Well hello there... I am Boxfish.

Repairs
Electronics design
Software
Panthyr autonomous measurement system
Improperly passionate fan of those (supermarket) folding crates
...

Repairing a "for parts" Canon 7D Mark II.

Introduction I was recently looking for a replacement for my ageing (ancient?) entry level Canon 600D. I came across a cheap 7D Mark II body (7d2 from now on) that was sold as “broken, for parts only”. This repair was a fun and rewarding experience requiring no spare parts. The Canon 7D Mark II The Canon 7D Mark II is a high-end 20.2 megapixel APS-C size DSLR that was released towards the end of 2014. It is part of their advanced/professional range of cameras and could be regarded as similar to a 5D Mark IV with a smaller CMOS. At the time of release it was positively received. The body I purchased was sold for €180 as “broken, for parts only”. Let’s hope not.

Tuesday, March 4, 2025 | 10 minutes Read

HP 8640B Part 2: Mains input and rectifier board replacement

Introduction 6 years ago I acquired an HP 8640B that needed work (see HP 8640B Part 1: initial state). Over the last few years, I managed to clean up the unit cosmetically, but not dive in to it any deeper. Until now. I recently found some time to work on it again and started looking at the power rails. I knew that (at least) the -5.2V rail had intermittent issues, and had noticed the caps on the AC input needed to be replaced as well.

Tuesday, February 6, 2024 | 8 minutes Read

Novastar MCTRL300 basic control software

Code can be found at the Github repository. Builds/executables are not available but if anyone has use for them, I’d happily create one for you… What? Simple, basic control of brightness and test patterns/mode for the Novastar MCTRL300 (and possibly others, but I don’t have others to test). It does not allow you to configure your screen. It can be used during testing or (I can imagine) to give just this piece of software to a client to let him dim the screen when no technician is available.

Monday, February 13, 2023 | 2 minutes Read

Dieter Vansteenwegen

Owner at Boxfish

Systems developer/marine technician at Vliz

Always learning new skills.

Skills

Python

My favorite and go-to programming language.

Linux

My primary operating system and what I do most design for.

Electronics

I can read datasheets and schematics, design a board (experienced in Diptrace) and have it manufactured or populate it myself.

System design

I get a feeling of joy and a freedom when combining existing components with own designs [electronics / mechanical parts / software] to solve an existing problem or need.

Embedded C

I’ve done a couple of projects using the Microchip PIC16/PIC24 series.

(Marine) research infrastructure

My dayjob. Supporting research by maintaining existing and developing new instruments and systems.

Autodesk Inventor

Two years of evening courses and plenty of practical experience.

Development: others

Enough of GIT, Python packaging, … to do what I need to do (or figure out what I need to learn).

RF

HAREC license (CEPT recommendation T/R 61/01 class A). Experience with RF measurements and concepts. I love to restored vintage HP/Advantest/Tektronix/… test equipment to their former glory.

Projects

Panthyr robotic system

Owner Feb 2018 - Present

Design of an offshore robotic system used for satelite validation. Currently being deployed around the world as part of the Hypernets (satellite-)validation network.

academic professional python

The Pan-and-Tilt Hyperspectral Radiometer System (PANTHYR) for Autonomous Satellite Validation Measurements—Prototype Design and Testing

Author Jun 2019

Paper describing the prototype and testing of the Panthyr system. Published in Remote Sensing (Special Issue Fiducial Reference Measurements for Satellite Ocean Colour). For more papers related to the system, see my ResearchGate page.