Silicon ChipBook Store - July 2011 SILICON CHIP
  1. Outer Front Cover
  2. Contents
  3. Publisher's Letter: The quest for ultra-low distortion
  4. Feature: Australia Hears . . . And So Do I by Ross Tester
  5. Feature: Control Your World Using Linux by Nenad Stojadinovic
  6. Book Store
  7. Project: Ultra-LD Mk.3 200W Amplifier Module by Nicholas Vinen
  8. Project: A Portable Lightning Detector by John Clarke
  9. Project: Rudder Position Indicator For Power Boats by Nicholas Vinen
  10. Feature: A Look At Amplifier Stability & Compensation by Nicholas Vinen
  11. Project: Build A Voice-Activated Relay (VOX) by John Clarke
  12. Vintage Radio: Hotpoint Bandmaster J35DE console radio, Pt.1 by Maurie Findlay
  13. Advertising Index
  14. Outer Back Cover

This is only a preview of the July 2011 issue of Silicon Chip.

You can view 30 of the 104 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:
  • 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)
Items relevant to "Ultra-LD Mk.3 200W Amplifier Module":
  • Ultra-LD Mk3 200W Amplifier Module PCB [01107111] (AUD $15.00)
  • Ultra-LD Mk3/Mk4 Amplifier Power Supply PCB [01109111] (AUD $15.00)
  • Ultra-LD Mk.3 Power Supply PCB pattern (PDF download) [01109111] (Free)
Articles in this series:
  • Ultra-LD Mk.3 200W Amplifier Module (July 2011)
  • Ultra-LD Mk.3 200W Amplifier Module, Pt.2 (August 2011)
  • Ultra-LD Mk.3 200W Amplifier Module, Pt.3 (September 2011)
Items relevant to "A Portable Lightning Detector":
  • Portable Lightning Detector PCB [04107111] (AUD $15.00)
  • Portable Lightning Detector PCB pattern (PDF download) [04107111] (Free)
  • Portable Lightning Detector front and top panel artwork (PDF download) (Free)
Items relevant to "Rudder Position Indicator For Power Boats":
  • Rudder Position Indicator PCB Set [20107111/2/3/4] (AUD $80.00)
  • ATtiny861 programmed for the Rudder Position Indicator Sensor/Transmitter [2010711A.HEX] (Programmed Microcontroller, AUD $15.00)
  • ATtiny861 programmed for the Rudder Position Indicator Receiver/Display [2010711B.HEX] (Programmed Microcontroller, AUD $15.00)
  • Firmware (HEX) files and C source code for the Rudder Position Indicator [2010711A/B] (Software, Free)
  • Rudder Position Indictor PCB patterns (PDF download) [20107111/2/3/4] (Free)
Articles in this series:
  • Rudder Position Indicator For Power Boats (July 2011)
  • Rudder Position Indicator For Power Boats, Pt.2 (August 2011)
Items relevant to "A Look At Amplifier Stability & Compensation":
  • SPICE simulation data for Amplifier Stability & Compensation article (Software, Free)
Items relevant to "Build A Voice-Activated Relay (VOX)":
  • VOX PCB [01207111] (AUD $15.00)
  • VOX (Voice Activated Relay) PCB pattern (PDF download) [01207111] (Free)

Purchase a printed copy of this issue for $10.00.

