Silicon ChipMarket Centre - September 1992 SILICON CHIP
  1. Outer Front Cover
  2. Contents
  3. Publisher's Letter: Low voltage lighting is not low wattage
  4. Feature: A Tutorial On PC-Based Data Acquisition by David Potter
  5. Project: Heavy-Duty 5A Drill Speed Controller by Leo Simpson
  6. Feature: Computer Bits by Mike Zenere
  7. Vintage Radio: Repairing an old Heatkit RF generator by John Hill
  8. Project: The Interphone Digital Telephone Exchange; Pt.2 by Jeff Monegal
  9. Project: A Multi-Sector Home Burglar Alarm; Pt.1 by Mike Zenere
  10. Serviceman's Log: Death rattles: a thorny problem by The TV Serviceman
  11. Project: A General-Purpose 3 1/2 Digit Panel Meter by Darren Yates
  12. Feature: Amateur Radio by Garry Cratt, VK2YBX
  13. Feature: The Story of Electrical Energy; Pt.20 by Bryan Maher
  14. Feature: Remote Control by Bob Young
  15. Back Issues
  16. Order Form
  17. Market Centre
  18. Advertising Index
  19. Outer Back Cover

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

You can view 51 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.

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:
  • A Multi-Sector Home Burglar Alarm; Pt.1 (September 1992)
  • A Multi-Sector Home Burglar Alarm; Pt.2 (October 1992)
Items relevant to "A General-Purpose 3 1/2 Digit Panel Meter":
  • General-Purpose 3-1/2 Digit Panel Meter PCB pattern [04110921] (Free)
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:
  • 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)
Articles in this series:
  • Remote Control (August 1992)
  • Remote Control (September 1992)
  • Remote Control (October 1992)
.........TCENTRE Cash in your surplus gear. Advertise it here in Silicon Chip. r - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -, I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING RATES ANTIQUE RADIO Adve rtising rates for th is page: Classified ads: $10.00 for up to 15 words plus 40 cents for each additional wo rd. 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 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. Second hand 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. Open Sat. 10am-5pm; Sun. 12.30-5pm. 109 Cann St, Bass Hill, NSW 2197. Phone (02) 645 3173 BH or (02) 726 1613AH. FOR SALE Enclosed is my cheque/money order for $._ _ __ U Bankcard 0 Visa Card or please debit my O Master Card Card No . Signature_ _ _ _ __ ______ Card expiry date___/~._ _ Name _ _ _ __ _ __ _ __ _ __ __ __ _ __ _ _ _ Street _ _ __ _ _ __ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ __ : Suburb/town _ _ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ Postcode_ _ _ __ _ XI I I I I I I I I I L - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -----~ 102 SILICON CHIP WEATHER FAX programs for IBM XT/ ATs *** "RADFAX2" $35 is a high resolution, shortwave fax , Morse & RTTY receiving program. Suitable for CGA, EGA, VGA and Hercules cards (state which). Needs SSB HF radio & Radfax decoder. *** "SATFAX" $45 is a NOAA, Meteor & GMS weather satellite picture receiving program. Needs EGA or VGA plus "WEATHER FAX" PC card . *** "MAX ISAT" $75 is similar to SATFAX but needs 2Mb expanded memory (EM S 3.6 or 4.0) and 1024 x 768 SVGA card . All programs are on 5.25-inch or 3.5-inch disks (state which) & include documentation. Add $3 postage. Only from M. Delahunty, 42 Villiers St, New Farm, Old 4005. Phone (07) 358 2785. SOLVE CROSSWORDS/ANAGRAMS· easily: Australian program (IBM) with 60,000+ word dictionary. SASE for more info or $15 + $2.50 p&p for registered copy (specify 720Kb or 1.2Mb). Occam Software, PO Box 93, Moonah, Tas. 7009. MS-DOS PC PRINTER port driven Z80 development system. Includes Fast Z80 Cross Assembler, Z8TBasic and lots of KIT REPAIRS Kits repaired from all magazines . Switchmode power supplies repaired . Design work from start to finish. Computer software consultancy. Ring any time 9am-9pm Mon-Sun EEM ELECTRONICS 10 Bouverie Place, Epping, Vic 3076 Phone(03)4011393 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. MEMORY EXPANSION PRICES AT AUGUST 1ST, 1992 SIMM 1Mb x 5 sons 1Mb x 3 sons 1Mb x 8 l00ns 4Mb x 9 B©ns 4Mb x s sons (For SIP add $1.00) $47 $42 $38 $168 $150 ORAM DIP 1 x 1Mb sons 256 x 4 sons 41 256 sons 1Mb x 4 (stat} $24.00 $5.20 $5.40 $2.00 DRIVES SEAG 106Mb 15M SEAG 130Mb 19M SEAG 64Mb 16M SEAG 44Mb 28M $420 $480 $365 $285 IBM PS.2 50/55/70 2Mb 70/35 4Mb $120 $1 80 TOSHIBA T3200SX 2Mb T3100SX 2Mb T5200 2Mb $135 $135 $135 MAC 16Mb FX,Q 2Mb SI & LC 4Mb P'Book $665 $86 $335 BOARDS 8MbATW2MB $236 $234 8Mb PS2 W2MB 4Mb HP Laser W2MB $1 65 8Mb PANAS W2MB $180 1Mb TI WlMB $85 Sales tax 20%. Overnight delivery. Credit cards welcome. Ring for Latest Prices Plans Kits and PCBs 10OW Valve Amp PCB ............................................. $30 Valve Amp PSU PCB .. ................. ..... ..... .. ........... $25 Universal PSU (±5/±12V} Dual Supply .................. $10 Digi 125 l0OWamp/pair ........................... .. ............. $10 ETI 1623 PIA for PCs ........................... $40 Max 110 Board .. ..... $40 Max Kit... .... ............ $169 LM380 3.5 amp PCB ..................... ........................... $7 AEM 35W amp kit ... . ................................ $20 ETI Audio Toolkit PCB .................... ... ... .............. $10 AGC Amp PCB ........ ............................................. $7 Z-80 Miniprocessor PCB .................... ........ .......... $50 6502 Miniprocessor PCB ............. .. .. ....................... $50 6809 Miniprocessor PCB ... ...... ................... ............ $50 8048/8049 Developers board complete B&T .......... $199 IBM PC Prototype PCB... ............... $50 EPROM Programmer ........ . .......... ............... .. $299 ESL-1 Electrostatic speaker kiVpair inc manual ...... $899 ESL-1 Assembly Manual ....................................... $50 P.C. Computers (08) 332 6513 36 Regent St, Kensington SA. PELHAM Tel: (02) 980 6988 Fax: (02) 980 6991 1st Floor, 100 Yarrara Rd, PO Box 382, Pennant Hills, NSW 2120. FIX-A-KIT KIT REPAIR & CONSTRUCTION source code. Once only initial outlay for the short form kit $76. Additional CPU blank boards $35. For .more information, send a 45c stamp to Don McKenzie , 29 Ellesmere Crescent, Tullamarine 3043. Phone (03) 338 6286. KIT REPAIRS: fixed price servicing for all kits , no job too small , only quality components used. Ph (02) 649 2134 after 5pm . SECURITY ALARM COMPONENTS: commercial quality alarm panels, detectors, cable , everything for complete alarm system. DIY kits. Discounted prices. 4-core alarm cable $35 per 100m. 2-core alarm cable (figure-8) $15 per 100m. PIR detectors pulse count $59 ea. Horn speakers $12.50 ea. Mail order service send SAE for free price list to Security Distributors, 141 Todds Rd, Lawnton , Old 4501 . Phone (07) 882 0002. GEL BATTERIES: famous Gates brand dual-cell batteries enclosed in a plastic moulding, 4V 5Ah, brand new, fresh stock, fully charged , limited supply at $18 ea or 3 for $45. * UV PENS: the writing of these pens is only visible under UV "Black Light". $2 ea or 5 for $8. * LIGHT MOTION DETECTOR : small PCB assembly based on a ULN2232 IC . This device has an inbuilt light detector, filters, timer, narrow angle lens, and even a siren driver circuit that can drive an external speaker. Will detect light level changes of ±5% at distances of up to 3 metres. Can be used at ve ty low light levels and even in total darkness. With IR LED. Full information provided. The IC only is worth $16! Our price for the assembly is $6 or 5 for $25. * METAL CASSETTES: you can hear the difference with these premium quality 90-minute pure metal cassettes. These were recorded on once, never played, and then bulk erased. The record tabs have been removed. $6 ea or 10 for $50. * BARGAIN MONOCULAR VIEWER: a very small but complete IR telescope which only needs an EHT power supply, which is provided in kit form . PCB and all on -board components only. Limited stock. $229 for the IR telescope and the EHT supply kit. * SWITCHED MODE POWER SUPPLIES: compact enclosed exTelecom supplies. Dimensions: 300 x 90 x 180mm. Unregulated input: 3050V, regulated output of 12V <at> 6A or · 12v<at> 8A or 5V<at> 40A. Three different units. Limited stocks<at> $28 ea. P+P $7 (heavy!). Specify type when ordering (item No.0145) . * MUSIC ON HOLD PCB: small PCB assembly based on a 7910 CF music generator IC. Apply 312V across two connector pins to ob- 3 MONTHS WARRANTY ON REPAIRS 12 MONTHS WARRANTY ON CONSTRUCTION TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE HVCAL ELECTRONICS Design. Manufacture & Repair of Electronic Equipment (02) 633 5477 tain music from one of the IC pins. Basic information and a circuit diagram is provided . $4 ea (item No .0146). * MICROSWITCH COLLECTION: a mixture of no less than 10 small and large, new, mil-spec microswitches . $6 for the col lection (item No.0148). * MAINS RATED RELAYS: four separate SPST switches (24A) actuated by a mains rated solenoid. $10 ea (item No.0128) . We also have some SPOT mains relays which will switch up to 10AAC. These are fully enclosed in an attractive clear plastic housing. $12 ea (item No.0149). * LARGE ROTARY SWITCHES: these large rotary switches have "snap in" action and all are rated at mains voltages or