Silicon ChipMarket Centre - August 1988 SILICON CHIP
  1. Outer Front Cover
  2. Contents
  3. Publisher's Letter: The importance of chemistry in electronics
  4. Vintage Radio: Capacitors cause lots of problems by John Hill
  5. Project: Build a Plasma Display by Leo Simpson
  6. Feature: The Way I See It by Neville Williams
  7. Project: High Performance AC Millivoltmeter by Bob Flynn & Leo Simpson
  8. Serviceman's Log: Sound reasons for confusion by The Original TV Serviceman
  9. Project: Universal Power Supply Board by Leo Simpson
  10. Project: Building the Discolight, Pt.2 by Greg Swain & John Clarke
  11. Project: Remote Controlled Chimes Unit by John Clarke & Greg Swain
  12. Feature: Digital Fundamentals, Pt.9 by Louis Frenzel
  13. Feature: The Evolution of Electric Railways by Bryan Maher
  14. Feature: Amateur Radio by Garry Cratt, VK2YBX
  15. Subscriptions
  16. Market Centre
  17. Advertising Index
  18. Outer Back Cover

This is only a preview of the August 1988 issue of Silicon Chip.

You can view 40 of the 96 pages in the full issue, including the advertisments.

For full access, purchase the issue for $10.00 or subscribe for access to the latest issues.

Articles in this series:
  • The Way I See It (November 1987)
  • The Way I See It (November 1987)
  • The Way I See It (December 1987)
  • The Way I See It (December 1987)
  • The Way I See It (January 1988)
  • The Way I See It (January 1988)
  • The Way I See It (February 1988)
  • The Way I See It (February 1988)
  • The Way I See It (March 1988)
  • The Way I See It (March 1988)
  • The Way I See It (April 1988)
  • The Way I See It (April 1988)
  • The Way I See It (May 1988)
  • The Way I See It (May 1988)
  • The Way I See It (June 1988)
  • The Way I See It (June 1988)
  • The Way I See it (July 1988)
  • The Way I See it (July 1988)
  • The Way I See It (August 1988)
  • The Way I See It (August 1988)
  • The Way I See It (September 1988)
  • The Way I See It (September 1988)
  • The Way I See It (October 1988)
  • The Way I See It (October 1988)
  • The Way I See It (November 1988)
  • The Way I See It (November 1988)
  • The Way I See It (December 1988)
  • The Way I See It (December 1988)
  • The Way I See It (January 1989)
  • The Way I See It (January 1989)
  • The Way I See It (February 1989)
  • The Way I See It (February 1989)
  • The Way I See It (March 1989)
  • The Way I See It (March 1989)
  • The Way I See It (April 1989)
  • The Way I See It (April 1989)
  • The Way I See It (May 1989)
  • The Way I See It (May 1989)
  • The Way I See It (June 1989)
  • The Way I See It (June 1989)
  • The Way I See It (July 1989)
  • The Way I See It (July 1989)
  • The Way I See It (August 1989)
  • The Way I See It (August 1989)
  • The Way I See It (September 1989)
  • The Way I See It (September 1989)
  • The Way I See It (October 1989)
  • The Way I See It (October 1989)
  • The Way I See It (November 1989)
  • The Way I See It (November 1989)
  • The Way I See It (December 1989)
  • The Way I See It (December 1989)
Articles in this series:
  • High Performance AC Millivoltmeter (August 1988)
  • High Performance AC Millivoltmeter (August 1988)
  • High Performance AC Millivoltmeter (September 1988)
  • High Performance AC Millivoltmeter (September 1988)
Articles in this series:
  • Build the Discolight (July 1988)
  • Build the Discolight (July 1988)
  • Building the Discolight, Pt.2 (August 1988)
  • Building the Discolight, Pt.2 (August 1988)
  • Dimming Controls For The Discolight (October 1990)
  • Dimming Controls For The Discolight (October 1990)
Articles in this series:
  • Digital Fundamentals, Pt.1 (November 1987)
  • Digital Fundamentals, Pt.1 (November 1987)
  • Digital Fundamentals, Pt.2 (December 1987)
  • Digital Fundamentals, Pt.2 (December 1987)
  • Digital Fundamnetals, Pt.3 (January 1988)
  • Digital Fundamnetals, Pt.3 (January 1988)
  • Digital Fundamentals, Pt.4 (February 1988)
  • Digital Fundamentals, Pt.4 (February 1988)
  • Digital Fundamentals Pt.5 (March 1988)
  • Digital Fundamentals Pt.5 (March 1988)
  • Digital Fundamentals, Pt.6 (April 1988)
  • Digital Fundamentals, Pt.6 (April 1988)
  • Digital Fundamentals, Pt.7 (May 1988)
  • Digital Fundamentals, Pt.7 (May 1988)
  • Digital Fundamentals, Pt.8 (June 1988)
  • Digital Fundamentals, Pt.8 (June 1988)
  • Digital Fundamentals, Pt.9 (August 1988)
  • Digital Fundamentals, Pt.9 (August 1988)
  • Digital Fundamentals, Pt.10 (September 1988)
  • Digital Fundamentals, Pt.10 (September 1988)
Articles in this series:
  • The Evolution of Electric Railways (November 1987)
  • The Evolution of Electric Railways (November 1987)
  • The Evolution of Electric Railways (December 1987)
  • The Evolution of Electric Railways (December 1987)
  • The Evolution of Electric Railways (January 1988)
  • The Evolution of Electric Railways (January 1988)
  • The Evolution of Electric Railways (February 1988)
  • The Evolution of Electric Railways (February 1988)
  • The Evolution of Electric Railways (March 1988)
  • The Evolution of Electric Railways (March 1988)
  • The Evolution of Electric Railways (April 1988)
  • The Evolution of Electric Railways (April 1988)
