Silicon ChipMarket Centre - March 2001 SILICON CHIP
  1. Outer Front Cover
  2. Contents
  3. Publisher's Letter: The electrical wiring debate - reform is needed
  4. Feature: What's On Offer In "Walkie Talkies" by Ross Tester
  5. Feature: Mobile Magic: Driving Your Mobile Phone From A PC by Greg Swain
  6. Feature: Using Infrared Devices With Your PC by Greg Swain
  7. Review: Reiew: Marantz DR 6000 CD Recorder by Leo Simpson
  8. Feature: CB Radio Can Now Transmit Data by Silicon Chip
  9. Project: Big-Digit 12/24-Hour Clock by John Clarke
  10. Product Showcase
  11. Project: A Sun-Seeking Sunflower by Craig Maynard & Ross Tester
  12. Project: Parallel Port PIC Programmer & Checkerboard by David Deer
  13. Feature: Making Photo Resist PC Boards At Home by Ross Tester
  14. Project: Protoboards: More Fun With Comparators by Leo Simpson
  15. Project: More-MIDI: A Simple MIDI Expansion Box by Jim Rowe
  16. Vintage Radio: The 1929 AWA C58 radiogram by Rodney Champness
  17. Back Issues
  18. Notes & Errata
  19. Product Showcase
  20. Market Centre
  21. Advertising Index
  22. Outer Back Cover

This is only a preview of the March 2001 issue of Silicon Chip.

You can view 32 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:
  • Amateur Radio (November 1987)
  • Amateur Radio (December 1987)
  • Amateur Radio (February 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (March 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (April 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (May 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (June 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (July 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (August 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (September 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (October 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (November 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (December 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (January 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (April 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (May 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (June 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (July 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (August 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (September 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (October 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (November 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (December 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (February 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (March 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (April 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (May 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (June 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (July 1990)
  • The "Tube" vs. The Microchip (August 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (September 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (October 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (November 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (December 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (January 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (February 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (March 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (April 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (May 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (June 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (July 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (August 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (September 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (October 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (November 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (January 1992)
  • Amateur Radio (February 1992)
  • Amateur Radio (March 1992)
  • Amateur Radio (July 1992)
  • Amateur Radio (August 1992)
  • Amateur Radio (September 1992)
  • Amateur Radio (October 1992)
  • Amateur Radio (November 1992)
  • Amateur Radio (January 1993)
  • Amateur Radio (March 1993)
  • Amateur Radio (May 1993)
  • Amateur Radio (June 1993)
  • Amateur Radio (July 1993)
  • Amateur Radio (August 1993)
  • Amateur Radio (September 1993)
  • Amateur Radio (October 1993)
  • Amateur Radio (December 1993)
  • Amateur Radio (February 1994)
  • Amateur Radio (March 1994)
  • Amateur Radio (May 1994)
  • Amateur Radio (June 1994)
  • Amateur Radio (September 1994)
  • Amateur Radio (December 1994)
  • Amateur Radio (January 1995)
  • CB Radio Can Now Transmit Data (March 2001)
  • What's On Offer In "Walkie Talkies" (March 2001)
  • Stressless Wireless (October 2004)
  • “Degen” Synthesised HF Communications Receiver (January 2007)
  • WiNRADiO: Marrying A Radio Receiver To A PC (January 2007)
  • PICAXE-08M 433MHz Data Transceiver (October 2008)
  • Half-Duplex With HopeRF’s HM-TR UHF Transceivers (April 2009)
  • Dorji 433MHz Wireless Data Modules (January 2012)
Articles in this series:
  • Amateur Radio (November 1987)
  • Amateur Radio (December 1987)
