Professional Documents
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EA 1989 12(Dynamic Expander)
EA 1989 12(Dynamic Expander)
DECEMBER
1989
Aust* $4.50
NZ $5.95 GST
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Find trouble when
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MULTIMER
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RUE AC 1.i*
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such changes as turn -on surges or
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voltage drift.
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December 1989
AUSTRALIA'S LARGEST SELLING ELECTRONICS MAGAZINE - ESTABLISHED IN 1922
Digital storage
adaptor for scopes Features
10 AUSTRALIA'S UNIQUE SCHOOL OF THE AIR Helping outback kids
14 US FACING A SEMICONDUCTOR CHALLENGE Firms gearing
up
40 WHEN I THINK BACK...Readers have their say
112 SOFTWARE REVIEW: Protel's new Easytrax PCB CAD package
118 HAM TALK Clem Henry, VK2UR
128 ANNUAL INDEX For Volume 51, January-December 1989
r Entertainment Electronics
6 WHAT'S NEW IN ENTERTAINMENT ELECTRONICS Video, audio
28 HIGH SPEED PHOTOGRAPHY WITH A HOME VIDEO CAMERA
122 OVER -SPEED MONITOR FOR YOUR CAR Helps avoid speeding...
132 VINTAGE RADIO Magnetic speakers
138 SOLID STATE UPDATE Switchmode controller, high quality op amp
Over-speed monitor
Another of this month's projects
is a gadget which helps you
avoid speeding, by giving you a News and Comment
visual and audible warning when 4 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Switch ratings, amateur radio
you exceed the limit. Put fun 5 EDITORIAL Even more value than we were before...
back into your driving, and 46 SILICON VALLEY NEWSLETTER Cities bidding for US Memories
maybe live a little longer! See 54 NEWS HIGHLIGHTS Locally developed system receives weather images
page 122 58 FORUM Problems with projects, and whiskers on kit bits
106 NEW PRODUCTS High precision 2.3GHz counter, optical TDR
116 COMPUTER NEWS & NEW PRODUCTS Great new column!
136 SPECTRUM Communications news and comment
On the cover 140 INFORMATION CENTRE Answers to readers' queries, puzzlers
EA staff design engineer Rob 143 AMATEUR RADIO NEWS Gosford field day, aeronautical tests
Evans checks the final perform-
ance figures for his outstanding
new very high quality stereo
power amplifier, the Playmaster Departments
`Pro Series' No.1, whose descrip- 134 BOOK REVIEWS 145 MARKETPLACE
tion begins this month on page 142 COrlING NEX{MÓNTH 146 DIRECTORY OF SUPPLIERS
76. (Photo by Leon Faivre) 144 EA CROSSWORD PUZZLE 146 ADVERTISING INDEX
144 50 AND 25 YEARS AGO 142 NOTES AND ERRATA
Marantz improves
CD -94 player III: ...o. . _
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limit the copying of pre-recorded music - .. ..em...,.a..,
on digital audio tape (DAT) machines. e 77 s. 1.55
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The 5050 is the result of over two
years research, into the type and style
of circuitry best suited for the reproduc-
tion of high quality music from today's
many different sources.
Some of the features include:
Over 50W per channel (200W mono)
Switchable high performance moving
coil input
Optimised CP input
Inputs for mono or stereo video ma-
chines
Capability for splitting pre-amp and
power amp stages with rear mounted
switch
The introduction of the more sophisti-
cated 5050 amplifier marks the way for
Creek Audio to venture into the more
esoteric area of hifi, yet still retain the
company's philosphy of simple design
7
Entertainment Electronics
Multi -standard ,
117cm CTV
Claimed to lead a new generation of
superscreen rear projection colour tele-
vision is Philips 46CE8766 with a 117cm
flat square picture. Naturally it has
infra -red remote control, hi-fi stereo
and digital enhancement, but it also has
a wider angle of viewing.
This rear projection TV has a viewing
angle of 120° - an increase on the
previous standard, so that more people
in a room have a full screen view. They
can even view from less than three
metres, for the `big-screen' realism for-
merly associated only with the cinema.
The receiver has the capability to ac-
cept satellite and cable signals. Its
multi -standard engineering system can
-
accept signals in any of the three world
standards - PAL, NTSC and SECAM
through either the tuner or the VCR - J
..
input. It has Picture in Picture (PIP),
including freeze shift, swap and change
source. Because the PIP itself is about
the same size as a 34cm (14") picture, it
is easy to view.
Among its audio features this TV has
hi-fi stereo of 80 watts PMPO (IOW
RMS per channel), a three speaker sys-
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pocket Ranges Observe 400mA
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powerful 20A) toContinuously(±0.5%);
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and Data
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3487A features:
All Ranges
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for
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Instruments2000
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Test (100mohm) Order K720
price. Ranging Diode (±0.3%);
1000V 400ohm Emona Box NSW
Auto Frequency to P.O. 3933 (a $144
DC Readings400mVResistance A, Haymarket 519 Order: Graph (u $90
andMIN V DC V and (02) to Bar DMM
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to 20A
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with
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DudleyElectronic Systems 31
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Engineering
S.A.
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Communications
WA. George
TAS Address
Phone
Australia's
unique School
of the Air
For almost 40 years, Australia's Royal Flying Doctor Service
radio network has also been providing another unique facility
for the people of the outback -
`S -0 -T -A', or the School of
the Air. Here's the story of how radio made it possible for the
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texts by infrequent mail service or '^+t,.r,t
maybe scanty lessons from itinerant
schoolmasters on horseback. This was
all part of the tyranny of isolation, :"'.^`
`' , 'fi"'
which `Flynn of the Inland' set out to
alleviate. Flynn foresaw the concept of
schooling by radio, and his technical co-
hort Alfred Traeger stated in 1934 that 10 £
with later superior valves a radio -tele- "!"e f
s' 51
phony set was possible for the purpose. ments supplying teachers (it could hap-
But time passed before the situation pen only in Australia!).
was altered by the efforts of Miss Ade- Thus `on -air' classes augmented corre-
laide Meithke, an officer and later spondence lessons as extension of assist-
President of the Flying Doctor Service. ance to outlying areas. Here today will
Aided by Graham Pitts, the Base Radio be found our youngest operators, profi-
Officer, her experiments with education cient in two-way radio techniques at
by two-way radio through Alice Springs kindergarten age, though one difference
Base and the homestead network led to not to be emulated is sparsely given
our first official School -of-the Air in call -signs without a prefix (such as 8MS
1951. or 9PT). Listening on the frequencies
Initially Miss Meithke prepared and otherwise will afford a lesson in precise
conducted the lessons herself, before procedures, far more efficient and disci-
education authorities embraced the plined than on amateur bands.
scheme. Radio -equipped bases formed Every School -of-the -Air has its own
with Flying Doctor bases providing story, with installations at Alice Springs,
technical means and Education Depart- Broken Hill, Cairns, Carnarvon,
IP4
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The later model SSB-50 transceiver, made by Traeger The satellite dish at Mount Isa base VJI, set up for trial
Transceivers in Adelaide, SA. SHF operation with selected homesteads.
Normanton
Croydon
Calms
;,
y
1
,á
much to learn from the outback.
and the birth of AUSSAT. High and A Traeger model 59SA transceiver in
low power transponders on board are expert hands, around 1960.
the means for relay of television pro- ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: The illustra-
grams and remote telephone services to tions used in this article are reproduced
the outback, which also allow clear two- from 'OVER TO YOU' by kind permis-
way communication with isolated com- sion of the Royal Flying Doctor Service
technology was a S -O -T-A satellite trial of Australia (Queensland Section) and
munities.
through earth stations installed at Mount Isa base VJI, who also offered
One priority experiment with the new Mount Isa base and selected network the author other invaluable assistance. at
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Suite 7, 23-25 Melrose Street, Suite 2, 25 Chard Road,
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Phone (03) 521 0266 - Fax (03) 521 0356 Phone (02) 905 6024 Fax (02) 939 6348
The US facing a
semiconductor challenge and over 2.5 million jobs during 1988,
In the last year or so, there has been a philosophical in a worldwide market of over US$700
revolution within the US semiconductor industry. Rather than billion. The worldwide market for ad-
continue with their tradition of private industry and fierce vanced electronics products will create
millions of jobs and is expected to reach
competition, many of the key players are pooling their one million dollars in sales during the
resources and seeking Governmental support, to set up next couple of years.
consortiums such as Sematech and US Memories. Here's the According to Andy Procassini, presi-
first of two articles discussing these very significant changes. dent of the Semiconductor Industry As-
sociation in Cupertino, "For the US,
catching the wave of new technologies
by JEANNE ALFORD and PAUL SWART will mean the difference between a
boom in profits and job growth, and a
"The time is right for a collective gence of computer and telecommunica- decline to second -tier status among elec-
memory manufacturing venture in the tion technologies. tronics -producing countries."
United States," were Sanford Kane's Electronic products of all types will "Nations in Asia and Europe have
first words as president of US Memo- change dramatically during the next two been leveraging the consumer market to
ries. decades. The key building blocks for prepare for entry into the advanced
With those few words, Kane was sum- this transformation will be VLSI electronics era. US -based systems
ming up a multi -facetted transformation memory chips such as DRAMs, custom manufacturers have largely abandoned
that has been going on in the United VLSI microprocessors, flat -panel dis- the consumer electronics market to in-
States, particularly in Washington DC, plays, and digital communications. ternational competition, principally
which has created a climate in which a The new wave ís being facilitated by Japan, as a consequence of unfair trade
venture of this nature was able to be the advent of advanced consumer prod- practices such as dumping and closed in-
formed. Among other things: ucts such as digital audio and High ternational markets," Procassini added.
Anti -dumping enforcement regula- Definition Television (HDTV), but ad- American semiconductor makers and
tions have been put into place with the vances in electronics technologies being
other providers of key technologies,
US -Japanese chip trade agreement. developed for the consumer segment without a domestic customer base, have
Japanese DRAM companies will not be will eventually ripple into every end -use
not been a major factor in the consumer
able to `dump' US Memories out of the electronics market as these markets be- market for well over a decade. US
market, the way they were able to get come increasingly integrated. semiconductor sales to foreign-based
rid of all but one major US DRAM The electronics industry is already the consumer firms have often been re-
manufacturer in the 1970's and early largest employer industry in the US. It
stricted due to tariffs and non -tariff bar-
1980's. generated nearly US$280 billion in sales riers that include cultural prejudices, in-
Washington is getting increasingly dustry collusion, and government guid-
nervous about the decline of the US ance.
position in technological leadership in Falling worldwide market shares for
many different areas. Both the Bush American semiconductor firms has de-
Administration and Democratic and Re- creased their ability to pursue the re-
publican Congress members are eager search necessary to remain competitive.
to support efforts aimed at competing in And, since semiconductors are one of
major new emerging markets, such as the fundamental building blocks re-
HDTV. quired for the development of advanced
The latter trend has led the US to electronic products of all kinds, falling
loosen anti-trust regulations and allow behind in semiconductor technology or
companies to set up consortia to jointly production capability has serious conse-
develop new technologies and manufac- quences for the US economy.
turing techniques (MCC, SRC, Sema-
tech, etc.)
