Silicon ChipMarket Centre - December 1991 SILICON CHIP
  1. Outer Front Cover
  2. Contents
  3. Publisher's Letter: Music and computers - a new way to learn
  4. Feature: The Miracle Piano Teaching System by Darren Yates
  5. Feature: Win A Miracle Piano Teaching System
  6. Project: TV Transmitter For UHF VCRs by John Clarke
  7. Project: Build An Infrared Light Beam Relay by Darren Yates
  8. Vintage Radio: Power supplies for battery receivers by John Hill
  9. Back Issues
  10. Serviceman's Log: When the ghost comes early by The TV Serviceman
  11. Feature: Remote Control by Bob Young
  12. Project: Compact Solid-State Laser Pointer by Leo Simpson
  13. Feature: Computer Bits by Jennifer Bonnitcha
  14. Project: Build A Colour TV Pattern Generator, Pt.2 by John Clarke
  15. Feature: The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.16 by Bryan Maher
  16. Order Form
  17. Feature: Index to Volume 4
  18. Market Centre
  19. Advertising Index
  20. Outer Back Cover

This is only a preview of the December 1991 issue of Silicon Chip.

You can view 49 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:
  • Remote Control (December 1991)
  • Remote Control (January 1992)
  • Designing A Speed Controller For Electric Models (February 1992)
  • Remote Control (March 1992)
Articles in this series:
  • Computer Bits (July 1989)
  • Computer Bits (August 1989)
  • Computer Bits (September 1989)
  • Computer Bits (October 1989)
  • Computer Bits (November 1989)
  • Computer Bits (January 1990)
  • Computer Bits (April 1990)
  • Computer Bits (October 1990)
  • Computer Bits (November 1990)
  • Computer Bits (December 1990)
  • Computer Bits (January 1991)
  • Computer Bits (February 1991)
  • Computer Bits (March 1991)
  • Computer Bits (April 1991)
  • Computer Bits (May 1991)
  • Computer Bits (June 1991)
  • Computer Bits (July 1991)
  • Computer Bits (August 1991)
  • Computer Bits (September 1991)
  • Computer Bits (October 1991)
  • Computer Bits (November 1991)
  • Computer Bits (December 1991)
  • Computer Bits (January 1992)
  • Computer Bits (February 1992)
  • Computer Bits (March 1992)
  • Computer Bits (May 1992)
  • Computer Bits (June 1992)
  • Computer Bits (July 1992)
  • Computer Bits (September 1992)
  • Computer Bits (October 1992)
  • Computer Bits (November 1992)
  • Computer Bits (December 1992)
  • Computer Bits (February 1993)
  • Computer Bits (April 1993)
  • Computer Bits (May 1993)
  • Computer Bits (June 1993)
  • Computer Bits (October 1993)
  • Computer Bits (March 1994)
  • Computer Bits (May 1994)
  • Computer Bits (June 1994)
  • Computer Bits (July 1994)
  • Computer Bits (October 1994)
  • Computer Bits (November 1994)
  • Computer Bits (December 1994)
  • Computer Bits (January 1995)
  • Computer Bits (February 1995)
  • Computer Bits (March 1995)
  • Computer Bits (April 1995)
  • CMOS Memory Settings - What To Do When The Battery Goes Flat (May 1995)
  • Computer Bits (July 1995)
  • Computer Bits (September 1995)
  • Computer Bits: Connecting To The Internet With WIndows 95 (October 1995)
  • Computer Bits (December 1995)
  • Computer Bits (January 1996)
  • Computer Bits (February 1996)
  • Computer Bits (March 1996)
  • Computer Bits (May 1996)
  • Computer Bits (June 1996)
  • Computer Bits (July 1996)
  • Computer Bits (August 1996)
  • Computer Bits (January 1997)
  • Computer Bits (April 1997)
  • Windows 95: The Hardware That's Required (May 1997)
  • Turning Up Your Hard Disc Drive (June 1997)
  • Computer Bits (July 1997)
  • Computer Bits: The Ins & Outs Of Sound Cards (August 1997)
  • Computer Bits (September 1997)
  • Computer Bits (October 1997)
  • Computer Bits (November 1997)
  • Computer Bits (April 1998)
  • Computer Bits (June 1998)
  • Computer Bits (July 1998)
