Silicon ChipBack Issues - November 1991 SILICON CHIP
  1. Outer Front Cover
  2. Contents
  3. Publisher's Letter: Wiring in older houses can be dangerous
  4. Project: Battery Charger For Solar Panels by Steve Calder / Hycal Electronics
  5. Order Form
  6. Project: Build A Colour TV Pattern Generator, Pt.1 by John Clarke
  7. Project: Flashing Alarm Light For Cars by Syd McKitrick
  8. Project: Digital Altimeter For Gliders & Ultralights, Pt.3 by John Clarke
  9. Serviceman's Log: A very circuitous exercise by The TV Serviceman
  10. Feature: Amateur Radio by Garry Cratt, VK2YBX
  11. Project: Build A Talking Voltmeter For Your PC, Pt.2 by Darren Yates
  12. Feature: Computer Bits by Jennifer Bonnitcha
  13. Project: Error Analyser For CD Players, Pt.3 by Stephen McBride
  14. Vintage Radio: A simple junkbox 2-valve receiver by John Hill
  15. Feature: The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.15 by Bryan Maher
  16. Back Issues
  17. Market Centre
  18. Outer Back Cover

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

You can view 46 of the 96 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:
  • Build A Colour TV Pattern Generator, Pt.1 (November 1991)
  • Build A Colour TV Pattern Generator, Pt.2 (December 1991)
Articles in this series:
  • Digital Altimeter For Gliders & Ultralights, Pt.1 (September 1991)
  • Digital Altimeter For Gliders & Ultralights, Pt.2 (October 1991)
  • Digital Altimeter For Gliders & Ultralights, Pt.3 (November 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:
  • Build A Talking Voltmeter For Your PC, Pt.1 (October 1991)
  • Build A Talking Voltmeter For Your PC, Pt.2 (November 1991)
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:
  • Error Analyser For CD Players, Pt.1 (July 1991)
  • Error Analyser For CD Players, Pt.2 (August 1991)
  • Error Analyser For CD Players, Pt.3 (November 1991)
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)
Silicon Chip BACK COPIES July 1988: Stereo Control Preamplifier, Pt.2; Fitting A Fuel Cut-Off Solenoid; Booster For TV & FM Signals; The Discolight Light Show, Pt.1 ; Tone Burst Source For Amplifier Headroom Testing ; What Is Negative Feedback, Pt.3; Amplifier Headroom - Is It A Con? November 1988: 120W PA Amplifier Module (Uses Mosfets) ; Poor Man's Plasma Display; Automotive Night Safety Light; Adding A Headset To The Speakerphone; How To Quieten The Fan In Your Computer; Screws & Screwdrivers, What You Need To Know ; Diesel Electric Locomotives. Ironic Appliances ; Using Comparators to Detect & Measure. August 1988: Buildi r,,g A Plasma Display; Universal Power Supply 'Board; Remote Chime/Doorbell; High Performance AC Millivoltmeter , Pt.1 ; Discolight Light Show, Pt.2; Getting The Most Out Of Nicad Batteries; Data On Insulated Tab Triacs. December 1988: 120W PA Amplifier (With Balanced Inputs), Pt.1; Diesel Sound Generator; Car Antenna/Demister Adaptor ; SSB Adaptor For Shortwave Receivers; Electronics & Holden's New V6 Engine; Why Diesel Electrics Killed Off Steam; Index to Volume 1. March 1989: LED Message Board, Pt.1; 32-Band Graphic Equaliser, Pt.1 ; Stereo Compressor For CD Players; Map Reader For Trip Calculations; Amateur VHF FM Monitor,.Pt.2; Signetics NE572 Compandor IC Data; Electronics For Everyone Resistors. January 1989: Line Filter For Computers; Ultrasonic Proximity Detector For Cars; Simple Computer Sound Repeater ; 120W PA Amplifier (With Balanced Inputs) Pt.1; How To Service Car Cassette Players; Massive Diesel Electrics In The USA; Marantz LD50 Loudspeakers. April 1989: Auxiliary Brake Light Flasher; Electronics For Everyone: What You Need to Know About Capacitors; Telephone Bell Monitor/ Transmitter; 32-Band Graphic Equaliser, Pt.2; LED Message Board, Pt.2. September 1988: Hands-Free Speakerphone; Electronic Fish Bite Detector; High Performance AC Millivoltmeter, Pt.2; Vader Voice; Motorola MC34018 Spe;;ikerphone IC Data; National Semiconductor LM12 150W Op Amp Data & Applications; What Is Negative Feedback, Pt.4. October 1988: Stereo FM Transmitter (Uses Rohm BA1404); High Performance FM Antenna; Matchbox Crystal Set; Electronic House Number; Converting A CB Radio To The 28MHz Band ; Queensland's Powerful Electric Locomotives. February 1989: Transistor Beta Tester; Minstrel 2-30 Loudspeaker System; LED Flasher For Model Railways (uses LM3909); Build A Simple VHF FM Monitor (uses MC3362), Pt.1 ; Lightning & Elec- May 1989: Electronic Pools/Lotto Selector; Synthesised Tom-Tom; Biofeedback Monitor For Your PC ; Simple Stub Filter For Suppressing TV Interference ; LED Message Board, Pt.3; Electronics For Everyone - All About Electrolytic Capacitors. Use this handy form to order your back copies l --------- - - ----------------------- ---7 Please send me a back issue for: 0 October 1988 0 November 1988 O March 1989 O April 1989 O August 1989 O September 1989 O January 1990 O February 1990 O June 1990 O July 1990 O November 1990 O December 1990 0 April 1991 0 May 1991 O September 1991 O October 1991 0 O 0 0 0 0 July 1988 December 1988 May 1989 October 1989 March 1990 August 1990 o January 1991 O June 1991 O August 1988 O January 1989 o June 1989 0 November 1989 0 April 1990 o September 1990 o February 1991 0 July 1991 0 0 0 O 0 0 0 O September 1988 February 1989 July 1989 December 1989 May 1990 October 1990 March 1991 August 1991 Enclosed is my cheque/money order for $______or please debit my: O Bankcard Card No. $5.00 each (includes p&p). Overseas orders add $1 each for postage. NZ orders are sent air mail. Signature _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ ____ Card expiry date_ _ /_ _ Detach and mail to: SILICON CHIP PUBLICATIONS PO BOX 139 COLLAROY BEACH NSW 2097 _Name ______________________ ______ Street _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Suburb/town ______________ Postcode ______ 0 Visa Card O Master Card Or call (02) 979 5644 & quote your credit card details. Fax (02) 979 6503 l I I ------- ---- -----------------------------~-90 SILICON CHIP Metres; Phone Patch For Radio Amateurs, Pt.2; PC Program Calculates Great Circle Bearings. March 1990: 6/12V Charger For Sealed LeadAcid Batteries ; Delay Unit For Automatic Antennas; Workout Timer For Aerobics Classes; 16Channel Mixing Desk, Pt.2; Using The UC3906 SLA Battery Charger IC. April 1990: Dual Tracking ±50V Power Supply; VOX With Delayed Audio; Relative Field Strength Meter; 16-Channel Mixing Desk, Pt.3; Simple Service Tips For Your Microwave Oven; Active CW Filter For Weak Signal Reception. June 1989: Touch-Lamp Dimmer (uses Siemens SLB0586); Passive Loop Antenna For AM Radios; Universa l Temperature Controller; Understanding CRO Probes;.L.ED Message Board, Pt.3. May 1990: Build A 4-Digit Capacitance Meter; High Energy Ignition For Cars With Reluctor