  • The Evolution of Electric Railways (May 1988)
  • The Evolution of Electric Railways (May 1988)
  • The Evolution of Electric Railways (June 1988)
  • The Evolution of Electric Railways (June 1988)
  • The Evolution of Electric Railways (July 1988)
  • The Evolution of Electric Railways (July 1988)
  • The Evolution of Electric Railways (August 1988)
  • The Evolution of Electric Railways (August 1988)
  • The Evolution of Electric Railways (September 1988)
  • The Evolution of Electric Railways (September 1988)
  • The Evolution of Electric Railways (October 1988)
  • The Evolution of Electric Railways (October 1988)
  • The Evolution of Electric Railways (November 1988)
  • The Evolution of Electric Railways (November 1988)
  • The Evolution of Electric Railways (December 1988)
  • The Evolution of Electric Railways (December 1988)
  • The Evolution of Electric Railways (January 1989)
  • The Evolution of Electric Railways (January 1989)
  • The Evolution Of Electric Railways (February 1989)
  • The Evolution Of Electric Railways (February 1989)
  • The Evolution of Electric Railways (March 1989)
  • The Evolution of Electric Railways (March 1989)
  • The Evolution of Electric Railways (April 1989)
  • The Evolution of Electric Railways (April 1989)
  • The Evolution of Electric Railways (May 1989)
  • The Evolution of Electric Railways (May 1989)
  • The Evolution of Electric Railways (June 1989)
  • The Evolution of Electric Railways (June 1989)
  • The Evolution of Electric Railways (July 1989)
  • The Evolution of Electric Railways (July 1989)
  • The Evolution of Electric Railways (August 1989)
  • The Evolution of Electric Railways (August 1989)
  • The Evolution of Electric Railways (September 1989)
  • The Evolution of Electric Railways (September 1989)
  • The Evolution of Electric Railways (October 1989)
  • The Evolution of Electric Railways (October 1989)
  • The Evolution of Electric Railways (November 1989)
  • The Evolution of Electric Railways (November 1989)
  • The Evolution Of Electric Railways (December 1989)
  • The Evolution Of Electric Railways (December 1989)
  • The Evolution of Electric Railways (January 1990)
  • The Evolution of Electric Railways (January 1990)
  • The Evolution of Electric Railways (February 1990)
  • The Evolution of Electric Railways (February 1990)
  • The Evolution of Electric Railways (March 1990)
  • The Evolution of Electric Railways (March 1990)
Articles in this series:
  • Amateur Radio (November 1987)
  • Amateur Radio (November 1987)
  • Amateur Radio (December 1987)
  • Amateur Radio (December 1987)
  • Amateur Radio (February 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (February 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (March 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (March 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (April 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (April 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (May 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (May 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (June 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (June 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (July 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (July 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (August 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (August 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (September 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (September 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (October 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (October 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (November 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (November 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (December 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (December 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (January 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (January 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (April 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (April 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (May 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (May 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (June 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (June 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (July 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (July 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (August 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (August 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (September 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (September 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (October 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (October 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (November 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (November 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (December 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (December 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (February 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (February 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (March 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (March 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (April 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (April 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (May 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (May 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (June 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (June 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (July 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (July 1990)
