{TekCrack}

So I’ve been playing around with the Arduino now for a month or two and trying to interface it with a few of the Parallax accessories I have lying around. I’ve been meaning to post stuff here the whole time but was lazy. Anyway, here is some modified Wiring code for Arduino to use the Parallax RFID reader for those that might find it useful.

// RFID reader for Arduino
// Wiring version by BARRAGAN <http://people.interaction-ivrea.it/h.barragan>
// Modified for Arudino by djmatic
// And pieces from Arduino Playground <http://www.arduino.cc/playground/Learning/PRFID>
// And then modified again by thekidd

 void loop() {
  digitalWrite(txPin, LOW);           // Activate the RFID reader
  digitalWrite(ledPin, LOW);          // Turn off debug LED
  
  if((val = mySerial.read()) == 10) { // check for header
    bytesread = 0;
   
    while(bytesread<10) {             // read 10 digit code
      val = mySerial.read();
     
      if((val == 10)||(val == 13)) {  // if header or stop bytes before the 10 digit reading
        break;                        // stop reading
      }
     
      code[bytesread] = val;          // add the digit          
      bytesread++;                    // ready to read next digit 
    }
   
    if(bytesread == 10) {             // If 10 digit read is complete
      digitalWrite(txPin, HIGH);      // deactivate RFID reader
      digitalWrite(ledPin, HIGH);     // activate LED to show an RFID card was read
      Serial.print("TAG code is: ");  // possibly a good TAG
      Serial.println(code);           // print the TAG code
    }
   
    bytesread = 0;
    delay(2000);                      // wait for a second to read next tag
  }
}

Some pics of it all in action:

Next on the agenda is to use SoftwareSerial to communicate with the Parallax GPS unit via NEMA. Once that is done, I want to integrate the GPS with RFID reader and my Purdy LCD (4×40 - I know, its huge).

References:
Arduino Playground: Parallax RFID reader: http://www.arduino.cc/playground/Learning/PRFID
Arduino Forums: SoftwareSerial + RFID: http://www.arduino.cc/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1176181152/30

NOTE: For the Arkansas trip, scroll down to the previous blog entry! This would be the next trip!

Ok bitches. If you are in, this is the next trip I’m taking and I’m sure a few of you will want to join me.

Hell, even if you aren’t into this, it could be a fun fall camping trip!

This will be the information station for those plans.

Long story short, there is a magazine called MAKE that puts out a quarterly zine and website that contains Do It Yourself (DYI) articles and other inventor information on a quarterly basis. They also have a faire which contains a whole lot of inventors and vendors who support said inventors. They are holding a faire of such in Austin which sounds like a lot of fun. I figure for those who are interested in any type of DIY, this might be a worth-while drive.

But then again, who wants to pay for hotels, cars, air fare, blah, blah. So I figure if DIY art to electronics, computers to racing, bikes to psychology, etc is your thing then why spend that money? Lets instead make a camping trip of it.

I haven’t plotted the course yet, however, there are some great campsites around Austin. Of course that will mean that we could also catch some great shows and a few "famous" bars! Who’s in?

Check out more details on the faire itself at Maker Faire [link].

Check back here for more details on our great idea on the event. Oh, and don’t forget to stop by a Barnes and Nobel [link], kick back a little Starbucks [link], and read the latest copy of Make Magazine [link] for even more interesting fun.

More details coming soon. See you at MAKER FAIRE!

Welcome to the planning HQ. All of the data for the trip is listed below. I may also have a few additional updates in the next day or two as a few other details are ironed out. I’ll of course post any changes up on MySpace also.

Trip Route
Ok, we’re starting out at Joey’s house. We will hopefully be leaving around 5:30 PM on Friday. The map below shows our trip route. We will be making a quick stop at US-380 and I-30 to meet up with Emily and David. We will meet at the first gas station we see on I-30 east of the interchange. I will get with Emily and David on Friday to coordinate the meet.

The last Wal-mart closest to our route/campground is also noted on the map. I spoke with a lady today who told me the original Wal-mart by our campground does not exist (damn Superpages). Anyway, she mentioned that there are grocery stores located in Glenwood, AR. This is where we are headed for canoeing on Saturday.

Note: You may want to click the View Larger Map link below each map so you can view the directions and print the map.

View Larger Map

Below you will find another map of our route from the campground to Caddo River Camping and Canoeing Rental. The lady I spoke with mentioned that we will want to get to their location by 10:30 AM on Saturday in case the river is running slow.

