Silicon ChipContents - January 2017 SILICON CHIP
  1. Outer Front Cover
  2. Contents
  3. Publisher's Letter: Pumped hydro storage is no panacea for renewables & Airbags could kill your daughter
  4. Subscriptions
  5. Feature: Pumped Storage Hydroelectricity by Dr David Maddison
  6. PartShop
  7. Feature: Viewing Radio Waves In Colour by Ross Tester
  8. Project: New SC200 Audio Amplifier by Nicholas Vinen & Leo Simpson
  9. Project: High Power DC Motor Speed Control by John Clarke
  10. Serviceman's Log: When spare parts aren't around by Dave Thompson
  11. Project: Programming the ATtiny85 With An Arduino by Lawrence Billson
  12. Product Showcase
  13. Project: El Cheapo Modules From Asia - Part 3 by Jim Rowe
  14. Project: Giving the Ultrasonic Theremin A Volume Control by Bao Smith
  15. Feature: Real-Time System Modelling by Karthik Srinivasan
  16. Feature: Set-Top Boxes Make Great (Cheap!) PVRs by Jim Rowe
  17. Vintage Radio: Pye 1951 5-Valve Model APJ-Modified by Associate Professor Graham Parslow
  18. PartShop
  19. Market Centre
  20. Advertising Index
  21. Outer Back Cover

This is only a preview of the January 2017 issue of Silicon Chip.

You can view 40 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 "New SC200 Audio Amplifier":
  • Ultra-LD Mk3/Mk4 Amplifier Power Supply PCB [01109111] (AUD $15.00)
  • New SC200 Audio Amplifier PCB [01108161] (AUD $10.00)
  • Hard-to-get parts for the SC200 Audio Amplifier Module (Component, AUD $50.00)
  • New SC200 Audio Amplifier PCB pattern (PDF download) [01108161] (Free)
Articles in this series:
  • New SC200 Audio Amplifier (January 2017)
  • New SC200 Audio Amplifier (January 2017)
  • New SC200 Audio Amplifier – Part 2 (February 2017)
  • New SC200 Audio Amplifier – Part 2 (February 2017)
  • New SC200 Audio Amplifier - Part 3 (March 2017)
  • New SC200 Audio Amplifier - Part 3 (March 2017)
Items relevant to "High Power DC Motor Speed Control":
  • High Power DC Motor Speed Control main PCB [11112161] (AUD $10.00)
  • High Power DC Motor Speed Control Mosfet PCB [11112162] (AUD $12.50)
  • PIC16F88-I/P programmed for the High Power DC Motor Speed Controller [1111216A.HEX] (Programmed Microcontroller, AUD $15.00)
  • Hard-to-get parts for the High Power DC Motor Speed Controller (Component, AUD $50.00)
  • Firmware (ASM and HEX) files for the High Power DC Motor Speed Control [1111216A.HEX] (Software, Free)
  • High Power DC Motor Speed Control PCB patterns (PDF download) [11112161/2] (Free)
Articles in this series:
  • High Power DC Motor Speed Control (January 2017)
  • High Power DC Motor Speed Control (January 2017)
  • High Power DC Motor Speed Control – Part 2 (February 2017)
  • High Power DC Motor Speed Control – Part 2 (February 2017)
Items relevant to "Programming the ATtiny85 With An Arduino":
  • Firmware (.ino) files for the Programming the ATtiny85 With An Arduino (Software, Free)
Items relevant to "El Cheapo Modules From Asia - Part 3":
  • CP2102-based USB/TTL serial converter with microUSB socket and 6-pin right-angle header (Component, AUD $5.00)
  • CP2102-based USB/TTL serial converter with microUSB socket and 6-pin right-angle header (clone version) (Component, AUD $3.00)
Articles in this series:
  • El Cheapo Modules From Asia - Part 1 (October 2016)
  • El Cheapo Modules From Asia - Part 1 (October 2016)
  • El Cheapo Modules From Asia - Part 2 (December 2016)
  • El Cheapo Modules From Asia - Part 2 (December 2016)
