Silicon ChipMarket Centre - March 1999 SILICON CHIP
  1. Outer Front Cover
  2. Contents
  3. Publisher's Letter: Time to save those old TV sets
  4. Feature: Dead Computer? Don't Throw It - Rat It! by Leo Simpson
  5. Feature: Getting Started With Linux; Pt.1 by Bob Dyball
  6. Project: Build A Digital Anemometer by Julian Edgar
  7. Serviceman's Log: Instant servicing; there's no such thing by The TV Serviceman
  8. Project: 3-Channel Current Monitor With Data Logging by Mark Roberts
  9. Back Issues
  10. Project: Simple DIY PIC Programmer by Michael Covington & Ross Tester
  11. Feature: Model R/C helicopters; Pt.3 by Bob Young
  12. Project: Easy-To-Build Audio Compressor by John Clarke
  13. Project: Low Distortion Audio Signal Generator; Pt.2 by John Clarke
  14. Product Showcase
  15. Vintage Radio: The Radiolette Model 31/32 by Rodney Champness
  16. Feature: Electric Lighting; Pt.12 by Julian Edgar
  17. Notes & Errata: Command Control Decoder
  18. Order Form
  19. Market Centre
  20. Advertising Index
  21. Book Store
  22. Outer Back Cover

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

You can view 34 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.

