Silicon ChipMarket Centre - January 2012 SILICON CHIP
  1. Outer Front Cover
  2. Contents
  3. Publisher's Letter: Australia's energy needs are in the hands of the clowns
  4. Feature: Arduino: What’s All The Fuss About? by Jonathan Oxer
  5. Project: A Stereo Audio Compressor by John Clarke
  6. Project: Build A Simple AM Radio by John Clarke
  7. Project: Dorji 433MHz Wireless Data Modules by Stan Swan
  8. Project: 3-Input Stereo Audio Switcher by John Clarke & Greg Swain
  9. Feature: Playing USB-Stick & SD/MMC Card Music Without A PC by Ross Tester
  10. Vintage Radio: The AWA PA1002 50W Valve PA Amplifier by Rodney Champness
  11. Book Store
  12. Market Centre
  13. Advertising Index
  14. Outer Back Cover

This is only a preview of the January 2012 issue of Silicon Chip.

You can view 26 of the 104 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 "A Stereo Audio Compressor":
  • Stereo Audio Compressor PCB [01201121] (AUD $15.00)
  • Stereo Audio Compressor front & rear panels [0120112P1/2] (PCB, AUD $15.00)
  • Stereo Audio Compressor PCB pattern (PDF download) [01201121] (Free)
  • Stereo Audio Compressor front & rear panel artwork (PNG download) [01201122/3] (Free)
Items relevant to "Build A Simple AM Radio":
  • AM Radio PCB [06101121] (AUD $10.00)
  • AM Radio PCB pattern (PDF download) [06101121] (Free)
  • AM Radio panels artwork (PDF download) (Panel Artwork, Free)
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)
Items relevant to "3-Input Stereo Audio Switcher":
  • 3-Input Audio Selector (Set of 2 PCBs) [01101121/2] (AUD $30.00)
  • PIC16F88-I/P programmed for the 3-Input Stereo Audio Switcher [0111211A.HEX] (Programmed Microcontroller, AUD $15.00)
  • Firmware HEX file and ASM source code for the 3-Input Switcher [0111211A] (Software, Free)
  • 3-Input Stereo Audio Selector Main PCB pattern (PDF download) [01101121] (Free)
  • 3-Input Stereo Audio Selector Switch PCB pattern (PDF download) [01101122] (Free)
Items relevant to "Playing USB-Stick & SD/MMC Card Music Without A PC":
  • 3-pin JST plug to bare wires cable, 100mm (Component, AUD $2.00)

