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11-20-2016, 12:28 PM
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#21
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Oswego, New York
Trailer: 2017 Escape 21C, 2018 Ford F150
Posts: 5,373
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron in BC
I thought Myron's response would be a photo of one of those.
Great project for the techno minded.
Ron
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Since Myron didn't, how about one of these. They produce a sound that is difficult to find as a sound effect, and very distinctive. I did a show a few years back (before the internet) and had a heck of a time finding one to mount in the front door of a stage set.
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11-20-2016, 12:31 PM
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#22
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Area 51, New Mexico
Trailer: pondering.....
Posts: 728
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alanmalk
ne·ces·si·ty, nəˈsesədē/, noun.
1. the fact of being required or indispensable.
Ok, not a necessity... But I really needed this for our Escape.
What is it? Its an alarm clock I built to my (unusual) sense of needs and desires.
I required an alarm clock that would:
a. Run on 12 volts.
b. Be easy to use. (No buttons)
c. Have an external antenna connection for camping in the boondocks.
d. Fit on the narrow shelf at the front of our '21.
e. Play my MP3 music, and when available, connect to WiFi for streaming my NPR station.
Since I could find nothing that fit the above, I decided to try to roll my own. Being a recently retired software engineer I figured a cheap computer could be the heart of the project. A quick google search and an application of credit card magic brought a Raspberry Pi and touch screen to my door.
A Raspberry Pi is a palm size wonder. 4 cores, wifi, usb, sdhc slot, gpio pins, 1 Gb ram, bluetooth, I2C - all for under $40. The 7" touch screen unfortunately was double that, but was the only solution to a no-button design. And I hate the tiny buttons on our bedroom alarm clock that lock the controls to "play" if you hit the wrong one at 5 am in the dark.
The "problem" quickly became bells-and-whistle-itis. To the requirement list I added goodies like:
battery backup, light sensor for automatic dimming, temperature sensor to see if I should stay under the covers, 7 day alarm for each day of the week, SDR radio so I could listen to ham radio if I got tired of NPR, adjustable volume ramping so as to not shock my delicate ears at 5 am, backlight ramping to match the volume ramping, quick timezone set for those east/west trips. And the list could be endless since its all software! Fortunately Susannah put her foot down and vetoed the built in GPS, barometer, video playback, maps, etc. Maybe in version II?
The first batch of photos show the innards. More to follow...
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wow...for a few minutes this trailer forum felt like the warm and fuzzy of an engineering forum!...for an alarm clock for this camper ,the only thing that might be missing was the smell of good old leaded solder in the morning!
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11-20-2016, 01:11 PM
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#23
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Bellingham and Glacier, Washington
Trailer: 2013 Escape 15A
Posts: 2,055
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Marry
I keep on dreaming about my vintage bell alarm that only worked after winding it up.
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You mean like one of these? When my son first saw it in the trailer, he said he couldn't believe I still had this clock. It must be over forty years old and hasn't missed a beat.
__________________
Karen Hulford
2013 Escape 15A, "Egbert"
'93 Ford 150 XLT or
'22 GMC Acadia Denali
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11-20-2016, 01:20 PM
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#24
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: North Van., British Columbia
Trailer: 2014 Escape 19, sold; 2019 Escape 21, Sept. 2019
Posts: 8,810
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Quote:
Originally Posted by freespirit
felt like the warm and fuzzy of an engineering forum!...for an alarm clock for this camper ,the only thing that might be missing was the smell of good old leaded solder in the morning!
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You used "warm and fuzzy" and engineering in the same sentence. Get a bunch of engineers sitting around a table problem solving and warm and fuzzy doesn't come to mind.
I think the thing that's missing for some is the ability to turn the coffee maker on so it's ready when they get out of bed. Not thinking of anyone specifically.
Ron
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11-20-2016, 01:31 PM
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#25
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
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Karen,
I like you small window shelf, looks great.
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
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11-20-2016, 02:42 PM
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#26
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Ponoka, Alberta
Trailer: 2016 19 classic "outta sight", jeep rubicon unlimited
Posts: 1,645
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Or this one.