Changes coming
Major transformation The changes in semiconductor tech-
nology over the next 20 years can be
During the past couple of years, both
broadly defined through three major
US industry and government has come
Andrew Procassini, President of the trends which are already under way:
to realise and appreciate that the elec-
1. Digital technology will replace ana-
tronics industry is on the verge of a US Semiconductor Industry
Association. log technology. Semiconductors are fast -
transformation, spurred by the conver-
14 ELECTRONICS Australia, December 1989
11.0 12660...
9.9 11394_
6.8
7.7 8862
6.6- 7596_
5.52 6330..
4.4_
3.3 3798
2.2
1.1
2532 /
1266_
0.0- 0
1987
Fig.1: World ASIC market sales in billions of US dollars, Fig.2: World DRAM market sales in millions or US
as predicted by Dataquest. dollars, as predicted by WSTSISIA.
er, more accurate, and more uniform in quire 4, 8 or 16 -megabytes of RAM for nearly US$6 billion in sales in 1988 and
most applications. This move from ana- optimum performance. By the mid -to - 14% of worldwide consumption of semi-
log to digital circuitry has become obvi- late 90s, high -end PCs will probably conductors. By the end of the century
ous with the rising popularity of digital consume as much as 36 -megabytes, and DRAM sales of more than US$30 bil-
audio systems for consumers, and is workstations up to 200 -megabytes. lion is not inconceivable.
now spreading into digital photography As manufacturers of television sets, DRAMs also provide crucial knowl-
and animation, display systems, and appliances, automobiles, diagnostic edge for the development of other,
telecommunications systems. equipment, and other products build more complex semiconductors and for
The 1988 Academy Award for an ani- more intelligence into them, increasing operationally stressing newly developed
mated short subject went to a feature amounts of RAM will be needed to sus- manufacturing systems. Thus, DRAMs
created entirely on a computer, for ex- tain that intelligence (Fig.2). While continue to function as the `technology
ample. Regional telephone companies today's colour televisions use no RAM driver' for the semiconductor industry.
have begun trials of Integrated Services at all, for example, Dataquest estimates "It logically follows that the industry
Digital Networks (ISDN) - the basic that advanced High Definition television that controls DRAM design and market
roadways that will enable faster, simpler (HDTV) receivers produced within the share can exert significant influence
and less costly communications of all next 10 years will use as much as 32 - over the development of advanced elec-
types, including voice conversations, megabits of video and other RAM. tronics systems," says Procassini.
television broadcasts, facsimile transmis- Other major emerging markets for Currently, Japan controls 80% of the
sions, and access to computer informa- DRAMs include personal copiers, which overall DRAM market, and 90% of the
tion databases. will require up to 4 -megabytes, fax ma- 1 -megabit DRAM market. Given a
The opportunities for semiconductor chines with up to 2-megabytes, and chance, few doubt that Japan would not
companies with digital expertise will be printers with a 2-3 megabyte require- hesitate to leverage its dominance of the
high -intensity penetration of new appli- ment. DRAM business into the advanced sys-
cations such as HDTV, displacing con- tems areas.
ventional colour sets, fibre -optics terres- DRAMs crucial It is with that frightening prospect in
trial telecommunications, replacing The stakes in the struggle for DRAM mind that the US Semiconductor Indus-
twisted copper wire; desktop main- dominance are high. Already DRAMs try Association announced last year that
frames displacing conventional com- are the largest single product in the it was trying to team major semiconduc-
puter mainframes; and flat screen dis- semiconductor industry, accounting for tor companies with the computer sys-
plays displacing cathode ray tubes.
2. Custom/ASIC components will re-
place multiple standard parts. In many
electronics markets, designs based on
single ASIC components are delivering 6980
lower manufacturing costs and higher 6282
performance than designs based on mul- 5584
tiple standard components. ASICs' 4886
share of the semiconductor market has Fig.3: Consumer 4188
risen steadily over the past few years, segment 3490
and will continue to do so as semicon- semiconductor 2792
ductor design and manufacturing skills sales by region, 2094
in millions of US 1396
improve (Fig.1).
dollars, as 698
3. DRAM usage will increase rapidly.
To date, DRAMs have been used predicted by o
mostly in computers. The typical Dataquest. 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992
amount of RAM in a personal computer
No. America o Japan Europe FtW
has risen from 16 -kilobytes to 1 -mega-
byte within ten years, and the newest
personal computers and workstations re-
Costs too high? Fig.4: Spillover markets for advanced semiconductors. Total US electronics
Enormous resources are required to industry turnover in the 1990's is estimated at over $1 trillion.
develop technologies in line with the
trends towards digital technology, and LCD (flat -panel) displays that - The digital signal processors and
ASICs, and increase DRAM usage. A will be required in those finished prod- faster A/D converters required in CD
key challenge that faces the American uct designs. It conies as no surprise that audio systems and HDTV sets, which
semiconductor industry is to develop a some Japanese firms have announced will influence telecommunications
worldwide customer -base for advanced their intention to begin producing equipment from telephones to satellite,
technology. By addressing this chal- 4 -megabit DRAMs by the end of 1989. cable, and optical fibre transmitters.
lenge, the US semiconductor industry A fabrication plant capable of produc- The basic VLSI semiconductor R&D
will be able to constantly design and ing next generation 4 -megabit DRAM required for the first wave of advanced
produce pace -setting, state-of-the-art chips will cost approximatley US$350 consumer electronics, which will enable
devices, and thereby generate sufficient million. In order to justify funding ad- more powerful and reliable microproc-
revenue to finance development of next- vanced R&d, US semiconductor makers essors, denser memory chips, and faster
generation product and processes. must secure a principal role as suppliers signal processors for a wide range of
Because of the high R&d costs in- for forthcoming advanced electronics, products in other end -use sectors.
volved, fiscal prudence dictates that including consumer product designs. Because of their ripple or spillover ef-
4 -megabit DRAMs and other semicon- This challenge includes restoration of a fects, technology advances will be used
ductor technologies be developed ini- major consumer electronics market in in other applications including informa-
tially for markets that offer early poten- the United States. Most are hoping the tion services, satellite/cable/fibre optic
tial returns on investment. Although the new generation of HDTVs will be that transmission systems, video telephones
largest end -use market segment for market. and teleconferencing, professional video
semiconductors is computers, the earli- and audio production equipment, home
est potential return on investment in applicances, office equipment, labora-
HDTV the key tory equipment, and weapons systems
semiconductor technology comes from
the consumer market segment, because Japan may continue to lead the world (Fig.4).
of the high commodity -level production in consumer electronics production for
numbers. many years, despite increasing pressure
from producers in South Korea and US$1 Trillion Market
Unfortunately, US electronics manu-
facturers are last in the world in pur- othér newly -industrialising countries. There are varying estimates of the
chases of chips for the consumer seg- However, the US semiconductor indus- total value represented by the range of
ment of the semiconductor market, and try, with its basic technologies, its products that will be developed or
have been for over five years (Fíg.3). strength in digital technology, and its transformed by advanced electronics
Japan, through its mostly closed do- design skills, can be a competitive factor technologies over the next 20 years, but
mestic market structure, joint industry - in the advanced consumer market of the even the most conservative estimates
government development programes, 1990s. project a total electronics market worth
and focused emphasis on efficient The US industry's strategy to achieve US$1 trillion in the 1990s, supporting
manufacturing, has emerged as the its competitive position includes increas- millions of jobs.
world leader in consumer electronics. ing its DRAM capacity and gaining fair "In order to continue to enjoy the
Major Japanese manufacturers such as access to all world markets, including economic benefits of strong participa-
Matsushita, Hitachi, and Toshiba have Japan. At stake in the global competi- tion in the electronics market, the
been the quickest to design and imple- tive race for consumer preeminence will United States must continue to partici-
ment new products using advanced elec- be opportunities to design in US -made pate in advanced technology research
tronics technologies. products for many other advanced elec- and development. And advanced tech-
As a result, subsidiaries of those com- tronics applications, including: nology begins with advanced semicon-
panies and local Japanese suppliers have The video memory and video image ductors which serve state-of-the-art cus-
been the first to develop the fundamen- processors required for HDTV, which tomers in the United States and the rest
tal component and peripheral technolo- will also be important to computer, of the world," Procassini said. CD
gies- including high -density DRAM workstation, medical ' imaging, and
chips, VLSI controllers and processors, weapons systems displays. To be continued
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our trees and forests.
With the very special discount offer we're
offering at the moment, you'll be doing all
This is oñe of those times. From now of this for the least possible outlay. But the
until the end of February, 1990, we are offer is for a limited time only, so to avoid
making the following offer: a full 12 -month disappointment, how about filling in the
subscription for only $35, or a 24 -month
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coupon and sending it in with your cheque
before you forget!
for subscriptions within Australia, and
INCLUDE postage! Hurry-offer ends 28th
These prices represent a discount of February, 1990
OVER 35 per cent compared with the
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you either 12 or 24 issues, all at the special
i
offer price and regardless of what happens
to the cover price during the period
concerned. How's that for hedging against
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What's the catch? There isn't any. When
you buy a subscription, you save us money,
and we're simply passing a lot of those
savings back to you.
We have to print and deliver just on two
copies of the magazine for every copy we
sell on the news stands, because of the
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system. In fact for every 10 copies we sell
//
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NE0029.5PC.119/1
. Navy Electronic
PIJE
GETTING TO KNOW THE FEEL OF COMMAND. ELECT
The Royal Australian Navy trains its young officers to develop
their own natural abilities and increase their qualities of leader- VIrno
ship, integrity and initiative.
This is achieved at the Navy's two major training establishments.
ONE, The Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra.
TWO, The Royal Australian Naval College, HMAS Creswell at
WIJEN'
And all the electronic weapons
Jervis Bay. systems - missile loading, arming
and firing circuits.
Today's Naval Officer not only requires courage, dedication and
integrity but also the ability to cope with the academic and COMMAND. A
technical advances that are part of the Navy's rapidly changing
RESPONSIBILITY NOT
LIGHTLY GIVEN.
world.
You may have heard that dis-
J cipline in the Navy is rigid and
GETTING A START ON Sub -Lieutenant according to your unbending. Quite the contrary.
YOUR FIRST STRIPES. qualifications and experience.
