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Issue 275
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25 Aug, 2011
Rudder Position Indicator For Power Boats, Pt.2
Last month we introduced our Rudder Position Indicator, which uses a 433MHz wireless link to show the direction a power boats rudder is pointing. This month we provide detailed instructions for building and testing both units as well as mounting the sensor unit in the boat.
23 Aug, 2011
Vintage Radio
Last month, we discussed the Hotpoint Bandmaster J35DE in general terms. This month, we describe how it was restored to its original performance. The only instrument required was an inexpensive digital multimeter and the same general ideas can be applied to most vintage sets.
21 Aug, 2011
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".
19 Aug, 2011
Ultra-LD Mk.3 200W Amplifier Module, Pt.2
The Ultra-LD Mk.3 amplifier module introduced last month is by far our lowest distortion Class-AB amplifier design. This month, we present the construction details and give some additional information on its performance.
17 Aug, 2011
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 silicon@siliconchip.com.au
15 Aug, 2011
Review: UP! Portable 3D Printer
Weve looked at 3D printers in the past but this one is different - you can buy it right now and have it up and running an hour or two after it arrives. You can design objects with 3D CAD software and then watch as they're turned into "the real thing" before your very eyes!
13 Aug, 2011
Circuit Notebook
Interesting circuit ideas which we have checked but not built and tested. Contributions will be paid for at standard rates. All submissions should include full name, address & phone number.
11 Aug, 2011
Build A Digital Spirit Level
This project is really on the . . . errr . . . level. It's an inclinometer, an electronic version of the old spirit level except that this one gives a digital readout of the angle of any flat surface in 0.1° increments from 0-360°. A MEMS accelerometer chip, as found in tablets and smart phones, is at the heart of the project.
7 Aug, 2011
Serviceman's Log
It happens - one minute you are happily working away on a repair and the next minute it dies on the bench. Its one of those wretched moments all service people dread and its not unknown for customers to try to take advantage of the situation.
5 Aug, 2011
An Electric Stethoscope
Need to do a bit of self-diagnosis? Make sure your heart is still beating or
check other body sounds? Maybe you would like to sort out some unusual
rattles or other noises in your car's engine or other machinery?
This electronic stethoscope will do the job and you can listen via headphones or a loudspeaker. It has switchable frequency shaping in four bands so you can hone in on sounds which might otherwise be masked out.
3 Aug, 2011
Asus EePad "Transformer" Tablet PC
With the exception of the Apple iPad, few new computers of any description have caused so much comment, so much anticipation and so much demand as the just-released ASUS EeePad Transformer. We just had to get our hands on one for a few days - not easy! - to find out what the excitement was/is all about.
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Issue 274
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25 Jul, 2011
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".
21 Jul, 2011
Control Your World Using Linux
Microcontrollers are becoming more powerful and sophisticated, to the point where they are challenging the supremacy of the PC. On the other hand, PCs running Linux are quite open and accessible to the experimenter. Yes, your computer can control your air-conditioning and lights and this article will show you how.
17 Jul, 2011
Circuit Notebook
Interesting circuit ideas which we have checked but not built and tested. Contributions will be paid for at standard rates. All submissions should include full name, address & phone number.
15 Jul, 2011
A Look At Amplifier Stability & Compensation
Elsewhere in this issue, we present the updated Ultra-LD Mk.3 Audio Power Amplifier Module. It has a new frequency compensation arrangement which helps it achieve even lower distortion than the Mk.2 version. In this article, we explain why amplifier frequency compensation is necessary and how it works.
13 Jul, 2011
Vintage Radio
The Hotpoint Bandmaster J35DE console radio
8 Jul, 2011
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 silicon@siliconchip.com.au
7 Jul, 2011
Australia Hears... And So Do I
Not too long ago we heard of an Australian company offering high performance digital hearing aids, based on new technology developed in Australia, at a fraction of the cost of other aids. I was intrigued - it's been a subject close to my heart ears for decades! Were they any good? Were they value for money? Did they work? And what is this latest technology in hearing aids, anyway? SILICON CHIP likes to look at electronics that are slightly out of the ordinary!
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Issue 273
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View the articles in this issue >>
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25 Jun, 2011
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".
21 Jun, 2011
Vintage Radio
An insight into the manufacture of quality valve radios in the USA nearly 100 years ago.
17 Jun, 2011
HiFi Review: Marantz CD6003 CD Player
Marantz is one of the few mainstream hifi manufacturers still making dedicated CD players. In fact, they make quite a few, ranging in price from affordable to very expensive. We take a look at a machine which is somewhere in-between, offering pitch control and a USB input so MP3 and other files can be played.
15 Jun, 2011
Ask Silicon Chip
Now you can use your laptop PC to make high-quality stereo audio recordings with professional standard balanced microphones. This interface unit lets you make recordings at sampling rates up to 48 kilosamples/second and provides high-quality stereo analog line outputs for playback or monitoring. There's also an S/PDIF digital audio input for recording and an S/PDIF digital audio output for playback.
13 Jun, 2011
USB Stereo Recording & Playback Interface
Now you can use your laptop PC to make high-quality stereo audio recordings with professional standard balanced microphones. This interface unit lets you make recordings at sampling rates up to 48 kilosamples/second and provides high-quality stereo analog line outputs for playback or monitoring. There's also an S/PDIF digital audio input for recording and an S/PDIF digital audio output for playback.
11 Jun, 2011
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.
9 Jun, 2011
Rescuing Electronic Gear After The Flood
Not long ago, Queensland endured some of the worst
flooding on record. During this time I was offered the opportunity to recover some radio receivers that
would otherwise have ended up as landfill.
