Silicon ChipMarket Centre - December 2003 SILICON CHIP
  1. Outer Front Cover
  2. Contents
  3. Publisher's Letter: Australian power stations should be solar or gas-fired
  4. Feature: What You Need To Receiver Weather Satellite Images by Jim Rowe
  5. Feature: A Self-Diagnostics Plug For Your Car by Julian Edgar
  6. Project: VHF Receiver For Weather Satellites by Jim Rowe
  7. Order Form
  8. Project: Linear Supply For Luxeon 1W Star LEDs by Peter Smith
  9. Product Showcase
  10. Weblink
  11. Feature: PC Board Design Tutorial, Pt.3 by David L. Jones
  12. Feature: SPLat Controls microPLCs by Peter Smith
  13. Project: MiniCal 5V Meter Calibration Standard by Barry Hubble
  14. Project: PIC-Based Car Battery Monitor by Alan Bonnard
  15. Project: The PICAXE, Pt.9: Keyboards 101 by Stan Swan
  16. Vintage Radio: The AWA PF car radio & the Ferrite Tranimate by Rodney Champness
  17. Book Store
  18. Back Issues
  19. Notes & Errata
  20. Market Centre
  21. Advertising Index
  22. Outer Back Cover

This is only a preview of the December 2003 issue of Silicon Chip.

You can view 30 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.

Items relevant to "What You Need To Receiver Weather Satellite Images":
  • VHF Receiver for Weather Satellites PCB [06112031] (AUD $15.00)
Articles in this series:
  • What You Need To Receiver Weather Satellite Images (December 2003)
  • VHF Receiver For Weather Satellites (December 2003)
  • What You Need To Receiver Weather Satellite Images (December 2003)
  • VHF Receiver For Weather Satellites (December 2003)
  • Antenna & RF Preamp For Weather Satellites (January 2004)
  • Antenna & RF Preamp For Weather Satellites (January 2004)
Items relevant to "VHF Receiver For Weather Satellites":
  • VHF Receiver for Weather Satellites PCB [06112031] (AUD $15.00)
  • VHF Receiver for Weather Satellites PCB pattern (PDF download) [06112031] (Free)
  • Panel artwork for the VHF Receiver for Weather Satellites (PDF download) (Free)
Articles in this series:
  • What You Need To Receiver Weather Satellite Images (December 2003)
  • VHF Receiver For Weather Satellites (December 2003)
  • What You Need To Receiver Weather Satellite Images (December 2003)
  • VHF Receiver For Weather Satellites (December 2003)
  • Antenna & RF Preamp For Weather Satellites (January 2004)
  • Antenna & RF Preamp For Weather Satellites (January 2004)
Items relevant to "Linear Supply For Luxeon 1W Star LEDs":
  • Luxeon 1W Linear Power Supply PCB pattern (PDF download) [11112031/2] (Free)
Articles in this series:
  • PC Board Design Tutorial, Pt.1 (October 2003)
  • PC Board Design Tutorial, Pt.1 (October 2003)
  • PC Board Design Tutorial, Pt.2 (November 2003)
  • PC Board Design Tutorial, Pt.2 (November 2003)
  • PC Board Design Tutorial, Pt.3 (December 2003)
  • PC Board Design Tutorial, Pt.3 (December 2003)
Items relevant to "MiniCal 5V Meter Calibration Standard":
  • MiniCal PCB pattern (PDF download) [04112031] (Free)
Articles in this series:
  • PICAXE: The New Millennium 555? (February 2003)
  • PICAXE: The New Millennium 555? (February 2003)
  • The PICAXE: Pt.2: A Shop Door Minder (March 2003)
  • The PICAXE: Pt.2: A Shop Door Minder (March 2003)
  • The PICAXE, Pt.3: Heartbeat Simulator (April 2003)
  • The PICAXE, Pt.3: Heartbeat Simulator (April 2003)
  • The PICAXE, Pt.4: Motor Controller (May 2003)
  • The PICAXE, Pt.4: Motor Controller (May 2003)
  • The PICAXE, Pt.5: A Chookhouse Door Controller (June 2003)
  • The PICAXE, Pt.5: A Chookhouse Door Controller (June 2003)
  • The PICAXE, Pt.6: Data Communications (July 2003)
  • The PICAXE, Pt.6: Data Communications (July 2003)
  • The PICAXE, Pt.7: Get That Clever Code Purring (August 2003)
  • The PICAXE, Pt.7: Get That Clever Code Purring (August 2003)
  • The PICAXE, Pt.8: A Datalogger & Sending It To Sleep (September 2003)
  • The PICAXE, Pt.8: A Datalogger & Sending It To Sleep (September 2003)
  • The PICAXE, Pt.8: The 18X Series (November 2003)
  • The PICAXE, Pt.8: The 18X Series (November 2003)
  • The PICAXE, Pt.9: Keyboards 101 (December 2003)
  • The PICAXE, Pt.9: Keyboards 101 (December 2003)

Purchase a printed copy of this issue for $10.00.
