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Issue 237
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30 Jun, 2008
A Look At Crash Test Dummies
Ever seen those video clips of car crash tests where the dummies are thrown about like rag dolls? The dummies are highly engineered to simulate the effect of crashes on human bodies and they carry lots of instrumentation to record the pain (forces & deflections) they suffer.
26 Jun, 2008
USB Power Injector For External Hard Drives
A portable USB hard drive is a great way to back up data but what if your USB ports are unable to supply enough "juice" to power the drive? A modified version of the SILICON CHIP USB Power Injector is the answer.
22 Jun, 2008
Serviceman's Log
Despite doing my best to avoid computers, I recently became involved with a couple of Apple iMacs. The first was a friend's iMac G5 which had quite a nasty accident, apparently due to his impatient clumsiness.
16 Jun, 2008
Review: Altitude 3500-SS Stereo Valve Amplifier
Some readers may be annoyed by the sight of a review of a valve amplifier in SILICON CHIP - but we often get requests to publish a modern design. So we thought it would be useful to put this model through our usual performance testing.
10 Jun, 2008
A new PIC-based Flexitimer Mk.4
Here's a new and enhanced version of a very popular project: an easily-programmed low-cost electronic timer module. It's compact, easy to build and offers a choice of either a single on period or continuous on/off cycling with independently programmable periods.
9 Jun, 2008
Balanced/unbalanced converter for audio work
If you work in the professional audio field, you need to use balanced lines for long signal runs to prevent hum and noise pick-up. This Balanced/Unbalanced Converter is really two projects in one. It can convert an unbalanced input to balanced outputs and vice versa.
5 Jun, 2008
DIY Electrical Work: Are Aussies DUMBER than Kiwis?
Did you know that it if you want to paint a wall and need to unscrew a power outlet or light switch, you cannot do it legally in any Australian state? Nor can you replace a light switch or power outlet, install a dimmer or ceiling fan. Nor anything else which involves any form of electrical installation, repair or modification. But you can in New Zealand!
3 Jun, 2008
DSP Musicolour Pt. 1
This DSP Musicolour accepts audio input signals and drives coloured lights "in tune" with the music. Its four output channels respond to different audio frequency bands and the brightness of the lights is in direct proportion to the amplitude of the frequency components. A dot-matrix LED menu display is featured on the front panel and this also functions as a spectrum analyser or VU meter.
3 Jun, 2008
Vintage Radio
Despite government opposition, radio communications spread rapidly in Australia following the end of WW2. Released in 1949, the Pye TRP1 was one of the new breed of HF portable transceivers designed to meet the growing demand for suitable equipment.
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Issue 236
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26 May, 2008
Prototype PC Boards
If you're a small manufacturer, design lab or college without in-house PC board prototyping facilities, who do you turn to? It's a problem a lot of organisations face - even SILICON CHIP - but there are answers out there . . .
19 May, 2008
Enersonic Power Saver
Since our debunking of the "Electricity saving box" in the November 2007 issue, another device along the
same lines has appeared in Harvey Norman stores.
Called the "Enersonic Power Saver" it claims potential power savings of up to 24%. At $59.00, it is considerably more expensive than the previous device but just like that one, it won't save you a cent on your electricity bills.
19 May, 2008
Low-cost programmer for dsPICs & PICs
This low-cost unit can program all dsPIC30F series microcontrollers in the DIP package, along with most PIC microcontrollers. It's easy to build and uses standard parts.
19 May, 2008
Low-Voltage Adjustable Regulator
Need to operate a CD, DVD or MP3 player from the cigarette lighter socket in your car? Or perhaps run a digital still or video camera or some powered speakers from the power supply inside your PC? This Low-Voltage Adjustable Regulator will step the voltage down to what's needed. It has jumper shunts to select one of six common output voltages (from 3-15V) and depending on the input voltage and the heatsink(s) you use, it can deliver an output current of just over 4A.
19 May, 2008
Replacement CDI Module For Small Petrol Motors
If the CDI module in your motorbike, outboard, ride-on mower or other small petrol motor fails, you could be in for a shock. Depending on the brand or model, they can cost up to $400. You can build this one for less than $50 and it will do the same job for most engines.
