Silicon ChipMarket Centre - September 1995 SILICON CHIP
  1. Outer Front Cover
  2. Contents
  3. Publisher's Letter: Ignorance & hysteria often carry the day
  4. Feature: Automotive Ignition Timing; Pt.1 by Julian Edgar
  5. Review: Philips Brilliance 21A Autoscan Computer Monitor by Bob Flynn
  6. Project: Build A Keypad Combination Lock by Jeff Monegal
  7. Project: The Incredible Vader Voice by John Clarke
  8. Serviceman's Log: What's happened to service backup? by The TV Serviceman
  9. Project: Railpower MkII: A Walk-Around Throttle For Model Railways; Pt.1 by Rick Walters
  10. Feature: Computer Bits by Greg Swain
  11. Project: Notes On The Train Detector For Model Railways by Leo Simpson
  12. Order Form
  13. Project: Build A Jacob's Ladder Display by John Clarke
  14. Project: Audio Lab: A PC-Controlled Audio Test Instrument; Pt.2 by Roger Kent
  15. Vintage Radio: An interesting grid bias problem by John Hill
  16. Review: Bookshelf by Silicon Chip
  17. Product Showcase
  18. Back Issues
  19. Notes & Errata: Fuel Injector Monitor, August 1995
  20. Book Store
  21. Market Centre
  22. Advertising Index
  23. Outer Back Cover

This is only a preview of the September 1995 issue of Silicon Chip.

You can view 34 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:
  • Automotive Ignition Timing; Pt.1 (September 1995)
  • Automotive Ignition Timing; Pt.2 (October 1995)
Articles in this series:
  • Railpower MkII: A Walk-Around Throttle For Model Railways; Pt.1 (September 1995)
  • Railpower MkII: A Walk-Around Throttle For Model Railways; Pt.2 (October 1995)
  • IR Remote Control For The Railpower Mk.2 (January 1996)
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)
Items relevant to "Notes On The Train Detector For Model Railways":
  • Silicon Chip article scan, June 1995 - A Train Detector For Model Railways (AUD $10.00)
Items relevant to "Build A Jacob's Ladder Display":
  • Low Power Electric Fence / Jacob's Ladder PCB pattern (PDF download) [11306951] (Free)
Articles in this series:
  • Audio Lab: A PC-Controlled Audio Test Instrument; Pt.1 (August 1995)
  • Audio Lab: A PC-Controlled Audio Test Instrument; Pt.2 (September 1995)
MARKET CENTRE Cash in your surplus gear. Advertise it here in Silicon Chip. CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING RATES FOR SALE Advertising rates for this page: Classified ads: $10.00 for up to 12 words plus 50 cents for each additional word. Display ads (casual rate): $25 per column centimetre (Max. 10cm). Closing date: five weeks prior to month of sale. To run your classified ad, print it clearly in the space below or on a separate sheet of paper, fill out the form & send it with your cheque or credit card details to: Silicon Chip Classifieds, PO Box 139, Collaroy, NSW 2097. Or fax the details to (02) 979 6503. INVERTERS 12V-230VAC 90% EFFICIENCY. Modified Sine Wave. Compact 55 x 160 x 98mm. Light 800gm. Standby 50mA/0.6W. 100 Watt Continuous $99. 200 Watt $149. A.S.S. (09) 349 9413, fax (09) 344 5905. _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ INFRA-RED CORDLESS RECHARG­ EABLE STEREO HEADPHONES. 20Hz-20kHz. Lightweight. $69. A.S.S. (09) 349 9413, fax (09) 344 5905. _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ MicroZed have in stock NewMicro 68HC11 board, resident FORTH, with alternative BASIC, Small C, and Assembler, supplied. TINY 2/3 MATCHBOX SIZE VIDEO CAMERA MODULES $169. RF MODULATOR $30. Patch these into your TV Antenna System Display and/or Record on all TVs & VCRs. VERY FLEXIBLE & PRACTICAL VIDEO SUR­VEILLANCE PACKAGE only $199. Camera 400+ TVL, 35 x 35 x 25mm incl Lens, Auto Iris, Infra-Red & Low Light Sensitive. IR LEDs 50mW pkt/30 $15 SEE IN TOTAL DARKNESS. A.S.S. (09) 349 9413, fax (09) 344 5905. ADD AN IBM KEYBOARD DECODER (EA, Dec. 90) to your project. 