MARKET CENTRE Cash in your surplus gear. Advertise it here in Silicon Chip. CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING RATES Advertising rates for this page: Classified ads: $20.00 (incl. GST) for up to 20 words plus 66 cents for each additional word. Display ads: $33.00 (incl. GST) per column centimetre (max. 10cm). Closing date: five weeks prior to month of sale. To run your classified ad, print it clearly in the space below or on a separate sheet of paper, fill out the form & send it with your cheque or credit card details to: Silicon Chip Classifieds, PO Box 139, Collaroy, NSW 2097. Alternatively, fax the details to (02) 9979 6503 or send an email to silchip<at>siliconchip.com.au Taxation Invoice ABN 49 003 205 490 _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ Enclosed is my cheque/money order for $­__________ or please debit my  Bankcard    Visa Card    Master Card Card No. Signature­­­­­­­­­­­­__________________________ Card expiry date______/______ Name _____________________________________________________ Street _____________________________________________________ Suburb/town ___________________________ Postcode______________ Phone:_____________ Fax:_____________ Email:__________________ 94  Silicon Chip FOR SALE UNIVERSAL DEVICE PROGRAMMER: Low cost, high performance, 48-pin, works in DOS or Windows incl. NT/2000. $1364. Universal EPROM programmer $467.50. Also adaptors, (E)EPROM, PIC, 8051 programmers, EPROM simulator and eraser. Dunfield C Compilers: Everything you need to develop C and ASM software for 68HC08, 6809, 68HC11, 68HC12, 68HC16, 8051/52, 8080/85, 8086, 8096 or AVR: $198 each. Demo disk available. ImageCraft C Compilers: 32-bit Windows IDE and compiler. For AVR, 68HC­08, 68HC11, 68HC12, 68HC16. $385.00 Atmel Flash CPU Programmer: Handles the 89Cx051, 89C5x, 89Sxx in both DIP and PLCC44 and some AVR’s, most 8-pin EEPROMS. Includes socket for serial ISP cable. $220, $11 p&p. SOIC adaptors: 20 pin $132.00, 14 pin $126.50, 8 pin $121.00. Full details on web site. Credit cards accepted. GRANTRONICS PTY LTD, PO Box 275, Wentworthville 2145. (02) 9896 7150 or http://www.grantronics.com.au RGB LEDs: New stock of 5mm RGB LEDs at just $1.50 each! RGB an­ imating LEDs just $3 each. Picaxe LED driver kits from just $12. www.ledsales.com.au USB KITS: Stepper Motor Controller, USB PIO Intefface, DTMF Transceiver, Thermometer, DDS HF Generator, Compass, 4-Channel Voltmeter, I/O Relay Card. Also available: Digital Oscilloscope, Temperature Loggers, VHF Receivers and USB Active X (and USBDOS.exe file) to control our kits from your application. www.ar.com.au/~softmark PCBs MADE, ONE OR MANY. Any format, hobbyists welcome. Sesame Elec­tronics (02) 9593 1025. sesame777<at>optusnet.com.au http://sesame_elec.tripod.com www.siliconchip.com.au New New New Foam surrounds,voice coils,cones and more Original parts for Dynaudio,Tannoy and others Expert speaker repairs – 20 years experience Australian agents for products Trade welcome – email for your user ID Phone (03) 9682 2487 Mark22-SM Slimline Mini FM R/C Receiver Cygnus Logic Systems  Industrial High Speed Automation  Electronic System Design  Custom Software Design  Consultancy  Troubleshooting  Project Management Tel: (02) 9904 3991 Fax: (02) 9904 3993 Mob: 0402 985 574 speakerbits.com.au cygnuslogic<at>iprimus.com.au JACKSON BROS JACKSON OF THE UK IS BACK Highest quality products made by UK Craftsmen Variable and trimmer capacitors, reduction drives, dials, ceramic stand-offs Full range now available off the shelf in Australia CATALOGUES AND PRICE LISTS NOW AVAILABLE CHARLES I COOKSON PTY LTD GPO BOX 812, ADELAIDE, SA 5001 Tel: (08) 8235 0744 Fax: (08) 8356 3652 FreeFax: 1800 673355 (Within Australia) Email: jackson<at>homeplanet.com.au ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED SOLE AGENTS FOR AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND • • • • • 6 Channels 10kHz frequency separation Size: 55 x 23 x 20mm Weight: 25gm Modular Construction Price: $A129.50 with crystal Electronics PO Box 580, Riverwood, NSW 2210. Ph/Fax (02) 9533 3517 email: youngbob<at>silvertone.com.au Website:www.silvertone.com.au Building speaker boxes? Mounting electrical components onto solid timber? You may need the