WANT TO SAVE 10%? S C (PRINT EDITION) AUTOMATICALLY QUALIFY FOR REFERENCE $ave SUBSCRIBERS* CHIP BOOKSHOP 10% A 10% DISCOUNT ON ALL BOOK PURCHASES! SILICON ILICON HIP (*Does not apply to website orders) SELF ON AUDIO by Douglas Self 2nd Edition 2006 $69.00 PROGRAMMING and CUSTOMIZING THE PICAXE By David Lincoln (2nd Ed, 2011) $65.00 See Review A great aid when wrestling with applications for the PICAXE series of microcontrollers, at beginner, intermediate and advanced April 2011 levels. Every electronics class, school and library should have a copy, A collection of 35 classic magazine articles offering a dependable methodology for designing audio power amplifiers to improve performance at every point without significantly increasing cost. Includes compressors/limiters, hybrid bipolar/FET amps, electronic switching and more. 474 pages in paperback. along with anyone who works with PICAXEs. 300 pages in paperback SMALL SIGNAL AUDIO DESIGN By Douglas Self – First Edition 2010 $88.00 PIC IN PRACTICE The latest from the Guru of audio. Explains audio concepts in easy-to-understand language with plenty of examples and reasoning. Inspiration for audio designers, superb background for audio enthusiasts and especially where it comes to component peculiarities and limitations. Expensive? Yes. Value for money? YES! Highly recommended. 558 pages in paperback. by D W Smith. 2nd Edition - published 2006 $60.00 Based on popular short courses on the PIC, for professionals, students and teachers. Can be used at a variety of levels. An ideal introduction to the world of microcontrollers. 255 pages in paperback. AUDIO POWER AMPLIFIER DESIGN HANDBOOK PIC MICROCONTROLLER – your personal introduc- by Douglas Self – 5th Edition 2009 $81.00 tory course By John Morton 3rd edition 2005. $60.00 "The Bible" on audio power amplifiers. Many revisions and updates to the previous edition and now has an extra three chapters covering Class XD, Power Amp Input Systems and Input Processing and Auxiliarly Subsystems. Not cheap and not a book for the beginner but if you want the best reference on Audio Power Amps, you want this one! 463 pages in paperback. A unique and practical guide to getting up and running with the PIC. It assumes no knowledge of microcontrollers – ideal introduction for students, teachers, technicians and electronics enthusiasts. Revised 3rd edition focuses entirely on re-programmable flash PICs such as 16F54, 16F84 12F508 and 12F675. 226 pages in paperback. PRACTICAL GUIDE TO SATELLITE TV OP AMPS FOR EVERYONE By Garry Cratt – Latest (7th) Edition 2008 $49.00 By Carter & Mancini – 3RD EDITION $100.00 Written in Australia, for Australian conditions by one of Australia's foremost satellite TV experts. If there is anything you wanted to know about setting up a satellite TV system, (including what you can't do!) it's sure to be covered in this 176-page paperback book. Substantially updates coverage for low-speed and high-speed applications, and provides step-by-step walk-throughs for design and selection of op amps. Huge 648 pages! PROGRAMMING 32-bit MICROCONTROLLERS IN C By Luci di Jasio (2008) $79.00 NEWNES GUIDE TO TV & VIDEO TECHNOLOGY By KF Ibrahim 4th Edition (Published 2007) $49.00 Subtitled Exploring the PIC32, a Microchip insider tells all on this powerful PIC! Focuses on examples and exercises that show how to solve common, real-world design problems quickly. Includes handy checklists. FREE CD-ROM includes source code in C, the Microchip C30 compiler, and MPLAB SIM. 400 pages paperback. It's back! Provides a full and comprehensive coverage of video and television technology including HDTV and DVD. Starts with fundamentals so is ideal for students but covers in-depth technologies such as Blu-ray, DLP, Digital TV, etc so is also perfect for engineers. 600+ pages in paperback. USING UBUNTU LINUX RF CIRCUIT DESIGN by J Rolfe & A Edney – published 2007 $27.00 by Chris Bowick, Second Edition, 2008. $63.00 Ubuntu Linux is a free and easy-to-use operating system, a viable alternative to Windows and Mac OS. Introduces Ubuntu, tells how to set it up, covers the various Open Office applications and gives troubleshooting hints and tips. Highly recommended. 222 pages in paperback DVD PLAYERS AND DRIVES by K.F. Ibrahim. Published 2003. $71.00 A guide to DVD technology and applications, with particular focus on design issues and pitfalls, maintenance and repair. Ideal for engineers, technicians, students of consumer electronics and sales and installation staff. 319 pages in paperback. The classic RF circuit design book. RF circuit design is now more important that ever in the wireless world. In most of the wireless devices that we use there is an RF component – this book tells how to design and integrate in a very practical fashion. 244 pages in paperback. PRACTICAL RF HANDBOOK See Review Feb 2004 by Ian Hickman. 