I don't know why everybody always seems to recommend the Microchip series of
controllers, they aren't the only thing out there.

Check out the chips from Parallax, namely the SX28.

http://www.parallax.com/Store/Microc...5/Default.aspx

If you need more I/O then you can use the surface mount version that has
more pins.

http://www.parallax.com/Store/Microc...4/Default.aspx

Or try using the BASIC Stamp computer system on a board.

http://www.parallax.com/tabid/214/Default.aspx

For prototype work check out the system below:

http://www.parallax.com/Store/Microc...%2cProductName

http://www.parallax.com/Store/Microc...4/Default.aspx

The programming software and a BASIC compiler are all free downloads from
Parallax's web site.

For keyboards and LCD displays look at:

http://www.parallax.com/Store/Compon...4/Default.aspx

http://www.parallax.com/Store/Microc...%2cProductName

Here is a whole collection of LCD displays coving a range of price points.

http://www.parallax.com/Store/Access...me,ProductName

If you have a need to do a fair amount of floating point math then check out
the math coprocessors for the microcontrollers.

http://www.parallax.com/Store/Compon...4/Default.aspx

http://www.parallax.com/Store/Compon...1/Default.aspx

I think that you'll find everything you need available from this one source
for the project you have in mind. I have the professional prototype board,
floating point processor, a 2 line LCD display that plugs in to the
prototype board and several of the SX28 chips myself. I'm still waiting to
get the USB programming key. Right now I have to barrow my friend's serial
version of the programming key to try out some design ideas.


--
Regards,
Leland C. Scott
KC8LDO


"RFI-EMI-GUY" wrote in message
. ..

I have a project I would like to build, and this would be for me a first
time PIC controller project.

I am looking for a PIC to do the following:

1. Address 17 parallel binary weighted bits (need at least 17 I/O's in
addition to inputs from (2) below and outputs for LCD (3) below.
2. Have a keypad or rotary encoder to select combinations of the above
bits.
3. An LCD display of a frequency generated by the PLL device attached to
it per instructions below in (4).
4. Be able to enter a frequency such as 2300.6375 MHz, and do the math
to subtract an IF frequency and divide the resultant frequency by some
multiplier to address the parallel bits.

The PIC should be available with an evaluation board containing an LCD
display a keypad or rotary encoder. I do not want to have to design a
circuit board for a one time project.

For background, I have a Scientific Atlanta synthesizer that is designed
to generate a frequency in the range of 100.2x to 110.7x MHz to phase
lock a microwave brick oscillator used for a C band satellite up and
downconvertor. The unit has an external BCD switch which is designed to
display 3200.XX to 4200.XX MHz and I wish to re purpose it for a
different frequency band.

Any recommendations?




--
Joe Leikhim K4SAT
"The RFI-EMI-GUY"©

"Treason doth never prosper: what's the reason?
For if it prosper, none dare call it treason."

"Follow The Money" ;-P