Silicon ChipMarket Centre - February 2001 SILICON CHIP
  1. Outer Front Cover
  2. Contents
  3. Publisher's Letter: Time is ripe for a renaissance of electronics clubs
  4. Feature: How To Observe Meteors Using Junked Gear by Bruce Mitchell
  5. Project: Li'l Pulser Train Controller by John Clarke & Leo Simpson
  6. Project: MIDI-Mate: A MIDI Interface For PCs by Jim Rowe
  7. Project: Bass Blazer Sub Woofer Display by Rick Walters
  8. Product Showcase
  9. Review: Sony's Big Rear-Projection TV Set by Leo Simpson
  10. Project: 2-Metre Elevated Groundplane Antenna by Philip Watson
  11. Order Form
  12. Feature: An Easy Way To Make PC Boards At Home by Heath Young
  13. Project: The LP Doctor: Cleaning Up Clicks & Pops; Pt.2 by John Clarke & Leo Simpson
  14. Vintage Radio: The Healing 412E: a PC-board valve radio by Rodney Champness
  15. Notes & Errata: Audio/Video Transmitter / Rain Gauge
  16. Book Store
  17. Market Centre
  18. Outer Back Cover

This is only a preview of the February 2001 issue of Silicon Chip.

You can view 29 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 "Li'l Pulser Train Controller":
  • Li'l Pulser PCB pattern (PDF download) [09102011) (Free)
  • Li'l Pulser panel artwork (PDF download) (Free)
Items relevant to "MIDI-Mate: A MIDI Interface For PCs":
  • MIDI-Mate PCB pattern (PDF download) [01201011] (Free)
  • MIDI-Mate panel artwork (PDF download) (Free)
Items relevant to "Bass Blazer Sub Woofer Display":
  • Bass Blazer PCB patterns (PDF download) [01102011-3] (Free)
  • Bass Blazer panel artwork (PDF download) (Free)
Items relevant to "The LP Doctor: Cleaning Up Clicks & Pops; Pt.2":
  • The LP Doctor PCB pattern (PDF download) [01101011] (Free)
  • LP Doctor panel artwork (PDF download) (Free)
Articles in this series:
  • The LP Doctor: Cleaning Up Clicks & Pops; Pt.1 (January 2001)
  • The LP Doctor: Cleaning Up Clicks & Pops; Pt.1 (January 2001)
  • The LP Doctor: Cleaning Up Clicks & Pops; Pt.2 (February 2001)
  • The LP Doctor: Cleaning Up Clicks & Pops; Pt.2 (February 2001)

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 VCR Controller use a standard home VCR for Surveillance Event Recording Wireless IR Control only $39 * DOME VIDEO CAMERAS COLOUR from $77 ! Mono from $53 ! BULLET from $97 TWO YEAR WARRANTY * DIY PLUG-IN 20 metre AV Cables from $20 * DOME 480 Line 0.05 Lux SONY CCD & ChipSet from $81 * COLOUR DSP DOME: 400 Line from $139 * 600 + Line from $164 * COLOUR DSP PIN in PIR CASE from $152 * MINI CAMS from $67 * DSP COLOUR from $133 * PC REMOTE VIEW, PAGING, WEB-CAM, DVR System High 768 x 576 Resolution from $219 * QUAD 1024 H-Pixels from $175 * COLOUR QUAD only ! $380 * MULTIPLEXER 4 Ch from $633 * 4 Ch Switchers only ! $79 * COLOUR Bullet Cameras from $122 * Digital PC 4 Ch Video Recorder System from $159 * BLEMISH FREE & LOW BLEMISH CCDs * UP TO 5 YEARS WARRANTY * OVERNIGHT DELIVERY * www. allthings.com.au TELEPHONE EXCHANGE SIMULATOR: test equipment without the cost of telephone lines. Melb 9806 0110. http://www.alphalink.com.au/~zenere COVERT VIDEO SURVEILLANCE Tiny Sub-Matchbox from ~ 6 grams Wireless Video & Audio TRANSMITTERS from $77 * Pinhole Cameras from $67. Easily concealed in: Mobile Phone Case, Clock, VCR Cassette, Toys, Teddy Bear (Nanny-Cam), Smoke Detector, Ornament, Cap, Cigarette Pack, etc. www. allthings.com.au WEATHER STATIONS: Windspeed & direction, inside temperature, outside temperature & windchill. Records highs & lows with time and date as they occur. 