Silicon ChipMarket Centre - February 1998 SILICON CHIP
  1. Outer Front Cover
  2. Contents
  3. Publisher's Letter: Deflation has been with us for a long time
  4. Feature: Surplus Mania: Hot Web Sites For Bits by Adrian Cuesta
  5. Feature: Understanding Electric Lighting; Pt.4 by Julian Edgar
  6. Project: Multi-Purpose Fast Battery Charger; Pt.1 by John Clarke
  7. Project: Telephone Exchange Simulator For Testing by Mike Zenere
  8. Project: Command Control For Model Railways; Pt.2 by Barry Grieger
  9. Order Form
  10. Product Showcase
  11. Serviceman's Log: The TV set that smoked by The TV Serviceman
  12. Project: Demonstration Board For Liquid Crystal Displays by Rick Walters
  13. Project: Build Your Own 4-Channel Lightshow; Pt.2 by Leo Simpson & Rick Walters
  14. Vintage Radio: Clean audio for old Henry by John Hill
  15. Feature: Radio Control by Bob Young
  16. Book Store
  17. Feature: Computer Bits by Jason Cole
  18. Market Centre
  19. Advertising Index
  20. Outer Back Cover

This is only a preview of the February 1998 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.

Articles in this series:
  • Understanding Electric Lighting; Pt.1 (November 1997)
  • Understanding Electric Lighting; Pt.2 (December 1997)
  • Understanding Electric Lighting; Pt.3 (January 1998)
  • Understanding Electric Lighting; Pt.4 (February 1998)
  • Understanding Electric Lighting; Pt.5 (March 1998)
  • Understanding Electric Lighting; Pt.6 (April 1998)
  • Understanding Electric Lighting; Pt.7 (June 1998)
  • Understanding Electric Lighting; Pt.8 (July 1998)
  • Electric Lighting; Pt.9 (November 1998)
  • Electric Lighting; Pt.10 (January 1999)
  • Electric Lighting; Pt.11 (February 1999)
  • Electric Lighting; Pt.12 (March 1999)
  • Electric Lighting; Pt.13 (April 1999)
  • Electric Lighting, Pt.14 (August 1999)
  • Electric Lighting; Pt.15 (November 1999)
  • Electric Lighting; Pt.16 (December 1999)
Items relevant to "Multi-Purpose Fast Battery Charger; Pt.1":
  • Multi-Purpose Fast Battery Charger PCB patterns (PDF download) [14302981/2] (Free)
  • Multi-purpose Fast Battery Charger PCB pattern (PDF download) [14302981] (Free)
  • Multi-purpose Fast Battery Charger panel artwork (PDF download) (Free)
Articles in this series:
  • Multi-Purpose Fast Battery Charger; Pt.1 (February 1998)
  • Multi-Purpose Fast Battery Charger; Pt.2 (March 1998)
Items relevant to "Command Control For Model Railways; Pt.2":
  • Model Railway Receiver/Decoder Module PCB patterns (PDF download) [09105981/2] (Free)
  • Model Railway Command Control PCB patterns (PDF download) [09102981/09103981] (Free)
Articles in this series:
  • Computer Bits (December 1989)
  • Command Control For Model Railways; Pt.1 (January 1998)
  • Command Control For Model Railways; Pt.2 (February 1998)
  • Command Control For Model Railways; Pt.3 (March 1998)
  • Command Control For Model Railways; Pt.4 (May 1998)
  • Command Control For Model Railways; Pt.5 (June 1998)
Items relevant to "Demonstration Board For Liquid Crystal Displays":
  • LCD Demonstration Board PCB pattern (PDF download) [04102981] (Free)
Items relevant to "Build Your Own 4-Channel Lightshow; Pt.2":
  • 4-Channel Lightshow PCB patterns (PDF download) [01112971/2] (Free)
  • 4-Channel Lightshow panel artwork (PDF download) (Free)
Articles in this series:
  • Build Your Own 4-Channel Lightshow; Pt.1 (January 1998)
  • Build Your Own 4-Channel Lightshow; Pt.2 (February 1998)
Articles in this series:
  • Radio Control (January 1998)
  • Radio Control (February 1998)
  • Radio Control (March 1998)
  • Radio Control (April 1998)
Articles in this series:
  • Norton Utilities V2: hard disc maintenance for your PCs (January 1998)
  • Computer Bits (February 1998)
  • Computer Bits (March 1998)

Purchase a printed copy of this issue for $10.00.

