This is only a preview of the January 2023 issue of Silicon Chip. You can view 39 of the 112 pages in the full issue, including the advertisments. For full access, purchase the issue for $10.00 or subscribe for access to the latest issues. Articles in this series:
Items relevant to "Q Meter":
Items relevant to "Raspberry Pi Pico W BackPack":
Items relevant to "Active Subwoofer, Part 1":
Items relevant to "Noughts & Crosses game using just two modules":
Items relevant to "Noughts & Crosses Machine, Pt1":
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a new version of this project, but it
will be some time before that comes
to fruition. So we don’t think that
should stop you from building the
already-published design, which is
still a great performer.
Because of the shortages, we temporarily stopped selling the set of critical
parts to build the CLASSiC DAC but
have now reintroduced the parts set
in our Online Shop (siliconchip.au/
Shop/20/1815).
You would likely have trouble getting the microcontroller too, but we
can supply them programmed from
siliconchip.au/Shop/9/1850
Note that the SD card socket used in
the original project is now unobtainable. We have redesigned the PCB to
use a commonly available type from
siliconchip.au/Shop/8/5655
Before ordering anything, go through
the parts list and check that you can
get everything we don’t sell. While
you said you don’t plan to use it,
the PCM2902E is available, although
stocks are low (it isn’t part of our set).
We have added the MIC391003.3WS LDO regulator to our parts
set. While alternatives are available,
it is the part tested in the design
and found to work well. We chose it
Advertising Index
Altronics.................................23-26
Dave Thompson........................ 111
Digi-Key Electronics...................... 3
Emona Instruments.................. IBC
Jaycar................. IFC, 10-11, 38-39,
................................. 57, 79, 99, 103
for its good ripple rejection. While
more expensive, we agree that the
LT1963AEST-3.3 should work well as
an alternative.
As for the TOSLINK sockets, they
are definitely a problem. Unfortunately, Altronics have told us they
will discontinue them, hence the lack
of stock.
The closest alternatives we are
aware of are RS Components Cat 8051677 & 805-1680 or element14 Cat
2991612. They are all currently in
stock. You will probably have to cut
off the plastic posts as there are no
matching holes in the PCB, but they
also have solder pins to retain them,
plus the rear panel, so we think they
should be OK.
I have a question about the headphone amplifier from the November
2005 issue of Silicon Chip (“Studio
Series Stereo Headphone Amplifier”,
siliconchip.au/Article/3231).
That module was included in the
Studio Series Preamplifier from July
2006, which I purchased as a kit from
Altronics circa 2010 and constructed,
except for the headphone amplifier
part.
Now I’m completing the headphone
amplifier. The instructions supplied
by Altronics say to apply heatsink
compound to each output transistor
and to avoid using insulating washers in mounting these to the heatsinks.
However, the Altronics kit supplied
Finding an article on a
insulating washers for the output
Frequency Switch
transistors.
Some time in the last 10 years or so,
Which approach would you recyou published a project that used the ommend — washers or heatsink comLM2917 frequency/voltage conversion pound? (P. H., Warwick, Qld)
chip as a frequency switch. Can you ● Since the heatsinks are separate
tell me which issue the project was in and the transistors don’t require isoand whether the kit is still available? lation from them, the ideal mount(P. H., Gunnedah, NSW)
ing method is just to use the heatsink
● You can find articles using the Word compound. That gives the best heat
Search page on our site: siliconchip. transfer and will keep the transisau/Articles/WordSearch
tors running at a lower temperature,
Using that to search for projects which is safer.
mentioning “LM2917”, you are most
However, you can use insulating
likely referring to the Frequency- washers instead. If the washers are
Activated Switch For Cars (June 2007; silicone, thermal transfer compound
siliconchip.au/Article/2261). It was is not required. If using mica washavailable as a Jaycar kit (KC5378) ers, thermal compound is needed on
which is now discontinued.
both sides of the mica sheets. InsulatThat project has been superseded ing bushes are not required in either
by the Deluxe Frequency Switch (May case since the transistors do not have
2018; siliconchip.au/Article/11062),
exposed metal tabs.
SC
Keith Rippon Kit Assembly....... 111
LD Electronics........................... 111
LEDsales................................... 111
Oatley Electronics..................... 111
Ocean Controls............................. 7
SC GPS Analog Clock............... 106
SC USB Cable Tester.................. 56
Silicon Chip Shop............ 108-109
Silicon Chip Subscriptions........ 67
The Loudspeaker Kit.com............ 9
Tronixlabs.................................. 111
Wagner Electronics................... 101
112
Silicon Chip
Errata and Next Issue
Microchip Technology.............OBC
Mouser Electronics....................... 4
To insulate or not to
insulate
LC Meter Mk3, November 2022: (1) the initial release of the PCB has a short
circuit between the top middle terminal of S2 and the track above it going
to pin D10 of the Nano. This will not stop it from working but will reduce the
accuracy of capacitor measurements above about 800pF. Run a sharp knife
along the short circuit, taking care not to cut the track above, then verify that
the short circuit is gone.
(2) the 330pF capacitor shown in the circuit diagram and PCB overlay, and in
the parts list, should be 470pF instead. Kits were correctly supplied with two
470pF capacitors and no 330pF capacitors.
(3) switch S1 (not used by the provided firmware) is not connected the same
way on the PCB as shown in the circuit diagram. Neither of the ‘NO’ and ‘NC’
contacts are connected to GND, and the 15kW pull-down resistor is connected
between them. If constructors wish to modify the firmware to use this switch,
one end would need to be connected to GND.
(4) the supplied HEX file can be uploaded to the Arduino Nano using
AVRDUDESS, with the Programmer set to “Arduino” and a baud rate of 57600.
Next Issue: the February 2022 issue is due on sale in newsagents by Monday,
January 30th. Expect postal delivery of subscription copies in Australia
between January 27th and February 14th.
Australia's electronics magazine
siliconchip.com.au
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