For Science

Updating the breadboard with the components for the final schematic of the Mighty Ohm – Wifi Radio.

Again, first power it up and check if the 16×2 lcd displays any text (it should) before hooking it up to the asus 520 router.

To the left the usbTiny is shown with the 6-pin ISP cable disconnected. It’s easier to work on the breadboard this way and I don’t want to remove the patching of the other end of the cable into the bradboard just yet. A little breakout board would be handy for this. Maybe I’ll build one. If so I’ll share it with you.

Just above the usbTiny you see three wires in a loop. These are the TX RX and GND that need to be connected to serial pin connector on the asus 520 router.

While modding the Asus WL-520GU router into a wifi radio it’s time to bring out the breadboard. Interested in the project? Look here at Mighty Ohm.

After flashing the Atmega168 with the usbTiny the first phase would be to see if I can get some text on the display. I found a helpfull comment on the Mighty Ohm forums that, without actually attaching the breadboard to the asus 520, there will be text visible on the 16×2 lcd display.

Power is supplied through the usbTiny 6-pin ISP that is still hooked up since flashing the microcontroller.

After a first scare of seeing nothing I realise that the potmeter just might need a little turn. That was it! Text appeared on the display without further connections.

Note: this is the intial schematic on the breadboard. The final schematic of the project has more functionality and a few more components.

So you decided to add reflow soldering to your skillset. The high investments in (semi) professional tools and materials make you hesitate. You want to give it a try but take the (promising) amateur road of electric oven, hot plate or toaster heaters.

Whaterever the choice for heating device you need solderpaste and a method of applying it. Current great deals are listed below. Actual results haven’t been acchiefed because I haven’t completed the setup yet.

• Solder paste
  • http://www.dealextreme.com/
  • LodeStar Soldering Paste (50g) sku 7952
  • About $4
• Syringe for applying the paste
  • http://www.findingking.com/
  • Watch Oiler Syringe 2ml
  • About $5
  • Or Dealextreme again (sku 22305)
• Solder mask for applying the paste
  • http://www.dealextreme.com/
  • Multi-Purpose IC Soldering Film (0.25mm)
  • About $3

The shipping costs are zero and the overall prices are amazingly low. Pretty usefull stuff in my experience but it takes roughly two weeks to arrive and off course you get what you pay for. 🙂 For Science tries to keep an eye on the budget.