Carba–tecTOOLS FOR WOOD catalogue!! We have Australia’s largest range of woodworking handtools & machinery. Please contact us for your FREE 220 page colour catalogue or come in & see us at: 32 PERCY ST, AUBURN 2144 9649 5077 www.carbatec.com.au & MADE TO ORDER PCBs For more details: www.acetronics.com.au Phone (02) 9600 6832 email: acetronics<at>acetronics.com.au WEATHER STATIONS: Windspeed & direction, inside temperature, outside temperature & windchill. Records highs & lows with time and date as they occur. Optional rainfall and PC interface. Used by Government Departments, farmers, pilots, and weather enthusiasts. Other models with barometric pressure, humidity, dew point, solar radiation, UV, leaf wetness, etc. Just phone, fax or write for our FREE catalogue and price list. Eco Watch phone: (03) 9761 7040; fax: (03) 9761 7050; Unit 5, 17 Southfork Drive, Kilsyth, Vic. 3137. ABN 63 006 399 480. S-Video . . . Video . . . Audio . . . VGA distribution amps, splitters, standards converters, tbc’s, switchers, cables, etc, & price list: www.questronix.com.au www.siliconchip.com.au SMD COMPONENTS, SMD LED kits & specials. Go to www.lazer.com.au Pixel Programmable Controller with 4 analog inputs, 8 digital inputs and 8 relay outputs. Uses a Picaxe 28A. Programmed in basic. Labjack USB Data Acquisition Module features 8 12bit analog inputs, 20 digital I/O, 2 analog outputs and high speed counter. Free software, Labview driver and ActiveX component. DAS005 Parallel Port Data Acquisition Module features 8 12bit Analog inputs, 4 Digital I/Ps & 4 Digital O/Ps. Free windows software and source code. Dual Relay Modules suitable for TTL and Open Collector Outputs Leader Modbus Data Acquisition Modules analog inputs, RTD, thermo- Need prototype PC boards? We have the solutions – we print electronics! Four-day turnaround, less if urgent; Artwork from your own positive or file; Through hole plating; Prompt postal service; 29 years technical experience; Inexpensive; Superb quality. Printed Electronics, 12A Aristoc Rd, Glen Waverley, Vic 3150. Phone: 1300 132 251; Fax: (03) 9561 5529 Call Mike Lynch and check us out! We are the best for low cost, small runs. TAIG MACHINERY Micro Mini Lathes and Mills From $489.00 59 Gilmore Crescent Garran ACT 2605 (02) 6281 5660 0412269707 couple, analog outputs, digital input and output modules Programmers for Atmel and PIC micro­ controllers. Switch Mode and Linear Power Supplies and DC-DC convertors. FAB Programmable Logic Controllers. Low cost, high performance. Programming software and SCADA software free. Heaps of features. Full details and credit card ordering available at www.oceancontrols.com.au BUY FROM HONG KONG, PAY IN OZ. Get many common passives, ICs and LCDs direct from Hong Kong but pay in Oz. www.kitsrus.com/bits.html RCS RADIO/DESIGN is at 41 Arlewis St, Chester Hill 2162, NSW Australia and has all the published circuit boards from SC, EA, ETI, HE, AEM plus others. Tel (02) 9738 0330. sales<at>rcsradio.com.au www.rcsradio.com.au December 2003  95 Do You Eat, Breathe and Sleep Technology? Management & Sales Positions Advertising Index Acetronics....................................95 We are a rapidly growing, Australian-owned international retailer with more than 30 stores in Australia and we have a growing expansion program to open many more, so we need dedicated individuals to join our team to help achieve our goals. If you are customer focused, have an eye for detail, empathy for the products we sell and have recently completed a TAFE of University degree in electronics, we want to meet you. Career opportunities with full training are available now if you have the drive and ambition to make your future with Jaycar. We offer a competitive salary, sales commission and many other benefits. To apply for these positions please send your C.V. indicating the role you are interested in to the address shown below. Altronics................... loose insert,17 Jaycar Electronics is an equal opportunity employer and actively promotes staff from within the organisation. Dick Smith Electronics........... 