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PRODUCT SHOWCASE Kenwood VA-2230 audio analyser The Kenwood VA-2230 audio analyser combines the functions of a signal generator (10Hz to 110kHz), electronic voltmeter, distortion meter, frequency counter and DC voltmeter. The instru­ ment is provided with a GPIB interface, permitting external programming and data output. Features include measurement of true RMS values; a high speed signal generator utilising direct digital synthesising; SINAD measurement; dual channel input/output measurement for crosstalk, separation and L/R ratio; a frequency counter and extended AC level frequency range to 210kHz; and a distortion meter with THD and harmonic analysis functions (2nd to 10th harmonic). For further information, contact Nilsen Technologies, 150 Oxford St, Collingwood, Vic 3066. Phone (03) 9419 9999; fax (03) 9416 1312; freecall 1800 623 350. on the MS-DOS compatible floppy disc drive. The memory length is a maximum of 20K word (in roll mode) and this, combined with an optional built-in printer, makes the DL 1520 suitable for use as a real time recorder with an equivalent maximum chart speed of 16.7mm/s. Screen displays are as fast as 60 updates per second, even when mathematical functions or envel­ope peak detection modes are employed. Communication options available include GPIB, RS232 and a combined GPIB and Centronics interface. For further information, contact Yokogawa Australia Pty Ltd, Private Mail Bag No 24, PO Box North Ryde, NSW 2113. Free­ call 1800 500 085; phone (02) 9805 0699; fax (02) 9888 1844. Yokogawa DL 1520 portable oscilloscope The new Yokogawa DL 1520 digital oscilloscope is a 2-channel instrument with a maximum sampling speed of 200Ms/s and a bandwidth of 150MHz, processing repetitive signals with an equiv­ alent speed of 20Gs/s. In the envelope mode of operation, the instrument will capture events with durat­ions as short as 20 nanoseconds. The DL 1520 is equipped with extension functions, including arithmetical operations and FFT analysis. Screen displays can be saved in TIFF, BMP, PostScript and HPGL formats Digital video disc recorder Amber Technology has announced the Video Solution VMOD-100 video recorder which employs removeable magneto-optical discs. Manufactured by Future Equipment Design (FED) of Germany, the VMOD-100 is a drop-in replacement for analog VTRs and does not require a computer interface. The entire recorder is housed in a half-width 3U enclosure and all controls are on the front panel. The VMOD-100 offers all digital operation, giving fast random access (0.3 seconds maximum) and no signal degradation. Takes can be played and repeated without wear and tear of heads or media. Video signals are recorded in real time like a normal VTR with assemble and insert recording options. Video inputs and outputs are on both composite and Y/C (S-video) connectors and the signal can be viewed on any conventional video monitor. The basic system is equipped with one MOD drive (expandable to seven drives), two digital sound channels and one RS-422 control interface which allows connection to conventional video editing systems. Variable MPEG data compression is employed according to the desired picture quality. Recording time can be set between 28 minutes (S-VHS quality) and 60 minutes (ofline editing) per MOD drive, with a capacity of 1.3Gb per disc. For further information, contact Amber Technology, Unit B, Skyline Place, Frenchs Forest, NSW 2086. Phone (02) 9975 1211; fax (02) 9975 1368. January 1997  53 Onkyo home theatre receiver Amber Technology has announced the Onkyo TX-SV535 AV Sur­round Receiver. It is rated at 80W RMS/8Ω per channel in stereo mode or 65W RMS to the front left, centre and right channels and 25W RMS to each of the rear channels in surround mode. In place of inexpensive hybrid IC amplifiers found in lesser-quality units, all of the TX-SV535’s five output channels are powered by completely discrete amplifier blocks, with individual components (no ICs). There are separate pre-out terminals for the front L/C/R channels, rear L/R channels and a subwoofer output. The TX-SV535 is equipped with digital Dolby Pro Logic surround sound and five surround modes: Dolby Pro Logic, Dolby Pro Logic Theatre, Hall, Live and Arena. The Onkyo TX-SV535 measures 455 x 170 x 389mm, weighs 11.8kg, is finished in black brushed aluminium and has a recom­mended retail price of $1349.00. Onkyo high fidelity and home theatre products are available from authorised dealers and are distributed in Australia by Amber Technology, Unit B, 5 Skyline Place, Frenchs Forest, NSW 2086. Phone (02) 9975 1211; fax (02) 9975 1368. Handy component lead bender 2.1Gb disc runs at 4500 rpm This small lead bender will enable precise bends for com­ponents with body lengths of 7.5, 10, 12, 15 and 17.5mm. It is moulded in red plastic and is available at $2.95 including post­ age from CIL Distributors Pty Ltd, PO Box 236, Castle Hill, NSW 2154. Phone (02) 9634 3475. Seagate Technology Inc has released a 2.1Gb 3.5-inch hard disc drive with a special cover package designed to increase reliability. Called Seashield, the cover is placed over the PC board and is secured to the KITS-R-US RF Products FMTX1 Kit $49 Single transistor 2.5 Watt Tx free running 12v-24V DC. FM band 88-108MHz. 500mV RMS audio sensitivity. FMTX2A Kit $49 A digital stereo coder using discrete components. XTAL locked subcarrier. Compatible with all our transmitters. FMTX2B Kit $49 3 stage XTAL locked 100MHz FM band 30mW output. Aust pre-emphasis. Quality specs. Optional 50mW upgrade $5. FMTX5 Kit $98 Both a FMTX2A & FMTX2B on 1 PCB. Pwt & audio routed. FME500 Kit $499 Broadcast specs. PLL 0.5 to 1 watt output narrowcast TX kit. Frequency set with Dip Switch. 