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PRODUCT SHOWCASE Altronics’ “Jenny Craiged” plugpacks Once you have a plugpack in a double power point, it’s often difficult (and sometimes impossible) to get anything else into the other outlet – let alone a second plugpack. Altronics Distributors claim they placed their new super-slim plugpacks on a strict diet to overcome this problem – and the results are plain to see. Two of the “PowerTran” 12V/ 500mA DC plugpacks (model M 9272) can easily fit side-by-side in a standard double outlet while the larger 16V/1.5A AC plugpack (model M 9332) still leaves enough space for another 3-pin plug to be inserted into the other socket. The M 9272 plugpacks, by the way, measure 43 x 86 x 60mm (w x h x d). All are Energy Authority approved and are designed for vertical mounting. These sell for $14.95 (pre GST). One point we did notice is that unlike most plugpacks (which are welded or glued), these are held together with tamper-proof screws. Of course we couldn’t resist the temptation to undo a tamper-proof screw so we opened one up… revealing the 16V AC model has plenty of space inside for a rectifier/filter/regulator if you so wished. This would also make them extremely attractive to the OEM market. There are several models in the range covering the vast majority of applications – DC and AC models of various output voltages and capacities, a couple of switchable models and even a regulated supply or two. For more information contact Alt-ronics on 1800 999 007 (Perth (08) 9328 1599), or visit their website www. altronics.com.au Toroidal transformers for recent SILICON CHIP audio projects Amongst their extensive range of transformers, Harbuch Electronics have available a number of toroidal models specifically made to suit recent SILICON CHIP audio projects. Of particular interest is the transformer to suit the recent 100W per channel stereo amplifier featured in the March and May issues. This transformer is rated at 300VA and has two 35V<at>2.25A + two 50V<at>0.1A windings as specified in the article and sells for $60.45. Harbuch also have 80VA and 160VA models with two 21V<at>1.9A (or 3.8A) to suit the ultra low distor74  Silicon Chip tion class-A amplifier featured in the July and August 1998 issues. These transformers sell for $35.45 and $42.50 respectively or a 160VA low flux model with flux band sells for $65.90. Finally, a whopping 800VA model with two 57 V<at> 7A windings to suit the 500W mono amplifier (August-Oct ober 1997) sells for $134.50. Harbuch Electronics may be contacted on (02) 9476 5854; fax (02) 9476 3231. All prices quoted above are pre-GST so you will need to contact Harbuch for latest GST-inclusive pricing. Security screwdriver set from Jaycar More often than not these days, manufacturers try to make life difficult when we want to remove screws. They use a variety of tamper-proof and tamper-resistant models to try to keep the lid on – when we want it off. In service work, making modifications or just because we want to see what’s inside, there have been many occasions in the past when we’ve been stymied by security screws. Not any more! That’s where this screwdriver set from Jaycar comes in incredibly handy. It contains bits which will fit most of the commonly-used security screws found today. There are Torx and tamper-proof Torx, Tri-Wing, pin-drive, hex (allen), security hex and pin drive, along with half a dozen standard sockets from 4 to 8mm, a magnetic bit holder and a screwdriver handle, all housed in a plastic case with see-through lid so you can instantly check to see if any bits have gone west. The case itself is only 120 x 50 x 90mm so it won’t take up a lot of room in your tool box. But it could save your bacon one day! All of the bits and sockets can also be used in power screwdrivers or drills. It’s one very handy set (we used it to remove the tamper-proof screws in the plugpacks elsewhere on these pages!) The “Royal Flush” set is just one of the specialised bit sets stocked in Jaycar stores. This one (Cat TD2037) sells for $18.95 (inc GST) and is also available by mail order or via Jaycar’s website, www.jaycar.com.au Questronix computer-to-video conversion and computer video switching units Quest Electronics have many video editing, titling, processing and conversion products but there is one that will gladden the heart of anyone who has ever had to make a presentation using computer-based information. . . only to find that they cannot display such information on large screen or projection TV systems. While many of the high performance (read high price!) video projectors will accept graphics or images from a PC, a significant proportion won’t. That’s where the fully imported CORIOscan Connect will help out. Not only will it convert a PC or Mac video output to a variety of TV-type formats (composite video, S-Video and RGB, switchable between NTSC and PAL) it as flicker reduction for a super-stable image on TV, has quick adjustment for overscan and freeze, allows 2x zooming and panning and works up to a resolution of 1600 x 1200 (although 1024 x 768 is recommended). Automatic or manual control is available. A full-function remote control is included which gives you control over all of these functions and many more, while a loop-back port is provided so you can still use your computer’s VGA monitor. No special driver software is required – you simply connect the system up, select the required mode and you’re ready to start the display. The CORIOscan Connect is housed in an attractive plastic case measuring 100 x 200 x 30mm. The rear panel houses the power input socket (12V DC <at> 300mA; plugpack included), the