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ECTRONICSHOWCASELECT 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 MicroZed Computers GENUINE STAMP PRODUCTS NEW! HC-5 hi-res Vi deo Distribution Amplifier DVS5 Video & Audio Distribution Amplifier VGS2 Graphics Splitter 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 Five identical Video and Stereo outputs plus h/phone & monitor out. S-Video & Composite versions available. Professional quality. For broadcast, audiovisual and film industries. Wide bandwidth, high output and unconditional stability with hum-cancelling circuitry, front-panel video gain and cable eq adjustments. 240V AC, 120V AC or 24V DC 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. All mail: PO Box 548, Wahroonga NSW 2076 Ph (02) 9477 3596 Fax (02) 9477 3681 Visitors by appointment only QUESTRONIX The SCIENCE LAB in a PC! Transform any PC into a complete data acquisition laboratory It’s so easy with DrDAQ, the low-cost educational data logger distributed exclusively in Australia by Emona Instruments Simply plug DrDAQ into the parallel port of any PC and run the DrDAQsoftware EXTERNAL SENSORS DrDAQ represents a breakthrough in data logging. It is a low cost system PARALLEL MICROPHONE PORT supplied ready to use with all cables, software and even science experiment pH INTERFACE examples. Plug it into the parallel port of any PC and you’re ready to collect and display data. No batteries required -- DrDAQ is also Want powered by the PC’s parallel port. ad HERE’S WHAT DrDAQ CAN DO: emo? ore in fo? V www.D isit rDAQ .com Want m Measure and store voltage: 0-5V, 5mV res. Measure and store resistance: 0-1M, 100 res. Measure and store sound levels and waveforms: 55-100dBA, 0.2dB res. Measure and store light levels: 0-100, 0.1 res. o o o Measure and store temperatures 0-70 C, 0.1 res. (or -10 to 105 C with optional probe) Measure and store pH: 0-14, 0.02 res (optional probe). OUTPUT VOLTAGE RESISTANCE LIGHT LEVEL TEMPERATURE USE DrDAQ as an advanced, accurate data logger in its own right . . . or use DrDAQ to drive or control other experiments . . . or use DrDAQ as an advanced teaching/learning aid in schools, universities & colleges: DrDAQ is supplied with a library of science experiments for students and teachers. Also supplied with PicoScope (oscilloscope software) and PicoLog (data logging software) TO PLACE YOUR ORDER, CALL YOUR NEAREST EMONA INSTRUMENTS SALES OFFICE TODAY! PHONE Fax NSW (02) 9519 3933 (02) 9550 1378 VIC (03) 9889 0427 (03) 9889 0715 email: testinst<at>emona.com.au QLD (07) 3367 1744 (07) 3367 1497 WA (08) 9361 4200 (08) 9361 4300 Website: www.emona.com.au PRODUCT SHOWCASE Yes, it's a phone! Dual display LCR meter New from Emona Instruments is this 10,000 count precision LCR meter, intended for professional and trade applications. The ELC-131D instrument is microprocessor controlled and features a large dual display, providing direct and accurate measurements of inductors, capacitors and resistors with dual testing frequencies of 120Hz and 1kHz. Ranges can be selected automatically or manually. Capacitance ranges are 1000pF to 10µF, inductance 1mH to 10,000H and resistance 10Ω to 10MΩ. Operation is from 9V battery or optional 12V plugpack adaptor. Each meter is supplied with two clipleads (although components can be directly Contact: plugged in) and a calibration certifiEmona Instruments Pty Ltd cate. A built-in stand makes it ideal for Phone: (02) 9519 3933 bench use. Fax: (02) 9550 1378 The unit sells for $448.80 including e-mail testinst<at>emona.com.au GST and is available direct from Emona website: www.emona.com.au Instruments. Dick Smith Electronics has released a phone so small that it fits in the palm of your hand. This unobtrusive phone comes complete with an earpiece and microphone for hands free operation and looks great in its translucent blue casing. With adjustable ringer volume, last number redial and a visual ringer indicator, it’s ideal for those who like to speak on the phone while keeping their hands free. It is also perfect for office desks. The Audioline Petit Mini-Phone is available from Dick Smith Electronics for a retail price of $49.86 or via mail order by calling Dick Smith Electronics Direct Link on 1300 366 644. Learn On Line with Training OnLine Have you ever wished you could take a course in, say, designing Web pages – but simply don’t have the time nor the inclination to attend a college? Perhaps you’re a long way from the nearest learning centre –or maybe your schedule simply doesn’t fit in with the class timetable? Of course, you could beg, borrow or buy a book and try to teach yourself. But the experts say that’s by far the most inefficient and least effective way of learning. With the huge amount of resources on the world wide web, the information you need is probably out there somewhere. It’s just a matter of finding it – and finding it in a state which you can use, understand and digest. Well, as far as learning is concerned, the information is definitely out there. And it’s all in one place, in easy-to-understand, structured lessons which you can go through at your own pace and at a time convenient to you. Simply point your browser to www. tol.com.au, a site specifically set up for web-based learning. No, it’s not free – but neither is it expensive, particularly when you consider the wealth of courses available. There are several different subscription rates for the various types of courses available, with 42  Silicon Chip prices starting at less