Silicon ChipMarket Centre - December 1999 SILICON CHIP
  1. Outer Front Cover
  2. Contents
  3. Publisher's Letter: High definition TV not wanted in Australia
  4. Feature: JBL's 21st Century Loudspeaker Technology by Louis Challis
  5. Review: Denon AVC-A1D AV Surround Amplifier by Leo Simpson
  6. Serviceman's Log: All the same - only different by The TV Serviceman
  7. Project: Build A Solar Panel Regulator by Design by Alan Bonnard
  8. Product Showcase
  9. Project: The PC Powerhouse by Design by Barry Hubble
  10. Project: The Fortune Finder Metal Locator by John Clarke
  11. Order Form
  12. Project: Speed Alarm For Cars, Pt.2 by John Clarke
  13. Feature: Internet Connection Sharing Using Hardware by Greg Swain
  14. Project: Railpower Model Train Controller; Pt.3 by John Clarke & Leo Simpson
  15. Vintage Radio: The Astor KM that blew its power plug off! by Rodney Champness
  16. Feature: Electric Lighting; Pt.16 by Julian Edgar
  17. Book Store
  18. Notes & Errata
  19. Feature: Index to Volume 12: January-December 1999
  20. Market Centre
  21. Advertising Index
  22. Outer Back Cover

This is only a preview of the December 1999 issue of Silicon Chip.

You can view 39 of the 96 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 "Build A Solar Panel Regulator":
  • Solar Panel Regulator PCB pattern (PDF download) (Free)
Items relevant to "The PC Powerhouse":
  • PC Powerhouse PCB pattern (PDF download) [12112991] (Free)
Items relevant to "The Fortune Finder Metal Locator":
  • Fortune Finder Metal Locator PCB pattern (PDF download) [04303001] (Free)
  • Fortune Finder Metal Locator panel artwork (PDF download) (Free)
Items relevant to "Speed Alarm For Cars, Pt.2":
  • PIC16F84(A)-04/P programmed for the Speed Alarm for Cars [SPEED254.HEX] (Programmed Microcontroller, AUD $10.00)
  • PIC16F84 firmware and source code for the Speed Alarm for Cars [SPEED254.HEX] (Software, Free)
  • Speed Alarm for Cars PCB patterns (PDF download) [05310991/2] (Free)
  • Speed Alarm for Cars panel artwork (PDF download) (Free)
Articles in this series:
  • A Speed Alarm For Cars; Pt.1 (November 1999)
  • A Speed Alarm For Cars; Pt.1 (November 1999)
  • Speed Alarm For Cars, Pt.2 (December 1999)
  • Speed Alarm For Cars, Pt.2 (December 1999)
Items relevant to "Railpower Model Train Controller; Pt.3":
  • Railpower PCB pattern (PDF download) [09308991] (Free)
  • Railpower panel artwork (PDF download) (Free)
Articles in this series:
  • Build The Railpower; Pt.1 (October 1999)
  • Build The Railpower; Pt.1 (October 1999)
  • Railpower Model Train Controller; Pt.2 (November 1999)
  • Railpower Model Train Controller; Pt.2 (November 1999)
  • Railpower Model Train Controller; Pt.3 (December 1999)
  • Railpower Model Train Controller; Pt.3 (December 1999)
Articles in this series:
  • Understanding Electric Lighting; Pt.1 (November 1997)
  • Understanding Electric Lighting; Pt.1 (November 1997)
  • Understanding Electric Lighting; Pt.2 (December 1997)
  • Understanding Electric Lighting; Pt.2 (December 1997)
  • Understanding Electric Lighting; Pt.3 (January 1998)
  • Understanding Electric Lighting; Pt.3 (January 1998)
  • Understanding Electric Lighting; Pt.4 (February 1998)
  • Understanding Electric Lighting; Pt.4 (February 1998)
  • Understanding Electric Lighting; Pt.5 (March 1998)
  • Understanding Electric Lighting; Pt.5 (March 1998)
  • Understanding Electric Lighting; Pt.6 (April 1998)
  • Understanding Electric Lighting; Pt.6 (April 1998)
