Silicon ChipProduct Showcase - July 2018 SILICON CHIP
  1. Outer Front Cover
  2. Contents
  3. Publisher's Letter: Don’t be ripped off by your smart meter
  4. Feature: The farm of the future . . . Part II by Ross Tester
  5. Feature: Revolutionary: the Philips Compact Cassette by Ian Batty
  6. Project: Super Clock now shows your electricity tariff by Tim Blythman
  7. Serviceman's Log: Valve repairs are not for the inexperienced by Dave Thompson
  8. Review: The latest Raspberry Pi – the Model 3 B+ by Tim Blythman
  9. Project: Raspberry Pi Tide Chart by Tim Blythman
  10. Project: How’s your memory? Build the Event Reminder by John Clarke
  11. Project: 800W (+) Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) Part III by Duraid Madina and Tim Blythman
  12. Feature: El Cheapo: 500MHz frequency counter and preamp by Jim Rowe
  13. Vintage Radio: The 6-transistor Motorola 66T1 by Ian Batty
  14. Product Showcase
  15. PartShop
  16. Market Centre
  17. Advertising Index
  18. Notes & Errata: AM Radio Transmitter
  19. Outer Back Cover: Hare & Forbes Machineryhouse

This is only a preview of the July 2018 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.

Articles in this series:
  • AgBots – robots working on the farm of tomorrow! (June 2018)
  • AgBots – robots working on the farm of tomorrow! (June 2018)
  • The farm of the future . . . Part II (July 2018)
  • The farm of the future . . . Part II (July 2018)
Items relevant to "Super Clock now shows your electricity tariff":
  • PIC32MX170F256B-50I/SP programmed for the Tariff Super Clock [SuperTariffClock.hex] (Programmed Microcontroller, AUD $15.00)
  • VK2828U7G5LF TTL GPS/GLONASS/GALILEO module with antenna and cable (Component, AUD $25.00)
  • Micromite LCD BackPack V2 complete kit (Component, AUD $70.00)
  • Firmware (HEX) files and BASIC source code for the Micromite-based Tariff Super Clock [v2] (Software, Free)
Items relevant to "Raspberry Pi Tide Chart":
  • Raspberry Pi 2.8-inch Touchscreen Display Adaptor PCB [24108181] (AUD $5.00)
  • 2.8-inch TFT Touchscreen LCD module with SD card socket (Component, AUD $25.00)
  • Software for the Raspberry Pi Tide Chart (Free)
  • Raspberry Pi 2.8-inch Touchscreen Display Adaptor PCB pattern (PDF download) [24108181] (Free)
Items relevant to "How’s your memory? Build the Event Reminder":
  • Recurring Event Reminder PCB [19107181] (AUD $5.00)
  • PIC12F617-I/P programmed for the Recurring Event Reminder [1910718A.HEX] (Programmed Microcontroller, AUD $10.00)
  • Firmware (ASM and HEX) files for the Recurring Event Reminder [1910718A.HEX] (Software, Free)
  • Recurring Event Reminder PCB pattern (PDF download) [19107181] (Free)
Items relevant to "800W (+) Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) Part III":
  • 800W+ Uninterruptible Power Supply control shield PCB [11106181] (AUD $5.00)
  • Arduino Sketches (.ino) and library for the 800W+ Uninterruptable Power Supply (Software, Free)
  • 800W+ Uninterruptible Power Supply control shield PCB pattern (PDF download) [11106181] (Free)
  • 800W+ Uninterruptible Power Supply front panel artwork (PDF download) (Free)
Articles in this series:
  • 800W (+) Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) (May 2018)
  • 800W (+) Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) (May 2018)
  • 800W (+) Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) Part II (June 2018)
  • 800W (+) Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) Part II (June 2018)
  • 800W (+) Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) Part III (July 2018)
  • 800W (+) Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) Part III (July 2018)
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)

Purchase a printed copy of this issue for $10.00.

