Silicon ChipMarket Centre - February 2024 SILICON CHIP
  1. Outer Front Cover
  2. Contents
  3. Publisher's Letter: Check your backups
  4. Feature: Computer Storage Systems, Pt1 by Dr David Maddison
  5. Project: Microphone Preamplifier by Phil Prosser
  6. Project: Mains Power-Up Sequencer, Pt1 by John Clarke
  7. Review: ESP32-CAM WiFi Camera Module by Tim Blythman
  8. Feature: Electronic Markets in Singapore by Tim Blythman
  9. Project: Raspberry Pi Clock Radio, Pt2 by Stefan Keller-Tuberg
  10. Project: Model Railway Points Controller by Les Kerr
  11. Serviceman's Log: The things we do for our pets by Dave Thompson
  12. Product Showcase
  13. PartShop
  14. Vintage Radio: STC Radiotym model 5160 by Associate Professor Graham Parslow
  15. Market Centre
  16. Advertising Index
  17. Outer Back Cover

This is only a preview of the February 2024 issue of Silicon Chip.

You can view 36 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:
  • Computer Storage Systems, Pt1 (February 2024)
  • Computer Storage Systems, Pt2 (March 2024)
Items relevant to "Microphone Preamplifier":
  • Microphone Preamplifier full PCB [01110231] (AUD $7.50)
  • Microphone Preamplifier embedded PCB [01110232] (AUD $7.50)
  • Model Railway Points Controller receiver PCB [09101242] (AUD $2.50)
  • Microphone Preamplifier short-form kit (Component, AUD $70.00)
  • Microphone Preamplifier PCB patterns (PDF download) [10108231/2] (Free)
  • Panel label and drilling diagrams for the Microphone Preamplifier (Panel Artwork, Free)
Items relevant to "Mains Power-Up Sequencer, Pt1":
  • Mains Power-Up Sequencer PCB [10108231] (AUD $15.00)
  • Mains Power-Up Sequencer hard-to-get parts (Component, AUD $95.00)
  • Mains Power-Up Sequencer Current Detection add-on hard-to-get parts (Component, AUD $20.00)
  • Firmware (ASM and HEX) files for the Mains Power-Up Sequencer (Software, Free)
  • Mains Power-Up Sequencer PCB pattern (PDF download) [10108231] (Free)
  • Panel labels and cutting diagrams for the Mains Power-Up Sequencer (Panel Artwork, Free)
  • PIC16F1459-I/P programmed for the Mains Power-Up Sequencer (1010823A.HEX) (Programmed Microcontroller, AUD $10.00)
Articles in this series:
  • Mains Power-Up Sequencer, Pt1 (February 2024)
  • Mains Power-Up Sequencer, Pt2 (March 2024)
  • New use for Mains Sequencer (July 2024)
Items relevant to "ESP32-CAM WiFi Camera Module":
  • Software download package for the ESP32-CAM module review (Free)
Items relevant to "Raspberry Pi Clock Radio, Pt2":
  • Raspberry Pi Clock Radio main PCB [19101241] (AUD $12.50)
  • Raspberry Pi Clock Radio display PCB [19101242] (AUD $7.50)
  • Software for the Raspberry Pi based Clock Radio (Free)
  • Raspberry Pi Clock Radio PCB patterns (PDF download) [19101241-2] (Free)
Articles in this series:
  • Raspberry Pi Clock Radio, Pt1 (January 2024)
  • Raspberry Pi Clock Radio, Pt2 (February 2024)
Items relevant to "Model Railway Points Controller":
  • Model Railway Points Controller transmitter PCB [09101241] (AUD $5.00)
  • PIC16F1455-I/P programmed for the Model Railway Points Sequencer transmitter (0910124A.HEX) (Programmed Microcontroller, AUD $10.00)
  • PIC16F1455-I/P programmed for the Model Railway Points Sequencer receiver (0910124B.HEX) (Programmed Microcontroller, AUD $10.00)
  • Firmware for the Model Railway Points Controller (0910124A/B.HEX) (Software, Free)
  • Model Railway Points Controller PCB patterns (PDF download) (09101241-2) (Free)

