Silicon ChipMarket Centre - January 1991 SILICON CHIP
  1. Outer Front Cover
  2. Contents
  3. Publisher's Letter: Electric vehicles: the way of the future?
  4. Feature: Take Care Servicing Microwave Ovens by Jim Lawler
  5. Feature: Electric Vehicles: The State Of The Art by Gerry Nolan
  6. Project: Have Fun With The Fruit Machine by Bruce Baguley
  7. Project: Fast Charger For Nicad Batteries; Pt.1 by John Clarke & Greg Swain
  8. Vintage Radio: My fancy European models by John Hill
  9. Project: Build A Two-Tone Alarm Module by Darren Yates
  10. Order Form
  11. Feature: Amateur Radio by Garry Cratt, VK2YBX
  12. Serviceman's Log: All the makings of a Chinese puzzle by The TV Serviceman
  13. Project: Build A Bigger Laser by Otto Priboj
  14. Feature: Computer Bits by Jennifer Bonnitcha
  15. Project: LCD Readout For The Digital Capacitance Meter by Barry Naujok
  16. Back Issues
  17. Feature: The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.7 by Bryan Maher
  18. Market Centre
  19. Advertising Index
  20. Outer Back Cover

This is only a preview of the January 1991 issue of Silicon Chip.

You can view 59 of the 112 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:
  • Electric Vehicles: The State Of The Art (January 1991)
  • Electric Vehicles; Pt.2 (February 1991)
  • Electric Vehicles; Pt.3 (March 1991)
  • The World Solar Challenge (April 1991)
  • Motors For Electric Vehicles (May 1991)
  • Electric Vehicle Transmission Options (June 1991)
Articles in this series:
  • Fast Charger For Nicad Batteries; Pt.1 (January 1991)
  • Fast Charger For Nicad Batteries; Pt.2 (February 1991)
Articles in this series:
  • Amateur Radio (November 1987)
  • Amateur Radio (December 1987)
  • Amateur Radio (February 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (March 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (April 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (May 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (June 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (July 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (August 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (September 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (October 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (November 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (December 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (January 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (April 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (May 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (June 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (July 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (August 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (September 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (October 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (November 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (December 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (February 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (March 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (April 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (May 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (June 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (July 1990)
  • The "Tube" vs. The Microchip (August 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (September 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (October 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (November 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (December 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (January 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (February 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (March 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (April 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (May 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (June 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (July 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (August 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (September 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (October 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (November 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (January 1992)
