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Advertising Index A To Z Electronix.......................... 55 ADM Instruments........................... 9 Altronics.................................. 70-73 Blamey & Saunders Hearing........ 11 Embedded Logic Solutions.......... 10 Emona Instruments...................... 29 Front Panel Express....................... 6 Futurlec........................................ 93 Grantronics................................... 95 Harbuch Electronics..................... 88 Ask SILICON CHIP . . . continued from p94 burners of a stove that no longer has a functioning igniter. I am using a hand igniter but it would be so much more elegant to just press a button! On another topic, I built myself a 3-bedroom house in the late 1990s, with 230VAC power points and all lights wired for 12V DC. Solar panels and wind generators charge a 12V battery bank for the lights and a 24V battery bank for a 2500W inverter. Over the years, I have replaced all halogen and fluoro lights with LEDs, mostly strip lights. This works well for one person and occasional visitors but in winter needs supplementing with a generator. (J. V., via email). • Have a look at the Jacob’s Ladder project in the February 2013 issue. It would do the job but it is probably considerable over-kill and would require a beefy 12V power supply. It would be more efficient if you could adapt the piezoelectric igniter commonly used on outdoor barbecues. Different module for GPS Frequency Reference Is it possible to use the EM-406 GPS module rather than the specified Garmin device for the GPS Frequency Reference (SILICON CHIP, March to May 2007)? If so, will the PIC need to be reprogrammed? (M. O., Warrandyte South, Vic). • It should be possible to use the EM406 GPS receiver module in place of the Garmin GPS 15L receiver originally used in the GPS Frequency Reference, without any modifications to either the PIC program or the other hardware. However, you will need to 96  Silicon Chip Hare & Forbes.......................... OBC DOWNLOAD OUR CATALOG at www.iinet.net.au/~worcom WORLDWIDE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS PO Box 631, Hillarys, WA 6923 Ph: (08) 9307 7305 Fax: (08) 9307 7309 Email: worcom<at>iinet.net.au Instant PCBs................................ 95 Jaycar .............................. IFC,45-52 Keith Rippon................................. 95 KitStop............................................ 6 LED Sales.................................... 95 Low Energy Developments.......... 95 make sure that the EM406 receiver module is placed in a location where it can get a good “view” of the sky, since it incorporates its own patch antenna rather than using an external active antenna as used by the Garmin module. You might need to have the module external to the GPS Frequency Reference box, like the one described in our recent GPS Timebase projects in February 2013 and in this issue. Dog Blaster not effective on wallabies The recent hot dry weather in our region has forced the local wildlife to venture into suburban areas looking for food. It seems my vegetable garden has proved irresistible for some wallabies. In an attempt to scare them off, I have set up a solar-powered security light but that has no effect. I am wondering if the Barking Dog Blaster kit (SILICON CHIP, September 2012) would keep the veggie thieves at bay. I was thinking of using the security light PIR sensor to trigger the device. If the Dog Blaster is not suitable are there any other detergents (sic) I could use? (B. A., via email). • Detergents might work if you sprayed the wallabies but is not something we would suggest. Just kidding. An Ultrasonic Barking Dog Blaster Microchip Technology..................... 3 Mikroelektronika......................... IBC NPA Pty Ltd.................................. 59 Ocean Controls............................ 19 Premier Batteries........................... 7 Quest Electronics......................... 95 Radio, TV & Hobbies DVD............ 93 RF Modules.................................. 96 Satcam........................................... 8 Sesame Electronics..................... 95 Silicon Chip Bookshop................. 89 Silicon Chip Binders..................... 88 Silicon Chip Order Form............... 35 Silicon Chip Partshop................... 34 Silicon Chip Subscriptions........... 25 Tekmark Australia........................... 8 Tenrod Pty Ltd.............................. 57 Trio Test & Measurement................ 4 Truscotts Electronic World............ 95 Wiltronics........................................ 5 Worldwide Elect. Components..... 96 operated by a security light detector is unlikely to deter wallabies. That only leaves more conventional approaches such as having wire meshing or even an electric fence around the garden. If you have a dog that also might work although some dogs are quite tolerant SC of wild life. siliconchip.com.au