AW: patch matrix

[Haible Juergen]

	>I recently found an 10x10 patch matrix in the farnel '97 catalogue
(under
	>"switches").  There are two types , diode and resistor. It is said
that
	>they can be expanded , 4 make a 20x20 and so on. They are not very
	>expensive, but the contacts may be crap.  I don't know. Any
	>experiences out there ?

I only know of one 10x10 matrix in the Farnell '97 catalogue, and this
did *not* have the option of resistor pins. The choice is either "diode"
or "short". Which did not stop me from buying one. I tried to replace the
diodes
with resistors, but no chance. These pins are so tiny. As is the whole
matrix,
btw. My error was not to check the dimensions before I ordered.
At least for the application I had in mind (guess what application (;->) ),
this is complete crap. Much too tiny and fragile. Remember, the application
for which it was made was a sort of "manually programmable PROM"
for small uP applications. 
Don't buy it without drawing the dimensions onto a piece of paper
(and if you still want  it, buy mine for 70% of the list price (;->) ).

BUT I highly recommend getting the catalogue of Ghielmetti (the company
who produces this tiny matrix). This is just the absolute low end of their 
product spectrum, and the larger martices are *very* interesting !

They have a web site, too.

JH.