PC input socket, PC loop output socket and the RGB, S-Video and Composite Video output sockets. And while on the subject of video processing equipment Quest Electronics have also released a locally designed and manufactured Multimedia Switcher which will not only switch the video graphics (VGA/SVGA/XGA etc) from three personal computers to a single monitor or projector but also their stereo audio outputs to a single pair of speakers or stereo power amplifier. Housed in a one-unit 19-inch rack mounting aluminium case, the unit is designed to handle large presentations Affordable digital camera Last month we told you about the $4600 Sony digital camcorder/still camera. If that one is a bit out of your price range (it is out of ours!) then this little digital camera from Dick Smith Electronics might be more to your liking! At just $147 (pre GST price) the D-CAM digital camera has 256 x 256 pixel resolution, 24bit true colour image quality and the ability to store up to 15 pictures. It weighs just 100g and comes with Arcsoft Photostu-dio software, compatible with Windows 95/98. The camera is ideal for students who want to include colour pics in their school assignments or for anyone who wants to send images over the Internet. It is available from all Dick Smith Electronics stores (includi n g P o w e rHouse stores), via DSE Direct Link mail orders (1300 366 644) or via the Dick Smith webs i t e , w w w. dse.com.au or productions where the inputs can come from a variety of sources. Four push-button switches with indicator LEDS on the front panel select either standby or the computer source, or a remote control can be used with a D-socket on the rear panel provided for the purpose. In the standby mode the sync from input one is sent to the output but the R,G and B signals are blanked, resulting in a stable, black screen. Audio is also disconnected in standby mode. Each computer input can be separately monitored at the same time as the buffered main output carries the selected input. This output can drive long 75W cables without ringing or smearing. The unit is mains powered For more information on these, or any of the large range of video processing products available through Quest Electronics, contact them on (02) 9477 3596; fax 02 9477 3681 or visit their website at www.questronix. com.au/~questav TOROIDAL TRANSFORMERS FOR SILICON CHIP AMPLIFIERS 15W CLASS A AMPLIFIER 80VA for single channel monoblock 240:2x21V/1.9A 160VA for amplifier as published 240:2x21V/3.8A 160VA low flux design + flux band 240:2x21V/3.8A 160VA low flux design + flux band 240:2x42Vct/1.9A ULTRA LOW THD 100W AMPLIFIER 160VA for single channel monoblock 240:2x35V/2.25A + 2x50V/0.1A 300VA for dual channel amplifier 240:2x35V/4.5A + 2x50V/0.1A $35.45 $42.50 $65.90 $74.40 $50.70 $60.45 500W MONO AMPLIFIER, as published 800VA 240:2x57V/7A $134.50 All prices include WST. Freight extra. HARBUCH ELECTRONICS PTY LTD Ph 02 9476 5854 Fx 02 9476 3231 JULY 2000  75 Hotter Hot Chips : new micro development board Back in the February 2000 issue we reviewed the “Hot Chip” starter kit, an easy way to get into playing with microcontrollers. Now there’s a new Hot Chips starter kit from the same people – Investment Technologies Pty Ltd – and they haven’t been sitting on their hands for six months! For a start, the new model (reproduced same-size below) is much more “user friendly”. The original (ABC Mini) was a tiny PC board which basically had to be hardwired to a development board. The ABC Maxi is much larger (120 x 72.5mm) with many new features. There’s not only tons of room for mounting components or “breadboarding” (a 20 x 12 matrix of plated-through holes at one end of the board), there are several PC-mounting sockets for the 20mA (sinking) I/O connections, (bi-directional with internal pullup resistors), a number of header pin sets for programming, a socket to suit an LCD display, a 3.5mm speaker socket for sound output and four output MOSFETs capable of driving 8A loads each and 4 opto-isolated ouputs. And that’s not all! Physically the board is rather different, not the least because the Atmel AVT AT90S8535 chip is changed from a 44-pin SMD device to a 40-pin PDIP package in a socket. Clock speed is still 8MHz but the new model is said to have slightly faster capabilities than the old. There is also extensive software included although you can use your own software if you wish. A serial (RS232) connector is provided to allow interfacing to any PC via a standard 9-way “straight through” cable. RTS and CTS is available. There is also a programming connector which connects to the parallel port and on-board RS485 circuit with 4-pin screw terminal connection. Also included is easily programmable software: a True Basic Compiler, Assembler, Programming with on-screen results and a communications package. The software runs on Windows 3.11 to Windows ’98. A DOS version compiler and assembler is also supplied for diehard DOS fans. This user friendly software inter- “Real flat” monitor from Philips The new Philips 109P 19-inch “real flat” monitor is claimed to deliver a more natural, comfortable view with no distortion and drastically reduced reflection. The monitor incorporates Philips’ proprietary “Image Clear Enhancement” technology which is said to have several technological innovations, including a flat aperture grille tube and aspecial inner surface on the tube, designed so that the screen appears flat from a distance of 75100cm. The tube also incorporates an ex76  Silicon Chip tremely high contrast coating for enhanced colours and whiter whites. Maximum resolution of the screen is 1920 x 1440 with a flicker-free display of 1280 x 