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Contents Vol.24, No.3; March 2011 SILICON CHIP www.siliconchip.com.au Features 14 Microchip’s New PIC32 Microcontroller Name something that’s useful, gives you more than you are likely to need and is low cost. It’s the newest processor in Microchip’s stable – by Geoff Graham 24 Community TV Station TVS If you watch digital TV, you may have come across a “community” channel. Here’s a look at Sydney community station TVS – by Barrie Smith The Maximite Computer – Page 30. 71 Salvage It! – A Vacuum Pump From Junk Every techie needs a vacuum pump. Here’s how to make a serious vacuum pump and add a vacuum tank for almost nothing – by Neno Stojadinovic Pro jects To Build 30 The Maximite Computer, Pt.1 Here’s a powerful microcomputer with so much potential that you will think of uses we haven’t even dreamed of. Use it to log data, detect intruders, monitor water levels and for a thousand and one other chores – by Geoff Graham 38 Universal Voltage Regulator Board This regulator board can be built in both dual-rail and single-rail configurations, with output voltages ranging from ±5V to ±24V – by Nicholas Vinen Universal Voltage Regulator Board – Page 38. 66 Mains Moderator: Stepping Down The Volts Excessive mains voltages (eg 250VAC or more) can spell an early death for appliances rated to work at 220VAC. We show you how to reduce the mains voltage to a safe level for your equipment – by Leo Simpson 74 12V 20-120W Solar Panel Simulator Easy-to-build device allows solar charge controllers to be tested without a solar panel. It also allows the MPPT (maximum power point tracking) circuitry of such devices to be tested, to ensure maximum output – by John Clarke 86 Microphone To Neck Loop Coupler For Hearing Aids Simple project allows hearing-impaired people to hear conversations in noisy environments, even if their hearing aid has been switched from microphone mode to T-coil mode to pick up loop signals – by John Clarke Special Columns 12V 20-120W Solar Panel Simulator – Page 74. 74. 45 Serviceman’s Log PC faults & the Christchurch earthquake – by the Serviceman 59 Circuit Notebook (1) PICAXE-Based Data Logger; (2) A Low-Distortion Sinewave Oscillator; (3) Using Transistors To Monitor Temperature; (4) A 48-LED Chaser 98 Vintage Radio The STC A5150 5-valve mantel clock radio – by Rodney Champness Departments   2   4 65 97 Publisher’s Letter Mailbag Order Form Product Showcase siliconchip.com.au 104 Ask Silicon Chip 107 Notes & Errata 110 Market Centre Microphone To Neck Loop Coupler For Hearing Aids – Page 86. March March 2011  1 2011  1