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Reviews For: PIC Programming for Beginners

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Review Summary For : PIC Programming for Beginners
Reviews: 4MSRP: 44.95
Description:
ARRL’s PIC Programming for Beginners is an introductory guide to understanding PIC design and development. Written in a building block approach, this book provides readers a strong foundation on the subject. As you explore the potential of these powerful devices, you’ll find that working with PICs is simple, educational and most importantly fun.

Product is in production
More Info: http://www.arrl.org/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0043.8
KE5GZM Rating: 2012-03-11
Does not provide any MCU programmer data. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The book, Revised First Edition, copyright 2010, contains much information. But, what seems to be missing is the details of how to get the completed program into the chip. If I had known how much a commercial chip programmers costs, I likely would not have bought this book. IMO, AARL let a serious shortcoming slip through by not requiring a schematic for a low cost programmer, or at least making reference to the high cost of a programmer.
John, W5EJK
KG6IRW Rating: 2010-12-04
Second edition of this book is now in production Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Here's an update from my last review:

The second edition of PIC Programming for Beginners is now out and available directly from the ARRL. The 2nd edition now has a companion prototyping board, available at extra cost, that will support the exercises and hands-on activities. This is a great step forward from the 1st edition.

I do not have direct experience with the new prototyping board or the 2nd edition, however, I have been having a lot of fun learning about PIC microcontrollers and how they can be applied to ham radio projects.

Latest project here is to build a screwdriver controller with all the bells and whistles you'd ever want in one. It would not have gotten off the ground without this book.

Cheers,

David/KG6IRW
WA4FOM Rating: 2010-05-20
Echoing the sentiments of the previous review Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Bottom line: The book is great; it nicely
transforms the Unaware to the Enlightened.

But.

The Kit to which it often refers, as far as I
(and at least one other individual knows as
well) does not exist. I'd like to build that
keyer as well.

In all fairness, this is not, in my opinion, a
huge "OOPSIE", but should be resolved.

Buy the book. Wait for the kit or buy the parts
on your own as did I.
N3DF Rating: 2010-05-20
Good but Featured Project Kit is Unavailable Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
A useful introduction to PIC programming. However, a significant section of the book is built around constructing a PIC-controlled keyer. The book assumes that the circuit board and parts kit are available to the reader but in fact they are not currently available from ARRL or (to the best of my knowledge) from any other source.