hue wrote:

> It is a stick with several LEDs in a row that when waved back and
> forth at a certain frequency will spell out a message.

  One of our local (Australian) magazines published this but it was
based on a RAM chip and SSI logic.  Can't find the issue offhand.

  I think a PIC or a Stamp a much better approach.  Should in fact be
quite easy to use the Stamp circuit including EEPROM, but a custom
program in the PIC to make *all* of the EEPROM available for text.  With
a PIC16F84, the internal EEPROM could be used for the "character
generator" between the text message and actual display.

  The trick is to have the program sense the frequency of waving and
synchronise to it.  The project in question used a mercury switch.
--
  Cheers,
        Paul B.