Today, I got a chance to build up the latest version of the Morse Code Practice Oscillator, version 2.04. I had hoped that this would be the final one and I could publish all the files associated with it. But no, a mistake was made. To be honest, it was a really easy one to miss but none the less, it is there.

Micro Switch Not Connected

I had thought that I’d managed to get everything connected, and indeed, KiCad reported that there were no other connections to make. Unfortunately, I’d missed an error on importing the ratsnest that showed that a connection on the micro switch wasn’t named correctly. The DRC missed this completely, why would it spot it at all?

I will re-label the component footprint, but not until I have created a custom symbol with the usual micro switch labels, C, NO and NC for Common, Normally Open and Normally Closed. It turns out that the center pin isn’t the common connection either. The common is the contact nearest the hinge of the device. This wouldn’t have been a problem had the connections been made. However, in the interests of accuracy, I will resolve this.

Lesson learned yet again, checking things over is never a waste of time! This small mishap does allow me to prepare new silkscreen logos for this site though, which I haven’t done as yet. It will then be the first project posted here. Stay tuned!