Silicon ChipPartShop - November 2020 SILICON CHIP
  1. Outer Front Cover
  2. Contents
  3. Publisher's Letter: Why is electronics male-dominated?
  4. Feature: MEMS (Micro-Electromechanical Systems) by Dr David Maddison
  5. Project: Eight Small LED Christmas Ornaments by Tim Blythman
  6. PartShop
  7. Project: Two Large LED Christmas Stars by Barry Cullen & Tim Blythman
  8. Project: Balanced Input Attenuator for the USB SuperCodec by Phil Prosser
  9. Serviceman's Log: One repair leads to another by Dave Thompson
  10. Vintage Radio: RCA BP-10 "miniature" valve portable radio by Ian Batty
  11. Feature: A Rundown on New 8-pin PIC Microcontrollers by Tim Blythman
  12. Feature: The Vintage Matrox ALT-512 Graphics Card by Hugo Holden
  13. Project: Flexible Digital Lighting Controller, part 2 by Tim Blythman
  14. Feature: Electronic ‘Wearables’ and the Jaycar Sparkle Stitch by Tim Blythman & Nicholas Vinen
  15. Market Centre
  16. Advertising Index
  17. Notes & Errata: USB SuperCodec, August-October 2020; History of the Australian GPO, September 2020; Shirt Pocket Oscillator, September 2020; Frequency Reference Signal Distributor, April 2020; 45V 8A Linear Bench Supply, October-December 2019
  18. Outer Back Cover

This is only a preview of the November 2020 issue of Silicon Chip.

You can view 44 of the 112 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 "Eight Small LED Christmas Ornaments":
  • Tiny LED Cap PCB [16111193] (AUD $3.00)
  • Tiny LED Stocking PCB [16111194] (AUD $3.00)
  • Tiny LED Reindeer PCB [16111195] (AUD $3.00)
  • Tiny LED Bauble PCB [16111196] (AUD $3.00)
  • Tiny LED Sleigh PCB [16111197] (AUD $3.00)
  • Tiny LED Star PCB [16111198] (AUD $3.00)
  • Tiny LED Candy Cane PCB [16111199] (AUD $3.00)
  • PIC12F1572-I/SN (or equivalent) programmed for the Tiny LED Christmas Ornaments (Programmed Microcontroller, AUD $10.00)
  • Tiny LED Christmas Ornament complete kit (Component, AUD $15.00)
  • Firmware for the LED Christmas Ornaments (Software, Free)
  • Eight Tiny LED Xmas Ornament PCB patterns (PDF download) [16111191-16111199] (Free)
Articles in this series:
  • Eight Small LED Christmas Ornaments (November 2020)
  • Eight Small LED Christmas Ornaments (November 2020)
  • Christmas LED Icicle Decoration (November 2022)
  • Christmas LED Icicle Decoration (November 2022)
Items relevant to "Two Large LED Christmas Stars":
  • Stackable LED Star PCB [16109201] (AUD $12.50)
  • RGB Stackable LED Star PCB [16109202] (AUD $15.00)
  • ATmega328P-AUR or ATmega88PB-AUR programmed for the RGB Stackable LED Star [1620920A.HEX or 1620920B.HEX] (Programmed Microcontroller, AUD $10.00)
  • Kit for the RGB Stackable LED Christmas Star (Component, AUD $40.00)
  • Firmware for the 30 RGB LED Xmas Star (Software, Free)
  • RGB Stackable LED Star PCB pattern (PDF download) [16209202] (Free)
  • Stackable LED Star PCB pattern (PDF download) [16109201] (Free)
Items relevant to "Balanced Input Attenuator for the USB SuperCodec":
  • USB SuperCodec PCB [01106201] (AUD $12.50)
  • USB SuperCodec Balanced Input Attenuator add-on PCB [01106202] (AUD $7.50)
  • Parts source grid for the USB SuperCodec (Software, Free)
  • USB SuperCodec PCB pattern (PDF download) [01106201] (Free)
  • USB SuperCodec Balanced Input Attenuator add-on PCB pattern (PDF download) [01106202] (Free)
  • USB SuperCodec front panel artwork (PDF download) (Free)
  • Drilling and cutting diagrams for the USB SuperCodec Balanced Input Attenuator (PDF download) (Panel Artwork, Free)
