Electronics advice

[MortFurd]

That is so nasty. Do you design stuff for Amstrad?

Not any nastier than driving a relay straight off of a speaker signal.

No, I don't and never have worked for Amstrad.

Those little circuits are ones that I've used before when the only signal available is audio and I need to switch something based on it. Not necessarily cameras. Simple noise activation for a recorder or a baby monitor type thing.

If you think that circuit is warped, you ought to see what I do with an LM3909 and a TTL 7473.

ETA:
By preference, though, I'd rather use something like a 555 timer or a purpose built debounce chip (they are commerically available.) If you use surface mount parts (can't EVERYBODY solder 0402 sized parts by hand?) you can mount the whole shebang inside the radio and power the circuit from its batteries. Makes it nice and slick. Sometimes, though, cheap and dirty's where it's at.

 

[Crossbow]

Here is my take on the request ...

While one could (as has been well demonstrated in this thread) develop a circuit that could make use of the communication devices, I think that approach is a bit overkill since these communication devices have such a long range (3 km). Since it will be rather difficult to accurately photograph something from such a long range, therefore I think that one would be better suited to using a device with a shorter range and use the communication devices for there intended purposes, and instead use a device that has a much lower cost and shorter range: such as the one below.

http://www.electrokits.com/electronics/relays-remotes-switches-timers/23.htm

InfraRed Remote Control Switch

A very useful kit. Everybody has Infra Red transmitters at home - TV remote, video remote, CD remote, etc. Use ANY Infra Red remote to toggle this switch on or off.

Specifications:
L: 2-7/8" W: 1-1/8" H: 1/2"

Requires external 8-15 Volts DC Power Supply.

Relay has Normally Open and Normally Closed Contacts rated for voltages 12VDC @ 10A or 240VAC @ 5Amps.

This kit is rather inexpensive, small, low power requirements, contains all of the parts, comes with a printed circuit board, and looks like if one can solder small electronic parts, then one could build this item.

 

[MortFurd]

Here is my take on the request ...

While one could (as has been well demonstrated in this thread) develop a circuit that could make use of the communication devices, I think that approach is a bit overkill since these communication devices have such a long range (3 km). Since it will be rather difficult to accurately photograph something from such a long range, therefore I think that one would be better suited to using a device with a shorter range and use the communication devices for there intended purposes, and instead use a device that has a much lower cost and shorter range: such as the one below.

http://www.electrokits.com/electronics/relays-remotes-switches-timers/23.htm

InfraRed Remote Control Switch



This kit is rather inexpensive, small, low power requirements, contains all of the parts, comes with a printed circuit board, and looks like if one can solder small electronic parts, then one could build this item.

Nifty gadget, with three disadvantages:
1. It requires a power supply. You could probably run it on batteries - 9Volt radio battery would be OK.
2. It has its own bounce problems - read the user comments following the ad text. Sounds like they forgot ot put in the reverse polarity diode across the relay, and as though it might need a capacitor across the power input to clean up crap. That, and IR remotes BY DESIGN repeat the commands which may well cause repeated triggering.
3. It costs $19.95, before shipping and handling and buying batteries or a power supply. AND you still have to connect it to the camera.


The circuits we have been discussing are powered by the radio (which the user already owns.)

Yeah, the range is over kill. So what. Who knows when you might need to snap a photo from a couple of miles away.