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PRODUCT SHOWCASE No more dead mobiles! 100kHz-2GHz handheld RF FS analyser Ever been caught out with a dead mobile phone battery . . . and a perfectly good notebook computer sitting beside you? Never again: Targus Australia has released a mobile phone charger which plugs into your notebook or laptop’s USB port, completely in the background and without affecting the computer’s performance. No drivers are required – the USB port is energised when the computer is on. That means your mobile can be topped up whenever you have access to your computer. Another innovation is the complementary 9V-to-USB adaptor, providing emergency power through a standard 9V alkaline battery. Up to 30 minutes talk-time is available, depending on the mobile phone model. Contact: Targus Australia Ph: (02) 9807 1222 Website: www.targus.com.au A & AB-type Mini USB Connectors Not something you need every day but if you do, Kycon now offers the mini A-type and AB-type USB connectors in addition to the B-type. They’re intended for such applications as digital cameras, MP3 players and PDAs. Contact: Kycon Inc ( Ca, USA) Ph: 0011 1 408 494 0330 Web: www.kycon.com Emona’s Robotics & Mechatronics educational CD A new education CD from Emona Inst-ruments will be of interest to anyone wanting to know more about the exciting field of robotics and mechatronics. The CD-ROM, deals with all aspects of robotics from the control systems used, the transducers available, motors/actuators and the circuits to drive them. in the student version, $299 It is designed to enable students (and anyin the single user version or one else!) with little previous experience of electronics to design and build $595 in 10-user site licence (all including GST). electromechanical systems. Full case study material including the NASA Mars Rover, the Milford Spider and Contact: Furby) is used to show how practical Emona Instruments Pty Ltd robotic systems are designed. PO Box 15 Camperdown NSW 1450 The CD (originally from Matrix Ph: (02) 9519 3933 Fax (02) 9550 1378 Multimedia of the UK) sells for $129 Website: www.emona.com.au 42  Silicon Chip The world’s first wide bandwidth, hand-held field RF strength analyser has just been released by Ken-elec Scientific. The 700g MIT3201 is ideal for use in the field. It has user friendly, menu-driven controls for intuitive operation. 160 channel levels can be displayed simultaneously on the liquid crystal display and up to 1600 different frequencies with channel names can be logged, recalled, edited and exported. With metering down to 100kHz, it is suitable for low power work in the AM broadcast band. Similarly, newer, low power RF transmitters on the market such as wireless computer peripherals and remote controls can be readily tested. The MIT3201 can uncover exotic transmitters used as bugs, including 900MHz wireless video cameras and small FM transmitters. Typical uses for the MIT3201 are the testing, installation and maintenance of mobile telecommunications systems, CB radio antenna installation and service along with satellite television receivers. Sources of RF interference from devices such as light dimmers can also be efficiently diagnosed. In addition to the MIT 3201 field strength analyser, Kenelec has also released an RF power meter, digital LCR meter, spectrum analyser, plus an arbitrary and function generator. Contact: Kenelec Scientific Pty Ltd 23 Redland Dve, Mitcham Vic 3132 Ph: (03) 9873 1022 Website: www.kenelec.com.au www.siliconchip.com.au Home Theatre Package from Altronics If you have the space, Altronics can turn your viewing room into a mini home theature with their new home theatre package. It has 4 surround-sound satellite speakers, a centre channel speaker and a 150w-powered sub. The compact size of these speakers means thatwill your lounge room needs no longer to be be cluttered up with huge bulky equipment. The satellite speakers measure just 110w x 130h x 130d. The specifications are even more impressive. With rated power of 15W, (maximum power 30W) and frequency response at 110Hz-20KHz means that these speakers pack a punch. The specifications of the 150W-powered amplifier are impressive for its price and size. Amplifier rated power (0.1% THD) is 120W, frequency response at 40-160Hz and input impedance is50KΩ. The system has a recommended retail price of $599.00 and is available from Altronics store, mail order or their dealers. Contact: Altronics Distributors Pty Ltd Ph: 1300 797 007 Website: www.altronics.com.au Here’s a good case for a new computer . . . Dick Smith Electronics have released a new computer case that is ideal for computer upgrades or for those who want to build their own PC. The Aopen mid-tower case has a 250W power supply and is designed for high expansion capacity, with seven slots and six drive bays. It also has “bend-in” edges for safe assembly and installation. No screws are required for assembly: the case features a smart ‘slide-in’ bracket. The Aopen computer case (cat XH6904) has a recommended retail price of $88.00 