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Contents Vol.31, No.7; July 2018 SILICON CHIP www.siliconchip.com.au Features & Reviews 16 The farm of the future . . . Part II! Following last month’s report on developments in farm robotics, we look at some of the ground-breaking work being undertaken by some of Australia’s leading universities and researchers – by Ross Tester 26 Revolutionary: the Philips Compact Cassette It was not only revolutionary in the electronics sense – it effectively started the personal audio fervour we know today – but the Philips Compact Cassette and the EL3302 cassette recorder actually helped in a real revolution – by Ian Batty 57 Review: the latest Raspberry Pi – the Model 3 B+ The Pi micro started life as an educational aid but now it has spawned a huge following of dedicated enthusiasts on every continent – by Tim Blythman 82 El Cheapo: 500MHz frequency counter and preamp Not one but two modules this month: first is a low-cost 500Mhz frequency counter which can be coupled with a wideband (0.1- ~4GHz) preamp to make a very nice, very sensitive and very cheap frequency counter – by Jim Rowe Constructional Projects 34 Super Clock now shows your electricity tariff If you don’t know when the peak electricity charges kick in your power bills can go sky-high. Our super clock tells you at a glance – by Tim Blythman 60 Raspberry Pi Tide Chart – and more! Uses data from Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology to give you a graphical tide chart, and much more besides – by Tim Blythman 68 How’s your memory? Build the event reminder Taking medication . . . putting the bins out . . . even feeding the chooks . . . you can set this versatile (and cheap) project to remind you! – by John Clarke 72 800W (+) Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) Part III We’re finishing off and setting up our new high-spec UPS. And we also answer some early queries by readers – by Duraid Madina and Tim Blythman Your Favourite Columns 43 Serviceman’s Log Valve amplifiers can be tricky to repair – by Dave Thompson 86 Circuit Notebook (1) Humidity Controller for Cheesemaking (2) Multi-pattern, multi-speed LED chaser (3) LED logic display for circuit development (4) Using two cheap ICs to generate ±15V DC from 5V DC The farmer of the future may spend just as much time in front of a screen as on a tractor! – Page 16 Why is the Philips Compact Cassette and the EL330X cassette recorder considered revolutionary? Read the article on Page 26 and you’ll find out! Are you on time-of-day electricity tariffs? Know when peak charges cut in? You’ll $ave big money with this clever tariff clock – Page 34 The latest Raspberry Pi Model 3 B+ will be warmly welcomed by its legions of loyal fans – Page 57 Set reminders for 4, 8, 12 or 24 hours; 7 or 14 days. It’s a great (and cheap!) project for beginners too – Page 68 90 Vintage Radio The 6-transistor Motorola 66T1 – by Ian Batty Everything Else! 2 Editorial Viewpoint 4 Mailbag – Your Feedback 95 Product Showcase 96 Ask SILICON CHIP siliconchip.com.au 101 103 104 104 SILICON CHIP Online Shop   Market Centre Advertising Index Notes and Errata Finishing off our superb new 800W (+) UPS: it’s much cheaper and better performing than commercial units! – Page 72 www.facebook.com/siliconchipmagazine