View Larger Map

Pricing and Rates
Camping at Albert Pike Recreation Center costs $18/night per campsite. The site is first come first serve but I had two park rangers mention that not many campers are around this time of year. The campsite fee will be split between those staying at that campsite. There is also a $3/person fee for each camper. The campsites will have both electric and water and will be close to the bathrooms and showers. I have linked a PDF file here [link] providing you with a map and information on our campground.

Pricing for our canoeing trip according to Caddo River Camping and Canoe Rental [link] will cost $35/canoe. Each canoe fits two people. You can also rent Kayaks for $25/day. There is an extra $20 charge if we rent them a second day. The fee covers the canoe, two life jackets, pickup of canoes when finished, and taxes.

All in all if you throw in your money with the group for food, alcohol, etc., you will probably be looking at a budget of $110 to $130 for two days and two nights. That of course covers all fees plus great food and drinks.

Food and Alcohol
On our way to the campsite we will stop at the Wal-mart in Texarkana to shop for what we need. I figure $5/person a meal will be more than sufficient. That will bring food costs to about $25 for Friday night through Sunday morning.

I was thinking we cold do hot dogs Friday night when we arrive. We’ll get there between 10 and 11 so I figure something easy would be best. Saturday morning we can do something with eggs. For lunch we’ll make sandwhiches since we will be on the water. For dinner, I was thinking we could do orange salmon and steak on the grill and we’ll do something with eggs again for breakfast Sunday. I’ll put together a better list for the food shortly but of course we’ll wing it for the most part.

As far as drinks and other fun perks go, you will want to pick up liquor before you leave Dallas. We will be able to buy beer in Glenwood, AR. and I figured we could pick up the initial beer in Texarkana while at Wal-Mart.

Needed Equipment
What you need to bring (for sure): A tent and sleeping bag are a must. Whatever you need to bring and of course coolers are a plus.

I’m bringing: cutting knives and board, real silverware, steak knives, paper plates, seasonings, cooking oil, paper towels, a cooler, outdoor chair, dish soap and scrubber, camping pots, headlamp :), ipod, speakers for music, laptop with wireless internet, power inverter, can of bug spray, firewood, waffle maker, can opener, foil, bar key, phone charger, tools, radar detector, and the list goes on…

Natasha: could you bring your pots and pans you brought last time?

Jupiter: could you bring your grilling equipment, car jack (just in case), and your jump start box?

What we need: shovel/rake, plastic food containers, coolers, more bug spray, sunblock, something to grill on in case the campsite does not have one to put on the fire, charcoal, lighter fluid, extension cords and surge protectors, hotplates?, ground spray for the bugs (thanks David), toiletries, dog shit cleanup stuff (we have to pick up after them), more seasonings?, skewers for marshmellows, lighting for the campground, trash bags, rope for dogs and clothesline, grill?, radar detector (if you have one), duct tape, first aid kit, bar equipment for the alcohol, cameras (in case Joey gets attacked or I get depants again), hats for the river, runners, sandles, water shoes, dugout or two, disc golf discs, and the list goes on…

Let me know what you can bring by throwing up a comment and definitely add a comment if I forgot something. Hopefully, that is everything.

Weather Conditions
Weather for our trip is looking great so far. Looks like we might run into a slight storm on Monday but other than that, we are looking at 85 degrees during the day and about 65 degrees at night. You can hit the weather report at Weater.com [link].

You can also check the river depth at the USGS Real-Time Water Data [link] site and there is a description of the rating at caddoriver.com (bottom of page) [link]. The lady I spoke to at caddoriver.com mentioned that it will be raining (possibly) for the next three days which should raise the water level to 5.75~. According to her this would put the river at a level 2 raiting which should be fairly easy for new canoers.

So Who Is Going You Ask?
Well, so far the list includes Jupiter, Tasha, Tasha’s friend, Joey, Emily, David, Helen, and I. Helen is needing a driving partner though since she will be headed down after work on Friday night (12 AM). If you want  to go and wouldn’t mind leaving on Friday night or Saturday morning, please let me know. If you aren’t listed here and want to come, please confirm with a comment so I can make appropriate reservations. Thanks!

A final note. This site allows you to comment on the blog post. The link is located just below. Feel free to post a comment if you think of anything we may be missing. Otherwise, I’ll see you on the river!