Interesting project question
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Posts: 46,084
To make a long story short I love to tinker with electronics and
computers on a number of levels, it's a big part of my job. Well
ive
had an idea for a mod to my coat, yes my coat. You can find a
description of it here, scroll down to The Tasman. It has already
had a high degree of modifications, though not many with electronic
components. It currently has a headset volume amplifier and an
underlying of routed wires sown into the fabric to connect various
devices such as CB scanner, cell phone, 2 way radio. On a non-
technical note it has a level IIA ballistic blanket sown to its
liner. I am currently a bail-bondsman in New York State, or in other
words a bounty hunter. I take a great deal of pride in my equipment
for its uniqueness and utility, I drive a motorcycle most of the
time (a Honda CBR 1100XX 2001 for you bike enthusiast) and I though
a bulletproof coat would be handy, not to mention the bragging
rights. Now to why im posting here, ive been looking for ways to
further improve my jacket design and I have had offers to produce
them. The wire routing system I currently have hooks all my
communication devices to a 3-way switch, and then to my headset
amplifier, then to my headset, the headset can be found here,
http://www.thinkgeek.com/stuff/computing-gaming/3910.shtml. The
setup is rather convenient and allows me to communicate on various
levels without a lot of excess motion/hassle, im my line of work
this can be essential.
I would like to us a Basic STAMP chip in my next design, though I am
torn on which to use. I will provide a list of components/features
that I wish to incorporate.
A forearm mounted control panel must have low-profile buttons so a
Velcro flap can be closed over it. A 2"x3-1/2", 4" would be
preferable.
The Basic STAMP chip and associated large components can be spread
through areas on the coat, as well as the wiring associated with
them.
I would like to setup a channel system to re-direct audio from my
cell phone, CB radio, 2 way radio, and MP3 player to my headset and
a set of speakers underneath the shoulder cape (yeah I know) and I
would also like to be able to bridge them so I can listen/talk on 2
or 3 channels at a time. Of course these would need independent
switches on the forearm controller and bridging switches. The audio
output would only need a simple switch since there is only three
states headset, speakers, and "stealth" (that's a 1/2 joke), mind
you that all this will be routed through a volume amplifier. The mic
will also require its own set of routing switches on the forearm
controller. I would also like indicator LED's to show which channels
are active, I believe having dual colored ones for this purpose
would be ideal, having them one color when active and another when
inactive.
I would like to keep this expandable as well, in the future I would
like build in a remote starter for my motorcycle, and thus add RF
components and other associated parts.
Comments on building the controller or parts, recommendations on
design and possible additions are welcome, thanx for your time.
computers on a number of levels, it's a big part of my job. Well
ive
had an idea for a mod to my coat, yes my coat. You can find a
description of it here, scroll down to The Tasman. It has already
had a high degree of modifications, though not many with electronic
components. It currently has a headset volume amplifier and an
underlying of routed wires sown into the fabric to connect various
devices such as CB scanner, cell phone, 2 way radio. On a non-
technical note it has a level IIA ballistic blanket sown to its
liner. I am currently a bail-bondsman in New York State, or in other
words a bounty hunter. I take a great deal of pride in my equipment
for its uniqueness and utility, I drive a motorcycle most of the
time (a Honda CBR 1100XX 2001 for you bike enthusiast) and I though
a bulletproof coat would be handy, not to mention the bragging
rights. Now to why im posting here, ive been looking for ways to
further improve my jacket design and I have had offers to produce
them. The wire routing system I currently have hooks all my
communication devices to a 3-way switch, and then to my headset
amplifier, then to my headset, the headset can be found here,
http://www.thinkgeek.com/stuff/computing-gaming/3910.shtml. The
setup is rather convenient and allows me to communicate on various
levels without a lot of excess motion/hassle, im my line of work
this can be essential.
I would like to us a Basic STAMP chip in my next design, though I am
torn on which to use. I will provide a list of components/features
that I wish to incorporate.
A forearm mounted control panel must have low-profile buttons so a
Velcro flap can be closed over it. A 2"x3-1/2", 4" would be
preferable.
The Basic STAMP chip and associated large components can be spread
through areas on the coat, as well as the wiring associated with
them.
I would like to setup a channel system to re-direct audio from my
cell phone, CB radio, 2 way radio, and MP3 player to my headset and
a set of speakers underneath the shoulder cape (yeah I know) and I
would also like to be able to bridge them so I can listen/talk on 2
or 3 channels at a time. Of course these would need independent
switches on the forearm controller and bridging switches. The audio
output would only need a simple switch since there is only three
states headset, speakers, and "stealth" (that's a 1/2 joke), mind
you that all this will be routed through a volume amplifier. The mic
will also require its own set of routing switches on the forearm
controller. I would also like indicator LED's to show which channels
are active, I believe having dual colored ones for this purpose
would be ideal, having them one color when active and another when
inactive.
I would like to keep this expandable as well, in the future I would
like build in a remote starter for my motorcycle, and thus add RF
components and other associated parts.
Comments on building the controller or parts, recommendations on
design and possible additions are welcome, thanx for your time.