Articles in this series:
  • USB SuperCodec (August 2020)
  • USB SuperCodec (August 2020)
  • USB SuperCodec – part two (September 2020)
  • USB SuperCodec – part two (September 2020)
  • USB SuperCodec – part three (October 2020)
  • USB SuperCodec – part three (October 2020)
  • Balanced Input Attenuator for the USB SuperCodec (November 2020)
  • Balanced Input Attenuator for the USB SuperCodec (November 2020)
  • Balanced Input Attenuator for the USB SuperCodec, Part 2 (December 2020)
  • Balanced Input Attenuator for the USB SuperCodec, Part 2 (December 2020)
Articles in this series:
  • The Matrox ALT-256 Graphics Card (October 2020)
  • The Matrox ALT-256 Graphics Card (October 2020)
  • The Vintage Matrox ALT-512 Graphics Card (November 2020)
  • The Vintage Matrox ALT-512 Graphics Card (November 2020)
Items relevant to "Flexible Digital Lighting Controller, part 2":
  • Flexible Digital Lighting Controller main PCB [16110202] (AUD $20.00)
  • Flexible Digital Lighting Controller Micromite Master PCB [16110201] (AUD $5.00)
  • Flexible Digital Lighting Controller CP2102 Adaptor PCB [16110204] (AUD $2.50)
  • Flexible Digital Lighting Controller LED slave PCB [16110205] (AUD $5.00)
  • PIC16F1705-I/P programmed for the Flexible Digital Lighting Controller [1611020A.HEX] (Programmed Microcontroller, AUD $10.00)
  • PIC32MX170F256B-50I/SP programmed for the Flexible Digital Lighting Controller Micromite master [1611020B.hex] (Programmed Microcontroller, AUD $15.00)
  • PIC16F1455-I/P programmed for the Flexible Digital Lighting Controller WS2812 Slave [16110205.HEX] (Programmed Microcontroller, AUD $10.00)
  • Si8751AB 2.5kV isolated Mosfet driver with integral power supply (Component, AUD $10.00)
  • Micromite LCD BackPack V3 complete kit (Component, AUD $75.00)
  • Hard-to-get parts for the Flexible Digital Lighting Controller (Component, AUD $100.00)
  • Flexible Digital Lighting Controller front panel PCB [16110203] (AUD $20.00)
  • Firmware and software for the Fiexible Digital Lighting Controller (Free)
  • Firmware and PC software for the Digital Lighting Controller [1611010A.HEX] (Free)
  • Flexible Digital Lighting Controller mains slave PCB patterns (PDF download) [16110202-3] (Free)
  • Flexible Digital Lighting Controller Master PCB patterns (PDF download) [16110201, 16110204] (Free)
  • Flexible Digital Lighting Controller LED slave PCB pattern (PDF download) [16110205] (Free)
  • Drilling and cutting diagrams for the Flexible Digital Lighting Controller Micromite master (PDF download) (Panel Artwork, Free)
  • Cutting diagram for the Flexible Digital Lighting Controller mains slave rear panel (PDF download) (Panel Artwork, Free)
  • Cutting diagrams and front panel artwork for the Flexible Digital Lighting Controller LED slave (PDF download) (Free)
  • Matte/Gloss Black UB3 Lid for Micromite LCD BackPack V3 or Pico BackPack using 3.5in screen (PCB, AUD $5.00)
Articles in this series:
  • Flexible Digital Lighting Controller, part 1 (October 2020)
  • Flexible Digital Lighting Controller, part 1 (October 2020)
  • Flexible Digital Lighting Controller, part 2 (November 2020)
  • Flexible Digital Lighting Controller, part 2 (November 2020)
  • Flexible Digital Lighting Controller, part 3 (December 2020)
  • Flexible Digital Lighting Controller, part 3 (December 2020)
  • Digital Lighting Controller Translator (December 2021)
  • Digital Lighting Controller Translator (December 2021)

Purchase a printed copy of this issue for $10.00.