  • El Cheapo Modules From Asia - Part 3 (January 2017)
  • El Cheapo Modules From Asia - Part 3 (January 2017)
  • El Cheapo Modules from Asia - Part 4 (February 2017)
  • El Cheapo Modules from Asia - Part 4 (February 2017)
  • El Cheapo Modules, Part 5: LCD module with I²C (March 2017)
  • El Cheapo Modules, Part 5: LCD module with I²C (March 2017)
  • El Cheapo Modules, Part 6: Direct Digital Synthesiser (April 2017)
  • El Cheapo Modules, Part 6: Direct Digital Synthesiser (April 2017)
  • El Cheapo Modules, Part 7: LED Matrix displays (June 2017)
  • El Cheapo Modules, Part 7: LED Matrix displays (June 2017)
  • El Cheapo Modules: Li-ion & LiPo Chargers (August 2017)
  • El Cheapo Modules: Li-ion & LiPo Chargers (August 2017)
  • El Cheapo modules Part 9: AD9850 DDS module (September 2017)
  • El Cheapo modules Part 9: AD9850 DDS module (September 2017)
  • El Cheapo Modules Part 10: GPS receivers (October 2017)
  • El Cheapo Modules Part 10: GPS receivers (October 2017)
  • El Cheapo Modules 11: Pressure/Temperature Sensors (December 2017)
  • El Cheapo Modules 11: Pressure/Temperature Sensors (December 2017)
  • El Cheapo Modules 12: 2.4GHz Wireless Data Modules (January 2018)
  • El Cheapo Modules 12: 2.4GHz Wireless Data Modules (January 2018)
  • El Cheapo Modules 13: sensing motion and moisture (February 2018)
  • El Cheapo Modules 13: sensing motion and moisture (February 2018)
  • El Cheapo Modules 14: Logarithmic RF Detector (March 2018)
  • El Cheapo Modules 14: Logarithmic RF Detector (March 2018)
  • El Cheapo Modules 16: 35-4400MHz frequency generator (May 2018)
  • El Cheapo Modules 16: 35-4400MHz frequency generator (May 2018)
  • El Cheapo Modules 17: 4GHz digital attenuator (June 2018)
  • El Cheapo Modules 17: 4GHz digital attenuator (June 2018)
  • El Cheapo: 500MHz frequency counter and preamp (July 2018)
  • El Cheapo: 500MHz frequency counter and preamp (July 2018)
  • El Cheapo modules Part 19 – Arduino NFC Shield (September 2018)
  • El Cheapo modules Part 19 – Arduino NFC Shield (September 2018)
  • El cheapo modules, part 20: two tiny compass modules (November 2018)
  • El cheapo modules, part 20: two tiny compass modules (November 2018)
  • El cheapo modules, part 21: stamp-sized audio player (December 2018)
  • El cheapo modules, part 21: stamp-sized audio player (December 2018)
  • El Cheapo Modules 22: Stepper Motor Drivers (February 2019)
  • El Cheapo Modules 22: Stepper Motor Drivers (February 2019)
  • El Cheapo Modules 23: Galvanic Skin Response (March 2019)
  • El Cheapo Modules 23: Galvanic Skin Response (March 2019)
  • El Cheapo Modules: Class D amplifier modules (May 2019)
  • El Cheapo Modules: Class D amplifier modules (May 2019)
  • El Cheapo Modules: Long Range (LoRa) Transceivers (June 2019)
  • El Cheapo Modules: Long Range (LoRa) Transceivers (June 2019)
  • El Cheapo Modules: AD584 Precision Voltage References (July 2019)
  • El Cheapo Modules: AD584 Precision Voltage References (July 2019)
  • Three I-O Expanders to give you more control! (November 2019)
  • Three I-O Expanders to give you more control! (November 2019)
  • El Cheapo modules: “Intelligent” 8x8 RGB LED Matrix (January 2020)
  • El Cheapo modules: “Intelligent” 8x8 RGB LED Matrix (January 2020)
  • El Cheapo modules: 8-channel USB Logic Analyser (February 2020)
  • El Cheapo modules: 8-channel USB Logic Analyser (February 2020)
  • New w-i-d-e-b-a-n-d RTL-SDR modules (May 2020)
