Silicon ChipMarket Centre - 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)
MARKET CENTRE Cash in your surplus gear. Advertise it here in Silicon· Chip. r-------------------------, ANTIQUE RADIO CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING RATES ANTIQUE RADIO restorations. Your one-stop radio repair shop. Specialising in restoring vintage radios including chassis rewiring, re-condensing, quality new parts, valves, valve sockets, speakers, power & audio transformers. Secondhand radio dials & parts for most brands & models. About 400 radios in stock for sale, restoration & parts. Every restored wireless is covered by a 2year warranty on parts & labour. We restore damaged woodwork & cabinets & French polish (approx. 40 coats). Vintage car radios available for sale or restoration. Repairs done on tape decks & amplifiers. 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. 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). Closing date: five weeks prior to month of sale. To run your classified ad, print it clearly on a separate sheet of paper & send it with this form & 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. FOR SALE Enclosed is my cheque/money order for $_ _ _ _ or please debit my o Bankcard O Visa Card o Master Card I I I I I I I I I I :k I ~~I l___,~____,I ~I'----'-----'----'I I~ '---'------'----' I I Signature_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Card expiry date_ _-'/_ __ I I Name _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ I I Street - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - I Suburb/town _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Postcode- -- - - - I I L _________________________ J 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, 4004 Old. Phone (07) 358 2785. Card No. 94 SILICON CHIP IBM COMPATIBLE computer kits & accessories. Button spike protector $37.00. 6-socket power boards with surge/spike protection $49.00. Pack/ post $3.00. Send for a free price list. M.T.S. Electronics, PO Box 1013 Taree, NSW 2430. Phone (065) 53 1296. $115 OFF THE WORLD's first MSDOS Pocket PC. Australia's best price , ...._ MEMORY EXPANSION LEARN ELECTRONICS WITH UCANDO VIDEOS Prices at October 1, 1991 AC-DC power supplies, amplifiers, integrated circuits, oscillators. Average one hour each. $A48.00 each. Also build electronic kits for learning experience. SIMM 1MB x9 100ns 80ns 1MB»8 100ns 80ns 4MBx9 80ns 256 X 9 80ns (ForSIPadd$1) Mastercard & Visa accepted. DRAM-DIP 1MBx1 80ns 256 X 4 100ns 80ns 41256 120ns 100ns 80ns Electronics Assembly Co, PO Box 21191, Edgeware, Christchurch, New Zealand. Phone 3-795-570 KIT REPAIRS Kits repaired from all magazines. Switchmode power supplies repaired, design work from start to finish computer software consultancy. Ring anytime 9am-9pm Mon-Sun. EEM Electronics, 10 Bouverie Place, Epping, Vic. 3076 Phone (03) 401 1393 TRANSFORMER REWINDS ALL TYPES OF TRANSFORMER REWINDS TRANSFORMER REWINDS 58.00 55.00 48.00 56.00 240.00 16.00 6.00 5.90 6.00 1.80 2.00 2.20 PELHAM \.. COPROCESSORS 80387-DX To 33 80387-SX 16 & 20 80287 To 12MHz 80287 Over 12 250.00 157.00 100.00 147.00 FLOPPY DRIVES 3.5 Panasonic 1.44 3.5 Teac 1.44 5.25 Panasonic 1.2 80.00 86.00 92.00 EXPANSION CARDS LS 866N 32Mb OK 240.00 AST RAM plus 8Mb 350.00 BOCA AT plus 8Mb 250.00 Tel (02) 980 6988 SOCKETS Simm Sockets 30 x 1 Vert Simm Sockets 30 x 2 Ang Simm Sockets 30 x 2 Vert 1.70 3.50 3.20 ~ PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARDS FIX-A-KIT PCBs for all SILICON CHIP projects made to order. Prototype & kit repair service available. KIT REPAIR & CONSTRUCTION 3 MONTHS WARRANTY ON REPAIRS 12 MONTHS WARRANTY ON CONSTRUCTION . TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE HVCAL ELECTRONICS Hours 10-5 Wednesday to Friday, 9-12 Saturday. ETS, PO BOX 491, NOARLUNGA CENTRE, SA 5168. Phone: (08) 382 8919 Design, Manufacture & Repair of Electronic Equipment (02) 633 5477 , MAX 1/0 Board UNUSUAL ITEMS & components: 75mm diameter perspex IR filters $16; 130mm diameter pyrex IR filters $50; collimated 2.5mW IR laser diode assemblies (collimator lens) $45; 680pF/ 3kV disc ceramics at 50 for $1 0; 1On/ 3kV disc ceramics at 10 for $8; 1nF/ 15kV disc ceramics $12; 10kV avalanche diodes $1; used regulated 15kV 500µA EHT power supplies $45; 1mW 800nm IR LEDs at 10 for $3.50; dual element pyroelectric sensors with Fresnel lens $9.90. Oatley Electronics, PO Box 89, Oatley, 2223. Phone (02} 579 4985. 300.00 180.00 100.00 168.00 305.00 250.00 206.00 Fax (02) 980 6991 • 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 port for full compatibility with a large range of computers. Same day dispatch of orders. Credit cards or personal cheques welcome. Phone (08) 332 6513 or Fax (08) 364 0902 (24 hours) PC Computers, 36 Regent St, Kensington, SA. CRYSTAL LOCKED ULTRASONIC movement detector kit. Compact reliable unit, see EAApril 1990, reduced by more than 20%: $27 for the complete kit with the onboard transducers, $35 for the same kit with the prewired free mounting transducers. Oatley Electronics, PO Box 89, Oatley, 2223. Phone (02) 579 4985. CAR ALARM: top of the range, ready made, well known brand, commercial car alarm. UHF remote with two keys supplied, flashes vehicle blinkers for indication and during alarm, voltage drop detector, can be wired to existing door UNIDEN SCANNERS DON'T PAY MORE! 50XL RRP $299.95. Our price $211 10 memories, Lo-Hi VHF, UHF Kit $149.00. Built & Tested $269.00. PROFESSIONAL KITS & products. Ampl ifiers, power supplies, test 1equipment, PC driven devices & surplus parts. Send SASE for list to: Al Younger, 5/22 Albert St, Edgecliff, NSW 2027. 4Mb 1Mb 1Mb 2Mb 4Mb 4Mb 2Mb Sales Tax 20%. Overnight Delivery. Credit Cards Welcome 1st Floor, 100 Yarrara Road, Pennant Hills, NSW 2120. Reply Paid No.2, PO Box 438, Singleton, NSW 2330. Ph : (065) 761291. Fax: (065) 761003. on Atari Portfolio $380 incl. tax, postage & insurance. 80C88 CPU, video cassette size. Lowest prices on accessories. For more info, send a 43c stamp to Don McKenzie, 29 Ellesmere Crescent, Tullamarine 3043. SPECIALS Sun SLC Sharp 6220 Sharp 8081 PS/2(ALL) PS/2(ALL) Mac FX/NIX Laser Printers 100XLT RRP $449.95. Our price $409 100 memories, Lo-Hi VHF, Air, UHF 200XLT RRP $549.95. Our Price $477 200 memories, Lo-Hi VHF, Air, UHF, 800 MHz All prices include delivery. Phone anytime today! (03) 883 9535; Fax (03) 432 0716 ~ TopCom Communications PO Box 336, Greensborough, Vic 3088. ~ switches, 120dB siren, back up battery, ignition cutoff, flashing LED supplied, instructions and all installation items such as the bonnet/boot switches and wiring loom are supplied. You could pay over $600 for an alarm like this but we can supply this alarm and a Crystal Locked Ultrasonic kit for a total of $269! Oatley Electronics, PO Box 89, Oatley, 2223. Phone (02) 579 4985. BIGGER LASER BARGAIN: for the bigger displays, discos, etc. A high quality Hugh~s brand, low divergence 10mW He-Ne tube, supplied with our 12V Universal Laser Supply kit at an incredible NOVEMBER 1991 95 Market Centre - continued from page 95 Advertising Index Adilam Electronics .... .. ........... OBC Altronics ................................ 