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Publisher & Editor-in-Chief Leo Simpson, B.Bus. Editor Greg Swain, B.Sc.(Hons.) Technical Staff John Clarke, B.E.(Elec.) Robert Flynn Darren Yates, B.Sc. Reader Services Ann Jenkinson Sharon Macdonald Marketing Manager Sharon Lightner Phone (02) 979 5644 Mobile phone (018) 28 5532 Regular Contributors Brendan Akhurst Garry Cratt, VK2YBX Marque Crozman, VK2ZLZ John Hill Jim Lawler, MTETIA Bryan Maher, M.E., B.Sc. Philip Watson, MIREE, VK2ZPW Jim Yalden, VK2YGY Bob Young Photography Stuart Bryce SILICON CHIP is published 12 times a year by Silicon Chip Publications Pty Ltd. A.C.N. 003 205 490. All material copyright ©. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. Printing: Macquarie Print, Dubbo, NSW. Distribution: Network Distribution Company. Subscription rates: $49 per year in Australia. For overseas rates, see the subscription page in this issue. Editorial & advertising offices: Unit 1a/77-79 Bassett Street, Mona Vale, NSW 2103. Postal address: PO Box 139, Collaroy Beach, NSW 2097. Phone (02) 979 5644. Fax (02) 979 6503. PUBLISHER'S LETTER The future of private motor vehicles As I write this editorial, it is only a few days to the running of the 1993 World Solar Challenge race from Darwin to Adelaide. It remains to be seen whether the race sets records for speeds and race duration but is sure to be another step in the development of solar and electric vehicle technology. Ultimately though, the major spur for all this present research and develop­ment is the mandating of “zero emissions” vehicles for California in the very near future. If it wasn’t for the urgency created by the Californian legislators, no doubt there would be little development in this field at all. As it is, if a major car developer wins the Darwin to Adelaide race, they will be seen as the leaders in electric vehicle technology and will be poised to take the spoils in the Californian market. This might lead you to think that if it wasn’t for the artificial situation created in California there would be no reason to develop cars with lower or zero emissions. That would be a short-sighted view because air pollution continues to be a problem in large cities and our supplies of fossil fuels will continue to be depleted. So there needs to be a strong incentive for electric vehicles to be developed. On the hand, I do not believe that some time in next cen­tury we will suddenly “run out of energy sources”. It is true that fossil fuels will continue to be used up but I have enormous faith in the ability of man to solve any energy shortages. In fact, there is a word we use to describe that ability – “re­sourceful”. Part of man’s resourcefulness is his ability to extrapolate into the future and foresee problems before they become insurmountable. So whatever happens, it is highly likely that we will still be driving our private motor vehicles well into the next century although they may not be petrol powered; they will probably be electric and they may well draw most of their energy directly from the sun. After all, solar powered planes have already flown, so why can’t solar powered cars be a reality at some time in the future? Leo Simpson ISSN 1030-2662 WARNING! SILICON CHIP magazine regularly describes projects which employ a mains power supply or produce high voltage. All such projects should be considered dangerous or even lethal if not used safely. Readers are warned that high voltage wiring should be carried out according to the instructions in the articles. When working on these projects use extreme care to ensure that you do not accidentally come into contact with mains AC voltages or high voltage DC. If you are not confident about working with projects employing mains voltages or other high voltages, you are advised not to attempt work on them. Silicon Chip Publications Pty Ltd disclaims any liability for damages should anyone be killed or injured while working on a project or circuit described in any issue of SILICON CHIP magazine. Devices or circuits described in SILICON CHIP may be covered by patents. SILICON CHIP disclaims any liability for the infringement of such patents by the manufacturing or selling of any such equipment. SILICON CHIP also disclaims any liability for projects which are used in such a way as to infringe relevant government regulations and by-laws. Advertisers are warned that they are responsible for the content of all advertisements and that they must conform to the Trade Practices Act 1974 or as subsequently amended and to any governmental regulations which are applicable. 2  Silicon Chip