4th edition 2006 $61.00 A guide to RF design for engineers, technicians, students and enthusiasts. Covers key topics in RF: analog design principles, transmission lines, couplers, transformers, amplifiers, oscillators, modulation, transmitters and receivers, propagation and antennas. 279 pages in paperback. ELECTRIC MOTORS AND DRIVES PRACTICAL VARIABLE SPEED DRIVES & POWER ELECTRONICS Se By Austin Hughes - Third edition 2006 $51.00 Intended for non-specialist users of electric motors and drives, filling the gap between academic texts and general "handbooks". Explores all of the widely-used modern types of motor and drive including conventional & brushless DC, induction motors, steppers, servos, synchronous and reluctance. 384 pages, soft cover. e Review Feb An essential reference for engineers and anyone who wishes 2003 to design or use variable speed drives for induction motors. by Malcolm Barnes. 1st Ed, Feb 2003. $73.00 286 pages in soft cover. BUILD YOUR OWN ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLE AC MACHINES by Carl Vogel. Published 2009. $40.00 By Jim Lowe Published 2006 $66.00 Applicable to Australian trades-level courses including NE10 AC Machines, NE12 Synchronous Machines and the AC part of NE30 Electric Motor Control and Protection. Covering polyphase induction motors, single-phase motors, synchronous machines and polyphase motor starting. 160 pages in paperback. Alternative fuel expert Carl Vogel gives you a hands-on guide with the latest technical information and easy-to-follow instructions for building a two-wheeled electric vehicle – from a streamlined scooter to a full-sized motorcycle. 384 pages in soft cover. NOTE: ALL PRICES ARE PLUS P&P – AUSTRALIA ONLY: $10.00 per order; OR FAX (24/7) OR NZ – $12.00 PER BOOK; PAYPAL (24/7) REST OF WORLD $18.00 PER BOOK PHONE – (9-5, Mon-Fri) eMAIL (24/7) OR To Call (02) 9939 3295 with Your order and card details to Use your PayPal account silicon<at>siliconchip.com.au Place 28  S ilicon C hip with order & credit card details (02) 9939 2648 with all details silicon<at>siliconchip.com.au with order & credit card details Your Or use the handy order form on P105 of this issue Order: 1-13 See Review March 2010 OR MAIL Your order to PO Box 139 siliconchip.com.au Collaroy NSW 2097 *ALL TITLES SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY. PRICES VALID FOR MONTH OF MAGAZINE ISSUE ONLY. ALL PRICES INCLUDE GST WANT TO SAVE 10%? S C (PRINT EDITION) AUTOMATICALLY QUALIFY FOR REFERENCE $ave SUBSCRIBERS* CHIP BOOKSHOP 10% A 10% DISCOUNT ON ALL BOOK PURCHASES! SILICON ILICON HIP (*Does not apply to website orders) SELF ON AUDIO PROGRAMMING and CUSTOMIZING THE PICAXE By David Lincoln (2nd Ed, 2011) $65.00 by Douglas Self 2nd Edition 2006 $69.00 See A collection of 35 classic magazine articles offering a dependable methodology for designing audio power amplifiers to improve performance at every point without significantly increasing cost. Includes compressors/limiters, hybrid bipolar/FET amps, electronic switching and more. 474 pages in paperback. Review A great aid when wrestling with applications for the PICAXE series of microcontrollers, at beginner, intermediate and advanced April 2011 levels. Every electronics class, school and library should have a copy, along with anyone who works with PICAXEs. 300 pages in paperback SMALL SIGNAL AUDIO DESIGN PIC IN PRACTICE By Douglas Self – First Edition 2010 $88.00 by D W Smith. 2nd Edition - published 2006 $60.00 The latest from the Guru of audio. Explains audio concepts in easy-to-understand language with plenty of examples and reasoning. Inspiration for audio designers, superb background for audio enthusiasts and especially where it comes to component peculiarities and limitations. Expensive? Yes. Value for money? YES! Highly recommended. 558 pages in paperback. Based on popular short courses on the PIC, for professionals, students and teachers. Can be used at a variety of levels. An ideal introduction to the world of microcontrollers. 255 pages in paperback. PIC MICROCONTROLLER – your personal introduc- AUDIO POWER AMPLIFIER DESIGN HANDBOOK tory course By John Morton 3rd edition 2005. $60.00 by Douglas Self – 5th Edition 2009 $81.00 A unique and practical guide to getting up and running with the PIC. It assumes no knowledge of microcontrollers – ideal introduction for students, teachers, technicians and electronics enthusiasts. Revised 3rd edition focuses entirely on re-programmable flash PICs such as 16F54, 16F84 12F508 and 12F675. 