Looks like it was the Arduino board. I had another Pro Mini turn up today. Soldered the program pins to it and the FTDI cable worked with no problems.

Got it working. Yay! I used AVRDude to burn the bootloader instead.

I've been playing around with the RF24Network now I have both my Minis working. Setting up 2 to communicate between each other seems straight forward enough but not so easy to do with more. The library comes with an example for multi node setup with a branch configuration but only for the child nodes, doesn't show how to do the base.

I've got two sending some temperature information to a base now though. I plugged one into a battery pack and it's outside reading the cold temperatures out there now. It's in a plastic tub with the temperature sensor in its own so the heat from the other components doesn't warm it up. Hopefully it won't rain, I don't think it will be water tight.

My big protoboards have finally arrived. Time to figure out the layout.

My first protoboard for my LCD screen took hours to make. I assume it's for the world clock.

I'm currently trying one of my Minis outside again. Transmitting temp every minute and also the voltage at VCC. Found a way to measure the voltage without needing to use one of the analog pins which is handy.

I'm trying to use 4 AA NiMH batteries but take 3 different voltages off a 4 pack. Using 2 batteries for the radio (can't go above 3.6V), 3 for the Mini and all 4 for the temp sensor (that can't go below 3V).

I don't think I'll manage to do many long solder tracks. I might use a lot wires instead.

Good idea. Those solder tracks were a pain to do.

I think I might do one for a common 12V in and maybe a common ground. I've got a load of telephone cable and CAT6 which should be suitable.

It was looking neat on the smaller board until I remembered the transistors. I think I'll need to use the bigger board.

I saw a tip that looked handy for long rails like that. Run a naked bare (that's the word I'm looking for) cable along the breadboard where you want the track and solder along that. Easier to do and less solder.

Not a bad idea. I suppose then you only need to solder the connections and that keeps the wire secure.

Unsure whether to go transistors standing up or lying down.

Lying down takes quite a bit more space but I should have plenty to spare on this board.

What's this going to end up being? If you've already mentioned it, I've missed it.

 

Hopefully it'll be something like this..... msg:40898.189

Standing up = better heat dissipation

Good point.

I only realised the other week that the metal screw hole section could also be used as one of the pins so they can't be touching. I assumed it was just metal for the sake of being metal :$

I didn't realise it was a pin either. Always thought it was for attaching a heat sink.

Makes sense now looking at PCBs where they're lying flat but with the middle pin at the bottom cut off.

I made a lovely little board last night with one of my minis and radio on it. Went to plug it in to test it and realised I'd forgotten the temp sensor. Oops.

I practiced some breadboard soldering last night on a mini board I bought. Saw a few videos of making tracks and it didn't look too bad. Mine was shocking.

I definitely need to clean my soldering iron. Probably need a sponge too.

Haha. Some things look so easy when other people do them :) Got a picture of it?

Definitely use a sponge. And if you have a pointy tip get a chisel type instead. Makes it much easier to transfer the heat.