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PRODUCT SHOWCASE Acorn’s 16-bit PocketBook If you’re always on the move but still need information at your finger tips without the bulk of a portable PC, then take a look at the new PocketBook from Acorn Computers. It measures just 63 x 43 x 6mm and runs off two ‘AA’ cells or an optional 9VAC 150mA plugpack. It’s small enough to fit inside your coat pocket yet powerful enough to handle a wide range of tasks. The PocketBook comes with several software packages built-in including word-processor, spelling checker, spreadsheet, clock with alarm, scientific calculator and database. Any of these can be selected by using eight softkeys which form part of a graphical user interface similar to Microsoft Windows. It uses a CMOS variant of the 8086 running at 3.54MHz and also includes optional internal hard disc storage and 256Kb of main memory. Designed with students at school and university in mind, the Acorn PocketBook is aimed at bringing the world of computers closer to students who can not only do their homework and assignments at home but down­ load them with an optional serial link to other Acorn 32-bit micros at school. Low cost pH meter This low cost pH meter is not much larger than a bulky felt-tip pen. It has a small liquid crystal display and comes with a buffer solution for calibration. Using it is simple. Pull the protective cap off the bottom of the unit and switch it on. Dip it in the solution to be measured and stir gently for a few seconds. Then read the LCD, turn the unit off and replace the protective cap. Calibration is done with the supplied buffer solution and adjustment is via a small screwdriver which is supplied. The unit will read pH from 0-14.0 with resolution of ±0.2pH. It uses four 1.4V mercury batteries (675H or equival­ent) and battery life is estimated at 1000 hours. The serial link can transfer data at a fast 1.54Mbits/second. It’s also suitable for professionals who need access to numbers and data without the bulk of even a laptop PC. The unit has a 58-key softkey QWERTY keyboard, an 8-line x 40- character LCD and a back-up battery to retain data when you change the main batteries. You can also install solid-state drives on which you can save your files using the menu button on the keyboard, which brings up a menu system similar to Windows. Files are saved in MS-DOS format with directories and 2-part filenames, allowing users familiar with PCs to be quickly up and running. You can also print out files with the optional Centronics parallel printer interface and include infor­mation such as page set-up and fonts. The PocketBook comes with two well-produced and comprehen­ sive manuals and retails for $695. For schools, the deal is $599 which is a great price for what essentially is a computer, not a pocket organiser. If you’d like more information on the Acorn PocketBook or other Acorn products, call Peter Revell at Acorn Computer Australia on Melbourne (03) 419-3033. Surface mount transistors for radios The unit will have wide application in pH measurement of swimming pools, aquariums, water quality, aquaculture and so on. The unit is available from all Dick Smith Electronics stores and is priced at $129.00 (Cat. Q-1403). These new SOT-323 and SOD-323 surface mount transistors and diodes are only 1.25mm wide and between 1.7mm and 2mm in length. Siemens is the first company in Europe to supply tuner diodes of this design. The components are also available on 8mm tape for series equipment production. August 1993  79 For further information, contact Mark Walsh, Siemens Ltd, Electronic Components Department, 544 Church St, Richmond, Vic 3121. Phone (03) 420 7345. Weatherproof loudspeakers Pictured above are a pair of weatherproof loudspeakers which are made in Australia. The enclosure is based on a very strong aluminium extrusion which is finished in powder-coat enamel, while the end-caps are made of Luran UV-resistant plastic. The speaker grille is made from steel mesh that is also powder coat­ed. Inside, the two speakers are coax­ ially mounted – a small dome tweeter and a carbon-fibre woofer, both with Kaptan high-temperature voice coils and Barium ferrite magnets. The enclosure is ported and its stated frequency response is from 110Hz to 15kHz. Branded Redback, these rugged loudspeakers may be used in a wide range of applications such as inside or outside the home, in hotels, clubs, 80  Silicon Chip schools and other public address uses. Several models are available with either 30 or 60 watt power handling. For domestic use there is a model with 8-ohm impedance, while for PA use a unit with an in-built 100V line transformer is available. This has multiple taps to allow it to be used at maximum power levels of 10, 20 or 30 watts in the case of the lower power model, or 20, 30 or 60 watts for the higher power model. All models are also available finished in white rather than black. Further information on the Redback range of weather­proof loudspeakers can be obtained from any Altronics stockist or