Silicon ChipAdvertising Index - January 2013 SILICON CHIP
  1. Outer Front Cover
  2. Contents
  3. Publisher's Letter: What next for hifi enthusiasts?
  4. Feature: The Bright Present & Brighter Future Of LED Lighting by Dr Faiz Rahman
  5. Feature: The Sydney HiFi Show by Allan Linton-Smith
  6. Project: The Champion Preamp/Audio Amplifier Module by Nicholas Vinen
  7. Project: Build A Solar-Powered Skylight by Ross Tester
  8. Project: Garbage & Recycling Reminder by John Clarke
  9. Review: Marantz NA7004 Network Audio Player by Leo Simpson
  10. Project: A 2.5GHz 12-Digit Frequency Counter, Pt.2 by Jim Rowe
  11. Project: Performance Tweak For The Ultra-LD Mk.3 Amplifier by Leo Simpson
  12. Vintage Radio: The National SW5 battery-powered "Thrill Box" shortwave receiver by Rodney Champness
  13. Market Centre
  14. Advertising Index
  15. Outer Back Cover

This is only a preview of the January 2013 issue of Silicon Chip.

You can view 19 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 "The Champion Preamp/Audio Amplifier Module":
  • Champion/Pre-champion PCB [01109121/01109122] (AUD $5.00)
  • Complete kit for the Champion+Pre-champion (Component, AUD $30.00)
  • Champion/Pre-champion PCB pattern (PDF download) [01109121/01109122] (Free)
Items relevant to "Garbage & Recycling Reminder":
  • Garbage/Recycling Reminder PCB [19111121] (AUD $10.00)
  • PIC16LF88-I/P programmed for the Garbage/Recycling Reminder [1911112A.HEX] (Programmed Microcontroller, AUD $15.00)
  • Firmware for the Garbage and Recycling Reminder [1911112A.HEX] (Software, Free)
  • Garbage/Recycling Reminder PCB pattern (PDF download) [19111121] (Free)
  • Garbage/Recycling Reminder front panel artwork (PDF download) (Free)
Items relevant to "A 2.5GHz 12-Digit Frequency Counter, Pt.2":
  • 2.5GHz 12-Digit Frequency Counter Main PCB [04111121] (AUD $20.00)
  • 2.5GHz 12-Digit Frequency Counter Display PCB [04111122] (AUD $12.50)
  • 2.5GHz 12-Digit Frequency Counter Add-on PCB [04106141a/b] (AUD $12.50)
  • PIC16F877A-I/P programmed for the 2.5GHz 12-Digit Frequency Counter [0411112C.HEX] (Programmed Microcontroller, AUD $20.00)
  • VK2828U7G5LF TTL GPS/GLONASS/GALILEO module with antenna and cable (Component, AUD $25.00)
  • 2.5GHz 12-Digit Frequency Counter front panel [04111123] (PCB, AUD $25.00)
  • Firmware for the 2.5GHz 12-Digit Frequency Counter project [0411112C.HEX] (Software, Free)
  • 2.5GHz 12-Digit Frequency Counter Main PCB pattern (PDF download) [04111121] (Free)
  • 2.5GHz 12-Digit Frequency Counter Display PCB pattern (PDF download) [04111122] (Free)
  • Long Gating Time Add-on Module for the 2.5GHz 12-Digit Frequency Counter PCB pattern (PDF download) [04106141a/b] (Free)
  • 2.5GHz 12-Digit Frequency Counter front and rear panel artwork (PDF download) [04111123] (Free)
Articles in this series:
  • A 2.5GHz 12-digit Frequency Counter, Pt.1 (December 2012)
  • A 2.5GHz 12-digit Frequency Counter, Pt.1 (December 2012)
  • A 2.5GHz 12-Digit Frequency Counter, Pt.2 (January 2013)
  • A 2.5GHz 12-Digit Frequency Counter, Pt.2 (January 2013)
  • L-o-o-o-n-g Gating Times For The 12-Digit Counter (July 2014)
  • L-o-o-o-n-g Gating Times For The 12-Digit Counter (July 2014)

Purchase a printed copy of this issue for $10.00.

