# Control loops & Flying probers - Quassating Quadcopter Quantophrenia

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2011-11-15
- Length: 1h 05m
- Episode: 69
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-11-15-control-loops-flying-probers-quassating-quadcopter-quantophrenia
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/quassating-quadcopter-quantophrenia/

## Summary

Dave Jones and Chris Gammell discuss Dave's frustration with an Agilent U1272A multimeter's software failing to upload data for his automated resistor testing jig, and his anger over Tyne Metropolitan College removing his copyright from a PCB tutorial. They explore the engineering of custom test jigs versus flying probers, noting that flying probers offer generic testing while custom jigs provide speed for high-volume production. The conversation shifts to Dave's quadcopter project using an Arduino and HobbyKing components, highlighting the necessity of control loops for stability, before covering industry news on Chinese hackerspaces and the history of dry cell batteries.

## Chapters

- [0:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-11-15-control-loops-flying-probers-quassating-quadcopter-quantophrenia#t=32) Introduction: Dave's Lab Move and Rants
- [10:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-11-15-control-loops-flying-probers-quassating-quadcopter-quantophrenia#t=602) Agilent U1272A Software Failure and Custom Jigs
- [18:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-11-15-control-loops-flying-probers-quassating-quadcopter-quantophrenia#t=1123) Flying Probes vs. Custom Test Jigs
- [33:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-11-15-control-loops-flying-probers-quassating-quadcopter-quantophrenia#t=2034) Quadcopter Build and HobbyKing Marketing
- [39:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-11-15-control-loops-flying-probers-quassating-quadcopter-quantophrenia#t=2390) Control Loops and Analog Troubleshooting
- [42:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-11-15-control-loops-flying-probers-quassating-quadcopter-quantophrenia#t=2558) Engineering Education and Job Interviews
- [56:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-11-15-control-loops-flying-probers-quassating-quadcopter-quantophrenia#t=3396) 3D Printed PCBs and Battery History

## Topics

- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Test & measurement](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/test-and-measurement)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Batteries & low-power design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/batteries-and-low-power)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Agilent U1272A (tool)
- Tyne Metropolitan College (company)
- HobbyKing.com (company)
- Arduino (other)
- Pinoco (company)
- Fluke 87 (tool)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [014 - Ferrycast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2018-07-10-014-ferrycast) (Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast)
- [Ep 235: Licorice for Lasers, Manual Motors, and Reading Resistors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2023-09-08-ep-235-licorice-for-lasers-manual-motors-and-reading-resistors) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [197: Smell the Transistor](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-04-26-197-smell-the-transistor) (Embedded.fm)
- [89: I Have New Batteries](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-02-18-89-i-have-new-batteries) (Embedded.fm)
- [157: Explosion of Multicopters](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-06-23-157-explosion-of-multicopters) (Embedded.fm)

## Citing this page

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