Publisher & Editor-in-Chief
Leo Simpson, B.Bus.
Editor
Greg Swain, B.Sc.(Hons.)
Technical Staff
John Clarke, B.E.(Elec.)
Robert Flynn
Reader Services
Ann Jenkinson
Advertising Enquiries
Leo Simpson
Phone (02) 979 5644
Regular Contributors
Brendan Akhurst
Garry Cratt, VK2YBX
Marque Crozman, VK2ZLZ
John Hill
Jim Lawler, MTETIA
Bryan Maher, M.E., B.Sc.
Philip Watson, MIREE, VK2ZPW
Jim Yalden, VK2YGY
Bob Young
Photography
Stuart Bryce
SILICON CHIP is published 12 times
a year by Silicon Chip Publications
Pty Ltd. A.C.N. 003 205 490. All
material copyright ©. No part of
this publication may be reproduced
without the written consent of the
publisher.
Printing: Macquarie Print, Dubbo,
NSW.
Distribution: Network Distribution
Company.
Subscription rates: $49 per year
in Australia. For overseas rates, see
the subscription page in this issue.
Editorial & advertising offices:
Unit 34, 1-3 Jubilee Avenue, Warrie
wood, NSW 2102. Postal address:
PO Box 139, Collaroy Beach, NSW
2097. Phone (02) 979 5644. Fax
(02) 979 6503.
PUBLISHER’S LETTER
A few milestones & a
nasty discovery
This month there are a number of
topics I want to comment on and the
first of these concerns our Dolby® Pro
Logic Surround Sound decoder article
which starts on page 18 of this issue. This
project has been a long time coming for
us but is one that we are very pleased to
present. As far as we know it is the first
time that an electronics magazine has
presented a Dolby Laboratories approved
and licensed decoder design. Yes, it’s a
world first and we are very proud of it.
The second project article of note is Bob Young’s remote control receiver
series which starts on page 84. Again, this is a milestone and is the first time
for almost 30 years that such a series has been presented in an Australian
electronics magazine. And although this point has not been highlighted in
the article, it is only the second which makes extensive use of surface mount
components. The first was Bob Young’s speed control which was presented in
a series beginning in November 1992.
Now if you shudder at the thought of working with surface mount components, you are not alone. I have been concerned for some time about the
ever-reducing size of componentry and it was the subject of the Publisher’s
Letter in last month’s issue. So surface mount components are another inevitable step in the process. But apart from my suggestion last month that a
good pair of close-up specs is now very worthwhile for many people engaged
in electronics, it is about time we faced up to surface mount anyway. In the
remote control receiver case, there are very good reasons to use SMDs – short
lead lengths, ability to withstand high vibration and G-forces and so on. And
if you follow the procedure which Bob Young will be presenting in a future
issue, it is possible to work with SMDs without any special equipment. It’s
time to get with it, so we’re giving you adequate warning.
Finally, I must comment on the use of bogus RAM SIMMs with parity
generator chips. The story about these bogus SIMMs is presented on page 10.
Apparently they are becoming very widespread and could conceivably cause
users a lot of trouble in the future. Now as far as I am concerned, and I am sure
most readers will agree, if ever there was an outrageous rip-off, this is it. What
can you do about it? Not much, if you’ve already been caught. But at least new
computer buyers will know to ask about RAM SIMMs with genuine parity. But
it’s a pretty crook situation, isn’t it?
Leo Simpson
ISSN 1030-2662
WARNING!
SILICON CHIP magazine regularly describes projects which employ a mains power supply or produce high voltage. All such projects should
be considered dangerous or even lethal if not used safely. Readers are warned that high voltage wiring should be carried out according to the
instructions in the articles. When working on these projects use extreme care to ensure that you do not accidentally come into contact with
mains AC voltages or high voltage DC. If you are not confident about working with projects employing mains voltages or other high voltages,
you are advised not to attempt work on them. Silicon Chip Publications Pty Ltd disclaims any liability for damages should anyone be killed
or injured while working on a project or circuit described in any issue of SILICON CHIP magazine. Devices or circuits described in SILICON
CHIP may be covered by patents. SILICON CHIP disclaims any liability for the infringement of such patents by the manufacturing or selling of
any such equipment. SILICON CHIP also disclaims any liability for projects which are used in such a way as to infringe relevant government
regulations and by-laws.
Advertisers are warned that they are responsible for the content of all advertisements and that they must conform to the Trade Practices Act
1974 or as subsequently amended and to any governmental regulations which are applicable.
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