8 left. PCB, Programmed 8749 & Disk $20. 15 Romloader 256K upgrade PCBs left. PCB, EPROM, 9346 EEPROM, 74HC­4053, Labels & Disk $25. P&P $5. Enclosed is my cheque/money order for $­__________ or please debit my RCS RADIO PTY LTD Card No. ✂ ❏ Bankcard   ❏ Visa Card   ❏ Master Card Signature­­­­­­­­­­­­__________________________ Card expiry date______/______ Name ______________________________________________________ Street ______________________________________________________ Suburb/town ___________________________ Postcode______________ 102  Silicon Chip 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. RCS Radio Pty Ltd, 651 Forest Rd, Bexley 2207. Phone (02) 587 3491 Tantau Australia, PO Box 1232, Lane Cove 2066. AH (02) 878 4715. D.I.Y. PACKAGED CCTV SYSTEMS. $699. 10" Monitor 4 Ch Switcher, Camera, 20M Cable & Stand PLUG-IN & GO! Features Two-Way Inter­com, Alarm I/Ps, VCR I/O, 400 TVL 0.2 Lux Low Light & IR Sensi­tive Camera. A.S.S. (09) 349 9413, fax (09) 344 5905. CLOSED CIRCUIT VIDEO EQUIPMENT. Mono & Colour Cameras incl. Lens from $249. 32 x 32 x 15mm CONCEALED PINHOLE Modules from $239. 4 & 8 Ch Quad & Freeze Screen Splitters & Switchers from $239. Combination Modulator/Antenna Boosters to Display/Record Video on TV/VCR. Video Microscopes 10X to 1000X. Discounts 10% - 37.5%. A.S.S. (09) 349 9413, fax (09) 344 5905. 68HC705 Development System: Editor, assembler, In Circuit Simula­tor and Programmer board. Oztechnics, PO Box 38, Illawong, NSW 2234. Phone (02) 541 0310. Fax (02) 541 0734. email:OZTEC<at>OZE­MAIL.COM.AU. MicroZed have PIC Source book gives code for Stamp routines to use in your own PIC programs. $70 plus $8 courier delivery. SWAPMEET: Glenroy 22 Oct. Sites 25/26. Vintage, amateur compon­ents, valves. Catalogue SAE T. Mitchell, 68 Rowan Street, Bendigo 3550. 486 DX4 100MHz AMD CPU on a VLB motherboard with 256 cache. $475 plus 5% S/H. Prices are in Canadian dollars. Other items are available. Please write for details. Send Money Orders to Renato Zannese, 615 Roding Street, Downsview, Ontario, Canada M3M 2A6. ftp://rasi.lr.ttu.ee/pub/sis/prod/microchip/3rd-Party/Don.McKen­z ie/ is the Internet address for my promo disk, or send a $2 coin. PIC84PGM $20, PIC16C84 (EEPROM) $15, Basic Stamps $65, lots more. Don McKenzie, 29 Ellesmere Crescent, Tullamarine 3043. Ph (03) 9338 6286, 019 93 9799. FULLY APPROVED 12V DC 1 AMP “PLUGPACKS”. Buy direct from import­ er. $10 + sales tax. Many other models available. Call Av-Comm Pty Ltd (02) 9949 7414/9948 2667 or fax (02) 9949 7095. MEMORY & DRIVES EX. TAX PRICES AT JULY, 1995 SIMM (all 70ns) Parity/No Parity 1Mb 30-pin $64/58 4Mb 30-pin $250/215 2Mb 72-pin $151/135 4Mb 72-pin $250/232 8Mb 72-pin $515/452 16Mb 72-pin $850/765 32Mb 72-pin $1530/1700 MAC 8Mb P’BOOK CO-PROCESSORS 387S/DX to 40 $450 $90 LASER PRINTER HP with 2Mb $200 COMPAQ CONTURA 8Mb $544 Parallax Basic Stamp DRAM DIP 1Mb x 1 70ns DIP $9.00 256 x 4 70ns DIP $8.10 256 x 16 70ns DIP $55.00 IBM PS.2 THINKPAD L40/N33 8Mb 4Mb $590 $300 TOSHIBA 3100SX 2100/50 4Mb 8Mb $275 $590 SUN SPARC ELC 16Mb SPARC 10/20 64Mb $850 $3872 DRIVES – SEAGATE 545Mb 14ms 3yr wty $280 850Mb 11ms 3yr wty $355 1052Mb 9ms 5yr wty $535 Sales tax 21%. Overnight delivery. Credit cards welcome. Ring for latest prices. We buy & trade RAM. PELHAM Tel: (02) 980 6988 Fax: (02) 980 6991 Shop 6, 2 Hillcrest Rd, Pennant Hills, 2120. AUSTRALIAN AUDIO CONSULTANTS HAVE RELOCATED TO NEWLY DESIGNED PREMISES We can supply all your driver needs, direct from the manufacturer. Dynaudio, Vifa, Scanspeak, Morel, etc. Full Consulting Service available. We specialise in creating custom designs for the hobbyist or manufacturer. Home Theatre Specialists. For further details contact: Australian Audio Consultants, PO Box 11, Stockport, SA 5410. Phone or fax (085) 28 2201. MicroZed have Electric Piston, MUSCLE wires, project books and kits. Electric motorless motion. AIRBAND HAND-HELD TRANSCEIVER, AIR-960. Fully DOTC approved. 