Following is a list of unanswered reader questions, printed in the Tech Forum, from recent issues of Nuts & Volts Magazine. Be sure to include the ID number printed at the end of the question when offering a solution. Answers should be e-mailed to forum@nutsvolts.com

TechForum

October 2007 Issue

I work in a hot, one man fabrication shop. I have a furnace type squirrel cage fan blowing at my workbench to cool me down. I'd like to have the fan on a turn table and rotate toward me no matter where I go in the shop. I'd have to wear a transmitter or sensor of some sort. I guess there'd be a stepper motor in there somewhere, too. Azimuth tracking comes to mind. Is there anything out there like that?
#10071
Rod Reynolds

November 2007 Issue

I have seen a couple of articles on modifying an AM/FM radio to receive SW, but can’t seem to get it to work. I have tried on all three of my analog tuned AM/FM radios, but to no avail.

Can someone supply a working modification? The three radios I have access to are a GPX Personal Receiver #A2094AQUA, GPX Clock Radio #D503CLR, and a BBS Cleartunes Boombox CT-330.

I have no direct access to the Internet, so I cannot do searches for the information. I can have some articles printed if I can get URLs. I also cannot simply buy an SW receiver.
#11071
Anonomous

December 2007 Issue

We have several computerized machine tools that use serial ports to upload and download their programs. It is getting harder and harder to have our mini file equipment repaired. I would like to use a USB Flash to upload and download programs through the serial ports. It would be nice to have an LCD readout to choose what program to download from the Flash. Any help with this project would be appreciated.
#12073
Brent Lamb
Lubbock,TX

I have a GPS unit made by Falcom in Europe. It is hidden in my vehicle and can be tracked on a private website for a fixed dollar amount each month. I want to be able to track it from my home PC. Any ideas what software I will need and who sells it for my unit? I understand that each GPS has its own identification number so only it will respond to any query.
#12076
Roy Kneale
Covina, CA

January 2008 Issue

How can I extract music files (usually .wav or .mp3) embedded in Microsoft Power Point files?
#1084
Steve Buu

Is there a way to export stock market data from the Internet (PC) through USB or RS-232, to be displayed on a homemade stock sticker?
#1085
Steve Buu

March 2008 Issue

I am currently working on a windmill project that uses the dynamo of a car as the generator. Can someone suggest another way or different kind of inexpensive motor (PMDC) that will work as a generator?

Also, what charging circuit is required to charge a 12V, 40 amp battery? Any suggestions to how we can improvise our design are appreciated.
#3081
Anthony

I would like to use the sensor from a laser mouse for a rotary encoder in a robotic arm. How can I read from it, using an MCU?

My plans are to mount it inside a joint on the arm pointed at the side wall, read the distance, then translate that into rotational degrees.
#3084
Bryan Johnston

April 2008 Issue

Color LCD touch screen displays cost hundreds of dollars while you can get a used Nintendo DS with one touch screen and one static screen for under $50 on eBay or other sources. How can a Nintendo DS color display and touch screen be used for a PIC or PICAXE project?
#4081
Terry Cieslak

I have a ROSS shortwave receiver RE8000, which has AM/FM and six long/shortwave bands. It appears that when Ross went out of business, so went most of their schematics and documentation. I have been on the Internet to at least 40 locations, including hams, antiques, etc. Does anyone have a schematic or know where I can get information on it? I would appreciate any 8000 model range information. Also, operating data on a FSE5006 PNP transistor, same problem.
#4082
John Lippert
Menomonee Falls, WI

May 2008 Issue

I'd like to use a white LED to light up a wall-mounted keepsake box (like a picture frame, but thicker). It should light with a pushbutton and turn itself off after an hour or two and use as little current as possible when off.
#5081
Joe R

I have two questions about the IBM Ideascan model 0275011 used on the parallel port (printer port): 1. What is the wavelength of the light tube? 2. What are the control codes, e.g., light on/off, move, stop, speed, etc
#5082
Paul Weijers
Lachine, QC Canada

Has anyone hacked a digital camera and installed the sensor and minimum circuits into an old film camera like an old Nikon F or Leica M2 or M3? I've seen astrophotog guys hack digital Canon EOS D30 and Rebel to remove the IR filter for IR photography ... I don't know which electronics I can safely clip out of the digital donor. (There are film camera nuts out there that would die to see this done.)
#5083
George Kase

I'm looking for an affordable (US) PCB MFG who specializes in prototype quantities (<100) of COB (chip on board) from DIE that I provide. I need a company who can lead-attach the DIE and epoxy-seal it, forming a COB PCB.
#5084
Charlie Van Dien
Port Saint Lucie, FL