Nice new boxes

RDL2004

Much nicer looking than the plain brown kind. You guys should sell these, not just ship in them. The lid has side flaps which makes them good for storing small items in

Microcontrolled

I'm more curious about that "capacitance substitution" box in the background. Does that basically act as a capacitor with adjustable Farads? If so, where is it possible to purchase one of these, that thing would be a lifesaver in analog prototyping.

localroger

Microcontrolled wrote: »

I'm more curious about that "capacitance substitution" box in the background. Does that basically act as a capacitor with adjustable Farads? If so, where is it possible to purchase one of these, that thing would be a lifesaver in analog prototyping.

That's exactly what it is; they also make resistor substitution boxes, and your'e exactly right about their utility. Google will help you find one; they vary greatly in price and accuracy.

Bob Lawrence (VE1RLL)

• @TMicrocontrolled
  
  I'm more curious about that "capacitance substitution" box in the background
  od
  
  CAPACITOR SUBSTITUTION BOX SOLDER KIT NEW
• 100 pF TO .1 uF
• 24 VALUES

http://www.ebay.com/bhp/capacitor-substitution-box (A variety )

RDL2004

Does that basically act as a capacitor with adjustable Farads?

Yep, and it's one of the more useful things to have on the lab bench. That one is an IET Labs CS-300. Don't buy a new one they cost too much. I got mine on eBay for $60

I like this kind a lot better than the ones that use knobs or slide switches to adjust because you can read the set value more easily.

RDL2004

Here you go....


http://www.ebay.com/itm/IET-Labs-CS-300-100V-Capacitance-Substituter-/290968910218

Publison

Strange, I've alway got white, not brown, boxes as you describe, but with the brown Parallax logo filament tape. The new boxes look even cooler!

As far as substitution boxes, I have one of these:

Resistor and capacitors. Will do straight resistance, straight capacitance, parallel RC, and series RC. I change all the caps out as it is over 30 years old, and i figured some dried out.

Some on ebay right now:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2047675.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.XEico+1140&_nkw=Eico+1140&_sacat=0&_from=R40

Genetix

I used to not think much about packing until I worked in the industry. Those litho labeled OPFs look really nice even though they cost more than the standard Kraft (Brown) RSCs. I remember reading in a trade magazine that customers prefers flashy packaging even though it costs more. I've found that Parallax uses OPFs when you have a small order shipped by UPS even though the fee is higher.

Whit

The box is so nice... maybe I need to order something... ;-)