19 May, 2008
Serviceman's Log
Nothing comes even close to computers when ranking gear that's stuffed by consumers. As a result, I usually try to avoid fixing them but niece Duck's computer was different.
19 May, 2008
Circuit Notebook
Interesting circuit ideas which we have checked but not built and tested. Contributions from
readers are welcome and will be paid for at standard rates.
19 May, 2008
High-accuracy Digital LC Meter
Here's a handy piece of test gear you can build for yourself - a Digital LC Meter for measuring inductance and capacitance over a wide range. It's based on an ingenious measurement technique, delivers surprising accuracy and is easy to build.
8 May, 2008
Mailbag
Letters and emails should contain complete name, address and daytime phone number. Letters to the Editor are submitted on the condition that Silicon Chip Publications Pty Ltd may edit and has the right to reproduce in electronic form and communicate these letters. This also applies to submissions to "Ask SILICON CHIP" and "Circuit Notebook".
8 May, 2008
Ask Silicon Chip
Got a technical problem? Can't understand a piece of jargon or some technical principle? Drop us a line
and we'll answer your question. Write to: Ask Silicon Chip, PO Box 139, Collaroy Beach, NSW 2097 or
send an email to silchip@siliconchip.com.au
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Issue 235
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View the articles in this issue >>
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1 Apr, 2008
How To Get Into Digital TV, Pt.2
Last month, we introduced the topic of Digital TV and strongly advocated the purchase of a High-Definition Set-Top Box or Personal Video Recorder. In this second part, we discuss the antenna installation and what you need to do to ensure the most reliable and interference-free reception.
1 Apr, 2008
12V-24V High-Current Motor Speed Controller
Last month, we described the circuit and software features of our new High-Current DC Motor Speed Controller. This month, we show you how to build and test it.
1 Apr, 2008
Charge controller for 12V lead-acid or SLA batteries
Upgrade your standard 12V lead-acid battery charger or solar cell booster to a complete 2 or 3-step charger using this Charge Controller. It includes temperature compensation and LED indication. All parameters are adjustable for charging lead-acid or Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) batteries.
1 Apr, 2008
Two-Way Stereo Headphone Adaptor
Do you have a stereo amplifier without a headphone socket but want to listen to your music via headphones? If so, this versatile Stereo Headphone Adaptor will do the job. It connects between your amplifier and loudspeakers, has several operating modes and features two output sockets with individual volume controls.
1 Apr, 2008
A Safe Flash Trigger For Your Digital SLR Camera
Many of today's digital SLR cameras risk serious damage if used with an external electronic flash, whether that is a portable type or a large studio "strobe". We found this was the case here at SILICON CHIP so we have produced a flash trigger to ensure the camera's safety. You can do likewise - but beware of the JISP!
1 Apr, 2008
Serviceman's Log
Do you ever get the feeling that things are just getting too complicated? That's certainly the case with TV sets, particularly when it comes to servicing.
1 Apr, 2008
Vintage Radio
Shortwave converters were popular for a brief period in the 1930s and 1950s. In an era when money was tight, they provided a low-cost means of converting a standard broadcast-band receiver to shortwave reception.
1 Apr, 2008
Mailbag
Letters and emails should contain complete name, address and daytime phone number. Letters to the Editor are submitted on the condition that Silicon Chip Publications Pty Ltd may edit and has the right to reproduce in electronic form and communicate these letters. This also applies to submissions to "Ask SILICON CHIP" and "Circuit Notebook".
1 Apr, 2008
Circuit Notebook
Interesting circuit ideas which we have checked but not built and tested. Contributions from readers are welcome and will be paid for at standard rates.
1 Apr, 2008
Ask Silicon Chip
Got a technical problem? Can't understand a piece of jargon or some technical principle? Drop us a line
and we'll answer your question. Write to: Ask Silicon Chip, PO Box 139, Collaroy Beach, NSW 2097 or
send an email to silchip@siliconchip.com.au
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Issue 234
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View the articles in this issue >>
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1 Mar, 2008
How To Get Into Digital TV
Perhaps you are blissfully unaware of it -
but the Australian Government plans to progressively switch off all analog TV transmitters, starting in less than two years time. And High Definition digital TV programs are now being shown on "free to air" commercial, ABC and SBS TV. Those programs are not available via Standard Definition digital tuners or set-top boxes. So what do you need to do?
