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Contents Vol.36, No.08 August 2023 14 High-Altitude Aerial Platforms High-altitude platform stations (HAPS) fly above most planes and are utilised for observation and communication. They are especially useful when it would be too prohibitive to organise a satellite, and they can even be launched by amateurs/hobbyists. By Dr David Maddison Technology feature 46 The Electrical Grid Australia’s electrical grid operates as several isolated systems rather than a single distribution network. This article covers how the grid is managed between the states via the interconnectors and the role of the NEM. By Brandon Speedie Electricity generation & distribution 66 RadioFest 2023 The Historical Radio Society of Australia (HRSA) is hosting Australia’s largest radio exhibition in Melbourne this year on September 16th and 17th. By Kevin Poulter Vintage radio event 80 An interview with DigiKey We had the opportunity to interview DigiKey’s Vice President of the AsiaPacific region, Tony Ng, about the future and history of the company. By Silicon Chip Interview 30 The WebMite The WebMite is a Raspberry Pi Pico W with MMBasic, WiFi and regular internet connectivity. It can be used to implement a web server, check the weather, send emails, transfer files using TFTP and more. By Geoff Graham & Peter Mather Raspberry Pi Pico W feature 36 Watering System Controller By using the WebMite, you can build an advanced Watering System Controller that does it all! It has individual scheduling depending on the season, checks the weather forecast before running and can alert you to a burst pipe or blocked sprinkler. By Geoff Graham Reticulation system project 54 Arduino-based LC & ESR Meter This project is an enhanced version of our previous LC Meter allowing it to also measure capacitor ESR. It can be built as a standalone PCB, or as an add-on to the original project. By Steve Matthysen Test & measurement project 68 Calibrated Measurement Mic If you can’t justify the cost of a fancy microphone, or need several tailored mics, then this phantom-powered, balanced and calibrated microphone is for you! You can choose from multiple different microphone capsules that can be calibrated to produce an almost flat response. By Phil Prosser Audio project Watering System Controller Page 36 Arduino–based LC and ESR METER Page 54 Page 68: a low-cost, calibrated Measurement Microphone 2 Editorial Viewpoint 5 Mailbag 29 Subscriptions 82 Serviceman’s Log 90 Circuit Notebook 94 Vintage Radio 1. dsPIC-based audio spectrum analyser 2. USB power board 3. Cases for the Advanced Test Tweezers Replacing Vibrators, Pt3 by Dr Hugo Holden 104 Online Shop 106 Ask Silicon Chip 111 Market Centre 112 Advertising Index Cover Photo: the solar-powered Centurion by NASA (www.nasa.gov/centers/armstrong/news/FactSheets/FS-054-DFRC.html)