30-33 Retail Operations Manager Jaycar Electronics Pty. Ltd. P.O. Box 6424 Silverwater NSW 1811 Fax: (02) 9741-8524 Email: jobs<at>jaycar.com.au ATA ..............................................81 Av-Comm Pty Ltd.........................43 BitScope Designs......................7,55 Carba-Tec Tools...........................95 Cygnus Logic Systems.................95 David Hall Electronics..................63 Eco Watch....................................95 Elan Audio......................................5 Forty Trout Electronics.................96 Development / Training Board For the PIC Micro LEDs: High Power and Intensely Bright Red and yellow colours available, in •leaded clear plastic cylinder format, 10mm 96  Silicon Chip Grantronics...................................94 Harbuch Electronics.....................53 Instant PCBs................................96 Forty Trout Electronics Pty Ltd 15 Rockliffe St, Eltham 3095 Phone: (03) 9444 1803 Oatley Electronics........................93 High volume enquiries welcome! Jackson Bros................................95 Hy-Q International........................55 Jaycar .......................... 45-52,55,96 JED Microprocessors................5,55 Kalex............................................81 MicroByte Electronics...................96 Microgram Computers....................3 MicroZed Computers....................79 Ozitronics.....................................67 Printed Electronics.......................95 Quest Electronics....................55,95 RCS Radio...................................95 For more information . . . Visit: www.microbyte.com.au Phone: (03) 9378 4288 Email: info<at>microbyte.com.au AUDIO DREAMS ARE MADE OF THIS: SEMI’S, Low Beta droop Toshiba 2SA1302, 2SC3281; ALL 2N’s, all MPS’s inc 8055,8955; MJE’s & MJ’s from ‘ON’ for Motorola, VERY fast TO-126 Drivers available to ±85V rail. MOSFETS from SEMELAB and I.R.F., JFETS from N.S.C. & Burr & Brown (now under T.I.);TRANSFORMERS for Valve and Solid State from Australia & Canada; 10VA to > can’t lift it! TUBES, all types available. GUITAR & AMP parts and Speakers. All AUDIO components inc H.V. poly’s and very large Electro’s. Phone calls between 7pm and 9pm Australian E.S.T. OK. Email: lede<at>bigpond.net.au Ph: (08) 8927 0238 Fax: (08) 8927 7557 Gadget Central...........................IFC diameter Narrow beam angle gives 17Cd at 20mA, more at higher currents. Time to start on this year’s Xmas decorations! Ideal for moving message signs and traffic applications Only $36 (incl. GST) per bag of 100, supplied in original SHARP packaging, plus $9 post delivery. Datasheet on request to: fortytroutelectronics<at>optusnet.com.au or • • • The Most Flexible Development board around. Based on the PIC16F877. The development board can be used with a wide variety of PIC Micros including the PIC18F452. Adaptors avaliable to use the 8, 18, 28-pin PIC Micros. ICD 2 connector allows In-circuit programming / Debugging with Microchip’s ICD2. Uncommited I/O ports allow for your own connection configuration to each device and also to external circuits. Onboard parallel port programmer allows programming of the PIC while still connected to the circuits. Other optional extras available.Connection to each circuit module or extrenal circuit is made via 10-way IDC cables provided. The possibilities are endless. Student/School discounts available. Futurlec........................................79 RF Probes....................................81 Silicon Chip Back Issues........ 88-89 Silicon Chip Bookshop........... 86-87 SC Car Projects Book...........44,IBC Silicon Chip Subscriptions...........29 or write to LEDE ELECTRONICS, PO BOX 40313, CASUARINA, NT 0811, AUSTRALIA. Silvertone Electronics..................95 KITS KITS AND MORE KITS! Check ’em out at www.ozitronics.com Splat Controls...............................65 KIT ASSEMBLY NEVILLE WALKER KIT ASSEMBLY & REPAIR: • Australia wide service • Small production runs • Specialist “one-off” applications Phone Neville Walker (07) 3857 2752 Email: flashdog<at>optusnet.com.au Soundlabs Group.........................55 Speakerbits..................................95 Taig Machinery.............................95 Telelink Communications....55,OBC ____________________________ PC Boards Printed circuit boards for SILICON CHIP projects are made by: RCS Radio Pty Ltd. Phone (02) 9738 0330. Fax (02) 9738 0334. www.siliconchip.com.au