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 phone: (03) 5968 4863; fax: (03) 5968 5810, PO Box 18, Emerald, Vic., 3782. ACN 006 399 480. KITS KITS AND MORE KITS! Check ‘em out at www.ozitronics.com SEE-in-the-DARK Camera with in-built IR LEDs in Water Resistant Case for disturbance-free Baby - Bird - Animal observation from $147 * DIY Plug-In 20 metre Cable & Plug Pack from $33 * www.allthings.com.au C COMPILERS: everything you need to develop C and ASM software for 68­HC08, 6809, 68HC11, 68HC12, 68­ HC16, 8051/52, 8080/85, 8086, 8096 or AVR: $170.50 each. Macro Cross Assemblers and Disassemblers for above CPUs + 6800/01/03/05, 6502 and 68­HC12 for $88. Debug monitors: $88 for 6 CPUs. All compilers, XASMs and monitors: $5280. 8051/52 Simulator (fast, now incl. 80C320): $88. Try the C-FLEA Virtual Machine for small CPUs, build a “C-Stamp”. Demo desk: FREE. All prices + $5.50 p&p. Atmel Flash CPU Programmer: Handles the 89Cx051, 89C5x and 89Sxx series, and some AVRs in both DIP and PLCC44. Also does most 8-pin EEPROMs. Includes socket for serial ISP cable. $220 $11 p&p. SOIC adaptors: 20-pin $99, 14-pin $93.50, 8-pin $88. Credit cards accepted. GRAN­ TRONICS PTY LTD, PO Box 275, Wentworthville 2145. Ph (02) 9896 7150 or Internet: http://www.grantronics.com.au HOME CCTV Mono / Colour PAKS only ! $119 / $151 Full DIY Plug-In to TV / VCR 20 metre Cable, Plug Pack & Camera www.allthings.com.au RCS HAS MOVED to 41 Arlewis St, Chester Hill 2162 and is now open, with full production soon. Tel (02) 9738 0330; Fax 9738 0334. rcsradio<at>cia.com.au; www.cia.com.au/rcsradio SMD COMPONENTS, Resistor kit, 18 x 50 x 1206 popular values in case <at> $38.50 inc GST. Capacitor kit, 18 x 50 x 1206 popular values in case <at> $88.00 inc GST <at> www.lazer.com.au or call on 02 93 111 500. DON’T MISS AUSTRALIA’S biggest and best exhibition and sale of new and used radio and communication ROLA AUSTRALIA PH/FAX (08) 8270 3175 WEB SITE WWW.BETTANET.NET.AU/GTD CHECK OUR WEBSITE FOR DETAILS ON KITS AND COMPONENTS • • • • Silvertone’s RC Receiver Still the best little performer available! TRANSMITTER KITS AND MODULES AUDIO MODULES COMPUTER INTERFACE KITS RADIO STATION AUDIO SOFTWARE NEW: Our MP3-CD player in short form for $169 inc GST. Includes the following: processor board, front panel display and tactile keypad; just add a case, cables, 12V power supply and a CD-ROM drive. Play CDs and up to 2600 MP3’s from a CDR. Great for car or home. 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 76.5° to 180°. 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 AV-COMM P/L, 24/9 Powells Rd, Brookvale, NSW 2100. Tel: 02 9939 4377 or 9939 4378. Fax: 9939 4376; www.avcomm.com.au 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. equipment at the Central Coast Field Day, Sunday 25th February, Wyong Race Course, just 1 hour north from Sydney. Starts 8.30 a.m. Special Field Day bargains from traders and tons of dispos­als gear in the flea market. Exhibits by clubs and groups with interests ranging from vintage radio, packet radio, scanning, amateur TV and satellite communications. www.ccarc.org.au Ph (02) 4340 2500. DIY CCTV PAKS 4 Cameras & Switcher .................$354 as above COLOUR .....................$466 4 Cams, Switcher/Monitor ...........$495 as above 14" Monitor ................$528 4 Cams & QUAD .........................$478 4 COLOUR & QUAD ....................$752 Time-Lapse 24 hr VCR only $699 with CCTV Systems ! MORE at: www.allthings.com.au Fully Plug-In DIY Paks with Cables & Power Supplies ALSO PC Digital Motion / Sound detection & activated Video / Audio Recording systems 08 9349 9413. 