  • New w-i-d-e-b-a-n-d RTL-SDR modules (May 2020)
  • New w-i-d-e-b-a-n-d RTL-SDR modules, Part 2 (June 2020)
  • New w-i-d-e-b-a-n-d RTL-SDR modules, Part 2 (June 2020)
  • El Cheapo Modules: Mini Digital Volt/Amp Panel Meters (December 2020)
  • El Cheapo Modules: Mini Digital Volt/Amp Panel Meters (December 2020)
  • El Cheapo Modules: Mini Digital AC Panel Meters (January 2021)
  • El Cheapo Modules: Mini Digital AC Panel Meters (January 2021)
  • El Cheapo Modules: LCR-T4 Digital Multi-Tester (February 2021)
  • El Cheapo Modules: LCR-T4 Digital Multi-Tester (February 2021)
  • El Cheapo Modules: USB-PD chargers (July 2021)
  • El Cheapo Modules: USB-PD chargers (July 2021)
  • El Cheapo Modules: USB-PD Triggers (August 2021)
  • El Cheapo Modules: USB-PD Triggers (August 2021)
  • El Cheapo Modules: 3.8GHz Digital Attenuator (October 2021)
  • El Cheapo Modules: 3.8GHz Digital Attenuator (October 2021)
  • El Cheapo Modules: 6GHz Digital Attenuator (November 2021)
  • El Cheapo Modules: 6GHz Digital Attenuator (November 2021)
  • El Cheapo Modules: 35MHz-4.4GHz Signal Generator (December 2021)
  • El Cheapo Modules: 35MHz-4.4GHz Signal Generator (December 2021)
  • El Cheapo Modules: LTDZ Spectrum Analyser (January 2022)
  • El Cheapo Modules: LTDZ Spectrum Analyser (January 2022)
  • Low-noise HF-UHF Amplifiers (February 2022)
  • Low-noise HF-UHF Amplifiers (February 2022)
  • A Gesture Recognition Module (March 2022)
  • A Gesture Recognition Module (March 2022)
  • Air Quality Sensors (May 2022)
  • Air Quality Sensors (May 2022)
  • MOS Air Quality Sensors (June 2022)
  • MOS Air Quality Sensors (June 2022)
  • PAS CO2 Air Quality Sensor (July 2022)
  • PAS CO2 Air Quality Sensor (July 2022)
  • Particulate Matter (PM) Sensors (November 2022)
  • Particulate Matter (PM) Sensors (November 2022)
  • Heart Rate Sensor Module (February 2023)
  • Heart Rate Sensor Module (February 2023)
  • UVM-30A UV Light Sensor (May 2023)
  • UVM-30A UV Light Sensor (May 2023)
  • VL6180X Rangefinding Module (July 2023)
  • VL6180X Rangefinding Module (July 2023)
  • pH Meter Module (September 2023)
  • pH Meter Module (September 2023)
  • 1.3in Monochrome OLED Display (October 2023)
  • 1.3in Monochrome OLED Display (October 2023)
  • 16-bit precision 4-input ADC (November 2023)
  • 16-bit precision 4-input ADC (November 2023)
  • 1-24V USB Power Supply (October 2024)
  • 1-24V USB Power Supply (October 2024)
  • 14-segment, 4-digit LED Display Modules (November 2024)
  • 0.91-inch OLED Screen (November 2024)
  • 0.91-inch OLED Screen (November 2024)
  • 14-segment, 4-digit LED Display Modules (November 2024)
  • The Quason VL6180X laser rangefinder module (January 2025)
  • TCS230 Colour Sensor (January 2025)
  • The Quason VL6180X laser rangefinder module (January 2025)
  • TCS230 Colour Sensor (January 2025)
  • Using Electronic Modules: 1-24V Adjustable USB Power Supply (February 2025)
  • Using Electronic Modules: 1-24V Adjustable USB Power Supply (February 2025)
Items relevant to "Giving the Ultrasonic Theremin A Volume Control":
  • Firmware (.ino and .c) files for Giving the Ultrasonic Theremin a Volume Control (Software, Free)
Articles in this series:
  • Arduino-Based Digital Theremin (December 2016)
  • Arduino-Based Digital Theremin (December 2016)
  • Giving the Ultrasonic Theremin A Volume Control (January 2017)
  • Giving the Ultrasonic Theremin A Volume Control (January 2017)

Purchase a printed copy of this issue for $10.00.

