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PRODUCT SHOWCASE at rates of up to 122,000 bps (bits per second). An advanced protocol error detection and message retransmission feature ensures data integrity and when used on a multiple channel system, the ter­minal has an automatic cellular chan­ nel selection feature which looks and switches to the clearest radio chan­nel. For further information, contact Information Technologies Division, Colby Demag, 75 South Creek Road, Dee Why, NSW 2099. Phone (02) 981 5555 or fax (02) 971 9643. Master stereo displays from Amber Hands-free auto-scanning Teklogix has introduced Scan-See, a new integrated barcode scanner/ re­ mote RF terminal. Weighing just over 125 grams, Scan-See is fitted to the back of the operator's hand by a Velcro strap and automatically scans bar­codes whenever they are within range (from about 40mm to 150mm). Scan-See is used in conjunction with a standard hand-held Teklogix RF terminal, which the operator places in a comfortable position, such as on their hip. Operating as a remote ex­tension of the 32-bit Teklogix RF ter­minal, ScanSee delivers sub-second response times, with data shown on a 2 x 10 LED display. For applications which require more data on the screen, a 2 x 20 LCD version is available. Two-way communication is pro­ vided through an integrated UHF FM or spread spectrum radio, with data being transmitted and received Amber Technology has announced additions to the range of DK-Audio master stereo displays, the MSD550E system with the internal monitor and activity on individual PCs can be monitored from a single work- station with a clear display and control unit. Signum Plus incorporates an in­ tegrated keyboard lock which pro­ tects the system against unauthor­ ised access and the system can function as a 19-inch chassis or bench case. Among the options available is the ability to reboot all PCs at the same time, to have chan­nel control from the PC keyboard and to position the keyboard and monitor up to 1300 metres from the PCs. For further information, contact Rican Pty Ltd, 66-76 Dickson Avenue, Artarmon, NSW 2064. Phone (02) 439 6078. Monitor and keyboard selector Signum Plus allows the control of up to eight PCs from a single keyboard and monitor. Intended for application's in PC networks and control systems, it cuts down the investment costs of up to seven keyboards and monitors, while also saving on energy, running costs and space. Additional benefits include reduced heat losses which eliminate excessive thermal loads within racks and within air-conditioning systems. A second monitor can be operated simultaneously in the 82  Silicon Chip enhanced stereo display and the MSD550LR level recorder. DK-Audio's new MSD550E offers all of the functions of the original model with the advantage of a new microproc­ essor, faster operation and greater memory capacity. The MSD550E is also fitted with stereo peak level LED indica­ tors as standard. The MSD-550E may also be ordered fit­ted with DK-Audio's FFT spectrum analyser package, an integral 1024-band Fast Fourier Transformation real time audio analyser. For further information, contact Amber Technology, Unit E, 5 Skyline Place, Frenchs Forest, NSW 2086. Phone (02) 975 1211 or fax (02) 975 1368. PC-based analog interface This recently released Analog Interface Unit (AIU) is the first in a series of easily pro­ grammed PC-based data ac­ q uisition devices to be re­ leased by Advanced R&D So­lutions. The AIU is a general purpose "dongle" sized unit that plugs directly into the parallel port on a PC. It contains an 8-bit resolution ADC and DAC with selectable true bipolar input/output ranges, entirely powered from the PC's port. Complete driver routines are supplied, to allow the user to program and create custom­ ised applications. Example programs are provided for dif­ferent languages, to show how the driver routines work. The AIU is available in kit form for $95 (incl. p&p) or $120 fully assem­ bled. For further details, contact Ad­ vanced R&D Solutions, 12 Copeland Road, Lethbridge Park, NSW 2770. Phone or fax (02) 628 1223. RF speech processor for SSB radios This product is claimed to provide an 8dB increase in signal readability in weak and noisy receive conditions for SSE transmissions - equivalent to increasing the transmitter power by four times. The difference is that this modification is legal and cheaper. The SP-100RF speech processor achieves its stated aim by virtue of the fact that the human voice is not well suited to SSE or AM radio communi­ cations which are not able to cope with large peak powers. The human voice has high amplitude peaks ac­ companied by lots of average to low level signals. It is the average to low level signals which contain most of the voice's intelligence. However, the SP- 100RF does not work by compress­ing the audio signal. Instead, it proc­esses the voice modulation at RF, using its October 1995  83 own internally generated SSE signal. This is claimed to give a