This is only a preview of the July 1999 issue of Silicon Chip. You can view 36 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:
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PRODUCT SHOWCASE
7500A Universal Clamp
When Tech Rentals say
they have a high current universal clamp meter available,
they mean high current: this
Technic P75.3C clamp meter
measures up to 7500A, AC
or DC.
It is intended to be used
in conjunction with a voltmeter, chart recorder or
oscilloscope, having no
readout device of its own but
giving a DC voltage output in
proportion to the measured
current. Output “full scale”
is 1.5V for a 7500A current.
Using a Hall-effect sensor, the clamp covers a range
of DC to 1000Hz and can clamp a cable up to 83mm in
diameter, and busbars of 122 x 54mm or 100 x 64mm.
For more information, contact Tech Rentals, 12 Maroondah Hwy, Ringwood, Vic 3134. Phone 1800 632
652; fax (03) 9879 4310
Speakerphone + Caller ID from DSE
A new phone from Dick Smith
Electronics features both hands-free
(speakerphone) operation and an
inbuilt caller ID display.
The LCD screen displays the
caller's number and, if that
number is programmed into
memory, the name of the
caller.
Up to 13 numbers
can be stored (including 3 one-touch
redial) and the phone
remembers the previous 99 calls for later
review, if required.
The DSE Speakerphone with Caller ID (model F 4518)
also has mute, redial, recall, flash and pause buttons plus
adjustable ringer tone and volume.
With a recommended retail price of $98 it is available
from Dick Smith Electronics Stores, resellers and the Direct
Link mail order service.
Two very different power supplies
The programmable Californian Instruments 2001RP
precision AC power supply can provide up to 2000VA at
frequencies from 16Hz to 5000Hz. A Windows graphical
interface permits control of the supply from a PC.
Intended for such tasks as development and ATE, it can
provide high peak currents and power factors of 0.0 to 1.0
without derating.
An optional power meter module provides measurements
including RMS current, voltage, true power, crest factor
and peak current, thus allowing the 2001RP to be used as
a “single box” power test system. An optional IEEE488 or
RS232 interface is also available.
For more information, contact Westek Industrial Products, Unit 2, 6-10 Maria St, Laverton Nth, Vic 3026. Phone
(03) 9369 8802; fax (03) 9369 8006; email westek<at>projectx.
com.au
By contrast, this is a more “traditional” supply from
Nilsen Technologies. The Thurlby-Thandar EX725M
multi-mode power supply has two independent, fully
isolated adjustable outputs of 0 - 75V DC at 2A each,
or can operate in a single mode delivering an output
of 150V DC <at> 2A, or 75V DC <at> 4A.
It is provided with special safety binding posts which
can accept spade terminals, 4mm plugs or bare-end
wires without exposing any metal parts.
For more information, contact Nilsen Technologies,
150 Oxford Street, Collingwood, Vic 34066. Phone 1800
623 350; fax 1800 067 263.
JULY 1999 53
PCB Mounting Toroidal Transformers Learning Remote
Mounting any
transformer on a PC
board can be difficult
if they are not intended for the task but
toroidal transformers
are often more difficult. That’s why these
new series of 10VA
and 30VA toroidals
from Altronics are
likely to be welcomed
by manufacturers and enthusiasts
alike.
The transformers are “potted” before
being encased in a finned plastic case.
A thermal fuse is also fitted. All connections are via the PC board mounting
pins which are close to the four corners
of the case, with provision also made
for a centre self-tapping bolt for extra
stability or security.
The smaller 10VA model, cat no
M4506, measures 53mm square x 28mm
high. The larger 30VA model measures
Snap-in IEC mains
filter with the works!
for up to 10 devices
63mm square x 33mm high. Both have
two 120V primaries, obviously to be
connected in series for 240V AC.
There are four transformers in each
range. Each has two identical secondaries which can be series or parallel
connected.
