Silicon ChipMarket Centre - May 1997 SILICON CHIP
  1. Outer Front Cover
  2. Contents
  3. Publisher's Letter: Windows of opportunity in the kit business
  4. Feature: Toyota's Advanced Safety Vehicle by Julian Edgar
  5. Project: A Teletext Decoder For Your PC by Chris Schach & Braden Phillips
  6. Feature: Windows 95: The Hardware That's Required by Jason Cole
  7. Project: NTSC-PAL Converter by John Clarke
  8. Project: Neon Tube Modulator For Cars & Light Systems by Rick Walters
  9. Serviceman's Log: Two VCRs, a TV & a computer by The TV Serviceman
  10. Project: Traffic Lights For A Model Intersection by Rick Walters
  11. Feature: Satellite Watch by Garry Cratt
  12. Project: The Spacewriter: It Writes Messages In Thin Air by John Clarke
  13. Product Showcase
  14. Feature: Radio Control by Bob Young
  15. Review: Bookshelf by Silicon Chip
  16. Feature: Cathode Ray Oscilloscopes; Pt.9 by Bryan Maher
  17. Order Form
  18. Vintage Radio: A look at signal tracing; Pt.2 by John Hill
  19. Back Issues
  20. Book Store
  21. Market Centre
  22. Advertising Index
  23. Outer Back Cover

This is only a preview of the May 1997 issue of Silicon Chip.

You can view 33 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.

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 "NTSC-PAL Converter":
  • NTSC-PAL Converter PCB pattern (PDF download) [02303971] (Free)
  • NTSC-PAL Converter panel artwork (PDF download) (Free)
Items relevant to "Neon Tube Modulator For Cars & Light Systems":
  • Neon Tube Modulator PCB pattern (PDF download) [05105971] (Free)
Items relevant to "Traffic Lights For A Model Intersection":
  • Traffic Light Simulator PCB pattern (PDF download) [09205971] (Free)
Articles in this series:
  • Satellite Watch (January 1996)
  • Satellite Watch (February 1996)
  • Satellite Watch (March 1996)
  • Satellite Watch (June 1996)
  • Satellite Watch (August 1996)
  • Satellite Watch (October 1996)
  • Satellite Watch (December 1996)
  • Satellite Watch (February 1997)
  • Satellite Watch (April 1997)
  • Satellite Watch (May 1997)
  • Satellite Watch (June 1997)
  • Satellite Watch (December 1997)
  • Satellite Watch (April 1998)
  • Satellite Watch (January 1999)
  • Satellite Watch (June 1999)
Items relevant to "The Spacewriter: It Writes Messages In Thin Air":
  • Spacewriter DOS software (Free)
  • Spacewriter PCB pattern (PDF download) [08305971] (Free)
  • Spacewriter panel artwork (PDF download) (Free)
Articles in this series:
  • Radio Control (November 1996)
  • Radio Control (February 1997)
  • Radio Control (March 1997)
  • Radio Control (May 1997)
  • Radio Control (June 1997)
  • Radio Control (July 1997)
  • Radio Control (November 1997)
  • Radio Control (December 1997)
  • Autopilots For Radio-Controlled Model Aircraft (April 1999)
  • Model Plane Flies The Atlantic (May 1999)
  • Tiny, Tiny Spy Planes (July 1999)
  • 2.4GHz DSS Radio Control Systems (February 2009)
  • Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: An Australian Perspective (June 2010)
  • RPAs: Designing, Building & Using Them For Business (August 2012)
  • Multi-Rotor Helicopters (August 2012)
  • Flying The Parrot AR Drone 2 Quadcopter (August 2012)
  • Electric Remotely Piloted Aircraft . . . With Wings (October 2012)
Articles in this series:
  • Cathode Ray Oscilloscopes; Pt.1 (March 1996)
  • Cathode Ray Oscilloscopes; Pt.2 (April 1996)
  • Cathode Ray Oscilloscopes; Pt.3 (May 1996)
  • Cathode Ray Oscilloscopes; Pt.4 (August 1996)
  • Cathode Ray Oscilloscopes; Pt.5 (September 1996)
  • Cathode Ray Oscilloscopes; Pt.6 (February 1997)
  • Cathode Ray Oscilloscopes; Pt.7 (March 1997)
  • Cathode Ray Oscilloscopes; Pt.8 (April 1997)
  • Cathode Ray Oscilloscopes; Pt.9 (May 1997)
  • Cathode Ray Oscilloscopes; Pt.10 (June 1997)
Articles in this series:
  • Amateur Radio (January 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (January 1990)
  • A look at signal tracing; Pt.2 (May 1997)
  • A look at signal tracing; Pt.3 (June 1997)

Purchase a printed copy of this issue for $10.00.
