A Fishy Component

[quantum1]

My question is that on devices like radio controls, there is a silver component that is about 1 cm. tall and has the numbering of the radio freq. that it is supposedly to give out (such as 27.145MHZ). Does anyone know of this device?

 

[Kain]

My guess is that this is the quartz crystal. Those are used in any generators since they provide high signal stability and acuracy (if the crystal is good though ;D). The remote control in this case would work on the fundamental frequency or on certain harmonic (in your case it's probably working on the fundamental one). This is the only thing I can think about that fits the description especially in radio control. :

 

[quantum1]

Thanks Kain!
I think thats what it is. I frogot to add in my question that I took it apart and there was some kind of "netting". Maybe that is the quartz. And to add, its about 1/8 a inch in width.

Do you know the shematic symbol? ;D

 

[Kain]

Yup. It looks exactly like a regular capacitor but with one more rectangle drawn in between the plates. I posted picture too but for some reason it doesn't appear ???. It was gif as well - should be supported huh

 

[quantum1]

I have another fishy component. It is extremly small. The home page of this website has a background graphic of a pcb at the top-right corner. There is a IC chip and right below and above to the right is a bunch of really small black squares. When I look at a pcb, it labels the small black square R** .The * stands for the number of the sqaure, just like a resistor. Sure, if I only knew how to copy a picture on to this reply, it would be much easier. If anyone knows how to do this, I would appreciate it. ;D

 

[Kain]

Hum, I don't know what to say now haha. There are too many small black things going arround on PCB. May be it's SMD resistor? ???

 

[quantum1]

What is SMD? ;D
I am pretty sure it is a capcitor, and they usaully range from 16 to 1600 picofarads (which I just read about).
Maybe it is a resistor, hence the labeling of "R".


Thanks!

 

[Kain]

Hum, I don't think it's cap what you are looking at... I just don't picture cap marking with R ???.... looks as non-sence to me. However, SMD stands for Surface Mount Device, or in "english" ;D it means that there are no holes in the PCB in order for the element to be mounted, soldered....whatever you want it. This is why it's called Surface Mount - because it is mounted on the surface of the given layer.

 

[quantum1]

Kain, I'm now pretty positive it is a surface mount resistor, because I have seen them on the printed side of a circuit board. Thank you for helping (I don't like components that I don't know ;D)

 

[Kain]

You are very welcome. What do you plan to do with this thing of yours, besides breaking it? ;D Just kidding though - I'm judging by my actions probly hehe 8)

 

[quantum1]

Well, so I can make schematics from stuff I take apart.
Then frame the shematic! ;D

I wouldn't won't to brake it open, because I already kno what is in it. But I have broken into a silicon chip before I knew how they work.