Silicon ChipSmall nuclear power stations are ideal for Australia - June 2016 SILICON CHIP
  1. Outer Front Cover
  2. Contents
  3. Publisher's Letter: Small nuclear power stations are ideal for Australia
  4. Feature: Small Nuclear Reactors: Reliable Power At Low Risk by Dr David Maddison
  5. Feature: Bringing An HP ProBook Laptop Back From The Dead by Greg Swain
  6. Project: Stereo Audio Level/VU Meter: Add Bling To HiFi System by Nicholas Vinen
  7. Project: Arduino-Based Cooling System Monitor by Nicholas Vinen
  8. Serviceman's Log: Putting the wind up an anemometer by Dave Thompson
  9. Project: Hotel Safe Alarm For Travellers by John Clarke
  10. Review: Tecsun PL365 Radio Receiver by Andrew Mason
  11. Project: Budget Senator 2-Way Loudspeaker System, Pt.2 by Allan Linton-Smith
  12. PartShop
  13. Review: Rohde & Schwarz RTH1004 Scope Rider by Nicholas Vinen
  14. Vintage Radio: AWA 461 MA clock radio & Heathkit RF signal generator by Terry Gray
  15. Subscriptions
  16. Product Showcase
  17. PartShop
  18. Market Centre
  19. Notes & Errata: Ultra-LD Mk.2 Amplifier Module / Touch-Screen Boat Computer With GPS

This is only a preview of the June 2016 issue of Silicon Chip.

You can view 42 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 "Stereo Audio Level/VU Meter: Add Bling To HiFi System":
  • Stereo LED Audio Level Meter / VU Meter PCB [01104161] (AUD $15.00)
  • PIC32MX150F128D-I/PT programmed for the Stereo LED Audio Level Meter / VU Meter [0110416A.HEX] (Programmed Microcontroller, AUD $15.00)
  • Strip of ten ultra-bright YELLOW M3216/1206 SMD LEDs (Component, AUD $0.70)
  • Strip of ten ultra-bright AMBER M3216/1206 SMD LEDs (Component, AUD $0.70)
  • Strip of ten ultra-bright BLUE M3216/1206 SMD LEDs (Component, AUD $0.70)
  • Strip of ten ultra-bright GREEN M3216/1206 SMD LEDs (Component, AUD $0.70)
  • Strip of ten ultra-bright RED M3216/1206 SMD LEDs (Component, AUD $0.70)
  • Red & White PCB-mounting RCA sockets (Component, AUD $4.00)
  • SMD components for the 100dB Stereo Audio Level Meter/VU Meter (AUD $35.00)
  • Stereo LED Audio Level Meter / VU Meter clear acrylic case pieces (PCB, AUD $15.00)
  • Firmware (C and HEX) files for the Stereo LED Audio Level Meter / VU Meter [0110416A.HEX] (Software, Free)
  • Stereo LED Audio Level Meter / VU Meter PCB pattern (PDF download) [01104161] (Free)
  • Laser cutting artwork and drilling diagram for the Stereo LED Audio Level Meter / VU Meter (PDF download) (Panel Artwork, Free)
Articles in this series:
  • Stereo Audio Level/VU Meter: Add Bling To HiFi System (June 2016)
  • Stereo LED Audio Level/VU Meter, Pt.2 (July 2016)
Items relevant to "Arduino-Based Cooling System Monitor":
  • Arduino sketch for the Cooling System Monitor (Software, Free)
  • Laser cutting artwork for the Arduino-Based Cooling System Monitor (PDF download) (Panel Artwork, Free)
Items relevant to "Hotel Safe Alarm For Travellers":
  • Hotel Safe Alarm PCB [03106161] (AUD $5.00)
  • PIC12F675-I/P programmed for the Hotel Safe Alarm [0310616A.HEX] (Programmed Microcontroller, AUD $10.00)
  • Firmware (ASM and HEX) files for the Hotel Safe Alarm [0310616A.HEX] (Software, Free)
  • Hotel Safe Alarm PCB pattern (PDF download) [03106161] (Free)
  • Hotel Safe Alarm lid panel artwork and drilling template (PDF download) (Free)
Items relevant to "Budget Senator 2-Way Loudspeaker System, Pt.2":
  • 2-Way Passive Crossover PCB [01205141] (AUD $20.00)
  • Acrylic pieces to make two inductor bobbins (Component, AUD $7.50)
  • 2-Way Passive Loudspeaker Crossover PCB pattern (PDF download) [01205141] (Free)
Articles in this series:
  • Budget Senator 2-Way Loudspeaker System (May 2016)
  • Budget Senator 2-Way Loudspeaker System, Pt.2 (June 2016)

Purchase a printed copy of this issue for $10.00.