Distributors; The Mozzie CW Transceiver; Waveform Generation Using A PC, Pt.3 ; 16-Channel Mixing Desk, Pt.4; What To Do When Your Computer Goes Bung, Pt.1. July 1989: Exhaust Gas Monitor (Uses TGS812 Gas Sensor); Extension For The Touch-Lamp Dimmer; Experimental Mains Hum Sniffers; Compact Ultrasonic Car Alarm; NSW 86 Class Electric Locomotives. June 1990: Multi-Sector Home Burglar Alarm ; Low-Noise Universal Stereo Preamplifier; Load Protection Switch For Power Supplies; A Speed Alarm For Your Car; Design Factors For Model Aircraft; Fitting A Fax Card To A Computer; What To Do When Your Computer Goes Bung , Pt.2. August 1989: Build A Baby Tower AT Computer; Studio Series 20-Band Stereo Equaliser, Pt.1; Garbage Reminder - A 7-Day Programmable Timer ; Introduction To Stepper Motors; GaAsFet Preamplifier For The 2-Metre Band ; Modern 3Phase El ectric Locomotives. July 1990: Digital Sine/Square Generator, Pt.1 (Covers 0-500kHz); Burglar Alarm Keypad & Combination Lock; Simple Electronic Die; Low-Cost Dual Power Supply; Inside A Coal Burning Power Station ; What To Do When Your Computer Goes Bung, Pt.3; Weather Fax Frequencies. September 1989: 2-Chip Portable AM Stereo Radio (Uses MC13024 and TX7376P) Pt.1 ; AlarmTriggered Telephone Dialler; High Or Low Fluid Level Detector; Simple DTMF Encoder; Studio Series 20-Band Stereo Equaliser, Pt.2; Auto-Zero Module for Audio Amplifiers (Uses LMC669); A Guide To Hard Disc Drives. August 1990: High Stability UHF Remote Transmitter; Universal Safety Timer For Mains Appliances (9 Minutes); Horace The Electronic Cricket; Digital Sine/Square Wave Generator, Pt.2; The Tube Vs. The Microchip (Two Shortwave Receivers Compared); What To Do When Your Computer Goes Bung, Pt.4. October 1989: lntrcid~cing Remote Control; FM Radio Intercom For Motorbikes (Uses BA1404 & TDA7000) Pt.1 ; GaAsFet Preamplifier For Amateur TV; 1Mb Printer Buffer; 2-Chip Portable AM Stereo Radio , Pt.2; Installing A Hard Disc In The PC ; A Look At Australian Monorails. September 1990: Music On Hold For Your Telephone; Remote Control Extender For VCRs ; Power Supply For Burglar Alarms; Low-Cost 3Digit Counter Module; Simple Shortwave Converter For The 2-Metre Band . November 1989: Radfax Decoder For Your PC (Displays Fax, RTTY and Morse); Super-Sensitive FM Wireless Microphone; FM Radio Intercom For Motorbikes, Pt.2; 2-Chip Portable AM Stereo Radio, Pt.3 ; Floppy Disc Drive Formats & Options; The Pilbara Iron Ore Railways. October 1990: Low-Cost Siren For Burglar Alarms; Dimming Controls For The Discolight; Surfsound Simulator; DC Offset For DMMs; The Dangers of Polychlorinated Biphenyls; The Bose Lifestyle Music System; Using The NE602 In Home-Brew Converter Circuits. December 1989: Digital Voice Board (Records Up To Four Separate Messages); UHF Remote Switch; Balanced Input & Output Stages; Data For The LM831 Low Voltage Amplifier IC ; Install A Clock Card In Your PC ; Index to Volume 2. November 1890: Low-Cost Model Train Controller ; Battery Powered Laser Pointer; A Really Snazzy Egg Timer; 1.5V To 9V DC Converter; How To Connect Two TV Sets To One VCR; Introduction To Digital Electronics ; Simple 6Metre Amateur Transmitter. January 1990: Service Tips For Your VCR; Speeding Up Your PC; Phone Patch For Radio Amateurs ; High Quality Sine/Square Oscillator; Active Antenna Kit; The Latest On High Definition TV; Speed Controller For Ceiling Fans; Designing