  • Amateur Radio (February 1992)
  • Amateur Radio (March 1992)
  • Amateur Radio (July 1992)
  • Amateur Radio (August 1992)
  • Amateur Radio (September 1992)
  • Amateur Radio (October 1992)
  • Amateur Radio (November 1992)
  • Amateur Radio (January 1993)
  • Amateur Radio (March 1993)
  • Amateur Radio (May 1993)
  • Amateur Radio (June 1993)
  • Amateur Radio (July 1993)
  • Amateur Radio (August 1993)
  • Amateur Radio (September 1993)
  • Amateur Radio (October 1993)
  • Amateur Radio (December 1993)
  • Amateur Radio (February 1994)
  • Amateur Radio (March 1994)
  • Amateur Radio (May 1994)
  • Amateur Radio (June 1994)
  • Amateur Radio (September 1994)
  • Amateur Radio (December 1994)
  • Amateur Radio (January 1995)
  • CB Radio Can Now Transmit Data (March 2001)
  • What's On Offer In "Walkie Talkies" (March 2001)
  • Stressless Wireless (October 2004)
  • “Degen” Synthesised HF Communications Receiver (January 2007)
  • WiNRADiO: Marrying A Radio Receiver To A PC (January 2007)
  • PICAXE-08M 433MHz Data Transceiver (October 2008)
  • Half-Duplex With HopeRF’s HM-TR UHF Transceivers (April 2009)
  • Dorji 433MHz Wireless Data Modules (January 2012)
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)
Articles in this series:
  • The Technology Letters, Pt.2 (January 1989)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy (July 1990)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.2 (August 1990)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.3 (September 1990)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.4 (October 1990)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.5 (November 1990)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.6 (December 1990)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.7 (January 1991)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.8 (February 1991)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.9 (March 1991)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.10 (May 1991)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.11 (July 1991)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.12 (August 1991)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.13 (September 1991)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.14 (October 1991)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.15 (November 1991)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.16 (December 1991)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.17 (January 1992)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.18 (March 1992)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.19 (August 1992)
  • The Story of Electrical Energy; Pt.20 (September 1992)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.21 (November 1992)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.22 (January 1993)
  • The Story of Electrical Energy (April 1993)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.24 (May 1993)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.24 (June 1993)
