"Henry Kolesnik" wrote in message ...
After 10 years I can't recall if my Hickok Cardmatic LS-15874-L2 or
AN/USM-118A or B cards were ever returned or what. My remainder set is not
compplete and I wonder if anyone has a set or partial set for sale. I'd
also like to know if anyone has figured out an economical way to duplicate
them at reasonable cost? Did Hickok make them or a contractor, anyone from
Ceveland know?
On another tangent I wonder if anyone knows of any solenoids that are
small enough to install on 0.25 inch spacing. With 185 of these, using
extended matrix switch pins one could control the switching with a PC. I
wonder if anyone recalls seeing some device that uses small solenoids that
are small enough and cheap enough to homebrew a matrix. I know that this
plus more has already been accomplished with relays but at $1000.00 the mod
is unjustifiable for me.
Another alternative would be to have a "crossbar" of 11 by 17 rods or
slats with each one driven by a solenoid, requiring the a row and column
solenoid to be driven to select a pin. Having a solenoid at each end of the
rod might balance the operation. This would require 28 solenoids or double
that if one is needed at each end. These could be spaced on 1/2 inch
centers by staggering.
If anyone has a better idea please me know but the best would be to find
an orphaned set of cards.

73
hank wd5jfr

There is already an excellent computerized version of the Cardmatic
available by Signal Systems--Phil Frakes. This machine apparently
works very well and is in use by SND Tubes and AES. So--no need to
reinvent all of this--plus the software is done for you. You can have
your tester converted to this system by Phil and then no cards are
required. I believe he has something on the web about the machine.
The conversion is not cheap, but you are talking about a major amount
of wiring and relays. Plus--a full set of Cardmatic cards is worth
over $500.

I do have a complete card set, and have made a few cards for
people--one hole at a time. This just is not practical. My hand
gives out after two cards. Wendell Hall has a friend with an original
Hickok fixture for punching the cards. I'd like to get that fixture,
but Wendell says the guy won't part with it.

Chris