  • The "Tube" vs. The Microchip (August 1990)
  • The "Tube" vs. The Microchip (August 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (September 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (September 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (October 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (October 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (November 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (November 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (December 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (December 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (January 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (January 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (February 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (February 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (March 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (March 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (April 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (April 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (May 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (May 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (June 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (June 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (July 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (July 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (August 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (August 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (September 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (September 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (October 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (October 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (November 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (November 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (January 1992)
  • Amateur Radio (January 1992)
  • Amateur Radio (February 1992)
  • Amateur Radio (February 1992)
  • Amateur Radio (March 1992)
  • Amateur Radio (March 1992)
  • Amateur Radio (July 1992)
  • Amateur Radio (July 1992)
  • Amateur Radio (August 1992)
  • Amateur Radio (August 1992)
  • Amateur Radio (September 1992)
  • Amateur Radio (September 1992)
  • Amateur Radio (October 1992)
  • Amateur Radio (October 1992)
  • Amateur Radio (November 1992)
  • Amateur Radio (November 1992)
  • Amateur Radio (January 1993)
  • Amateur Radio (January 1993)
  • Amateur Radio (March 1993)
  • Amateur Radio (March 1993)
  • Amateur Radio (May 1993)
  • Amateur Radio (May 1993)
  • Amateur Radio (June 1993)
  • Amateur Radio (June 1993)
  • Amateur Radio (July 1993)
  • Amateur Radio (July 1993)
  • Amateur Radio (August 1993)
  • Amateur Radio (August 1993)
  • Amateur Radio (September 1993)
  • Amateur Radio (September 1993)
  • Amateur Radio (October 1993)
  • Amateur Radio (October 1993)
  • Amateur Radio (December 1993)
  • Amateur Radio (December 1993)
  • Amateur Radio (February 1994)
  • Amateur Radio (February 1994)
  • Amateur Radio (March 1994)
  • Amateur Radio (March 1994)
  • Amateur Radio (May 1994)
  • Amateur Radio (May 1994)
  • Amateur Radio (June 1994)
  • Amateur Radio (June 1994)
  • Amateur Radio (September 1994)
  • Amateur Radio (September 1994)
  • Amateur Radio (December 1994)
  • Amateur Radio (December 1994)
  • Amateur Radio (January 1995)
  • Amateur Radio (January 1995)
  • CB Radio Can Now Transmit Data (March 2001)
  • CB Radio Can Now Transmit Data (March 2001)
  • What's On Offer In "Walkie Talkies" (March 2001)
  • What's On Offer In "Walkie Talkies" (March 2001)
  • Stressless Wireless (October 2004)
  • Stressless Wireless (October 2004)
  • WiNRADiO: Marrying A Radio Receiver To A PC (January 2007)
  • WiNRADiO: Marrying A Radio Receiver To A PC (January 2007)
  • “Degen” Synthesised HF Communications Receiver (January 2007)
  • “Degen” Synthesised HF Communications Receiver (January 2007)
  • PICAXE-08M 433MHz Data Transceiver (October 2008)
  • PICAXE-08M 433MHz Data Transceiver (October 2008)
  • Half-Duplex With HopeRF’s HM-TR UHF Transceivers (April 2009)
  • Half-Duplex With HopeRF’s HM-TR UHF Transceivers (April 2009)
  • Dorji 433MHz Wireless Data Modules (January 2012)
  • Dorji 433MHz Wireless Data Modules (January 2012)