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. C COMPILERS: Ever ything you need to develop C and ASM software for 68HC08, 6809, 68HC11, 68HC12, 68HC16, 8051/52, 8080/85, 8086 or 8096: $140.00 each. Macro Cross Assemblers for these CPUs + 6800/01/03/05 and 6502: $140.00 for the set. Debug monitors: $70 for 6 CPUs. All compilers inc ‘HC12, XASMs and monitors: $480. 8051/52 or 80C320 Simulator (fast): $70. Disassemblers for 12 CPUs only $75. Try the new C-FLEA Virtual Machine for small CPUs, build a “C-Stamp”. Demo disk: FREE. All prices + $5 p&p. GRAN­ T RONICS PTY LTD, PO Box 275, Wentworthville 2145. Ph/Fax (02) 9631 1236 or Internet: http://www.mpx.com.au/~lgrant. To run your classified ad, print it clearly on a separate sheet of paper, fill out the form below & 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) 9979 6503. _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________  Bankcard    Visa Card    Master Card Card No. ✂ Enclosed is my cheque/money order for $­__________ or please debit my Signature­­­­­­­­­­­­__________________________ Card expiry date______/______ Name ______________________________________________________ Street ______________________________________________________ Suburb/town ___________________________ Postcode______________ 94  Silicon Chip HOMEMADE GENERATORS: how to instructions. Eight pages free text and colour photos on the Internet at: http://www.onekw.co.nz/ MICROCRAFT PRESENTS: Dunfield (DDS) products are now available ex-stock at a new low price; please ask for our catalogue. Micro C, the affordable “C” compiler for embedded applications. Versions for 8051/52, 8086, 8096, 68HC08, 6809, 68HC11 or 68HC16 $139.95 each + $3 p&h • Now on special is the SDK, a package of ALL the DDS “C” compilers for $399 + $6 p&h • 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 car alternators as cheap power stepper motors!) $49.95 + $6 p&h (includes diagrams) • Device programming EPROMs/PALs etc from $1.50 • Fixed price electronic design and PCB layout • Credit cards accepted • All goods sent certified mail • Call Bob for more de­tails. MICRO­ CRAFT, PO Box 514, Concord NSW 2137. Phone (02) 9744 5440 or fax (02) 9744 9280. JAPANESE QUALITY & TECHNOLOGY At Very Competitive Import­ er-Direct Prices. AUTOMATIC IRIS, MANUAL IRIS & VariFocal CS LENSES. Manual Iris from $49. Auto Iris from $93. VariFocal from $75. Allthings Sales & Services 09 349 9413 fax 09 344 5905. !!!!!!! THE TINIEST !!!!!!! VIDEO CAMERA MODULE PCB 28 x 28 mm, IR & Low light sensitive, with Pinhole Lens. 09 349 9413. WARNING ! WARNING ! WARNING ! WARNING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!! VIDEO CAMERA MODULES Beware of higher or lower prices for a similar Camera! BUY A BETTER CAMERA AT A SIMILAR PRICE! With a CHOICE OF ..... 380, 460 & 600 TVL Resolution. Low Light & IR Sensitive 0.05 lux. TEENY WEENY 28 mm x 28 mm PCBs. ELEVEN Board Lenses. FOUR Pinhole Lenses. IR Cut/ Pass & Polarising Filters. 800 + nm 52 mW/Sr IR LEDs. Ancil­lary Equipment. BEFORE & AFTER-SALES SERVICE, HELP & ADVISE! Before you Buy! Ask for our Detailed, Illustrated Price List with Application Notes. Also available CCTV Technical, Design & Refer­ence Manuals & Inter-Active CD ROM. Allthings Sales & Services 09 349 9413 fax 09 344 5905. CCTV - TV VCR INTERFACE TV RF MODULATOR - MIXER - ANTENNA AMPLI­F IER. $30. Use with Video Cameras & Microphones. VCR Like In­stallation. 