Silicon ChipMarket Centre - March 1992 SILICON CHIP
  1. Outer Front Cover
  2. Contents
  3. Publisher's Letter: The truth about fax machines
  4. Feature: The Electronic Dentist by Siemens Review
  5. Project: TV Transmitter For VHF VCRs by John Clarke
  6. Project: Studio Twin Fifty Amplifier, Pt.1 by Leo Simpson & Bob Flynn
  7. Project: Thermostatic Switch For Car Radiator Fans by John Clarke
  8. Feature: Amateur Radio by Garry Cratt, VK2YBX
  9. Feature: Computer Bits by Jennifer Bonnitcha
  10. Serviceman's Log: VCR tape transport problems by The TV Serviceman
  11. Project: Build A Telephone Call Timer by Darren Yates
  12. Vintage Radio: A look at valve substitutions by John Hill
  13. Feature: Remote Control by Bob Young
  14. Subscriptions
  15. Back Issues
  16. Order Form
  17. Market Centre
  18. Outer Back Cover

This is only a preview of the March 1992 issue of Silicon Chip.

You can view 39 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:
  • Studio Twin Fifty Amplifier, Pt.1 (March 1992)
  • Studio Twin Fifty Amplifier, Pt.2 (April 1992)
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:
  • Remote Control (December 1991)
  • Remote Control (January 1992)
  • Designing A Speed Controller For Electric Models (February 1992)
  • Remote Control (March 1992)
MARKET CENTRE Cash in your surplus gear. Advertise it here in Silicon Chip. r-------------------------, I I I I CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING RATES ANTIQUE RADIO Advertising rates for this page: Classified ads: $10.00 for up to 15 words plus 40 cents for e~ch additional word. Display ads (casual rate): $20 per column centimetre (:'v1ax. 10cm). Closing date: five weeks prior to month of sale. To run your classified ad, print it clearly on the form below or on a separate sheet of paper & send it 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. 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. FOR SALE I I ·1 Enclosed is my cheque/money order for $_ __ _ 0 Bankcard 0 Visa Card or please debit my O Master Card Card No. Signature_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Card expiry date_ _~/_ __ Name _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Street _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Suburb/town _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Postcode_ _ __ __ I I I I I I I XI I I I I I I I I I L-------------------------~ 94 SILICON CHIP SECURITY ALARM COMPONENTS. Commercial quality alarm panel, detectors, cable , everything for a complete alarm system . Discounted prices. 4-core alarm cable $35 per 100m. 2core alarm cable (Fig.8) $15 per 100m. PIR detectors, pulse count, $15 each. Horn speakers $12.50 each. Alarm control modules $69.50 each. Mail order service, send SAE for free price list to Security Distributors, 141 Todds Rd, Lawton, Old 4501 . Phone (07) 882 0002. WEATHER FAX programs for IBM XT/ ATs *** "RADFAX2" $35 is a high resolution, shortwave weather fax, Morse & RTTY receiving program. Needs CGA, FIX-A-KIT KIT REPAIR & CONSTRUCTION 3 MONTHS WARRANTY ON REPAIRS 12 MONTHS WARRANTY ON CONSTRUCTION TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE HVCAL ELECTRONICS Design, Manufacture & Repair of Electronic Equipment (02) 633 5477 SSB HF radio & Radfax decoder. Also "RF2HERC", "RF2EGA" & "RF2VGA", same as RADFAX2 but suitable for Hercules , EGA & VGA cards respectively. $35. *** "SATFAX" $45 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 5.25inch 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. XT/AT HANDBOOK by Choisser & Foster. Pocket size, 92 pages. For engineers & programmers, & other serious PC/XT & PC/AT users. A collection of hardware & software facts & data on the PC-compatible family & its operating system. Latest edition. This is the one advertised by Annabooks in the US magazines Byte, Dr Dobb's Journal, etc. $20 including postage. 