than $10 per month. And they’re not just computer courses – there are all manner of personal and business development and finance courses –including such things as negotiating skills, motivation, even a course on how to go about getting a pay increase. Hmm. Must bookmark that one. In the computer area there are courses covering a multitude of popular software, operating systems, etc and some pretty high level technical courses including MCSE, web development, Java and so on. Courses are interactive and prior skills assessments means you don’t have to waste time going over material you already know – you skip straight to the areas you need. The benefits to organisations using on-line training are considerable – not the least being cost savings over other training methods. MCSE training, for example, typically costs more than $2000 per session for each person off site: TOL can do it for $169 per person per year. Then there’s the savings in travelling time and time away from the office, the ability to pick quite business periods for training time, 24-hour-per-day availability and so on. Of course, staff can continue training (or reviewing) at home with their own computers – once they have their ID and password, they can access TOL at any time from anywhere. When we said before that the courses weren’t free that’s not quite true. TOL has half a dozen or so free courses which you can use to “try before you buy”, to get the look and feel of training on line. Phone and fax enquiries can also be made to Training OnLine Pty Ltd at the numbers below. Contact: Training OnLine Pty Ltd Phone: (02) 4389 8800 Fax: (03) 4389 8389 Website: www.tol.com.au Jaycar’s “Short Circuits III”: as new as tomorrow A few years ago, Jaycar Electronics produced a book of electronics projects called “Short Circuits”. It featured 20 or so easy-to-build electronics projects suitable for absolute beginners in electronics. Short Circuits very quickly became a best seller, used by countless thousands of electronics hobbyists not just here in Australia but around the world. More importantly, due to its structured approach and ease of understanding, Short Circuits also rapidly found its way into the science and technology curriculums in schools and colleges. It has now become the textbook of choice in many educational institutions, replacing books written in the 1980s and now showing their age (think how far technology has come in 20 years!). Now there is a brand new “Short Circuits” which is just as certain to find its way into the education arena and also be just as popular with hobby-ists. Perhaps curiously called “Short Circuits Vol III”, this 128-page, full colour book is crammed with more than 30 projects which, while easy to build and get going, actually “do things” – they make lights flash, buzzers sound, they can transmit messages, amplify Walkmans, add sound effects to models and music and much more. Gary Johnston, Managing Director of Jaycar Electronics, explained why the book is called Short Circuits III, not II: “For some time we’ve been planning to release a sequel to Short Circuits,” he said. “But when this one started to come together, I realised it was just so much more advanced in every way, involving concepts as modern as tomorrow, that it wasn’t just a sequel, it was another step ahead again.” “So I decided that we should make this Short Circuits III and then sometime in the future, hopefully not too far away, we’ll ‘fill the gap’ and produce another book, Short Circuits II.” All projects use components soldered to PC boards and, with one exception, all of the projects in Short Circuits can operate from batteries, making them extremely safe. The one exception is a mains-operated power supply which is also capable of powering most of the other projects. And before anyone should think that it’s unwise to let children use mains power, this kit uses a fully enclosed, pre-wired mains transformer which simply plugs in to the supply PC board. It is impossible for anyone to access the “bitey” 240V power without literally smashing apart the transformer. In addition to the 30+ projects there are fully illustrated, major features including how to use a multimeter, how to solder, the tools needed to build projects and even how to recognise the components used. There’s also extremely useful data spread right through the book –such as component operation, how various circuits work, basic electrical and electronic principles and an extensive glossary. It’s printed on high quality paper with every project photographed in colour and each project has the familiar “Tech Talk” panels (as in Short Circuits I) which explain exactly how each project works. And every project has a “What to do next” section which explains how you can put your completed project to even more uses. Considering the number of projects and the exceptional quality of production, Short Circuits III is very good value for money at $24.95. It would make a superb gift for a young, enquiring mind this Christmas! The book (and kits of parts for the projects) are available from all Jaycar Electronics stores, dealers and through Jaycar Techstore online. Contact: Jaycar Electronics PO Box 185 Concord NSW 2137 Phone: (02) 9743 5222 Fax: (02) 9743 2066 Email: techstore<at>jaycar.com.au Website: www.jaycar.com.au TOROIDAL POWER TRANSFORMERS Manufactured in Australia Comprehensive data available Harbuch Electronics Pty Ltd 9/40 Leighton Pl. HORNSBY 2077 Ph (02) 9476-5854 Fx (02) 9476-3231 RF Chemical Technology