  • Amateur Radio (February 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (March 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (April 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (May 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (June 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (July 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (August 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (September 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (October 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (November 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (December 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (January 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (April 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (May 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (June 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (July 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (August 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (September 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (October 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (November 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (December 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (February 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (March 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (April 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (May 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (June 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (July 1990)
  • The "Tube" vs. The Microchip (August 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (September 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (October 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (November 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (December 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (January 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (February 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (March 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (April 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (May 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (June 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (July 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (August 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (September 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (October 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (November 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (January 1992)
  • Amateur Radio (February 1992)
  • Amateur Radio (March 1992)
  • Amateur Radio (July 1992)
  • Amateur Radio (August 1992)
  • Amateur Radio (September 1992)
  • Amateur Radio (October 1992)
  • Amateur Radio (November 1992)
  • Amateur Radio (January 1993)
  • Amateur Radio (March 1993)
  • Amateur Radio (May 1993)
  • Amateur Radio (June 1993)
  • Amateur Radio (July 1993)
  • Amateur Radio (August 1993)
  • Amateur Radio (September 1993)
  • Amateur Radio (October 1993)
  • Amateur Radio (December 1993)
  • Amateur Radio (February 1994)
  • Amateur Radio (March 1994)
  • Amateur Radio (May 1994)
  • Amateur Radio (June 1994)
  • Amateur Radio (September 1994)
  • Amateur Radio (December 1994)
  • Amateur Radio (January 1995)
  • CB Radio Can Now Transmit Data (March 2001)
  • What's On Offer In "Walkie Talkies" (March 2001)
  • Stressless Wireless (October 2004)
  • “Degen” Synthesised HF Communications Receiver (January 2007)
  • WiNRADiO: Marrying A Radio Receiver To A PC (January 2007)
  • PICAXE-08M 433MHz Data Transceiver (October 2008)
  • Half-Duplex With HopeRF’s HM-TR UHF Transceivers (April 2009)
  • Dorji 433MHz Wireless Data Modules (January 2012)
Items relevant to "Big-Digit 12/24-Hour Clock":
  • Big-Digit 12/24-Hour Clock display PCB [04103012/04102011] (AUD $15.00)
  • Big-Digit 12/24-Hour Clock processor PCB [04103011] (AUD $15.00)
  • PIC16F84(A)-04/P programmed for the Big-Digit 12/24-Hour Clock [CLOCK1.HEX] (Programmed Microcontroller, AUD $10.00)
  • PIC16F84 firmware and source code for the Big-Digit 12/24-Hour Clock [CLOCK1.HEX] (Software, Free)
  • Big-Digit 12/24-Hour Clock PCB patterns (PDF download) [04103011/2] (Free)
  • Big-Digit 12/24-Hour Clock panel artwork and mask (PDF download) (Free)
Items relevant to "A Sun-Seeking Sunflower":
  • Sun-seeking Sunflower PCB patterns (PDF download) (Free)
Items relevant to "Parallel Port PIC Programmer & Checkerboard":
  • DOS and Windows software for the Parallel Port PIC Programmer (Free)
  • Parallel Port PIC Programmer PCB pattern (PDF download) (Free)
Items relevant to "More-MIDI: A Simple MIDI Expansion Box":
  • More-MIDI PCB pattern (PDF download) (Free)
  • More-MIDI panel artwork (PDF download) (Free)

Purchase a printed copy of this issue for $10.00.
