Silicon ChipContents - February 2019 SILICON CHIP

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  1. Outer Front Cover
  2. Contents
  3. Publisher's Letter: Beware of dodgy and counterfeit electronics
  4. Feature: Medical, Health and First Aid Smartphone Apps - Part 1 by Dr David Maddison
  5. Project: Versatile Trailing Edge Dimmer with Touch Plate & IR by John Clarke
  6. Review: Rigol’s MSO5354 Mixed Signal Oscilloscope by Tim Blythman
  7. Feature: El Cheapo Modules 22: Stepper Motor Drivers by Jim Rowe
  8. Project: Motion-sensing 12V Power Switch by Nicholas Vinen
  9. Product Showcase
  10. Serviceman's Log: (What) were the designers thinking? by Dave Thompson
  11. Project: USB Mouse and Keyboard Interface for Micros by Tim Blythman
  12. Project: Build-it-yourself DAB+/FM/AM radio by Duraid Madina & Nicholas Vinen
  13. Review: Philips “Brilliance” Ultrawide Monitor by Nicholas Vinen
  14. Vintage Radio: 1970s BWD 216 Hybrid Bench Supply by Ian Batty
  15. PartShop
  16. Subscriptions
  17. Market Centre
  18. Advertising Index
  19. Notes & Errata: Isolated Serial Link, January 2019; 800W(+) UPS, May-July 2018; Full Wave, 230V Universal Motor Speed Controller, March 2018; BackPack Touchscreen DDS Signal Generator, April 2017; SC200 Audio Amplifier, January-March 2017; 12AX7 Valve Audio Preamplifier, November 2003
  20. Outer Back Cover

This is only a preview of the February 2019 issue of Silicon Chip.

You can view 47 of the 112 pages in the full issue and the advertisments.

For full access, purchase the issue for $8.20 or subscribe for access to the latest issues.

Items relevant to "Versatile Trailing Edge Dimmer with Touch Plate & IR ":
  • Touch and IR Remote Control Trailing Edge Dimmer Main PCB [10111191] (AUD $10.00)
  • Touch and IR Remote Control Trailing Edge Dimmer Mounting PCB [10111192] (AUD $10.00)
  • Touch and IR Remote Control Trailing Edge Dimmer Extension PCB [10111193] (AUD $10.00)
  • PIC12F617-I/P programmed for the Touch and IR Remote Control Trailing Edge Dimmer [1011119A.HEX] (Programmed Microcontroller, AUD $10.00)
  • Hard-to-get parts for the Touch and IR Remote Control Trailing Edge Dimmer (Component, AUD $10.00)
  • Infrared receiver parts for the Touch and IR Remote Control Trailing Edge Dimmer (Component, AUD $10.00)
  • Firmware (ASM and HEX) files for the Touch and IR Remote Control Trailing Edge Dimmer [1011119A.HEX] (Software, AUD $3.00)
  • Touch and IR Remote Control Trailing Edge Dimmer PCB patterns (PDF download) [10111191-3] (AUD $3.00)
Items relevant to "El Cheapo Modules 22: Stepper Motor Drivers":
  • DRV8825-based stepper motor driver module (Component, AUD $3.00)
  • Sample code for El Cheapo Modules 22 - Stepper Motor Drivers (Software, Free)
Articles in this series:
  • El Cheapo Modules From Asia - Part 1 (October 2016)
  • El Cheapo Modules From Asia - Part 2 (December 2016)
  • El Cheapo Modules From Asia - Part 3 (January 2017)
  • El Cheapo Modules from Asia - Part 4 (February 2017)
  • El Cheapo Modules, Part 5: LCD module with I²C (March 2017)
  • El Cheapo Modules, Part 6: Direct Digital Synthesiser (April 2017)
  • El Cheapo Modules, Part 7: LED Matix displays (June 2017)
  • El Cheapo Modules: Li-ion & LiPo Chargers (August 2017)
  • El Cheapo modules Part 9: AD9850 DDS module (September 2017)
  • El Cheapo Modules Part 10: GPS receivers (October 2017)
  • El Cheapo Modules 11: Pressure/Temperature Sensors (December 2017)
  • El Cheapo Modules 12: 2.4GHz Wireless Data Modules (January 2018)
  • El Cheapo Modules 13: sensing motion and moisture (February 2018)
  • El Cheapo Modules 14: Logarithmic RF Detector (March 2018)
  • El Cheapo Modules 16: 35-4400MHz frequency generator (May 2018)
  • El Cheapo Modules 17: 4GHz digital attenuator (June 2018)
  • El Cheapo: 500MHz frequency counter and preamp (July 2018)
  • El Cheapo modules Part 19 – Arduino NFC Shield (September 2018)
  • El cheapo modules, part 20: two tiny compass modules (November 2018)
  • El cheapo modules, part 21: stamp-sized audio player (December 2018)
  • El Cheapo Modules 22: Stepper Motor Drivers (February 2019)
Items relevant to "Motion-sensing 12V Power Switch":
  • Motion-Sensing 12V Power Switch SMD PCB [05102191] (AUD $2.50)
  • Short form kit for the Motion-Triggered 12V Switch (Component, AUD $10.00)
  • SW-18010P Vibration Sensor Switch (Component, AUD $1.00)
  • Motion-Sensing 12V Power Switch SMD PCB pattern (PDF download) [05102191] (AUD $3.00)
Items relevant to "USB Mouse and Keyboard Interface for Micros":
  • USB Mouse and Keyboard Interface PCB [24311181] (AUD $5.00)
  • PIC32MX270F256B-50I/SP programmed for the USB Mouse and Keyboard Interface for Micros [2431118A/B.HEX] (Programmed Microcontroller, AUD $15.00)
  • MCP1700 3.3V LDO (TO-92) (Component, AUD $1.36-1.50)
  • Software for the USB Mouse and Keyboard Interface for Micros [2431118A.HEX] (AUD $3.00)
  • USB Mouse and Keyboard Interface PCB pattern (PDF download) [24311181] (AUD $3.00)
Items relevant to "Build-it-yourself DAB+/FM/AM radio":
  • DAB+/FM/AM Radio main PCB [06112181 RevC] (AUD $15.00)
  • Case pieces for the DAB+/FM/AM Tuner - PRE ORDER (PCB, AUD $20.00)
  • DAB+/FM/AM Radio main PCB with IC1 pre-soldered (Component, AUD $60.00)
  • DAB+/FM/AM Radio main PCB with IC1 and associated components pre-soldered (AUD $80.00)
  • DAB+/FM/AM Radio set of extra SMD parts (Component, AUD $30.00)
  • 465mm extendable VHF whip antenna with SMA connector (Component, AUD $10.00)
  • 700mm extendable VHF whip antenna with SMA connector (Component, AUD $15.00)
  • PCB-mount right-angle PAL socket (Component, AUD $5.00)
  • PCB-mount right-angle SMA socket (Component, AUD $2.50)
  • Dual Horizontal PCB-mounting RCA sockets (white/red) [RCA-210] (Component, AUD $2.50)
Articles in this series:
  • DAB+ Tuner with FM & AM and a touchscreen interface! (January 2019)
  • Build-it-yourself DAB+/FM/AM radio (February 2019)