118-136MHz, thumbwheel frequency control. C/W, 12V 500mA NICAD pack, trickle charger, carry case, antenna, belt clip. 1 year warranty. Buy direct from importer, $520 + tax if applicable. Call Av-Comm Pty Ltd (02) 9949 7417/9948 2667 or fax (02) 9949 7095. PROTEL EASYTRAX Ver 2.04 PCB CAD software. $195. Phone 018 133 620 bh. LOGIC ANALYSER HP1651B 32-channel including pods and manuals. $3500 ono (02) 858 4790. MicroZed have large range accessories for Stamp and PIC applica­tions. BS1-IC Resident BASIC interpreter, 8 I/O, Minimum extra hardware needed for most jobs. Send 4 x 45c postage stamps for information package and prices for all products. MicroZed Computers PO Box 634 (296 Cook’s Rd), ARMIDALE 2350 V (067) 722 777 F (067) 728 987 Credit cards accepted. FBASIC TICkit Has 21 I/O From VersaTech PIC16C57 <at> 20MHz, on a 65mm square board, has on-board interpreter, 16 GP I/O, plus 5 I/O for IRQ, IRQ ack RTC/Counter 12C buss, handles SRAM and LCD too! Stores program in 8K EEPROM. Send 4 x 45c postage stamps for information. MicroZed Computers PO Box 634 (296 Cook’s Rd), ARMIDALE 2350 V (067) 722 777 F (067) 728 987 Credit cards accepted. Latest available is DS1620 temp measuring kit. LASERS: argon 30-100mW air-cooled, single line blue/green and 240 volt power supply. 100mW pumped diode green 532nm laser head size 75 x 50 x 35mm. LASER DYNAMICS (03) 9532 1981, fax (03) 9555 7449. COMPLETE WORKSHOP PROGRAM: suit IBM compatible 386 or better computer. Handles: Stock Control, Customer Records, Debits, Credits, Faults, Manuals and Phone Directory. For demo disk, ring Jack Albers Electronics & Software Development on (045) 71 1640. CHEAP HEATSHRINK TUBING: Australian made, red, black, blue, white, clear, 2.4mm/$1.10pm, 3.2/$1.30, 4.8/$1.70, 6.4/$2.10, 9.5/$2.30, 12.7/$2.70, 19/$3.70, 25.4/$5.10. P&P September 1995  103 Microprocessor For Digital Effects Unit Microprocessor For Stereo Preamplifier Advertising Index Now available: the 68HC705-C8P pre-programmed micro­pro­cessor IC for the Digital Effects Unit described in the Feb­ruary 1995 issue. Price: $45 + $6 p+p Payment by cheque, money order or credit card to: Silicon Chip Pub­lica­ tions, PO Box 139, Collaroy, NSW 2097. Phone (02) 9979 5644; Fax (02) 9979 6503. Available now: the 68HC705-C8P pre-programmed micro­pro­cessor for the Remote Controlled Stereo Preamplifier (Sept.-Oct. 1993). Price: $45 + $6 p+p Payment by cheque, money order or credit card to: Silicon Chip Pub­ lications, PO Box 139, Collaroy, NSW 2097. Phone (02) 9979 5644; Fax (02) 9979 6503. Altronics ........................... 64-66,83 C COMPILERS: everything you need to develop C and ASM software for 68HC08, 6809, 68HC11, 68HC16, 8051/52, 8080/85, 8086 or 8096: $150.00 each. Macro Cross Assemblers for these CPUs + 6800/01/03/05 and 6502: $150 for the set. Debug monitors: $75 for 6 CPUs. All compilers, XASMs and monitors: $450. 8051/52 or 80C320 simulator (fast): $75. Demo disk: FREE. All prices + $5 postage. GRANTRONICS PTY LTD, PO Box 275, Wentworth­ville 2145. Ph/Fax (02) 631 1236. NEW SPRINKLER CONTROLLER KITS: RAIN BRAIN version uses ‘C8 104  Silicon Chip Avico Electronics.........................93 Car Projects Book......................IFC Dick Smith Electronics........... 