Silicon ChipMarket Centre - April 1999 SILICON CHIP
  1. Outer Front Cover
  2. Contents
  3. Publisher's Letter: Solar cells becoming ever more efficient
  4. Feature: Autopilots For Radio-Controlled Model Aircraft by Bob Young
  5. Feature: Getting Started With Linux; Pt.2 by Bob Dyball
  6. Serviceman's Log: The day my multimeter lied to me by The TV Serviceman
  7. Project: High-Power Electric Fence Controller by John Clarke
  8. Project: The Bass Cube Subwoofer by Julian Edgar
  9. Feature: SPECIAL OFFER: Low-Cost Internet Access by SILICON CHIP
  10. Product Showcase
  11. Project: Programmable Thermostat/Thermometer by Keith Rippon
  12. Back Issues
  13. Order Form
  14. Project: Build An Infrared Sentry by Branco Justic & Ross Tester
  15. Feature: Electric Lighting; Pt.13 by Julian Edgar
  16. Vintage Radio: Wow! My first vintage radio by Rodney Champness
  17. Project: A Rev Limiter For Cars by John Clarke
  18. Notes & Errata: LED Fun
  19. Market Centre
  20. Advertising Index
  21. Book Store
  22. Outer Back Cover

This is only a preview of the April 1999 issue of Silicon Chip.

You can view 34 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:
  • Radio Control (November 1996)
  • Radio Control (February 1997)
  • Radio Control (March 1997)
  • Radio Control (May 1997)
  • Radio Control (June 1997)
  • Radio Control (July 1997)
  • Radio Control (November 1997)
  • Radio Control (December 1997)
  • Autopilots For Radio-Controlled Model Aircraft (April 1999)
  • Model Plane Flies The Atlantic (May 1999)
  • Tiny, Tiny Spy Planes (July 1999)
  • 2.4GHz DSS Radio Control Systems (February 2009)
  • Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: An Australian Perspective (June 2010)
  • RPAs: Designing, Building & Using Them For Business (August 2012)
  • Multi-Rotor Helicopters (August 2012)
  • Flying The Parrot AR Drone 2 Quadcopter (August 2012)
  • Electric Remotely Piloted Aircraft . . . With Wings (October 2012)
Articles in this series:
  • Getting Started With Linux; Pt.1 (March 1999)
  • Getting Started With Linux; Pt.2 (April 1999)
  • Getting Started With Linux; Pt.3 (May 1999)
  • Getting Started With Linux; Pt.4 (June 1999)
Items relevant to "High-Power Electric Fence Controller":
  • High-Power Electric Fence Controller PCB pattern (PDF download) [11303991] (Free)
  • High-Power Electric Fence Controller panel artwork (PDF download) (Free)
Items relevant to "Programmable Thermostat/Thermometer":
  • Programmable Themometer/Thermostat PCB pattern (PDF download) [07504991] (Free)
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 "A Rev Limiter For Cars":
  • Rev Limiter PCB patterns (PDF download) [05304991/05412981] (Free)
  • Rev Limiter panel artwork (PDF download) (Free)

Purchase a printed copy of this issue for $10.00.

