lever Street, Bolton, Lancs. BL3 6BJ.
Phone: 01204 525544
Fax: 01204 384911

CPC plc
Component House, Faraday Drive, Fulwood, Preston, Lancs. PR2 4PP.
Phone: 01772 654455

Arrow Electronics (UK) Ltd
Cambridge Road, Bedford, MK42 0LH.
Phone: 01234 270027
Fax: 01234 214674

RS Components Ltd.
P.O. Box 99, Corby, Northants, NN17 9RS
Phone: 01536 201201 (National orders), 01536-402888 (Technical help).

Cash with Order or credit card customers should refer to Electromail Ltd.

Flint Distribution
Walker Road, Bardon Hill, Coalville, Leics. LE67 1TU.
Phone: 01530 510333
Fax: 0153 051 0275

Large range of surface mount components.

Polar Electronics Ltd.
Cherrycourt Way, Leighton Buzzard, Beds. LU7 8YY.
Phone: 01525 377093
Fax: 01525 378367

Franchised component distributors. Famed for its Microchip PIC Owner's Club.

Gothic Crellon Ltd.
3, The Business Centre, Molly Millars Lane, Wokingham, Berks. RG11 2EY.
Phone: 01734 787848
Fax: 01734 776095

Genalog Ltd.
Gills Green, Cranbrook, TN18 5ET.
Phone: 01580 753754

The Macro Group
Burnham Lane, Slough, SL1 6LN.
Phone: 01628 604383
Fax: 01628 666873/ 668071

Anzac Components Ltd.
822 Yeovil Road, Slough, SL1 4JA.
Phone: 01628 604411
Fax: 01628 660662

MPS Electronics
P.O. Box 777, Rayleigh, Essex. SS6 8LU.
Phone: 01702 554171

Maplin Professional Supplies - bulk discounts and accounts for professional users.

Chelmer Valve Company
130 New London Road, Chelmsford, Essex. CM2 0RG.
Phone: 01245 355296, 265865
Fax: 01245 490064

Valves (Vacuum tubes), RF power transistor specialists.

Colomor Electronics Ltd.
170 Goldhawk Road, London, W12 8HJ.
Phone: 0181 743 0899
Fax: 0181 749 3934.

Valves (vacuum tubes) and semiconductor specialists.


3.2 Internet Resources

FTP Sites:
ftp://bode.ee.ualberta.ca/pub/motorola/general or ftp://ftp.luth.se/pub/misc/motorola/faq
Motorola 68K microprocessor line m68kfaq.*
ftp://cherupakha.media.mit.edu (cher.media.mit.edu)
E&L FTP server (robotics, Mini-Board, and other projects)
ftp://freeware.aus.sps.mot.com
Motorola, fuzzy, risc, etc.
ftp://ftp.armory.com/pub/user/rstevew
FAQ's, Tutorials, Great Internet IC Masterbator (GIICM), PIC, Basic Stamp
ftp://ftp.funet.fi
Microprocessor, PIC info
ftp://ftp.intel.com
Intel's FTP site
ftp://itutech.com/
ITU Technologies
ftp://ftp.mv.com/pub/ddj
Dr. Dobbs Journal FTP site
ftp://ftp.natinst.com/
National Instruments
ftp://ftp.netcom.com/pub/di/dibald/
Dave Baldwin's (dibald@n...) ftp site for schematics for simple basic circuits. Single 'A' size pages and in GIF format. Various FAQs and information about The Computer Journal are also included.
ftp://ftp.oak.oakland.edu
SimTel mirror site
ftp://ftp.parallaxinc.com
ftp site of Parallax (Basic Stamp)
ftp://ftp.picarefy.com/pub/Sun-Hardware-Ref/
Information about Sun parts, etc.
ftp://ftp.sics.se/pub/mchipsoft
contains numerous .zip files
ftp://ftp.syd.dit.csiro.au/pub/ken/zcc095.zip
Small C (subset of C) developement system for Z80 microprocessors
ftp://ftp.ti.com
Texas Instruments FTP site
ftp://ftp.zilker.net/pub/philips
Philips "mini ftp site" set up by Phil Wood of Philips, 8051, i2c FAQs
ftp://iglou.com/members/ITU
ftp://nctuccca.edu.tw
mirror of ftp.intel.com
ftp://nyquist.ee.ualberta.ca
U of Alberta EE archive m68k, spice, cookbook (schematics)
ftp://rtfm.mit.edu
Usenet FAQs
ftp://wpi.wpi.edu
basic stamp information