MARKET CENTRE Cash in your surplus gear. Advertise it here in Silicon Chip. FOR SALE 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 on a separate sheet of paper, fill out the form below & 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. _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ ❏ Bankcard   ❏ Visa Card   ❏ Master Card Card No. ✂ Enclosed is my cheque/money order for $­__________ or please debit my Signature­­­­­­­­­­­­__________________________ Card expiry date______/______ Name ______________________________________________________ Street ______________________________________________________ Suburb/town ___________________________ Postcode______________ 94  Silicon Chip C COMPILERS: Ever ything you need to develop C and ASM software for 68HC08, 6809, 68HC11, 68HC12, 68HC16, 8051/52, 8080/85, 8086 or 8096: $140.00 each. Macro Cross Assemblers for these CPUs + 6800/01/03/05 and 6502: $140 for the set. Debug monitors: $70 for 6 CPUs. All compilers, XASMs and monitors: $480. 8051/52 or 80C320 Simulator (fast): $70. Disassemblers for 12 CPUs only $75. 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. Price: $189 + $10 p&p. 20pin SOIC adaptor only $70. Credit cards accepted. GRANTRONICS PTY LTD, PO Box 275, Wentworthville 2145. Ph/Fax (02) 9631 1236 or Internet: http://www.grantronics.com.au RTN Parallax Australia distributor. Parallax Basic Stamp modules BS1IC, BS2-IC and BS1 chipsets all ex stock. Carrier boards for the above also stocked. PicBus and StampBus modules also avail­able. Guaranteed best pricing and technical back up. Email: nollet<at> mail.enternet.com.au Http://people.enternet.com.au/~nollet Ph/fax (03) 9338 3306 VALVES NEW AND USED: send 65c stamp for comprehensive catalogue to Rob Stanford, PO Box 373, Toodyay 6566. MicroZed expect stocks of SX Key development kits late February, early March 1998. HOMEMADE GENERATORS: how to instructions. Eight pages free text and colour photos on the Internet at: http://www.onekw.co.nz/ VIDEO CAMERA MODULES ONLY $89! TINY 36 x 36mm CAMERAS $99! (see p72 SC Dec) DOME CEILING CAMERAS $99! SONY CHIPSET 400 x 0.05 MODULES $109! COLOUR MODULES $239! (see p49 EA Dec) 450 LINE COLOUR MODULES $369. Options/Accessories: Lenses 2.1 - 12mm, MicroFine Focus, Infra-Red Cut, Pass & Polarising Filters. 50 LED 52mm ROUND INFRA-RED or SUPER BRIGHT RED Lamp Kits $39! Our camera range includes 380-570 Line Resolution, 0.2-0.05 lux Infra-Red sensitive, 1/4" & 1/3" CCD Sensors from SONY, SHARP & SAM­SUNG, 28 x 28 PCBs & Microprocessor Digital Signal Processing Colour. WIRELESS VIDEO-AUDIO Transmitter & Receiver Module/ PCB PAIR ONLY $59! Record up to 9 FULL FRAME, FULL RESOLUTION IMAGES on any VCR with our MULTI-RECORD PROCESSOR. Before you buy! Ask for our ILLUSTRATED PRICE LIST with Ancillary Equipment & Application Notes. Allthings Sales & Services 08 9349 9413 Fax 08 9344 5905. MicroZed’s range of easy to use gear will soon be available through a store near you. A HOT SPOT FOR CHEAP PCB SUPPLIES, raw stock, drills etc plus quality manufactured boards is located at http://www.accsoft.com.au/~acetronics or phone 02 9743 9235. ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS: No matter what problem what industry we will find you a solution that meets your needs. Specialising in schematic & PCB design, custom Windows based software, embedded control, Windows/PC based test equipment, turnkey solutions. Fast turn around with competitive rates. DAMUE PTY LTD, 46 Whitby Road, Kings Langley NSW 2147. Phone (02) 9624 2802. Fax (02) 9624 2651 or E-mail alovell<at>ibm.net 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. MicroZed Computers BASIC STAMPS & PIC Tools SPECIAL STEAM BOAT KITS $14 SIMPLE PIC84 PROGRAMMER: various models available. Also PIC-driven moving message and digit displays. EST Electronics (02) 9789 3616, Fax (02) 9718 4762, or www.nettrade.com.au/sesame/ Scott Edwards Electronics microEngineering Labs & others Easy to learn, easy to use, sophisticated CPU based controllers & peripherals. Available from a store near you SOON. PO Box 634, ARMIDALE 2350 (296 Cook’s Rd) Ph (02) 6772 2777 – may time out to Mobile 014 036775 Fax (02 6772 8987 http://www.microzed.com.au/~microzed Most Credit Cards OK PRESTON ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS 651 Forest Rd, Bexley 2207 makes all the project PCBs published in SILICON CHIP and other Australian magazines