The 10VA model has 6+6V <at> 0.83A,
9+9V <at> 0.5A, 12+12V <at> 0.4A and
15+15V <at> 0.3A. The 30VA model has
6+6V <at> 2.5A, 9+9V <at> 1.6A, 12+12V <at>
1.2A and 15+15V <at> 1.0A.
For more information, contact Altronic Distributors in Perth (08 9328
2199), Altronics resellers around
Australia or refer to page 63 of the
1999/2000 Altronics Catalog.
This 10-in-1 learning remote control can control up to
10 devices, with 47
storage keys for each
device. It features multi-codes, multi-languages, label editing,
programmable macros,
a liquid crystal display
with back-lighting,
date/time alarm function and more.
The macro feature
allows the user to
transmit up to 20 codes
at once, with just 2
buttons. It suits most
brands of equipment controlled by
infrared remotes such as TV sets, CD
and DVD players, video cassette recorders, amplifiers and so on. It has a
recommended retail price of $129.95
(Cat AR-1708)
For more information, contact any
Jaycar Electronics store or their head
office on (02) 9743 5222; fax(02)
97432066. (www.jaycar.com.au)
New gas soldering irons from Altronics
Westek Industrial Products have
released this Schaffner “snap into
place” IEC mains input connector
which also incorporates a filter, mains
switch, fuse holders and voltage
selector.
The FN300 is IEC 950 compliant
and snaps into an appropriate mounting hole without screws or nuts. Two
sets of metal fingers provide excellent
contact with panels and the filter
earth terminals, ensuring good high
frequency performance.
The unit has a double-pole mains
switch, 115/230V selector and filters
which operate over the mains frequency range of 50-400Hz.
For more information, contact Westek Industrial Products, Unit 2, 6-10
Maria St, Laverton Nth, Vic 3026.
Phone (03) 9369 8802, fax (03) 9369
8006, email westek<at>projectx.com.au
54 Silicon Chip
Whether you’re looking for a small
soldering iron for delicate jobs or a
larger model with plenty of heat, Altronics Distributors say they have you
covered with these two gas-powered
models from Iroda. Both models use
liquid butane as used in many cigarette
lighters.
The Solderpro 50 is a 50W model
with a tip temperature of between
210°C and 400°C, depending on setting. At mid-setting it gives around
30 minutes of soldering capacity with
a full tank.
With cap, the iron measures 153mm
long and weighs 60g. The cap also
contains a lighter. The recommended retail price of this iron (cat no.
T2595) is $29.95.
The larger Solderpro 100 is a
120W model with a tip temperature up to 500°C. With a larger
20ml tank, it can give around 120
minutes at mid setting. This model
is significantly larger at 233mm
(including cap) and weighs 142g. It
also includes an auto-igniter: when
the iron is turned on, a piezo igniter
lights the gas. This iron sells for
$69.00 (Cat no. T2598)
Neither iron is supplied with butane: this is available from Altronics
or from many tobacco shops, hardware
stores and some supermarkets. Both
irons are supplied with a standard
soldering tip; a range of spare tips, including an air blower and blow torch,
is available for the 120W model.
For more information, contact Altronic Distributors in Perth (08 9328
2199), Altronics resellers around
Australia or refer to page 98 of the
1999/2000 Altronics Catalog.
486 motherboards with
CPU – less than $20!
Oatley Electronics has
available a brand new PC
motherboard, complete
with 486/40 processor, for
the princely sum of $18.00
(plus p&p).
The motherboard is a
“baby AT” size, measuring
just 180 x 220mm but has
standard mounting hole
positions and standard locations for expansion slots
and keyboard connector,
so it should fit a standard
PC case.
The board is supplied with a “UMC” brand 40MHz
486SX chip but with a bus speed of 25, 33 or 40MHz,
will also handle AMD, Cyrix and Intel chips up to DX4/75 and DX-4/100 in the standard socket 5 configuration.
An unusual feature is the inclusion of both 30 and 72pin SIM sockets, giving a maximum RAM of 32MB. The
motherboard can also support cache memory from 32K
to 512K. There are five 16-bit and one 8-bit expansion
sockets and Award ROM Bios is supplied.