Purchase a printed copy of this issue for $9.05-9.95.

Contents Vol.32, No.2; February 2019 Features & Reviews 14 Medical, Health and First Aid Smartphone Apps - Part 1 There’s an enormous range of apps out there which allow your smartphone to do some pretty fancy diagnosis . . . or help your medical specialist treat your particular malady with vital, accurate data – by Dr David Maddison SILICON CHIP www.siliconchip.com.au Own a smartphone? Take advantage of the huge range of Android and iPhone apps and addons available (and more coming all the time) to keep track of your health – Page 14 30 Review: Rigol’s MSO5354 Mixed Signal Oscilloscope Tim Blythman takes a detailed “hands on” look at this latest model from Rigol (distributed by Emona). His verdict: “one we would definitely consider!” 35 El Cheapo Modules 22: Stepper Motor Drivers Last month we explained in detail how stepper motors worked. Here are three low-cost stepper motor drivers that you can use – by Jim Rowe 88 Review: Philips “Brilliance” Ultrawide Monitor When they say “brilliance” and “ultrawide”, they’re not exaggerating! It’s almost as big as your desk, meaning you can have so many windows open at once! And the quality? As they say, “brilliance” – by Nicholas Vinen Constructional Projects 20 Versatile Trailing Edge Dimmer with Touch Plate & IR Most dimmers are “leading edge” meaning they’re hopeless with most electronic lighting. Our new Trailing Edge Dimmer overcomes the problem – and gives you both touch plate AND infrared remote control! – by John Clarke Our new “trailing edge” dimmer has no problems with dimmable LEDs, CFLs, etc – and you can control it with an IR remote or via a touch plate – Page 20 Ever wanted something to switch a 12V circuit on when it detects movement? Here’s a cheap little project that will do exactly that! – Page 48 48 Motion-sensing 12V Power Switch Designed for a specific task but then we realised just how useful this circuit could be! It’s cheap, it’s simple . . . but it works like a little beauty! – by Nicholas Vinen 68 USB Mouse and Keyboard Interface for Micros Working with micros is fun – but how do you connect a USB mouse or keyboard to them? We solve that little problem with this one – by Tim Blythman 80 Our new DAB+ Tuner with FM and AM: Building it! Last month we told you about our world-beating DAB+/FM/AM receiver. Has that caused some interest! Now the fun begins: putting it together – by Duraid Madina Your Favourite Columns 42 Circuit Notebook (1) Making a cheap WiFi controlled relay board work (2) Modular quiz buzzer system (3) Electret mic “crystal” set (4) Four channel sound system using a single woofer How DO you interface a keyboard or mouse to a micro? With this nifty USB Keyboard & Mouse Interface, that’s how! – Page 68 We introduced our new world-beating DAB+/FM/AM receiver last month . . . now we get into the fun part: BUILDING IT! – Page 80 62 Serviceman’s Log (What) were the designers thinking? – by Dave Thompson 94 Vintage Radio Workbench 1970s BWD 216 Hybrid Bench Supply – by Ian Batty Everything Else! 2 Editorial Viewpoint 4 Mailbag – Your Feedback siliconchip.com.au 61 Product Showcase 102 SILICON CHIP Online Shop It’s not just wide, it’s ultrawide! The 49-inch curved Philips Brilliance 499P9H is “strongly recommended”   104    111    112    112 Ask SILICON CHIP Market Centre Advertising Index Notes and Errata – Page 88 www.facebook.com/siliconchipmagazine