One: Entering the Navy as an
D. E. Electronics Engineers go
Electronics Engineering Officer
through a Junior Naval Officer's
via the Australian Defence Force
Course at HMAS Creswell for a
Academy means you will have
24 week period. This brings them
already qualified for admission
up to speed on Navy customs and
to an approved degree course at
practices.
an accepted university. Rank on
entry to ADFA is as Midship- Weapons Electrical Engineering
man. Officers (WEEO) participate in a
20 week familiarisation course
Two: Joining the Navy as an to bring them up to date with
Engineering Officer means you Naval Weapons Systems.
are already part way through your
On completion of these phases, Personal initiative and leadership
engineering course at one of Aus- by example is positively encour-
tralia's major universities or you Electronics Engineering Officers
are sent to the fleet and their role aged and the hallmarks of those
may have already earned your
in the Navy encompasses profes- officers who will grow to full
degree.
sional command and management command.
In Navy terms this means you are of the wide range of electrical and Responsibility for the lives of
a Direct Entry, D. E., Officer and electronic surveillance and com- men and women in the Navy is
enter the Navy as a Lieutenant or munications systems. not lightly given and the codes by
ONLY SENIOR
IONIC EXPERT`S
ARE HAPPY
THINGS BLOQ UP
which Naval Officers live their
daily lives are steeped in a
tradition that has been proved
under stress and conflict over
centuries.
Yet these codes are human and I
Jar
Name Age
Address
Postcode
Sydney (02) 219 5549 (008) 422 177 Melbourne (03) 696 2677 (008) 333 243
Brisbane (07) 226 2626 (008) 777 531 Townsville (077)724566 (008)015 150
Adelaide (08) 237 6222 (008) 888 554 Hobart (002) 34 7077 Canberra
(062) 57 2311 Perth (09) 325 6222 (008)199 018 Darwin (008) 888 554
__i
'Females cannot be employed in combat or combat related duties. EA DEC
;, '
MO!
I"
>i'
i t 1,
If( >t
1'1 I 1
Ir
concerned, they are all very capable and Overall, a good disc, though a little
CLASSICAL perform well, but the recording itself is light on deep bass but excellent -
rather middle heavy and bass light prob- value.
Mozart: Eine Kleine Nachmusik, Allegro ably due to overbright acoustics. No-
from Oboe Concerto No.1, Allegro Assai
and Andantino
netheless, it is a modern clean recording TCHAIKOVSKY
and no doubt worth the $10 price tag.
Chopin: Nocturne Opus 37 Violin Concerto Opus 35
Tchaikovsky: The Waltz of the Flowers Serenade, Opus 48
Beethoven: Largo from Piano Concerto
EDVARD GRIEG Eugene Schaeffer,
Deutsche Austrophone DC 74417 DDD Holberg Suite Opus 14 Orchestre du Festival Belgique,
Playing time: 6lmins Piano Concerto in A Minor VMK Globe 100.41823
PERFORM .MNCE Lyrische Stucke, Opus 43 Playing time: 60mins
I 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Lyrische Stucke, Opus 57 PERFORMANCE
SOUND QUALITY
Hall of the Mountain -King I 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
PERFORMANCE
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik is one of I 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 lo
r
16,111111S-
somewhat famous journey of 400 miles
round trip on foot to hear his mentor MOZART
u3
play. kst.x:;-.+ry el St td;rin=n-ne-Fekis
Here is a somewhat different This new 1989 Telarc recording is, as SIR NEVILLE MARRINER
recording of organ works of Bach in usual with this label, merely brilliant!
that it doesn't contain the U ,iliitor The acoustics, balance and
Toccata and Fugue. Rather, it contains reverberation put you `right there'. It
SPECTACULAR
RELEASE
. Here is
of some
a digitally re -mastered release
of the finest symphonies
Mozart ever wrote. The recordings
themselves are quite early (almost an-
WV-f cient by modern standards), dating back
-
Ll NEW SA -l00
to 1970 yet the overall sound is better
than many modern recordings.
SPEAKER KIT I have vinyl copies of the 35 and 40,
from which the original masters of this
Since the introduction of VIFA speaker kits are supplied with all parts needed including
disc were taken and the playing and
in Australia in 1985, thousands of speakers fully built crossovers and pre-cut flatpack recording quality of those vinyl copies
have been built with superb results. VIFA is
now proud to release four new speaker
cabinets ready to assemble. No soldering
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were quite stunning -
with their clarity
kits ranging from a mere $399 to $1199 per Phillips head screwdriver, some simple and detail of the myriad of parts that
pair including cabinets. hand tools and a few hours of your leisure make up these delightful symphonies.
Never before have speaker kits been so time.
popular in Australia than after the heavy Are they as good as people say? Read Also included are excellent program
devaluation of the dollar. Similar fully the reviews, listen and compare with any notes. Even if you already own copies
imported quality loudspeakers are today - other speakers twice the price or more.
typically 2-21/2 times more expensive. And
of these works 1 feel this revision would
Need we say anymore?
these speakers may very well be using VIFA for the quality conscious be a very worthwhile addition to any
Danish VIFA drivers anyway, as VIFA audiophile. collection and now at a reduced price, a
supply more than 50 of the worlds most
respected loudspeaker manufacturers For full details please contact real must.
with drivers. Sole Australian Distributor: Of course on CD virtually all traces
But why the big savings? Because
fully imported speakers suffer from 25%
SCAN AUDIO Pty. Ltd. of background noise have disappeared,
P.O. Box 242, Hawthorn 3122.
import duty, 20-30% freight, 30% sales tax Fax (03)4299309 revealing the true musical and acoustic
and 28% handling charges (typically). So if Phone: (03) 429 2199 (Melbourne) environment of the original perform-
you would rather put your money into better
(02) 5225697 (Sydney) ance. The snappy soft grace notes in the
quality than in other people's pockets, VIFA (07) 3577433 (Brisbane)
speaker kits are the only way to go. 09) 3224409 (Perth) Haffner finale arc a good example of
Are they difficult to build? No, the kits Stocked by leading stores throughout Australia the exquisite playing of this fine
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Here's how you can try your hand at:
High-speed photography
with a home video camera
Wondering what else you could do with that fancy new video A typical telescopic lens will have a
camera or camcorder? Providing it's fitted with one of those focal length of 200 inches (they're speci-
fied in inches, not millimetres) and an
new high speed electronic shutters, you can use it to look at f-stop rating of f/8. This type of lens
what really happens when a light globe smashes, a balloon isn't particularly sensitive to light, so it's
bursts, or a mandarine explodes! necessary to use high-speed film to get
reasonable performance.
by TOM R1OFFAT The 35mm cine cameras used with
these telescopes are frequently made by
Television viewers a couple of years into forces and effects that you'd never the Mitchell company, the same com-
ago were horrified to see an American see any other way. But first let's look at pany that makes the Hollywood models.
space shuttle explode during its launch. some of the professional methods of The cameras run at 96 frames a second,
Were shown first a movie film, and optical data collection. about four times the normal rate. So
later on some still frames of the space- the films they shoot are 'slow motion'.
craft being engulfed in flames. Exami- How the pros do it Recording of a 'fast' event is much
nation of the still pictures revealed the There are two general methods of more involved, since so much has to
cause of the disaster. capturing experimental data on film. happen so quickly. The entire proce-
One frame showed a small fire jetting Which one is used depends on how fast dure is carefully planned in advance,
from the O-ring seal on one of the en- the desired 'event' takes place. The and orchestrated by a multi -channel
gines. Further frames revealed the slower type of event is something like precision timer. The timer is really a
spread of the fire over a matter of milli- the launch of a spacecraft, where photo- fancy digital clock, with lots of 'alarms'.
seconds, followed by the explosion and graphic coverage is required for several The clock is of the countdown variety,
disintegration of the spacecraft. They minutes. The fast event may be an ex- meaning it starts at 'T-10' seconds or
were grim pictures, but they provided plosion, or a violent impact which lasts whatever, counts down through zero
the information necessary to change the a few milliseconds at most. seconds, and then starts counting up-
design of the space shuttle's engines - A typical camera for recording 'slow' wards from zero.
hopefully to prevent any more explo- events looks much like an astronomical There may be 30 or 40 or more
sions. telescope. It may be around five metres 'alarms', or channels. Each can be pro-
Whenever any new aircraft or missile long and half a metre or more in diame- grammed so that it delivers an elec-
or spacecraft is being tested, all conceiv- ter. The camera is fixed onto an azi- tronic pulse at a 'T-n' or 'T+n' count,
able electronic and optical means are muth/elevation mount so that it can be specified to the nearest millisecond, or
used to collect as much data as possible, raised, lowered, or spun around elec- in some cases, the nearest microsecond.
as quickly as possible. Sensors are em- tronically. A typical 'fast' test could be based on
bedded inside and outside the object A camera operator sits in a seat which the firing of a large cannon, such as a
being tested. Information they collect is is part of the mount, so when the cam- 105mm Howitzer. Within the barrel of
either recorded onboard the device, or era spins or moves up and down, he the cannon is a scale model missile,
relayed to the ground via radio - a goes with it. The operator looks complete with tail fins and other protu-
procedure known as 'telemetry'. through a smaller telescopic viewfinder, berances.
As well, every test is filmed from sev- and steers the camera with fingertip Obviously pressures built up during
eral different angles. The cameras usu- control through a very sophisticated joy- firing of the gun would blow right past a
ally have gigantic telescopic lenses, and stick arrangement. missile with tail fins, so the object is en-
race through film at a frightening rate. There is usually a large dome sur- closed in a balsa -wood shroud called a
There's a good reason for this: if some- rounding the camera, with a slot that 'sabot'. This encases the missile and its
thing goes wrong - if something goes can be opened up when the telescope is tail fins into a cylindrical object shaped
boom - there will be plenty of records being used. The dome rotates with the more like a cannon shell, so the gun's
available to work out what happened. camera, driven by electronically con- gasses have something to push against.
This article will show you ways to trolled servo -motors. So the dome, the As the unit emerges from the muzzle,
record your own high-speed 'events' telescopic lens, the camera and its. the sabot disintegrates, leaving the mis-
with a home video camera. With a little operator - many tonnes of equipment - sile to fly on its own.
imagination in planning your experi- can all be moved in synchronism with Several metres from the cannon's
ments, you can gain some new insights the touch of the operator's fingers. muzzle may he a large block of con -
28 ELECTRONICS Australia, December 1989
crete. The object of the test would to
see what happens to the high-speed mis-
sile when it smashes into the concrete.
If you imagine the missile to be full-
sized, and the concrete to be an under-
ground missile silo, you can see why re-
searchers would be interested in such an
experiment.
Off to one side, and about midway
between the cannon and the concrete,
will be a high-speed cine camera. There
may be another one directly above the
missile's flight path, looking down.
Back in my own test range days when
I was involved in experiments like this,
the only really high-speed camera Photo 1A: A common lamp globe, before being hit with a hammer...
around was the Wollensak `Fastax'.
