The Programmable Logic Controller or PLC, which was specially developed to cater to the needs of the automobile manufacturing industry, is robust and flexible and has proved itself capable of withstanding the demands of harsh industrial environments.
Fifty years ago, the mainstay of automatic special purpose machine control was hard-wired relay logic which was supported by electro-pneumatic/motorised timers, electromagnetic digit-wheel counters, step selectors, and latched relays.
Special purpose machines had come into being for carrying out reliable, repetitive and sequential machining operations in the mass manufacturing of automobile components.
Then came electronic logic gates, hard-wired gate modules, timers, counters and shift registers followed by basic microprocessor control which did not gain ready acceptance (resistance to change).
The first microprocessor-based PLCs catered only to logic functions using input, output, timer, counter and latch modules. Proficiency in relay logic made 'Ladder Diagram' programming / trouble-shooting easy and that enabled the take over of automatic special purpose machine control by PLCs.
Later, introduction of arithmetic and process control functions made the PLC quite versatile. Then came servo control & computer numerical control and the rest is history!
In the test and measurement field the industrial PC rules, with the support of dedicated modules for data acquisition & control including software from reputed manufacturers.
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Drake TR-4C - PTO problem
In the process of troubleshooting a faulty Drake TR-4C, years ago, the root cause was traced to a non-working PTO.
A visual examination of the mint-condition PCB revealed nothing. Component checks with a multimeter also showed nothing amiss.
Then 'Eureka'! A continuity test showed that the PTO coil was isolated from ground.
A closer examination of the PCB, with a magnifying glass, revealed a dry-solder connection at the ground end of the PTO coil.
Just one solder touch-up and the old workhorse was back in business!
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A visual examination of the mint-condition PCB revealed nothing. Component checks with a multimeter also showed nothing amiss.
Then 'Eureka'! A continuity test showed that the PTO coil was isolated from ground.
A closer examination of the PCB, with a magnifying glass, revealed a dry-solder connection at the ground end of the PTO coil.
Just one solder touch-up and the old workhorse was back in business!
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Unforgettable OM Guru - VU2GUR
I can’t believe that my good friend, OM Guru – VU2GUR, is no
more.
He passed away on Saturday, 8th December 2018, after a brief illness. He was 78 years old.
He passed away on Saturday, 8th December 2018, after a brief illness. He was 78 years old.
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| OM Guru - VU2GUR |
It’s been over 30 years since OM Guru and I first met. We
found we had a lot in common and hit it off right away.
That led to daily HF / VHF QSOs and visits to the
local Sunday flea market, which he often referred to as ‘J-land’. We also exchanged that occasional shack visit to work on a homebrew project or troubleshoot a boat
anchor or whatnot.
We teamed up for a few foxhunts and won a couple of them too.
OM Guru was always enthusiastic about anything related to amateur radio. He
spared no efforts to help newbies come on the air. A high point for him was his
gaining proficiency in satellite operation. He shared his experience with
others and helped them work the satellites too.
I can never forget the good human being that OM Guru was.
May his soul rest in peace.
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Handy Crystal Radio Antenna
In a ham shack, either half of a 40m inverted ' V ' dipole antenna would come in quite handy as a usable crystal radio antenna element.
However, a suitable loading coil would be required to make it resonant at the desired frequency.
Related post: Crystal Radio Antennas
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| Handy Crystal Radio Antenna |
Related post: Crystal Radio Antennas
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