Silicon ChipPartShop - December 2015 SILICON CHIP
  1. Outer Front Cover
  2. Contents
  3. Publisher's Letter: The economics of hybrid solar systems
  4. Subscriptions
  5. Feature: The 2015 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge by Ross Tester
  6. PartShop
  7. Feature: The Largest Astronomical Image Of All Time by Ross Tester
  8. Feature: Super & Ultra-Super-Critical Steam Power Stations by Dr David Maddison
  9. Project: High Visibility 6-Digit LED GPS Clock by Nicholas Vinen
  10. Feature: High-Quality Audio Transformers From Sweden
  11. Product Showcase
  12. Project: Check Turntable Speed With This White LED Strobe by John Clarke
  13. Project: Speech Timer For Contests & Debates by John Clarke
  14. Project: Arduino-Based Fridge Monitor & Data Logger by Somnath Bera
  15. Vintage Radio: A practical guide to vibrator power supplies by John Hunter
  16. Market Centre
  17. Notes & Errata
  18. Advertising Index
  19. Outer Back Cover

This is only a preview of the December 2015 issue of Silicon Chip.

You can view 37 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.

Items relevant to "High Visibility 6-Digit LED GPS Clock":
  • High Visibility 6-Digit LED GPS Clock PCB [19110151] (AUD $15.00)
  • PIC32MX170F256B-I/SP programmed for the High Visibility 6-Digit LED GPS Clock [1911015D.HEX] (Programmed Microcontroller, AUD $15.00)
  • MCP1700 3.3V LDO (TO-92) (Component, AUD $2.00)
  • VK2828U7G5LF TTL GPS/GLONASS/GALILEO module with antenna and cable (Component, AUD $25.00)
  • Six 70mm tall 7-segment displays, BLUE plus four matching diffused 5mm LEDs (Component, AUD $40.00)
  • Six 70mm tall 7-segment displays, EMERALD GREEN plus four matching 5mm LEDs (Component, AUD $50.00)
  • Six 70mm tall 7-segment displays, HIGH BRIGHTNESS RED plus four matching diffused 5mm LEDs (Component, AUD $25.00)
  • Six 70mm tall 7-segment displays, GREEN plus four matching diffused 5mm LEDs (Component, AUD $30.00)
  • Blue 5mm LED with diffused lens (25mm leads) (Component, AUD $0.20)
  • Blue 5mm LED with diffused lens (15mm leads) (Component, AUD $0.20)
  • 40109B level shifter IC (DIP-16) (Component, AUD $2.00)
  • High Visibility 6-Digit LED GPS Clock acrylic case pieces - CLEAR (PCB, AUD $20.00)
  • High Visibility 6-Digit LED GPS Clock acrylic case pieces - BLUE TINTED (PCB, AUD $25.00)
  • High Visibility 6-Digit LED GPS Clock acrylic case pieces - GREEN TINTED (PCB, AUD $25.00)
  • High Visibility 6-Digit LED GPS Clock acrylic case pieces - RED TINTED (PCB, AUD $25.00)
  • Firmware (HEX) file and C source code for the High Visibility 6-Digit LED GPS Clock [1911015D.HEX] (Software, Free)
  • High Visibility 6-Digit LED GPS Clock PCB pattern (PDF download) [19110151] (Free)
  • High Visibility 6-Digit LED GPS Clock case cutting diagram (download) (Software, Free)
Articles in this series:
  • High Visibility 6-Digit LED GPS Clock (December 2015)
  • High Visibility 6-Digit LED GPS Clock, Pt.2 (January 2016)
Items relevant to "Check Turntable Speed With This White LED Strobe":
  • White LED Turntable Strobe PCB [04101161] (AUD $5.00)
  • PIC12F675-I/P programmed for the White LED Turntable Strobe [0410116A.HEX] (Programmed Microcontroller, AUD $10.00)
  • Calibrated Turntable Strobe Disc [04101162] (PCB, AUD $7.50)
  • Firmware (HEX) file and source code for the White LED Turntable Strobe [0410116A.HEX] (Software, Free)
  • White LED Turntable Strobe PCB pattern (PDF download) [04101161] (Free)
  • Lid panel artwork and drilling templates for the White LED Turntable Strobe (PDF download) (Free)
Items relevant to "Speech Timer For Contests & Debates":
  • Speech Timer PCB [19111151] (AUD $15.00)
  • PIC16F88-I/P programmed for the Speech Timer [1911115A.HEX] (Programmed Microcontroller, AUD $15.00)
  • Firmware (HEX) file and source code for the Speech Timer [1911115A.HEX] (Software, Free)
  • Speech Timer PCB pattern (PDF download) [19111151] (Free)
  • Front/side panel artwork and drilling diagram for the Speech Timer (PDF download) (Free)
Items relevant to "Arduino-Based Fridge Monitor & Data Logger":
  • Arduino sketches for the Fridge Monitor and Data Logger (Software, Free)

Purchase a printed copy of this issue for $10.00.