MARKET CENTRE Cash in your surplus gear. Advertise it here in Silicon Chip. r-------------------------, FOR SALE CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING RATES Advertising rates for this page: Classified ads - $7.00 for up to 15 words plus 40 cents for each additional word. Display ads (casual rate) - $20 per column centimetre (Max. 10cm). WEATHER FAX programs for IBM XT/ ATs *** "RADFAX2" is a high resolution, shortwave weather fax, Morse & RTTY receiving program. Needs CGA, SSB HF radio & Radfax decoder. Also "RF2HERC", "RF2EGA" & "RF2VGA", same as RADFAX2 but suitable for Hercules, EGA & VGA cards respectively. $35. *** "SATFAX" is a NOAA, Meteor & GMS weather satellite picture receiving program. Uses EGA & VGA modes, needs EGA or VGA colour monitor & card, plus "WEATHER FAX" PC card. $45. *** All programs are on 5.25-inch or 3.5-inch discs (state which) & include documentation. Add $3 postage. ONLY from M . Delahunty, 42 Villiers St, New Farm, 4005 Old. Phone (07) 358 2785. Closing date: five weeks prior to month of sale. If you use a PO Box number, you must include your permanent address and phone number for our files. We cannot accept ads submitted without this information. To run your classified ad, print clearly on the lines below or on a separate sheet of paper & send the form together with your cheque or credit card details to : Silicon Chip Classifieds, PO Box 139, Collaroy Beach, NSW 2097. Or fax the details to (02) 979 6503. CANNON PLUGS and receptacles, series MS & PT. Many types available. Send SASE for list to PO Box 87, Mt Evelyn, Vic 3796 or phone (03) 736 3445. THE FOLLOWING EQUIPMENT is now surplus to requirements: • 1 x HP41 0C voltmeter. 20Hz -700MHz with probe, operating/service manual, $350. • 6 x TF2002 Marconi signal generators. Solid state, AM/FM, 100mV-.01 µV, IIT MATHS COPROCESSORS Enclosed is my cheque/money order for $_ _ _ _ or please debit my O Bankcard 0 Visa Card 0 Master Card X I I I Signature_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Card expiry date_ __c/_ __ I I Name _ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ __ I I Street _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ __ __ I I Suburb/town _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Postcode._ _ _ _ __ L _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ JI Card No. 110 SILICON CHIP ,,,. "1&):: ~,s, ,(-0 ~( 2C-08 2C-10 2C-12 2C-20 2C87- 8MHZ 2C87-10MHZ 2C87-12MHZ 2C87-20MHZ $330 $359 $430 $490 3C-16 3C-20 3C-25 3C-33 3C87-16MHZ 3C87-20MHZ 3C87-25MHZ 3C87-33MHZ $640 $680 $840 $990 ~&& These pices include Sales Tax. Stocks are limited at this price, so order early. PHONE (02)957 67 FAX (02)954 5550 r C CREATE YOUR OWN DIGITAL WAVEFORMS ·a, 0 C: .c MAX 1/0 Board Kit $169.00 Buitl & Tested $269.00 • 7 x Relays SPST 2 amps each • 8 x Switch inputs (TTL) • 1 x DAC (Digital to Analog converter) • 1 x ADC ( Analog to Digital converter) • 4 x Motor Drive outputs (40mA ea.) • 1 x Programmable timer output. MAX includes a 20 page manual with all schematics. parts layout etc .. a 360K PC compatible floppy with diagnostic and sample software in GW·Basic. MAX runs from a PC compatible Printer pert for full compatibility with a large range of computers. Same day dispatch of orders. Credit cards or personal cheque welcome. Phone: (08) 332 6513 or Fax: (08) 364 0902 (24 hours) (.) >< > ~ t- M ~ a. I-. Q) iii :: - Z ~ Cl C: (j) (D IC ,t- 0, (I) (.) (.) ,- -~ -g_ "O :5 -~ :: a. - 0 E §: CL 0 C-0 LL 0 r.: Cl) rE. M. Radvanyi, PO Box 49, Kingswood, NSW, 2749 -:I" ,,, in 0 u C) ci5 Money Order or Cheque Guaranteed delivery within 14 days -~ e -.::s:. C: 0 :.:; Software and PC Board $39.95 inc. P&P Software only $32.50 inc. P&P .J N IJl (I) As described in 'SILICON CHIP 'in March90, May90, June90 & July 1990. The software, can also be used for the similar project (simple PC function generator) described in Electronics Australia in January 1989. t- C'• Cl) :::J (I) I-. w in -:I" w ;::- (I) .J C/J C: .Ql 0. Cl) :::J (I) t- (.) C/J <( C/J 0 KIT REPAIRS Kits repaired from all magazines. PCs and peripherals also repaired Ring anytime 9am - 9pm EEM ELECTRONICS 1O Bouverie Place Epping Vic. 3076 (03) 401 1393 g 5IC s:. C o. cc TOROID POWER TRANSFORMERS From quality UK manufacturers. Available from stock at discount prices, 15VA to 625VA. Send SSAE for data & prices to: Transformer