  • Computer Bits (November 1998)
  • Computer Bits (December 1998)
  • Control Your World Using Linux (July 2011)
Articles in this series:
  • Build A Colour TV Pattern Generator, Pt.1 (November 1991)
  • Build A Colour TV Pattern Generator, Pt.2 (December 1991)
Articles in this series:
  • The Technology Letters, Pt.2 (January 1989)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy (July 1990)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.2 (August 1990)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.3 (September 1990)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.4 (October 1990)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.5 (November 1990)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.6 (December 1990)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.7 (January 1991)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.8 (February 1991)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.9 (March 1991)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.10 (May 1991)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.11 (July 1991)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.12 (August 1991)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.13 (September 1991)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.14 (October 1991)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.15 (November 1991)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.16 (December 1991)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.17 (January 1992)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.18 (March 1992)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.19 (August 1992)
  • The Story of Electrical Energy; Pt.20 (September 1992)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.21 (November 1992)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.22 (January 1993)
  • The Story of Electrical Energy (April 1993)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.24 (May 1993)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.24 (June 1993)
MARKET CENTRE Cash in your surplus gear. Advertise it here in Silicon Chip. ANTIQUE RADIO ANTIQUE RADIO restorations. Your one-stop radio repair shop. Specialising in restoring vintage radios including chassis rewiring, re-condensing, quality new parts, valves, valve sockets, speakers, power & audio transformers . Secondhand radio dials & parts for most brands & models. About 400 radios in stock for sale,.restoration & parts. Every restored wireless is covered by a 2year warranty on parts & labour. We restore damaged woodwork & cabinets & French polish (approx. 40 coats) . Vintage car radios available for sale or restoration . Repairs done on tape decks & amplifiers. Open Sat. 10am-5pm; Sun. 12.30-5pm. 109 Cann St, Bass Hill, NSW 2197. Phone (02) 645 3173 BH or (02) 726 1613 AH. FOR SALE WEATHER FAX programs for IBM XT/ ATs *** "RADFAX2" $35 is a high reso- lution, shortwave weather fax, Morse & RTTY receiving program . Needs CGA, SSB HF radio & Radfax decoder. Also "RF2HERC", "RF2EGA" & "RF2VGA", same as RADFAX2 but suitable for Hercules, EGA & VGA cards respectively. $35. *** "SATFAX" $45 is a NOAA, Meteor & GMS weather satellite picture receiving program. Uses EGA & VGA modes, needs EGA or VGA colour monitor & card, plus "WEATHER FAX" PC card. $45. *** All programs are on 5.25inch or 3.5-inch discs (state which) & include documentation. Add $3 postage. Only from M. Delahunty, 42 Villiers St, New Farm, 4004 Qld. Phone (07) 358 2785. COMPONENTS SPECIALS available until end April 1992. MC14433 digital panel meter chip $15.00 (new stock) . MC45512 memory telephone dialler chip $10.00. 