Doesn't that ring a bell for many of us?
Good old days...
__________________
"never lose hope, never lose faith"
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11-20-2016, 06:14 PM
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#27
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Jeromesville, Ohio
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21' pulled with 2014 Silverado Crewcab
Posts: 854
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Another low tech solution:
It runs on three AA batteries. Has dimmable LED backlight so you can dim it down at night. The dial is big enough to see without my glasses in the middle of the night. I don't use the alarm so I can't speak for that. No tick tock either. Works for me.
https://www.amazon.com/Timelink-8865...htness+Control
__________________
Carl,
"Isn't it amazing how much stuff we get done the day before vacation?"
Zig Ziglar
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11-20-2016, 06:26 PM
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#28
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Santa Rosa County, Florida
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21 Tow: 2024 Toyota Tundra
Posts: 3,105
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Alan-
How do you tune the SDR? With the touchpad? And what do you plan to use for an antenna?
__________________
Mike Lewis
She don't lie, she don't lie, she don't lie-- propane
Photos and travelogues here: mikelewisimages.com
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11-20-2016, 07:14 PM
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#29
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2017 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 15,550
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I am sorta bewildered at this whole alarm clock thing. I have used one maybe a dozen times in the last 20 years when it was imperative that I be somewhere, and always was up before it went off anyway. We don't even have one in our bedroom anymore.
I like my internal one, that goes off usually between 4 and 5 in the morning. The perfect time to get up.
I must say though, I am quite impressed with what all you did with your build there, Alan. You obviously have some good techy smarts. I know this is one of my week areas.
__________________
2017 Escape 5.0 TA
2015 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost
2009 Escape 19 (previous)
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
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11-20-2016, 07:40 PM
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#30
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Baytown, Texas
Trailer: 2017 21' Escape - upgraded version
Posts: 2,697
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My cellphone has replaced my camera, video recorder, music player, maps, gps, laptop, and alarm clock. No need for separate devices.
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11-20-2016, 07:48 PM
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#31
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Benton County, Iowa
Trailer: 2013 Escape 21 Classic Number 6, pulled by 2018 Toyota Highlander
Posts: 8,259
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Cell phones
Quote:
Originally Posted by tdf-texas
My cellphone has replaced my camera, video recorder, maps, gps, laptop, and alarm clock. No need for separate devices.
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Ain't that the trufe. Even as challenged as I am, I use my phone as a timer when I'm bar b que ing or checking the progress in my Dutch Oven. Timbales
Dave
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11-20-2016, 07:55 PM
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#32
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Arvada, Colorado
Trailer: 2015 E'21 - 'Velocity'. Tow: Toyota Tacoma V6, 4X4, manual.
Posts: 1,692
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Lewis
How do you tune the SDR? With the touchpad? And what do you plan to use for an antenna?
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There is a direct frequency input key pad to the right of the music selector. Using the keypad data input I put together a linux command string. Here is a sample that I was using on my Mac: rtl_fm -g 30 -f 91500000 -M fm -s 170k -A fast -r 32k -l 0 -E deemp.
Note, the alarm clock uses linux and I have already put the clock in storage so I can't confirm that the command is the same. I'll provide an update next time I fire it up.
Since the SDR has a coax input I will probably fabricate a 3 element beam once I determine if the radio is 50 or 70 ohms.
Clearly there will be enough work to keep me off the streets this winter.
--
Alan
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11-20-2016, 07:57 PM
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#33
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2017 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 15,550
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tdf-texas
My cellphone has replaced my camera, video recorder, music player, maps, gps, laptop, and alarm clock. No need for separate devices.
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My cell phone is invaluable for work, and sure does me good for personal use too (I am on it now).
As good as the camera is, there is no way I would rely on it only for photos.
I do use it a lot for music, and have about 8,000 songs on it, but still do lots of CD's and radio.
The GPS and maps are great, but data (especially roaming) is very pricey.
No way would I ever do without a larger screen on a computer for many uses, but boy is it ever way handier.
As valuable as a phone can be, it certainly lacks in many areas, but you will rarely see me without mine.