WEB Pages:

http://www.cera.com/engineer.htm
http://www.circellar.com
the Computer Applications Journal, from Circuit Cellar INK
http://www.dalsemi.com
Dallas Semiconductor
http://freeware.aus.sps.mot.com/freeweb/index.html
Motorola Microcontroller Freeware Web page
http://motserv.indirect.com
Motorola's semiconductor WWW page, Master Selection Guide, etc
http://freeware.aus.sps.mot.com/index.html
Motorola's microcontroller WWW page
http://www.ti.com
Texas Instruments home page
http://www.zilog.com
Zilog home page
http://weber.u.washington.edu:80/pfloyd/ee/
"The electrical Engineering Circuits Archive"
http://www.paranoia.com/~filipg/HTML/cgi-bin/giicm_form.html
Online searchable version of "The Giant Internet IC Masturbator"
http://www.xs4all.nl/~ganswijk/chipdir or http://bbs.cc.uniud.it/chipdir (Mirror site)
Chip Directory, compiled by Jaap van Ganswijk ganswijk@x...
http://www.ba-karlsruhe.de/automation/FAQ
microcontroller FAQs
http://www.ba-karlsruhe.de/automation/home.html
Home Page Automation and Process Control:
http://www.iglou.com/ITU
http://www.io.com/~guccione/HW_list.html
info. on computers built from FPGAs
http://www.seagate.com
Seagate home page
http://www.nec.com
NEC
http://www.nectech.com
NEC
http:/www.oritools.com
Orion Instruments home page
http://www.parallaxinc.com
Parallax Inc. web page
http://www.cera.com/micro.htm
"Microcontroller and Microprocessor Page" Has HTML links to all sorts of IC information on the Net.
http://www.e2w3.com/
Data sheets for IC's
http://cal003109.student.utwente.nl/stefan
(circuits, info, apps)
http://garage.ecn.purdue.edu/~papers/
http://www.geopages.com/SiliconValley/1164
http://dvt07.fagmed.uit.no/electronics.html
Electronic related WWW-Page
http://www.meci.com
Mendelson's Electronics & Surplus. Still under construction.
http://www.paranoia.com/~filipg
Home-made PAL/GAL Programmers, LCD FAQs, sci.electronics FAQ, and links to other FAQs
http://www2.psyber.com/~tcj/
The Computer Journal (TCJ) Web page
http://www.cistron.nl/~nctnico
Electronics WWW page
http://www.ivex.com
Ivex web page (schematic capture, PCB layout tools, etc)
http://www.mchip.com/microchip
Microchip web page
http://http.tamu.edu:8000/~jdb8042/SmallSys/8bitIDE.html
Connecting IDE devices to 8 bit machines:
http://infopad.eecs.berkeley.edu/CIC/
CPU Info Center
http://www.cs.uwa.edu.au:80/~mafm/robot/index.html
Hobby robot web page
http://www.ecn.uoknor.edu/~jspatric/ee-info.html
Electrical Engineering FAQs and Info Home Page
http://www.yahoo.com/Business_and_Economy/Companies/
Semiconductors/Resellers (all 1 line- sorry)
http://fly.hiwaay.net/~jfrohwei/
Jeff Frohwein's web page Technical information, links to various sites
http://www.xicor.com
Xicor
http://www.actel.com
Actel
http://www.analog.com
Analog Devices
http://www.altera.com
Altera
http://www.amd.com
AMD
http://www.benchmarq.com
Benchmarq Technology
http://www.brooktree.com
Brooktree
http://www.burr-brown.com
Burr-Brown
http://www.cirrus.com
Cirrus Logic
http://www.cypress.com
Cypress Semiconductor
http://www.cyrix.com
Cyrix
http://www.dalsemi.com
Dallas Semiconductor
http://www.exar.com
Exar
http://www.fujitsu.com
Fujitsu
http://www.harris.com
Harris Semiconductor
http://www.hitachi.co.jp
Hitachi
http://www.hea.com
Hyundai
http://www.chips.ibm.com
IBM Microelectronics
http://www.idt.com
Integrated Device Technology
http://www.intel.com
Intel
http://www.isd.com
Information Storage Devices
http://ssi.syspac.com/~lansdale
Lansdale Semiconductor
http://www.latticesemi.com
Lattice Semiconductor
http://www.lsilogic.com
LSI Logic
http://156.147.220.63:8080/LGSemicon.html
LG Semicon (aka Lucky Goldstar)
http://www.mxim.com
Maxim
http://www.ultranet.com/biz/mchip
Microchip Technology
http://www.micron.com
Micron Technology
http://www.semicon.mitel.com
Mitel Semiconductor
http://motserv.indirect.com
Motorola (semiconductor products division)
http://www.national.com
National Semiconductor (old site name, but still active)
http://www.natsemi.com/
National Semiconductor
http://www.nexgen.com
NexGen, Inc.
http://www.oki.com
OKI Semiconductor
http://www.semiconductors.philips.com/ps
Philips Semiconductor
http://www.rambus.com
Rambus
http://www.csn.net/ramtron
Ramtron
http://www.samsung.com
Samsung
http://www.csn.net/simtek
Simtek
http://www.srmc.com/seeq
SEEQ Technology
http://www.smos.com
S-MOS Systems
http://www.ssi1.com
Silicon Systems
http://www.inmos.co.uk
SGS-Thomson & Inmos
http://www.synergysemi.com
Synergy Semiconductor
http://www.ti.com
Texas Instruments
http://www.toshiba.com
Toshiba
http://www.wdc.com
Western Digital
http://www.xilinx.com
Xilinx, Inc.
http://www.zilog.com
Zilog, Inc.
http://www.jdr.com
JDR Microdevices
http://www.cera.com/micro.htm (general) http://www.cera.com/gator.htm (chip-specific and dev. tools).
http://www.siemens.de or http://www.sci.siemens.com
Siemens
href="http://www.natinst.com
National Instruments
http://www.infras.com/semico.htm<
http://www.itutech.com
ITU Technologies
http://www.ddj.com
Dr. Dobbs Journal web page

