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--- public:wmag_gallery [2023/06/28 14:07] – allan_gardner
+++ public:wmag_gallery [2023/10/05 09:38] – allan_gardner
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 \\
 [[https://www.merg.org.uk/content/areagroups|Area Groups]] [[https://www.merg.org.uk/index.php|MERG Home page]] [[public:westmids|Back to West Midlands Area Group]]</WRAP>
+<WRAP info round>
+====== September 2023 ======
+We were given two presentations in the morning
+===== How to remove components  =====
+David Roberts
+===== Raspberry Pi Pico =====
+Colin Mitchell
+Both talks can be viewed in the area group presentations section of the knowledge here. https://merg.org.uk/merg_wiki/doku.php?id=helpsystem:presentations
+We donated £60 to the Canal Society for the use of the venue.
+</WRAP>
+<WRAP info round>
+====== JULY 2023 ======
+We were given two presentations in the morning
+===== Ask the Chairman  =====
+We were delighted to welcome MERG Chair, John Gowers.   John talked about his time in office so far.  He also outlined the way forward and the committee's plans for the future.  A meaningful discussion with area group members took place
+===== CBUS and Missendedn St Mary=====
+Pete Brownlow gave an in-depth talk and demonstration of CBUS on his own layout Missenden St Mary
+Once again, we thank our speakers for such comprehensive presentations and for those who consistently support the area group. The money collected at the meeting has been donated to the Canal Society for the use of the venue.
+</WRAP>
+<WRAP info round>
+====== April 2023 ======
+We were given two presentations in the morning
+===== Design Spark =====
+Andy Cumming presented 'Design Spark' the free software available from the RS components that allow users to develop design conception schematics that ultimately leads to the creation of a PCB for use on their model railway.
+For those interested in using the software, there is a MERG Design Spark section in the knowledgbase. This includes reference to a library containing many of the components used in kits.
+More details can be found here
+https://www.merg.org.uk/merg_wiki/doku.php?id=pcblayoutsoftware:design_spark
+===== Sounds Right =====
+Tony Chamberlain presented 'Sounds Right'. Constructing an Arduino-driven sound module is reasonably undemanding. Finding the sounds you want to use with the player, in a model railway situation, is less so. Tony's talk briefly outlined the processes used to get some realistic sounds at next-to-no cost and modify them to your requirements using Audacity software which can be downloaded here https://www.audacityteam.org/
+For those unable to attend our meeting, Tony tells me he intends to give the talk to our neighbours, MERG Warwick & North Oxford area group later in the year.
+Both talks can be viewed in the area group presentations section of the knowledgbase here. https://merg.org.uk/merg_wiki/doku.php?id=helpsystem:presentations
+Once again, we thank our speakers for such compressive presentations and for those who consistently support the area group. The money collected at the meeting has been donated to the canal society for the use of the venue.
+</WRAP>
 <WRAP info round>
@@ Line 13: / Line 80: @@
 We were given two presentations in the morning by our Warwick and North Oxford Lead Simon West and MERG Education and Training Officer John Fletcher .
-===== Universal Software  =====
+===== Universal Firmware  =====
+MERG Warwick & North Oxford AG Lead, Simon West, gave a talk on universal firmware that allows functionality of up to 16 input and output channels. He explained how the  univeral capability, combined several module firmware, into one. Configuration of the firmware is achieved using FLIM.
+Simon then proceeded to tell us what hardware could be used. ie CANMIO, CANV series boards (CANFLIM IO) but that one should be mindful of the hardware capabilities of the hardware when mixing input and output types.  Two types of events were then introduced
+ Produced or happenings is an event the firmware sends in response to something ie input changes/ status changes or achieved.
+Learnt or consumed event causes an action to occur in the firmware ie change output state or operate a servos.
+This was followed by an introduction to his test board (See photo) Simon then explained the practical steps to configure the firmware:
+Concluding his talk Simon, in the first instance, demonstrated how to set up a simple servo,  then adding LEDs, relays and servos movement position indicators.
+In the afternoon session, he gave a hands-on practical demonstration to those members interested in learning more about the firmware. Here are images of his test board and Simon demonstrating the firmware capabilities.
+We thank John and Simon again for their support of our area group.
 ===== Ardunio  - latest developments =====
+John's explained that he wanted to make members aware of the wide range of options available using Arduino and Raspberry Pi Pico boards. He reflected on the talk he gave to the group  previously in 2019 and described how much had changed since then.
+More powerful hardware options
+Raspberry Pi Pico (not an Arduino; can use Arduino IDE)
+More options to solve problems
+More examples of applications
+Arduino IDE Version 2
+More Arduino SIG videos are in the knowledge base.
+John then outlined what activity had taken place with the MERG Arduino special interest group (SIG) and briefly introduced us to a hat or shield that is currently being prototyped and tested. Images of the CAN HAT can be found in the presentation see link below
+John brought along his test rigs to the meeting, and in the afternoon session, he expanded on the morning talk by explaining to members various elements and configurations. In the images his test rig and describing the various options
 </WRAP>