biNixie clock - preview video

I have finally produced a working firmware for my own implementation of a two-digit clock using two Burroughs B5092 Nixie tubes from late 1960's. The biNixie Clock. It uses

• an Arduino clone,
• a lumos.sk high-voltage PSU,
• K155DI BCD decoders and
• a DS1307 RTC for timekeeping.

It works from 12Vdc. Each tube anode has an independent variable resistor to set luminosity.

I need to complete the circuit and firmware with a couple of (hidden) buttons to set the time and a proper wooden housing.

I will release the Arduino firmware after tiding up the code.

Friedrichshafen 2015 - What I bought

This is mainly a log for my future self of what I bought at Friedrichshafen HAM fair 2015:

• WW2 headset with PTT (1€).
• Bencher BY-2 paddle.
• A pair of Hama gamepad USB controllers.
• Diamond HF-20FX 20m mobile antenna.
• Burroughs Nixie sockets (priced between 50c and 3€ each).
• Russian VFD 7-segment IV-3 (1€ each).
• Russian VFD 7-segment IV-6 (1€ each).
• Russian VFD IV-1 (1€ each).
• Nixie driver chips K155DI (equivalent of 74141, 1€ each).
• Blank spiral mic cord (6 wires, 1€).

B5094 Nixie now fully operational

The B5094 Nixie was tickling me: why only two symbols light up? Why others don't? I asked around and the hint was to increase the voltage supply (as well as the current limiting resistor).

Worth a try. My PSU module reaches 186 V: not enough to light up other symbols. Then I added in series a 12 V battery pack for a total of 198 V and ... all 3+3 symbols said "Hello!".

The series resistor was increased to 47k that is probably still too low. I need to measure the working current of that specific Nixie and make sure I do not exceed the 3.5 mA stated in the datasheet.

The need for an increased voltage is a sign that the tube is "tired". The 4th B5092 doesn't fire with 198 V. I may try to go higher but that's not too easy to achieve with batteries, or keep it as a souvenir.

Friedrichshafen 2015 - What I have not bought

These are my regrets. Objects I have not bought at "Ham Radio 2015" in Friedrichshafen but I should have.

A Fluke 8050 bench multimeter (~50 €).

A Heathkit G-1 signal generator. Found under a table. Looked nice.

A strange 1960's telephone loudspeaker (1 €).

A metal box with three flanged N sockets (probably 1 €!).

An empty metal box with handle (probably 1 €1).


There were other interesting things too, mainly stuff older than me. Either too expensive for a home ornament or too big to transport in a already fully packed car.