Mailing Lists, E-Mail, etc:


3.3 BBS Numbers

    Circuit Cellar, Inc. (203) 871-1988

    Diamond's BBS: (408) 325-7080 (2400bps)
         (408) 325-7175 (9600+bps)
        
    EDN magazine (617) 558-4241

    Electronics Now (516) 293-2283

    General Device Instruments (408) 983-1234

    Intel American Marketing Applications Support Bulletin Board System
         (916) 356-3600
        
    Intel's BBS  +44-(0)1793-496340 2400,n,8,1

    Parallax Inc. (916) 624-7101

    Motorola (Austin Texas) BBS (512) 891-3733 (Austin, Texas)
        - Munich, Germany:  49-89-92103-111  (2400 baud)
        - Stuttgart, Germany:  49-7031-275496  (19200 baud)
        - San Diego, California:  (619) 279-3907
        - Toronto, Ontario, Canada:  (416) 497-8989

Philips Semiconductor (parent company of Signetics)
         (800) 451-6644 or (408) 991-2406
         Netherlands: +31-40-721102

3.4 Recommended books/magazines

Books:
- "AT Bus Design", By Ed Solari, Published by Annabooks
    ISBN 0-929392-08-6

- "The art of electronics, 2nd ed." by Horowitz and Hill.
    Also has a students lab book of experiments.

- "A Beginner's Guide to Computers and Microprocessors - with
   projects" by Charles K. Adams, from  TAB books

- "Best of Interface Age, Volume 1: Software in BASIC" Carl D. Warren
  (ed.), dilithium Press, 1979, ISBN 0-918398-36-3

- "Build Your Own Low-Cost Data Acquisition and Display Devices"
   by Jeffrey H. Johnson

- "Build you own Universal Computer Interface"
    Covers a lot about serial interfacing and designing circuitry.
    ISBN #: 0-8306-3122-4

- "Build your own Z80 Computer" by Steve Ciarcia

- "Controlling the world with your parallel port" Jamco Electronics

- "Design of oscillator and other harmonic oscillators " by Benjamin
   Parzen (Published by John Wiley and Sons) ISBN 0-471-08819-6

- "Designing Cards and Drivers for Macintosh II and Macintosh SE"
     ISBN 0-201-19256-X.

- "Designing with Programmable Array Logic", Tech. Staff of
    Monolithic Memories, McGraw-Hill, 1981

- "Design with Microcontrollers", John B. Peatman
        
- "Digital Design with Standard MSI and LSI, 2nd ed."
    by T. R. Blakeslee.

- "Digital Design Principles and Practices" By John F. Wakerly
    Published by Prentice Hall   ISBN 0-13-212838

- "Encyclopedia of Electronic Circuits"

- "Handbook of software and hardware interfacing for IBM PCs", By
    Jeffrey P. Royer, Published by Prentice Hall, ISBN 0-13-381849-7

- "High Frequency Switching Power Suplies:Theory and Design"
   by George Chryssis.

