Contents
SILICON
CHIP
www.siliconchip.com.au
Vol.25, No.1; January 2012
Features
14 Arduino: What’s All The Fuss About?
The low-cost, open-source Arduino microcontroller platform has taken
the hobby electronics world by storm and is now gaining popularity with
experienced engineers as well – by Jonathon Oxer
84 Playing USB-Stick & SD/MMC Card Music Without A PC
Do you want to play music tracks that you’ve saved on a USB stick or memory
card without using a PC? These low-cost modules from Tenda Electronics let
you do just that & even come with remote controls. Here’s how to use them –
by Ross Tester
Stereo Audio Compressor –
Page 24.
24.
Pro jects To Build
24 A Stereo Audio Compressor
Having problems with varying sound levels from your TV or a PA system, or
when listening to music in your car? Are the soft passages too soft and the
loud parts too loud? This Stereo Compressor is the answer – by John Clarke
32 Build A Simple AM Radio
This fun, educational project can be built in two forms: either shirt-pocket size
or as a retro-style mantel radio in a timber cabinet. It’s easy to build and the
alignment is simple – by John Clarke
62 Dorji 433MHz Wireless Data Modules
Build A Simple AM Radio –
Page 32.
Chinese-made 433MHz wireless data modules just keep getting better! Here’s
how to use them to make some simple data repeaters – by Stan Swan
70 3-Input Stereo Audio Switcher
Need more inputs for your stereo amplifier or home-theatre set-up? This
Stereo Audio Switcher features remote control or you can just press a frontpanel button to select the program source – by John Clarke & Greg Swain
Special Columns
44 Serviceman’s Log
A Repeated & Puzzling Computer Failure – by the Serviceman
57 Circuit Notebook
Dorji 433MHz Wireless Data
Modules – Page 62.
(1) Replacement Horn Circuit For A Car; (2) Yet Another Variation On The
Inclinometer; (3) Recycling A Clothes-Dryer Timer; (4) Solar Tracker Uses Two
Photo-Cells; (5) Audio-Visual Metronome; (6) Wide Current-Mode 18-Bit DAC
90 Vintage Radio
The AWA PA1002 50W Valve PA Amplifier – by Rodney Champness
Departments
2
4
42
79
Publisher’s Letter
Mailbag
Summer Showcase
Order Form
siliconchip.com.au
88
98
102
103
Product Showcase
Ask Silicon Chip
Notes & Errata
Market Centre
3-Input Audio Selector –
Page 70.
January 2012 1