Contents Vol.30, No.1; January 2017 SILICON CHIP www.siliconchip.com.au Features 16 Pumped Storage Hydroelectricity With the headlong rush of some Australian states to sacrifice anything to do with fossil-fuelled power generation, Pumped Storage Hydroelectricity could possibly overcome the intermittency of renewables – by Dr David Maddison 26 Viewing Radio Waves In Colour Astro researchers at WA’s Murchison Square Kilometre Array are assigning colours to radio waves from the deepest of deep space – by Ross Tester Pumped Storage Hydro Electricity – Page 16. 69 Using Breadboards – They Make Development Easy! Using plug-in breadboards (or protoboards) to develop and debug circuits can save a lot of tears! – by Ross Tester 82 Real-Time System Modelling Using Arduino to model faults in servos in real time – by Karthik Srinivasan 86 Set-top Boxes Make Great (Cheap!) PVRs Digital set-top boxes, intended to allow digital TV reception on analog TV sets, also make great personal video recorders with a USB stick – by Jim Rowe Projects To Build 28 New SC200 Audio Amplifier This module replaces the venerable SC480 amp. It’s not only high performance – 200W of grunt and very low noise and distortion – it’s also easy to build with NO tiny SMD devices to worry about – by Nicholas Vinen and Leo Simpson SC200 Audio Amplifier – Page 28. 36 High Power DC Motor Speed Control Want to accurately control the speed of a DC motor? Not only does this new controller handle motors from 12 to 60V, at currents of up to 40A, it also caters for both high side and low side switching – Design by John Clarke 62 Programming The ATtiny85 With An Arduino Atmel’s ATtiny85 is cheap and easy to adapt to give your project a digital control. But how do you program it? With an Arduino and a personal computer, it really is child’s play! – by Lawrence Billson 12-60V, 40A DC Motor Speed Controller – Page 36 72 El Cheapo Modules From Asia - Part 3 Several low-cost computer interface modules to play with! – by Jim Rowe 80 Giving The Ultrasonic Theremin A Volume Control Last month we introduced you to the Theremin using an ultrasonic transmitter and receiver to control pitch. Now we go one step further and give it volume control, again using ultrasonics – by Bao Smith Special Columns More el-cheapo modules to play with – Page 72 43 Serviceman’s Log When spare parts aren’t around – by Dave Thompson 57 Circuit Notebook (1) LoRa remote repeater for long-range digital communication (2) Two serial multiplexers (3) Improved PICAXE Wireless Rain Alarm 90 Vintage Radio Pye 1951 5-Valve Model APJ-Modified – by Associate Professor Graham Parslow Departments 2 Publisher’s Letter siliconchip.com.au 4 Mailbag 71 Product Showcase 95 Ask Silicon Chip 100 103 104 104 SC Online Shop   Market Centre Advertising Index Notes & Errata Want a PVR? Use an STB! – Page 86. January 2017  1 January 2017  1