4001, 4011, 4071, 4081 $0.40 ea for 10 up. 4013, 4017, 4024, 4040 $0.80 ea in lots of 10 up. 7805, 7808, 78L05, 78L08 $0.40 ea. 1N914 $0.05 ea, 1N4004 $0.07 ea. 2114 static RAM r-------------------------, CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING RATES Advertising rates for this page: Classified ads - $7 .00 for up to 15 words plus 40 cents for each additional word . Display ads (casual rate) - $20 per column centimetre (Max. 10cm) . Closing date : five weeks prior to month of sale. To run your classified ad, print it clearly on a separate sheet of paper & send it with this form & your cheque or credit card details to : Silicon Chip Classifieds, PO Box 139, Collaroy Beach, NSW 2097. Or fax the details to (02} 979 6503. Enclosed is my cheque/money order for $_ _ _ _ or please debit my D Bankcard D Visa Card 0 Master Card I I I I I I I I I SILICON CHIP IBM COMPATIBLE computer kits & accessories. Button spike protector $37.00. 6-socket power boards with surge/spike protection $49.00. Pack/ post $3.00. Send for a free price list. M.T.S. Electronics, PO Box 1013 Taree , NSW 2430. Phone (065) 53 1296. DIGITAL SPEEDO kit $50.00. Digital tacho with 10RPM resolution $49.00. Memory telephone dialler with single button dialling $30.00. 40kHz crystals $12.00. Hall effect sensors $4.00. Certified P&P $5.00. CTOAN Electronics, PO Box 33, Condell Park, NSW 2200. Phone (02) 708 3763. PATCH PLUGS:¼-inch T-R-S. New. 25 for $15 posted anywhere in Oz. Bulk prices available. Phone Greig (02) 799 3951 (6-10pm). GARAGE DOOR REMOTE control kit: see SILICON CHIP March/April 1991 . For orders received before the end of January 1992, we are offering one complete receiver kit and one ready made transmitter for the special price of $94. Oatley Electronics, PO Box 89, Oatley, NSW 2223. Phone (02) 579 4985. LASER DIODE HEAD BARGAIN: we have a small quantity of 3mW laser x I Card No . I I Signature_ __ _ __ __ _ _ _ Card expiry date_ _~ /_ __ I I Name _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ I I Street _ _ __ __ __ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ I I Suburb/town _ _ __ _ __ _ __ _ Postcode_ _ _ __ _ L _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ JI 94 chips $1.50 ea, data available. P&P on components $4.00 up to order value of $200.00 . Ring for postage rates on higher order values. CTOAN Electronics, PO Box 33, Condell Park, NSW 2200. Phone (02) 708 3763. CORNER REFLECTOR ANTENNA KIT The original SILICON CHIP design. Outperforms commercial units at a fraction of the cost. Comes complete with all parts, cut & predrilled. Easy to assemble in under 1 hour. $65, ,ncluding postage anywhere in Australia. Send cheque/money order to: BDK Audio, 46 Calderwood Rd, Landsborough , Old 4550. Phone (074) 94 1928 r COMPUTER BARGAINS Systems: 286-16MHz CPU $1290.00 386SX-16MHz CPU $1545.00 All systems AMI BIOS, 1Mb RAM, 1.2Mb or 1.44Mb FDD, 42Mb HDD, 2 Serial & 1 Parallel port, SVGA monitor 0.28, 1024 x 768, 512K VGA card, desktop case, 200W PS, mouse with system only $20.00. Japanese floppy drives: 1.2Mb $100.00, 1.44Mb $95. 3-Button mouse with pad and adaptor $37. Mini tower case with 200W PS, 4 doors $135.00. 1Mb Trident VGA card incl. RAM $159.00. All prices incl. sales tax. Cheques & credit cards accepted. For comprehensive price list and oraers, contact: BDK Audio, 46 Calderwood Rd, Landsborough 4550. Phone/fax (074) 94 1928. Prices at October 1, 1991 SIMM 1MBx9 100ns sons 1MBx8 100ns 80ns 4MBx9 80ns 256 X 9 sons (For SIP add $1) DRAM-DIP 1MBx1 80ns 256 X 4 100ns 80ns 120ns 41256 100ns 80ns \.. r TRANSFORMER REWINDS TRANSFORMER REWINDS Reply Paid No.2, PO Box 438, Singleton, NSW 2330. Ph: (065) 761291. Fax: (065) 76 1003. LCD MODULES: when this magazine is printed, we will have in stock a range of brand new high-quality liquid crystal display (LCD) modules, at a small fraction of their expected