pulse generator

The guy from Anaheim was probably talking about a 555 timer IC. It's a Dual
Inline Pin (DIP) chip with 8 leads. You'll need a capacitor and a resistor
(or pot), and clean DC power to make a basic square wave generator with it.
In all, probably $5 worth of bits, but you'll have to do some soldering,
wire wrap, or plunk it onto a small breadboard. Radio Shack should also have
a small PCB with pre-tinned leads for 555 with room on it for the resistor
and cap. Grab a couple of hex standoffs and screws to make it easy to mount
it somewhere. The 556 is two 555's on one IC with 14 leads.

Look for the little paperback pamphlets by Forrest M Mims (also sold at
radio shack.) He has one dedicated to that IC with a ton of very simple
timer circuits with clear drawings and explanations.

Google search for the 555:
Link<http://www.google.com/#hl=en&source=hp&q=555+timer+circuits&aq=0&aqi=g10&aql=&oq=555+timer+cir&gs_rfai=&fp=ae8f9588018abe0f>
Wikipedia entry for the 555: Link<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/555_timer_IC>

As for the guys at radio shack....grrrrrr.... They're not what they used to
be unless you want a cheap plastic RC car or a pair of headphones.

GL. Shouldn't take very long to put something together, and it's a great
learning experience.


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