12-15 Harbuch Electronics....................92 Instant PCBs..............................104 $3.00 up to 10 metres. Free data sheet. DOMCOR DISTRIBUTORS, 67 King Road, Beechboro, WA 6063. MICROCRAFT PRESENTS: Dunfield (DDS) products are now available in Australia. Micro C, the affordable “C” compiler for embedded applications. Versions for 8051/52, 8086, 8096, 68HC08, 6809, 68HC11 or 68HC16 $149.95 each + $3 p&h • Now on special is the SDK, a package of ALL the DDS “C” compilers for $410 + $6 p&h (save $139) • EMILY52 is a PC based 8051/52 high speed simulator $69.95 + $3 p&h •DDS demo disks $7 + $3 p&h • VHS VIDEO from the USA (PAL) “CNC X-Y-Z using car alter­nators” (uses alternators as cheap power stepper motors!) $49.95 + $6 p&h (includes diagrams) • Device programming EPROMs/PALs etc from $1.50 (inc label). We use and recommend the HILO ALL-07 Universal Programmer • Fixed price PCB layout & photoplots. We use and recommend PROTEL For Windows EDA tools • Credit cards accepted • Call Bob for more de­tails. MICROCRAFT, PO Box 514, Concord, NSW 2137. Phone (02) 744 5440 or Fax (02) 744 9280. Av-Comm................................21,73 Jaycar ................................... 49-56 Kits-R-US.....................................95 L & M Satellite Supplies...............63 and switch mode supply. Features galore!! Contact Mantis Micro Pro­ducts, 38 Garnet St, Niddrie 3042. Phone/fax (03) 337 1917. PROGRAMMER/EDITOR SOFTWARE for new Lattice EEPROM 7ns Generic Digital Switch ICs. Just connect to PC parallel port! Use to reconfigure circuits without rewiring! Send SSAE, phone or poll fax. Advanced R & D Solutions, 12 Copeland Road, Lethbridge Park 2770. Ph/Fax (02) 628 1223. Macservice...............................3,26 MicroZed Computers.................103 Oatley Electronics.................. 90-91 Pelham......................................103 Railway Projects Book.............OBC RCS Radio ................................102 Resurrection Radio......................85 SATELLITE DISHES: international reception of Intelsat, Panamsat, Gorizont, Rimsat. Warehouse Sale – 4.6m Dish & Pole $1499; LNB $50; Feed $75. All accessories available. Videosat, 2/28 Salisbury Rd, Hornsby. Phone (02) 482 3100 8.30-5.00 M-F. Rod Irving Electronics .......... 27-31 UNUSUAL BOOKS: Electronic Devices, Fireworks, Locksmithing, Radar Invisibility, Surveillance, Self-Protection, Unusual Chem­ istry and more. For a complete catalog, send 95 cents in stamps to Vector Press, Dept S, PO Box 434, Brighton, SA 5048. Silicon Chip Software..................89 SATELLITE EQUIPMENT: we sell quality products at prices you can afford. Dishes from $140. Ku LNB voltage switching with built-in feedhorn from $150. C band LNB 23 deg from $140. Receivers; eg, Pace 919 low threshold is $420. We stock Gardiner, Drake, Pace, Chaparrel, KTI, plus many more. A catalogue is available. Contact Satellite Professionals on phone or fax (03) 803 0215. R.S.K. Electronics........................94 Silicon Chip Back Issues....... 96-97 Silicon Chip Bookshop...............101 Silicon Chip Walchart................IBC _________________________________ PC Boards Printed circuit boards for SILICON CHIP projects are made by: • RCS Radio Pty Ltd, 651 Forest Rd, Bexley, NSW 2207. Phone (02) 587 3491. • Marday Services, PO Box 19-189, Avondale, Auckland, NZ. Phone (09) 828 5730. • HT Electronics, Shop 4, 8 Roberts Rd, Hackham West, SA 5163. Phone (08) 326 5567.