A zillion years after its 1950 introduction, the iconic VW hippie van is still rolling off the production line in Brazil.
DIY: Almost Affordable Nixie Clocks
By James Grahame
Before the world was flooded with cheap LED and LCD panels, there were Nixies -- neon-filled glass tubes. They usually contain ten cathodes in the shape of the numbers 0 through 9, and a wire mesh anode. When electricity is passed between one of the cathodes and the anode, the corresponding number shines with an endearing orangey-red glow. I think the only Nixies I've ever used in real life were on an ancient spectrum analyzer, which adds to the mystique for me.
There have been a number of Nixie clock projects in recent years, but most of them cost around $500 -- too much for most casual enthusiasts. Conveniently, Ramsey Electronics has stepped up to the plate with a pair of $170 clock kits. The wooden version features six IN14 Nixie tubes on a teak and maple base, while the aluminum model offers a half dozen IN12 tubes for a more modern look. If your electronics chops are a bit rusty, you can purchase either model factory assembled for an extra $40.
I find it amusing that both designs incorporate a low-cost PIC microcontroller as their brains, making these timepieces a wonderful example of vintage and modern technologies that complement each other perfectly.
