I built a couple of ESC's arount the M51660 chip, which is pretty much designed for the job, but the availability is appalling indeed. (I know of only one address that sells them in Holland)
The other ESC's are indeed built around a PIC microchip, design of Bruce Abbott (http://www.bhabbott.net.nz/electronics.html) who also provides the program for the chip. Runs very smoothly and has safety features built-in (which the M51660 does not have at all). I can recommend his work!
I design the PCB's for the ESC's myself using Cadsoft Eagle Free, and then order the PCB's according to that. I also order the PIC's at a place that programs them for me, pretty convenient
…But this all has nothing to do with the magazine… I don't know if there are moderators here that do stuff like separating and moving threads? This might be better discussed in another, maybe its own, topic…
Edited By Diede van Abs on 11/11/2012 21:14:39