Update to the weather station parts list

Sorry to do this but in doing the prototype I discovered that using a nano wasn't going to provide enough power for the station display so I switched to using another Uno.

The difference in the price is negligible, but the power from the Uno is enough to run the display without any external power work arounds.

I should have enough extra boards in case anyone has already purchased them and I'll exchange any nano's that people have bought with an Uno as an even swap.

Also if you haven't attended the prior classes and are just starting with this class these are the additional components from the prior classes that you'll need:

• Breadboard jumper cables (I would get a set of male to male, male to female and female to female and then you'll be all set going forward)
• Two breadboards either the 400 point or the 800 point ones will work, I will have some extras with me.  You can make do with just a single breadboard, but it's nice to have the display on the breadboard
• Power supplies to run the Weather Station or the console without having to have it hooked up to your laptop.  When you go to install it permanently you can use a battery for the weather station sensor side and it should work just fine.
• USB cables for the UNO's

Arduino Weather Station Class rescheduled for 7/25

I've got the updated class posted in the events section.

In this class we will be building a basic weather station that will measure temperature, humidity, light intensity, uv intensity and pressure and then send this data wirelessly to a base unit that will display the information.

This will be the basis for a home weather station system that will allow you to mount the sensors outside in something like a tupperware container and then mount the sensors on the outside and seal them with silicone.  You can either power it with batteries or a small solar cell and some rechargeable batteries that charge during the day, and discharge during the evening.

I have the list of everyone who will be attending currently, along with if I have your parts ordered.  If you are getting your own parts I would recommend Amazon going forward.  I've had too many issues with Banggood lately and I am going to stop using them because the hassle is not worth the small savings to me.

Here's the current attendance list and anyone who has a * next to their name I've got their parts. 

• Ray Purdom *
• Dale Mierisch *
• Don Edwards *
• David Shoaf KC4X *
• Jim Register *
• Geoff Rudy *
• Caver Dave *
• Van Key *
• Subhash Gedam *
• Gene Bowman *
• Steve WA3RTC *
• Harold NRHER *
• BIll KK4ZIU *

If you'd like to participate please let me know and I can add you to the list, if you are either signed up or do want to participate and need a set of parts please let me know ASAP.  Currently I have one or two extra sets, but I will order more if necessary.  The price for the parts will be $33 for everything.

I'm currently working on the wireless connection between the two arduino's and once I have that completed I'll publish the code here so everyone can download it and be ready for the class.

I've updated the parts list with links to Amazon if you want to purchase the parts on your own.

Next Arduino Class

We have the date and location for the next class, it'll be on Saturday 6/20 from 9 until 4 at the Red Cross building and we will be building the basic weather station. 

I have the prototype built, and it will have a UV intensity sensor, light intensity sensor, temperature, humidity and soil moisture content sensors, and a rtc. 

The base station will be an all in one with a Nokia 5110 display and some buttons for menus.  We will discuss options for making it a remote system with wires, wireless communications and having a base unit that allows you to control it from within your house, and having the sensors connected to either an uno or nano. 

I'm also working on an anemometer and direction system, that uses ultrasonic transducers (4) to measure both wind speed and direction with no moving parts.

All the parts have shipped and will be here in time for the class. Here's the list of people who have signed up for the class, an asterisk indicates you asked for the parts to be ordered or they are reserved. I have 10 sets of parts coming.  I'll have the instructions and code out before the class. 

Thanks 

Hexy the Hexapod with an arduino controller

This is an example of something else you can make with an Arduino.  Arcbotics used an Arduino Leonardo as a base for the controller for this robot, and this is my post about finally getting it running:

Took some time this weekend to work on my Hexy hexapod.  I've been playing with this for a year or two after getting it in a kickstarter, got frustrated and put it away for a while.  Had some ideas to get it to run better (mostly because of power issues) and implemented them this weekend.