Guide The new RF Chemical Technology brochure, recently released by Richard Foot Pty Ltd, includes a wide range of service aid products for the electronics industry, including electro-chemical aerosols, thermal protection, contact lubricants and cleaning solutions. The brochure, which is available free of charge, includes descriptions of the products and also typical applications. Contact: Richard Foot Pty Ltd PO Box 245, Terrey Hills NSW 2084 Phone: (02) 9979 8311 Fax: (02) 9979 8098 e-mail rfoot<at>hotkey.com.au NOW YOU CAN TRAIN ON LINE ] ] ] ] ] ] ] learn at your own pace at times to suit you stop & start as you like 400+ courses available focus on what you need 24 hours/7 days a week anywhere, anytime Huge range of computer software & hardware courses, business, finance and personal development courses and much, much more FOR FREE TRIAL LOG ONTO www.tol.com.au Training OnLine Pty Ltd Phone (02) 4389 8800 Fax (02) 4389 8389 November 2000  43 Step up, step down ICs from Linear Technology Two new ICs from Linear Technology address two power supply problems in modern equipment – that is, where higher or lower voltages are required than that delivered by the batteries, without wasting a lot of power. The LTC1612 is a synchronous 800kHz stepdown DC/DC converter which is ideal for use in any portable device operating from a lithium-ion or 2-cell alkaline battery. It operates from a 2V to 5.5V supply and features internal 700mA synchronous switches. Output voltages can be set as low as 620mV. The LT1612’s 1µA shutdown current virtually eliminates battery drain during shutdown, extending battery life. It is available in 8-lead SOT and MSOP packages. Conversely, the LTC1619 is a current-mode step-up DC/DC controller. Operating at 300kHz and accepting a wide 1.8V to 20V input voltage range, it is ideal for applications such as flyback, conversion to 5V, 12V or 15V output in distributed power and 5V to -48V telecom applications, as well as automotive power supplies. It is available in 8-lead MSOP and SOIC packages. Linear Technology semiconductors are distributed in Australia and New Zealand by REC Electronics. Contact: REC Electronics Unit 1, 38 South St Rydalmere 2116 Phone: (02) 9638 1888 Fax: (02) 9638 1798 website: www.rec.com.au 805 SMD resistors in reusable pack With surface mount devices becoming the “norm” rather than the exception, Jaycar Electronics have released a comprehensive SMD resistor pack, ideal for service work, design labs or even for the advanced hobbyist wishing to experiment with and use these components. The reusable plastic case contains Contact: 805 5% resistors in 72 values from Jaycar Electronics 2.4Ω to 10MΩ, with each value PO Box 185 Concord NSW 2137 packaged in strips of 50 with values Phone: (02) 9743 5222 printed on the back of the strips. Fax: (02) 9743 2066 The pack sells for $69.95 (Cat No Email: techstore<at>jaycar.com.au KK2060) and is available from all Website: www.jaycar.com.au Jaycar stores. Marantz CD changers are CD-R/W compatible The new CC-3000, 4000 and 4000 OSE five-disc carousel CD changers are claimed to be amongst the first to offer CD-RW playback capability for total compatibility with all recordable audio media. Of special note is the new $799 top-of-the-range 4000 Original Special Edition (OSE) model which has performance rivalling that of premium single-disc players. It also has a number of editing features which make it ideal for use with CD-recorders (including fade-in and fade-out capability), 30-track programming and a coaxial digital output for connection to an A/V receiver, preamp/processor, CD recorder or output D/A converter. It also has a full function remote control compatible with other Marantz components. Marantz hifi is distributed by Jamo Australia and is available at selected hifi specialist stores. Contact: Jamo Australia Phone: 03 9543 1522 email: info<at>marantz.com.au 44  Silicon Chip William Tell? No, it’s NATA’s new directory No company wants defective goods or materials to reach its markets, which is why professional testing, calibration or inspection by an accredited facility has become an essential part of the production process. Because companies may be uncertain about which facilities are independently accredited, the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) has released a comprehensive new 2000/2001 directory of accredited laboratories. Over 2500 labs are listed, covering the full range of services – acoustic, chemical, electrical, heat and temperature, construction and engineering materials, information technology, medical, biological, verterinary and even forensic testing labs. Copies of the A4-format directory are available from NATA with discounts for NATA members and for standing orders. Contact: NATA 7 Leeds Street, Rhodes NSW 2138 Phone: (02) 9736 8222 Fax: (02) 9743 5311 Email: cfratti<at>nata.asn.au New DAQ & I/O cards Novatech has relased several new “ComputerBoards” data aquisition and digital I/O boards. First is a “plug’n’play”, auto calibrating 20MHz, PCI-bus board with four analog input channels, each with 12-bit, 20MHz A/D, 24-bit digital I/O and two 12-bit D/A functions. A new series of PCMCIA DAQ cards is also available. These have ruggedised edge connectors for security and longest possible life and the range includes a 16 analog channel board with digital I/O. Many other models are also available. Contact: Novatech Controls 309 Reserve Rd, Cheltenham Vic 3192 Phone: 03 9585 2833 Fax: 03 9585 2844 email: roger<at>novatech.com.au