1 Aug, 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.

1 Aug, 2009

4 Aug, 2009

8 Aug, 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!

10 Aug, 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.

11 Aug, 2009

Orphans have always been with us and that includes products with no identifiable manufacturer. This month, we take a look at a rather interesting 6-valve console receiver from the 1930s. It's a well-made set with no name but is one that any man­ufacturer would have been happy to claim.

13 Aug, 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.

15 Aug, 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.

16 Aug, 2009

I am eternally grateful for the discovery of chaos theory. It has made my life relevant and means that I don't have to worry any more about phenomena that simply don’t make sense. Whoever invented it must have specifically had electronic servicing in mind.

18 Aug, 2009

The JTAGMaster is a boundary scan interface controller for your PC with ports for all IC manufacturers including Altera and Xilinx. As well as for in-circuit programming of FPGAs, CPLDs and selected microcontrollers, you can use it for training purposes and to create test flows for production PC boards. It will provide you with a thorough introduction to boundary scan technology.