New project: An ACT Apricot F1 "barn find"

[rubber_jonnie]

The PCBs have reappeared in Germany, not on hold pending a technical issue. I'm guessing that this is a Brexit related problem.

I wonder if the other package will get similarly stuck.

Surely Brexit wouldn't be an issue if the point of origin was outside the EU? It's all too complicated these days!!

[stephen_usher]

Well, on top of Brexit the British Inland Revenue also added the requirement for companies outside of the UK to deduct VAT (and then pay the UK Government later, after registering). Also, there aren't enough customs officers to process the stuff coming in any more, especially after today when a lot more of the red tape comes on-line. So, Brexit doesn't only affect EU trade in many ways.

[rubber_jonnie]

Well, on top of Brexit the British Inland Revenue also added the requirement for companies outside of the UK to deduct VAT (and then pay the UK Government later, after registering). Also, there aren't enough customs officers to process the stuff coming in any more, especially after today when a lot more of the red tape comes on-line. So, Brexit doesn't only affect EU trade in many ways.

Sounds like a right bloody nightmare.

[stephen_usher]

The PCBs have made it out on Germany in the right direction! If fact they’ve arrived in the local depot and should be able to run back to China now!

[JezC]

The PCBs have made it out on Germany in the right direction! If fact they’ve arrived in the local depot and should be able to run back to China now!

If you think that is a joke...

The other disaster scenario is that they get lost in the depot...had that happen several times now (but not for PCBs thus far)

Fingers crossed that they get delivered very soon with no more diversions!

[stephen_usher]

Erm... you know these World touring PCBs.... Well... I just realised that I did something incredibly stupid in the design, which seemed the right thing to do at the time, which means that they are essentially scrap!

The board has a 34 pin socket and a 26 pin *plug* (this is important later) on the bottom which plugs into the motherboard socket.

So, when I designed the PCB I of course put the 26 pin footprint on the *bottom* of the PCB. (Do you see where this is going yet?)

I've just realised that this has created a reflected image of the pinout! D'oh!

The only way this will work (I think) is if I put the socket on the top of the board and plug it in "upside down", which would mean that the board hangs out of the side of the case, if it will fit at all. *sigh*

Anyway, they're apparently out for delivery today so I can have a look over the weekend sometime.

[rubber_jonnie]

Erm... you know these World touring PCBs.... Well... I just realised that I did something incredibly stupid in the design, which seemed the right thing to do at the time, which means that they are essentially scrap!

The board has a 34 pin socket and a 26 pin *plug* (this is important later) on the bottom which plugs into the motherboard socket.

So, when I designed the PCB I of course put the 26 pin footprint on the *bottom* of the PCB. (Do you see where this is going yet?)

I've just realised that this has created a reflected image of the pinout! D'oh!

The only way this will work (I think) is if I put the socket on the top of the board and plug it in "upside down", which would mean that the board hangs out of the side of the case, if it will fit at all. *sigh*

Anyway, they're apparently out for delivery today so I can have a look over the weekend sometime.

I guess these things happen, but trying to be positive, you can at least test the circuit works before designing the replacements.

[stephen_usher]

True. :-) Geometry sucks sometimes. :-)

[rubber_jonnie]

True. :-) Geometry sucks sometimes. :-)

In this case, geometry and geography....

[stephen_usher]

OK, checking the print-out of the board it looks OK. I think I made two mistakes which cancelled each other out. :-)

The boards have been delivered to work but I'm off today (but going in for a Summer party this evening) so I can collect them then.

The other board is on its way and gone through the clearance stage in Shenzhen.