From the outside this camera looked
much like any other 16mm movie cam-
era, except for the enormous motor at-
tached to the film's takeup spool.
The Fastax was capable of frame rates
of up to 18,000 per second, compared #
with a `normal speed' rate of 24 or 25
frames per second. This speed would . a
have been impossible with a normal '1.
camera mechanism, which pulls each .
frame into position, stops it for the ex- .
posure, and then moves to the next.
Everything in the Fastax was in con-
tinuous motion, with the film's sprocket
holes turning a drum, which in turn
spun a glass prism. The prism kept the
rug
image stationary in relation to the film,
although both were moving very rap-
idly.
The film was pulled - no, jerked
- .
would be a better word - by the big .U. . .
takeup motor. When the camera was
going flat out it could rip through a 400
Photo 1B: ...And afterwards, in the process of collapsing.
foot roll of film in about four seconds,
compared to ten minutes or so for a All this activity put pretty stringent haps. If there was no bunker, it was
normal movie camera. requirements on the electronic timing common practice to start the timer and
The Wollensak's frame rate could be system. At T-20 seconds a data tape re- then run like hell!
controlled over a wide range by varying corder would start. At T-2.5 seconds There was plenty that could go
the voltage fed to the motor. This was the timer would start the 6000 frame wrong. In the cannon experiments the
done by a large variable-voltage trans- camera. There might be another camera aim was to launch the missile model at
former, mounted in a sturdy case along set for say 15,000 frames a second; this the highest possible speed, and this
with an AC voltmeter. For some would have to be fired a bit later, like meant putting truly enormous charges
strange reason this control box was T-1.2 seconds. The event itself would be of explosive into the breech of the gun.
known all over the world as a `goose'. fired at zero seconds, while there might In a successful experiment the entire
Since the film was pulled brute -force be a still camera set to take a single cannon would jump a metre off the
fashion by the motor, the frame rate in- photograph at T+200 milliseconds. ground from the force of the recoil. In
creased as speed built up, eventually Some events were more complicated less successful experiments, the can-
peaking about two-thirds of. the way than a single cannon firing. Sometimes non's barrel would explode. It was good
through the roll of film. Every goose up to 20 underground charges would to be far away when this happened.
was supplied with a calibration chart, have to be let off in sequence, spaced a Sometimes, when there was a small
showing the maximum frame rate for precise number of microseconds apart. fault in the film sprocket holes, the Fas -
each voltage setting, and the time re- All this had to be controlled by the pro- tax cameras would make a good attempt
quired from switch -on to reach the max- grammable timer. at self-destruction. If the film broke
imum. So for a frame rate of say 6000 These experiments were usually con- while going through the camera at thirty
per second, you would set the goose for ducted in the desert, far from any popu- metres a second, it would keep flying
something like 200 volts and program lation, and in somewhat primitive condi- off the supply spool and get ground into
the timer to fire the camera perhaps tions. A much used facility might have a tiny chips. When you opened the cam-
2-1/2 seconds before the cannon was blockhouse or bunker, to protect the era you would be greeted with a mess
fired. experimental personnel from any mis- of monumental proportions, and a
ELECTRONICS Australia, December 1989 29
High speed video
cleaning job that could last the rest of
the week.
Despite all the hassles, these experi-
ments produced some startling results.
For instance, if the model missile was
going fast enough, it could bore through
the concrete block as if it were made of
butter. The missile's exact speed could r
be determined by measuring how far it
travelled between each frame of the
movie film.
These days the Fastax camera could
well be kaput, replaced by a more mod-
ern video system. But it would take
some pretty flashy engineering to dupli-
cate the performance provided by that
whizzing film. However the video idea
has to start somewhere; why not with Photo 2A (above): The author blowing up a balloon, until...
your own home video camera?
Doing it yourself
You can use your home video camera - L.
to capture explosions and other high-
speed events. The only catch is that the
camera must have the fairly recent fea-
ture called a `high-speed shutter'.
This option is really intended for ana-
lyzing sporting activities, such as your
golf swing. It uses electronic means to
sensitise the camera's pickup device
(usually a `CCD' or charge -coupled de-
vice) for only 1/1000th second or so for
each frame. This effectively freezes the / `-
action into a series of still pictures.
By contrast, a `normal' camera
records information during the entire
1/25th second time for each frame. So
fast-moving objects look blurred in each
individual frame.
This blurring is generally beneficial,
making fast action look smooth and
flowing. If you view action shot with
'high speed shutter' at normal speeds, - ,
the motion looks quite jerky. Material Photo's 28 (above), 2C (below): ...It finally bursts.
shot in high-speed shutter mode is usu-
ally intended for viewing frame -by-
frame, studying each frame before mov-
ing on to the next. So the mode is ideal
for studying extremely brief events such
as explosions, as well as golf swings.
Before filming explosions or other
violent action, it's a good idea to pro-
tect your camera's lens from damage.
This is easily accomplished by fitting a
clear glass filter, such as a skylight fil-
ter, in front of the lens. These filters
only cost a few dollars and just screw
on. Anything that would have damaged
the lens will break the filter instead,
and the filter's a lot cheaper! In fact it's ¿4
not a bad idea to leave a skylight filter
in place all the time.
In most cases you should set up your
30 ELECTRONICS Australia
frame, either continuously or by waiting
for you to press a button for each one.
You can also take conventional
photographs of the most interesting
frames. The method I use is straight out
of a book called The Nikon Way. Set
the shutter speed for 1/8th second and
then let the camera's through -the -lens
metering suggest an appropriate expo-
sure for the image on the screen.
You'll find you spend a lot of time
staring at your pictures, trying to work
out what they mean. Why did some-
thing move that particular way? What is
Photo 3A: A firecracker beginning to explode inside a mandarine. that blur? These questions will prompt
you to try even more experiments. This
t whole business is terribly addictive. Per-
haps it could even turn into a hobby in
its own right!
A few examples
Photos lA and 1B are of the classic
'light globe smash' - before and after.
As I remember, this was the subject of
the first ever demonstration of high-
speed photography around fifty years
ago. A company called something like
'Edgerton Greer and Greer' used it to
promote its new development, the elec-
tronic flash.
I told my assistant (my daughter) to
make sure the globe smashed properly
on the first try. We only had one
'blown' globe, and to repeat the experi-
ment would have required the destruc-
tion of a globe that still worked. In
Photo 1A, the globe lies at rest on a
wooden cutting board, unaware that a
hammer is coming down at considerable
speed.
Photo 38: One frame later (1/25 second), It has turned inside out. Photo 1B was taken several frames
test range outdoors, where there is Then start the camera and switch to after the first impact. My daughter had
plenty of light. As in the professional high-speed shutter mode. given the globe a decent old belt and
test range photography described above, On my Sanyo Video -8 camera, the the hammer head, in the top centre of
the camera is much less sensitive to switch is a button which must be held the picture, is actually rebounding from
light in the high speed mode. An excep- down for the entire time the camera is the blow. The cutting board has also
tion is in an experiment such as that in running. When the picture looks satis- jumped up from the table, and the light
photos 4A and 4B, in which the the factory in the viewfinder, your assistant globe is in the process of making a
subject of interest is the light produced can start the action. Try not to flinch dreadful mess.
by the explosion itself. when the bang comes! The ugly mug in photo 2A is me,
Before beginning any noisy experi- Although this technique produces in- trying to burst a balloon with sheer lung
ments, such as those involving firecrack- teresting and useful results, there is one power. This time my daughter is in
ers, it might be a good idea to word up weak link: you are only taking 25 pic- charge of the camera. In photo 2B the
your neighbours, pointing out that their tures every second, instead of many balloon lets go, turning into a flap of
distress will only be short lived and will thousands, so there's a relatively long contracting rubber. In photo 2C, a few
help contribute to the furthering of blank period between each one. So the frames further along, the remains of the
scientific study. They might even be in- really interesting bits might happen dur- balloon have flown above the frame and
terested in acting as your assistant, ing the interval between pictures. It's are now falling back into it. I have re-
lighting a cracker or wielding the ham- good insurance to repeat each experi- coiled from the explosion, and seem to
mer for a light globe experiment. ment at least twice if possible. Sorry be pushing it away with my hands.
Once the coast is clear you can begin. about that, neighbours! There is an unexpected effect in these
Set the camera on a tripod, and stay as Once your experiments are safely on last two pictures, which I hope shows
far back from the action as possible tape, you can take it inside and copy it up in the magazine reproduction. In the
while allowing sufficient detail to be onto a full-sized VHS videocassette. area the balloon occupied before it
shown. Have your assistant ready to Most home videos these days are capa- burst, there is either a mist or some
light, or smash, or blow up your object. ble of playing back tapes frame by optical distortion. This is a zone of vio -
ELECTRONICS Australia, December 1989 31
a
-0
.
:,;
The laws of physics say it must be
cooling as it expands, which would ex-
::... ! .11 P
;
*
1,
plain the sudden appearance of mist.
.
.
But you can see through it, although . .'
the background on the other side ap-
pears distorted. Why?
This question could be further studied
by readers. Why not draw a black grid
N;" ,,?.
, .., .'
.N
.
' ..,:
plodes? Will the lines become distorted? Photo 4A: A firecracker exploding in darkness, under metal lid.
;.
a
As you can see, every question an-
swered raises further questions.
Photos 3A and 3B show what happens
.tsV :.4r .
when you put a firecracker inside a
mandarine. (That's just what happened
to be in the fridge at the time.) I ex-
..
:
.
.
.
` .:
pected the mandarine, being mushy in- .ti.
`
r
side, to absorb most of the force of the
blast, with little more than a gentle
'plop'. I was very wrong. . .
. =.. .
Photo 3A shows the very beginning of
the explosion, with a jet of smoke and
fire shooting up and to the right from . :i;
... .
'
the mandarine. This looks remarkably
like that shot of the doomed space shut-
tle with fire jetting from the O-ring. A
split is forming downwards from the jet . .
: '.
. ,i
.
.
:.
.
unburnt fuse. : L .
.. . 's
Photo 3B is of the very next frame on . r
the video, 1/25th of a second later.
.
Zs
. .
-
side.
It's interesting to note that in photo
4A the main part of the explosion, in-
stead of spreading out evenly, followed It
r o
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Normally $699.00
Any combination of 1.2MB and 2: An EGA Card
360KB (5.25') or 720KB and 1.44
(3.5') drives may be
with monochrome
t connected. mode
DOS compatibility: Version 3.0 This enhanced graphics
J
or later. adaptor is designed to
r Cable is supplied with
connectors for both 5.25' and
3.5' drives.
upgrade the graphics display
of the IBM PC/XT, AT and
compatibles to a high
Note: DOS Version 3.3 or later is Ik 14 r- -.. ( resolution display, Compatible
with the complete expanded
.......ta!i.,.)S_.::f,,
.
