15 August 2009

In July 2009 we presented an improved version of the Battery Zapper & Desulphator. Here we present the companion Battery Condition Checker. It gives more stable readings for all three main battery voltages (6V, 12V & 24V) than our earlier model, as well as giving a choice of test current pulse levels to suit batteries of different capacities. As a result, it’s now also suitable for testing sealed lead acid (SLA) batteries.

13 August 2009

This digital recorder stores WAV files on low-cost MMC/SD/SDHC cards. It can be used as a jukebox, a sound effects player or an expandable "dicta-phone". You can use it as a free-standing recorder or in conjunction with any Windows, Mac or Linux PC.

10 August 2009

Australia, currently the country with largest population to adopt DAB+, was instrumental in the adoption of the DAB+ as a world standard. Switzerland, Malta, Hungary, Poland and Singapore already have DAB+. It is to be launched in Germany and Italy this year and will be the standard in the Czech Republic, Israel, Malaysia, Indonesia, China, much of Scandinavia and other European and Asian markets.

08 August 2009

What is that ship sailing past? Where's it heading? When is it due in port? What is its speed? How big is it? For all these questions - and many more – the answer is AIS: Automatic Identification System. You may even follow it, on line, on your own computer - from anywhere!

04 August 2009

01 August 2009

This high-security 3-button UHF transmitter and receiver can be used for keyless entry into homes and commercial premises and for controlling garage doors and external lighting. Three separate outputs on the receiver can be used to activate various electrical devices such as a door strike, a motorised garage door and 230VAC lights. Up to 16 transmitters can be used with the one receiver so it's even suitable for a small business.

20 July 2009

Ideal for finding steel frames and studs, steel bracing and nails in plaster walls, this Metal Locator can also show the length of the tang in knife handles, screwdrivers and other tools. As well, it can discriminate between ferrous and non-ferrous metals.

16 July 2009

A quick look at Australia's largest IT show . . .

14 July 2009

This versatile Active Filter is ideal for use as an active crossover in loudspeaker systems but has lots of other uses as well. It can be configured as a low-pass filter (for driving sub-woofer amplifiers), as a high-pass filter or as a bandpass filter, simply by moving a few on-board jumper links.

12 July 2009

Here is a revised version of the popular Lead-Acid Battery Zapper featured in the May 2006 issue of SILICON CHIP. It is now separate from the Battery Condition Checker and much easier to build. At the same time it has been revamped for more reliable long-period operation with 6V, 12V & 24V batteries.