from Altronics Distributors, 174 Roe Street, Perth, WA 6000. Phone (09) 328 2199. Digital sound level meter How often have you wanted to measure the loudness of sounds you are experiencing? Perhaps you have wanted to measure the sound level of passing traffic (especially those noisy garbage trucks late at night) or perhaps you have wanted to know just how quiet your hifi listening room is. And for your neighbours’ sake, you might also want to know how loud it is when you turn up the volume on your amplifier. For more serious applications, you might want to measure sound levels inside and outside factories, or you may want to measure the exhaust noise from trucks to make sure they comply with noise regulations. For all those tasks you need a sound level meter and this model from TES is just the ticket. The Tes 1350 sound level meter has a 3½-digit liquid crystal display which indicates sound levels in dB. The instru­ment has two ranges: 35-100dB (LO) and 65-130dB (HI). Measurements can be taken with either A or C weighting and the response can be set to fast or slow. In the fast mode, the meter averages sound over a period of 0.2 seconds, while in the slow mode it averages sound over a 1.5-second period. More importantly, the meter has a “max hold” facility so that you can record the loudest sound over a short period of time; the stored reading reduces by less than 1dB every three minutes. An internal calibration signal at 1kHz is also provided, allowing you to calibrate the meter for a level of 94dB. Quoted accuracy is within ±2dB and resolution is ±0.1dB. Frequency response from the electret microphone is typically from 30Hz to 12kHz. For acoustic analysis applications, the meter has AC and DC outputs available via a 3.5mm stereo jack socket. The meter is powered from a 9V alkaline battery and the battery life is quoted as approximately 100 hours. It is supplied with a foam-lined carrying case and comes with a miniature screw­driver for calibration. The TES 1560 digital sound level meter is available from Jaycar Electronics stores at $259.00 (Cat. QM-1580). CD-ROM database for all semiconductors IC/Discrete, the world’s largest semi­­­ conductor database, is now available on CD-ROM at a subscription price of $4,500. This price includes the IC/Discrete parameter database and 52 CD-ROM image discs containing scanned manufacturers’ data sheets (scanned at 300 dpi). Any page of information can be printed out on any standard laser printer. Images may also be downloaded to disc for use in CAD systems. The database contains around 1,500,000 devices and their parameters (940,000 currently available and 530,000 discontinued devices), 1,900,000 suggested alternatives, 1200 manufacturers and 664,000 data sheet pages. It also includes Australian and overseas distributors, pinout information and the ability to add in-house part numbers. The database may be searched using eleven different criter­ ia, including part number, generic number, characteristic parame­ters, function, keyword, manufacturer’s part number and so on. System requirements to run IC/Discrete are an IBM or compatible 80286 AT or better, 640Kb RAM or more, a hard disc drive with at least 3Mb free, a VGA monitor, DOS 3.1 or later and a CD-ROM drive with controller card. For further information, contact Greg Jenkins, Hintons Information Services, 10 East Parade, Eastwood NSW 2122. Phone (02) 804 6022. Hewlett-Packard’s colour inkjet plotter CAD users will be interested in the new HP DesignJet 650C plotter, a colour and monochrome inkjet plotter, intended for people who typically plot 20 or more designs per day. The HP DesignJet 650C plotter is available in two models – the AO size (36 inches wide) for $16,999 and the A1 size (24-inches wide) for $13,998. Prices have also been reduced on the AO and A1-size HP DesignJet 600 mono­chrome inkjet plotters to $12,688 and $10,688, respectively. The plotter’s four ink cartridges, in cyan, yellow, magenta and black (CYMK), let users create a full range of colours. Users can design detailed plots that use colour to differentiate data and highlight specific areas. For instance, colour can be used to show various layers of electronic circuits or changes to an existing design plan. The plotter features three modes of operation – draft, final and enhanced – for monochrome and colour, so users can choose from a variety of levels of speed and print quality. The highest print quality is 300 dots per inch (dpi) colour and addressable 600 dpi monochrome. In the enhanced colour mode, the plotter takes a second pass to produce smooth, even area fills. For further information, contact an authorised dealer or Hewlett-Packard by phoning (03) 272 2651. VIDEO & TV SERVICE PERSONNEL TV & VIDEO FAULT LIBRARIES AVAILABLE AS PRINTED MANUALS $90 EACH + $10 DELIVERY BOTH MANUALS VIDEO & TV $155 + $15 DELIVERY OR AS A PROGRAM FOR IBM COMPATIBLES $155 + $10 DELIVERY FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT TECHNICAL APPLICATIONS FAX / PHONE (07) 378 1064 PO BOX 137 KENMORE 4069 August 1993  81