SILICON SILIC CHIP www.siliconchip.com.au Publisher & Editor-in-Chief Leo Simpson, B.Bus., FAICD Production Manager Greg Swain, B.Sc. (Hons.) Technical Editor John Clarke, B.E.(Elec.) Technical Staff Ross Tester Jim Rowe, B.A., B.Sc Nicholas Vinen Photography Ross Tester Reader Services Ann Morris Advertising Enquiries Glyn Smith Phone (02) 9939 3295 Mobile 0431 792 293 glyn<at>siliconchip.com.au Regular Contributors Brendan Akhurst David Maddison B.App.Sc. (Hons 1), PhD, Grad.Dip.Entr.Innov. Kevin Poulter Dave Thompson SILICON CHIP is published 12 times a year by Silicon Chip Publications Pty Ltd. ACN 003 205 490. ABN 49 003 205 490. All material is copyright ©. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. Printing: Offset Alpine, Lidcombe, NSW. Distribution: Network Distribution Company. Subscription rates: $105.00 per year in Australia. For overseas rates, see our website or the subscriptions page in this issue. Editorial office: Unit 1, 234 Harbord Rd, Brookvale, NSW 2100. Postal address: PO Box 139, Collaroy Beach, NSW 2097. Phone (02) 9939 3295. E-mail: silicon<at>siliconchip.com.au ISSN 1030-2662 Recommended & maximum price only. 2  Silicon Chip Publisher’s Letter Small nuclear power stations are ideal for Australia This month we have a feature article by Dr David Maddison on the topic of small nuclear reactors and when you read it, I am sure that you will agree that small nuclear power stations would be ideal for many locations within Australia. I know that some people may be outraged that anyone would suggest that nuclear power should be used in Australia but it really should be given serious consideration because the other options for base-load power stations are becoming increasingly less attractive to the people who ultimately make the decisions – our politicians. And while the increasing emphasis on renewables does mean that there is presently a glut of power, at other times when the wind is not blowing, the Sun is not shining and there is a drought stopping hydro generation (eg, in Tasmania), base-load and back-up gas fired stations need to make up the difference. So we still need base-load power stations and presently it all comes from coal. That presents two big problems. First, most of Australia’s coal-fired power stations are very old and cannot keep going indefinitely. They have to be replaced with new coal-fired stations or (choke, splutter) nuclear power stations. Second, coal mining is politically and arguably, environmentally undesirable. This is despite the fact that Australia exports huge quantities of coal to the rest of the world. A third factor to consider is that Australia’s eastern seaboard grid is possibly the largest and most dispersed in the world and that means that large areas are vulnerable to major interruption in supply due to electrical faults, major weather events or even terrorism. It would be much more secure if the power generation was not so centralised in a few locations in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. And as the current failure of the Basslink shows, Tasmania is particularly vulnerable, especially when it is also experiencing a major drought. How much more secure would Tasmania’s electricity supply be if there were a couple of nuclear stations there? There could be one near Hobart and one near Launceston. And before anyone shrieks about the cost, consider the current pickle that Tasmania is in. Basslink is dead and who knows when it will finally be fixed? If it is actually fixed by June, it will have been out of operation for six months. They have very little water left in the dams and perhaps not even enough for human consumption, if the drought does not break soon. And finally, they have had to import dozens of large diesel generators to make up the shortfall. The greenies must find that excruciating – or do they just light another candle? My guess is that the present Basslink cable will have to replaced in its entirety. In truth, Basslink should not merely be replaced but duplicated, so that if one fails, the other keeps going. Do that twice and the alternative option of a couple of small nuclear power stations could be economically attractive. Nor does Australia need to go through the ridiculously labyrinthine approval process that is required to build any power station in this country. These small nuclear power reactors can be virtually bought as “turn-key” plants. Order it this week and it could delivered and running within a relatively short time! And consider that some of these plants could also provide desalinated water at a cost very competitive with the present “white-elephant” desalination plants in some states. Australian governments like to boast about their infrastructure projects. Well, our extended grid has many problems. Small nuclear power stations could be the ideal solution. Leo Simpson siliconchip.com.au