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Contents Vol.17, No.5; May 2004 FEATURES 8 The Robocup – Robots Play Soccer www.siliconchip.com.au Amplifier Testing Without High-Tech Gear – Page 18. Robots playing soccer? You’d better believe it and there’s more than one league to play in – by David Perry 18 Amplifier Testing Without High-Tech Gear You don’t need expensive gear to check out the performance of your hifi amplifier. Here’s how to do it for peanuts – by Julian Edgar 38 Fly Rabbit Fly – Right Up To The sky Yes, rabbits really can fly, especially when strapped into a rocket. But there’s no fur, cotton tails or long ears involved here 78 Fluid Lenses – The New Way To Focus Unique variable-focus optical lens system has no moving parts and could revolutionise digital cameras and security systems PROJECTS TO BUILD 24 Component Video To RGB Converter Does your TV have RGB instead of component video inputs? This project lets you get the best possible pictures from your DVD player – by Jim Rowe 58 StarPower: A Switching Supply For Luxeon Star LEDs It’s based on a switching regulator IC, runs of 12V and is just the shot for powering 1-5W Luxeon Star LEDs – by Peter Smith 66 Wireless Parallel Port Low-cost design uses a 433MHz UHF data link and can be used to control an 8-channel relay board – by Nenad Stojadinovic 80 Poor Man’s Metal Locator It uses just five circuit components, is easy to build and works on the “beat balance” principle for good sensitivity – by Thomas Scarborough Build A Component Video To RGB Converter – Page 24. StarPower: For Luxeon Star LEDs – Page 58. SPECIAL COLUMNS 33 Circuit Notebook (1) Exit Sign With Battery Protection; (2) One ADSL Filter Serves Several Phones; (3) PICAXE-Based Home Security Project; (4) PICAXE-Based Car Speed Alarm; (5) Low-Cost Low-Intensity Alarm 40 Serviceman’s Log Nothing succeeds like a good whinge – by the TV Serviceman 73 Vintage Radio Cataloging & disposing of your collection – by Rodney Champness DEPARTMENTS 2 4 44 53 57 Publisher’s Letter Mailbag Order Form Product Showcase Silicon Chip Weblink siliconchip.com.au 85 89 94 96 Ask Silicon Chip Notes & Errata Market Centre Ad Index Wireless Parallel Port – Page 66. Poor Man’s Metal Locator – Page 80. May 2004  1