The question must be asked, of course, “why on earth
would anyone these days want or need a 486 motherboard?”
At $18 and brand new, these Y2K compliant mother-boards would make an excellent upgrade path for an
old PC – a 386, 286 or perhaps even an old 8086 machine.
They could also be used in a variety of control applications or, with the addition of a power supply, RAM,
I/O cards and a monitor, as a “test bed” for hardware or
software which you don’t want to risk running on your
main PC.
For more information, contact Oatley Electronics on (02)
9584 3563, email oatley<at>world.net or via their website,
www.oatleyelectronics.com.au
FULL RANGE
ELECTROSTATIC
$2990!
INTRODUCTORY PRICE
N
ow you can afford the
legendary clarity,
transparency, depth, dimension and precision that only an
electrostatic speaker can deliver.
The new Vass ELS-5 is a full range
electrostatic speaker that consists
of dual electrostatic panels with
separate bass and treble sections
to cover the entire frequency range
between 40Hz and 20kHz.
Diaphragm mass equivalent to
a sheet of air 3mm thick
5 year warranty
Wide selection of finishes
available
Each speaker individually hand
built and tested
Four other models priced from
$6,990 to $25,000
Also available, the Vass SW-P pyramidal
subwoofer designed to complement electrostatic speakers in high ceiling rooms,
RRP $1,500
TOROIDAL POWER
TRANSFORMERS
We exclusively use and recommend ME amplifiers. Please
contact us for a demonstration of this brilliant combination
•
•
UNIT 1, 42-44 GARDEN BVDE,
DINGLEY, VICTORIA 3172
Manufactured in Australia
Comprehensive data available
HARBUCH ELECTRONICS PTY LTD
9/40 Leighton Pl. HORNSBY 2077
Ph (02) 9476-5854 Fx (02) 9476-3231
ELECTRONICS
PH (03) 9558 0970
Fax (03) 9558 0082
email: vass<at>hotkey.net.au
JULY 1999 55
ECTRONICSHOWCASELEC
MicroZed Computers
GENUINE STAMP PRODUCTS
FROM
Scott Edwards Electronics
microEngineering Labs & others
Easy to learn, easy to use, sophisticated
CPU based controllers & peripherals.
PO Box 634, ARMIDALE 2350
(296 Cook’s Rd)
Ph (02) 6772 2777 – may time out to
Mobile 0409 036 775 Fax (02) 6772 8987
http://www.microzed.com.au
Most Credit Cards OK
Need prototype
PC boards?
We have the solutions –
we print electronics!
• Four-day turnaround, less if urgent
• Artwork from your own positive or file
• Through hole plating • Prompt postal service
• 29 years technical experience
• Inexpensive • Superb quality
NEW FROM
QUESTRONIX
DVS5 Video & Audio
Distribution Amplifier
DVS5
Video & Audio
Distribution
Amplifier
VGS2
Graphics
Splitter
Five identical Video and Stereo
outputs plus h/phone & monitor
out. S-Video & Composite versions
available. Professional quality.
VGS2 Graphics Splitter
High resolution 1in/2out VGA
splitter. Comes with 1.5m
HQ cable and 12V supply.
Custom-length HQ VGA
cables also available.
Check our NEW website for latest prices and
MONTHLY SPECIALS
www.questronix.com.au
Email - questav<at>questronix.com.au
Video Processors, Colour Correctors, Stabilisers, TBC's, Converters, etc.
QUESTRONIX
All mail: PO Box 548, Wahroonga NSW 2076
Ph (02) 9477 3596 Fax (02) 9477 3681
Visitors by appointment only
Do you want YOUR
product or service
showcased to
Australasia's most
important electronics
marketplace?
Printed Electronics
12A Aristoc Rd, Glen Waverley, Vic 3150.
Phone: (03) 9545 3722 Fax: (03) 9545 3561
Call Mike Lynch and check us out!
