Paul/Doc,  I googled "what is Picaxe" and found  a basic step by step
   for using the picaxe system.   At the bottom of the page was a link for
   more info on getting started with the picaxe system where they offer
   starter packs which include  too much to list here.  Question is,  do
   you recommend buying (very cheap) one of the starter packs and what
   else?   If you want to look at what I am referring to the URL
   is http://www.rev-ed.co.uk/picaxe/stepbystep.htm    Thanks,  Jerry

   You need one mounted on a PC board with at least one LED on one
   of the output pins so you can tell if your program is working.
   You will will also need a USB to RS232 cable and a battery box
   that will hold three 1.5 volt AA batteries to power it..

   I suggest the AXE 001 but people sell that in the states.

   Paul Lamar ...No rotor no motor.


Jerry,

I found a few that might suit you. There is no standard nomenclature for
these things. "Starter kits" usually have a solderless breadboard.
"Proto Boards" or "Proto Kits" or anything with "proto" or "prototype"
in the name is probably going to be a solder type boad/kit. This means
you have to solder each component in, and to de-solder stuff you want to
take out or change. Either can mean almost anything.

IMHO get something with a solderless breadboard to experiment with.
After you have the code & circuit working you might be able to find a
prototype board of the right size and conformation that you can solder
the components to and try on an engine.

http://world-educational-services.net/
http://www.hvwtech.com/

Good luck