__________________
2017 Escape 5.0 TA
2015 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost
2009 Escape 19 (previous)
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
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11-20-2016, 08:19 PM
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#34
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tdf-texas
My cellphone has replaced my camera, video recorder, music player, maps, gps, laptop, and alarm clock. No need for separate devices.
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Yes, it can replace many things. For me though, I use the GPS that came with my tow vehicle, a digital camera that takes better pictures than my phone (that is, when I want a better quality shot), a laptop (no way my phone can do what my laptop does), and I still prefer paper maps (actually an oversized Atlas) when planning a trip.
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
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11-20-2016, 08:24 PM
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#35
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Santa Rosa County, Florida
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21 Tow: 2024 Toyota Tundra
Posts: 3,105
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alanmalk
rtl_fm -g 30 -f 91500000 -M fm -s 170k -A fast -r 32k -l 0 -E deemp.
--
Alan
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The lengths that some people will take to listen to NPR. :-)
Your next step: Include a Bluetooth interface so you can control it from a cellphone.
Thanks for the info.
__________________
Mike Lewis
She don't lie, she don't lie, she don't lie-- propane
Photos and travelogues here: mikelewisimages.com
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11-20-2016, 08:52 PM
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#36
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Westcliffe, Colorado
Trailer: 2010 EggCamper (#083); 2017 Escape 21 (#053); 2016 F-150 5.0L FX4
Posts: 1,765
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tdf-texas
My cellphone has replaced my camera, video recorder, music player, maps, gps, laptop, and alarm clock. No need for separate devices.
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Until your cellphone slips out of your fish-slimed hands while trying to take a photo of that huge Rainbow Trout you just caught, and you watch it sink to the bottom of that crystal-clear deep mountain lake. In that split second, you suddenly realize that you just lost your camera, video recorder, music player, maps, gps, laptop and alarm clock - oh, and phone, too. Or so I've heard...
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11-20-2016, 09:03 PM
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#37
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Westcliffe, Colorado
Trailer: 2010 EggCamper (#083); 2017 Escape 21 (#053); 2016 F-150 5.0L FX4
Posts: 1,765
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Full disclosure - I do have a cell phone, an old pre-pay flip phone, rarely use it, and never lost it in a lake. The previous post was just an attempt at humor. But I did have a former student who bought an expensive smartphone with a high-dollar plan, without telling her parents, who then lost it down an ice-fishing hole within a week. Not sure how she explained all that to her parents when her credit card bill arrived at home.
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11-21-2016, 06:17 AM
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#38
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
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There is an old saying, the more complicated your plumbing, the easier to clog it up. All in one items are great but so is the lost component. Alan has some great skills and being able to demonstrate applying them is commendable and I'm sure gratifying.
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
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11-21-2016, 12:07 PM
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#39
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Baytown, Texas
Trailer: 2017 21' Escape - upgraded version
Posts: 2,697
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Don't get me wrong. I love building stuff with PIC microcontrollers myself but it is more of a hobby than anything else. The stuff I design is neat to play with but could never sell commercially as the cost would be too high.
For example, take a look at the Amazon echo. It takes voice commands that can set up an alarm clock, turn devices one/off, play music, answers questions, reads audiobooks and the news, reports traffic and weather, gives info on local businesses, provides sports scores and schedules, controls lights, switches, and thermostats with compatible WeMo, Philips Hue, Samsung SmartThings, Wink, Insteon, Nest, and ecobee smart home devices.
Given enough time and money, Alan could design most of these functions in his device - but not at the price Amazon charges for the Echo.
So building this stuff is a hobby that's fun but not economically practical. I understand why Alan is building the alarm clock - it's something fun to do.
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11-21-2016, 01:01 PM
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#40
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Bonney Lake, Washington
Trailer: 2019 Escape 21
Posts: 157
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Excellent project! I'm sure you are already designing Clock 2.0.
You should download the Eagle software and design a PCB to contain all the bits and pieces. I see lots of connections that could vibrate loose after a few hundred miles on the road.
__________________
Bob & Katie Brandenstein
On the road in our Escape 21
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