MARKET CENTRE Cash in your surplus gear. Advertise it here in Silicon Chip. FRWEEBE YES! Place your classified advertisement in SIL- ICON CHIP Market Centre and your advert will also appear FREE in the Classifieds-on-the-Web page of the SILICON CHIP website, www.siliconchip.com.au And if you include an email address or your website URL in you classified advert, the links will be LIVE in your classified-on-the-web! S! D E I F I S C LAS EXCLUSIVE TO SILICON CHIP! CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING RATES Advertising rates for this page: Classified ads: $11.00 (incl. GST) for up to 12 words plus 55 cents for each additional word. Display ads: $27.50 (incl. GST) 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) 9979 6503. Taxation Invoice ABN 49 003 205 490 _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ Enclosed is my cheque/money order for $­__________ or please debit my ❏ Bankcard   ❏ Visa Card   ❏ Master Card Card No. Signature­­­­­­­­­­­­ ________________________ Card expiry date______/______ Name _____________________________________________________ Street _____________________________________________________ Suburb/town _________________________ Postcode______________ 102  Silicon Chip FOR SALE QUAD 1024 H-Pixels from $175 * COLOUR QUAD only ! $389 * DOME VIDEO CAMERAS from $53 ! COLOUR from $77 ! BULLET from $97 TWO YEAR WARRANTY * VCR Controller use a standard home VCR for Surveillance Event Recording Wireless IR Control only $39 * DIY PLUG-IN 20 metre AV Cables from $20 * DOME 480 Line 0.05 Lux SONY CCD & ChipSet from $81 * COLOUR DSP DOME: 400 Line from $139 * 600 + Line from $164 * COLOUR DSP PIN in PIR CASE from $152 * MINI CAMS from $67 * DSP COLOUR from $133 * PC REMOTE VIEW, PAGING, WEBCAM, DVR System High 768 x 576 Resolution from $219 * MULTI­PLEXER 4 Ch from $633 * 4 Ch / 8 Ch Switchers only $79 / $99 ! COLOUR Bullet Cameras from $122 * Digital PC 4 Ch Video Recorder System from $159 * BLEMISH FREE & LOW BLEMISH CCDs * UP TO 5 YEARS WARRANTY * OVERNIGHT DELIVERY * www. allthings.com.au TELEPHONE EXCHANGE SIMULATOR: test equipment without the cost of telephone lines. Melb 9806 0110. http://www.alphalink.com.au/~zenere COVERT VIDEO SURVEILLANCE Tiny Sub-Matchbox from ~ 6 grams Wireless Video & Audio TRANSMITTERS from $77 * Pinhole Cameras from $67. Easily concealed in: Mobile Phone Case, Clock, VCR Cassette, Toys, Teddy Bear (Nanny-Cam), Smoke Detector, Ornament, Cap, Cigarette Pack, etc. www. allthings.com.au WEATHER STATIONS: Windspeed & direction, inside temperature, outside temperature & windchill. Records highs & lows with time and date as they occur. Optional rainfall and PC interface. Used by Government Departments, farmers, pilots, and weather enthusiasts. Other models with barometric pressure, humidity, dew point, solar radiation, UV, leaf wetness, etc. Just phone, fax or write for our FREE catalogue and price list. Solar Flair/Ecowatch phone: (03) 5968 4863; fax: (03) 5968 5810, PO Box 18, Emerald, Vic., 3782. ACN 006 399 480. KITS KITS AND MORE KITS! Check ‘em out at www.ozitronics.com SEE-in-the-DARK Camera with in-built IR LEDs in Water Resistant Case for disturbance-free Baby - Bird - Animal observation from $147 * DIY Plug-In 20 metre Cable & Plug Pack from $33 * www.allthings.com.au C COMPILERS: everything you need to develop C and ASM software for 68­HC08, 6809, 68HC11, 68HC12, 68­ HC16, 8051/52, 8080/85, 8086, 8096 or AVR: $170.50 each. Macro Cross Assemblers and Disassemblers for above CPUs + 6800/01/03/05, 6502 and 68­HC12 for $88. Debug monitors: $88 for 6 CPUs. All compilers, XASMs and monitors: $5280. 8051/52 Simulator (fast, now incl. 80C320): $88. Try the C-FLEA Virtual Machine for small CPUs, build a “C-Stamp”. Demo desk: FREE. All prices + $5.50 p&p. Atmel Flash CPU Programmer: Handles the 89Cx051, 89C5x and 89Sxx series, and some AVRs in both DIP and PLCC44. Also does most 8-pin EEPROMs. Includes socket for serial ISP cable. $220 $11 p&p. SOIC adaptors: 20-pin $99, 14-pin $93.50, 8-pin $88. Credit cards accepted. GRAN­ TRONICS PTY LTD, PO Box 275, Wentworthville 2145. Ph (02) 9896 7150 or Internet: http://www.grantronics.com.au HOME CCTV Mono / Colour PAKS only ! $119 / $151 Full DIY Plug-In to TV / VCR 20 metre Cable, Plug Pack & Camera www.allthings.com.au RCS HAS MOVED to 41 Arlewis St, Chester Hill 2162 and is now open, with full production. Tel (02) 9738 0330; Fax 9738 0334. rcsradio<at>cia.com.au; www.cia.com.au/rcsradio PCBs MADE, ONE OR MANY. Low prices, hobbyists welcome. Sesame Elec­tronics Pty Ltd. sesame<at>internetezy.com.au; http:// members.tripod.com/~sesame_elec QUAD 4 pixs 1 screen from $247 * Real Time * High better than SUPER-VHS 1024 Pixel Resolution * Time * Date * ROLA AUSTRALIA PH/FAX (08) 8270 3175 WEB SITE WWW.BETTANET.NET.AU/GTD CHECK OUR WEBSITE FOR DETAILS ON KITS AND COMPONENTS • • • • Silvertone’s RC Receiver Still the best little performer available! TRANSMITTER KITS AND MODULES AUDIO MODULES COMPUTER INTERFACE KITS RADIO STATION AUDIO SOFTWARE NEW: Our MP3-CD player in short form for $169 inc GST. Includes the following: processor board, front panel display and tactile keypad; just add a case, cables, 12V power supply and a CD-ROM drive. Play CDs and up to 2600 MP3’s from a CDR. Great for car or home. Satellite TV Reception International satellite TV reception in your home is now affordable. Send for your free info pack containing equipment catalog, satellite lists, etc or call for appointment to view. We can display all satellites from 76.5° to 180°. Still only $129.50 AM or $149.50 FM. May be used with most ppm transmitters. This and many other radio control products available from: Silvertone Electronics, PO Box 580, Riverwood 2210. Phone/Fax (02) 9533 3517. www.silvertone.com.au AV-COMM P/L, 24/9 Powells Rd, Brookvale, NSW 