Your pics will be a boon to DIY. It's appreciated. I never imagined my
simple circuit mod for the 120 would be so popular. I still have the
original perf board version in my parts bin, which was replaced with a
DB-120 board. Couple of points:
I tend to solder some wires directly to boards, like the DB-120 power.
I did that to simplify the power cabling. I also soldered directly the
four coaxial inputs from the 120 board, rather than use a connector, as
you see in the top left in this photo.
http://www.pugix.com/images/MOTM-120R-back.jpgUsing a header and connector does make final assembly a bit easier, and
later you can separate the boards for maintenance (not often needed,
though). You struggled with how to hook the coax into the small MTA-100
connector. I ∗always∗ solder these. They have a press-fit design that
takes insulated wire of the correct size (the MOTM power cables are a
good example). But unless you have the right tool, you may not get a
good electrical connection. Just jamming the wire in leaves the way
open for oxidation and loosening. Soldering is advisable, but a little
tricky. I use a small plastic vise to hold the connector and do one
wire at a time. You need a fine pointed soldering tip, preferably on a
temperature-controlled iron. You can make a good solder joint without
melting the plastic connector (maybe singeing it a little, which does no
harm -- I have never ruined one). Then you have a good electrical
connection. Solderless connectors are OK, but only when they are fitted
to wires with the proper tools.
One more tip: I balked at the Mouser price for 100 feet of RG-174/U
coax, when my supply ran out. I found some military grade RG-174/U on
Ebay that was selling in 25 foot lots for $2.00. ($5.37 total with
shipping.) Remember to check Ebay for odd parts.
Richard Brewster
http://www.pugix.comwjhall11 wrote:
> Dear all -
>
> Will's high-school spring break is over, but we made a bunch of
> progress over the last week. We took a bunch of photos of our motm101
> and motm120 construction. This is probably boring to most, but our
> goal in doing so has become twofold. First, to hopefully point the
> way for other DIYers. Second, to document our efforts.
>
> Explaining the second point first - years ago, over a couple bottles
> of wine with a sculptor and a poet friend of mine, in response to my
> complaining that I always feel like I'm never accomplishing anything,
> they recommended that I try doing what they do - keep copious records
> of everything... reciepts, photos, newspaper clippings, etc. So I've
> done so every since. So I cann look back at what I've done - and not
> have it just just disappear (like tears in rain).
>
> And as for the first point, well - when we started building this
> synth, we hadn't done anything like it before. Oh - I'd made some
> simple things like microphone cables - speaker cabinets. A very cool
> road case for my Hammond. I'd done maintainence on my analog tape
> recorders... but never anything so involved as this synth. And we're
> so encouraged by our successes - we want to share this with others who
> are new to all this.
>
> Especially in light of Paul's completely understandable move away from
> kits - maybe this'll help the newbees.
>
> OK - so - anyway - here's the URL of our synth project home page:
>
> http://www.dragonflyalley.com/billAndWillMOTMSynth.htm
>
> And here's the 120 constrruction page:
>
> http://www.dragonflyalley.com/motm120Construction.htm
>
> Please proof-read and comment about how we can improve things.
>
> Thanks so much, all - for your support and help.
>
> Bill and Will
>
>