09 349 9413. !!!!!!!!! MAY SALE !!!!!!!!! !! STOCK REDUCTION!!!! LIMITED QUAN­ TITIES! MONITORS 5.5-inch Video/ Audio 12-14 VDC I/P, 10.5 VDC Reg O/P $110. VIDEO CAMERA MODULES 600 TVL 0.05 lux with Lens $99. VIDEO CAMERAS 600 TVL $119. VIDEO CAMERAS with Two-Way Audio, & 8mm Lens $135. COLOUR VIDEO CAMERAS 420 TVL with Lens $339. QUAD SCREEN DIGITAL PROCESSORS display four images on one screen, with Alarm I/O $419. WIRELESS TX & RX Modules $35. WIRELESS VIDEO/AUDIO RECEIVERS with AFC & Plug Pak $79. DIY CCTV 5.5 inch Plug-In Sets, IR LED-Audio-Camera, 20M Cable, & Plug Pak $299. ALLTHINGS SALES & SERVICES, phone 09 349 9413, fax 09 344 5905. MicroZed Computers PO Box 634, ARMIDALE 2350 (296 Cook’s Rd) Ph (067) 722777 – may time out to Mobile 014 036775 Fax (067) 728987    (Credit Cards OK) http://www.microzed.com.au/~microzed BASIC STAMPS & PIC Tools With third party supporting products, all in stock Easy to learn, easy to use sophisticated CPU based controllers Credit cards OK   Send two 45c stamps for info MEMORY * MEMORY * MEMORY SPECIAL! Ex Tax! 4Mbx9 – (3 Chip) 60ns $50 30-PIN SIMM For Quality Assembly On Time Every Time 356 Gilbert Rd. West Preston Victoria 3072 PCB Assembly PCB Design Prototyping Wiring Looms OEM Manufacture Mobile 018 378750 CAR/RALLY COMPUTER KIT: including fuel sensor & speed sensor. 68HC05 & HC11 DEVELOPMENT SYSTEMS: Oztechnics, PO Box 38, Illawong NSW 2234. Phone (02) 9541 0310. Fax (02) 9541 0734. http://www.oz­technics.com.au/ SIMPLE PIC84 PROGRAMMER: SIMMS (Parity/No Parity) 4Mb 30 PIN-70 $50 $44 4Mb 72 PIN-70 $53 $36 8Mb 72 PIN-70 $104 $72 16Mb 72 PIN-70 $168 $146 32Mb 72 PIN-70 $324 $285 EDO SIMMS (60ns) 4Mb/8Mb $39/72 16Mb/32Mb $146/290 64Mb/128Mb $1075/2112 LASER PRINTER MEMORY 4Mb HP 4&5 $42 8Mb HP 4 & 5 $83 All other models available $Call LIFETIME WARRANTY!! COMPAQ 16Mb ARMADA 1100 $234 All other models available $Call TOSHIBA 8Mb Portege/ Sat EDO $131 16Mb Portege/ Sat EDO $262 16Mb Tecra 500/610 Sat $245 All other models available $Call IBM 16Mb T.Pad 755, 360 EDO $263 All other models available $Call DIMMS 4Mb - SO - 72 PIN $36 8Mb - SO - 72 PIN $72 16Mb - SO - 72 PIN $159 8Mb/16Mb - 168 PIN $70/144 32Mb/64Mb - 168 PIN $306/600 SYNCHRONOUS (SDRAM) 168 PIN - 16Mb $150 168 PIN - 32Mb $327 168 PIN - 64Mb $696 Ex Tax Pricing – Delivery $8. Pricing as at 07/04/97. Phone for latest. Sales Tax 22%. Credit Cards Welcome. We Also Buy And Trade-In Memory. PELHAM PTY LTD Suite 6, 2 Hillcrest Rd, Ph: (02) 9980 6988 Pennant Hills, 2120. Fax: (02) 9980 6991 Email: pelham1<at>ozemail.com.au LED model 6 lights $65, LCD 16x2 char. $75, P+H $3. Also low-cost design, prototyping and microcontroller programming service. Eastern Electronics (02) 9789-3616, Fax (02) 9718-4762. SILICON CHIP FLOPPY INDEX WITH FILE VIEWER Now available: the complete index to all SILICON CHIP articles since the first issue in November 1987. The Floppy Index comes with a handy file viewer that lets you look at the index line by line or page by page for quick browsing, or you can use the search function. All commands are listed on the screen, so you’ll always know what to do next. Notes & Errata also now available: this file lets you quickly check out the Notes & Errata (if any) for all articles published in SILICON CHIP. Not an index but a complete copy of all Notes & Errata text (diagrams not included). The file viewer is included in the price, so that you can quickly locate the item of interest. The Floppy Index and Notes & Errata files are supplied in ASCII format on a 3.5-inch or 5.25-inch floppy disc to suit PC-compatible computers. Note: the File Viewer requires MSDOS 3.3 or above. Price $7.00 each + $3 p&p. Send your order to: Silicon Chip Publications, PO Box 139, Collaroy 2097; or phone (02) 979 5644 & quote your credit card number; or fax the details to (02) 979 6503. Please specify 3.5-inch or 5.25-inch disc. May 1997  95 RAIN BRAIN AND DIGI-TEMP KITS: 8-station controller and 8-chan­ n el, RS232 digital thermometer uses the incredible DS1820 sensor. Call Mantis Micro Products, 38 Garnet St, Niddrie, 3042. P/F/A (03) 9337 1917. http://www.home.aone.net.au/mantismp SEND A BLANK MESSAGE to help<at> dontronics.com for details on how to join our SiClub and List Server Support group. We have a free Basic Interpreter for the PIC16C84. Largest range of PIC related products South of the