SILICON CHIP ONLINESHOP PCBs and other hard-to-get components available direct from the SILICON CHIP ONLINESHOP NOTE: PCBs from past ~12 months projects only shown here but the SILICON CHIP ONLINESHOP has boards going back to 2001 and beyond. For a complete list of available PCBs, back issues, etc, go to siliconchip.com.au/shop Prices are PCBs only, NOT COMPLETE KITS! NEW THIS MONTH LED CLOCK SPEECH TIMER TURNTABLE STROBE CALIBRATED TURNTABLE STROBOSCOPE ETCHED DISC FINGERPRINT SCANNER – SET OF TWO PCBS LOUDSPEAKER PROTECTOR 2-WAY PASSIVE LOUDSPEAKER CROSSOVER ULTRA LD AMPLIFIER POWER SUPPLY ARDUINO USB ELECTROCARDIOGRAPH ULTRA-LD MK4 200W AMPLIFIER MODULE 9-CHANNEL REMOTE CONTROL RECEIVER MINI USB SWITCHMODE REGULATOR MK2 2-WAY PASSIVE LOUDSPEAKER CROSSOVER VOLTAGE/RESISTANCE/CURRENT REFERENCE LED PARTY STROBE MK2 DRIVEWAY MONITOR TRANSMITTER PCB DRIVEWAY MONITOR RECEIVER PCB MINI USB SWITCHMODE REGULATOR SIGNAL INJECTOR & TRACER DEC 2015 DEC 2015 DEC 2015 DEC 2015 NOV 2015 NOV 2015 OCT 2015 OCT 2015 OCT 2015 SEP 2015 SEP 2015 SEP 2015 SEP 2015 AUG 2015 AUG 2015 JULY 2015 JULY 2015 JULY 2015 JUNE 2015 19110151 19111151 04101161 04101162 $15.00 $15.00 $5.00 $10.00 03109151/2 01110151 01205141 01109111 07108151 01107151 15108151 18107152 01205141 04108151 16101141 15105151 15105152 18107151 04106151 $15.00 $10.00 $20.00 $15.00 $7.50 $15.00 $15.00 $2.50 $20.00 $2.50 $7.50 $10.00 $5.00 $2.50 $7.50 PASSIVE RF PROBE SIGNAL INJECTOR & TRACER SHIELD BAD VIBES INFRASOUND SNOOPER CHAMPION + PRE-CHAMPION APPLIANCE EARTH LEAKAGE TESTER PCBs (2) APPLIANCE EARTH LEAKAGE TESTER LID/PANEL BALANCED INPUT ATTENUATOR MAIN PCB BALANCED INPUT ATTENUATOR FRONT & REAR PANELS 4-OUTPUT UNIVERSAL ADJUSTABLE REGULATOR APPLIANCE INSULATION TESTER APPLIANCE INSULATION TESTER FRONT PANEL LOW-FREQUENCY DISTORTION ANALYSER SPARK ENERGY METER MAIN BOARD SPARK ENERGY ZENER BOARD SPARK ENERGY METER CALIBRATOR BOARD CURRAWONG CLEAR ACRYLIC COVER ISOLATED HIGH VOLTAGE PROBE MULTISPARK CDI FOR PERFORMANCE VEHICLES CURRAWONG STEREO VALVE AMPLIFIER MAIN BOARD CURRAWONG REMOTE CONTROL BOARD CURRAWONG FRONT & REAR PANELS JUNE 2015 JUNE 2015 JUNE 2015 JUNE 2015 MAY 2015 MAY 2015 MAY 2015 MAY 2015 MAY 2015 APR 2015 APR 2015 APR 2015 FEB/MAR 2015 FEB/MAR 2015 FEB/MAR 2015 JAN 2015 JAN 2015 DEC 2014 DEC 2014 DEC 2014 DEC 2014 04106152 $2.50 04106153 $5.00 04104151 $5.00 01109121/2 $7.50 04203151/2 $15.00 04203153 $15.00 04105151 $15.00 04105152/3 $20.00 18105151 $5.00 04103151 $10.00 04103152 $10.00 04104151 $5.00 05101151 $10.00 05101152 $10.00 05101153 $5.00 - $25.00 04108141 $10.00 05112141 $10.00 01111141 $50.00 01111144 $5.00 01111142/3 $30.00/set Prices above are for the Printed Circuit Board ONLY – NO COMPONENTS OR INSTRUCTIONS, ETC, ARE INCLUDED! P&P for PCBS (within Australia): $10 per order (ie, any number) PRE-PROGRAMMED MICROS Price for any of these micros is just $15.00 each + $10 p&p per order# As a service to readers, SILICON CHIP ONLINESHOP stocks microcontrollers and microprocessors used in new projects (from 2012 on) and some