higher. They have at least three positions and have currents ratings from 10-35A. Great for high power mains and antenna switch- WANTED: YOUR CIRCUIT & DESIGN IDEAS Do you have a good idea languishing in the ol' brain cells. If so, why not sketch it out, write a brief description of its operation & send it to us. Provided your idea is workable & original, we'll publish it in Circuit Notebook & you'll make some money. We'll pay up to $60 for a really good circuit but don't make them too big please. So transfer your idea to paper & send it to Silicon Chip Publications, PO Box 139, Collaroy Beach, NSW 2097. SEPTEMBER1992 103 i SILICON CHIP BINDERS r I I These beautifully-made binders will protect your copies of SILICON CHIP. They feature heavy-board covers and are made from a distinctive 2tone green vinyl that will look great_ on your bookshelf. I I I * High quality. * Hold up to 14 issues * 80mm internal width. * SILICON CHIP logo printed in gold- Advertising Index Adilam Electronics ........ ... ... ....... 27 Altronics ................................ 80-82 All Electronic Components ... ... .... 5 Antique Radio Restorations ..... 102 A-One Electronics .... .... .... .... 44-45 Av-Comm ................................... 31 Comma Corporation .. ................ 26 Data Electronics ........................ 26 David Reid Electronics .......... ... ... 3 Dick Smith Electronics ...... .. .. 50-55 EEM Electronics ...................... 103 coloured lettering on spine & cover. Economic Electronics ................ 38 Electronic World ........................ 85 Yes! Please send me _ _ __ SILICON CHIP binder(s) at $A11.95 plus Emona Instruments ................... 75 $A3 p&p each (NZ $A6 p&p) . Geoff Wood Electronics ... .......... 77 Enclosed is my cheque/money order for $_ _ _ _ or please debit my Harbuch Electronics .... .............. 67 o Bankcard Hewlett Packard ........................ 21 O Visa Card O Master Card Hycal Instruments .................... 103 Card No. ~~I '---I~ ~ l '---1~~I IL___ L_____!____L _ _ J Jaycar Electronics ..... 33-36,69-72 JV Tuners .................................. 67 KT Technology ......................... IBC Signature_ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ Card expiry date_ _ _/_ __ National Instruments ............. OBC Name _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Oatley Electronics .............. 22,103 Obiat Pty Ltd ........ .... ....... .... ..... IFC Street _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ PC Computers .. ....................... 103 PC Marketplace .......... ....... ...... .. 25 Suburb/town _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Postcode._ _ _ _ __ SILICON CHIP PUBLICATIONS PO Box 139, Collaroy Beach, NSW 2097, Australia. Phone (02) 979 5644 Fax: (02) 979 6503. L------------- ___________ J ing. Only $15 ea (item No.0151 ). * LARGE FANS: powerful ball bearing mains powered fans: 220V/0.13A, 173mm diameter by 60mm deep. Thermally protected, finger guard included, removed from new equipment. $9.90 (item No.0152). * TEMPERATURE CONTROLLERS: mechanical temperature switches, designed for switching air conditioning (heating/cooling) systems directly. Adjustable temperature controls and mains-rated switches, can control currents of at least 8A directly. Most are rated for typical ambient temperature ranges but some higher temperature types are also available. All come with specifications. $35 ea (item No.0152). Major cards accepted with phone and fax orders. Certified p&p Australia $5, NZ (airmail) $10. Oatley 104 SILICON CHIP Electronics, PO Box 89, Oatley, NSW 2223. Phone (02) 579 4985. Fax: (02) 570 7910. Pelham .................................... 103 Peter C. Lacey Services ............ 64 Philips Test & Measurement ...... 19 Procon Technology ......... ........... 25 RCS Radio .............................. 104 Reserve Electronics .................. 75 Resurrection Radio .......... ...... .... 43 Rod Irving Electronics .......... 10-15 Silicon Chip Binders ........... 87,104 Transformer Rewinds .............. 103 Wombat Communications ......... 76 RCS RADIO PTY LTD ~i~1,~ I ll 16if~I Ill ;=I 0 PC Boards Printed circuit boards for SILICON CHIP projects are made by: • jemal Products, 5 Forge St, Welshpool, WA 6106. Phone (09) 350 5555. RCS Radio Pty Ltd is the only company that manufactures and sells every PC board and front panel published in SILICON CHIP, ETI and EA. • Marday Services, PO Box 19-189, Avondale, Auckland, NZ. Phone 88 5730. RCS Radio Pty Ltd, 651 Forest Rd, Bexley 2207. Phone (02) 587 3491 • RCS Radio Pty Ltd, 651 Forest Rd, Bexley, NSW 2207. Phone (02) 587 3491.