Advertising Index Altronics.................................. 64-67 Bitscope Designs......................... 57 Blamey & Saunders Hearing.......... 9 Circuit Labs Ltd............................ 13 HB Wireless Sales & Service......... 3 Emona Instruments...................... 25 Grantronics................................... 95 Hare & Forbes.......................... OBC High Profile Communications....... 95 Instant PCBs................................ 95 Jaycar .............................. IFC,45-52 Ask SILICON CHIP . . . continued from p94 circuit operation indefinitely while the Sun shines. If this is the case, the 12V rail needs clamping to 15V or 16V to protect a PIR detector, when fitted. On another point, I found the potentiometer “timer” control to be very tedious to use. As a modification, I have incorporated switched potentiometers using 12-position switches and resistor strings to make convenient and far more accurate timer settings. I have also considered modifying the PIC software to enable the use of hex code digital switches or 12-pole DIL switches to set the timer delay. Finally, one of my systems is used to keep my ride-on mower properly charged and as an added bonus I use the battery to run some garden lights. In this way, the battery is kept healthy by constant cycling and the life has been significantly extended compared to the usual mode of “ride-on” use. I look forward to your comments on the lighting circuit. (B. T., via email). • It is true that removing the battery and operating the PIR directly via the solar panel is not ideal but after all, it was designed for use with a battery, firstly so that the lights can be used at night and secondly so that the PIC will have a power supply. Without the battery supply, the PIC is powered via the solar panel but the PIC supply is dependent on Mosfet switching. It is a chicken and egg situation and this control loop is possibly unstable. If you don’t want a battery in the circuit, then the PIR detector should be operated from the solar panel supply via a series dropping resistor and 12V zener diode. Additionally, the solar panel should be connected in the 96  Silicon Chip DOWNLOAD OUR CATALOG at www.iinet.net.au/~worcom WORLDWIDE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS PO Box 631, Hillarys, WA 6923 Ph: (08) 9307 7305 Fax: (08) 9307 7309 Email: worcom<at>iinet.net.au Notes & Errata Barking Dog Blaster (September 2012): the Fig.2 overlay diagram shows the LED package (LED1) with the incorrect orientation. The anode marking (A) is in the correct position but the LED flat side should be toward the lower edge of the PCB. Classic-D Amplifier Speaker Pro­ tector (November & December 2012): The 4.7µF capacitor shown on the circuit and in the parts list should be 47µF. The overlay diagram and PCB is correct. USB Power Meter (December 2012): in Fig.2 (p40), the component shown below IC3 should be a 100Ω resistor, not a 100nF capacitor. Keith Rippon................................. 95 Kitstop.......................................... 19 LED Sales.................................... 95 Linkwell........................................ 12 Mastercut..................................... 79 Matrix Multimedia......................... 55 Microbee Technology................... 79 Microchip Technology..................... 5 Mikroelektronika........................... 11 Oatley Electronics...................... IBC Ocean Controls.............................. 8 Ozcommfile.................................. 12 Prime Electronics......................... 19 Qualify Pty Ltd.............................. 31 Quest Electronics......................... 95 Radio, TV & Hobbies DVD............ 93 RF Modules.................................. 96 Sesame Electronics..................... 95 Silicon Chip Binders................ 61,95 Silicon Chip Bookshop................. 77 Silicon Chip Order Form............... 85 Silicon Chip Partshop................... 84 Silicon Chip Subscriptions........... 53 Splat Controls............................... 95 Tekmark Australia......................... 13 Television Replacements............. 95 battery position rather than the solar panel position so that the circuit can run correctly. The timer is not meant to be absolutely precise and is there to switch the lights off after a period that is not critical. The 2-25s and 4m to 480m settings are available. This timer setting would normally be done once to suit the application. We did not use hex code switches for the timer selection or complex 12-position switches as these are rather Tenrod Pty Ltd.............................. 15 Truscotts Electronic World............ 95 Verbatim Australia........................ 17 Wiltronics..................................... 6,7 Worldwide Elect. Components..... 96 expensive and the analog trimpot to set the time out is much simpler and cheaper, especially since it is unlikely the settings will be changed once they SC are set. siliconchip.com.au