Shoutout to Kranenborg

[erco]

Big thanks to Jurjen AKA Kranenborg, who sent me a delightful package all the way from the Netherlands to Los Angeles. He had PM'ed me previously to ask if I would be interested in some older Picaxe chips he was rehoming. "Of course", I replied, but he wouldn't take any money, not even for shipping. The chips arrived yesterday and I am looking forward to playing around when I get a minute. I only entered the Picaxe world when the M2 chips were announced. But my first foray into microcontrollers was in 1991 using the very first BASIC Stamp BS-1 (256 bytes of RAM), so this old man (me) has a healthy appreciation for vintage chips and working with the limitations of their day.

I cling to many other old/retro things too. My giant 1941 Philco radio/phono and 1960 Philco Predicta TV (both vacuum tubes, obviously), and the love of my life and first car, a 1967 Chevy Corvair I am currently restoring. Old things rule!

Thanks again, Jurjen, I really appreciate your gift. I have never seen the cool chrome stickers before. You rock!

 

[kranenborg]

Thanks for your kind words Erco, I am happy to see that these chips arrived quickly and in proper shape (cheap per unit, but still so powerful and flexible so deserve good use) and in a good home!
The fact that I am shedding these chips and have been less active at this forum lately does by the way not mean that I am retiring from the world of picaxe (I recently ordered a bunch of new M2 and X2 chips for my projects), it is just that many other things consume my spare time. In that respect you and me seem quite alike as well regarding love for vintage stuff: my combined study & hobby room is inhabited by my Philips EE collection from the '70 and 80'ties (I have referred to sometimes), a slightly restored Grundig Satellit 2400 world receiver (the one that I wanted as a youngster but definitely could not afford then, obtained one a year ago and is now Bluetooth AptX enabled and is my indispensible sound system when happily hobbying), and - last but not least - my drainpipe based telescope of 45 years that I am currently restoring (because it has high-grade Polarex optics in it that needs some corrections ...). Happy hobbying to you all!

/Jurjen

 

[lbenson]

If you have a use, I'd be happy to mail you 6 14Ms and an 08M from Florida. If I dig, I might find more. An 08M has been controlling pan and tilt on my rivercam since 2009.

 

[erco]

lbenson: Thanks for your generous offer! I'd hate to hoard though, as I now have a good supply of Picaxes past & present thanks to kranenborg.

Of course I'll take them if you really want/need to rehome them, but may I suggest that you create a new post offering them to others in the forum who may need them more. It would be great to find a young person (or school) who could put them to good use.

 

[erco]

I just received this nice message via Facebook from a potential new Picaxe user. Per his request, I plan to share some 08Ms from kranenborg plus some other goodies from that Robot Mesh sale 2 years ago. Paying it forward.



Sorry for bothering you. I saw your PICAXE posts on Youtube and the PICAXE forum. I'm getting started in the PICAXE enviroment through the Make Electronics book by Charles Platt. The book mentions using a PICAXE 08M (12F683). I am trying to locate and purchase the 08M. I know I could use a 08M2 but I like using using the parts mentioned in the book if possible. I plan on buying the 08M2 starter kit from ROBOTSHOP unless you had an extra kit for sale. -xxxxx from San Diego, California

 

[papaof2]

Any book about microprocessors that is more than a couple of years old may be out of date as to which chips are available.
The key error here is that the 08M is BASED ON the 12F683 but WITH PICAXE firmware. The 12F683 will not work but the 08M2 will (possibly with minor code modifications).

It's 3AM local time and my very powerful inside-the-cheek extended relief Rx pain med has finally provided 80% relief so I won't be running down the stairs to check my data books for the differences in the base chips. I would like to enjoy another few minutes of almost pain free existence.

 

[erco]

... my very powerful inside-the-cheek extended relief Rx pain med has finally provided 80% relief so I won't be running down the stairs to check my data books for the differences in the base chips. I would like to enjoy another few minutes of almost pain free existence.

You and I may have more in common than being Picaxe hobbyists. I'm also a proud papa of 2 (twin girls) and, having run many marathons & triathlons, I'm no stranger to anti-inflammatories.

A cautionary note to others: don't wait until you're 50 to have twins!