We are the best for low cost, small runs.
SWITCHMODE POWER SUPPLIES
25W500W
Extensive
Range
EMC Technologies' internationally
recognised Electromagnetic
Compatibility (EMC) test facilities are fully
accredited for emissions, immunity and
safety standards.
EMC Technologies
Melbourne: (03) 9335 3333
Sydney: (02) 9899 4599
CALL ME:
RICK WINKLER
on (02) 9979 5644
and let me explain how cost
effective the SILICON CHIP
ELECTRONICS SHOWCASE
can be for YOU!
6 Sarich Court, Technology Park, Bentley WA 6102
Ph: 08 9470 1177 Fax 08 9470 2844
web: www.computronics.com
Silicon Chip Binders 129
5
REAL
VALUE
AT
$
Heavy board covers with 2-tone green vinyl covering
PLUS P
&P
Each binder holds up to 14 issues
SILICON CHIP logo printed in gold-coloured lettering on spine & cover
Just fill in & mail
the handy order
form in this issue;
or fax (02) 9979
6503; or ring (02)
9979 5644 &
quote your credit
card number.
Price: $A12.95 plus $A5 p&p each (Australia only; not available elsewhere). Buy five and get them postage free.
56 Silicon Chip
56 Silicon Chip
CTRONICSHOWCASELECTR
BUSINESS FOR SALE:
SPEAKER SALE
For the very first time we are having
a sale of selected loudspeaker drivers
from the prestige MOREL line.
On sale are two drivers:
MW 265
222mm Shielded Woofer,
Fs 30Hz ,Vas 88.6L Qts 0.44
Power 150W
Hexatech voice coil
Normally $190
DMS 30S
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
NOW $130
27mm Shielded Dome Tweeter,
94mm dia. Fs 650Hz Power 200W
Hexatech voice coil
Double chambered Sens 90dB
Normally $129
•
Escape to the sun in beautiful Coffs Harbour!
Stable electronic retail business
Easily run by husband and wife team.
Agent for GSM carrier
Access to large electronics suppliers (niche market).
Very strong customer base inc Government depts
and schools etc.
Five year rental option on current highway premises.
Full figures available.
Current owners (12 years) are moving to a new
business.
Price only $55,000 + SAV.
Enquiries: Hunter & Associates (02) 6651 6818
NOW $75
All other MOREL products
available – many ex-stock
We are sole Australian Distributors for:
•
CLIO Electro-Acoustic Measurements
• SOFIA Vacuum Tube Curve Tracer
• JASPER Power Router Circle Jigs
Australian Audio Consultants
PO Box 11, Stockport SA 5410
Phone / Fax 08-85-282-201
E-mail aac<at>rbe.net.au
IN YOUR NEXT ISSUE OF
Items planned for the August issue*, due on sale at your newsagents July 28. Subscribers receive their copies a little earlier.
POWERED COOLER
Take one commercial cooler, add this Peltier-effect
device and you have a cooler that really keeps the
cans cold! Operates from your car's cigarette lighter.
LIGHTS ON FOR SAFETY
Clever circuit runs your car's headlights at
about 80% brightness during the day so you
can be seen – but full brilliance at night.
* These features currently in production but are subject to alteration
PLUS:
• COMPUTER MONITOR MONITOR – Check out any EGA/VGA monitor
• X-Y Table – Controlling the stepper motors
• Plus a special feature on HOME THEATRE – all you need to know
And all the popular features:
• Serviceman's Log • Circuit Notebook • Radio Control
• Product Showcase • Vintage Radio • Ask SILICON CHIP
SUBSCRIBE TO SILICON CHIP AND $AVE!
As a subscriber, you will not only receive your copy
earlier – you will actually save money!
Check it out: 12 issues from the news-stand = $71.40;
1 year subscription: $59 AND we pay the postage!
See the handy order form on page 67 of this issue.
JULY 1999 57
JUNE 1999 57
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