Discounters, PO Box 542, Wahroonga 2076. ACTIVE SHORTWAVE ANTENNA PC Computers 36 Regent St,Kenslngton, SA, SILICON CHIP, JAN 1990. Complete kit $59.00, Built and Tested $119.00, Case $10.00. MODEL TRAIN CONTROLLER project Silicon Chip November 19~0, $19.95 plus $2.50 p&p. Plugpack, 12VAC, 1.7A, suitable for the above (use rectifier), $29.95 plus $4.00 p&p. Kits built & repaired. Prototype production board supplier to the hobbyist & supplier of SILICON CHIP project PCBs. ELECTRONIC TOY SERVICES, PO BOX 491,-NOARLUNGA CENTRE, SA 5168. Phone: (08) 382 8919 FIX-A-KIT $20.00 PER HOUR LABOUR 3 MONTHS WARRANTY ON REPAIRS 12 MONTHS WARRANTY ON CONSTRUCTION Service to most types of electronic equipment TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE COMPACT INDOOR FM ANTENNAS Two models to choose from , Terk FM2000 a passive loop FM antenna for $69.95 or the Terk PI2 powered FM antenna with wideband low noise filter for $199.00. HYCAL INSTRUM.ENTS We can also provide assembly facilities for small production runs at competitive prices Design, Manufacture & Repair of Electronic Equipment Trading Hours 8am to 3pm, Monday to Friday JILOA (TECHNIKIT DIVISION) (02) 633 5897 10kHz-72MHz. Needs 24V DC regulated. Very good condition, $650. • 1 x Collins 51J4 communications receiver. Ready for restoration. Good condition, no mods, original. $500. • 2 x HP 1740A dual trace 100MHz oscilloscopes, 8x1 OCRT, 1mV/div deflection in x5 mode, selectable input Z, 3rd trigger view, copy of service manual. $1900. • 1 x Alinco DJ-SOOT UHFNHF amateur transceiver, with AC adaptor, nicad pack, book etc. $380. Handheld. • Brand new pocket size airband receivers. 118-136MHz, Japanese made, incl. rubber antenna, earpiece, 9V battery, frequency list. 12-months warranty. See review CB Action Jan/Feb 1991. $199. LOOP ANTENNA Improve signal strength & quality with this portable anlenna. Kit $44.00, Built and Tested $69.00 • Brand new UHFNHF mobile airband receivers. 60 memories, complete with telescopic antenna, AC adaptor, frequency list. 108-142.995MHz plus 220379.975MHz. 12-month warranty. As used by Japanese Air Ministry. See review CB Action Jan/Feb 1991. $429. Call, write or fax Av-Comm Pty Ltd, PO Box 386, Northbridge 2063. Fax (02) 949 7095. Phone (02) 949 7417 (answering service) . Mastercard, Visa, Bankcard welcome. WHOOPS! MY Z-80-BASED PBUFF printer buffer just doubled its memory capacity again. Over 3000 kits now sold. Combinations of DIP/SIPP/SIMM PO Box 73, Glenhuntly, VIC 3163. Telephone: (03) 571 6303 LEARN WITH UCANDO TRAINING COMPUTER ANIMATED VIDEOS VT201 53 Mins DC Circuits VT202 71 Mins AC Circuits VT203 54 Mins VCR Maint. VT204110 Mins VCR Repair VT205 47 Mins Semiconductors VT206 55 Mins Power Supplies VT207 54 Mins Amplifiers $75.42 $79.54 $75.42 $114.97 $75.42 $75.42 $75.42 MastercardNisa/NZ Cheque to: Electronics Assembly Company PO Box 21191, Christchurch, New Zealand. Phone (03) 79 5570 Price includes postage & packing. JANUARY 1991 111 MEMORY EXPANSION SIMM & SIP 9 X 256 9 x 1MB 8 x 1MB(MAC) 9x4MB -120ns -100ns - sons - ?Ons - 60ns -100ns - BOns - ?Ons - 80ns - ?Ons - 80ns N/A 23.00 23.80 24.70 30.00 79.00 81.50 89.50 76.50 82.00 528.00 -100ns - 80ns - 80ns - 80ns - 80ns 2.10 2.40 2.50 7.65 7.65 Prices At Sept. 13, 1990 CO-PROCESSORS INTEL 8087-2 80287-10 80C287-12 387SX-16 387DX-16 387SX-20 387DX-20 387DX-25 387DX-33 175.00 308.00 390.00 435.00 478.00 490.00 538.00 680.00 835.00 387SX-16 387DX-20 387DX-33 400.00 490.00 750.00 CYRIX 2MB 515.00 340.00 2MB 2MB 340.00 2MB 340.00 2MB 340.00 3MB 570.00 2MB 340.00 2MB 340.00 COMPAQ 386-20, 386-25, 386-20E, 386-S, 386-33 4MB MODULES 680.00 4MB BOArds 798.00 IBM PS/2 DRAM/DIP 4164 41256 41464 4 x256 1MB Advertising Index TOSHIBA LAPTOP T1000SE T1600 T3100E T3100SX T3200SX T3200 T5100 T5200 PELHAM WEITEK 3167-20 3167-33 4167-25 4167-33 820.00 1010.00 1500.00 1780.00 30/286,50 70E61,121 70A21 2MB 2MB 2MB 250.00 280.00 280.00 