1024 at up to 103Hz. The screen has an actual viewing area of 18 inches diagonal. An Auto Calibrate function is said to extend the life of the monitor by up to 32%. It is available through authorised Philips resellers. For more information contact Philips Electronics, freecall 1800 658 086 or their website at www.philips.com.au/ pcperipherals faces with all of the required tools on either this or the earlier board to enable you to get going quickly. Included in the software is a Basic Compiler - Optimised for the AVR Boards; Assembler - With C like mathematics; Programming With on screen results and help; a Comms Package; a full help system with the option of modifying and adding your own notes; a DOS Version Assembler and Basic Compiler The Basic Compiler can also be purchased separately or a trialware version is downloadable from the ‘net. Like the earlier version, the new board is available from Dick Smith Electronics stores throughout Australia, PowerHouse stores and mail order service. Price is $293 inc GST (Cat K-1432). Yokogawa SignalExplorer: 500MHz, 1GS/sec The new SignalExplorer DL7100 from Yokogawa is specifically designed for high-speed extraction and screen display of desired information from large volumes of captured data. It has 4 channels, a 500MHz bandwidth and a large TFT colour display and with its sampling rate of 1GS/sec and up to 2M words (or 8M words) of memory a faster sampling rate and complete waveform acquisition is assured. The DL7100 also features a new Data Stream Engine (DSE) IC, also designed to handle large amounts of data and provide fast screen update rates. This new DSE, combined with enhanced triggering functions and an “all points display” technique which plots all data points without compression, makes it easy to capture abnormal signals such as high-speed surges. The display is updated 30 times per second even when using 1M word of memory and the all-points display. The oscilloscope also has four analog inputs plus an additional 16 logic inputs available as an option. Its history memory function can save up to 2000 previous acquisitions, making it possible to store waveforms with events not even covered by trigger settings. An optional built-in printer records waveforms and other data and the ’scope will also output data to a colour printer or PC via its comms port. Data viewing and reporting is made simple with the Yokogawa Waveform Viewer software supplied. For more information contact Yokogawa Australia Pty Ltd on (02) 9805 0699; fax (02) 9888 1844 or email measurement<at>yokogawa. com.au New Tacho and Voltmeter kits from DSE According to Dick Smith Electronics, projects for cars are always among the most popular in their stores. So when SILICON CHIP published a digital voltmeter (February 2000) and a digital tacho (April 2000) specifically for in-car use, they were delighted. Recently they were telling us how good their kits had turned out, promising to send over a couple of built-up version for us to have a look at. Now we know why they are so happy with them. The kits are every bit as good as the originals. No, that’s wrong. They’re better! They look very smart with their silk-screened front panels – we’re just a bit jealous that it’s not viable to silk-screen our prototypes. Inside, the kits are also very professionally prepared with screened and masked PC boards. The instructions, too, have been re-written with the novice in mind. OK, DSE Kit Department, we’re impressed! The kits are available at all DSE stores, Power-House stores or via mail order or their website: www.dse. com.au 3Com’s AirConnect: 11Mbps wireless LAN 3Com has announced the availability of its new AirConnect wireless LAN system, offering speeds of up to 11Mbps without a physical (ie, wired) connection. Wireless LANs have been around for some time now. While significantly more expensive than their cable-based counterparts they offer some significant advantages. For example, in old buildings cabling can prove difficult, if not impossible. A wireless LAN eliminates the need for cabling. Large institutions which may be spread over several buildings or even several areas – universities and colleges, schools, hospitals and the like – can also benefit from a wireless LAN system. And of course with more and more people using notebook com- puters instead of a fixed workstation, being able to stay connected to the LAN wherever they are situated makes a lot of sense. 3Com’s AirConnect system is made up of wireless access points, PC cards and the software and firmware to drive it. Access points are fixed to a ceiling or wall and act as a bridge between the wired network and up to 63 simultaneous wireless PC or laptop/ notebook users. AirConnect also lets users switch between the LAN, modem and wireless environments based on where they are situated. Users can also choose different network resources such as printers, etc. A number of features make AirConnect unique. Its Site Survey utility, for example, enables IT professionals to identify dead spots and address them before installation. Its Dynamic Access Mobile Connection Manager is a set of tools which simplifies wireless connectivity to monitor strength, signal quality and data rate, while the PowerBASE-T module powers the access points via the installed Ethernet cable, eliminating the need for power supply wiring. AirConnect has a starter pack which includes an access point, three PC cards and the management software for around $2700. For more information, contact any 3Com distributor or 3Com Australia Pty Ltd, Level 13, 65 Berry St North Sydney NSW 2060. Freecall 1800 644 606, or visit the website www.3com.com SC JULY 2000  77