selected older projects – pre-programmed and ready to fly! Some micros from copyrighted and/or contributed projects may not be available. PIC12F675-I/P PIC16F1507-I/P PIC16F88-E/P PIC16F88-I/P PIC16LF88-I/P PIC16LF88-I/SO PIC16F877A-I/P PIC18F2550-I/SP PIC18F45K80 PIC18F4550-I/P UHF Remote Switch (Jan09), Ultrasonic Cleaner (Aug10), Ultrasonic Anti-fouling (Sep10), Cricket/Frog (Jun12) Do Not Disturb (May13) IR-to-UHF Converter (Jul13), UHF-to-IR Converter (Jul13) PC Birdies *2 chips – $15 pair* (Aug13) Turntable Strobe (Dec15) Wideband Oxygen Sensor (Jun-Jul12) Hi Energy Ignition (Nov/Dec12), Speedo Corrector (Sept13), Auto Headlight Controller (Oct13) 10A 230V Motor Speed Controller (Feb14) Projector Speed (Apr11), Vox (Jun11), Ultrasonic Water Tank Level (Sep11), Quizzical (Oct11) Ultra LD Preamp (Nov11), 10-Channel Remote Control Receiver (Jun13), Revised 10-Channel Remote Control Receiver (Jul13), Nicad/NiMH Burp Charger (Mar14) Remote Mains Timer (Nov14) 9-Channel Remote Control Receiver (Sep15) Speech Timer (Dec15) Garbage Reminder (Jan13), Bellbird (Dec13) LED Ladybird (Apr13) 6-Digit GPS Clock (May-Jun09), Lab Digital Pot (Jul10) Semtest (Feb-May12) Batt Capacity Meter (Jun09), Intelligent Fan Controller (Jul10) USB Power Monitor (Dec12) GPS Car Computer (Jan10), GPS Boat Computer (Oct10) PIC18F14K50 USB MIDIMate (Oct11) PIC18F27J53-I/SP USB Data Logger (Dec10-Feb11) PIC18LF14K22 Digital Spirit Level (Aug11), G-Force Meter (Nov11) PIC32MX795F512H-80I/PT Maximite (Mar11), miniMaximite (Nov11), Colour Maximite (Sept/Oct12), Touchscreen Audio Recorder (Jun/Jul 14) PIC32MX170F256B-50I/SP Micromite Mk2 (Jan15) – also includes FREE 47F tantalum capacitor PIC32MX170F256B-I/SP Low Frequency Distortion Analyser (Apr15) LED GPS Clock (Dec15) PIC32MX170F256D-501P/T 44-pin Micromite Mk2 (Now with Mk2 Firmware at no extra cost) PIC32MX250F128B-I/SP GPS Tracker (Nov13) Micromite ASCII Video Terminal (Jul14) PIC32MX470F512H-I/PT Stereo Audio Delay/DSP (Nov13), Stereo Echo/Reverb (Feb 14), Digital Effects Unit (Oct14) dsPIC33FJ128GP802-I/SP Digital Audio Signal Generator (Mar-May10), Digital Lighting Controller (Oct-Dec10), SportSync (May11), Digital Audio Delay (Dec11) Level (Sep11) Quizzical (Oct11), Ultra-LD Preamp (Nov11), LED Musicolor (Nov12) dsPIC33FJ64MC802-E/P Induction Motor Speed Controller (revised) (Aug13) dsPIC33FJ128GP306-I/PT CLASSiC DAC (Feb-May 13) ATTiny861 VVA Thermometer/Thermostat (Mar10), Rudder Position Indicator (Jul11) ATTiny2313 Remote-Controlled Timer (Aug10) When ordering, be sure to nominate BOTH the micro required AND the project for which it must be programmed. SPECIALISED COMPONENTS P&P: FLAT RATE $10.00 PER ORDER# PCBs, COMPONENTS ETC MAY BE COMBINED (in one order) FOR $10-PER-ORDER P&P RATE NEW: LED CLOCK CASE – LASERCUT ACRYLIC - clear/blue/green/red (specify) DIGITAL EFFECTS UNIT WM8371 DAC IC & SMD Capacitors [Same components 7-SEG 2.3” C-A DISPLAYS - (Dec 15) Set of 6: Red- $25 Blue- $40 Emerald green- $50 ARDUINO-BASED ECG SHIELD - all SMD components (Oct 15) $25.00 ULTRA