74,
The pack Includes:
1x Multimeter (011001)
4
lx
KITS:
Transistor Tester
41
lx Soldering Iron (T12905) tx Simple Intercom *4-
250g Solder Roll 1x Two Tone Doorbell
r
lx Side Cutters lx
41 lx Pliers
Boggle Goggles
Maximise desk space! 1x Screwdriver/ Spanner set ment for the prices listed for
Solid steel structure
Y this month.
5 KITS:
Desk clamp range 3cm-7.5cm SYDNEY: 74 Parramatta Rd.
Height adjustment by knob Transistor Tester
Maximum load 50kg -
#
(3cm27cm) Super Siren Stanmore 2048
Span 33cm Two Tone Doorbell XE121-
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Tray 30cm (tilting +/-151 C21079 $159 Simple Intercom Fax: (02) 519 3868
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The above postage rates are for
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drives bulky and fragile items will be
Cable adapter charged at different rates.
Complete Instructions to install Errors and omissions excepted.
a 3.5" drive in your existing Prices and specifications subject
computer. Enjoy the higher to change.
density and easy handling of OW Pt:' Zr At' .+e regsl.,ed it..1.4Nuks n
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With CGA Colour Monitor $1,400
With EGA Card & Colour Monitor $1,700
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or EGA Computer System)
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Five 16 BR slots facilitates battery $39.95
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Hercules with 256K Video Ram
r
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X18070 $225 Horizontal full height hard disk Phone: (03) 663 6151
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relocation X18056 $275 Room for 2x312"and Phone: (03) 489 8866
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m
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n
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Baby size main board X18072 $450
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16MHz Telex: AA 151938
These cards will control up to
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RS232 (SERIAL CARD) 2 sided 360K IBM compatible
20MHz disk drives All sales tax exempt orders
WITHOUT CABLE
X18092 $895 Supports 2 asynchronous For 2 Disk Drives and wholesale Inquiries to:
communication ports. 50 baud X18005 $52 RITRONICS WHOLESALE -
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X18026 $39 4 WAY DISK Phone:(03) 543 2166 (3 lines)
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CONTROLLER Keep your computer and
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it It IÍi i IIT7 ) C21066 $14.95 STRICTLY ORDERS ONLY
baud with Clock. X18006 $129
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O
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- DS/401
CLOCK CARD CONTROLLER CARDS POSTAGE RATES:
The MIDI DS-401 Card is the PC
X18024 $49 X18060 (XT') $129 MODEM $1 - $9.99 $2.00
standard MIDI interface that $3.00
$195 $10 - $24.99
runs most popular PC music X18140 (AT')
Z
ALLEGRO 24.24 SA $25 - $49.99 $4.00
programs for sequencing, PRINTER CARD
recording, composing, music MODEM $50 - $99.99 $5.00
Parallel interface for Centronics $100 + $7.50
printing, patch editing, music Auto Diai Commands
instruction and many other printers. Auto Answer CCITT V25 The above postage rates are for
applications. X18017 $29 Compatible, Auto Disconnect basic postage only. Road Freight,
Run all programs designed for timeout: Hayes compatible bulky and fragile items will be
the Roland MPU-401 Auto Range Selector: charged at different rates.
architecture
GAMES I/O CARD 300/1200/2400
Features 2 Joystick ports.(0815) Errors and omissions excepted.
Socketed EPROM for easy Modem capability: V21, V22,
$29 Prices and specifications subject
user replacement X18019 V22bis, Bell 212, Bell 212A
to change.
1/3 length (short) card will fit In High Performance: Better than regek"ed nadm Pu d
IBM', PC', M'. AT., a.
any computer accepting 95% for binary transfers at InMrnanonI auMa Macnrn,. 'apple ,a
standard expansion card, I/O PLUS CARD Signal to noise ratio of 21dB rg,I.d t,aamrk. Tenon' Is ngl.I.red
r.gmlP.a
including laptops Provides a serial port, a parallel and Receive data level- 34dB
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or Dupont
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Including "Y" cable, external port and a joystick port, and Telecom Approval C88/37/37a
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X18164 $245
even a clock/calendar with
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X18045 $115
12 month warranty
X19082 $459
u ViSA
glite
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Z
Dimension & weight .133 a 29
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LOGIC PROBE
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larger joins. (Note: This mode
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A range of 6 long -life tips are
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Features:
011268 $110 Useful for TTL or CMOS has 240V operation, no
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n
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ACCESSORIES COLOUR PRINTER
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AWAY
Slide your keyboard neatly away
BRISBANE easy to check on paper supply
Paper can be fed from the
this month.
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safety, In about 40 minutes (less centre or the rear according to
time for less chips)
when not in use. Gives you V.C.R Computer Services Stanmore 2048
the design of the printer Phone: (02) 519 3134
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foam pad allows paper to be changed
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MINI VACUUM C22051..$13.95 $12.50 COPY HOLDER
ECONOMY ROTARY to change.
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When 1 Think Back...
by Neville Williams
'
,.
I finished up with a single manual
f
11...
_.b.r.
T..d ._....-uo, Stromberg/Playmaster, but Doug up-
staged me by buying the laboratory
.',
- i-w-ifr.....,.í prototytpe of a new 2-manual transistor
organ which Stromberg-Carlson engi-
1.1K
f -`-
_
:: . . neer Neville Oates had been developing
for Australian release. Doug persisted
with it for a while, but finally sold it
and consoled himself with a Hammond
M-100.
In a phone conversation, I asked
i Doug why Grace Bros had not persisted
--- with the GEM organ, which seemed so
well suited to churches/chapels, and ex-
cellent value for money. I knew that
there had been some difficulty in ar-
ranging showroom demonstrations and
finding TV servicemen able to cope
with organs.
Those were considerations, he said,
but organs proved not to be a good
Self-contained, the Estey T-61 was designed for use in situations where a pipe showroom mix with TV and hifi. Organ
organ was not affordable or practicable. With two manuals, pedal board and enthusiasts were never in a hurry to
balanced swell, it could equally serve as a useful practice instrument for make up their mind and sales staff
professional organists. tended to adopt the attitude that, in the
ments in both concept and appearance. Your reference to Marcel Dupre time it took to sell one organ, they
The `Melodeon', with tabs rather than brought back pleasant memories of this could write orders for several TV sets!
drawstops, was an apparently similar in- fine organist, whom I heard twice in St The truth of the matter probably is
strument but housed in an 1850 -style Macher (?), one of three cathedrals with that the retail mark-up on organs has to
solid walnut cabinet styled for parlours a Willis organ. Mlle Demessieux, his be high enough to cover all of the
rather than parishes! pupil, also played there and caused a stir above. But that's no longer Doug's
by doing so in high -heeled shoes! worry. Now retired, he divides his spare
Pipe & pipeless organs My late, great friend Dr John Dalby time between his CB transceiver, fid-
By why the focus on mechanical reed (Dr Mus) gave many broadcasts while dling with vintage radio equipment
organs in a modern electronics maga- he was organist at the same cathedral. I (valve, of course) and playing his M100
zine? Mainly because they created a re- was privileged to have been a friend for Hammond.
ceptive market and an army of amateur 50 years and guested for him many times
organists for electronic organs, which
Australian organ
at recitals.
made their appearance around the time Your other reference to the old reed From Kotara, NSW, comes a letter
this catalog was issued. In fact, organs organ at Scatlands (Shetland Islands) (abbreviated) which reads as follows:
like the T-61 provided the basis for awakened further nostalgia. I played a Dear Mr Williams,
short-lived ventures into amplified reed few hymn tunes on the very same organ, I enjoyed your story in the May issue
- `pipeless' -
formal organs, of which when we visited there some time ago, lit- concerning the evolution of electronic or-
the Everett Orgatron was probably the tle knowing that you had made it possi- gans. In a brief survey, it is obviously
best known. ble. not possible to cover everything.
Still on the subject of organs, I re- Will Sinclair (Aberdeen) I wondered if you were aware of quite
ceived a letter from Aberdeen, Scot- an impressive and innovative theatre
One might well remark 'what a small
land, from a distant relative and a lover organ developed and manufactured by
world', but the indigenous families on
of grand organs, Will Sinclair - whom I the Shetlands, out there in the North Alan Bourne, in Newcastle, during the
met briefly during his recent visit to immediate post-war years. He made 23
Sea off Aberdeen, form a small, tightly
Australia. He took a copy of the May altogether.
knit community (no pun intended).
issue with him to read on the plane. Quite significant was its acceptance by
Minus the personal references, his letter Playmasters & GEMs top musicians. Wilbur Kentwell chose a
reads: From much closer to home came a Bourne organ to put down three of his
Dear Neville, letter from Doug Browne, formerly albums, including 'Strolling down
I found your article both excellent electronics buyer and departmental Broadway'. It's a pity that these and
reading and absorbing in an historic manager for Grace Bros, who was pri- other elements of our music are not per-
sense. I can differentiate between degrees marily responsible for introducing to manently preserved.
of musical merit, but do not share your Australia the Italian GEM organ pic- I'm enclosing a copy of a newspaper
overall knowledge of the subject. tured in the May issue. story on Alan Bourne. As you will see,
ELECTRONICS Australia, December 1989 41
When I Think Back * .
.
.. ,- r
;41!).
_.
"
in the provision of sound amplification Fritz Langford -Smith
for major musical events in the Newcas- ` apparently contributed to
tle area. the design of this low power CRMF radiotelephone
transceiver, used by missionaries in the 1940's and 50's.(Courtesy CRMF)
For good measure, he established
Newcastle's first sound recording studio electronic organ technology. Among the other letters to hand was
(1948) and, from it, set up an all -day, Yet another letter comes from Victo- one from Robin Cole, Executive Direc-
every-day background music service for rian organ enthusiast R.B. Morrow,
tor of CRMF (Christian Radio Mission-
supermarkets, factories and telephone husband and manager of professional ary Fellowship Inc) now centred in
circuits in the Newcastle area. organist Nell Morrow. I simply can't do Blackburn Sth, Vic. He adds a further
An accomplished pianist and organist, it justice here and will respond to it at
dimension to the Langford -Smith story.
his interest in music led him into the de- the first available opportunity.
I quote (with abbreviations):
sign and construction of electronic or-
gans.
F. Langford -Smith Dear Mr Williams,
The first of these went into the New On a completely different subject, I write to express my appreciation for
Lambton (Newcastle) Methodist several readers contacted me following your article in the August issue.