UHF Transmitter Stages. December '990: DC-DC Converter For Car Amplifiers; The Big Escape -A Game Of Skill; Wiper Pulser For Rear Windows; Versatile 4-Digit Combination Lock; 5W Power Amplifier For The 6Metre Amateur Transmitter; The Great Green CD Pen Controversy; Index To Volume 3. February 1990: 16-Channel Mixing Desk; High Quality Audio Oscillator, Pt.2; The Incredible Hot Canaries; Random Wire Antenna Tuner For 6 January 1991: Fast Charger For Nicad 8:>.tteries, Pt.1; The Fruit Machine ; Two-Tone Alarm Module; Laser Power Supply; LCD Readout For The Capacitance Meter; How Quartz Crystals Work ; The Dangers When Servicing Microwave Ovens; Electric Vehicles - The State Of The Art. February 1991: Synthesised Stereo AM Tuner, Pt.1; Three Inverters For Fluorescent Lights; LowCost Sinewave Oscillator; Fast Charger For Nicad Batteries, Pt.2; How To Design Amplifier Output Stages; Tasmania's Hydroelectric Power System. March 1991: Remote Controller For Garage Doors, Pt.1; Transistor Beta Tester Mk.2 ; Synthesised AM Stereo Tuner, Pt.2 ; Multi-Purpose 1/0 Board For PC-Compatibles; Universal Wideband RF Preamplifier For Amateurs & TV ; A Look At Config.Sys & Ansi.Sys; High-Voltage DC Transmission Systems. April 1991: Steam Sound Simulator For Model Railroads; Simple 12/24V Light Chaser; Remote Controller For Garage Doors, Pt.2; Synthesised AM Stereo Tuner, Pt.3 ; A Practical Approach To Amplifier Design, Pt.2; Playing With The Ansi.Sys File; FSK Indicator For HF Transmissions. May 1991: Build A DTMF Decoder; 13.5V 25A Power Supply For Transceivers ; Stereo Audio Expander; Fluorescent Light Simulator For Model Railways; How To Install Multiple TV Outlets, Pt.1; Motors For Electric Vehicles. June 1991: A Corner Reflector Antenna For UHF TV; Four-Channel Lighting Desk, Pt.1; 13.5V 25A Power Supply For Transceivers ; Active Filter For CW Reception ; Electric Vehicle Transmission Options; Tuning In To Satellite TV , Pt.1. July 1991: Battery Discharge Pacer For Electric Vehicles; CD Error Analyser, Pt.1 ; Loudspeaker Protector For Stereo Amplifiers ; Four-Channel Lighting Desk, Pt.2; How To Install Multiple TV Outlets , Pt.2; Tuning In To Satellite TV, Pt.2; PEP Monitor For Transceivers; The Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric Scheme. August 1991: Suild A Digital Tachometer ; Masthead Amplifier For TV & FM ; PC Voice Recorder; Error Analyser For CD Players, Pt.2 ; Tuning In To Satellite TV, Pt.3 ($1000 Satellite Ground Station Reviewed); Installing Windows On Your PC ; StepBy-Step Approach To Vintage Radio Repairs. September 1991: Studio 3-55L 3-Way Loudspeaker System; Digital Altimeter For Gliders & Ultralights, Pt.1; Build A Fax/Modem For Your Computer; Ultrasonic Switch For Mains Appliances; The Basics Of AID & DIA Conversion. October 1991: Build A Talking Voltmeter For Your PC; SteamSound Simulator MK.II ; Magnetic Field Strength Meter; Digital Altimeter For Gliders & Ultralights, Pt.2; Getting To KnowThe Windows PIF Editor. PLEASE NOTE: All issues from November 1987 to June 1988 are now sold out. All subsequent issues are presently in stock. For readers wanting articles from issues out of print. we can supply photostat copies (or tearsheets) at $5.00 per article, including posto.Q6. w,-,en supplying photostat articles or back copies, we automatically supply any relevant Notes & Errata at no extra charge. NOVEMBER 1991 91