So cool.

You gotta love dogs.

Just curious, there are cheap home automation devices out there, even one where the control signal piggybacks on the 120 VAC. Why are you reinventing the wheel?

Why do you shun ICs? They make the task significantly easier. On the other hand, as Jerry said, why reinvent the wheel?

If your main objective is to learn some electronics, there are books that teach everything you need to know, a little bit at a time. You need to build some simple circuits first, perhaps a multivibrator to flash an LED, then add on...

If your main objective is to control those devices, buy off-the-shelf controllers. In these days of mass-produced circuits, you won't save anything by building it yourself.

Try Maplins, Job done.

Bazzer

As Bazzer said, buy a complete setup that just needs to be placed in each socket to turn off or on anything that is then plugged into it. Mine cost about $20 two years ago for four outlets.....there are ones with more channels and some with a dimming function.

Here is a cheap example from Amazon:-

http://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Appliance-Remote-Control-Switch/dp/B000V20N3G

You cannot make one that is not dangerous (you do know how to treat mains electricity burns?) to build for this price!

Also comes with a guarantee.....and is a probably deliverable within 24 hours if you are in a rush!

Just plug and play!!!

Thank you all. I would like it run on ordinary cells. AA size. I prefer to build it McGyver style, hence the shunning of ICs. I would just like to use the basic components. Transmission is by radio (perhaps at 27MHz). I would like to see how it can be done if I have access to only the basic minimum.

Thanks

May I ask you to let us know what your level of knowledge and experience is with regard to electronics and mains electricity?

This project, no matter how simple, needs extensive knowledge and understanding of the problems and dangers.....

May I say that shutting out the use of chips is a very negative idea to my point of view as sophisticated chips can make things far better, smaller and easier.

Working in the 27MHz band, you will need some sophisticated coding and decoding if you are to filter out interference from other users of this band......chips would be a good choice for that at least.

I personally would consider the use of PICs, even ones that use a subset of BASIC (still more than fast enough for such a job), to bring all the required intelligence to both the Tx and Rx. But even they will test out your intelligence QUITE a bit.

Programming is not for everyone, though the various PIC Forums have a lot of useful infos to help you get started....but as the chips are easily re-programmed to allow newer and better ideas, they save a lot of hardware redesign.....

PICAXE is a great place to start with if you are interested, look here:-

http://www.rev-ed.co.uk/

The chips are available all over the world and are really, really cheap.....

Best of luck

Andy

Hi, Thanks for the links Andy. Well I have worked with electronics, mains power, relays, etc. Well I wanted to do this with oneidea on my mind. Is it possible to build such a remote controlled device if teh ony parts I have available are those of an RC car (usually operated on 27MHz). I hope you get my drift?

Yes.

But you said you didn't want to use any chips.....

or do you really want to go retro?

How good is your grasp of analogue telemetry?

I design and build odd things for myself or friends, but I never do it for stuff that is cheap and easily available, so I am the wrong person to ask....

I have to say that due to CB equipment and just electrical noise, unless you live in the desert with nobody for miles, 27MHz is not a good choice.

There is in most countries a band (433 MHz here) that allows low powered, short range devices (less chance of interference!) to be BOUGHT (if you build them yourself they are subject to expensive testing): These units can be easily bought and incorporated in your own designs....

No matter how cheaply you make it, it will still cost far more than finished units.....and make still not work as well.

Find something to build that would otherwise be very very expensive, or simply cannot be bought at all.....

That is sound advice Andy.

I think where the OP is going with this is having the ability to hand craft a radio remote control from the debris that might be found in a post apocalyptic world. Why a remote control might even be needed in this scenario escapes me.

It could be done...but then there'd be chips and even working solutions in amongst the debris as well.

Steam driven remote control perhaps? Animal powered? Human slaves.....

Great input guys,

I am going as retro as I can!

Here's an early remote controlled boat arrangement.........

Dear Wal, indeed I can see that no ICs are used!

The transmitter is multi vendor compatible....

The chair is a harmonic filter.

Wal: This discussion is headed in an interesting direction!

Not an IC in sight.....

click on image for more info

The Philco Mystery Control. What a gem!!!

Click dial to find out more.

The remote control flying shark website has a nice remote control history summary.

Wow, there is just no limit to human comedy!!!