cleaner output waveform and more effective "talk power". The SP-100RF, a fully assembled PC board, is priced at $121 plus freight. For more information, contact the Australian manufacturers, GFS Elect­ ronics, PO Box 97, Mitcham, Vic 3132. Phone (03) 9873 3777 or fax (03) 9872 4550. High-speed, fibre-optic GPIB extender National Instruments has announc­ ed a high-speed, software-transparent, fibre-optic GPIB extender. The GPIB-140 transfers data at up to 2.2Mb/s using the HS488 protocol and up to 1.05Mb/s using IEEE 488.1 transfers while keeping the cabling cost at a minimum. The GPIB-140 extends the maximum GPIB cable length from 20m to 1km without compro­ mising the integrity of the GPIB or requiring any application program modifications. The GPIB-140 also raises the device limit on a logical GPIB system from 15 to 26 devices. System developers can 84  Silicon Chip use the GPIB-140 to control remote printers or plotters as if they were next to the computer, isolate devices located in noisy or hazardous envi­ ronments or control factory floor tests from a remote office. For further information on the GPIB140, contact National Instruments Australia, PO Box 466, Ringwood, Vic 3134. Phone (03) 9879 9422 or fax (03) 9879 9179. Genius cordless infrared mouse Recently, we had the opportunity to use the new, battery-operated, Gen­ ius cordless HiMouse. We found it to perform well, just like a mouse should. It is slightly thicker than a Microsoft mouse, tending to lift the palm of the hand slightly and thus reducing the friction with the desk. While I pre­ ferred it, this is very subjective, as another staff member preferred the feel of the lower profile normal unit. The HiMouse comes in two parts, the cordless mouse and its cradle. The cradle has a lead which connects to the serial port, two rechargeable bat­teries, an infrared window and a slide switch to select between Microsoft and Mouse Systems modes. When the mouse is not being used it is slipped into the cradle and has its battery recharged by those in the cra­ dle, these being charged all the time the computer is turned on. The HiMouse is a 3-button unit with software provision to exchange the left and right button functions for left handers. The contoured top makes it easy to locate the three buttons. Installation was smooth and trou­blefree, taking only a matter of min­utes. The carton contains both 3.5-inch and 5.25-inch discs, to suit any model PC. The control panel, which can be made memory resident (to be called up at any time) or loaded from DOS, allows users to set the mouse sensitivity and acceleration to suit their individual applications. As well as the mouse software, a disc with a copy of Paintbrush IV, version 2, is included. While we did not use this program, the user's guide seems quite comprehensive, giving detailed steps on how to produce your own "work of art". Our only complaint concerns the battery in the mouse. Several times during the test period it went flat and while it only took a few seconds to swap it with one in the cradle, it could be a source of annoyance. In addition, the batteries are sealed in a special plastic holder and any HiMouse owner would be totally dependent on the supplier for spares. However, if you like the extra free­ dom of cordless operation, without the cord pulling the mouse in one direction, the Genius HiMouse is a boon. It has quite good operating range and it is not at all critical as far as having to be pointed at the infrared receiver in the cradle. In fact, we found you Audio Lab could point the HiMouse away at 90° to the direction of the receiver and it was still quite reliable. Many peo­ple will like it a lot. Our sample Genius HiMouse came from Rod Irving Electronics and, at the time of writing, was priced at $79. Check with any Rod Irving Pty Ltd Electron­ i cs store for the current price. (R.J.W.) harbuch<at>optusnet.com.au ANTRIM TRANSFORMERS manufactured in Australia by Harbuch Electronics Toroidal – Conventional Transformers Power – Audio – Valve – ‘Specials’ TOROIDAL Medical – Isolated – POWER Stepup/down Encased Power Supplies TRANSFORMERS Toroidal General Construction OUTER INSULATION OUTER WINDING WINDING INSULATION CORE INNER WINDING CORE INSULATION Comprehensive available: Manufactureddata in Australia Comprehensive data available www.harbuch.com.au Harbuch Electronics Pty Ltd 9/40 Leighton Pl. HORNSBY 2077 Harbuch Electronics Pty Ltd Ph (02) 476-5854 Fx (02) 476-3231 9/40 Leighton Pl, HORNSBY 2077 Ph (02) 9476 5854 Fax (02) 9476 3231 R.S.K. Electronics Pty. Ltd. Complete Audio Lab kit with PCBs, 1% resistors, PTH screened PCBs, IC sockets, boot Eprom, screen printed case, 8K RAM, 8031 processor and all ICs. Includes calibration and Audio Lab V5.1 software 10 VAC 1A plugpack plus socket $18. 2-Metre serial cable $9. $330 inc. tax. Processor test kit $15. Freight $9. Fully assembled & calibrated complete with plugpack (1-year warranty) $450 5 Ludwig Place, Duncraig, Perth WA 6023 Phone (09) 448 3787 October 1995  85