Sparkfun's Large 7-Segment Display (COM-08530) is the ideal centerpiece for an RSGC Schedule's wall-mounted Day Counter.

Back in 2018, ACES'D. Dadyburjor and E. Peterson undertook a combined large custom-designed 7-Segment Display and 7-band graphic equalizer within a 3D-printed case that functioned well as a standalone, programmable device. The unit functioned well for a time before succumbing to the elements.

In preparation for an ICS3U-E lesson on Radio Frequency in the spring of 2025, Mr. D. returned to the Day Counter project idea over the 2025 March Break. The concept was to embed an nRF24L01-based receiver in the Day Counter wall unit that would be responsive to a manual transmitter on Mr. D.'s desk, updated through the turning of a rotary encoder. A successful prototype was achieved.

Rather than on custom PCBs, both the transmitter and receiver circuitry were mounted on generic RSGC ACES 1/2 Protoboards, as shown below.

Nano-compatible nRF24L01 breakout boards were also developed in the spring of 2025 as necessary upgrades to original UNO-compatible boards developed by O. Logush in 2018.

Code for both the transmitter and receiver can be found on the RSGC ACES' Github DES Day Counter repository.

2025 DES Day Counter: Transmitter	2025 DES Day Counter: Receiver (Prototype)
Sparkfun Large 7-Segment Display	Fusion 360 Designed Wall Encasement
Sparkfun Large 7-Segment Display Mounted in Case	Day Counter Active: Day 5