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PRODUCT SHOWCASE Uninterruptible power supply for PCs Blackouts and computers definitely do not mix, especially these days now that so much software is Windows-based. If a blackout does occur and you have a lot of programs open, the amount of data loss can be substantial and it can take a long time to restore everything to where you were, even supposing that you had saved just before the blackout. The main reason for having a UPS in your computer is so that you can have an orderly shut-down of all programs before turning the computer off. After all, you don’t know how long the power may be off and in the meantime, your office is likely to be completely blacked out. There’s not much pleasure in working in the dark so, normally, you will just want to save your work, close down all programs and turn the machine off. The UPS needs to be able to run the video monitor as well as the computer itself and since a typical monitor has a power consumption of around 100W or so, that is a relatively large portion of the total power draw. The Apollo UPS consists of two parts. There is the UPS itself which PCB POWER TRANSFORMERS 1VA to 25VA takes the place of the normal switchmode power supply. It has the normal 3-pin IEC sockets for 240VAC input and switched output to the video monitor. The 24V 2.2Ah battery pack is enclosed in a case which fits into a standard 5.25-inch drive bay and it is charged from the UPS. The UPS is rated for a total output of 500VA which should cater for most computer and monitor combinations, although the maximum output from the switched socket to the monitor is rated at 140W. Installation is a straightforward matter: pull out the existing power supply, slide in the new one, together with the battery pack, hook it all up and away you go. The battery pack needs to be charged for 24 hours. After that it is ready to perform as a backup at any time. If the mains supply does fail, the UPS gives both audible (buzzer) and visible (flashing LED) indications of the battery status so that you can shut down in an orderly fashion. The actual operation time on battery will depend on the particular machine but is quoted as anywhere between 3 and 30 minutes. The battery recharge time is quoted as a minimum of 10 hours. The combined UPS/power supply is priced at $429 including sales tax and optional software for automatic shutdown is avail­able. For further information, contact Microgram Computers, Unit 1/14 BonMace Close, Berkeley Vale, NSW 2261. Phone (02) 4389 8444; fax 4389 8388. 4-channel learning UHF transmitter Manufactured in Australia Harbuch Electronics Pty Ltd 9/40 Leighton Pl. HORNSBY 2077 Ph (02) 9476-5854 Fx (02) 9476-3231 32  Silicon Chip If you’ve ever had to replace a UHF remote control (for your car alarm, garage door opener, etc), you would know that genuine replacements are ridiculously expensive. For example, we were recently quoted $80 for a single channel Tilt-A-Dor controller. That’s one of the things that makes this $39 “Remocon” keyring-sized controller from Oatley Electronics so attractive. Another is that it will actually learn the digital code from an existing controller – anywhere in ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS & ACCESSORIES •  RESELLER FOR MAJOR KIT RETAILERS •  PROTOTYPING EQUIPMENT •  CB RADIO SALES AND ACCESSORIES •  FULL ON-SITE SERVICE AND REPAIR FACILITIES •  LARGE RANGE OF ELECTRONIC DISPOSALS (COME IN AND BROWSE) One of the banes of anyone who likes to do basic service on appliances are security screws. Some examples are Allen (hex) key screws with a central pin, Tri-Wing (similar to Philips but three slots instead of cross-slot) and Torx tamperpoof, again with a central pin. These are deliberately used by manufacturers to stop people from pulling appliances apart. So if something simple occurs like a switch failing or the power cord going open cir­cuit, you can’t fix it yourself; you must send it back to the manufacturer’s authorised service centre. Faced with a choice like that, many people just throw the appliance away and buy a new one but not the same brand – who wants to get caught a second time. Now you don’t have this un­pleasant choice because you can buy this set of security screw­driver bits. It contains 32 bits and a 50mm magnetic holder which fits into a standard hex-drive screwdriver or can be used with any electric screwdriver or battery-operated drill. Just recently, one of our staff members was faced with the above scenario. The power cord of his electric lawn trimmer had gone open circuit just where it entered the handle. This is exactly where you’d expect it to fail because this is where it is flexed and strained the most. But the handle and the whole ap­pliance was held together with Torx tamperproof screws (the ones with the small pin in the middle), making it impossible to disassem­ble using normal Torx bits. Not to worry though. He obtained a set of these security bits and had the lawn trimmer’s handle apart in a matter of moments. From there it was only a matter of cutting the defective section out of the power cord, resecur­ing it and he was back in business inside 10 minutes. He’d mended an appliance which would have otherwise cost over $150 to replace or possibly $40 and a week or so to have serviced. You can obtain this security bit set from any Jaycar Elec­tronics store at $29.95 (Cat TD-2035). the frequency range of 255-500MHz. Yet another is its tiny size: 65 x 35 x 13mm, not including its keyring atttachment. What’s more, it can handle up to four different codes so the one keyring-sized unit can replace the remotes for your car alarm, garage door, home alarm, etc, as well as replace multi-function remotes Teaching the Remocon is as simple as adjusting the frequency until its LED glows brightest (there are three jumpers to select basic frequency range and a fine frequency adjustment) and simultaneously pressing the required button on the Remocon and the button on the existing remote. A LED flashes to tell you the code has been learnt. In use, we found the Remocon had a range at least as great as the remote it replaced – and was less than half the size! It is available by mail/fax/email order from Oatley Electronics, phone (02) 9583 3563, fax (02) 9583 3561, email oatley<at>world.net Croydon Ph (03) 9723 3860 Fax (03) 9725 9443 Mildura Ph (03) 5023 8138 Fax (03) 5023 8511 M W OR A EL D IL C ER O M E Versatile security screwdriver bit set Truscott’s ELECTRONIC WORLD Pty Ltd ACN 069 935 397 30 Lacey St Croydon Vic 3136 24 Langtree Ave Mildura Vic 3500 Huge range of VIDEO Processors, Stabilisers, Mixers, Editors, TBC’s, Standards Converters, Switchers, Amplifiers, connectors, cables, adaptors, kits. PC editing cards & software:- FAST DV, AV Master plus, Miro DV300, DC30+, DPS Spark, Edit Bay, etc. SCSI cards & drives. PC Converters & Genlocks. Call for prices and information or ... Check our website for latest prices and MONTHLY SPECIALS http://www.questronix.com.au/~questav You can fax, post, phone or email your order. We accept AMEX, VISA, Master & Bank cards, cash and direct deposit, but not cheques. Ex-tax sales available to exempt buyers. Prompt delivery within Australia & overseas. 2/1 Leonard Street, HORNSBY, NSW, 2077 P O Box 548, WAHROONGA, NSW, 2076 Fax (02) 9477 3681 Ph. (02) 9477 3596 Email questav<at>questronix.com.au Visitors and demo's by appointment only. Resolution VCC3010 High Picture Corrector Adjust RGB/ Contrast/ Brightness/ Saturation/ Detail etc. 4 i/p Audio & Video selectors. Fade to black. Use Y/C & Comp. i/p's & o/p's in any combination. $679.00 The ultimate stabiliser E-D TBC/ Enhancer Totally eliminates 'piggy-back' signals! Full-frame 4:2:2 digital TBC. Adjust RGB, gain, black level, chroma, colour shift, etc. Freeze, enhance, bypass, four memories for settings, built-in Bars, Black Burst, etc, etc. $1,599.00 July 1998  33