[chbot] Robotics Group meeting, 5 Idris Rd, 6-30pm, Robotics 18 July 2022

[Mark Atherton]

Hello everyone,

Good turnout with 27 attendees, and lots of huddles-of tech-talk. $35 + 
change (in gold, and flat-money) collected and transferred into the 
robotics loose-change jar (for later banking).

All sales from the trading table should go into the brown box on the 
wall, and are directly for the benefit of our host club, Christchurch 
Amateur Radio Club, NZART Branch 05.

Equipment donations are welcome for the trading table, but no CRT based 
product, printers, toner or items that are likely to be a disposal burden.

With thanks on behalf of the group,

Mark Atherton

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Mark started the evening by talking about a tiny microprocessor found 
inside an Energizer flashlight bought from New World. He then moved on 
to the task of how to hand-wire a QFP44 package with 0.8mm pin pitch 
using 30 AWG wire.

Mark also talked about boring a 12mm hole through a 9/16” socket wrench 
allowing BNC connectors to be unfastened easily using an electric 
driver. Finally, he discussed the repair of an EHT power supply.

Andy brought in the control panel from a complete commercial lift which 
he won for $1 on Trademe. He explained how he managed to recover quite a 
significant amount of the lift during a frantic weekend of disassembly 
(with some help from Rudy).

David had a question about identifying a test probe; he will be posting 
a photo, and possibly a chocolate-fish challenge.

Alex turned up with his portable combat-robot kit, and gave a 
demonstration of his wares. He also explained a little about the 
associated local culture.

Spencer had a question about CGA / Hercules video formats, and standards 
conversion to VGA. Also some questions about backing up the programme 
files from a 1990s vintage DMX controller.