  • Understanding Electric Lighting; Pt.7 (June 1998)
  • Understanding Electric Lighting; Pt.7 (June 1998)
  • Understanding Electric Lighting; Pt.8 (July 1998)
  • Understanding Electric Lighting; Pt.8 (July 1998)
  • Electric Lighting; Pt.9 (November 1998)
  • Electric Lighting; Pt.9 (November 1998)
  • Electric Lighting; Pt.10 (January 1999)
  • Electric Lighting; Pt.10 (January 1999)
  • Electric Lighting; Pt.11 (February 1999)
  • Electric Lighting; Pt.11 (February 1999)
  • Electric Lighting; Pt.12 (March 1999)
  • Electric Lighting; Pt.12 (March 1999)
  • Electric Lighting; Pt.13 (April 1999)
  • Electric Lighting; Pt.13 (April 1999)
  • Electric Lighting, Pt.14 (August 1999)
  • Electric Lighting, Pt.14 (August 1999)
  • Electric Lighting; Pt.15 (November 1999)
  • Electric Lighting; Pt.15 (November 1999)
  • Electric Lighting; Pt.16 (December 1999)
  • Electric Lighting; Pt.16 (December 1999)

Purchase a printed copy of this issue for $10.00.

MARKET CENTRE Cash in your surplus gear. Advertise it here in Silicon Chip. FRWEEBE YES! Place your classified advertisement in SILICON CHIP Market Centre and your advert will also appear FREE in the Classifieds-on-the-Web page of the SILICON CHIP website, www.siliconchip.com.au And if you include an email address or your website URL in you classified advert, the links will be LIVE in your classified-on-the-web! S! D E I F I S C LAS EXCLUSIVE TO SILICON CHIP! CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING RATES Advertising rates for this page: Classified ads: $11.00 (incl. GST) for up to 12 words plus 55 cents for each additional word. Display ads: $27.50 (incl. GST) per column centimetre (max. 10cm). Closing date: five weeks prior to month of sale. To run your classified ad, print it clearly in the space below or on a separate sheet of paper, fill out the form & send it with your cheque or credit card details to: Silicon Chip Classifieds, PO Box 139, Collaroy, NSW 2097. Or fax the details to (02) 9979 6503. Taxation Invoice ABN 49 003 205 490 _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ Enclosed is my cheque/money order for $­__________ or please debit my ❏ Bankcard   ❏ Visa Card   ❏ Master Card Card No. Signature­­­­­­­­­­­­ ________________________ Card expiry date______/______ Name _____________________________________________________ Street _____________________________________________________ Suburb/town _________________________ Postcode______________ 94  Silicon Chip FOR SALE ELECTRONIC/MECHANICAL DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION: we offer a complete design service for electronic and mechanical devices. Most work is done in house and you deal directly with the designers. No job is too small and can be to prototype or “turn key” stage, in one offs or for future production. Simply send us an email at vladimir<at>u030.aone.net.au with your questions or requirements and we will get back to you. U.P.S. 240 VAC input 240 VAC 5kVA output. Keeps appliances running after mains shutdown. $2500 o.n.o. B/C only. Phone (03) 5859 1099. WEATHER STATIONS: Windspeed & direction, inside temperature, outside temperature & windchill. Records highs & lows with time and date as they occur. $420.00 complete plus sales tax if appli­ cable. Optional rainfall and PC interface. Used by Government Departments, farmers, pilots, and weather enthusiasts. Other models with barometric pressure, humidity, dew point, solar radiation, UV, leaf