06 December 2010

If you've ever tried to cut polystyrene (especially!) and polyurethane materials using a saw, razor blade or knife, you'll know that the results are invariably less than satisfactory. If you are after a clean, precise cut, a hot-wire cutter is the answer. The hot wire actually melts the material and results in a very neat, very fine cut, without the thousands of bits of foam flakes you normally get.

22 November 2010

In the September issue we published the details of the ultrasonic driver for this project, which is housed in an IP65 case for safety and protection from water ingress. This month we describe how to encapsulate the ultrasonic transducer so that it is completely safe to handle. Once it is encapsulated it will operate reliably, even if it is submerged in the bilge of the boat. We also show a typical installation of the system in a large power boat.

20 November 2010

Last month, we introduced our new DAB+/FM Stereo Tuner and gave the circuit details. This month, we show you how to assemble the two PC boards and install them into a low-profile steel case.

14 November 2010

Here's a high-security system that's very easy to build but offers you peace-of-mind for your home, car - in fact, anything where entry needs allow the good guys in but reject the bad guys. Team it with an electric lock and you can have a keyless entry system as well!

08 November 2010

Everyone who has seen this has been pretty impressed . . . and no wonder! While we originally intended it to make your Christmas Lights display the best in your suburb, with up to 32 channels and total power limited only by your power outlets, it's capable of controlling just about any lighting sequencing task you want to throw at it. Now we get on with the good stuff: putting it all together!

06 November 2010

Setting the correct signal level and minimising noise are critical factors when setting up a hearing loop. This easy-to-build tester can display field strength levels over a 27dB range. Here's how it works, how to build it and how to use it.

24 October 2010

For all the boaties out there, this one could literally be a life saver! You'll never be lost again: as well as telling you exactly where you are at the moment, it will also show you your speed and heading and can even navigate you back to your starting point – or to that secret fishing spot! It can even tell you how much fuel you're using, along with a host of other vital information.

16 October 2010

Do you have a DVD or CD player with a TOSLINK (optical) output but only coaxial S/PDIF inputs on your amplifier? Or do you have the opposite problem? What about hum from your speakers when running digital audio via a coaxial cable? With these simple converters you can easily solve these problems.

12 October 2010

Want one up on your neighbours? Instead of a static Christmas Lights display (so passe!) now you can have the ultimate in Christmas extravaganzas. This amazing controller will bring your Christmas lights to life, making them flash, dim up and down, you name it, all in time with your favourite Christmas music. It's easy to build, easy to connect and, best of all, easy to program!

06 October 2010

We know you've been waiting for it and after more than a year in development, we are delighted to present this world-first high performance DAB+/FM stereo tuner design. It has all the bells and whistles of DAB+ in a sleek pro-quality case, with all features accessible by remote control.