prices . For example, we will have a 20-character 2-line (20 x 2) display with backlighting _for around $30. All modules will come with information and we should have a backlighting inverter kit for the displays available. Oatley Electronics, PO Box 89, Oatley, 2223. Phone (02) 579 4985. XT/ AT HANDBOOK by Choisser & Foster. Pocket size 92 pages. For Engineers & Programmers, & other serious PC/XT & PC/AT users. A collection of 58.00 55.00 48.00 56.00 240.00 16.00 6.00 5.90 6.00 1.80 2.00 2.20 COPROCESSORS 80387-DX To 33 80387-SX 16 & 20 80287 To 12MHz 80287 Over 12 250.00 157.00 100.00 147.00 FLOPPY DRIVES 3.5 Panasonic 1.44 3.5 Teac 1.44 5.25 Panasonic 1.2 80.00 86.00 92.00 EXPANSION CARDS LS 866N 32Mb OK 240.00 AST RAM plus 8Mb 350.00 BOCA AT plus 8Mb 250.00 SPECIALS Sun SLC Sharp 6220 Sharp 8081 PS/2(ALL) PS/2(ALL) Mac FX/NIX Laser Printers 4Mb 1Mb 1Mb 2Mb 4Mb 4Mb 2Mb 300.00 180.00 100.00 168.00 305.00 250.00 206.00 SOCKETS Simm Sockets 30 x 1 Vert 1.70 Simm Sockets 30 x 2 Ang 3.50 Simm Sockets 30 x 2 Vert 3.20 Sales Tax 20%. Overnight Delivery. Credit Cards Welcome 1st Floor, 100 Yarrara Road, Pennant Hills, NSW 2120. Tel (02) 980 6988 Fax (02) 980 6991 ~ PELHAM ALL TYPES OF TRANSFORMER REWINDS diode heads which were originally designed for use in very small pen-sized laser pointers. Dimensions: 11 mm diameter x 22mm long. They are designed to be powered from two small AAA or N type alkaline batteries. Alternative supplies can be used but a constant current source must be added (see suitable circuit in this issue of SILICON CHIP}. The heads are offered at a clearance price of $150. Oatley Electronics, PO Box 89, Oatley, NSW 2223. Phone (02) 579 4985. "I MEMORY EXPANSION UNIDEN SCANNERS DON'T PAV MORE! 50XL RRP $299.95. Our price $211 10 memories, Lo-Hi VHF, UHF 1OOXL T RRP $449.95. Our price $409 100 memories, Lo-Hi VHF, Air, UHF 200XL T RRP $549.95. Our Price $477 200 memories, Lo-Hi VHF, Air, UHF, 800 MHz All prices include delivery. Phone anytime today! (03) 883 9535; Fax (03) 432 0716 TopCom Communications PO Box 336, Greensborough, Vic 3088. ~ \.. KIT REPAIRS Kits repaired from all m"agazines. Switchmode power supplies repaired, design work from start to finish computer software consultancy. Ring anytime 9am-9pm Mon-Sun. EEM Electronics, 10 Bouverie Place, Epping, Vic. 3076 Phone (03) 401 1393 hardware & software facts & data on the PC compatible family & its operating system. Latest Edition. This is the one advertised by Annabooks in US magazines Byte, Dr Dobb's Journal, etc. $20 including postage. 5 or more $15 each. Don McKenzie, 29 Ellesmere Crescent, tu llamarine 3043. SOLAR PANELS, wind generators, batteries, inverters, etc. Our 50-page Solar Engineering catalog is the definitive statement on equipment and price! Send $15 to Solar Technology, PO Box LEARN ELECTRONICS WITH UCANDO VIDEOS AC-DC power supplies, amplifiers, integrated circuits, oscillators. Average one hour each. $A48.00 each. Also build electronic kits for learning experience. Mastercard & Visa accepted. Electronics Assembly Co, PO Box 21191, Edgeware, Christchurch, New Zealand. Phone 3-795-570 FIX-A-KIT KIT REPAIR & CONSTRUCTION 3 MONTHS WARRANTY ON REPAIRS 12 MONTHS WARRANTY ON CONSTRUCTION TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE HYCAL ELECTRONICS Design, Manufacture & Repair of Electronic Equipment (02) 633 5477 1129, Esperance 6450. Phone (090) 71 3719. OSCILLOSCOPE: 35MHz, dual trace, dual timebase, Leader LB0-524. As new, private sale, $800. Phone (02) 217 0232 BH Seaforth. PC TALKING VOLTMETER software. For project published in SILICON CHIP, Oct/Nov 1991. Plugs into the printer port of any IBM PC/XT/AT/386 or compatible. Displays voltages up to ±128V on screen, takes voltage samples over DECEMBER1991 95 Market Centre - continued from page 95 Advertising Index Altronics .... .. .. .... .................. . 