Silicon ChipContents - April 2024 SILICON CHIP
  1. Outer Front Cover
  2. Contents
  3. Publisher's Letter: Asking questions
  4. Feature: Becoming a Radio Amateur by Dr David Maddison, VK3DSM
  5. Project: Pico Gamer by Geoff Graham
  6. Project: Pico Digital Video Terminal, Pt2 by Tim Blythman
  7. Review: ROCK Model 4C+ SBC review by Tim Blythman
  8. Project: Skill Tester 9000, Pt1 by Phil Prosser
  9. Project: ESP32-CAM BackPack by Tim Blythman
  10. Product Showcase
  11. Project: Reference MEMS Microphones by Phil Prosser
  12. Serviceman's Log: Power tool batteries, part two: electric boogaloo by Dave Thompson
  13. Vintage Radio: Fender Bassman Guitar Amp by Brandon Speedie
  14. PartShop
  15. Subscriptions
  16. Market Centre
  17. Advertising Index
  18. Notes & Errata: Microphone Preamplifier, February 2024; Arduino DCC Controller, January 2020
  19. Outer Back Cover

This is only a preview of the April 2024 issue of Silicon Chip.

You can view 39 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 "Becoming a Radio Amateur":
  • Ham radio links (Software, Free)
Items relevant to "Pico Gamer":
  • Pico Gamer PCB [08104241] (AUD $10.00)
  • 3.2-inch TFT Touchscreen LCD module with SD card socket (Component, AUD $30.00)
  • Pico Gamer kit without case or battery (Component, AUD $85.00)
  • Pico Gamer kit with white case, no battery (Component, AUD $125.00)
  • Firmware for the Pico Gamer (Software, Free)
  • Pico Gamer PCB pattern (PDF download) [08104241] (Free)
Articles in this series:
  • Pico Digital Video Terminal (March 2024)
  • ETI BUNDLE (March 2024)
  • Pico Digital Video Terminal, Pt2 (April 2024)
Items relevant to "Skill Tester 9000, Pt1":
  • Skill Tester 9000 PCB [08101241] (AUD $15.00)
  • Skill Tester 9000 PCB pattern (PDF download) [08101241] (Free)
Articles in this series:
  • Skill Tester 9000, Pt1 (April 2024)
  • Skill Tester 9000, Part 2 (May 2024)
  • The Skill Tester 9000, part one (May 2025)
  • Skill Tester 9000, Part 2 (June 2025)
Items relevant to "ESP32-CAM BackPack":
  • ESP32-CAM BackPack PCB [07102241] (AUD $5.00)
  • 3.5-inch TFT Touchscreen LCD module with SD card socket (Component, AUD $35.00)
  • CP2102-based USB/TTL serial converter with microUSB socket and 6-pin right-angle header (Component, AUD $5.00)
  • ESP32-CAM LCD BackPack short-form kit (Component, AUD $42.50)
  • Firmware for the ESP32-CAM BackPack (Software, Free)
  • ESP32-CAM BackPack PCB pattern (PDF download) [07102241] (Free)
Items relevant to "Reference MEMS Microphones":
  • Calibrated Measurement Microphone PCB (SMD version) [01108231] (AUD $2.50)
  • Calibrated Measurement Microphone PCB (TH version) [01108232] (AUD $2.50)
  • Short-form kit for the Calibrated Microphone (SMD version) (Component, AUD $22.50)
  • Short-form kit for the Calibrated Microphone (TH version) (Component, AUD $25.00)
  • Simulation and calculation files for the Calibrated Measurement Microphone (Software, Free)
  • Calibrated Measurement Microphone PCB patterns (PDF download) [01108231/2] (Free)
Articles in this series:
  • Calibrated Measurement Mic (August 2023)
  • Reference MEMS Microphones (April 2024)

Purchase a printed copy of this issue for $12.50.

Contents Vol.37, No.04 April 2024 22 Becoming a Radio Amateur Being an amateur radio operator (also known as a “ham”) can be a rewarding hobby, and is perfect for those who are already interested in electronics. I recently earned my licence; here’s what you need to know. By Dr David Maddison, VK3DSM Amateur radio Becoming an Amateur Radio Operator 58 ROCK Model 4C+ SBC review The Radxa ROCK Model 4C+ is compatible with much of the Raspberry Pi ecosystem and is in the same form factor as the Raspberry Pi Model 4B, but it has some unique features that differentiate it from the Pi. By Tim Blythman Single board computer review 90 Fender Bassman Guitar Amp The Fender “Tweed” Bassman is one of the most famous guitar amplifiers. We take a look at the model 5F6-A from 1958, which is notable for the same circuit being used in the later Marshall JTM45. By Brandon Speedie Vintage electronics 36 Pico Gamer Page 22 Pico Gamer Page 36 Page 72 The Pico Gamer is a PicoMite-powered retro game console that includes nine games, with three of them inspired by Pac-Man, Space Invaders and Tetris (with more that can be added). It uses a rechargeable battery with a runtime of approximately eight hours and sports a 3.2in colour LCD screen. By Geoff Graham Video game console project ESP32-CAM LCD BackPack 49 Pico Digital Video Terminal, Pt2 This project adds the ability to communicate with and control a Micromite, PicoMite, WebMite or similar using a USB keyboard and HDMI display. See this article for how to build it and get it running. By Tim Blythman Computer interface project 62 Skill Tester 9000, Pt1 The Skill Tester 9000 is a reimagination of an old dexterity tester game, with added lights, timers, countdowns, sounds and competition! Construction is made easy as the PCB can be built in stages. By Phil Prosser Game project 72 ESP32-CAM LCD BackPack The ESP32-CAM is a WiFi camera module we previously reviewed and have now incorporated into a BackPack design. It includes a powerful processor, so you can use it as the basis for a remote monitoring project or similar. By Tim Blythman Microcontroller project 79 Reference MEMS Microphones Rather than electret microphones, here is how you can use microelectromechanical system (MEMS) microphones as a calibrated measurement mic with a good frequency response. By Phil Prosser Audio project 2 Editorial Viewpoint 5 Mailbag 16 Circuit Notebook 78 Product Showcase 82 Serviceman’s Log 96 Online Shop 98 Subscriptions 99 Ask Silicon Chip 103 Market Centre 104 Advertising Index 104 Notes & Errata 1. Humidicrib temperature controller 2. LoRa mesh networking