Sales Tax 20%. Overnight Delivery. Credit Cards Welcome 1st Floor, 100 Yarrara Road, Pennant Hills, NSW 2120. Tel (02) 9·9 0 6988 Fax (02) 980 6991 DRAMs in 9 memory sizes up to 2Mb. Rev J board, Ver. 4.3 EPROM & instructions $39. Cable board $9. P&P $3. Serial board & many other options available. Send 43c stamp for a free catalog to: Don McKenzie, 29 Ellesmere Crescent, Tullamarine 3043. Phone (03) 338 6286. ANTIQUE RADIO ANTIQUE RADIO restorations. Your one-stop electronic repair shop. Specialising in restoring vintage radios including chassis rewiring, quality new parts, valves, valve sockets, speakers, transformers, cabinet restoration. Quality secondhand radio dials & parts for most brands & models. About 400 rad- ios in stock for restoration & parts. Every restored wireless is covered by a 2-year warranty on parts & service. French polishing of timber cabinets available. Vintage car radios in valve & transistor types available for restoration. Repairs done on tape decks, amplifiers, TVs & videos . Open Sat. 10am-5pm; Sun. 12.30-5pm. 109 Cann St, Bass Hill, NSW 2197. Phone (02) 645 3173 BH or (02) 726 1613 AH. WANTED FOR WW2 ARN-7 radio compass restoration project: Control Box C4/ARN-7 and 22-pin female plug type PL-122. John VK3XAO (03) 736 3445 or write to PO Box 87, Mt Evelyn, Vic 3796. r-------------------------, SILICON CHIP BINDERS To: SIiicon Chip Publications, PO Box 139, Collaroy Beach, NSW 2097, Australia. Yes! Please send me _ _ _ $A3 p&p each (NZ $A6 p&p). x I SILICON CHIP binder(s) at $A 11.95 plus Enclosed is my cheque/money order for $_ ____ or please debit my 0 Bankcard 0 Visa Card 0 Master Card Card No. Signature_ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ Card expiry date_ _~ /_ __ Name _ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ Street _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ __ __ _ Suburb/town _ _ _ _ __ _ _ __ ___ Postcode_ _ _ _ _ __ L - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -~ 112 SILICON CHIP Adroit Electronics .. ...... ............ 111 Altronics ................................ 28-31 Arista .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 45, 77, 104 Back Issues .......................... 94,95 Board Solutions ........... ... .... .. 46,47 Cad Connection .. ... .. .. ... ... .. ... .. 11 O David Reid Electronics ........ IFC, 1 78,79 Dick Smith Electronics ............ 8-13 EEM Electronics ...................... 111 Electronic Solutions .............. 19,85 Electronic Toy Services ............ 111 Electronics World .................. 101 Elmeasco ..................... ............. 51 Geoff Wood Electronics............ 65 Harbuch Electronics ................ 91 Hycal Instruments .................... 111 Jaycar Electronics ................ 53-60 Jiloa .......................................... 111 J.V. Tuners ... ................ ... .......... 75 M. Radvanyi ............................ 111 Oatley Electronics .................... 84· PC Computers .......................... 111 PC Marketplace .. .. .. ... .. .. ... .. ..... . 97 Pelham .. ................................ 112 Philips T&M .. ... ..................... OBC RCS Radio .. .. .. ... .. .. .. .. .. ... .. .. .. .. 27 Resurrection Radio ... ............... 45 Rod Irving Electronics .... ...... 38,39 70,71,102,103 Sheridan Electronics .. .. ..... ....... 21 Silicon Chip Binders .... ........ .. IBC Subscriptions ... .. .. ... .. .. .. .. .. ... .. ... 52 Sound Australia ..... ............. ...... 77 Transformer Discounters .......... 111 PC Boards Printed circuit boards for SILICON CHIP projects are made by: • Electronic Toy Services, 2/111 Glynville Drive, Hackham West, SA 5163. Phone (08) 382 8919. • Jemal Products, 5 Forge St, Welshpool, WA 6106. Phone (09) 350 5555. • Marday Services, PO Box 19-189, Avondale, Auckland, NZ. Phone 88 5730. • RCS Radio Pty Ltd, 651 Forest Rd, Bexley, NSW 2207. Phone (02) 587 3491 .