Introduction to the ABC Platform

[@doco6186]

Cool! Welcome back.

[@GlennHamblin]

Do we need additional certification for the cellular as a product?

[@Tenus123]

What connector is it used for the breakout boards?

[@HerrHeisenheim]

Looks like a Molex Slimstack, probably 0.4mm pitch. Those connectors are great for board-to-board connections, I use them all the time. Not the easiest to solder by hand though, but it's doable.

[@contextualelectronics]

The connector on the ABC is the DF23C-50DS (bit.ly/3kAKUOT ). On the daughtercard it will be the DF23C-50DP ( bit.ly/3eZlPfi )

[@nlcortana]

What part is used for these threaded mounting holes? Are they soldered in place, or pressfitted?

[@contextualelectronics]

Those are actually SMT metal standoffs, placeable with a Pick and Place machine. Very exciting. The part is Keystone 4881.

[@bobwmcgrath]

Why not use a pcie to usb hat?

[@GlennHamblin]

Is it possible to buy ABC boards from you?

[@contextualelectronics]

Not yet! But I'm hoping to put these up on Tindie at some point soon, or maybe do a small crowdfunding campaign. It would hopefully be very easy to make your own daughtercard and then use the ABC section to connect it to the internet.

[@GlennHamblin]

@@contextualelectronics I have a very simple MQTT application, where I need to send a small amount of data occasionally. I really just need an affordable modem that can take serial data and publish it to my broker.

[@contextualelectronics]

@@GlennHamblin Ah! Well that sort of thing should be possible now, there are many other cellular based boards in the market. What is your definition of "affordable"?

[@GlennHamblin]

@@contextualelectronics I'm thinking 30-50 bucks range.

[@GlennHamblin]

I'm currently eyeing the XB3 stuff.

[@darkmedievil123]

What modules can I do with according to what level of membership?

[@contextualelectronics]

Not completely sure what you're asking here, but all members have access to the ABC content.

[@darkmedievil123]

@@contextualelectronics As an apprentice member I have access to all ABC content?

[@contextualelectronics]

@@darkmedievil123 Correct!

[@darkmedievil123]

@@contextualelectronics great!!!

[@cdyoutoob]

I can't look at the Contextual Electronics logo without thinking it's a 'Cone of Silence' and not a through hole diode.

[@Gengh13]

Now I can't unsee it.

[@DrTRonik]

✔✔😊✔✔

[@UpcycleElectronics]

Chris, I like what you are doing here. The monetization method is quite interesting. It's much more creative than the typical 'consulting available' approach I've seen from many EE's on YT. My first impression from watching this was that you were marketing the 'ABC course.' This doesn't align well with the way you're marketing your products on your web page. The person that may be sold on a product as presented here, may have long enough to second guess their initial impulse and back out IMO. I am only a single data point reference, and I do not have any demographic data about conversion/impressions in this market, and as a disabled guy without a stable income yet (disability takes years in California), I'm unlikely to fall into your conversions column. That said, your categories as marketed seem a bit aggressive. I'm stuck in a bed 80%-90% of my day, and have a few hours of reasonably focused time available when I can set aside the pain enough to work on a project. (no sympathy needed/just a fact) So for me, I'm doing fairly well if I can accomplish a healthy day's work in a week, and that's really only a best case scenario. I wonder how many other hobbyists have a similar relaxed type of timeline. Following this line of reasoning further, I would have a hard time justifying your scaling factor against my current skill level and goals. I'm a rare case, and probably a well justified marketing outlier. You absolutely must have outliers in business if you wish to stay in business. It's just my perspective. Full disclosure, this is just a raw first impression from someone that has several years experience with back office (high end bicycle) retail chain management, (brick&mortar's (x3) + web (ebay/magento/self hosted). I was just as curious about your business approach here as I was the actual content. Don't let the squeaky wheel get all of the oil by taking this out of context. Thanks for keeping it interesting. -Jake