7 Jun, 2011
20A12/24V DC Motor Speed Controller Mk.2
This gutsy little speed controller has a wide range of applications and is simple to build and use. There are no software settings to fiddle with but it does have some really useful features such as low-battery protection, soft start and adjustable pulse frequency. It can run from 12V or 24V batteries at currents up to 20A.
5 Jun, 2011
Serviceman's Log
While we prefer satisfied customers, every now and then we strike someone who, try as we might, we just can't seem to please. I don't let it get to me but for those new to service work or inexperienced at dealing with customers, an unreasonable client can cause sleepless nights.
3 Jun, 2011
The FutureWave Energy Saver
During the past few years, SILICON CHIP has exposed some decidedly "shonky" power-saving devices. So it gives
us great pleasure in "exposing" another power-saving
device . . . one that actually lives up to its claims.
The FutureWave Energy Saver WILL save energy and therefore money. And we have the test figures to prove it.
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Issue 272
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26 May, 2011
Vintage Radio
There are lots of things to consider when building or restoring vintage radios, including function, performance, reliability, ease of service and safety. However, there are a few things that you must not do.
24 May, 2011
Phone Line Polarity Checker
Do you suspect your broadband speed (DSL) is slower than it should be? It could be as simple as incorrect polarity in your phone wall socket. Build this very cheap, very simple device to find out whether you need to change your wiring!
22 May, 2011
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 silicon@siliconchip.com.au
18 May, 2011
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.
16 May, 2011
12V 100W Converter With Adjustable 15-35V DC Output
Did you build the 12/24V 3-stage MPPT solar charge controller published in the February 2011 issue? Then you will probably want this companion 12V 100W inverter as well. It will power laptops and other devices which require a DC voltage between 15V & 35V.
14 May, 2011
Memory Card Compatibility Issues
An increasing number of SILICON CHIP projects use memory cards for storing data, loading software and the like. Originally intended for digital cameras, mobile phones etc, these cards are small, now quite inexpensive and can store an enormous amount of data (8 and 16GB cards are now common). But as some readers have discovered, there can sometimes be issues . . .
12 May, 2011
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".
10 May, 2011
The Maximite Computer, Pt.3
Over the past two months we introduced the Maximite, a tiny microcomputer that can turn its hand to many things, from teaching programming to controlling your greenhouse. In this final article we provide an introduction to the BASIC language running on the Maximite and show you how to use this tiny marvel for measurement and control.
8 May, 2011
Jaycar Is 30 Years Old
While Jaycar is now the dominant electronic parts retailer in Australia it had very small beginnings, 30 years ago. Since then it has grown from a single run-down store in a virtual dungeon in a Sydney lane to an operation with 72 stores (and climbing) and employing over 1100 people in Australia, New Zealand and elsewhere. Leo Simpson recently sat down with the owner, Gary Johnston, to chew the fat and review some of the high points.
6 May, 2011
Serviceman's Log
From first-hand experience, I can tell you that being caught in a major earthquake is a terrifying experience. The damage here in Christchurch is extensive and although my house survived, it's had a devastating effect on my business.
4 May, 2011
The SportSync Audio Delay Module
Many sports fans feel that radio commentary is better than that on TV, particularly commercial TV. To eliminate the annoyance of the TV commentary (and the adverts) they want to turn down the sound on the TV and listen to the radio instead. But the delay in the live TV broadcast causes a major problem. This simple project lets you delay the commentary on the radio to match the action on your TV - and it's remote controlled.
2 May, 2011
Selling Surplus Tech Stuff On eBay
Have you got a horde of old junk, er, good stuff, that is now taking up too much space in your home? Here's the good oil on how to get rid of it at the best price, by selling it on eBay.
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Issue 271
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View the articles in this issue >>
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29 Apr, 2011
Vintage Radio
Manufactured just before World War 2, the STC 504 is a 5-valve table receiver housed in a very attractive timber cabinet. It's an interesting circuit that performs well, especially after a few minor tweaks to its AGC system.
22 Apr, 2011
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".
20 Apr, 2011
A Speed Controller For Film Projectors
Do you have old family movies on film? Have you watched them lately? You may be shocked by how much they have deteriorated over the years. They need to be transferred to DVD before the film deteriorates to the point where it is unwatchable. Video conversion is not as straightforward as you might think but this simple project enables you to do it.
18 Apr, 2011
Cheap'n'Simple 100V Speaker/Line Checker
This Speaker/Line Checker will be a boon to
anyone setting up 100V PA systems, especially for temporary
installations at sporting events, when you need to do everything quickly before the event and be sure that it is all working. With this tester,
you can immediately check each PA speaker and line as it is run.
14 Apr, 2011
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.
12 Apr, 2011
Review: Agilent's InfiniiVision 4-Channel Oscilloscopes
The new Agilent InfiniiVision DSO/MSO 2000X and 3000X series oscilloscopes will certainly stir up the scope market. They combine high performance and a wide screen format with ease of use something that is not always a feature of today's digital scopes.
10 Apr, 2011
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 silicon@siliconchip.com.au
8 Apr, 2011
The Rise & Fall Of Electronics Today International
40 years ago this month, a brash new electronics magazine burst onto the scene in Australia: Electronics Today - later called Electronics Today International or simply ETI. It really caused a stir and provided stiff competition to the long-established "bible", Electronics Australia.
Here is the story of how it began,
as told by ETI's founding editor,
Collyn Rivers.
2 Apr, 2011
Fixing Transformer Buzz In The Class-A Amplifier
Since the 20W Stereo Class-A amplifier was published in 2007, it has been widely acclaimed for its sound quality. But there has been a consistent niggle experienced by quite a few constructors low level buzz from the power transformer. We recently took a look at this problem and have come up with a cure.
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