Equator. PCBs MADE, ONE OR MANY. Low prices, hobbyists welcome. Sesame Electronics (02) 9554 9760. Fax: 9718 4762. Email: skybus<at>zip.com.au SATELLITE DISHES: international reception of Intelsat, Panamsat, Gori­ zont,Rimsat. Warehouse Sale – 4.6m dish & pole $1499; LNB $50; Feed $75. All accessories available. Videosat, 2/28 Salisbury Rd, Hornsby. Phone (02) 9482 3100 8.30-5.00 M-F. DIY SECURITY ALARM SUPPLIES Professional grade equipment PIRs, autodialler alarm panels, CCTV, cable etc. Send for price list. All prices wholesale. AFFORDABLE ALARMS, 7 Firefly Crescent, Lawnton, Qld. 4501. MAY SALE: For three days only we will be offering many items, some of which were never previously advertised. Some clearance and never to be repeated prices will apply. A complete list will be available at our WEB SITE for three days in May: 9th, 10th, and Microprocessor For Digital Effects Unit This is the 68HC705-C8P pro­gramm­ ed micro­pro­cessor IC for the Digital Effects Unit (see Feb­. 1995). Price: $45 + $6 p+p Payment by cheque, money order or credit card to: Silicon Chip Pub­lica­ tions. Phone (02) 9979 5644; Fax (02) 9979 6503. Advertising Index Altronics.........................................3 Av-Comm.....................................43 Dick Smith Electronics.14,15,34-37 Earthquake Audio........................69 Harbuch Electronics....................69 Instant PCBs................................95 11th. Orders will only be accepted up to the 12th May. Orders may be picked up at our premises but only by prior arrangement. KIT OF THE MONTH: We are producing many more exciting kits than the magazines can publish! We will endeavour to release at least one new kit every month and give you a detailed description on our WEB SITE. Just “click” on to the KIT OF THE MONTH icon on our WEB SITE. Coming: Laser beam communicator, low cost car alarm, laser fence, new time lapse interface for CCD camera - VCR secur­ity, low cost 2 channel UHF remote control with a ready made transmitter, extremely effective 10 led IR illuminator etc. VISIT OUR WEB SITE: Visit our very active (continuously updated) WEB SITE. You will find: OUR COMPLETE CATALOGUE - KIT OF THE MONTH - NEW RELEASES AND PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS - STOP PRESS - ORDERING INFORMATION. VISIT: http://www.ozemail.com.au/~oatley OATLEY ELECTRONICS Phone (02) 9584 3563. Fax (02) 9584 3561. Jaycar ............................IFC, 45-52 Kits-R-US.....................................71 Macservice..................................27 MicroZed Computers...................95 NSW Police Service......................5 Nucleus Computer Services........17 Pelham.........................................95 Resurrection Radio......................87 Rod Irving Electronics .......... 62-66 Silicon Chip Back Issues....... 88-89 Silicon Chip Bookshop.................93 Silicon Chip Binders.................5,96 Silicon Chip Model Wallchart...OBC Silicon Chip Software..................33 Smart Fastchargers.....................17 Telstra..........................................13 Tortech.........................................79 SILICON CHIP BINDERS These binders will protect your copies of SILICON CHIP. ★ Heavy board covers with 2-tone green vinyl covering ★ Each binder holds up to 14 issues ★ SILICON CHIP logo printed in goldcoloured lettering on spine & cover Price: $A14.95 each (incl. postage in Aust). NZ & PNG orders please add $A5 each for p&p. To order, just fill in & mail the order form in this issue to: Silicon Chip Publications, PO Box 139, Collaroy 2097; Or phone (02) 9979 5644 & quote your credit card details or fax (02) 9979 6503. 96  Silicon Chip WAR Audio..................................87 Zoom Magazine.........................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) 9587 3491. • Marday Services, PO Box 19-189, Avondale, Auckland, NZ. Phone (09) 828 5730.