James Nick Sears wrote:
> The best part about this is that I KNEW this post was coming from Olin
> before I even sent my response.  Beginners shouldn't ask for help, but
> also shouldn't use parts that will save them trouble and minimize the
> need to ask for help.  Olin, I think maybe you should buy a truckload
> of transistors and work on building your own PIC from scratch.  Just
> to prove how hardcore you really are.

I guess you missed the point that a ceramic resonator is *easier* than a
canned oscillator.  You hook it up and you're done.  I've seen canned
oscillators cause trouble in circuits, usually because someone didn't pay
attention to bypassing and high frequency loop currents.  In other words,
canned oscillators are more advanced and require more expertise to get
right.  They look easy, but they're really not.  They are not for beginners.

On the other hand, I don't remember having a problem with a PIC crystal
oscillator.  My experience is that they just work.  If you want to use a
junkbox crystal that you can't identify to find the datasheet, just use 22pF
caps.  The frequency might be a little off, but it will oscillate.

I don't use ceramic resonators much, but the ones with the built in load
caps are the easiest of all.  Connect the end leads to the PIC pins and the
center lead to ground and you're all done.

No matter what you chose, you still have to set up the PIC oscillator mode,
that's a wash.  For 20MHz on a 16F887 there is no doubt this needs to be HS
for a crystal or resonator.


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