Recommended UK supplier for PIC chips?

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Why does it have to be UK? Chips are so small and light that shipping should be reasonable regardless of where you buy.

When programming PICs, pin count does not normally matter. It's usually best to simply design the project so you can do ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming). Once you start using surface mount devices, ICSP is the only practical way anyway.

There are super cheap programmers such as the JDM and JDM2 designs. They are simply a few components connected to the serial port, so that an application on the computer can bit-bang the programming protocol. These do usually not work with USB to RS232 adapters. The JDM design has some issues with ICSP programming due to its creative use of RS232 voltages.

A more sophisticated, but still reasonably priced programmer is the Wisp648 from

You can build your own, buy a kit or buy a complete programmer. This programmer works with USB to RS232 adapters. They also sell chips.

For that money, you could get a PicKit and still have some money left. It will not only allow you to program just about any PIC, but also let debug your project using the chip's built-in debugging features.

I recently got a PicKit3 with a small test board with an 18F45K20. It cost about GBP 80.

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RoRo

Assuming you're talking about in-system programming, the ICD3 will do it, but it's going to be a bit more than 100 GBP-- it's the equivalent of ~143 GBP in the US.

Depending on the range of PICs you want supported, Velleman's K8048 kit supports ICSP, and is rather low cost ( < 20 quid).

and will give you a wide range to choose from.

if we say it is in stock, then it is in stock. not UK based, but chances are you may well get it before they ship one locally. :-)

Don...

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Don McKenzie

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http://www.dontronics-shop.com/super4-usb-relay-module.html

The low-cost PICkit 2 or 3 will program/debug most of the PIC range. Farnell and RS stock them, as well as the chips and evaluation boards. The more expensive ICD2 or ICD 3 is better in some ways, and will be replaced free of charge if a fault develops.

Leon