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Contents SILICON CHIP www.siliconchip.com.au Vol.25, No.10; October 2012 Features 12 Electric Remotely Piloted Aircraft . . . With Wings Last August, we looked at the burgeoning field of multi-rotor RPAs. This month, we take a look at fixed-wing electric-powered aircraft with a logging speed controller and autopilot – by Bob Young 22 HAARP: Researching The Ionosphere There’s nothing sinister about the High-Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) station in Alaska. Instead, it’s providing important new information on the ionosphere – by Dr David Maddison 88 Review: Micronix MSA438 3.3GHz Spectrum Analyser Portable unit is battery or mains-powered, has an average noise level of -127dBm and features USB connectivity – by Nicholas Vinen LED Musicolour: Light Up Your Music, Pt.1 – Page 30. 30. Reverse Loop Controller For DCC Model Railways – Page 38. Pro jects To Build 30 LED Musicolour: Light Up Your Music, Pt.1 Build it for a kaleidoscope of colour from 16 strings of LEDs. The colours continually change in time to music and louder signals also vary the LED brightness in the corresponding frequency bands – by Nicholas Vinen 38 Reverse Loop Controller For DCC Model Railways Reverse loops are a problem on DCC layouts due to the inevitable short circuit as the loco crosses the points. This low-cost automatic controller neatly solves that problem – by Jeff Monegal 62 The Nick-Off Bad Cat Deterrent Do you have a cat that likes to jump on kitchen benches? This project uses a PIR sensor and an answering machine to detect the cat and play back demented barking. It also lights the eyes of an angry dog – by Greg Swain 74 Colour MaxiMite Microcomputer, Pt.2 Second article has the full assembly details and gives a brief run-down on using the new colour and sound features – by Geoff Graham The Nick-Off Bad Cat Deterrent – Page 62. 84 Wireless Remote Control For The Barking Dog Blaster Don’t waste time going to the start button; just instantly press the button on a hand-held remote to trigger the unit and shut that mutt up – by Ross Tester Special Columns 44 Serviceman’s Log Building The Colour MaxiMite Microcomputer – Page 74. Back up your data or risk losing it! 57 Circuit Notebook (1) Adjustable Float-Switch Triggered Timer; (2) Sony IR Remote Decoder Uses Maximite; (3) Bass Sweeper For Subwoofer Testing; (4) Simple AM Radio Uses Discrete Parts; (5) Lap Counter For Track Or Pool 90 Vintage Radio The Philips twins: the Dutch BX462A & the Australian model 115 Departments   2 Publisher’s Letter   4 Mailbag siliconchip.com.au 72 Product Showcase 97 Order Form 98 Ask Silicon Chip 103 Market Centre 104 Notes & Errata Wireless Remote Control For The Barking Dog Blaster – Page 84. October 2012  1