Tel +61 2 9587 3491 Fax 9587 5385 E-mail rcsradio<at>cia.com.au EDE-300, 8 I/O extra via just 1 pin from any Stamp or micro. EDE-700, Serial LCD interface IC via 1 pin display text on LCD modules ranging from 1*8 to 2*40 in size. EDE-1200, stepper motor controller IC, stand-alone or under host control. Email: nollet<at>mail.enternet.com.au Http://people.enternet.com.au/~nollet Ph/Fax (03) 9338 3306. PCBs MADE, ONE OR MANY. Low prices, hobbyists welcome. Sesame Electronics (02) 9554 9760. sesame<at>nettrade.com.au HARD TO GET MODULES & KITS. Laser diode module, 650nm, 15mW, 3V-5V, easy adjustable focus, brass case, 31mm long, 10mm diam. 25cm Now at 172 HIGH STREET, PRESTON, VIC (Corner of Bell and High Streets) Phone: (03) 9484 0191 Specialising in a wide range of: TV Antennas – Resistors – Cables – Circuit Boards – Capacitors – Sprays – PCB Artwork – Instrument Cases – Relays – Kit Sets – Semiconductors (all types) – Trimpots – Photo Sensitive – Transformers – Switches – Alarm/Security Equipment – CB Radios & Accessories. We are approved resellers for Altronics, DSE and RPG Products! wires. $140. Same LD module but 5mW, $40. Kit 113 control 2 unipolar steppers to 3A from a PC. All contained in RS232 D-shell case. $27. Kit 109 control one unipolar stepper with 5804 IC. $27. P/P extra. All components, PCB & software supplied. Software may be d/l free from our web site at http://kitsrus.com Email: peter<at>kitsrus.com Fax: (852) 2725 0610 DIY Electronics. ELECTRONICS TEST EQUIPMENT: oscilloscopes, HP model 1740A 100MHz $900; BWD 520 50MHz $420; Tektronix 434 25MHz storage $690; signal generator Rhode & Schwarz SMS 0.1-520MHz $1100; function generator Tabur Electro 20MHz $620; digital multimeter Fluke 8050A $190. RTN Elab Digital products distributor. Basic Stamp add-on pro­ ducts. February 1998  95 14 Model Railway Projects Shop soiled but HALF PRICE! Our stocks of this book are now limited. All we have left are newsagents’ returns which means that they may be slightly shop soiled or have minor cover blemishes. Otherwise, they're undamaged and in good condition. SPECIAL CLEARANCE PRICE: $3.95 + $3 P&P (Aust. & NZ) Advertising Index Dick Smith Electronics............. 8-11 Emona.........................................65 Harbuch Electronics....................55 Instant PCBs................................95 Jaycar ............................IFC, 45-52 Kalex............................................83 Microgram Computers.................17 MicroZed Computers...................95 This book will not be reprinted Oatley Electronics........................33 Yes! Please send me _____ copies of 14 Model Railway Projects at the special price of $A3.95 + $A3 p&p (p&p outside Aust. & NZ $A6). Enclosed is my cheque/money order for $­A__________ or please debit my Preston Electronics......................95 ❏ Bankcard   ❏ Visa Card   ❏ MasterCard Printed Electronics.......................95 RCS.............................................95 Card No. Signature­­­­­­­­­­­­___________________________ Card expiry date______/______ Name Street ______________________________________________________ Rola Australia..............................95 Scan Audio..................................83 PLEASE PRINT ______________________________________________________ Suburb/town_________________________________ Postcode_________ Send your order to: SILICON CHIP, PO Box 139, Collaroy, NSW 2097; or fax your order to (02) 9979 6503; or ring (02) 9979 5644 and quote your credit card number (Bankcard, Visa Card or MasterCard). Silicon Chip Bookshop.................85 Silicon Chip Binders/Wallcht....OBC Silicon Chip Software..................30 Valve Electronics.........................59 Vorlac Industries............................3 Ph/Fax 03 9309 3581; mobile 0412 34 0692. DONTRONICS can be found at: http://www.dontronics.com WANTED WANTED TO PHOTOCOPY or purchase. Circuit diagram or manual for Kikusui 555 CRO. (02) 9948 5034. WE PAY UP TO $60 for good circuit ideas for Circuit Notebook. Send your circuit to: Silicon Chip Publications, PO Box 139, Collaroy, 2097. 96  Silicon Chip Microprocessor For Digital Effects Unit 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 lica­ tions, PO Box 139 Collaroy 2097. Phone (02) 9979 5644; Fax (02) 9979 6503. Zoom Magazine.........................IBC _____________________________ 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.