Articles in this series:
  • Getting Started With Linux; Pt.1 (March 1999)
  • Getting Started With Linux; Pt.1 (March 1999)
  • Getting Started With Linux; Pt.2 (April 1999)
  • Getting Started With Linux; Pt.2 (April 1999)
  • Getting Started With Linux; Pt.3 (May 1999)
  • Getting Started With Linux; Pt.3 (May 1999)
  • Getting Started With Linux; Pt.4 (June 1999)
  • Getting Started With Linux; Pt.4 (June 1999)
Items relevant to "Simple DIY PIC Programmer":
  • DOS software for the Simple, Cheap DIY PIC Progammer (Free)
Articles in this series:
  • Radio Control (January 1999)
  • Radio Control (January 1999)
  • Radio Control (February 1999)
  • Radio Control (February 1999)
  • Model R/C helicopters; Pt.3 (March 1999)
  • Model R/C helicopters; Pt.3 (March 1999)
Items relevant to "Easy-To-Build Audio Compressor":
  • Audio Compressor PCB pattern (PDF download) [01303991] (Free)
Items relevant to "Low Distortion Audio Signal Generator; Pt.2":
  • Low Distortion Audio Signal Generator PCB patterns (PDF download) [01402991/2] (Free)
  • Low Distortion Audio Signal Generator panel artwork (PDF download) (Free)
Articles in this series:
  • Low Distortion Audio Signal Generator; Pt.1 (February 1999)
  • Low Distortion Audio Signal Generator; Pt.1 (February 1999)
  • Low Distortion Audio Signal Generator; Pt.2 (March 1999)
  • Low Distortion Audio Signal Generator; Pt.2 (March 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. YES! Place your classified advertisement in FR E E 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! WE B S! ED I F I S S A CL EXCLUSIVE TO SILICON CHIP! CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING RATES Advertising rates for this page: Classified ads: $10.00 for up to 12 words plus 50 cents for each additional word. Display ads (casual rate): $25 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. ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ____________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ____________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ____________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ____________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ____________ 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 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 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, the 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 or Internet: http://www.grantronics.com.au 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 appli­cable. 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., 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. TELEPHONE EXCHANGE SIMULATOR, SC February 1998. Test equipment without the cost of telephone lines. $190. MAGNETIC CARD READER, SC January 1996. Holds up to 8 cards. Use as a door lock. $65. Melbourne 9806 0110. * TOP QUALITY VIDEO CAMERAS * UP TO 2 YEARS WARRANTY * SEE OUR ON-LINE CATALOGUE www. althings.com.au FOR DETAILED INFO & APPLICATION NOTES. ** HiRes SILICON CCD MODULES from $78 ** PREMIUM SONY H.A.D. CCD & CHIPSET 480 + Line x 0.05 Lux 32 x 32 MODULES from $91 ** CAMERAS: Mini 36 x 36 from $88! Dome from $91! COLOUR DIGITAL SIGNAL PROCESSING CAMERAS & MODULES: 400 + Line from $180! DOME from $185! 480 + Line DOME with SONY CCD from $246! 600 + Line from $346! OUR CAMERAS & QUADS PRODUCE “NEAR SUPER-VHS” TO “BETTER THAN SUPER-VHS” QUALITY IMAGES. ACCESSORIES: 30 + Lenses 2.1 to 16mm INCLUDING JAPANESE VARIABLE FOCAL LENGTH FILTERS: Polarising, Colour, Temp-Conversion, Infra-Red Cut & Pass. 50 LED DIY Infra-Red Illuminators only $19! ANCILLARY EQUIPMENT: QUADS 4 pix 1 screen from $280. ***COLOUR QUAD Hi-Res 720 x 576 2-PAGE 8-Camera with Time/ Date Generator from $749! **PACKAGED SETS! QUAD + 4 CAMERAS + Power Supplies from $689 ** SWITCHER + FOUR CAMERAS + REG Power supply from $508! MULTIPLEXERS FULL-SCREEN FULL-RESOLUTION VCR Recording/Playback from $826! SWITCHERS 4 & 8 Ch from $126! ALSO: Monitors, Outdoor Housings, Brackets, Dummy Cams, CCTV-TV/ VCR Interface Modules, Motorised Pan Units, etc. CCTV Technical Reference Manual 400+ Pages $95 for FREE! DISCOUNTS: Based on ORDER VALUE, BUYING HISTORY, for CASH/CHEQUE & NZ BUYERS! BEFORE you BUY ask for our Illustrated Catalogue/Price List with Application Notes & New Enquiry Offer. Allthings Sales & Services www. allthings.com.au Ph 08 9349 9413 Fax 08 9344 5905. 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 WAS $1275, NOW $750 ($800 – NZ). 100MHz, 32 Channel Logic Analyser kit. Ph 02 9878 4715. email peter.baxter<at>tantau.com.au www.tantau.com.au Silvertone’s RC Receiver Still the best little performer available! 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. 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 fordable. 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. AV-COMM P/L, 198 Condamine Street, Balgowlah NSW 2093. Tel: 02 9949 7417 or 9948 2667. Fax: 9949 7095; www.avcomm.com.au A NEW address for Acetronics http://www.acetronics.com.au On-line PCB quotes, free software, DIY PCB supplies plus many other items & services. 02 9743 9235. PCBS MADE, ONE OR MANY. Low prices, hobbyists welcome. Sesame Electronics (02) 9554 9760 sesame<at>internetezy.com.au; http:// members.tripod.com/~sesame_elec SPEAKERWORKS: specialist in speaker repairs and parts. DIY refoam kits: 31/2", 4", 5", 6", 7", 8", 9", 10", 11", 12" and 15" $39.95. Includes shims, dustcaps and adhesive. Largest inventory of cones, surrounds, gaskets, spiders, dustcaps, grilles, foam and cloth and 4,700 custom voice coils. Phone 02 9420 8121, Fax 9420 8131. INTERNATIONAL SATELLITE TV RECEPTION in your home is now af- SOLAR PANELS: buy by mail and save! 75 watt from $590.00, unbreakable s/steel 64 watt $555.00. Largest manufactured: 120 watt $995.00, flexible 32 watt $475.00. Limited stock 22 watt $195.00. All other sizes available, top brands, lowest prices. INVERTERS: budget inverters from $110.00 (12V 140W). High quality pure sine wave inverters from $390.00. Call with your requirements. WIND GENERATORS: wide variety available, call with requirements. TASMAN ENERGY Free call 1800 226626 HOMEBUILT DYNAMO, engineering dreams into reality. “An absolutely marvellous book for the true ex­periment­ alist!” Elektor Electronics. (www.onekw.co.nz) 1A LASER DIODE DRIVER, 3W head laser power monitor, IR laser diode with housing, greatly reduced price, e-mail lmatthee<at>perthpcug.org.au for details and pictures. MARCH 1999  95 Silicon Chip Binders  Heavy board covers with 2-tone green vinyl covering  Each binder holds up to 14 issues Advertising Index REAL VALUE AT Altronics................................. 72-74 PLUS P &P Av-Comm Pty Ltd.........................96 $12.95 Dick Smith Electronics........... 10-13  SILICON CHIP logo printed in gold-coloured lettering on spine & cover Evatco..........................................81 Price: $12.95 plus $5 p&p each (Aust. only) Harbuch Electronics....................77 Just fill in & mail the handy order form in this issue; or fax (02) 9979 6503; or ring (02) 9979 5644 & quote your credit card number. Instant PCBs................................95 Jaycar .............................. 45-52,95 Kits-R-Us.....................................95 RTN Australia Parallax distributor: Basic Stamps, SXKey develop­ ment tools and SX chips. Wireless RF modules, serial LCD modules, Basic Stamp Bug, etc, etc. FerretTronics >R/C servo control chips. NEW: Handy­ Scope 2 from Europe, 2-channel/12-bit portable measur­ing instrument, it’s a voltmeter, digital storage CRO, transient recorder and spectrum analyser. All in a very small box powered off a parallel port. DOS and Windows software provided. Ph/Fax (03) 9338 3306. email: nollet<at>mail.enternet.com.au; http://people.enternet.com.au/~nollet WE PAY UP TO $60 for contributions to Circuit Notebook. Silicon Chip Publications, PO Box 139, Collaroy, 2097. 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 PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARDS for all magazine project, then goto http:// www.cia.com.au/rcsradio RCS Radio – Bexley (+61 2) 9587 3491. KIT ASSEMBLY Oatley Electronics........................89 Printed Electronics.......................95 ANY KITS assembled/calibrated: professional, speedy service. Phone Nev­ille Walker (07) 3857 2752. Quest Electronics........................87 Microprocessor For Digital Effects Unit Silicon Chip Back Issues....... 32-33 This is the 68HC705-C8P pro­ gramm­ed micro­pro­cessor IC for the Digital Effects Unit (see Feb­. 1995). Price: $45 + $6 p+p Payment by cheque, money order or credit card to: Silicon Chip Pub­ lica­tions, PO Box 139 Collaroy 2097. Phone (02) 9979 5644; Fax (02) 9979 6503. WANTED: TECHNICAL ASSISTANT We are looking for a motivated person with an interest in electronics/ communications to work in our Balgowlah office. Emphasis is more on practical aptitude rather than academic qualifications. Duties are varied and range from dish installations, equipment evaluation and repair, and providing technical advice to customers. Necessarily, this means dealing with the general public. Applicants must have good verbal communications skills, possess a drivers licence and be neatly presented. Specific training relating to satellite TV will be provided on the job. Applicants undertaking part-time studies will be considered. This position will become available in Feb. 1999. Please send written applications to Av-Comm Pty Ltd, PO Box 225, BALGOWLAH, NSW 2093. 96  Silicon Chip Microgram Computers...................3 RobotOz......................................95 Silicon Chip Bookshop...............IBC Silicon Chip Subscriptions...........93 Silicon Chip Binders/Wallcht....OBC Smart Fastchargers.....................87 Solar Flair/Ecowatch....................94 Truscott’s Electronic World...........69 Zoom EFI Special......................IFC _____________________________ 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.