Can someone recommend a PIC programmer for a digital n00b

[ianmgull]

Hey all. I've decided it's time to bite the bullet and start toying in the digital realm. There are two projects I'd like to put together in the future:

http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=80407.0

and

http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=80878.0


These projects use the PIC16F684 and PIC16F84A respectively. Can anybody recommend a relatively inexpensive board to program these (and hopefully other) PICs? Id like to be able to expand to other chips as I learn more about the pros/cons of each. I'd also need connectivity via USB (I say this because a couple of the DIY routes I've seen use a Series port which I don't have). I saw one at Futurlec but wanted some suggestions from you guys. Thanks!

(sorry if this has been covered a million times, I wasn't able to find anything)

[ianmgull]

ughhhh wrong forum, sorry, supposed to be in digital...

[JKowalski]

Most of the USB ones are relatively expensive... I went the cheapy route and bought a serial port programmer for ten bucks or so. My computer didn't have a serial port either, so I hacked one together. All you need is a PCI card slot with a suitable hole for a serial connector, and a DB9 port to stick in it. Then you just attach the DB-9 connector to one of the serial ports on your motherboard with a cable. Nothing to it! Didn't cost me a dime. All works perfectly.

[ubaid88]

Pic16f84a is icsp ie you don't need to buy a complex programmer for it. You can make one your self with just resistors and diodes.

Here you. Some details.
http://www.hellspark.com/dm/ebench/sx/mirrors/www.semis.demon.co.uk/uJDM/uJDMmain.htm

Programmer schematic and layout on vero board. Just few common component and you got your programmer.
http://www.semis.demon.co.uk/uJDM/uJDMveroboard.html

Mentioned above correctly usb one are very expensive and very complex to make. But if you dont have serial port in your pc/laptop you better buy a pci/pcmcia/usb serial port interface.