wetness, etc. Just phone, fax or write for our FREE catalogue and price list. Solar Flair/Ecowatch ph: (03) 5968 4863 fax: (03) 5968 5810, PO Box 18, Emerald, Vic., 3782. ACN 006 399 480. RAIN BRAIN AND DIGI-TEMP KITS: 8 station sprinkler controllers, 60 channel temp monitor uses DS1820s over 500 metres. Has PC Data logging. Mantis Micro Products, http://www.home.aone.net.au/mantismp TELEPHONE EXCHANGE SIMULATOR, SC February 1998. Test equipment without the cost of telephone lines. Melbourne 9806 0110. MOTOROLA 68HC11EVBU EVALUATION BOARD, manuals, 2 spare 68HC711E9 $250. New 16 x 2 LCD with LED backlight, surplus from previous project $15 each. Andrew (03) 9873 7919; and_wink<at>yahoo.com.au FREE 4 Ch Automatic Event-Only VCR Controller visit www.allthings. com.au for details * VIDEO Transmitters from $142 * 120 mW IR LEDS * FREE DIGITAL PC VIDEO RECORDER - TIME LAPSE - MOTION DETECTION Software with 4 Ch Capture Card * PIR DETECTOR with concealed PINHOLE Mono or DSP COLOUR Camera, Microphone & Timer/Controller for VCR - Lights - etc from $139 * BULLET 480 Line 0.05 lux SONY CCD or DSP COLOUR from $132 * QUADS 4 Pix 1 screen from $256 HI-RES better than SUPER-VHS Quality * Modules 32 x 32 from $76 COLOUR DSP Pinhole from $155 with Tiny On-Board MICROPHONE * MINI CAMERAS 36 x 36 from $85 - SONY CCD $102 - COLOUR DSP $162 * DOME from $88 - SONY CCD $107 - COLOUR DSP $164 * Video BALUNS from $7 * DIY PAKS: 4 Cameras, Switcher & Supply from $499 - with 12" Monitor from $582 with MUX for FULL SCREEN / RESOLUTION RECORDING from $1209 * 4 COLOUR CAMERAS, SWITCHER & POWER SUPPLY from $807 - with COLOUR QUAD 4 Pix 1 Screen from $1211 * With MUX $2028 * COLOUR QUADS from $512 * COLOUR DUPLEX MUX from $1329 * 14" MONITORS from $203 - with Inbuilt 4 Ch SWITCHER from $236 * SEE-in-the-DARK CAMERAS & INFRARED 50 x 120 mW LED ILLUMINATOR Kits from $19 * ANCILLARY EQUIPMENT * DISCOUNTS * Ask for our Catalogue & New Enquiry Offer * www.allthings.com.au * T 08 9349 9413. 1/3 PRICE Heat Shrink Tubing from 20 cents 2 : 1 Shrink CSA UL 125C GP 600 Volt www.allthings.com.au KITS KITS AND MORE KITS! Check ‘em out at www.ozitronics.com CHEAP 200MHz TEKTRONIX SCOPE THS-730A, “NEW” in box, factory warranty, $5899. Phone 0412 566100. C COMPILERS: everything you need to develop C and ASM software for 68HC08, 6809, 68HC11, 68HC12, 68HC16, 8051/52, 8080/85, 8086, 8096 or AVR: $155.00 each. Macro Cross Assemblers and Disassemblers Need prototype PC boards? We have the solutions – we print electronics! Four-day turnaround, less if urgent; Artwork from your own positive or file; Through hole plating; Prompt postal service; 29 years technical experience; Inexpensive; Superb quality. Printed Electronics, 12A Aristoc Rd, Glen Waverley, Vic 3150. Phone: (03) 9545 3722; Fax: (03) 9545 3561 Call Mike Lynch and check us out! We are the best for low cost, small runs. Satellite TV Reception International satellite TV reception in your home is now affordable. Send for your free info pack containing equipment catalog, satellite lists, etc or call for appointment to view. We can display all satellites from 76.5F to 180F. Positions At Jaycar We are often looking for enthusiastic staff for positions in our retail stores and head office at Rhodes in Sydney. A genuine interest in electronics is a necessity. Phone 02 9743 5222 for current vacancies. KITS-R-US PO Box 314 Blackwood S.A. Ph/fax 08 8270 3175 FMTX2A Universal Stereo Coder $49 FMTX2B 30mW Xtal Locked 100MHz