Breathing New Life Into a 1950s AM/FM Radio
After disassembling the handheld radio, we see that the power and AM/FM functions are controlled by (momentary SPDT) pushbuttons. Tuning is controlled by a rotary switch with three data pins. Volume is controlled by a potentiometer dial with five pins.
Having opened both devices, we can now begin to plan out how we will interface the two radios. After some investigation, using a logic analyzer, it was determined that the handheld radio tuning knob was a pulse encoder. Therefore it could not simply be replaced by a variable resistor (potentiometer). The solution is to de-solder the pulse encoder and physically attach it to the vintage radio's tuning knob. Due to space constraints, we cannot mount the pulse encoder directly on the vintage radio's tuner shaft. Using some posts and gears from Lego Technic, we build a drive system that transmits the turning of the vintage radio's knob to a point in the interior of the radio. It is important to use gears in a 1:1 ratio, otherwise the vintage radio's tuning display will not reflect the station that the handheld radio is tuned to.
MSI Launches its Afterburner App
MSI Launches its Afterburner AppTAIPEI, Taiwan - MSI has released the world’s first overclocking software utility for Android systems: MSI Afterburner App. MSI Afterburner app allows you to monitor and overclock your graphics card anytime, anywhere.; MSI Afterburner App can even overclock and overvoltage. Whether it is extreme overclocking, gaming, audiovisual or even scientific computing, users will be able to use Android handheld devices like smartphones and tablets to their graphics cards. Rush to the Android Market to download your copy of Afterburner App to experience the fun and convenience of wireless overclocking!
Transform your smartphone or tablet into an Overclocking controllerThe Afterburner App overclocking utility was co-developed by MSI and well-known software programmer Nick Connors. Not only has the app eliminated the need to be physically present at the computer to adjust the graphics card, it has also replaced the mouse, the keyboard and even the external monitor and overclocking panel. With a WiFi connection, users will be able to monitor the core temperature, frequency, memory clock speed, fan speed and even CPU and memory usage as well as a host of other useful information anywhere and anytime. More importantly, Afterburner App’s calibration functions allow the display of the graphics card’s core, frequency and fan speed in “real time.” Even the highly praised triple overvoltage of Afterburner is available in its entirety within the Afterburner App, putting graphics card information right at a user’s fingertips!
arrived on Android smartphone platforms late last week, providing hope that powerful mainstream browsing will come soon to Android handheld devices. and more »
