Hi raschemmel, yes I have seen that the sketch can be uploaded with a FTDI module. But in my country is very complicated found and buy arduino parts and PIC elements. And when you found a shop the prices are very high because there is not competition of sellers here.
Im fighting now to get a 28 pins DIP zocket 
Please tell me, about de 6AA bateries option to power the protoboard, which mAh they must be ?
Best regards, Ginza