Getting Started

To use the PICAXE system you will need a computer running Windows (95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP) with a CDROM drive and spare serial port (9 way D connector - cables AXE206) or USB port (cable AXE027).

To get started we recommend one of the starter packs.

Each starter pack contains these items:

CDROM (containing the Programming Editor software and all the manuals and datasheets)

download cable (add U to end of order code for USB cable)

battery box (AA cells required)

PICAXE microcontroller mounted on an electronic board.

The PICAXE microcontroller and electronic board vary within the different packs as follows:

	AXE003	PICAXE-08M Starter Pack	PICAXE-08M chip with 8 pin protoboard kit *
	AXE003	PICAXE-14M Starter Pack	PICAXE-14M chip with 8 pin protoboard kit *
	AXE002	PICAXE-18 Starter Pack	PICAXE-18X chip with 18 pin standard project board
	AXE001	PICAXE-28X1 Starter Pack	PICAXE-28X1 chip with 28 pin project board
	AXE090	PICAXE Experimenter Pack	Experimenter board kit*, supports all sizes of chip but supplied with PICAXE-18X.
	AXE050	PICAXE-18 Tutorial Pack	PICAXE-18 chip on 18 pin tutorial board

Boards marked * are supplied as self-assembly kits (soldering required).

• For students doing individual projects the 08-18-28 starter packs are recommended.
• For hobbyist 'testing' using a breadboard the experimenter pack is recommended.
• For schools setting up classroom teaching systems the tutorial (pre-assembled) or experimenter (breadboard based) packs are recommended.

Once you have the CDROM and download cable, other individual PICAXE chips and project boards can be purchased individually. For schools setting up large networks we can also supply discounted bulk packs of 100 cables.

If you require some help around the help files see

Helpstart Datasheet (pdf)

The best way to learn how to program using the PICAXE system is to work through the tutorial datasheet first, and then to work through the other datasheets, including the many example student projects.

For schools setting up classroom teaching systems a number of robust classroom models are also available.