MARKET CENTRE Cash in your surplus gear. Advertise it here in Silicon Chip. YES! Place your classified advertisement in FRWEEBE 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: $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 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. ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ____________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ____________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ____________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ____________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ____________ 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 C COMPILERS: everything you need to develop C and ASM software for 68HC08, 6809, 68HC11, 68HC12, 68HC16, 8051/52, 8080/85, 8086, 8096 or AVR: $155.00 each. Macro Cross Assemblers and Disassemblers for above CPUs + 6800/01/03/05, 6502 and 68HC12 for $78. Debug monitors: $78 for 6 CPUs. All compilers, XASMs and monitors: $480. 8051/52 Simulator (fast, now incl. 80C320): $78. 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. $199, $37 tax, $10 p&p. SOIC adaptors: 20-pin $90, 14-pin $85, 8-pin $80. Credit cards accepted. GRAN­TRONICS PTY LTD, PO Box 275, Wentworthville 2145. Ph (02) 9896 7150; Fax (02) 9631 1236; or Internet: http://www.grantronics.com.au TELEPHONE EXCHANGE SIMULATOR, SC February 1998. Test equipment without the cost of telephone lines. $190. MAGNETIC CARD READER, SC January 1996. Holds up to 8 cards. Use as a door lock. $65. Melbourne 9806 0110. PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARDS for all magazine project, then goto http://www.cia.com.au/rcsradio RCS Radio – Bexley (+61 2) 9587 3491. WEATHER STATIONS: Windspeed & direction, inside temperature, outside temperature & windchill. Records highs & lows with time and date as they occur. $420.00 complete plus sales tax if appli­cable. 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., etc. Just phone, fax or write for our FREE FIND the Hidden BISKIT in our OnLine Catalogue at www.allthings.com.au It’s worth $25.00 to $500.00 ! Our Catalogue has Very Comprehensive & Up-to-Date Information & Detailed Application Notes. SINGLE-CABLE-SOLUTIONS 5 mm dia cable for Video & Audio & Power Supply from 40 Cents per metre ! BUNDLED PAKS for Upgrading Systems or DIY: FOUR Cameras, Switcher & Power Supply from $506 ! With 12 Inch Monitor from $607 ! With MULTIPLEXER for FULL-FRAME FULL-RESOLUTION RECORDING from $1196 ! FOUR COLOUR CAMERAS, SWITCHER & POWER SUPPLY from $873 ! WITH COLOUR QUAD 4 Pix 1 Screen from $1271 ! JAPANESE CS LENSES from $60 ! HIGH RESOLUTION QUADS 720 x 576 (Better than SUPER-VHS Quality) Time & Date from $313 ! COLOUR QUADS from $503 ! COLOUR DUPLEX MULTIPLEXERS from $1329 ! 14 Inch MONITORS from $218 ! With Inbuilt 4 Ch SWITCHER from $256 ! SEE-in-theDARK with our Combination CAMERA INFRARED ILLUMINATOR Kit from $170 ! SILICON CCD PCB MODULES from $78 ! PREMIUM SONY CCD & CHIPSET 480 + Line x 0.05 Lux 32 x 32 PCB MODULES from $91 ! CAMERAS: Mini from $88 ! Dome from $91 ! COLOUR DIGITAL SIGNAL PROCESSING CAMERAS & MODULES: 400 + Line from $180 ! DOME from $185 ! 480 + Line DOME with SONY CCD from $246 ! 600 + Line from $346 ! PREMIUM High Resolution 600 + Line (Better than SUPER-VHS Quality) High Sensitivity 0.2 Lux (with Slow Scan) COLOUR CAMERAS from $455 ! 30 + Lenses 2.1 to 16 mm INCLUDING JAPANESE VARIABLE FOCAL LENGTH. 50 LED DIY Infra Red Illuminator Kits only $19 ! Monochrome Quads 4 Pix 1 Screen from $280 ! ALSO: Outdoor Housings, Brackets, Dummy Cams, CCTV-TV/ VCR Interface Modules, Motorised Pan Units etc. 400 page CCTV BOOK $95 or FREE ! DISCOUNTS: Based on ORDER VALUE, BUYING HISTORY, for CASH/CHEQUE & NZ BUYERS ! BEFORE YOU BUY Ask about our New Enquiry Offer & visit our Web Site at www.allthings.com.au Allthings Sales & Services. Ph 08 9349 9413 Fax 08 9344 5905. 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. 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. SPECIAL STEAM BOAT KITS $14 catalogue and price list. Solar Flair/ Ecowatch ph: (03) 5968 4863 fax: (03) 5968 5810, PO Box 18, Emerald, Vic., 3782. ACN 006 399 480. Silvertone’s RC Receiver Still the best little performer available! 