Getting back into programming.

[Radio Tech]

Hi All,
I am looking to get back into programming projects.Mostly based around Ham and CB radio. Perhaps there are other projects I could do with this.
Years ago I used to program 27C128 chips. These were used in the Browning Mark 4 CB radios for part of the PLL circuit.  Browning did not cover the window on the chips and after time UV light would erase them. These were also used in old Knitting mill PLC devises at a place I used to work at.  Late 80’s.  Later on I got into some smart card programming for entry doors and also AT90S2313 Atmel’s.
Well now I want to play around with this again. And since my old Mod Mep-4 is Windows 3.1 based software and none of my current PC’s supports this, I am thinking about going with a pickit device.

I can see were learning this newer technology may be able to help me a bit in my business.  Maybe build some microprocessor controlled PLL for old radios
I spent the week looking and reading here and elsewhere on line. Plus watching some Dave videos.
So I like the pickit 2.  I found what I think is a clone:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Enhanced-Microchip-PIC-Emulator-PICKit2-Programmer-USB-Cable-ICSP-Cable-/261006962488?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cc53a2f38

I am not sure if I need the pickit 3.
It is a bit confusing to say. Things have changed a lot.
Thought? And remember I am new to this.

[ZeroStatic]

Radio Tech.
Not sure what you're tring to do with microcontrollers.

Check out the Microstick DM330013 for $25 from Microchip.
There's heaps of Arduino stuff out there for cheap.
The PICKIT3 is now pretty good if you're looking to develop for PIC chips.

It really all depends what you're trying to do and in what language you want to program.

Good Luck

[Radio Tech]

Thanks for the info. I will look that one up. As far as Arduino, I looked at that.

I do have one internet friend that uses the first one I posted.  And he has designed some stuff like I am interested in.  So really thinking about going that route.  Then maybe move up to something different.
Going to be a lot to learn. I think the programming is in C.
So maybe this will give me a head start and learn something.

[MikeK]

The PICKit2 is better than the PICKit3, but the 3 will program the latest PICs.  If you don't need the latest PICs I would go for the 2.  I would also get it from Microchip or a distributor since clones can have problems and aren't that much of a savings.

Also, there's a new book out from ARRL about using the PICAXE, which is a PIC with a proprietary bootloader and, thus, requires no programmer...just a serial port or a USB do-dad.  It's more entry level, but still might be an option for you.

[james_s]

These days C is the universal language supported by every microcontroller on the market, or C++(ish) used by the Arduino. Once you learn C it hardly matters what hardware you use although the quality of the toolchain does vary widely. I'm still using 8 bit AVRs since they're the devil I know, but ARM such as the popular STM32 seems to be the future.

I've come to quite like the Arduino too, I was not impressed for a long time, the software is fairly clunky but what finally sold me on it is a combination of the proliferation of insanely cheap clones and the massive collection of libraries floating around that make interfacing to all manner of random poorly documented Chinese widgets absurdly easy. I can pick an LCD or OLED display out of my box of China gadgets and in literally 5 minutes have it doing something. No spending hours pouring over blurry Chinglish datasheets trying to decipher the commands needed to wake it up, just grab the library, load a demo sketch, hook it up and go. Additionally it now supports a collection of other boards like the ESP8266, ESP32 and some of the ARM boards, I ported one of my earlier Arduino projects to the ESP8266 in just a few minutes, same IDE, same code, just change the IO pin names to suit.

[techman-001]

These days C is the universal language supported by every microcontroller on the market <snip>

Almost every market, just not the SPACE market where radiation hardened CPU's such as the RTX2010 support direct execution of Forth.

The Philae Lander for instance contained ten RTX2010's. http://www.cpushack.com/tag/rtx2010/

[james_s]

Naturally there are a few really esoteric things like that, but within the context of this thread (hobbyist wanting to program microcontrollers) every CPU on the market can be programmed in C. It's pretty obvious that he's not looking for radiation hardened controllers for space vehicles.

[magic]

In the context of this thread, OP lost interest 6 years ago and it has been bumped by what appears to be a spammer

[ebastler]

In the context of this thread, OP lost interest 6 years ago and it has been bumped by what appears to be a spammer

Yep, I was wondering about the post by "Kazik". It has two signatures of a typical spam post: first-time poster who revives a long-dead thread. But where is the link to whatever site or product he wants to promote?

Is the idea to come back a few weeks later, when the thread has petered out again, and edit the post? If so, I am amazed that this effort (registering, posting, keeping track of "orphaned" posts to come back later) would pay off -- just to plant a link for another tiny bit of search engine ranking improvement?

[Ian.M]

We shouldn't be so quick to suspect every first post newbie of being a spammer *BEFORE* they spam.  Anyway, spam here is of zero benefit for SEO as it gets deleted extremely quickly due to the large number of members who rapidly report it and our diligent and proactive team of moderators.

@Kazik,
You may wish to introduce yourself in the topic:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/new-member-please-introduce-yourself/

Also, if you have feedback for Anobium, re: his PICkit Plus software, it would probably be better to post it to:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/microcontrollers/pickit-2plus/

[Simon]

I have locked the topic due to the age. If Kazik has questions I suggest he starts a new thread.