Jameco's Newsletter: September 2011

Jameco Circuit Skills Video: Fiber Optics
By: Collin Cunningham

Collin is at it again, this time explaining the high cool factor of fiber optic basics with a dandy demonstration on a voice transmission kit. Optical over copper, interference immunity, cross talk, single mode, what’s it all mean and what does it do?

Light up the Halloween Night
By: Kelly Nash

This beginner soldering project is perfect to spookify your window for the upcoming trick-or-treat celebration. The kit comes with everything you need for an introductory electronics project (except a battery and soldering equipment). The LED pumpkin can be used year after year, no fire danger and no replacement candles needed!

A Jameco Salute to
George C. Devol

In 1938, a radio broadcast warned the listening public of an invasion from outer space. The War of the Worlds had begun. The war proved to be a hoax, but the ideas of futuristic machines, laser beams and artificial intelligence shaped the generation. Science fiction inspired George C. Devol to bring light to brilliant ideas that still play a big part in technology and innovation today.

Learn more about the father of robotics.

The ability to record knowledge and transfer it to future generations may well be the human species’ most important trait. Jameco customers in particular seem hungry for knowledge, ideas and solutions that can tickle their senses so that each of us can contribute to our collective wisdom.

The repository for our knowledge has historically been entrusted to libraries. But in this Internet age…is the library still relevant today? I think libraries are still relevant and, in fact, they’ve frequently embraced new technology at a faster rate than many of their users.

I’m far from a book worm, but I’ve connected and reconnected with this institution at least half a dozen times in my lifetime and every time I’m reintroduced, I’m amazed to see how well the library embraces technology. Like an old friend, I’ve recently reconnected and the relationship has never been better.

Read about the important role the library has played in my life and my new library relationship.

Can you think of an institution that has lived as long and changed as much as the library? Drop me a note; I would love to hear what you are thinking.

Regards,
Greg Harris
Vice President, Marketing
Greg@Jameco.com

MyStory: DIY Induction Loop System
By: Philip Kane

Wireless systems have been around longer than you think. Check out Phillip Kane’s "My Story" to see how to create your own, at-home-wireless-system, no router required! This simple project provides a good overview to magnetic communication systems and results in a quick, listen-anywhere radio system.

One FREE Month of Technical Support

We know that many of our hobbyists and small business customers dread when those dang computers (or anything with a chip) start to misbehave. While those big-company people can call a help line, what does everyone else do? We think we found the perfect solution.

See how you can get one free month of unlimited technical support for all of your computing issues.

PRODUCT UPDATE
ICP DAS Automation for the Future

Visions of the future used to be all about robots and flying machines. Flying machines may not be common place outside of Hogwarts just yet, but robots are practically passé. Industrial automation innovator ICP DAS has a new generation of controllers, ethernet modules, data loggers and even SMS controllers to launch your business applications into the future.

See why industrial automation will never be the same.

Jameco welcomes the contributions of its customers. Frankly, we think what you write is more interesting than anything we could write. Share your electronic component story, project, or challenge, and we'll share it with the world. Send your story to MyStory@Jameco.com