Copy code from another chip

Hi there,

I'm got a pre-programmed ATMEGA8 chip from a friend to control my Nixie Clock. I could buy some more and send it to him to program and then pay for the shipping back to me - but to save hassle and $$, can I program another ATMEGA8 from this chip? And if so, how hard would it be to do this? And what would I need?

Or I can have him email it to me, but then how do I dump the code onto the chip? Currently have part of the "Feng3" w/ziff socket assembled and will try to learn with that.

Sorry guy's a complete newbie.

TIA

I'm not familiar with Atmel chips?, but presumably they can be copy protected (like a PIC can) - if it's not protected, then you can simply read the existing chip, and write to a new one.

Nigel is correct on the Atmel. But you will need a programmer and software, I would google for that first. Then have you friend email the HEX code or just read the current chip you have.