226 pages in paperback. "The Bible" on audio power amplifiers. Many revisions and updates to the previous edition and now has an extra three chapters covering Class XD, Power Amp Input Systems and Input Processing and Auxiliarly Subsystems. Not cheap and not a book for the beginner but if you want the best reference on Audio Power Amps, you want this one! 463 pages in paperback. OP AMPS FOR EVERYONE PRACTICAL GUIDE TO SATELLITE TV By Carter & Mancini – 3RD EDITION $100.00 Substantially updates coverage for low-speed and high-speed applications, and provides step-by-step walk-throughs for design and selection of op amps. Huge 648 pages! By Garry Cratt – Latest (7th) Edition 2008 $49.00 Written in Australia, for Australian conditions by one of Australia's foremost satellite TV experts. If there is anything you wanted to know about setting up a satellite TV system, (including what you can't do!) it's sure to be covered in this 176-page paperback book. PROGRAMMING 32-bit MICROCONTROLLERS IN C By Luci di Jasio (2008) $79.00 NEWNES GUIDE TO TV & VIDEO TECHNOLOGY Subtitled Exploring the PIC32, a Microchip insider tells all on this powerful PIC! Focuses on examples and exercises that show how to solve common, real-world design problems quickly. Includes handy checklists. FREE CD-ROM includes source code in C, the Microchip C30 compiler, and MPLAB SIM. 400 pages paperback. By KF Ibrahim 4th Edition (Published 2007) $49.00 It's back! Provides a full and comprehensive coverage of video and television technology including HDTV and DVD. Starts with fundamentals so is ideal for students but covers in-depth technologies such as Blu-ray, DLP, Digital TV, etc so is also perfect for engineers. 600+ pages in paperback. USING UBUNTU LINUX by J Rolfe & A Edney – published 2007 $27.00 RF CIRCUIT DESIGN Ubuntu Linux is a free and easy-to-use operating system, a viable alternative to Windows and Mac OS. Introduces Ubuntu, tells how to set it up, covers the various Open Office applications and gives troubleshooting hints and tips. Highly recommended. 222 pages in paperback DVD PLAYERS AND DRIVES by K.F. Ibrahim. Published 2003. $71.00 A guide to DVD technology and applications, with particular focus on design issues and pitfalls, maintenance and repair. Ideal for engineers, technicians, students of consumer electronics and sales and installation staff. 319 pages in paperback. by Chris Bowick, Second Edition, 2008. $63.00 The classic RF circuit design book. RF circuit design is now more important that ever in the wireless world. In most of the wireless devices that we use there is an RF component – this book tells how to design and integrate in a very practical fashion. 244 pages in paperback. See Review Feb 2004 PRACTICAL RF HANDBOOK by Ian Hickman. 4th edition 2006 $61.00 A guide to RF design for engineers, technicians, students and enthusiasts. Covers key topics in RF: analog design principles, transmission lines, couplers, transformers, amplifiers, oscillators, modulation, transmitters and receivers, propagation and antennas. 279 pages in paperback. ELECTRIC MOTORS AND DRIVES By Austin Hughes - Third edition 2006 $51.00 PRACTICAL VARIABLE SPEED DRIVES & POWER ELECTRONICS Se Intended for non-specialist users of electric motors and drives, filling the gap between academic texts and general "handbooks". Explores all of the widely-used modern types of motor and drive including conventional & brushless DC, induction motors, steppers, servos, synchronous and reluctance. 384 pages, soft cover. e Review Feb An essential reference for engineers and anyone who wishes 2003 to design or use variable speed drives for induction motors. by Malcolm Barnes. 1st Ed, Feb 2003. $73.00 286 pages in soft cover. AC MACHINES BUILD YOUR OWN ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLE By Jim Lowe Published 2006 $66.00 Applicable to Australian trades-level courses including NE10 AC Machines, NE12 Synchronous Machines and the AC part of NE30 Electric Motor Control and Protection. Covering polyphase induction motors, singlephase motors, synchronous machines and polyphase motor starting. 160 pages in paperback. by Carl Vogel. Published 2009. $40.00 Alternative fuel expert Carl Vogel gives you a hands-on guide with the latest technical information and easy-to-follow instructions for building a two-wheeled electric vehicle – from a streamlined scooter to a full-sized motorcycle. 384 pages in soft cover. NOTE: ALL PRICES ARE PLUS P&P – AUSTRALIA ONLY: $10.00 per order; eMAIL (24/7) To silicon<at>siliconchip.com.au Place siliconchip.com.au with order & credit card details Your Order: 1-13 See Review March 2010 OR FAX (24/7) Your order and card details to (02) 9939 2648 with all details OR NZ – $12.00 PER BOOK; PAYPAL (24/7) Use your PayPal account silicon<at>siliconchip.com.au OR REST OF WORLD $18.00 PER BOOK PHONE – (9-5, Mon-Fri) Call (02) 9939 3295 with with order & credit card details OR MAIL Your order to PO Box 139 July 2011  29 Collaroy NSW 2097 Or use the handy order form on P85 of this issue *ALL TITLES SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY. PRICES VALID FOR MONTH OF MAGAZINE ISSUE ONLY. ALL PRICES INCLUDE GST