Purchase a printed copy of this issue for $12.50.
MARKET CENTRE Advertise your product or services here in Silicon Chip KIT ASSEMBLY & REPAIR FOR SALE DAVE THOMPSON (the Serviceman from Silicon Chip) is available to help you with kit assembly, project troubleshooting, general electronics and custom design work. No job too small. Based in Christchurch, New Zealand, but service available Australia/NZ wide. Email dave<at>davethompson.co.nz LEDsales KEITH RIPPON KIT ASSEMBLY & REPAIR: * Australia & New Zealand; * Small production runs. Phone Keith: 0409 662 794 keith.rippon<at>gmail.com PCB PRODUCTION PCB MANUFACTURE: single to multilayer. Bare board tested. One-offs to any quantity. 48 hour service. Artwork design. Excellent prices. Check out our specials: www. ldelectronics.com.au Your unit wouldn’t be the first one, as we only just published it. The following information should help you narrow it down. The August 2014 design fits in a small box with a GPO mounted on top, roughly the same size as the box. The February 2009 version also has a small GPO socket on top, although it is in a much larger box with a clear lid (and a mostly empty PCB visible inside). None of the other versions have direct mains switching. Of the remainder, the August 2002 and May 2012 versions were housed in slim instrument cases with LCD panel meters mounted on the front (on the left for the August 2002 version and right for May 2012). Both used thermocouples as temperature sensors. That leaves the March 2010 Altronics kit, housed in siliconchip.com.au FOR SALE LEDs and accessories for the DIY enthusiast LEDs, BRAND NAME AND GENERIC LEDs. Heatsinks, LED drivers, power supplies, LED ribbon, kits, components, hardware For a full list of the parts we sell, please visit www.ledsales.com.au PMD WAY offers (almost) everything for the electronics enthusiast – with full warranty, technical support and free delivery worldwide. Visit pmdway.com to get started. Lazer Security For Quality That Counts... QUALITY COMPONENTS AT GREAT PRICES. Check out the latest deals this month. SMD parts and more. Go to www.lazer.com.au Advertising in Market Centre Classified Ad Rates: $32.00 for up to 20 words (punctuation not charged) plus $1.20 for each additional word. Display ads in Market Centre start at $82.50 per column centimetre per insertion. All prices include GST. Closing date: 5 weeks prior to month of sale. To book, email the text to silicon<at>siliconchip. com.au and include your name, address & credit card details, or phone (02) 9939 3295. a Jiffy box with an alphanumeric LCD in the middle of the lid. Component values for Headphone Amplifier I need clarification on how to configure my Studio Series Headphone Amp (November 2005; siliconchip. au/Article/3231). I want it as versatile as possible, so I have wired in a four-way switch to switch diodes D2, D4, D8 & D10 so I can use 8W or 32W headphones. I am also going to wire in a dual 50kW log pot as a volume control. I want to be able to connect it to a CD player or a preamp. Please tell me what combination of R1, R2, R3, & C1 etc I should use and any other considerations for my configuration. I have mostly built the power supply Australia's electronics magazine board from the October 2005 issue and have heatsinks ready to fit on the regulators. I am also wondering whether the 100W and 330W 5W input current limiting resistors are required for this headphone amplifier, or are they only required for the preamp? (N. G., Blue Haven, NSW) ● To avoid high sound volumes, R3 and R6 should be 2kW for use with a directly connected CD player and 0W when connected to the preamplifier. The amplifier gain for the 8W headphones should be set with the standard values: R1 & R4 = 1kW, R2 & R5 = 1kW and C1 & C2 =1.2nF. For 32W headphones, the resulting volume may not be sufficient, so the gain can be increased. Amplifier gain can be increased to 7.2 times (17dB) to allow the full rated output power to February 2024  111