Purchase a printed copy of this issue for $10.00.
MARKET CENTRE Cash in your surplus gear. Advertise it here in SILICON CHIP ELNEC IC PROGRAMMERS High quality Realistic prices Free software updates Large range of adaptors Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2k/XP C O N T R O L S Tough times demand innovative solutions! CLEVERSCOPE USB OSCILLOSCOPES 2 x 100MSa/s 10bit inputs + trigger 100MHz bandwidth 8 x digital inputs 4M samples/input Sig-gen + spectrum analyser Windows 98/Me/NT/2k/XP Issues Getting Dog-Eared? Keep your copies safe with these handy binders Made in Australia, used by OEMs world-wide splat-sc.com IMAGECRAFT C COMPILERS ANSI C compilers, Windows IDE AVR, TMS430, ARM7/ARM9 68HC08, 68HC11, 68HC12 Price: $A14.95 plus $10.00 p&p per order (incl. GST). Buy five & get them postage free! Fill in and mail the order form in this issue or phone (02) 9939 3295 and quote your credit card number. Available Aust. only. Battery Packs & Chargers GRANTRONICS PTY LTD www.grantronics.com.au FOR SALE LEDs! Nichia, Cree and other brand name LEDs at excellent prices. LED drivers, including ultra-reliable linear driver options. Many other interesting and hard-to-find electronic items! www.ledsales.com.au PCBs & Micros: Silicon Chip Pub­ lications can supply PCBs and programmed micros for recent (and some not so recent) projects described in the magazine. See our advert in this issue for further details. Phone ( 02) 9939 3295 or email silicon<at>siliconchip.com.au questronix.com.au – audiovisual experts solve home, corporate security and devotional installation & editing woes. QuestAV CYP, Kramer TVone (02) 4343 1970 or sales<at>questronix. com.au PCBs MADE, ONE OR MANY. Any format, hobbyists welcome. Sesame Electronics Phone (02) 8068 2713. sesame<at>sesame.com.au www.sesame.com.au siliconchip.com.au MAXIMITE BREAKOUT BOARD: 10 channels, 2 relays per board. 2 boards can be cascaded to get all 20 channels. Each channel can be configured as Digital In, Digital Out or Analog In, screw terminals. More information www. hamfield.com.au WANTED WANTED: EARLY HIFIs, AMPLIFIERS, Speakers, Turntables, Valves, Books, Quad, Leak, Pye, Lowther, Ortofon, SME, Western Electric, Altec, Marantz, McIntosh, Tannoy, Goodmans, Wharfedale, radio and wireless. Collector/ Hobbyist will pay cash. (07) 5471 1062. johnmurt<at>highprofile.com.au CUSTOMERS WANTED: Truscotts Electronic World – large range of semiconductors and passive components for industry, hobbyist and amateur projects including Drew Diamond. 27 The Mall, Siomar Battery Engineering www.batterybook.com Phone (08) 9302 5444 South Croydon, Melbourne. Phone (03) 9723 3860. www.electronicworld. com.au KIT ASSEMBLY & REPAIR KEITH RIPPON KIT ASSEMBLY & REPAIR: * Australia & New Zealand; * Small production runs. Phone Keith 0409 662 794. keith.rippon<at>gmail.com GEOFF COPPA KIT ASSEMBLY AND TROUBLE SHOOTING SERVICE. Phone Geoff on 0414226102. coppamitchell2<at>bigpond.com ADVERTISING IN MARKET CENTRE Classified Ad Rates: $29.50 (incl. GST) for up to 20 words plus 85 cents for each additional word. Display ads: $54.50 (incl. GST) per column centimetre (max. 10cm). Closing date: 5 weeks prior to month of sale. To book, email the text to silicon<at>siliconchip.com.au and include your name, address & credit card details, or fax (02) 9939 2648, or phone (02) 9939 3295. January 2012  103 Advertising Index Altronics...................................... 80-83 Australian Robotics.......................... 19 Clarke & Severn Electronics............ 43 Element14........................................ 23 Emona Instruments.......................... 45 Geoff Coppa.................................. 103 Grantronics.................................... 103 Hare & Forbes.............................. OBC High Profile Communications......... 103 HK Wentworth.................................. 13 Instant PCBs.................................. 103 Circuit Ideas Wanted Do you have a good circuit idea? If so, sketch it out, write a brief description of its operation & send it to us. Provided your idea is workable & original, we’ll publish it in Circuit Notebook & you’ll make some money. We pay up to $100 for a good circuit so send your idea to: Silicon Chip Publications, PO Box 139, Collaroy, NSW 2097. DOWNLOAD OUR CATALOG at www.iinet.net.au/~worcom WORLDWIDE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS PO Box 631, Hillarys, WA 6923 Ph: (08) 9307 7305 Fax: (08) 9307 7309 Email: worcom<at>iinet.net.au Jaycar ................................. IFC,49-56 Jimojo.............................................. 42 Keith Rippon.................................. 103 Kitstop.............................................. 42 LED Sales...................................... 103 LHP.NET.AU................................... IBC MEAN WELL Power Supplies On The Net www.radioandelectronics.com Ph: 1300 495 211 Fax 08 9402 1287 Email: sales<at>radioandelectronics.com PO Box 780, Hillarys, WA 6923 Little Bird Electronics....................... 17 Measurement Innovation................. 43 Microchip Technology......................... 3 Microzed Computers........................ 43 Mikroelectronika............................... 11 Ask SILICON CHIP . . . continued from p102 of a radio scanner but with an effective AVC (automatic volume control) action to smooth out the varying levels associated with such receivers? Treble boost would also be necessary. (P. M., via email). • No, but the Hearing Loop Signal Conditioner from our January 2011 issue can be used. This is a mono line signal conditioner with treble boost and an automatic volume control. In addition, an amplifier would be needed to drive a loudspeaker. You could use the stereo amplifier from the May 2010 issue (Jaycar KC5495) or the Champ from February 1994 (Jaycar KC5152). Solution for a motorcycle ignition I have a 1982 Honda CX500 motorcycle with a failing ignition system. As usual, the problem is not the CDI but the high-voltage source coil which is wound on the alternator stator and very expensive to replace. The coils fail due to excessive heat and no cool104  Silicon Chip ing. As the CDI is sound I thought it would be possible to build a solid-state high-voltage source such as the high voltage section of the “Multi-Spark Capacitor Discharge Ignition” kit (SILICON CHIP, September 1997). The only problem I can see is that the kit high-voltage section supplies 300V whereas the bike CDI SCR circuit only requires 100V DC. Do you think it would be possible for me to convert the high-voltage section of the kit to 100V instead of 300V? If it is possible, I know the information will help many owners of older bikes whose only problem with failing ignition is faulty and very expensive to replace source coils. (J. J., via email). • The high-voltage section of the Multi-Spark Ignition is not suited to connect to a motorbike CDI. They effectively short out the high voltage when firing. The high-voltage coil could be rewound instead of replaced. Motor rewinders or transformer manufacturers can do the job. Alternatively, you can do the rewind yourself as the winding wire can be purchased and the coil rewound in the same way as SC the original winding. Mouser Electronics............................ 5 Ocean Controls................................ 21 Prime Electronics............................. 10 Quest Electronics........................... 103 Radio & Electronics....................... 104 RKT Auctioneers.............................. 95 RF Modules................................... 104 RMS Parts....................................... 71 Rohde & Schwarz............................ 22 Sesame Electronics....................... 103 Silicon Chip Binders......................... 94 Silicon Chip Bookshop................ 96-97 Silicon Chip Order Form.................. 79 SC Performance Elect. For Cars...... 94 Silicon Chip PCBs..................... 69,103 Silicon Chip Subscriptions............... 12 Siomar Battery Engineering........ 7,103 Splat Controls................................ 103 Truscotts Electronic World............. 103 VAF Research.................................. 42 Wiltronics........................................... 9 Wireless Design............................... 42 Worldwide Elect. Components....... 104 siliconchip.com.au