Church. Another was installed in the publication, in the August issue, of the Although 1 personally can lay no claim
Newcastle Baptist Tabernacle, where it article on Fritz Langford -Smith. One to knowing Mr Langford -Smith, I read
remained for 30 years. Still another was such was Dr Ernest Benson, a long-time the article with great interest because his
installed in a Melbourne TV station. mutual friend, and one of the enthusias- name was recently brought to my atten-
Bourne organs with special sound ef- tic group who pooled their resources to tion. This, in the context of a history of
fects were also built for hypnotist and build their own Hammond style organs CRMF which we are currently putting
entertainer Franquin. In fact, Alan (May issue). together.
toured with him for several years during Sadly, Ern Benson himself died sud- Between the years 1946-56 CRMF de-
the 1950s and '60s, throughout Australia denly on August 2 at age 78, leaving a signed and produced, amongst other
and New Zealand, as organist in the very large gap in the Sydney electronic items of equipment, an HF transceiver
three-man team. engineering fraternity. mainly for use by Missionary Societies
While I had heard occasional reports
of Alan's activities, I can't recall ever I
t
Telecom! Still a very busy man, he
NI.
r r
looks after an assortment of electronic
organs in the Newcastle area. But his
.r
e \ P
main involvement is with Yamaha or- ,^.,
gans, including the big new computer-
1°
ised models.
They're about as far removed as is
possible from the analog instruments .'=o
:4'h'1i
y .
1I
that most of us are accustomed to. Lis- -
IW
Nilsen Instruments Ply. Ltd. Nilsen Instruments Pty. Ud. Nilsen Instruments Pty. Ud. Nilsen Instruments Pty. Ltd. Nilsen Instruments Pty. Ud.
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Fax: (07) 252 4762 Fax: (02) 643 2118 Fax: (03) 347 3919 Fax: (08) 347 0347 Fax: (09) 4431517
Ni
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Ideal For Sparks! Digital & Bargraphl Invaluable!
Auto Ranging OMM 3.5 Digit Multimeter AC Voltage Finder
All the features an electrician needs. With a huge 21mm LCD A fantastic a rounder for hobbyists, technician and service A essential piece of test equipment for anyone working with
display, pushbutton switches for mode and function people alike. Both digital and bargraph displays gives you AC current. It senses magnetic field so It's the safest way to
selection, full range of measurements including AC/DC volts the best of both worlds. Large 30 position rotary dial for work - there's no connection to the cable under test. Senses
& Amps, resistance, diode, continuity and frequency. function and range selection makes it quick and easy to use. any current above 60 volts (approx.) and gives visual and
Features audible continuity test, auto ranging on DC, over Superb features include automatic overload indication, high audible indication. It can detect the difference between
range indicator, data hold, etc, etc. Plus it's shock resistant surge voltage protection (1.5KV -3KV), capacitance active and neurtral/earth. Fits neatly In the pocket and
and fully sealed against water and dust. measurement, diode and continuity, transistor hFE test and comes with pocket clip. Powered by 2 x G13 batteries. Also
frequency measurement. fantastic for finding breaks in cables.
99
DCV:
ACV:
40Ó.V, 4. 40. 400 (9M ole Imp)
400, 700
Current (AC/DC): 4íA. 40mA, 400mA. 211. 20A
Resistance: 4K. 40K, 400K. 4M (ohm)
"
310\ 'tangles -
DCV: 200.11, 2V, 20V, 200V, 1000V
ACV: 200eV, 2V. 20V, 200V, 750V
DC Carnet: 200eÁ. 211. 200mA. 20A
Cat 0-1530
1 29 1 79
Essential Equipment! It's Got The Loll
Electronics/Electrical Formula 4.5 Digit Multimeter
Calculator Superb features, high accuracy and rugged reliability make this the pick of the bunch. A beautiful piece of equipment, it's
ideal for the serious minded hobbyist or technician. The easy to read 15mm high contrast LCD display and data hold
The incredible Casio fx-61f is, without doubt, one of the most function makes service, repair and test work quick and easy. With capacitance measurement, diode testing, transistor
useful tools anyone working with electronics could have. measurement, frequency measurement, data hold, 4.5 digit accuracy plus rugged construction for a trouble free life.
Makes electrical/electronics calculations a breeze with 27
of the most used electronics formulas built-in: resonance
frequency, impedance, voltage/current gain...everything! nges:
DCV: 200eV, 2V, 20, 200, 1000
'199
Includes 74 scientific functions, 10 digit display, ACV: 200íV, 2V, 20, 200. 750
programming functions and comes complete with DC Current: 2001A. 2íA. 200mA, 20A
comprehensive manual ana 8301 protective case. AC Current: 20, 200mA, 20A
Cat V-3828
Resistance: 200, 2K. 20K. 200K. 2M, 2011 (ohm!
Frequency Counter: 20KHz. 200KHz
Capacitance: 2000pF. 200nF, 20eí
..- .
:7995 00000
000too
©
DIC n MITH
0000 IM
ELEC RONICS
CHARGERS AID POWER SUPPLIES
Slimline Battery Charger 12V @ 1 Amp Convertor
Designed to change the two most popular batteries - AA Perfect around the workshop or home. Simply plugs into the AC socket
and 9 volt. Can charge up 6 penlight (AA) Nicads and and gives 12V @ 1 amp. Comes complete with battery nap connector
IX Volt batteries at once. Includes indicator LED for and 4-way connector. Cat M-9570
each cell. cat M-9508
52295 52,495
$1795
3,6,9V @ 200mA
Nicad Batteries Here's a great way to save money on batteries. Three of the most used voltages makes it
ideal for a huge range of battery powered equipment.
Cat M-9525
You won't be short on battery power when you need it with these great value NiCads. Just
think about the money and waste you'll save.
Type Cat No. Price
AAA
AA
180mAh
0.5Ah
S-3305
S-3300
$3.95
$3.95
Just 51795 -
SOCKETED BREADBOARDS
Ideal for designing/tesing your own circuits ideas, etc. High quality breadboards which can be paralleled for
larger circuits. Laid our in alpha -numeric format for easy track Identification. With Panel!
Same size as above but with panel which allows mounting
Jumpwire Pack Large 178 x 67mm Board of pots, switches, TO -3 transistors, etc. Cat H-4617
The fast, easy way to make your breadboard connections. With 12 groups of terminal points, 8 bus lines and 25
Handy pack with 100 pieces of colour coded, insulated connected terminals. cat H-4615
C 95 SAVE $6
wire. Ends are bent for convenient installation. Wire Is
22AWG and in lengths of .2, .4, .6, 1. 2; 8 4 inches.
«ree are, u,::, ,,,, :e,,:::tt, F: :{:{:{:e{{`
51 J Just
Cat H-4014 l'a," a,
`iiIiiiiliiiiiiiiiililtilliiiiiiiniiltllUN
$595 51995ea
MIT Mt. oren rorro ::ue mee :tete :....:we :r:n
.. re
.. .. . . .. ® International Mains Adaptor
Adapts lust about any mains plug to our 3-pin plug and vice-
0 versa! Uses active/neutral pins only- does not connect earth.
.
your favourite tunes and play them in
with adaptors) - and it doesn't
any sequence or compose your own
music...it's fantastic!
(
IItiYt,i "
¡
.a
computer and it'll get it for you.
Comes complete with headset and
software which allows you to
experiment with voice recognition.
,
1Mb DRAM chips Keyboard or With It you can set up to 256
hardware selectable 8/12MHz different voice activated keyboard
operation Six 16-Bit and Two 8 -Bit 1.1T-. .- - :- _ .
macros. Installation requires an 8 -bit
expansion slots. Selectable for '" iv . . . . - C i-aj expansion slot. The perfect match for
RAM speed - 80 or 100 nanosecond "Speech Thing"!
Selectable from 0 wait states on read
operations (with 80 nanosecond ;ti
ri
.. `! i.
. Cat X-2038
199
real time clock on board AMI Bios
ROM's included OK RAM supplied
5499 With Electronics/
Electrical Formula!
Cat X-1002 With Or Halo! c...... utusn
Bargain Super Mouse Casio fx-61 f
RS -232 Outstanding quality at a bargain price! Plugs into Calculator
Multilink any serial port and comes with 9-25 pin adaptor.
Complete with set-up disk, drivers, manual, Dr
It's one of the most useful tools
anyone working with electronics
Adaptor Halo paint program, mouse Pad and 'mouse
house' so you can pack it away when not in use.
could have. With 27 of the
A complete in -line tester/ most used electronics formulas
Fully Microsoft compatible. built-in! Resonance frequency,
adaptor which makes complex Cat X-3805 E ICRIZEI C3
and time consuming Serial impedance, voltage/current
oloototo
connections a breeze! Comes
fitted with 25 pin male
gain...everything! Includes 74
scientific functions, 10 digit nnao
onoon©
connector and 25 pin female display, programming functions
connector. With jumper pads only $99 it's unbelievable.
Cat V-3828
Just $7995
and wires, 24 in -line switches Bus version. Saves your Serial port.
and 8 bicolour LED's which
monitor the lines and tell you Cat X-3806 $121
at a glance when you've got it
right.
54995 Arcade Quality! Quality Disk Drives
Cal X-2654 Easy to install in any IBM compatible! Great value half
Commodore/Atari height floppy disk drives in all of the available
configurations. Can be installed as an internal drive
IBM/Apple Joystick or externally (with optional case.)
3.5" Disk Drives
Joystick It's almost indestructible! Uses
microswitches for the ultimate in speed 720K Version. Needs DOS 3.2 or higher.
Cat X-2220
$249
and reliability. With twin fire buttons.
3.3 or higher. 5299
Versatile, fantastic value and it can be
1.44Mb Version. Needs DOS
used on either IBM or Apple II It uses the same mechanism they use
Cat X-2221
compatible computers. Lightweight in arcade machines...so you can be
5.25" Floppy Disk Drives 360K
and comfortable it's the best way to
get into those fast action games.
sure it's built to last...and last..and
Cat X-3831
i
Cat X-8012 *199
Cat X-3570
s COMPUTER PROBLEMS? Call our exclusive
COMPUTER HOTLINE
WITH 3 YEAR on (02) 888 2002 for the solution!
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Bargain AM CB Bargain Marine Transceiver Extra Range With SSB!
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The incredible 'Sea Simba' 12 AM marine transceiver is perfect for
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Super Tomcat SSB CB
construction and reliability are built In. Intended for you'd only expect on models costing 555 more. The sensation Super Tomcat AM SSB mobile CB
mobile use it comes with mounting hardware and comes at an incredible low price yet sports some
microphone. With optional power supply it can even With 12 channels (10 fitted) in the 27MHz marine band, automatic noise astounding features! With maximum legal power on
be used as a base station. limiter, PA and extension speaker jacks, LED level indicators and both AM and SSB, all 40 channels, the extra range
Futures: channel readout plus RF and Mic gain controls. Comes complete with and performance SSB offers.... and, with optional
Compact (Only 160 X 44 X 122mm) mounting hardware and microphone. power supply, it can even double as a base station!
All 40 channels Cat 41718 It's easy to operate with LED power/strength meter,
Maximum legal power RF gain control, clarifier, PA facility, automatic noise
hilt -in noise limiter limiter and more. Comes complete with mounting
Digital channel readout & power/strength indicators hardware, microphone and full instructions.
