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PRODUCT SHOWCASE Calling all musos, production controllers . . . anyone who needs a really rugged foot switch New Zealand based Rixen has released a purpose designed pedal enclosure kit for musical instrument effects. The pedal is designed to operate either a 3PDT or 4PDT switch as favoured by many guitar effects enthusiasts, and the standard kit includes a high quality 4PDT latching switch with gold plated contacts. We also think this would be ideal as a run, start/stop or reversing switch for the SILICON CHIP Induction Motor Speed Controller (see last month’s issue). Another feature is an integrated compartment for a 9V battery that can be accessed by simply lifting and sliding open the hinge of the pedal. Manufactured in New Zealand from sturdy diecast aluminium, the kit comes complete with all the hardware required to complete an enclosure. An optional solder masked prototyping PCB makes a complete pedal build easy. The 139.5 x 89.5 x 69 mm pedal is available in bare aluminium ($USD 36.95), ‘Sky Blue’ or ‘Emerald Green’ gloss powder coat ($USD 46.90), Prices exclude shipping. Altronics now stocking Thermaltronics soldering irons Altronics are now stockists for Thermaltronics soldering stations. The Thermaltronics range features an RF induction design with Curie heat technology. This technology, by Thermaltronics is fast replacing the older conventional ceramic heating element technology by utilizing RF induction to bring the tip temperature to its Curie Point which is set by the composition of a special magnetic alloy. Once it hits its Curie Point, the tip will lose its magnetic properties and will idle at its set temperature ±1.1°C, ready for action in under 10 seconds! Once the soldering tip makes contact with a solder joint, the tip transfers heat at a rapid rate and when confronted with a heavier load or lead-free solder, the system instantaneously increases its power to ensure constant temperature is maintained at the tip. As the tip is the heater, it responds instantly, unlike conventional soldering systems where users have to dial the temperature right up to compensate for the drop in tip temperature. Altronics stock Contact: two models, the TMT- Altronic Distributors Pty Ltd 9000S-2 (pictured) PO Box 8350, Perth Busn Centre, WA 6849 and the TMT-2000S- Tel: 1300 780 999 Fax: 1300 790 999 K station. Website: www.altronics.com.au 40  Silicon Chip Contact: Rixen Pedals Pty Ltd 10 Barlow St, Christchurch, 8041, New Zealand Tel: (64) 800 555 0100 Website: www.rixenpedals.com Icom tri-band amateur transceiver with touch screen Icom, a leader in amateur radio technology, has announced the release of the IC-7100 touchscreen multimode transceiver. With the touch-screen interface, the IC7100 offers straightforward operation, while the angled display and remote-head configuration make both installation and operation very versatile. The IC-7100, as a multi-band transceiver, is capable of operating on the HF, 50MHz, 144MHz and 430/440MHz bands. The transceiver also features D-STAR DV mode (digital voice and data), providing digital clarity and security. With the new optional AH-740 High-Speed Auto Tuning Antenna, operation is even more simplified, especially for mobile use, as the relay-driven tuner automatically adjusts (150ms typical tuning time) when changing frequencies. For more information on the IC-7100 Contact: or other Icom prod- Icom Australia Pty Ltd ucts, please visit Unit 1, 103 Garden Rd Clayton 3168 Vic. their website or call Tel: (03) 9549 7500 Fax: (03) 9549 7505 the number at right. Website: www.icom.net.au siliconchip.com.au HK Wentworth putting on a show at ElectroneX See the Latest in Electronics Products & Technology this month at ElectroneX! Electrolube Chemicals and Hakko’s complete soldering range for Australia and New Zealand region will be on display at Electronex 2013, stand B15. See the new-release FX888D ESD-safe digital soldering station with selectable preset temperatures and digital calibration. It replaces the popular FX888 analog version but still utilises common spares and tips. The extensive Hakko range of equipment will be on display and available for demonstration. Electrolube’s products on display include conformal coatings, thermal pastes, encapsulating resins, maintenance aerosols and cleaning products. New products will be the Aromatic free conformal coating PUCAF, offering quick cure times and very low VOC’s Contact: and Isocyanate- HK Wentworth Australasia free resins PE7500 Unit 3/98 Old Pittwater Rd, Brookvale NSW 2100 alleviating OHS Tel: (02) 9938 1566 Fax: (02) 9938 1467 Website: www.hkwentworth.com.au concerns. ElectroneX – The Electronics Design & Assembly Expo returns to Melbourne this month (11-12 September) at Melbourne Park Function Centre. This specialised event is the major focal point for the electronics industry in Australia and is designed to help professionals across a vast array of industry sectors to stay in touch with the latest electronics technology developments for systems integration and production electronics. Design, electronic & electrical engineers, OEM, scientific, IT and communications professionals and service technicians are invited to attend the event where they will find the latest technology driving future product & system developments. ElectroneX comprises a major trade show with over 80 companies showcasing and demonstrating the latest new product releases for industry, scientific and commercial applications. The SMCBA – Electronics Design & Manufacture Conference is being held in conjunction with the exhibition. This year’s conference will feature several highly acclaimed international presenters and deliver a wealth of information on electronics design and manufacture but will also feature new streams on Embedded Systems and New Product Development. For further information and free trade registration for the expo visit www.electronex. com.au. New GWInstek 50000 count DMMs Mouser claim world’s smallest transistor Jaycar wants you to find a fortune! The new generation GDM-834x series dual measurement multimeter from GW-Instek has two models – GDM-8341 and GDM 8342. Features include 50,000 counts, VFD dualdisplay, 0.02% basic DC voltage accuracy and a USB protocol connector to provide users with measurement precision, lucid data observation and the convenience to connect with the personal computer. The GDM-834x series not only supports the fundamental measurement items provided by general multimeter but also has capacitance and temperature measurement functions. The GDM-834x series can operate alone or can interface to a PC. ROHM Semiconductor’s ultra compact MOSFETs and bipolar transistors, now available through Mouser, have the smallest transistor package on the market. The VML0806 case type measures just 0.8mm × 0.6mm with a height of only 0.36mm. As portable devices, such as smartphones and digital cameras, get smaller and more sophisticated, thinner, more compact components are required. Until now, problems related to internal element miniaturisation, bonding stability, package process accuracy, and surface mount technology limited the smallest conventional transistors to the 1006 size (1.0 x 0.6 x 0.37mm). ROHM was able to overcome these challenges by utilizing a smaller element and high-precision package process technology, resulting in a very compact form factor. Contact: Contact: Contact: Suite 302, 18-20 Orion Rd, Lane Cove 2066 Tel: 1300 811 355 Fax: (02) 9418 8485 Website: www.tekmark.net.au Unit 702-3, 7/F, LU Plaza, 2 Wing Yip St, Kwun Tong, Kowloon Tel: 852 3756 4700 Website: www.mouser.com PO Box 107, Rydalmere NSW 2116 Order Tel: 1800 022 888 Fax: (02) 8832 3188 Website: www.jaycar.com.au TekMark Australia Pty Ltd siliconchip.com.au Mouser Electronics Jaycar Electronics has two new portable metal detectors which they hope will lead you to fortune (if not fame)! The first (QP-2303) has an LCD readout and will detect a variety of metals including iron, nickel, gold, brass, zinc, copper, silver and aluminium. It claimed to be able to detect a 10c piece at 150mm depth! This is the deluxe version and sells for $149.00 The second is similar but doesn’t have the LCD readout. This one (Cat QP-2301) retails for just $59.95 – you could earn that back in one good (lucky!) day. And this one has a waterproof search coil so you can go prospecting in streams and lakes. Jaycar Electronics (all stores) September 2013  41