1 Mar, 2008
How To Solder Surface Mount Devices
Many electronics enthusiasts hesitate to build projects involving surface-mount devices (SMDs) because they're daunted by the prospect of soldering such tiny parts to a PC board. But it can be done. Jim Rowe shows us how...
1 Mar, 2008
PICAXE VSM: I'ts Time to Play; Pt.3
In the third part of our PICAXE VSM tutorials Clive Seager talks us through using some of the 'virtual instrumentation' included with the software - from a simple voltmeter to an advanced I2C protocol debugger!
1 Mar, 2008
Review: Tevion TEV8200 HD Set-Top Box
If you currently have an analog TV set or a digital
projector and don't want to change it, you will need a high definition set top box to watch HD TV broadcasts - now and more importantly in the future.
1 Mar, 2008
Electric Flight
Battery-powered aircraft creates aviation and technology history
1 Mar, 2008
The I2C Bus: A Quick Primer
Developed by Philips over 25 years ago, the I2C bus is now a well-established standard for low to medium-speed data communication between ICs. However, its basic operation still isn't well understood, except by people in the chip design business. Here's a quick primer to bring you up to speed.
1 Mar, 2008
A Low-Cost PC-to-I2C Interface For Debugging
Tracking down problems in circuits which are programmed via an I2C bus can be tricky and time-consuming, unless you take advantage of a debugging program running on a PC. Here's a low-cost, easy-to-build printer port to I2C interface designed to work with the Philips/NXP debugging program URD312.exe.
1 Mar, 2008
One-Pulse-Per Second Driver For Quartz Clocks
This simple add-on module for the GPS-Based Frequency Reference is designed to drive the escapement coil of a low-cost quartz clock movement. It uses the 1Hz GPS pulses available at the rear of the Frequency Reference so that the clock can display local time with GPS-based accuracy.
1 Mar, 2008
A Digital VFO with LCD Graphics Display
This DDS VFO uses a widely available recycled Nokia cellular phone LCD to display analog and digital frequency readouts, text, and VFO status messages
1 Mar, 2008
12V-24V High-Current DC Motor Speed Controller, Pt.1
This 12V or 24V high-current DC Motor Speed Controller is rated at up to 40A (continuous) and is suitable for heavy-duty motor applications. All control tasks are monitored by a microcontroller and as a result, the list of features is extensive.
1 Mar, 2008
Serviceman's Log
Fixing TV reception problems in units can be a real problem, especially if other technicians have been involved and you don't know what they've done. It also doesn't help if you're told that the fault is in equipment that doesn't even exist.
1 Mar, 2008
Vintage Radio
Many valve radios were battery-powered but a lot of the battery types used are now obsolete and no longer available. However, with a little ingenuity, sets that would otherwise be static displays only can be restored to full working order.
1 Mar, 2008
Mailbag
Letters and emails should contain complete name, address and daytime phone number. Letters to the Editor are submitted on the condition that Silicon Chip Publications Pty Ltd may edit and has the right to reproduce in electronic form and communicate these letters. This also applies to submissions to "Ask SILICON CHIP" and "Circuit Notebook".
1 Mar, 2008
Circuit Notebook
Interesting circuit ideas which we have checked but not built and tested. Contributions from readers are welcome and will be paid for at standard rates.
1 Mar, 2008
Ask Silicon Chip
Got a technical problem? Can't understand a piece of jargon or some technical principle? Drop us a line
and we'll answer your question. Write to: Ask Silicon Chip, PO Box 139, Collaroy Beach, NSW 2097 or
send an email to silchip@siliconchip.com.au
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Issue 233
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View the articles in this issue >>
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1 Feb, 2008
Review: ATTEN ADS7062CA Digital Storage Scope
The ADS7062CA Digital Storage Oscilloscope from ATTEN incorporates many features found only in dearer oscilloscopes. It represents very good value for money and its bandwidth is high enough for most applications, including video.