Transmitter $49 FMTX1 1-3 Watt Free Running Transmitter $49 FMX1 200mW Full Broadcast Transmitter, built & tested $499 FM220 10-18 Watt FM BGY133 Philips Linear $499 FM1525 25 Watt Discrete Linear FM Band $499 FM2100 110 Watt Discrete Linear FM Band $699 FM3000 300 Watt Discrete Linear FM Band $1499 Philips 828E/A VHF Receiver Boards (6 metres) $9 AWA 721 VHF Receiver Boards (2 metres) $9 AWA 721 VHF transmitter boards 1 watt (2 metres) $19 Philips 323 UHF transmitter boards 500mW (70cm) $19 AEM 35 Watt Little Brick Audio Power Amp $15 Digi-125 200W RMS Audio Power Amp $39 CA Clipper Compiler, new in box $49 6dBd Gain Colinear FM Band Antenna $999 Roll Smart-1 FM Station Audio Processor $999 Free catalog on disk of discounted surplus components Same day shipping, credit cards OK, circuits supplied. SPECIAL STEAM BOAT KITS $14 PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARDS for all magazine projects, then go to http:// www.cia.com.au/rcsradio RCS Radio – Bexley (+61 2) 9587 3491. AV-COMM P/L, 198 Condamine St, Balgowlah, NSW 2093. Tel: 02 9949 7417 or 9948 2667. Fax: 9949 7095; www.avcomm.com.au for above CPUs + 6800/01/03/05, 6502 and 68HC12 for $78. Debug monitors: $78 for 6 CPUs. All compilers, XASMs and monitors: $480. 8051/52 Simulator (fast, now incl. 80C320): $78. Try the C-FLEA Virtual Machine for small CPUs, build a “C-Stamp”. Demo desk: FREE. All prices + $5 p&p. Atmel Flash CPU Programmer: Handles the 89Cx051, 89C5x and 89Sxx series, and the new AVRs in both DIP and PLCC44. Also does most 8-pin EEPROMs. Includes socket for serial ISP cable. $199, $37 tax, $10 p&p. SOIC adaptors: 20-pin $90, 14-pin $85, 8-pin $80. Credit cards accepted. GRAN­TRONICS PTY LTD, PO Box 275, Wentworthville 2145. Ph (02) 9896 7150; Fax (02) 9631 1236; or Internet: http://www.grantronics.com.au NEW ROLA POTTED ISOCORE TRANS­FORMERS: 40 types suitable valve equipment. Stamped self-addressed envelope for list. The Hill Homestead, Bingara, NSW 2404. SOLAR PANELS: 120 watt $995.00, 80 watt $650.00, 60 watt $510.00, 40 watt $395.00 (all with 25 year guarantee). UNBREAKABLE PANELS: 64 watt $550.00, 42 watt $420.00, 32 watt $340.00, 11 watt $190.00, 5 watt $120.00, 1.25 watt $80.00. WIND GENERATORS: 400 watt $950.00. INVERTERS: sinewave inverters, invert- Silvertone’s RC Receiver Still the best little performer available! Still only $129.50 AM or $149.50 FM. May be used with most ppm transmitters. This and many other radio control products available from: Silvertone Electronics, PO Box 580, Riverwood 2210. Phone/Fax (02) 9533 3517. www.silvertone.com.au er/chargers, mod. Sinewave inverters, call with requirements. AUST­RALIA WIDE DELIVERY (Free on orders over $500.00). TASMAN ENERGY: (03) 6362 3050 Fax (03) 6362 3054. PC-CONTROLS: Receiver 144148MHz (PLL), DS2401 ID-Reader, Temperature Recorder (DS1615), AF Generators, Temperature measurement, I/O cards, Data Logging, ActiveX. Ph/Fax (02) 9482 1565. http://www. ar.com.au/~softmark KIT ASSEMBLY ANY KITS assembled/repaired: professional, speedy service. Phone Nev­ille Walker (07) 3857 2752. DECEMBER 1999  95 14 Model Railway Projects Shop soiled but HALF PRICE! Our stocks of this book are now limited. All we have left are newsagents’ returns which means that they may be slightly shop soiled or have minor cover blemishes. Otherwise, they're undamaged and in good condition. SPECIAL CLEARANCE PRICE: $3.95 + $3 P&P (Aust. & NZ) This book will not be reprinted Yes! Please send me _____ copies