and is available from all Dick Smith Electronics stores, Dick Smith PowerHouse stores and also via mail order (Direct Link 1300 366 644) or via visiting the DSE website. Contact: STEPDOWN TRANSFORMERS 60VA to 3KVA encased toroids Harbuch Electronics Pty Ltd 9/40 Leighton Pl. HORNSBY 2077 Ph (02) 9476-5854 Fx (02) 9476-3231 Tech-Rentals 2002 catalog now available Tech-Rentals, the largest rental company of its type in the Southern Hemisphere, has announced the release of its 2002 catalog. It contains technical information and application tips on the vast array of test & measurement instruments, business equipment, chemical analysis tools, scientific research instruments, medical equipment and communication devices available from Tech-Rentals. Dick Smith Electronics Ph: (02) 9642 9100 Fax: (02) 9642 9153 Website: www.dse.com.au Contact: Tech-Rentals Ph: 1300 632 652 Website: www.techrentals.com.au K&W HEATSINK EXTRUSION. SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR THE COMPLETE OFF THE SHELF RANGE. www.siliconchip.com.au June 2002  43 Premier Batteries’ IQ PAC: a very clever battery charger/analyser Charging batteries in portable equipment is often a hit-and-miss affair. Do you charge after each use? Do you wait until the batteries are flat, to avoid memory effect? Or perhaps somewhere in between? And how do your choices affect the life of the battery? A new charger from Premier Batteries will go a long way to answering all of these questions – and maintaining your battery in tip-top condition, extending its life. The IQ PAC not only charges – automatically – it analyses the battery condition at the same time. It won’t overcharge or overheat your battery – both of which will dramatically reduce battery life. With three charging rates, three discharge rates and constant current or pulse charging, it suits a wide range of battery capacities and types. And speaking of types, there are adaptor plates to suit most common batteries and many uncommon ones too, whether they are for hand-held radios, phones, notebook/laptop computers, pow­er tools and many other appliances. It suits Ni­cad, Ni­ MH and Li-Ion batteries. There are four ways to maintain your battery: • “Charge” charges your battery. • “Quick Analyze” an­ alyses and conditions while charging your battery so you know how it will perform in less time. • “Spec Analyze” tests your battery to specification standards for warranty returns. • Follow a “Quick Analyze” with a “Spec Analyze” if your battery does­ n’t show full capacity to completely condition your battery! The IQ PAC has an inbuilt LCD screen to show you what’s happening with your battery. It’s mains powered and weighs less than 1kg. A 16-page instruction manual explains how to program the unit and how to analyse ScopeMeter has up to 7 times faster screen update The Fluke 190C (colour screen) ScopeMeter now offers faster screen updates than the previous Fluke 190 series. The main benefit this faster update gives users is the capability of seeing dynamic behavior instantaneously, useful for instance when making adjustments to a system under test. The new Digital Persistence mode helps to find anomalies and to analyse complex dynamic signals by showing the waveforms amplitude distribution over time using multiple intensity levels and user selectable decay time. Contact: Fluke Australia Ph: (02) 8850 3333 Fax: (02) 8850 3300 Website: www.fluke.com Infrared Link with Printing Software Microgram Computers were unable to find an IrDA printer adapter at a realistic price. So instead they sourced a USB-to-infrared adapter with bundled software which achieves the same result. All you do is connect to the USB port of your computer and then point your PDA or notebook to the adapter to print your docuContact: ments. Microgram Computers The Infrared Link to USB Connection Unit 1/14 Bon Mace Cl, Berkeley Vale with Printer Software operates under NSW 2261 Win 98, ME and 2000 and has a recomPh: (02) 4389 8444 Fax: (02)4389 8388 mended retail price of $139.00. Website: microgram.com.au 44  Silicon Chip various types of batteries. For more information, contact the Australian distributors, Premier Batteries. Contact: Premier Batteries Pty Ltd PO P.O.Box Box149, 149 Moorebank Moorebank NSW NSW 1875 1875 Ph: (02) 9755 9755 1845 1845 Fax: Fax:(02) (02)9755 97551345 1345 Website: www.premierbatteries.com.au website: www.premierbatteries.com.au New DIN rail switchmode power supply Electus Distribution has released a new range of compact, lightweight industrial DIN rail switch-mode supplies that feature full temperature, voltage and current overload protection. The power supplies have a built-in EMI filter, a power-on LED and operate from 85-264VAC at 47-440Hz. Input and output connections are via a 7.5mm pitch terminal block. Two models are available, with outputs of either 12V DC <at> 3.5A (MP3190) $129.95; or 24VDC <at>2.0Amps (MP-3192) $129.95. Contact: Electus Distribution PO Box 6424, Silverwater NSW 2128 Ph: (02) 9741 8552 Fax: (02) 9741 8500 Website: electusdistribution.com.au www.siliconchip.com.au