220 Linear Amp Kit $499 2-15 watt output linear amp for FM band 50mW input. Simple design uses hybrid. SG1 Kit $399 Broadcast quality FM stereo coder. Uses op amps with selectable pre-emphasis. Other linear amps and kits available for broadcasters. 54  Silicon Chip PO Box 314 Blackwood SA 5051 Ph 0414 323099 Fax 088 270 3175 AWA FM721 FM-Tx board $19 Modify them as a 1 watt op Narrowcast Tx. Lots of good RF bits on PCB. AWA FM721 FM-Rx board $10 The complementary receiver for the above Tx. Full circuits provided for Rx or Tx. Xtals have been disabled. MAX Kit for PCs $169 Talk to the real world from a PC. 7 relays, ADC, DAC 8 TTL inputs & stepper driver with sample basic programs. ETI 1623 kit for PCs $69 24 lines as inputs or outputs DS-PTH-PCB and all parts. Easy to build, low cost. ETI DIGI-200 Watt Amp Kit $39 200W/2 125W/4 70W/8 from ±33 volt supply. 27,000 built since 1987. Easy to build. ROLA Digital Audio Software Call for full information about our range of digital cart players & multitrack recorders. ALL POSTAGE $6.80 Per Order FREE Steam Boat For every order over $100 re­ceive FREE a PUTT-PUTT steam boat kit. Available separately for $19.95, this is one of the greatest educational toys ever sold. High-frequency inverter ICs Analog Devices’ new ADP3603 and ADP3604 high-freq­ uency, switch-capacitor inverters deliver a regulated output with high efficiency and low voltage loss and eliminate the need for exter­nal inductors. The ADP3603 and ADP3604 provide up to 50mA and 120mA of output current respectively, with ±3% output error, at a switching frequency of 120kHz. Output ripple is only 15mV and 25mV, respectively. Their high switching frequency makes opera­ tion possible with capacitors as small as 1µF. The regulators dissipate less than 400mW and users can enable a fast shutdown mode in less than 5ms, dropping the quies­cent current to 1.5mA. The output is fixed at -3V for input voltages ranging from +4.5 to +6V. The ADP3603’s and ADP3604’s load regulation is 0.12mV/mA and 0.32mV/mA, respectively. Both regulators are avail­able in small outline 8-pin SOICs with an operating temperature range of -40°C to +85°C. For further information, contact Hartec, 205A Middleborough Road, Box Hill, Vic 3128. Phone 1 800 335 623. TOROIDAL POWER TRANSFORMERS head-disc assembly. It helps reduce the chances of exposure of electrical components to electrostatic discharge (ESD) as well as knocks and bumps which can occur during the installation process. Running at 4500 rpm, the new drive has an average seek time of 12.5ms. For further information, contact Seagate Technology Austra­ lia Pty Ltd, 1st Floor, 17-18 Walker Place, Weth­ erill Park, NSW 2164. Phone (02) 725 3366. Computer power supplies For most computers, when the power supply fails it is more economical to replace than repair it. However, many suppliers will only sell a power supply together with the case; the original case must be junked along with the supply. To remedy this, Computronics is now stocking a range of computer power supplies. These can replace a Manufactured in Australia Comprehensive data available Harbuch Electronics Pty Ltd 9/40 Leighton Pl. HORNSBY 2077 Ph (02) 9476-5854 Fx (02) 9476-3231 faulty unit or upgrade a lower powered unit. Currently stocked are 200W and 250W models in two case sizes, supplied with mounting screws and flying leads to allow quick reconnection. All models are UL-approved. For further information, contact Computronics International Pty Ltd, 31 Kensington St, East Perth, WA 6004. Phone (09) 221 2121; fax (09) 325 6686. Neville Williams – a tribute Neville Williams died on 7th November, 1996. Long-time readers of Electronics Australia, and before that Radio & Hob­bies, will recall Neville Williams being at the helm of that magazine for a very long time – he was the magazine! I first met Neville Williams in March 1967 and by that time he had been regarded as an institution for many years. He had run the magazine during the war years while the editor John Moyle had served in the RAAF. John Moyle had returned after the war and continued until his death from cancer in 1959. In the meantime Neville had continued as his righthand man, producing many not­able valve amplifier designs. Up until the mid-1970s, the magazine was effectively the only voice of the Australian electronics industry and under WNW (Walter Neville Williams), Radio & Hobbies and later Electron­ics Australia, effectively commented upon and chronicled devel­op­ments, particularly during the introduction of television. In the early 1970s, Neville recognised that industry devel­ opments had become too diverse for effective coverage by Elec­tronics Australia and so he started the trade magazine Elec­tronics News which is now run under the auspices of Reed Busi­ness Publishing. Neville was noted for his extensive knowledge of valve technology, much of which he gained during his time at Amalgamat­ed Wireless Valve Co Ltd in the prewar years. During that time he had contributed to the compilation of the noted Radiotron De­signer’s Handbook which was edited by Fritz Langford-Smith. A tall, large-framed man, Neville was essentially a quiet and retiring person, quite different from the persona he project­ ed in his prodigious writings for the magazine. Perhaps the most notable of these were those featured in “Let’s Buy An Argument” which he wrote for more than 30 years. Today, there are many eminent engineers who would have been inspired by Neville’s writings and who would have tentatively ventured to “buy an argument” during those years. Neville retired in 1983 but he continued to write for Electronics Australia and he also wrote for SILICON CHIP for a number of years. I and a number of others at SILICON CHIP owe a considerable debt to Neville Williams as we worked with him for many years. May he rest in peace. Leo Simpson January 1997  55