of 14 Model Railway Projects at the special price of $A3.95 + $A3 p&p (p&p outside Aust. & NZ $A6). Enclosed is my cheque/money order for $­A__________ or please debit my  Bankcard    Visa Card    MasterCard Card No. Signature­­­­­­­­­­­­___________________________ Card expiry date______/______ Name ______________________________________________________ PLEASE PRINT Street ______________________________________________________ Suburb/town_________________________________ Postcode_________ Send your order to: SILICON CHIP, PO Box 139, Collaroy, NSW 2097; or fax your order to (02) 9979 6503; or ring (02) 9979 5644 and quote your credit card number (Bankcard, Visa Card or MasterCard). HELP SAVE THE NIGHT SKY! We are losing our heritage of starry night skies. Poor, inefficient outdoor lighting is causing glare and “light pollution”. This wastes energy and increases greenhouse gas emissions. You can help by joining SYDNEY OUTDOOR LIGHTING IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY (SOLIS). SOLIS aims to educate and inform about quality outdoor lighting and its benefits. We also lobby councils, government and other bodies to promote good lighting practice. SOLIS meetings are held third Monday night of each month at Sydney Observatory. Individual membership is $20 pa. Donations are also welcome. Cheques payable to “SOLIS c/- NSAS”, PO Box 214, West Ryde 2114. Email: tpeters<at>pip.elm.mq.edu.au 96  Silicon Chip Advertising Index Acetronics....................................81 Altronics................................. 62-63 Av-Comm Pty Ltd.........................95 AWA Audio Products.................IFC Clarke & Severn Electronics........81 Coffs Harbour Electronics............80 Computronics Corporation..........80 Convoy International................OBC Dick Smith Electronics........... 14-17 EMC Technologies.......................80 Futurlec.........................................8 Harbuch Electronics....................29 Instant PCBs................................95 Jaycar .............................. 45-52,95 Kalex............................................79 Kits-R-Us.....................................95 Microgram Computers.......3,IBC,81 MicroZed Computers...................80 Oatley Electronics..........................9 Pinfold Health Services...............80 Printed Electronics...................... 95 Questronix...................................81 Resurrection Radio......................61 Robotic Education Products........80 RobotOz......................................81 Rocom Electronics.......................81 R.T.N............................................80 SC Binders..................................31 SC Computer Omnibus...............91 SC EFI Tech Special..................IBC Silicon Chip Bookshop........... 86-87 SC Internet Service.....................69 Silicon Chip Subscriptions...........53 Silvertone Electronics..................95 Solar Flair/Ecowatch....................94 Speakerworks..............................80 Telelink Communications.............81 Truscott’s Electronic World...........30 Vass Electronics..........................80 Willis Communications................80 Zoom EFI Special........................11 _____________________________ PC Boards Printed circuit boards for SILICON CHIP projects are made by: • RCS Radio Pty Ltd, 651 Forest Rd, Bexley, NSW 2207. Phone (02) 9587 3491. • Marday Services, PO Box 19-189, Avondale, Auckland, NZ. Phone (09) 828 5730.