CEN'l Cash in your surplus gear. Advertise it here in Silicon Chip. Surplus Test Equipment Singer 6201 Signal Generators: cover 61 kHz to 512MHz with 6-digit LED display. Calibrated output +20dBm to -146dBm, continuously tunable, 1ppm stability, metered AM and FM modulation circuits, low leakage . Several to choose from. $3200 each. HP1 SOAR Oscilloscopes: solid state 100MHz mainframe, accepts 1800 series plug-ins, CRT 8 x 1 0 div., horiz9ntal b/w DC-5MHz. Supplied with HP1801 A dual trace 50MHz vertical amplifier and HP1820A timebase. Rack mount version. $1600. Spectrum Analysers: Systron Donner 762-2A, 10MHz to 40GHz, 7 overlapping bands, C/W wave-guide mixers, pads, cable. IF resolution FOR SALE NEARLY 1500 PRINTER buffer kits now sold. Prices start at $39 for a 256K short form kit. All items advertised are in stock. Dealer enquiries welcome. Bulk discounts. Schools, Govt. Depts. orders accepted. Oh yes!! IBM compatible. Australian designed and manufactured. Ideal project for user groups and students. For a free catalog send a 37c stamp to: Don McKenzie, 29 Ellesmere Crescent, Tullamarine 3043. PROJECT REPAIRS - Having trouble getting your EA/ETI/SC kit to work? Phone (03) 7 49 3480 for estimate or send kit to K. Hunter, 5 Yatama Crescent, Werribee 3030. OATLEY ELECTRONICS - here we present some "short-form" kits at very special prices. All these kits include the PCB, instructions and those bits which are generally hard to obtain. Back-up Siren/Satellite Siren (EA, Sept. 87) : a totally self-contained second alarm that comes into action when your main - alarm in interfered with or when the vehicle battery is disconnected. Uses just four penlite nicads to 96 SILICON CHIP 300Hz, on-screen dynamic range 70dB, 51 dB stepped IF attenuation. $5500. Tektronix 491, 10MHz to 40GHz, 1 kHz IF resolution, C/W wave-guide mixers and attenuators. $5200. All equipment offered as is, operational and normally with technical manuals. Calibration service available. Phone or fax your requirements to: Av-Comm Pty Ltd, Telephone (02) 489 1439, Fax (02) 489 6493. No order too small. We have a large inventory in our US warehouse and regular monthly airshipments. We can supply most HP, General Microwave, Singer, Systron Donner etc. power a 12V " piezo screamer" via an on-board DC-DC converter. Could even be powered by inexpensive dry cells if you disable the charging circuit. Just leave out diode D3. The short-form kit includes the PCB, instructions, AD161 and AD162 transistors, battery holder and two 1 00µF bipolar capacitors. All this for only $10.95 plus $1.50 p&p. The Microphone (EA, Nov. 1986): this professional quality microphone will drive any amplifier, since it includes an on-board amplifier. You could even plug it into any line socket on your hifi amplifier to make an inexpensive PA system. Touch control on/off switch and battery check. Automatically switches off when not used. Extremely low battery consumption when on and negligible battery consumption when off. The short-form kit includes the PCB, instructions, aluminium tube and the threaded rod and nuts assembly. A very good start for only $9.95 plus $1.50 p&p. Stereo VU Meter (EA, June 1987): any audio signal will drive this unit since its sensitivity is adjustable from volts right down to millivolts. Even a microphone will drive it directly. Doubles up as a preamplifier and has backlighting lamps. The short form kit includes the PCB, instructions, dual meter movement, Advertisers Index Altronics . . . . . . . . . . . 50-53 Anabelle Bits . . . . . . . . . . OBC Arista Electronics . . . . . . . . 93 Av-Comm Pty Ltd . . . . . . . . 96 Avtek . .. . .. ... . . . . .. . . 3 David Reid . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Dick Smith Electronics . . 36,37 82,83 Elmeasco . . . . . . . . . . . . . IFC Geoff Wood Electronics . . . . 1 7 Jaycar Electronics . . ... 24-27 72-75 Kenwood Australia . . . . . . . IBC Oatley Electronics . . . . . . . 96 RCS Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 Rod Irving Electronics . . . . . 4 1 Scan Audio .. . . . .. . ... . 92 Texas Instruments . . . . . . 95 PC Boards Printed circuit boards for SILICON CHIP projects are made by: • RCS Radio Pty Ltd, 651 Forest Rd , Bexley, NSW 2207 . Phone (02) 587 3491. • Jemal Products, 5 Forge St, Welshpool, WA 6106 . Phone (09) 350 5555 . • Marday Services, 2139 Great North Rd , Avondale, Auckland, NZ. Phone 88 5730 . CA3401 IC and the backlighting lamps. A steal at only $6.95 plus $1.50 p&p. Mini Mixer (EA, May 1987): connects up with your existing stereo amplifier to give you total control of two additional microphones and any source you desire, in any proportion you desire. A simple way to make a PA system or a disco system. The short form kit includes the PCB, instructions, two special switches, front and rear panel adhesive artworks and eight RCA plugs. All this at the giveaway price of only $12.95 plus $1.50 p&p. For multiple orders of any of the above kits, include $2.00 p&p. Oatley Electronics, 5 Lansdowne Pde, Oatley West, NSW 2223. Mail orders: PO Box 89, Oatley, NSW 2223. Phone (02) 579 4985. When ordering above quote: "short form kit". The above prices apply until the end of 1 988 or until stocks run out.