This is only a preview of the November 1994 issue of Silicon Chip. You can view 29 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. Items relevant to "A Novel Alphanumeric Clock":
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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
Advertising Enquiries
Leo Simpson
Phone (02) 979 5644
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 34, 1-3 Jubilee Avenue, Warrie
wood, NSW 2102. Postal address:
PO Box 139, Collaroy Beach, NSW
2097. Phone (02) 979 5644. Fax
(02) 979 6503.
PUBLISHER'S LETTER
Tiny electronic
components can
be hard to see
Do you enjoy electronics as a hobby?
I know I do. For my part, there is a constant stream of new devices and circuits
to think about and many of these end up
being presented in the magazine. I suppose I am fortunate in being able to work
at one of my hobbies. This is not to say
that I have a lot of opportunities to work on electronic projects personally.
And until recently, it was just as well, because I have trouble seeing those
teensy components.
Yes, I have to admit it: I need to wear glasses. Years ago my close-up vision
was as good as anybody’s but the passage of time has caught up with me and
a couple of years ago I had to start wearing glasses for reading. But while this
relieved the problem of having to hold books or magazines at arm’s length
to read them, it did not help when work on circuit boards was required.
In particular, I found great difficulty reading the labelling on some small
plastic transistors – no matter how good the light, the silver printing on the
grey plastic bodies was unreadable as far as I was concerned. And those
tiny resistors with their colour codes were also a big problem, particularly
some brands sourced from Asia.
The solution was suddenly presented to me when I happened to be in a
hardware store recently. They were selling magnifying spectacles branded
“Extra Eyes”. I selected a pair with a magnification of 2.5 and found that
they suited me. The range in which I can use them is quite restricted but
that is OK because I only use them at close range. It has made an enormous
difference because I can now work at my hobbies in the evenings where
previously I could not.
Now these magnifying spectacles, available from many hardware stores
and newsagents, will not suit everyone but give them a try. They are cheap at
$19.95. And if they don’t suit you, think seriously about getting prescription
glasses especially for close-up work. After all, everyone needs some sort of
a hobby to make their leisure time satisfying and if you can’t work at your
chosen hobby, it can be pretty frustrating.
As a final point, some of the keenest enthusiasts reading this magazine
are retired people in their 70s and 80s. Virtually all of them need glasses to
pursue their hobby. So don’t be backward; if you have trouble seeing today’s
teensy electronic components, don’t get frustrated, get a pair of specs.
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
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