5 or more $15 each. Contact Don McKenzie, 29 Ellesmere Crescent, Tullamarine 3043. , Prices at December 1, 1991 SIMM 1MBx9 1MBx8 4MBx 9 256 X 9 (For SIP 100ns 80ns 100ns 80ns 80ns 80ns add $1) DRAM-DIP 1MBx 1 80ns 256 X 4 100ns 80ns 41256 120ns 100ns 80ns 55 .00 57.00 48.00 53.00 225.00 16.00 6.40 6.30 6.50 1.80 2.00 2.20 PELHAM \.. COPROCESSORS 80387-DX 25 80387-SX 16 80287 10MHz 80287 To 20 173.00 142.00 95.00 156.00 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 INFRARED FILTER: a high-quality military grade deep infrared (IR) filter. For medium & high-power incandesce.nt spotlights & floodlights. Approximately 130mm diameter & 6mm thick. High temperature pyrex-glass base material. Excellent for night surveillance equipment. Works with IR viewers & some video equipment. On special at $5.00. Oatley Electronics, PO Box 89, Oatley, NSW 2223. Phone (02) 579 4985. Fax (02) 570 7910. MINI INFRARED NIGHT VIEWER: as per EA, Oct. 1991 issue. A very small complete kit that includes a lens, an IR tube & an eyepiece. Simple to construct. The kit is now supplied with a high quality military inverter. Draws only 20mA from a 9V battery. Not only at the lowest price offered but we also include SPECIALS Sun SLC Sharp 6220 Sharp 8081 PS/2(ALL) PS/2(ALL) Mac FX/NIX Laser Printers 4Mb 1Mb 1Mb 2Mb 4Mb 4Mb 2Mb 250.00 160.00 100.00 150.00 295.00 230.00 206.00 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 Sales Tax 20%. Overnight Delivery. Credit Cards Welcome 1st Floor, 100 Yarrara Road, Pennant Hills, NSW 2120. Tel (02) 980 6988 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 VISIBLE LASER DIODE POINTER: Based on a small 3mW 670nm visible laser diode head. The kit includes a small plastic case , pushbutton switch, batteries & battery holders&, of course, the laser diode head. Everything you need to make a high quality laser diode pointer or a gunsight for a total price of $150. Oatley Electronics, PO Box 89, Oatley, NSW 2223. Phone (02) 579 4985. Fax (02) 570 7910. 'I MEMORY EXPANSION a free filter. $299.00. Includes the IR tube, lens, eyepiece, electronics kit, a 75mm round IR plastic filter & the case. Kit No. IRNW5. Limited stock. Certified p&p Australia $5; NZ (airmail) $10. Major credit cards accepted with phone & fax orders. Oatley Electronics, PO Box 89, Oatley, NSW 2223. Phone (02) 579 4985. Fax (02) 570 7910. MULTIMETERS: Philips automatic digital multimeter PM2517X with case PM9278, new condition, $350.00. Fluke 27 digital multimeter with case, new condition, $350.00. Hewlett Packard logic probe 545A, pulser probe 546A, Fax (02) 980 6991 ~ DIGI-CART DSP BOARD For 16-bit IBM compatibles. Broadcast quality 44.1 KHz/16 bit stereo audio with audio recorder software. $1599 + Tax Custom software service for applications available. PC Computers (08) 3326513 36 Regent St Kensington SA TRANSFORMER REWINDS ALL TYPES OF TRANSFORMER REWINDS TRANSFORMER REWINDS Reply Paid No.2, PO Box 438, Singleton, NSW 2330. Ph: (065) 76 1291. Fax: (065) 76 1003. as new, $300.00 each . K. S. Hickey (02) 871 6683. PCVOICE RECORDER SOFTWARE: turn your computer into an audio recorder, $25 + $3pp (VGA/EGA/CGA/ MONO). MS-DOS required. Also available: PC TALKING VOLTMETER soft- WANTED: YOUR CIRCUIT & DESIGN IDEAS Do you have a good circuit idea languishing in the ol ' brain cells? If so, why not sketch it out, write a brief description & sen9 it to us Provided your idea is workable & original, we'll publish it in Circuit Notebook & you'll make some money. You'll also help save us from the dreadful "circuit burnout" syndrome which afflicts anyone who has to generate too many circuit ideas in too short a time. We'll pay up to $60 for a really good circuit (not too big please). So transfer your circuit to paper & send it to Silicon Chip Publications, PO Box 139, Collaroy Beach, NSW 2097. MARCH 1992 95 r------ ---------------- --, X SILICON CHIP BINDERS Protect your valuable issues with a special binder from SILICON CHIP. Our binders feature heavy board covers, are made from a distinctive two-tone green vinyl, and have the SILICON CHIP logo printed in gold-coloured lettering on the spine and front cover. They hold up to 14 issues and will look great on your bookshelf. Price : $A 11.95 + $A3 p&p or buy a subscription and get a discount on the first binder (see the subscription order form in this issue).To order, simply fill in & mail this coupon or phone or fax your order to Silicon Chip Publications. Advertising Index Adilam Electronics .. ..... ....... ..... IFC All Electronic Components .... .... 75 Altronics .......... .. .. ....... ......... . 38-41 Antique Radio Restorations .... .. 94 Av-Comm .. .. ..... .... .. ...... ..... ... .... . 67 David Reid Electronics ...... .......... 3 Dick Smith Electronics ..... .... 28-29 EEM Electronics .. ... .... ........ ...... 95 Yes! Please send me _ _ _ SILICON CHIP binder(s) at $A11.95 plus Emona Instrum ents ....... ..... ....... 59 $A3 p&p each (NZ $A6 p&p). Geoff Wood Electronics ............ 33 Enclosed is my cheque/money order for $_ _ _ _ or please debit my Harbuch Electronics .. ... ... .. .... .... 57 D Bankcard O Visa Card Hycal Instruments ..... ....... ... ..... . 94 O Master Card lcom Australia .. .. .. .... ... .. .. .... ... OBC Card No. ~~I Jaycar Electronics ....... ... ...... 48-49 I'---'--------'-----~I I'---"--------'---~I '---I J.V. Tuners ... .. .... .. ... ...... ............ 57 L____L___J~ Oatley Electronics ..... ..... ...... 51,95 Signature_ _ _ __ __ _ _ ___ Card expiry date_ _~/_ __ Name _ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Patex Systems .. ... .... ........ ... .. .... 61 PC Computers ........ ......... ........ . 95 PC Marketplace .. ... ...... ...... ... ...... 7 Street _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Pelham ................ .. ........ .. ... ...... . 95 Peter C. Lacey Services .... ....... 55 Suburb/town _ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ Postcode_ _ _ _ __ Philips ...... ... .. .. ..... .. .... ... .......... IBC Preston Electronics ............ ....... 87 SILICON CHIP PUBLICATIONS PO Box 139, Collaroy Beach, NSW 2097, Australia. Phone (02) 979 5644 Protel Technology .... ....... .... .. .. .. 85 RCS Radio ........................... ....... 9 Fax: (02) 979 6503. Resurrection Radio .. ... .............. 75 L-------------------------~ ware. For project published in SILICON CHIP, Oct/Nov 1991. Plugs into the printer port of any IBM PC/XT/AT/386 or compatible . Displays voltages up to ±128V on screen, takes voltage samples over time, has 8-bit accuracy to within 1%. Combines with the PCVOICE RECORDER project to give a talking voltmeter. Available on 5¼-inch 360Kb disc plus documentation and instructions for $30 plus $3pp. Send your cheque or money order to Darren Yates, PO Box 134, French's Forest, NSW 2086. WANTED AUGUST 1988 ISSUE of Roger Harrison's Austral ian Electronics Monthly. Ring Graham Welby. B.H. (047) 31 2845. A.H. (047) 58 8730. BOOK WANTED: "Electronic Design & Construction Of Alternate Energy Projects", by R. Andrew Motes. Will pay $50 for book in good condition. Call Otto (02) 728 4768. 96 SILICON CHIP Forty pages of dreams! z CD :e · Rod Irving Electronics ........... 10,11 68,69,82,83 Silicon Chip Back Issues ..... 88-89 Silicon Chip Binders ....... ........... 47 Stewart Electronics ........ ........... 96 TEcs Electronics & Computers . 21 Transformer Rewinds .. .............. 95 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.