Building the AIM430

[ab1ga]

Hello,

I'm going to be building the AIM 430 soon and have a question about programming the MSP430.

I have ordered the TI USB programmer/debugger module from their website. The module comes with something called the Kickstart toolkit. I notice you mentioned using the Quadravox IDE to program the chip.

My questions:

a. Is it necessary to use the Quadravox IDE? I'd rather not buy an IDE for the sake of a single project if at all possible.

b. Does the trial version of the Quadravox IDE have the capability to burn the chip, or will I need the full version?

c. Do you have any experience with the TI toolset, particularly Kickstart?

I think you've designed a fine product, and I thank you for taking the time to submit an article to QST describing it. I'm actually looking forward to putting up my antenna now!

73,

Dale

[Bob]

The TI software may be able to burn the .txt file that was generated by the compiler. However, I haven't tried that. I took a quick look at the TI toolkit several years ago, but I don't any significant experience with it.

I think the trial version of the Quadravox compiler is fully functional, check the small print. The person who handles support, Michael, is quick to reply to emails and is very helpful. They also have a Yahoo support group. They have a version that is specialized for a particular family. It may be able to handle the 149. It's about half the price of the most general version of the compiler which handles all members of the 430 family.

73/ Bob