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Introduction

PICs (Programmed Integrated Circuits) are an enabling technology. All those logic, control, communication and display functions that our projects need can be packed into a single chip--a chip that can be reconfigured at your pleasure. PIC development can be done with just a handful of parts: as EPROM eraser, some kind of programming language and a low-cost PIC programmer. Here are some "getting started in development" articles and some "just build what I did" articles.

The Basic Stamp is a similar technology that is also discussed here.

The articles, "PIC Development on a Shoestring" and "Bridge the Digital Divide--Basically" are good starting points. See also the list of other articles on these fascinating and useful devices.

Additional resources

The ARRL Handbook for Radio Amateurs
QST Magazine

The ARRL has an extensive catalog of books and materials related to Amateur Radio.

Articles

Note: Some of the following articles are in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) files. To view and print these files, you'll need a copy of Adobe's Acrobat Reader program. (Version 3.0 or later required). More information here.

• PIC Development on a Shoestring (264,848 bytes, PDF file)
  QST March 1999, pp. 49-51
  Some ideas on how to develop PIC-based projects.
• Bridge the Digital Divide--Basically (124,217 bytes, PDF file)
  QST April 2001, pp. 30-34
  The Basic Stamp is a powerful, yet friendly, digital building block that puts scores of smart circuits at your fingertips. Here's how to get started.
• A PIC of an IDer (492,873 bytes, PDF file)
  QST January 1998, pp. 36-38
  A useful project and some tips on programming your own PICs.
• A Basic Stamp Morse Call-Sign Generator (249,095 bytes, PDF file)
  QST October 2000, pp. 40-41
• A Universal Logging Computer Interface (Hints and Kinks) (167,598 bytes, PDF file)
  QST July 2000, pp. 61-62
  Have your automatic entry logging program get information from your rig even if the radio is not computer compatable!
• Using PIC Microcontrollers in Amateur Radio Projects (1,699,191 bytes, PDF file)
  QST October 1998, pp. 34-40
  Learn more about PIC microcontrollers.
  Download software: picqs10.zip
  Feedback: QST February 1999, p. 72
• A PIC SWR Meter (358,466 bytes, PDF file)
  QST December 1999, pp. 40-43
  Build a computing SWR meter.
• An Inexpensive, Remote-Base Station Controller Using the Basic Stamp (776,217 bytes, PDF file)
  QST May 1998, pp. 33-37
  Operate your home station from another location. Clubs can set up remote HF stations for all members to use,
• An Inexpensive KISS-Mode TNC (302,458 bytes, PDF file)
  QST November 2000, pp.53-56
  Only 4 ICs and a small PC board.

Note

Contact information for suppliers mentioned in the above articles should first be confirmed using TIS Address Database Search.

Bibliography

ARRL Periodicals Index Search - This database contains the QST index from 1915 to the present and the QEX index from 1981 to the present. For QST issues from 1970 to the present, and some selected articles back to 1922 (when construction articles featuring tubes began in earnest), identifying keywords have been added to the technical articles. By entering keywords (ANTENNA) or combinations of keywords (CONSTRUCTION ANTENNA VERTICAL HF) into the Title words: field, you may create dynamic bibliographies.
Technical article KEYWORD list. Hints for more successful searching

Suggested keywords for more articles like the ones on this page are: PIC BASIC STAMP

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