28-31 Antique Radio Restorations ....... 94 Av-Comm ........................ .... ....... 25 Back Issues .................... ...... 90,91 David Reid Electronics ........ 2-3,69 Dick Smith Electronics .......... 12-14 SUSIES COMPUTERS EEM Electronics .... .. .................. 95 36 Regent Street, Kensington (08) 364 0902. 75 Main South Rd, O'Halloran Hill (08) 322 4299. Electronic Toy Services ............. 95 Electronics Assembly Co ... ........ 95 price of $400 for the pair. That's . less than half the price of the tube itself. Oatley Electronics, PO Box 89, Oatley, 2223. Phone (02) 579 4985. INFRARED NIGHT VIEWER: not a complete kit but just the absolute essentials - an tR image converter tube and a ready-made power supply. The supply has approximate dimensions of 105 x 56 x 37mm, draws approx. 35mA from a 9V battery, and can power any IR tube. The tube is a 6032A and the instructions are provided. Giveaway at $150 for the pair. $5 certified p&p. Major cards accepted with phone and fax orders. NZ air-mail $10. Oatley Electronics, PO Box 89, Oatley, 2223. Phone (02) 579 4985. Fax (02) 570 7910. PC VOICE RECORDER software for project published in SILICON CHIP, August 1991. Plugs into the printer board of any genuine IBM PC/XT/AT/ 386 or compatible. Record up to 20 seconds of sound, save it to disc & replay it in the future. Software only available on 5.25-inch 360Kb disc plus documentation & instructions for $25 plus $3. Talking Clock software also available - turns your computer into a talking timepiece. Only $15 plus $3 p&p. (VGA, EGA, CGA, Mono). Send :,._ cheque or money order to Darren Yates, PO Box 134, French's Forest, NSW 2086. UNUSUAL BOOKS: Fireworks, locksmithing, radar invisibility, surveillance, unusual chemistry and more. Send SASE for catalog to Vector Press, Dept. S, PO Box 434, Brighton SA 5048. SC Elmeasco .. ...... .... .............. .. ..... IFC Geoff Wood Electronics .... .. .... ... 23 Harbuch Electronics ............ .. .... 44 Hycal Instruments ........ ........ ...... 95 Jaycar Electronics ................ 45-52 J.V. Tuners ............................ ..... 43 Kalex ......................................... 81 Kingsley Electronics ...... ....... ..... 44 Oatley Electronics ........... 27,95,96 PC Computers .................. .... .... . 95 PC Marketplace ........................... 7 Pelham ......... :............................ 95 RCS Radio ................................ 88 Resurrection Radio .................. .. 81 Rod Irving Electronics .......... 38,39 58,59,82,83 Subscriptions ...................... ....... 15 r-------------------------, l 1 To: Silicon Chip~u~~:.~~s~P~I ~o~ :,DERS Collaroy Beach, NSW 2097, Australia. i Yes! Please send me _ ___ SILICON CHIP binder(s) at $A11.95 plus $A3 p&p each (NZ $A6 p&p). Enclosed is my cheque/money order for $_ _ _ _ or please debit my D Bankcard D Visa Card D Master Card Card No. Signature_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Card expiry date_ _~/_ __ Name _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Street _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Suburb/town _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Postcode_ _ _ _ __ L _________________________ J 96 SILICON CHIP Susies Computers .................. ... 96 TopCom Communications .... ..... 95 Transformer Rewinds ................ 95 Yokogawa ...... ........................ .. IBC 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.