It's working fantastic (well except for a few stripped servo gears) when it's wired, but wirelessly it's extremely jerky and it's missing commands.  So the next steps are to replace the servo gears with carbon ones, and replace the controller with an updated one and install an Arduino as it's 'brain' to send the commands over serial so there's no wireless delay. Then I'll use a PS3 controller to control it and it should work awesome.

https://youtu.be/7qxB9p5sH24

Next project and LCD Bezels

I need to know who still needs a LCD bezel for the VFO box.  I'll have them at the meeting Monday night, or at the next class once we get it scheduled.

I've gotten a few responses to the survey on what we should do next in the class, and it looks like the next project will be a weather station.  After that the SWR meter.  I have the plans for a weather station, and I just need to get a count of the number of people who are interested in building one so I can order the parts.

We are working on the design of the Scanning SWR meter, and once that's finalized we'll be ready to get the parts for that project.

The estimate for the parts for the weather station is about $30 for the sensors and a display, and then you'll need an arduino as well, which for this will only need to be an Uno which is $5, and an appropriate case for it.  This weather station will measure Temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, soil moisture, and UV level. 

I've uploaded a spreadsheet listing the components, and you can choose as many or as few as you want for your weather station.  If you're going to build one with the class then you can either get the components yourself, or you can return the spreadsheet indicating which components you want to get and I'll be doing a group buy from Banggood for the parts.

Thanks

More survey results

I checked the survey tonight and so far we've had 8 responses and here's the current standings for our next project:

Tied for first is the scanning SWR meter, and the Arduino weather station, second is the APRS module.

I'm going to let the survey run a bit longer as I still don't have a firm date for the next class, hopefully I should have a better idea by the end of the week when the next class will be held and what we will be planning for our next project.

Stay tuned!

Survey results so far

Well so far we've had 5 responses and here's the summary of the top choices:

1. Tie between Scanning SWR meter and the APRS tracking module
2. Tie between Arduino based weather station and Introduction to the Raspberry PI

I'll let it run few a while longer, I won't know what the next class schedule will be like until the middle of next week.  Once I have a firmer date I'll be updating the calendar and letting everyone know.

Right now it looks like it's not going to be before Dayton, which is May 15-17, but the 23rd is a possibility, but I'll know for sure after next week.

Once I can get the date I'll probably close the survey and make a decision on the next project to do in the class.

Next Project Survey is ready

I've just created a survey to find out what projects everyone wants to work on next.  I've listed the ones I can remember that we discussed, and also left a comment area so if there's something else someone wants to work on or review they can add it.

Right now the survey will be running for a month, depending on the next class schedule I may keep it open longer.

Once the survey closes and I get enough responses I'll go ahead and post the results here.

Here's the link to the survey, and I have also added it to the links page.

Class update

I've updated the website as you can see, the Arduino Class section is no longer hidden, and I've added a links page which has links that are useful for the class, or things we've discussed in class along with the code that we used to share with Bittorrent.

And if you didn't know you can actually subscribe to this blog and get automatic updates if you use a RSS reader.  Just copy the link at the top of this page and add it to your favorite RSS reader.  If you don't use a RSS reader, no problem, you can just keep reading the updates here.  Or if you want to know what a RSS reader is and how to use one I can explain it in a few minutes during one of our upcoming classes.

I'll be making a list of suggested projects that we could start working on next, and I'm going to have a way for everyone to give their feedback, so we'll know what everyone wants to work on next.

Rescheduled next class on 3/14/2015

Unfortunately when the date for this class was set no one realized that it's the same week as the Charlotte hamfest.

We are going to try and reschedule it for 3/28/2015, and the date will be confirmed after this Mondays FARC meeting once we make sure we have the meeting space available.

Welcome to the new Arduino Class section of my Website

I've created this section in my website that is not visible to the public to keep everyone informed of what's happening with the Arduino class, to share information, and reduce the number of emails that are sent out.

You can subscribe to this blog with your favorite RSS reader, and stay up to date about what's happening with the class.