22-25 Antique Radio Restorations ..... . 94 Av-Comm .. .. ... ..... .. ..... .. ......... ... . 77 Back Issues .. ..... .... ..... .. ... .. . 36,37 BOK Audio .......... ............ ... .. . 94,95 David Reid Electronics ...... .. 2,3,73 Dick Smith Electronics ... .. ... . 10-12 EEM Electronics .. .... .... .... ......... 95 SUSIES COMPUTERS Electronic Components Shop ... 20 36 Regent Street, Kensington (08) 364 0902. 75 Main South Rd, O'Halloran Hill (08) 322 4299. Electronic World ................... ..... 85 Electronics Assembly Co . ........ . 95 Elmeasco ......... .... ............... .... IBC time, 8-bit accuracy to within 1%, combines with the .PCVOICE RECORDER to give a talking voltmeter. Available on 5¼inch 360Kb disc plus documentation and instructions for $35 plus $3pp. Also available PCVOICE RECORDER software - turn your computer into an audio recorder $25 + $3pp (VGA/EGA/CGA/ MONO) . MS-DOS required. Send your cheque or money order to Darren Yates, PO Box 134, French 's Forest NSW 2086. Emona Instruments ...... ... .. ......... . 9 WANTED Geoff Wood Electronics ............ 31 WANTED: MANUAL; Handbook for Harbuch Electronics ... .. ... .. .. ..... . 87 Mullard Valve Tester, CT80/1/3. Phone (045) 761410 . Hycal Instruments ... ..... .. ..... ...... 95 CP/M PROGRAMS wanted to buy for Jaycar Electronics ................ 45-52 Little Big Board Processor with 8-inch double sided drives. Call Bill Collison (08) 232 1373. SC J.V. Tuners ....... ....... .. ...... ..... ... .. 43 r------------ ---------- ---, SILICON CHIP BINDERS X Protect your valuable issues with a special binder from SILICON CHIP. Our binders feature heavy board covers, are made from a distinctive two-tone green vinyl, and have the SILICON CHIP logo printed in gold-coloured lettering on the spine and front cover. They hold up to 14 issues and will look great on your bookshelf. Price: $A 11 .95 + $A3 p&p or buy a subscription and get a discount on the first binder (see the subscription order form in this issue) . lcom Australia .. .. ................... OBC Kalex ....... .. .. .. .. .. ................. ....... 86 Oatley Electronics ... ... .......... 63,95 PC Marketplace .... ... .. ........... .. .. 71 Pelham ..... .. ........................ ....... 95 Philips ... ... .. ............. ... .... .. ....... IFC Preston Electronics ..... .............. 87 RCS Radio ........ .......... .............. 85 Resurrection Radio ... ...... .......... 35 Rod Irving Electronics .... ... ... 38,39 58,59,82,83 Subscriptions ............... ..... .... .... 91 Susies Computers .... .. ..... ... .... .. 96 Yes! Please send me _ _ _ _ SILICON CHIP binder(s) at $A11.95 plus $A3 p&p each (NZ $A6 p&p). Enclosed is my cheque/money order for $_ _ _ _ or please debit my O Bankcard O Visa Card O Master Card Transformer Rewinds .... ..... .... .. . 95 PC Boards Printed circuit boards for SILICON CHIP projects are made by: Card No. Signature_ __ __ _ _ _ __ __ Card expiry date_ _~/_ __ Name _ _ _ _ __ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ __ __ _ _ Street _ __ _ _ __ _ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Suburb/town _ _ _ __ _ _ _ __ _ _ Postcode_ __ __ _ Silicon Chip Publications, PO Box 139, Collaroy Beach, NSW 2097, Australia. Fax: (02) 979 6503. L _______ __________________ J 96 TopCom Communications .. .. ..... 95 SILICON CHIP • Electron ic Toy Services, 2/111 Glynville Drive, Hackham West, SA 5163. Phone (08) 382 8919. • Jemal Products, 5 Forge St, Welshpool, WA 6106. Phone (09) 350 5555. • Marday Services, PO Box 19-189, Avondale, Auckland, NZ. Phone 88 5730. • RCS Radio Pty Ltd, 651 Forest Rd , Bexley, NSW 2207. Phone (02) 587 3491.