1 Feb, 2008
How to get more than 100 MPG from a Toyota Prius
The Toyota Prius has been the most successful and popular hybrid car produced so far but it has one weakness - it cannot go very far on battery power alone. This article tells how a large Lithium-ion battery was added to a Prius, giving it the ability to drive much further on battery power, thereby greatly increasing fuel economy.
1 Feb, 2008
UHF Remote Mains Switch Transmitter
Designed to control the UHF Remote Mains Switch, this hand-held transmitter can operate over a 200m range. It's based on a PIC micro and a pre-assembled transmitter module, making it easy to build and get going.
1 Feb, 2008
UHF Remote Controlled Mains Switch
Want to switch mains appliances on and off remotely? This UHF Remote Mains Switch can do it for you. It's operated using a hand-held UHF transmitter or you can team it with the Water Tank Level Meter Base Station described last month to automatically control mains-operated water pumps. An in-built timer also enables the unit to turn off automatically after a preset period.
1 Feb, 2008
Shift Indicator & Rev Limiters For Cars
If you drive your car for optimum performance, you will want this Shift Light Indicator to indicate just when to change gears. As a bonus, it incorporates a Rev Limiter which throttles back the fuel injectors.
1 Feb, 2008
Vintage Radio
DC-to-AC inverters from the valve era, Pt.2
1 Feb, 2008
Publisher's Letter
Microcontroller projects can be simple and complex at the same time
1 Feb, 2008
Mailbag
Letters and emails should contain complete name, address and daytime phone number. Letters to the Editor are submitted on the condition that Silicon Chip Publications Pty Ltd may edit and has the right to reproduce in electronic form and communicate these letters. This also applies to submissions to "Ask SILICON CHIP" and "Circuit Notebook".
1 Feb, 2008
Circuit Notebook
Interesting circuit ideas which we have checked but not built and tested. Contributions from
readers are welcome and will be paid for at standard rates.
1 Feb, 2008
Ask Silicon Chip
Got a technical problem? Can't understand a piece of jargon or some technical principle? Drop us a line
and we'll answer your question. Write to: Ask Silicon Chip, PO Box 139, Collaroy Beach, NSW 2097 or
send an email to silchip@siliconchip.com.au
1 Feb, 2008
Serviceman's Log
When is it time to retire an ageing TV set? Most people are only too happy to scrap a faulty set and go and buy the latest technology. Then there are those who are too devoted to their existing set to see it go - especially if they paid a lot of money for it.
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Issue 232
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View the articles in this issue >>
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1 Jan, 2008
Denon DCD-700AE compact disk player
Now that DVD players are being made in the squillions and are very cheap, there are few hifi manufacturers actually making CD players. Denon is one of the few makers and their products are highly prized. The Denon DCD-700AE CD player is a high quality machine which provides the bonus of pitch control and being able to play MP3 disks.
1 Jan, 2008
PICAXE VSM: The PICAXE Circuit Simulator!
Ever wondered whether your latest scathingly brilliant PICAXE project idea would actually work? Well, now you can find out before you build it, with the new PICAXE circuit simulator software! Mr PICAXE, Clive Seager, talks us through the latest PICAXE software offering from Revolution Education.
1 Jan, 2008
Emergency 12V Lighting Controller
This easy-to-build project automatically turns on the power for 12V emergency lights within a second or two of a mains power failure. Build it and you won't have to search for candles or your torch in the event of a blackout.
1 Jan, 2008
Build The "Aussie-3" Valve AM Radio
So you thought valve technology was dead! Well it is - but we have exhumed enough of it to produce a 3-valve radio which has quite a respectable performance. It is a superheterodyne circuit, based entirely on readily available components. It is suitable for moderately-experienced constructors - even those who've never touched a valve in their lives!
1 Jan, 2008
The Minispot 455kHz Modulated Oscillator
The Minispot produces a 455kHz carrier waveform which is amplitude-modulated with a 500Hz tone. You can use it to align the intermediate frequency (IF) stages of any AM broadcast or shortwave radio.
1 Jan, 2008
Water Tank Level Meter, Pt.3: The Base Station
Designed to team with up to 10 Water Tank Level Meters, this Base Station lets you monitor water levels from a remote location (eg, inside your home). As a bonus, it also includes an option for electric pump control.
