Heathkit -> Arduino January 26, 2013, 09:35:02 am Yahoo Message Number: 136423For all of you Heathkit fans, the modern day version is called the Arduino:http://www.arduino.cc/ Not only do you get to build the electronic components, but there's a complete open-source programming library available. Besides the primary controller (CPU), there are a bunch of add-on boards as well. These range from input sensors such as light, motion, moisture, etc to output devices like relays, solenoids, DC & stepping motors. Because of these capabilities, the Arduino is a favorite for people building robots, including those used in robot war competitions. I ended up developing one for an automated chicken coop door. It included the base Arduino, a real-time clock module & a "motor shield" to drive the coop door actuator. I'm partly musing about including some of the sensors, such as light & motion, in order to activate other conditional responses. Lots of fun.K