Introduction.
To encourage hobbyists to get into Stamping as inexpensively as
possible, we have a loaner board program to aid you in assembling your own "Homebrew BS2".
You may request a loaner when you order one or more "Homebrew Kits"
from us or at a later time if you find you are having problems assembling your Homebrew.
This is a free service. (However, a $75.00 deposit is required as described below).
The idea is to provide you with a working unit to enable you to compare
with your "Homebrew".
Description.
The loaner consists of a complete "Homebrew Stamp 2" assembled on a
Jameco JE25 solderless breadboard. The assembled circuitry includes a Parallax
PBASIC2 Interpreter in a 28-pin DIP, the crystal clock, 24LC16 EEPROM and
MAX232 serial interface.
It also includes a five foot flex cable with
a DB9 connector on the PC side and a 2X5 female on the other side which
mates with a similar male connector on the breadboard.
It also includes a 7805 +5VDC regulator.
You need only attach a source in the range of +9 VDC to +12 VDC capable of
supplying nominally 100 mA. This might be a DC wall power unit or a nine
volt transistor battery.
In addition, the EEPROM has been programmed
to flash an LED on terminal P0 of the Homebrew Stamp.
This has all been assembled and tested.
Use of the Loaner.
A typical scenario might be for you to apply
power to the loaner unit and observe the flashing of the LED.
Then interface the loaner with your PC,
write your own program and download it. This is important as without the
loaner, you are left wondering whether any problem you may have in getting
your "Homebrew" working is the configuration of the PC or your wiring of
the circuitry.
You might then "clone" the loaner. Having
the loaner gives you confidence, allows you to compare various signals,
compare wiring and swap components.
Return of the Loaner.
When you are done, return the loaner.
Please note that I do not want to sell these loaners.
Please note that the cost of the first "Homebrew Stamp 2 Kit" is $21.00 and $19.00 for each additional kit. If you do some simple arithmetic on the cost of the documentation, logic probe, PBASIC2/P 28-pin DIP, 24LC16, MAX232, crystal, capacitors, resistors and diode and the time in putting all of this in a zip lock bag, you might conclude the profit is mighty slim, if any. You are correct.
However, I am fortunate in that I can afford
to do this, it is a small amount and it is certainly for a good cause.
Turning anyone on to Stamps or similar is a worthwhile cause.
Deposit.
However, I hope that you can appreciate that I cannot afford to lose these loaners and thus a $75.00 deposit plus $6.00 shipping is required. When you return the Loaner, I will return the $75.00.