Cat D-1713
Easy to operate
Cat D-1450
Just $139
gl
-- '8:8
Marine Antenna
Latest 1990 Edition! Our most popular 27MHz marine antenna! It's ground independent so it With direction finder!
doesn't require a ground plane for proper operation which makes it ideal
WIA Radio Amateur for wood, fibreglass and cement boats. Features an easy to use swivel Quality Multiband radio
Callbook deck mount and SO -239 termination for coax connection.
Cat 0-4069
A great one for the keen radio listener, or the boat
owner who wants to know where he is! A superb radio
The lastest and most complete listing from all around with 6 bands including all 40 CB channels, shortwave
Australia. In easy to follow, state by state order. A great Buy! and VHF. Plus there's a built-in direction finder to
Covers call sign suffixes, shortwave and Department help plot your position against AM radio stations. A
of Transport 8, Communications information.
Cat B-2331 54995 variable BFO also allows reception of SSB marine
signals. AC/DC operation and, with on optional mic, it
doubles as a PA amplifier. Comes with manual and
SW listening guide.
Cat D-2832
1990
Australian Reato Amateur MORE GREAT TOOLS!
CALL BOOK
Gas Powered!
Professional 'Pocket' Soldering
System Only
Perfect for when you're out in the field or for those spot repair jobs. The
$1 49
complete portable soldering kit from Portasol. Comes in handy plastic
carry case, you get butane powered soldering iron giving the equivalent
of 10-60 watts and temperature adjustment up to 400 degrees Celsius, 4
tips including hot knife and blow torch and tip cleaning sponge.
Cat T-1374
í3XPRESS
ORDER BY PHONE - 008 22 6610 (LOCAL CALL FEE) OUTSIDE SYDNEY
SYDNEY AND ENQUIRIES - (02) 888 2105 FAX: (02) 805 1986
OR WRITE TO DS XPRESS, PO BOX 321 N/RYDE NSW 2113
ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED. 0/NITE COURIER AVAILABLE.
DIO: MITH
24 HOUR DESPATCH OF ALL ORDERS
ALL NEW KITS ' W AVAILABLE
Simple FM Transmitter For The 2M Band Improved Light Chaser
The first in a great new series of easy to build projects for the amateur radio enthusiast. It's It's miles ahead of previous models! Our new Light Chaser is low in cost, easy to build,
designed to make setting up and construction easier so the novice can more readily follow the incredibly flexible and it's designed with safety in mind.
operation and therefore gain more confidence in its use. Providing 6 different chasing patterns, 8 speeds, an enhanced front -panel monitor display
The solid state NBFM transmitter module produces over 1 Watt at 144MHz. The operation is and the ability to run lamps to a total of 2400 watts. When the design was first conceived by the
simple where the signal from a microphone is amplified to form a modulation input of a our R 8 D Department safety was considered paramount, so it was decided the best way to
variable -frequency crystal oscillator. The oscillator frequency, around 24MHz, is multiplied achieve this was to build a'dedicated' chaser. This also allows many more functions to be
in two stages, first a tripler... then a doubler to 144MHz. The resulting signal is amplified incorporated without getting into complex construction techniques. Comes complete (full
through several stages before being fed to an antenna. Short form kit contains components form) right down to the last bolt!
Cat K-3161
and PCB.
Cat K-6010
S5950 599
Short Form Kit:
.11
Contains PCB & Components
51695
CHRISTMAS BONUS: Buy this month and you'll gel an extra chip lust brimming with great Christmas
tunes! Just send as proof of purchase and we II post it to you... FREE!
$99
Cat K-9553
Extra Value!
S' 295
Series 200 Amplifier Available through Mail Orders or, order through
It was one of our most popular kits and now
you've got the opportunity to build it the way you your nearest Dick Smith Electronics Store.
wanted. Comes with...
Main PCB AND THERE ARE PLENTY MORE!
Control PCB
Front and Rear panels Description Cat No. Price Description Cat No. Price
Top and Bottom plates
Fluro Starter K-9501 $0.99 VHF Gasfet Pre -amp K-9523 S9.95
Brackets to hold Caps and power supply Musicolour Mk4 K-9502 $19.95 UHF Wattmeter K-9524 $5.99
Instructions Deluxe Car Alarm K-9503 $9.95 VHF Power Supply K-9525 S39.95
Cat K-9500 Car Alarm Mk2 K-9504 $4.99 RF Attenuator Box K-9527 S29.95
:CI 3 a
TOYS
SPY Some components for these kits may not be available from Dick Smith
1~
E+1 Cei Electronics stores. So you may have to source them elsewhere... or who
knows(?), they may be hanging around in your workshop right now!
[~% AUDIO \
NOV/ Albury 21 8399 Bankstown Square 707 4888 Blacktown 1371 7722 Campbelltown (046)27 2199 Chatswood. Chase 411 1955
Chunora 642 8922 Gore Moll 439 5311 Gostad 25 0235 Hornsby 477 6633 HursMlle 580 8622 Liverpool 600 9888 Martian(' 33 7866
Miranda 525 2722 Newcastle 61 1896 North Ryde 878 3855 Parrarnafa 689 2188 Pennth (047)32 3400 Railway Square 211 3777 I
Sydney Crty 287 9111 Tarnworth 66 1711 Warnngah Mall 905 0441 Wollongong 28 3800 ACT Fyshwick 80 4944 Ballarat 31 5433
Belmont 43 8804 Bendigo 43 0388 Box Hill 890 0899 Coburg (03)383 4455 Dandenong 794 9377 East Brighton 592 2366 Essendon 379
7444 Footscray 689 2055 Frankslon 783 9144 Geelong 232 711 Melbourne City 326 6088 Richmond 428 1614 Ringwood 679 5338
Cl-é)M ;VI id DI zl,N Sprmgvale 547 0522 OLD Brisbane City 229 9377 Bur ands 391 6233 *Calms 311 515 Chermsrde 359 6255 Redbank 288 5599
Rockhampton 27 9644 Southport 32 9033 Toowoanba 38 4300 Townsville 72 5722 Underwood 341 0844. 84 Adelaide City 232 1200
Beverley 347 1900 SI. Marys 277 8977 Elizabeth 255 6099 Enfield 260 6088 WA Cammngton 451 8666 Fremantle 335 9733 North Perth
HOME 01»i1ú3í0ii11: 328 6944 Perth City 481 3261 Midland 250 1460 TA8 Hobart 31 0800 NT Stuart Park 81 1977
ORDER BY PHONE TOLL FREE 10081 22 11810 FOR 0SXPRE88 HOUR DESPATCH
N Highlights
System receives
weather images
A low cost system to receive weather
images from both geostationary and
orbiting satellites, based on a PLAT
compatible personal computer, has been
developed locally by long-established
Australian firm Paris Radio Electronics,
of Sydney.
The system has been designed for use
in flight planning by airlines, for mili-
tary authorities in planning exercises,
sailing clubs preparing for ocean races,
for hazard prediction by offshore oil
exploration platforms, educational insti-
tutions and any other users who need
accurate weather information.
The full system consists of a 1.8m
satellite receiving dish, a high gain
GaAsFET preamp/downconverter, a
137.5MHz receiver, a microcomputer -
based scan converter/interface unit and also be transmitted to similar systems The Metsat system is available not
the PLAT computer system complete over land lines, using appropriate only in complete turn -key form, but
with colour ink -jet printer. The software modems. also as modules for users with an exist-
which processes the image data has Special features of the system include ing PC/AT computer and/or satellite or
been fully designed and written locally high resolution 1024 x 768 pixel images aircraft band receiving system. The
by Paris Radio, using a combination of with 16 gradations, a choice of 8 differ- most basic module consists of the scan
C and assembly languages to achieve ent colour palettes, area zooming capa- converter/interface unit plus PC soft-
high speed. bility, animated time-lapse display capa- ware package, and sells for around
High -resolution images from the satel- bility (requires 4Mb memory), entire $2000.
lites are processed automatically, and hemisphere coverage, temperature/co- Further information is available from
can be stored on disk and printed out in lour interpretation and the ability to Paris Radio Electronics, 161 Bunnerong
colour as well as being displayed on the overlay flight routes to airline specifica- Road, Kingsford 2032, or phone (02)
VGA (or EGA) screen. The images can tions. 344 9111.
News Briefs
Melbourne -based communications equipment specialist Vlcom Australia has
been appointed an Australia -wide distributor for Bird Electronics of the USA.
Bird's RF test instruments are well known, especially the model 43 'Thruline' coax-
it .
AWAM/Quest develop ASIC Designers Kit database created by P-CAD can then be
passed through the Netlist Translator
A joint development project under- cron ASIC design and manufacturing fa- and transmitted to AWAM for ASIC
taken by AWA MicroElectronícs cility in Sydney. The ASIC designers kit preparation and manufacture.
(AWAM) and QUEST International can also be supplied with the optional If required AWAM can accept this in-
Computers, now makes it possible for P-CAD logic simulator, PC-LOGS for formation via modem, thus minimising
customers wishing to use AWAM's Ap-
plication Specific Integrated Circuit
users wishing to retain control of the
total design stage in house.
the turnaround time for a project -
often critical when getting a new prod-
(ASIC) facility in Sydney to complete A typical ASIC design project includ- uct to market.
the schematic design and basic logic ing, say, 10,000 gates would involve de- The ASIC Designers Kit will sell for
simulation using the P -CAD PC-based signing the circuit on Master Schematic under $8000, including the ASIC logic
CAE system. using the full range of AWAM's 1.5 mi- simulator, PC -LOGS. Even if the cost
Until now only the more expensive cron standard cells, performing func- of PC hardware is added, this repre-
workstation systems were able to cope tional and timing simulations using PC - sents remarkable value for money.
with the demands of ASIC design and LOGS, fine tuning the design and re - Quest can be contacted by phoning
simulation. The new `ASIC Designers simulating the results until the design Melbourne on (03) 807 7444 or Sydney
Kit,' to be makreted by Quest as a part criteria are fully satisfied. The design on (02) 809 7499.
of their range of P -CAD electronics de-
sign software, brings standard cell ASIC
design within the reach of companies
who choose to carry out their circuit
Siemens to supply ness volume of about $1 million.
The TWT's produce an output power
development projects on the more cost- TWT's to Aussat of 700 watts in the 14GHz frequency
effective IBM type personal computers. After lengthy negotiations, Siemens range. Very few companies in the world
The kit consists of Master Schematic, has become a supplier to Aussat of high are capable of producing these high
the schematic capture module from power travelling wave tubes. power tubes.