1 Jan, 2008
Serviceman's Log
There nothing like a good cup of espresso coffee. But first, I had to fix the coffee machine - after I'd fixed my notebook computer's DVD drive, that is.
1 Jan, 2008
Circuit Notebook
Interesting circuit ideas which we have checked but not built and tested. Contributions from
readers are welcome and will be paid for at standard rates.
1 Jan, 2008
Mailbag
Letters and emails should contain complete name, address and daytime phone number. Letters to the Editor are submitted on the condition that Silicon Chip Publications Pty Ltd may edit and has the right to reproduce in electronic form and communicate these letters. This also applies to submissions to "Ask SILICON CHIP" and "Circuit Notebook".
1 Jan, 2008
Ask Silicon Chip
Got a technical problem? Can't understand a piece of jargon or some technical principle? Drop us a line
and we'll answer your question. Write to: Ask Silicon Chip, PO Box 139, Collaroy Beach, NSW 2097 or
send an email to silchip@siliconchip.com.au
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Issue 231
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View the articles in this issue >>
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1 Dec, 2007
Restoring a Vintage Television
With Australia celebrating 50 years of television last year, I thought I should celebrate the occasion and restore a TV set that was around not long after it started. But like the hare in Mrs Beaton's cookbook, I first had to catch my set...
1 Dec, 2007
Voice Recorder Module
Here's an improved version of the very popular voice recorder design we published in May 2005. It can now be set up easily to record two, four or eight different messages for random-access playback
or a single message for 'tape mode' playback.
Also, it now provides cleaner and glitch-free line-level audio output suitable for feeding an amplifier
or PA system. It can be powered from
any source of 9-14V DC.
1 Dec, 2007
Infrared Audio Headphone Link For TV
Do you have trouble understanding what's being said on the TV? Do you need the volume cranked up too loud for everyone else? Do you have a hearing aid as well? If you said yes to any other these questions, here is your answer: an infrared transmitter and receiver to let you listen to the TV sound via headphones. That way, you can listen as loudly as you like, without disturbing anyone else.
1 Dec, 2007
PIC-Based Water Tank Level Meter Pt.2
Last month, we published the circuit of the Water Tank Level Meter and described how it worked. This month, we show you how to build both the basic and telemetry versions and detail the installation.
1 Dec, 2007
Playback Adaptor For CD-ROM Drives; Pt.2
Last month, we published the circuit details of our new CD-ROM Player Adaptor and described its operation. This month, we show you how to build it.
1 Dec, 2007
Signature Series Kit Loudspeaker System
These new speakers are among the very best kit speakers that money can buy.
They use the very-high-performance Fountek ribbon tweeters and Peerless woofers. They will be a very good match to our recently described 20W Class-A Stereo Amplifier.
1 Dec, 2007
Serviceman's Log
This month, I've got rather a mixed bag, ranging all the way from a car stereo CD player to an Apple iMac monitor and on to widescreen plasma TV sets. It's all in a day's work.
1 Dec, 2007
Vintage Radio
Like many manufacturers, Kriesler built numerous 5-valve, dual-wave receivers with quite good performance. The 11-59 receiver was aimed at the low-priced end of the market but its performance was still quite acceptable, with good reception on the shortwave stations.
1 Dec, 2007
Mailbag
Letters and emails should contain complete name, address and daytime phone number. Letters to the Editor are submitted on the condition that Silicon Chip Publications Pty Ltd may edit and has the right to reproduce in electronic form and communicate these letters. This also applies to submissions to "Ask SILICON CHIP" and "Circuit Notebook".
1 Dec, 2007
Circuit Notebook
Interesting circuit ideas which we have checked but not built and tested. Contributions from readers are welcome and will be paid for at standard rates.
1 Dec, 2007
Ask Silicon Chip
Got a technical problem? Can't understand a piece of jargon or some technical principle? Drop us a line
and we'll answer your question. Write to: Ask Silicon Chip, PO Box 139, Collaroy Beach, NSW 2097 or
send an email to silchip@siliconchip.com.au
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