SILICON CHIP .com.au/shop ONLINESHOP PCBs, CASE PIECES AND PANELS THERMAL REGULATOR INTERFACE SHIELD ↳ PELTIER DRIVER SHIELD DIY REFLOW OVEN CONTROLLER (SET OF 3 PCBS) 7-BAND MONO EQUALISER ↳ STEREO EQUALISER REFERENCE SIGNAL DISTRIBUTOR H-FIELD TRANSANALYSER CAR ALTIMETER RCL BOX RESISTOR BOARD ↳ CAPACITOR / INDUCTOR BOARD ROADIES’ TEST GENERATOR SMD VERSION ↳ THROUGH-HOLE VERSION COLOUR MAXIMITE 2 PCB (BLUE) ↳ FRONT & REAR PANELS (BLACK) OL’ TIMER II PCB (RED, BLUE OR BLACK) ↳ ACRYLIC CASE PIECES / SPACER (BLACK) IR REMOTE CONTROL ASSISTANT PCB (JAYCAR) ↳ ALTRONICS VERSION MAR20 MAR20 APR20 APR20 APR20 APR20 MAY20 MAY20 JUN20 JUN20 JUN20 JUN20 JUL20 JUL20 JUL20 JUL20 JUL20 JUL20 21109181 21109182 01106193/5/6 01104201 01104202 CSE200103 06102201 05105201 04104201 04104202 01005201 01005202 07107201 SC5500 19104201 SC5448 15005201 15005202 Subscribers get a 10% discount on all orders for parts $5.00 $5.00 $12.50 $7.50 $7.50 $7.50 $10.00 $5.00 $7.50 $7.50 $2.50 $5.00 $10.00 $10.00 $5.00 $7.50 $5.00 $5.00 USB SUPERCODEC SWITCHMODE 78XX REPLACEMENT WIDEBAND DIGITAL RF POWER METER ULTRASONIC CLEANER MAIN PCB ↳ FRONT PANEL NIGHT KEEPER LIGHTHOUSE SHIRT POCKET AUDIO OSCILLATOR ↳ 8-PIN ATtiny PROGRAMMING ADAPTOR D1 MINI LCD WIFI BACKPACK FLEXIBLE DIGITAL LIGHTING CONTROLLER SLAVE ↳ FRONT PANEL (BLACK) AUG20 AUG20 AUG20 SEP20 SEP20 SEP20 SEP20 SEP20 OCT20 OCT20 OCT20 01106201 18105201 04106201 04105201 04105202 08110201 01110201 01110202 24106121 16110202 16110203 $12.50 $2.50 $5.00 $7.50 $5.00 $5.00 $2.50 $1.50 $5.00 $20.00 $20.00 LED XMAS ORNAMENTS 30 LED STACKABLE STAR ↳ RGB VERSION (BLACK) SUPERCODEC BALANCED ATTENUATOR DIGITAL LIGHTING MICROMITE MASTER ↳ CP2102 ADAPTOR NOV20 NOV20 NOV20 NOV20 NOV20 NOV20 SEE P31 16109201 16109202 01106202 16110201 16110204 $3.00ea $12.50 $12.50 $7.50 $5.00 $2.50 NEW PCBs PRE-PROGRAMMED MICROS As a service to readers, Silicon Chip Online Shop stocks microcontrollers and microprocessors used in new projects (from 2012 on) and some selected older projects – pre-programmed and ready to fly! Some micros from copyrighted and/or contributed projects may not be available. $10 MICROS ATmega328P-PU ATmega328P-AUR ATtiny85V-10PU PIC10F202-E/OT PIC12F1572-I/SN PIC12F617-I/P PIC12F675-I/SN PIC16F1455-I/P PIC16F1455-I/SL PIC16F1459-I/P PIC16F1705-I/P PIC16F88-I/P $15 MICROS RF Signal Generator (Jun19) RGB Stackable LED Christmas Star (Nov20) Shirt Pocket Audio Oscillator (Sep20) Ultrabrite LED Driver (with free TC6502P095VCT IC, Sep19) LED Christmas Ornaments (Nov20; specify variant) Door Alarm (Aug18), Steam Whistle (Sept18), White Noise (Sept18) Trailing Edge Dimmer (Feb19), Steering Wheel to IR Adaptor (Jun19) Car Radio Dimmer Adaptor (Aug19) Tiny LED Xmas Tree (Nov19) Microbridge (May17), USB Flexitimer (June18), Digital Interface Module (Nov18), GPS Finesaver (Jun19) Ol’ Timer II (Jul20) 5-Way LCD Panel Meter (Nov19), IR Remote Control Assistant (Jul20) Ultrasonic Cleaner (Sep20) Flexible Digital Lighting Controller Slave (Oct20) UHF Repeater (May19), Six Input Audio Selector (Sept19) Universal Battery Charge Controller (Dec19) PIC16F1459-I/SO Four-Channel DC Fan & Pump Controller (Dec18) PIC16F877A-I/P 6-Digit GPS Clock (May09), 16-bit Digital Pot (Jul10), Semtest (Feb12) PIC32MM0256GPM028-I/SS Super Digital Sound Effects (Aug18) PIC32MX170F256D-501P/T 44-pin Micromite Mk2 (Aug14), 4DoF Simulation Seat (Sept19) PIC32MX170F256B-50I/SP Micromite LCD BackPack V1-V3 (Feb16 / May17 / Aug19) GPS-Synched Frequency Reference (Nov18), Air Quality Monitor (Feb20) RCL Box (Jun20), Digital Lighting Controller Micromite Master (Nov20) PIC32MX270F256B-50I/SP ASCII Video Terminal (Jul14), USB M&K Adaptor (Feb19) $20 MICROS PIC32MX470F512H-I/PT Stereo Echo/Reverb (Feb 14), Digital Effects Unit (Oct14) PIC32MX470F512H-120/PT Micromite Explore 64 (Aug 16), Micromite Plus (Nov16) PIC32MX470F512L-120/PT Micromite Explore 100 (Sept16) $30 MICROS PIC32MX695F512L-80I/PF PIC32MZ2048EFH064-I/PT Colour MaxiMite (Sept12) DSP Crossover/Equaliser (May19), Low-Distortion DDS (Feb20) DIY Reflow Oven Controller (Apr20) KITS & SPECIALISED COMPONENTS LED CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS (CAT SC5579) (NOV 20) Complete kit including programmed micro but no coin cell (specify PCB shape & colour) $14.00 SWITCHMODE 78XX KIT (CAT SC5553) (AUG 20) RGB STACKABLE LED CHRISTMAS STAR (CAT SC5525) (NOV 20) DCC BASE STATION HARD-TO-GET PARTS (CAT SC5260) (JAN 20) FLEXIBLE DIGITAL LIGHTING CONTROLLER (CAT SC5636) (OCT 20) MICROMITE EXPLORE-28 (CAT SC5121) (SEP 19) Complete kit including PCB, programmed micro, diffused RGB LEDs and other parts 4 x Si8751AB ICs, 8 x S1HB15N60E-GE3 Mosfets, switchmode converter module, 6N137 opto, high-voltage resistors and capacitors plus SMD LEDs. $100.00 D1 MINI LCD WIFI BACKPACK (OCT 20) SHIRT POCKET AUDIO OSCILLATOR (SEP 20) ULTRASONIC CLEANER (SEP 20) COLOUR MAXIMITE 2 (JUL 20) Complete kit including 3.5-inch touchscreen, PCB and ESP8266-based module Kit: including 3D-printed case, and everything else except the battery and wiring - 64x32 pixel white OLED (0.49-inch/12.5mm diagonal) - Pulse-type rotary encoder with integral pushbutton 40kHz 50W ultrasonic transducer (Cat SC5629) ETD29 transformer components + three Mosfets (Q1-2,Q6) (Cat SC5632) Short form kit: includes everything except the case, CPU module, power supply, optional parts and cables (SC5478) Short Form kit (with CPU module): includes the programmed Waveshare CPU modue and everything included in the short form kit above (SC5508) $38.50 $70.00 $40.00 $10.00 $3.00 $54.90 $35.00 $80.00 $140.00 Includes PCB and all onboard parts (choice of 3.3V, 5V, 8V, 9V, 12V & 15V versions) Two BTN8962TA motor driver ICs & one 6N137 opto-isolator Complete kit – includes PCB plus programmed micros and all onboard parts Programmed micros – PIC32MX170F256B-50I/SO + PIC16F1455-I/SL VARIOUS MODULES & PARTS - 16x2 I2C LCD (Digital RF Power Meter, Aug20) - DS3231 real-time clock SMD IC (Ol’ Timer II, Jul20) - WS2812 8x8 RGB LED matrix module (Ol’ Timer II, Jul20) - MAX038 function generator IC (H-Field Transanalyser, May20) - MC1496P double-balanced mixer (H-Field Transanalyser, May20) - AD8495 thermocouple interface (DIY Reflow Oven Controller, Apr20) - Si8751AB 2.5kV isolated Mosfet driver IC (Charge Controller, Dec19) - I/O expander modules (Nov19): PCA9685 – $6.00 ¦ PCF8574 – $3.00 ¦ MCP23017 – $3.00 - SMD 1206 LEDs, packets of 10 unless stated otherwise (Tiny LED Xmas Tree, Nov19): yellow – $0.70 ¦ amber – $0.70 ¦ blue – $0.70 ¦ cyan – $1.00 ¦ pink (1 only) – $0.20 - ISD1820-based voice recorder / playback module (Junk Mail, Aug19) - 23LCV1024-I/P SRAM & MCP73831T (UHF Repeater, May19) - MCP1700 3.3V LDO regulator (suitable for USB M&K Adapator, Feb19) - LM4865MX amplifier & LF50CV regulator (Tinnitus/Insomnia Killer, Nov18) - 2.8-inch touchscreen LCD module with SD card socket (Tide Clock, Jul18) $12.50 $30.00 $30.00 $20.00 $7.50 $3.00 $15.00 $25.00 $2.50 $10.00 $5.00 $4.00 $11.50 $1.50 $10.00 $22.50 $10 flat rate for postage within Australia. Overseas? Place an order via our website for a quote. All items subect to availability. Prices valid for month of magazine issue only. All prices in Australian dollars and included GST where applicable. To Place Your Order: INTERNET (24/7) PAYPAL (24/7) eMAIL (24/7) MAIL (24/7) PHONE – (9-5:00, Mon-Fri) siliconchip.com.au/Shop Use your PayPal account silicon<at>siliconchip.com.au silicon<at>siliconchip.com.au Your order to PO Box 139 Collaroy NSW 2097 Call (02) 9939 3295 with with order & credit card details You can also order and pay by cheque/money order (Orders by mail only). Make cheques payable to Silicon Chip Publications. 11/20