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PRODUCT SHOWCASE See-Through Window UHF TV Antenna If you’re in a reasonably strong UHF signal area this new “roll-up” TV antenna from HD-Quad could solve a number of TV antenna problems – especially if you’re renting or perhaps you don’t want to go to the trouble and expense of erecting an external antenna. The HD-Quad is a two-bay UHF phased array which simply sticks to a window, facing in the general direction of the TV transmitter. The backing laminate film is completely transparent – it won’t block your view at all – and the antenna “elements”, made of conductive silver ink traces, are hardly noticeable. Because it’s so thin, operation of sliding windows, blinds, etc are virtually unaffected. The antenna is A3 in size and weighs in at a miserly 100g. While it naturally lends itself to horizontal polarity, it could be mounted vertically for vertically polarised signals. However, we have to say that when we tried it out, there was no discernable difference in signal when mounted horizontally and aimed at a verticallypolarised translator. It will cover UHF channels from 28-69; however, when the digital TV restack is completed this year you will only need to cover from 28 to 51 (channels 52-69 will all disappear). A short (50mm) lead is attached to the antenna with female PAL con- nector for plugging into a standard TV coax extension lead-in. This (and the lead-in) should be secured in their own right to prevent the weight eventually dragging the antenna free. In use We tried the HD-Quad in two locations – one with line-of-sight coverage from North Head translator (at about 10km) and the other in a known TV black spot, where coverage is normally only available from the Bouddi translator (at about 50km) using a high-gain outside antenna, mounted high off the ground, and definitely assisted by a masthead amplifier. In the first location, the picture was rock-solid on all channels (now, of course, digital). In fact, there was even a good picture received from the offaxis (about 90°) Kings Cross translator (at about 15km) on all channels. We would highly recommend this antenna for good UHF signal areas. The second location was, as we expected, not so good. In fact, the only channels we were able to receive was the SBS suite – 1, 2, 3 and HD. Even then, there was pixellation and dropouts. But having said that, we were surprised it did that well! It is the only “indoor” antenna we’ve ever tried in Data Acquisition Module from Ocean Controls The LabJack T7 Pro is a fully featured USB, Ethernet and Wi-Fi based multi-function data acquisition module. The module can be powered either via the USB port or an external 5V power supply (included in the packet). It features high data acquisition rates together with a high resolution ADC and has Modbus TCP protocol compatibility. It also supports a pile of different programming languages, making it one of LabJack’s most flexible modules. The software layer is fully cross-platform; the end user isn’t forced into a specific programming language. Some of the sup- Contact: ported programming Ocean Controls languages include; C++, 3/24 Wise Ave, Seaford, Vic 3198. MATLAB, Java, Visual Tel: (03) 9782 5882 Fax: (03) 9782 5517 Website: www.oceancontrols.com.au Basic and LabView. 80  Silicon Chip that location that received anything! The HD-Quad is definitely not designed for such poor signal strengths. At $39.99, the HD-Quad won’t break the bank – especially as you have nothing else to buy (except a lead-in, perhaps). It’s simply a matter of fixing it to the window (tabs are supplied), plugging it in and away she goes! HD-Quad also have a similar but larger (A2 size) model, capable of receiving both VHF and UHF signals. Again, after the restack is finished, you probably won’t need to be able to receive both (however, there are exceptions in very few areas). Contact: HD Quad 224 Lidco St, Arndell Park NSW 2148 Tel: (02) 9831-5733 Website: www.hd-quad.com New TekMark Website TekMark Australia, a leader in supply and distribution of electronics test, measurement and monitoring solutions, has launched their new website at www.tekmark.com.au It offers some new features including: On-line purchasing of selected products Create your personal account with secure log-in Product highContact: lights Latest promo- TekMark Australia 302/3 18-20 Orion Road, Lane Cove NSW 2066 tions Tel: 1300 811 355 New arrivals And much more! Website: www.tekmark.com.au siliconchip.com.au “Spectacular value”: Six Instruments for $795+ GST Weller W Series Magnastat Controlled Output Soldering Tools The WENS 540 Digital Debug Meter combines 6 instruments in one handheld package: • a Graphical 50,000 count DMM • a 10MHz Oscilloscope with 50MS/s including pulse-width trigger and 20nS peak-detect oscilloscope, • Signal source, • a 50MHz/Ch sampling logic analyser, • a Serial Protocol Analyser with trigger for common serial data formats and • a Digital Pattern Generator for serial data simulation, all in