PRODUCT SHOWCASE Custom-manufactured rechargeable lithium batteries Premier Batteries specialise in the custom manufacture of rechargeable lithium batteries; both lithium-ion and lithium-iron-phosphate. Shown at right is a recent development: a 120V DC, 14Ah lithium ion battery in a small portable plastic case. This battery, designed to supply up to 20 amps, weighs only 8.5kg and replaces 10 sealed-lead-acid batteries weighing 43kg. It is easy to carry and fully charges in 5 hours. Manufactured with high-capacity Sanyo cells, it is complete with protection circuit and charger. The high power and light weight of lithium batteries has opened up many new opportunities for engineering designers and the demand for lithium batteries has increased substantially in recent years. They are often difficult to import so local custom manufacture fills a vital and increasing need. MDO vs. Swept Tuned Spectrum Analyser Contact: Premier Batteries Pty Ltd 9/15 Childs Rd Chipping Norton 2170 Tel: (02) 9755 1845 Web: www.premierbatteries.com.au New RHT-Climate from Novus Automation Nowadays, with congestion in the spectrum, the traditional swept-tuned analyser is incapable of capturing all the different types of signal, such as wideband and transient. With the introduction of the Mixed Domain Oscilloscope, you can now have exceptional real-time wideband capture up to 3GHz, correlation to any analog waveform or digital bus transactions giving you a better insight on what is causing the failure (see reviews in Nov11 and May14 issues). Tektronix 6-in-1 Mixed Domain Oscilloscope MDO has integrated a real hardware-based Vector Signal Analyser (VSA) to offer real-time time and frequency domains signal correlations that no other type of instrument can. It offers up to 3GHz real-time spectral analysis capture bandwidth at Contact: -149dBm/Hz DANL Tektronix Southeast Asia Pte Ltd together with 1GHz 1 Clementi Loop #06-02 | Singapore 129808 time-domain analog, Tel (Aust No): 1800-709-465 digital signals capWeb: https://www.tek.com/ ture at 5GS/s. Wi t h a w i d e b a c k light display and distinctive design, the RHT-Climate is a humidity and temperature transmitter that provides accurate measurements of ambient temperature ±0.2°C (0°C to +60°C) and humidity ±1.8%. It calculates in real time seven psychrometric properties: • Dew Point Temperature • Wet Bulb Temperature • Absolute Humidity • Frost Point Temperature • Specific Enthalpy • Partial Vapor Pressure • Mixing Ratio All variables are available by current (4-20mA) or voltage (010V) output signals or by RS485 Modbus RTU communication. The RHT-Climate also has two digital outputs and one embedded buzzer. The digital outputs can be used as alarms or to control heating/cooling and drying/humidifying equipment. NXperience software and USB connection allow the analog outputs to be modified. Therefore, simulations of Contact: temperature and humidity Ocean Controls change can be carried out 44 Frankston Gardens Dve, during commissioning of Carrum Downs, Vic 3201 your PLC, BAS or SCADA Tel: (03) 9708 3290 Website: oceancontrols.com.au system. Returns to Sydney; September 5&6 Australia’s only dedicated trade event for the electronics industry will this year be held in Sydney. The expo is now in its 9th year and alternates annually between Sydney and Melbourne. With over 90 exhibitors and a technical conference plus free seminars featuring leading international and local industry experts, this is a must-see event for decision makers, enthusiasts and engineers siliconchip.com.au designing or working with electronics. Attendees can pre-register for free at www.electronex.com.au This year’s event will feature a host of new product releases as well as advanced manufacturing solutions, as Australian companies embrace the move towards niche and specialised manufacturing applications. 2016 Electronex Sydney attracted over 1200 electronics design professionals, including electronic and electrical engineers, technicians and management, along with IT Australia’s electronics magazine and communications professionals, defence, government and service techs. For further information, contact: Noel Gray, Australasian Exhibitions and Events Pty Ltd Tel: 03 96762133 Email: ngray<at>auexhibitions.com.au July 2018  95