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. PCBS MADE, ONE OR MANY. Low prices, hobbyists welcome. Sesame Electronics (02) 9554 9760 sesame<at>internetezy.com.au; http:// members.tripod.com/~sesame_elec EPE MICROCONTROLLERS. Learn programming & experiments with Pictutor by EPE’s John Becker. See http://www.southern.co.nz/pictutornz or fax 643-366-7886. RAIN BRAIN AND DIGI-TEMP KITS: 8 station sprinkler controllers, 60 channel temp monitor uses DS1820s over 500 metres. Has PC Data logging. Mantis Micro Products, http://www.home.aone.net.au/mantismp WAS $1275, NOW $750 ($800 – NZ). 100MHz, 32 Channel Logic Analyser kit. Ph 02 9878 4715. email peter.baxter<at>tantau.com.au www.tantau.com.au SOLAR PANELS: Manufacturers surplus. Siemens polycrystaline cells on a plastic frame 55mm by 160mm. 1 Watt, 5.7V, 0.22A. CALL FOR DATA SHEET. Priced from $5 to $10 each depending on quantity. Dealer enquiries welcome. (02) 6628 2000. SILICON CHIP: complete set, from Vol. 1, No. 1 to Vol. 11, No. 12, $250 o.n.o. Phone (02) 9412 1897. 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 SOLAR PANELS: buy by mail and save! 75 watt from $590.00, unbreakable s/ steel 64 watt $555.00. Largest manufactured: 120 watt $995.00, flexible 32 watt $475.00. All other sizes available, top brands, lowest prices. INVERTERS: budget inverters from $110.00 (12V 140W). High quality pure sine wave inverters from $390.00. Call with your requirements. WIND GENERATORS: wide variety available, call with requirements. TASMAN ENERGY Free call 1800 226626 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 76.5F to 180F. AV-COMM P/L, 198 Condamine Street, Balgowlah NSW 2093. Tel: 02 9949 7417 or 9948 2667. Fax: 9949 7095; www.avcomm.com.au April 1999  95 Silicon Chip Binders  Heavy board covers with 2-tone green vinyl covering REAL VALUE AT $12.95  Each binder holds up to 14 issues PLUS P &P  SILICON CHIP logo printed in gold-coloured lettering on spine & cover Advertising Index Altronics................................. 62-64 Av-Comm Pty Ltd.........................95 Dick Smith Electronics........... 14-17 Harbuch Electronics....................52 Price: $12.95 plus $5 p&p each (available Aust. only) Instant PCBs................................95 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. Jaycar ...........................................9 Kits-R-Us.....................................95 RTN Australia Parallax distributor: Basic Stamps BS1, BS2, BS2-SX all ex stock. Chipsets also available for high volume applications. SX development tools and chips also available. New super BS1/2 development board Oz made now available. Custom I/O extender chips for the Basic Stamps. Serial Led driver kits, a/d kits, temperature kits etc. FerretTronics servo and stepper motor chips. TiePie HandyScope HS2, Dos and Win software included. Ph/Fax (03) 9338 3306. Email: nollet<at>mail.enternet.com.au Http://people.enternet.com.au/~nollet marvellous book for the true ex­periment­ alist!” Elektor Electronics. (www.onekw.co.nz) Microgram Computers...................3 A NEW address for Acetronics http://www.acetronics.com.au On-line PCB quotes, free software, DIY PCB supplies plus many other items & services. 02 9743 9235. Premier Batteries.........................23 SPEAKERWORKS: specialist in speaker repairs and parts. DIY refoam kits: 31/2", 4", 5", 6", 7", 8", 9", 10", 11", 12" and 15" $39.95. Includes shims, dustcaps and adhesive. Largest inventory of cones, surrounds, gaskets, spiders, dustcaps, grilles, foam and cloth and 4,700 custom voice coils. Phone 02 9420 8121, Fax 9420 8131. KIT ASSEMBLY HOMEBUILT DYNAMO, engineering dreams into reality. “An absolutely 1A LASER DIODE DRIVER, 3W head laser power monitor, IR laser diode with housing, greatly reduced price, e-mail lmatthee<at>perthpcug.org.au for details and pictures. ANY KITS assembled/calibrated: professional, speedy service. Phone Nev­ille Walker (07) 3857 2752. Oatley Electronics........................53 Printed Electronics...................... 95 Quest Electronics........................79 Reed Exhibitions..........................51 Silicon Chip Back Issues....... 60-61 Silicon Chip Binders/Wallcht....OBC Silicon Chip Bookshop...............IBC Silicon Chip Model Railway Book..7 WANTED Silicon Chip Subscriptions...........65 WANTED: 3-STAGE FIBRE OPTIC fibre optic image intensifier as previously sold by Oatley Electronics (25 or 40mm). EMAIL: tomlut<at>bigpond.com Silvertone Electronics..................95 Solar Flair/Ecowatch....................94 Truscott’s Electronic World...........79 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. Email: tpeters<at>pip.elm.mq.edu.au 96  Silicon Chip Zoom EFI Special......................IFC _____________________________ 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.