Contents
Vol.31, No.9; September 2018
SILICON
CHIP
www.siliconchip.com.au
Features & Reviews
14 Augmented GNSS promises accuracy down to mm!
You might think your GPS is pretty accurate but it’s nowhere near good enough
for applications like self-driving cars and landing planes. Augmented GNSS is
already down to cm accuracy and promises more – by Dr David Maddison
41 ElectroneX Feature
A selection of what you’ll see at this month’s ElectroneX show in Sydney, 5-6
September at Rosehill Function Centre. You can still get free tickets if you hurry
86 El Cheapo modules Part 19 – Arduino NFC Shield
You can use this near-field communication shield to communicate with other
NFC-equipped devices like smartphones and RFID tags – by Jim Rowe
90 Review: PICkit 4 in-circuit programmer
We take an in-depth look at the latest PICkit and examine the differences (and
improvements!) over previous PICkits – by Tim Blythman
Constructional Projects
24 Dipole guitar/PA speaker without a box!
We must admit, we were skeptical . . . until we plugged in a guitar and amp . . .
Wow! Plenty of grunt, sounds great – and you should be able to build one in
just a few hours (no special tools required) – by Allan Linton-Smith
32 Digital white noise generator
There are many applications calling for white noise – the sssshhhhh you hear of
an FM receiver tuned off a station. It’s used in a lot of test situations and it can
even help you sleep. We’re using it to make a steam sound – by John Clarke
Augmented GNSS (of which
GPS is but one variant) uses
multiple methods to correct errors,
making navigation systems very
much more accurate – Page 14
It’s so easy to build –
and you (and your
friends) won’t
believe how great
this “no box”
guitar/PA speaker
can sound. Suits
all “axe” levels from
beginners to legends!
– Page 24
34 Steam loco or diesel engine sound effects module
This one’s strictly for the model train buffs out there! It produces nothing else
but the authentic sould of a steam train whistle or its modern-day diesel
equivalent. We even had one enthusiast want it for a door bell! – by John Clarke
72 Add wireless remote to your motorised garage door
If you’ve never had a push-button remote control for your garage door you don’t
know what you’re missing! Or perhaps your existing remote control is lost or has
failed. Here’s how to make and wire in a new remote control – by Ross Tester
78 Super sound effects module – Part 2
It’s different to the above module – this one can play virtually ANY sound effect,
or music, or speech, or anything else YOU record on an SD card. This month
we’re finishing construction and showing you how it’s used – by Tim Blythman
Your Favourite Columns
61 Serviceman’s Log
The aircon that nearly made me lose my cool! – by Dave Thompson
94 Circuit Notebook
(1) Guitar preamp with JFETs to emulate valve sound
(2) The Coober Pedy opal miner game
(3) Empty tank warning indicator
98 Vintage Radio
The Ekco Gondola RM 204 Mantel Radio – by Graham Parslow
Everything Else!
2 Editorial Viewpoint
106 Ask SILICON CHIP
4 Mailbag – Your Feedback 111 Market Centre
siliconchip.com.au
Australia’s electronics magazine
52 Product Showcase
112 Advertising Index
104 SILICON CHIP Online Shop 112 Notes and Errata
What’s your favourite – old-time
steam engines or diesel locos?
You can have the authentic sound
of both with our new train sound
effects project! – Page 34
2018 is Sydney’s
turn for this
annual expo –
the only one in Australia dedicated
to the electronics industry – Page 41
Lost your
garage door
remote? Or
maybe you
never had one!
Here’s the lowcost solution
– Page 72
September 2018 1
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