- "How to Design, Build & Program Your Own Working Computer System"
  Robert P. Haviland, 1979, TAB Books, ISBN 0-8306-9810-8
  (0-8306-1111-8 paperback)

- "The IBM Personal Computer, from the Inside Out" by Sargent and Shoemaker
    (published by Addison-Wesley) provides a lot of information about
    interfacing an IBM type PC to various things. ISBN 0-201-06918-0

- "Inside the EISA Computers", By Tony Dowden

- "Interfacing to the IBM PC" by Lewis C. Eggebrecht.
    Signals, timing diagrams, example circuits, etc. ISBN 0-672-22722-3

- "Interfacing to the PowerPC Microprocessor" Ron Rahmel and
   Don Rahmel, SAMS Publishing

- "ISA & EISA: Theory and Operation" by Edward Solari (great info and
    timing of the bus hardware -- essential for HW design)

- "Making Printed Circuit Boards" by Axelson, Jan Tab Books, 1993
    ISBN 0-8306-3950-0 (hard) 0-8306-3951-9 (paper)

- "Microcontrolers. Architecture, Implementation, & Programming"
   by Kenneth Hintz and Daniel Tabak  ISBN 0-07-028977-8

- "Microelectronic Circuits" by Sedra and Smith

- "Microprocessor Based Design" by Michael Slater, Prentice Hall, 1989

- "Microprocessor Systems Design" (68000 Hardware, Software, and
   Interfacing) by  Alan Clements. ISBN 0-87150-095-7

- "Musical Applications of Microprocessors" by Hal Chamberlin
    ISBN 0-8104-5753-9

- "PC Programmer's Handbook" by Sanchez and Canton (code examples of
    programming the DMA chip)

- "The PowerPC Architecture" IBM book number SR28-5124-00

- "Programmer's Problem Solver for the IBM PC, XT and AT", By Robert
    Jourdain, Brady Book, ISBN 0-89303-787-7
    info on timer, keyboard, video, disk, parallel and serial port
    hardware resources, and software interfacing.

- "PS/2 and PC BIOS Interface Technical Reference: Second Edition"

- "Single- and Multiple-Chip Microcomputer Interfacing" G.J. Lipovski
    ISBN 0-13-810557-X (Prentice-Hall Edition)
    ISBN 0-13-810573-1 (Motorola Edition)

- "The Book of SCSI" by Peter M. Ridge ISBN: 1-886411-02-6

- "The SCSI Bus and IDE Interface" by Friedhelm Schmidt.
    ISBN  0-201-42284-0

- "The XT-AT Handbook" by Choisser and Foster


Magazines:
-  The Computer Applications Journal (Circuit Cellar Ink)
   PO Box 7694, Riverton, NJ  08077-8784 (609) 786-0409
   http://www.circellar.com/

- The Computer Journal  (916) 645-1670
     1-800-424-8825
     FAX: 916-722-7480  BBS: 916-722-5799
     P.O. Box 3900, Citrus Heights, CA 95611-3900
     tcj@p...
     http://www.psyber.com/~tcj/

- Computer Design  (508) 692-0700
     One Technology Park Drive, P.O. Box 990, Westford, MA  01886

- Dr. Dobbs Journal (415) 358-9500
     411 Borel Ave., San Mateo, CA  94402
     ftp site - ftp://ftp.mv.com/pub/ddj
     www site - http://www.ddj.com/
     BBS - 415-358-8857

- Electronic Engineering Times (516) 293-3000
     500-B Bi-County Boulevard, Farmingdale, NY  11735

- Electronics Now (computer/electonics/hobbyists magazine) 800-999-7139
     Reader Service Dept PO Box 5192 Pittsfield MA 01203-9989

- Elektor Electronics  (603) 924-6371, 924-6526
     Old Colony Sound Lab, P.O. Box 243, Peterborough, NH 03458
     World Wide Subscription Service Ltd
     Unit 4, Gibbs Reed Farm, Pashley Road, Ticehurst TN5 7HE, England

- Microcomputer Journal (formerly Computer Craft)
     76 N. Broadway, Hicksville, NY  11801

- Nuts and Volts 1-800-783-4624, 909-371-8497
     fax 909-371-3052


3.5 Other

CD-ROM from D.A.T.A. Digest 1-303-799-0381 1-800-447-4666 fax 1-303-700-4082 Over 1.25 million active devices from more than 1000 manufacturers. These cover trnasistors, linear, diodes, optoelectronics, digital and microprocessors.

4.0 Misc.

Special thanks to Andrew for the first version of this FAQ. Thanks also to the following for numerous corrections and additional information (in no particular order): Robert Boys, Todd Parker, Howard Matthews, xian the desk lisard, Sandy Harris, Hai Pham, and Alan Winstanley, Gilad Barak, Dave Baldwin, (and my sincere apologies if anyone was accidentally left off this list).

I attempt to make sure that all information in this FAQ is current and correct, but I'm only human. If you find a mistake, please let me know.

Your comments/suggestions/contributions are welcome. E-mail to msokos1@g...

Version 13 (modified 12/24/95)
HTML version by Hai Pham, pham@q.... While I am constantly trying to locate and correct errors in this HTML document, it's unlikely that I've found them all. Should you come accross an error, please email and let me know.