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. QUAD 4 pixs 1 screen from $247 * Real Time * High better than SUPER-VHS 1024 Pixel Resolution * Time * Date * Camera Title * Alarm Input / Output * Remote Camera Selection * FREEZE * www.allthings.com.au USB DEVELOPMENT KIT CY3650, Temperature/Voltage measurement via phone line, PC-controlled VHF Receiver http://www.ar.com.au/~softmark KIT ASSEMBLY NEVILLE WALKER KIT ASSEMBLY & REPAIR: · Australia wide service · Small production runs · Specialist “one-off” applications Phone Neville Walker (07) 3857 2752 Email flashdog<at>optusnet.com.au continued next page FEBRUARY 2001  95 DON’T MISS THE ’BUS Advertising Index Altronics................................. 68-70 Av-Comm Pty Ltd.........................95 Dick Smith Electronics........... 22-25 Do you feel left behind by the latest advances in com­puter technology? Don’t miss the bus: get the ’bus! Includes articles on troubleshooting your PC, installing and setting up computer networks, hard disk drive upgrades, clean installing Windows 98, CPU upgrades, a basic introduction to Linux plus much more. EMC Technologies.......................55 Harbuch Electronics....................54 Instant PCBs................................95 Investment Technology..............IBC Price: $12.50 (incl. GST) Order now by using the handy order form in this issue or call (02) 9979 5644, 8.30-5.30 Mon-Fri with your credit card details. Special subscription offer available only while stocks last. Jaycar ................................... 45-52 Mass Electronics.........................55 Microgram Computers..........3,OBC Silicon Chip Binders  Each binder holds up to 14 issues  Heavy board covers with 2-tone green vinyl covering  SILICON CHIP logo printed in gold-coloured lettering on spine & cover REAL VALUE AT MicroZed Computers...................55 P Printed Electronics...................... 95 $12.95 PLUS P & Price: $A12.95 plus $A5.50 p&p each (Australia only; not available elsewhere). Buy five and get them postage free. 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. Protel Australia..........................IFC Questronix...................................55 RobotOz......................................55 RF Probes...................................55 Rola Australia..............................95 WANTED PERSON WITH EXPERIENCE / APTITUDE able to fault find & repair PCBs – without diagrams. GENEROUS PKG NEG. Tel John<at>AER (03) 9482 4958 0415 305 470. DO YOU HAVE A GOOD circuit idea? If so, sketch it out, write a brief description of its operation & send it to us. Provided your idea is workable, we’ll publish it in Circuit Notebook and you’ll make some money (up to $60). Silicon Chip Publications, PO Box 139, Collaroy 2097; email silchip<at>siliconchip.com.au R.T.N............................................42 Silicon Chip Binders....................96 Silicon Chip Bookshop........... 92-93 SC Electronics Testbench............31 Silicon Chip Subscriptions...........71 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. http://sites.netscape.net/solislp/ 96  Silicon Chip Silvertone Electronics..................95 Solar Flair/Ecowatch....................95 Tasman Energy............................55 _____________________________ PC Boards Printed circuit boards for SILICON CHIP projects are made by: • RCS Radio Pty Ltd. Phone (02) 9738 0330. Fax (02) 9738 0334.