2100. Tel: 02 9939 4377 or 9939 4378. Fax: 9939 4376; www.avcomm.com.au Positions At Jaycar We are often looking for enthusiastic staff for positions in our retail stores and head office at Rhodes in Sydney. A genuine interest in electronics is a necessity. Phone 02 9743 5222 for current vacancies. Camera Title * Alarm Input / Output * Remote Camera Selection * FREEZE * www.allthings.com.au Video Amplifiers, Stabilisers, TBCs, Converters, Mixers, etc. QUESTRONIX (02) 9477 3596. Go to www.questronix.com.au for Video Equipment, Information, Techo Links & Monthly Specials. USB KITS: 1/O Card, Audio Generator, Voltmeter; also Temperature/Voltage measurement via phone line. http://www.ar.com.au/~softmark USB DEVELOPMENT KIT CY3650, Temperature/Voltage measurement via phone line, PC-controlled VHF Receiver http://www.ar.com.au/~softmark DIY CCTV PAKS 4 Cameras & Switcher .................$354 as above COLOUR .....................$466 4 Cams, Switcher/Monitor ...........$495 as above 14" Monitor ................$528 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. 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. 4 Cams & QUAD .........................$478 4 COLOUR & QUAD ....................$752 Time-Lapse 24 hr VCR only $699 with CCTV Systems ! MORE at: www.allthings.com.au Fully Plug-In DIY Paks with Cables & Power Supplies ALSO PC Digital Motion / Sound detection & activated Video / Audio Recording systems 08 9349 9413 KIT ASSEMBLY NEVILLE WALKER KIT ASSEMBLY & REPAIR: · Australia wide service · Small production runs · Specialist “one-off” applications Phone Neville Walker (07) 3857 2752 Email flashdog<at>optusnet.com.au continued next page MARCH 2001  103 DON’T MISS THE ’BUS Advertising Index Altronics................................. 78-80 Av-Comm Pty Ltd.......................103 Computronics..............................95 Dick Smith Electronics........... 22-25 Do you feel left behind by the latest advances in com­puter technology? Don’t miss the bus: get the ’bus! Includes articles on troubleshooting your PC, installing and setting up computer networks, hard disk drive upgrades, clean installing Windows 98, CPU upgrades, a basic introduction to Linux plus much more. EMC Technologies.....................101 Evatco..........................................92 Futurlec.......................................29 Harbuch Electronics....................43 Instant PCBs..............................103 Price: $12.50 (incl. GST) Order now by using the handy order form in this issue or call (02) 9979 5644, 8.30-5.30 Mon-Fri with your credit card details. Special subscription offer available only while stocks last. Silicon Chip Binders  Each binder holds up to 14 issues  Heavy board covers with 2-tone green vinyl covering  SILICON CHIP logo printed in gold-coloured lettering on spine & cover Investment Technology..............101 Jaycar ................................... 49-56 Kalex............................................83 REAL VALUE AT $12.95 PLUS P & P Mass Electronics..................43,101 Microgram Computers..........3,OBC MicroZed Computers.................101 Oatley Electronics......................IBC Printed Electronics.................... 103 Price: $A12.95 plus $A5.50 p&p each (Australia only; not available elsewhere). Buy five and get them postage free. QualiFi.......................................IFC 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. RF Probes.................................101 Questronix.................................101 Rola Australia............................103 R.T.N............................................58 WANTED PERSON WITH EXPERIENCE / APTITUDE able to fault find & repair PCBs – without diagrams. GENEROUS PKG NEG. Tel John<at>AER (03) 9482 4958 0415 305 470. MOTOROLA MC6802P 8 Bit CPU(s) for faulty Signal Generator. Call Shane (02) 9452 2221. WE PAY UP to $60 for contributions to Circuit Notebook. Send your idea to: Silicon Chip Publications, PO Box 139, Collaroy, 2097. Satcam........................................61 Silicon Chip Back Issues.............96 Silicon Chip Binders..................104 SC EFI Tech Special....................95 Silicon Chip Subscriptions...........57 Silvertone Electronics................103 HELP SAVE THE NIGHT SKY! We are losing our heritage of starry night skies. Poor, inefficient outdoor lighting is causing glare and “light pollution”. This wastes energy and increases greenhouse gas emissions. You can help by joining SYDNEY OUTDOOR LIGHTING IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY (SOLIS). SOLIS aims to educate and inform about quality outdoor lighting and its benefits. We also lobby councils, government and other bodies to promote good lighting practice. SOLIS meetings are held third Monday night of each month at Sydney Observatory. Individual membership is $20 pa. Donations are also welcome. Cheques payable to “SOLIS c/- NSAS”, PO Box 214, West Ryde 2114. http://sites.netscape.net/solislp/ 104  Silicon Chip Smart Fastchargers.....................61 Solar Flair/Ecowatch..................102 Tasman Energy..........................101 Truscotts Electronic World...........83 _____________________________ PC Boards Printed circuit boards for SILICON CHIP projects are made by: • RCS Radio Pty Ltd. Phone (02) 9738 0330. Fax (02) 9738 0334.