LD Mk 4 - plastic sewing machine bobbin for L2 – pack 2 (Oct 15) $2.00 MINI USB SWITCHMODE REGULATOR Mk II all SMD components (Sept15) $15.00 VOLTAGE/CURRENT/RESISTANCE REFERENCE all SMD components# (Aug 15) $12.50 AD8038ARZ Video Amplifier ICs (SMD) (in pieces – assembly required) (Dec 15) $20.00 # includes precision resistor. Specify either 1.8V or 2.5V BAD VIBES INFRASOUND SNOOPER - TDA1543 16-bit Stereo DAC IC (Jun 15) $2.50 BALANCED INPUT ATTENUATOR - all SMD components inc.12 NE5532D ICs, 8 SMD diodes, SMD caps, polypropylene caps plus all 0.1% resistors (SMD & through-hole) (May 15) $65.00 APPLIANCE INSULATION TESTER - 600V logic-level Mosfet. 5 x HV resistors: (Apr15) $10.00 ISOLATED HIGH VOLTAGE PROBE - Hard-to-get parts pack: (Jan15) $40.00 all ICs, 1N5711 diodes, LED, high-voltage capacitors & resistors: CDI – Hard-to-get parts pack: Transformer components (excluding wire), all ICs, Mosfets, UF4007 diodes, 1F X2 capacitor: CURRAWONG AMPLIFIER Hard-to-get parts pack: (Dec 14) $40.00 (Dec 14) $50.00 LM1084IT-ADJ, KCS5603D, 3 x STX0560, 5 x blue 3mm LEDs, 5 x 39F 400V low profile capacitors also suit Stereo Echo & Reverb, Feb14 & Dual Channel Audio Delay Nov 14] (Oct14) $25.00 For Active Differential Probe (Pack of 3) (Sept 14) $12.50 44-PIN MICROMITE Complete kit inc PCB, micro etc MAINS FAN SPEED CONTROLLER - AOT11N60L 600V Mosfet RGB LED STRIP DRIVER - all SMD parts and BSO150N03 Mosfets, (May14) does not include micro (see above) nor parts listed as “optional” (May14) $20.00 HYBRID BENCH SUPPLY- all SMD parts, 3 x BCM856DS & L2/L3 (May 14) $45.00 USB/RS232C ADAPTOR MCP2200 USB/Serial converter IC NICAD/NIMH BURP CHARGER (Apr14) $7.50 (Mar14) $7.50 10A 230V AC MOTOR SPEED CONTROLLER (Feb14) $45.00 GPS Tracker MCP16301 SMD regulator IC and 15H inductor SMD parts for SiDRADIO RF Probe All SMD parts (Nov13) $5.00 (Oct13) $20.00 (Aug14) $35.00 1 SPD15P10 P-channel logic Mosfet & 1 IPP230N06L3 N-channel logic Mosfet  40A IGBT, 30A Fast Recovery Diode, IR2125 Driver and NTC Thermistor Same as LF-UF Upconverter parts but includes 5V relay and BF998 dual-gate Mosfet. $5.00 (Aug13) $5.00 LF-HF Up-converter Omron G5V-1 5V SPDT 5V relay (Jun13) $2.00  ONE-CHIP AMPLIFIER - All SMD parts (Nov 14) $15.00 *All items subect to availability. Prices valid for month of magazine issue only. All prices in Australian dollars and included GST where applicable. # P&P prices are within Australia. O’seas? Please email for a quote PAYPAL (24/7) INTERNET (24/7) MAIL (24/7) PHONE – (9-4, Mon-Fri) eMAIL (24/7) To Use your PayPal account siliconchip.com.au/Shop Your order to PO Box 139 Call (02) 9939 3295 with silicon<at>siliconchip.com.au Place silicon<at>siliconchip.com.au Collaroy NSW 2097^ with order & credit card details with order & credit card details Your siliconchip.com.au December 2015  23 You can also order and pay by cheque/money order (Mail Only). ^Make cheques payable to Silicon Chip Publications. 12 /15 Order: YES! You can also order or renew your SILICON CHIP subscription via any of these methods as well!