one hand-held unit. The bright back-lit display shows the user everything from oscilloscope waveforms to serial bus analysis to eight logic channels. Plus all the usual DMM functions are standard plus extras such as dBm readout. It also has a data-logging function with trend-analysis. Data and screen images can be downloaded to a PC using the standard USB interface. Optional external sensors with mV outputs for temperature, pressure, humidity and current are also supported with readings scaled in the Contact: appropriate units. Trio Test & Measurement These can also be 35/ 9 Salisbury Rd, Castle Hill NSW 2154 Tel: (1300) 853 407 logged. Website: www.triotest.com.au Looking for a simple to operate, efficient and versatile soldering tool? The 60W Weller W60D and the 100W W100D are simple and compact – in fact smaller than the non-controlled soldering tools of the same power rating and plug directly into a regular power outlet without the need for any kind of control box. Both are manufactured and assembled in Australia at the Apex Tool Group, Albury facility. The temperature is controlled using the Weller-patented Magnastat system, which uses the “Curie point” of a piece of magnetic material attached to the soldering tip to operate a switch similar to a reed switch. The tool heats until the Curie point of the magnetic material is reached, whereupon the magnetic field collapses and the switch switches off. When the tip has cooled to below the Curie point, the magnetic field is re-established and the switch switches on, thus the cycle continues and the temperature is controlled within the on and off points of the cycle. The soldering tips for all Weller W-Series tools are Iron plated which gives significantly longer tip life when compared to unplated tips. The tips are earthed to help prevent static damage. The W60D is a particularly versatile tool as it is eminently suitable for quite fine electronic work with some tips available down to 1.6mm but can also handle heavier cable using 6.4mm tips. Temperature control ensures that the specific heat, as required for the job, is supplied to the tool without any input required from the operator. Another advantage is that the tool does not overheat causing potential damage to components or circuit boards. The lower temperature also improves the life of the soldering tips. The W100D is somewhat larger and is particularly suitable for stained glass work where overheating is a common problem due to working with low melting point lead came strips between the pieces of glass. It is also suitable Contact: for quite heavy cable Apex Tool Group work, with tips up to 519 Nurigong St, Albury NSW 2640 Tel: (02) 6058 0300 Fax: (02) 6021 7403 9.5mm. Website: www.apextoolgroup.com.au element14 Starts a RIoT element14 has exclusively launched an open source, single board platform, the Revolutionizing the Internet of Things (RIoT) board, designed to run Android operating systems efficiently. It features a high performance/ low-power consumption processor with a broad range of peripherals and display capabilities, making it perfectly suited as a hub for the Internet of Things (IoT). The board is ideal for Android and Linux development and is based on the Freescale i.MX 6Solo processor,using the ARM Cortex-A9 architecture. The RIoTboard platform includes a rich set of peripherals including a 10M/100M/Gb Ethernet port, a USB 2.0 OTG High Speed and four USB 2.0 High Speed 2.0 Hosts, LVDS, HDMI and Parallel RGB interfaces, micro TF and SD card interfaces, analog headphone/microphone jacks, camera interface, serial ports, JTAG and boot configuration interfaces. Key applications for the board will include vertical/ industrial/educational tablets, smart home appliances, medical – patient monitoring and telehealth, factory automation and HMI, digital signage, point-of-sale equipment, IP phones, scanners and smart metering. Contact: The RIoTboard is element14 Pty Ltd priced at AU$84.36, 72 Ferndell St, Chester Hill NSW 2162 exclusively from el- Tel: (02) 9644 7722 Fax: (02) 9645 1381 Website: au.element14.com ement14. siliconchip.com.au Now available in Australia through Enertel The name Schützinger stands for a diversified range of products and services — and for good connections. After its founding in 1950, Schützinger quickly made a name for itself with its range of electrical plug connections for measurement and testing labs.By taking on a series of representations for well-known German companies from the electrical engineering and electronics sector, Schützinger was able to continually build on its expertise on the market. Today Schützinger is not just a supplier of a wide range of standard products in measurement technology; it also manufactures electrical connectors tailored to customer requirements in the areas of Contact: education/training, Enertel Pty Ltd electrical manufacPO Box 784. Winston Hills NSW 2153 turing, building techTel: (02) 9674 4748 nology, lighting and Website: www.enertel.com.au fire-proofing. SC April 2014  81