P-CAD, a Standard Cell Component Li- The first order for two TWT's (type A sample tube was supplied to Aussat
brary and a Netlist Translater. Together YH1421) has been received. Aussat's in November last year and has been in
these can provide the input information expected requirement of approximately service since, logging some 6000 hours
for AWAM's new $35 million 1.5 mi - 20 tubes per year would mean a busi- of operation.
56 ELECTRONICS Australia, December 1989
Keck telescope
on target
The W.M Keck Observatory, a joint
effort of the University of California
and the California Institute of Tech-
nology to build the world's largest tele-
scope, is on schedule for completion in
1991. I
. T1!:,ylr
completed dome. lL .
011am!
The telescope's most complicated
structural component is the mirror cell,
k .
.! :t -
io1-'
a space frame structure onto which the
36 hexagonal mirror segments will be
r,,.,._ -..,.c - , -`. .
!al I
-
i'
s
mounted. The mirror cell consists of -
over 1100 individual members con- Surveying the 10m -diameter mirror cell structure of the Keck telescope before
nected together end to end. It was disassembled for shipping to Hawaii.
The surface of the three -layer mirror tached the mirror, its supports, and the alignment of the mirror segments if the
cell presents a pattern of 'nodes,' form- actuators that adjust the mirror seg- gross shape of the mirror cell changed
ing the connection points to which the ment. The sub -cell can be machined to by more than that amount as the tele-
individual mirror segments are attached. much higher precision than can the scope moved.
Each mirror segment will be attached larger telescope structure. Before the shipping from Spain where
to a 'sub -cell' assembly. The sub -cell is Over the 10 -metre wide mirror cell, it was fabricated, the telescope structure
a structural component that connects to the node points are located to an ac- was tested to measure the geometry and
the mirror cell and onto which are at- curacy of a few millimetres. The sub - stiffness of the cell under a simulated
cell allows for still finer adjustment of mirror load. The cell was surveyed un-
the position of each segment as it is nes- loaded and then with a 12 -ton load. The
Hivision HDTV
TI signs tled into the mirror array. survey results were compared with pre-
agreement with NHK More importantly, the mirror must dictions from a computer model of the
maintain its overall shape to within a structure.
Texas Instruments intends to capture The test results indicated that the
millimetre as the telescope points to dif-
a major world-wide share of the emerg-
ferent areas of the sky, changing the telescope stiffness was exactly as pre-
ing high definition television (HDTV) dicted and that only minor rework will
gravitational load felt by the mirror cell.
market, following the signing in Japan can travel only a little be required on site to adjust the geome-
The actuators
of a technology transfer agreement be-
more than a millimetre in total range, try so the mirrors can be properly locat-
tween Nippon Hoso Kyokai (NHK) and ed.
and would be unable to maintain the
Texas Instruments.
Based on the agreement, TI stands to
acquire the Japanese broadcasting com- Australian consortium
pany's 'Muse' or 'Hivision' advanced
television receiver technology. to install network centre
TI intends to use this HDTV system
knowledge to provide leading -edge inte-
for NZ's TV3
grated circuits to major television manu- Australian joint -venture consortium
facturers, thereby increasing its penetra- Pacific Communications and LSE Tech-
tion of the semiconductor market. In nology, won the contract to install the
addition TI will work with customers to network centre for TV3 New Zea--
adapt TI's HDTV semiconductor tech- land's first independent commercial
nology to meet different HDTV stand- television channel, which began opera- w -
a kit or otherwise -
doesn't work. Further letters on this topic
Forum each month is to deflate egos,
bring us all down to earth and stop all
have arrived during the intervening months, so this month I this technical argy-bargy from becoming
thought we'd take a break from things like hifi exotica and too turgid and boring!
amateur radio, to give this one another of its regular airings. So if YOU write in, and do end up
like Len Spyker ín one of BeeJay's car-
But just before we draw our meta- his motives in making them were en- toons, with some of the mickey taken
phorical swords and get stuck into each tirely laudable, and this alone justified out of you, please try to look at it
other again, I note that this month's their being published in these columns. philosophically like Mr Spyker. At the
column actually marks the beginning of In his cartoon that same month, Bee - very least you can console yourself that
my third year as Forum's conductor Jay chose to include not only the usual it will probably only happen to you the
(battle steward?). How time flies when pointy -nosed caricature of yours truly - once, whereas it tends to happen to me
one is having such a good time!
As it happens I would still have a case
hiding under the secretary's desk, in this
- but also another somewhat grim -
almost every time - and often with
bells, tu -tu and spiky hair on...
long, long way to go, if I were to try faced character, which might perhaps
matching Neville Williams' record of have been based on BeeJay's impression That said, I have to admit that Mr
starting and running the column for of Mr Spyker. Spyker himself is really tempting Bee -
over 37 years (whew!). It's doubtful Jay and fate, because he's written in
Mr Spyker himself seems to have
whether anyone ever could, of course, taken it all in good part, and in fact again on the same subject as before. I
but at least two years is a start. And sent me a brief note a few weeks later, can only hope that BeeJay puts Mr S
judging from the letters that still keep thanking me for supporting the french safely under the desk this time, and
on rolling in, at least a reasonable num- liberal philosophical idea 'I could not takes the mickey mainly out of me!
ber of you still find the column of inter- disagree more with what you say, but Not that there's any real reason why
est and relevance. I'll try to keep it that would defend to the death your right to Len Spyker shouldn't write again, of
way. say it'. He's obviously a good sport, as course. If he wasn't happy with the re-
And so to battle once more, on the well- as being a man of considerable sponse to his first letter, and wanted to
subject of project and kit problems. In- erudition. make some further points, that's the
cidentally, after this was raised last But I did get a letter some months logical thing to do. And that is exactly
time, in the March issue, I was told by later, from another reader altogether, what he's done.
the principal of one of the main kit sup- castigating us for having belittled Mr By the way, it turns out that Mr
pliers that I was 'an idiot' for even Spyker in the cartoon. Ah well - can't Spyker is in fact an electronics designer
trying to discuss the subject in print, be- win 'em all! himself, and of no mean talent or ex-
cause it was one of those arguments Perhaps I should make it clear that as perience. With his recent letter he sent
where no-one can win, and even dis- editor, I have virtually no say in what me details of a project for which he had
cussing it not only makes us look bad, goes into the cartoon each month. Bee - prime responsibility, on the electronics
but makes the readers more unhappy. Jay himself decides what he will put in and electrical side: a remotely -con-
Perhaps he's right. it- we simply fax him the entire text of trolled underwater cleaning vehicle
You may recall that the reason for each month's column, and it's entirely called 'Scimitar', developed at a cost of
discussing the subject back in the March up to him what he elects to use. A $4 million to clean the marine growth
issue was the arrival of a letter from Mr week or so later we get the results of from Woodside Petroleum's 'North
Len Spyker, of Karrinyup, in Western his work, and unless there's anything Rankin A' offshore drilling platform.
Australia. Mr Spyker's letter was fairly which I judge likely to attract legal ac- Apparently Scimitar took only 8 months
critical, particularly of the magazine, tion (which has never happened yet, I from concept through to manufactured
but his criticisms were of a strongly con- might add), it goes straight off to the completion - very impressive.
structive nature and as a result deserved production scanners. Mr Spyker's letter itself is fairly long,
careful discussion. Even though I might wince a bit so I'll have to condense it. I'm also
As it happens I was forced to con- sometimes, when I see what he has deleting the specific references to one of
clude that some of Mr Spyker's sugges- done to me in his latest opus, I firmly our advertisers, on the grounds that
tions were not nearly as easy nor as believe this is the right approach. A car- these could possibly result in legal ac-
practical to implement as he appeared toonist should have as much freedom as tion. But the main thrust is still quite
to think, and I tried to explain why. But possible, or their work will inevitably clear:
58 ELECTRONICS Australia, December 1989
onstruction")roJect: Af ter DOWT
ME:
aL0.rne
1.9M+
YOV
vor+\
LEARN
IA KIT
Bou4Hr
>Z ir
~II
APPARENT
N0
STOPS FoR
RGAS1"/
wNEN ÓEIeIG REUED
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I have run into some interesting prob- Ikak = 0.01CV + 3, where C is in micro- A normally closed sensor switch (pre-
lems with the Low Cost 2-sector House farads, V is applied volts and the leakage ferred I believe) would need the resistor
Alarm project described in EA of April current is in microamps. in series right next to the switch also, so
1989, and designed by one of your ad- This means that with a 220uF cap that opening or bridging of the wires
vertisers. I helped a friend of mine, a across a logic pin to ground, as in this during any attempted tampering could be
qualified marine radio officer, who had design, a reputable capacitor's leakage at detected. This is also not explained.
built up this project from a kit and the +8V input threshold of a CMOS The text does say something about the
couldn't get it to work satisfactorily. logic input will be 21 uA. With a +12V input being terminated in 47k, but some
He had passed the kit builder's test CMOS output source signal, this leakage confusion arises as there is a 47k resistor
with flying colours. He rapidly found the will allow a maximum series resistance in the input circuit. The article and kit
mistakes: wrong diode orientation on the of only 190k before the signal will be refer to connection examples for termi-
layout diagram, electro on board not unable to turn on the following CMOS nals 17-20, but they are not included.
shown in circuit schematic, no reference gate. So a slight turn of the series 1M Only by some comments in the testing
in the parts list to the 4093 IC, and C1-4 pot and the alarm may not alarm any- section, mentioning an external 47k resis-
and C14 with a value of 1 uF rather than one, ever. tor on the terminal strip, it implies this is
0.1uF as shown. Kid's stuff. And guess which poor frustrated necessary at all.
However he was stumped when the cir- reader (as I was described in your Good one, Boris! By now I was get-
cuit failed under two conditions. One March 'Forum' column) has a marine ting fairly 'teed off with the 'designer' of
was that no alarm occurs when RV4 is at friend, who had received in his kit an this project. So 1 did a more detailed de-
zero. ever -so-slightly -leaky electro? Sorry, no sign review.
was called in, to wave my magic prizes given on that one. I was amazed that this project was
wand over it. After much probing, a few But yet more potential failures loom: using CMOS inputs and level detectors.
mods and a few cuppas (or was it the lights dim, etc. The designer has obviously never looked
glasses), it was persuaded to work. The installation wiring instructions closely at any CMOS data book. These
Fitting a 10k resistor in series with given with the kit are incomplete. a If state categorically that with a 12V sup-
RV4, to set a minimum resistance, fixed normally open sensor switch is assumed, ply, the WORST CASE input threshold
the first problem. and this is not shown in drawings or ex- is 2.2V maximum for a logic low and
For the second problem, I refer to the plained in the text, then you must wire a 8.15V minimum for a logic high.
dubious design practice of using electro- 47k resistor across the sensor switch The alarm design uses 4 and 8 volts as
lytic capacitors in conjunction with high RIGHT NEAR THE SWITCH, other- its levels -
1.8V too high in the first case
resistance value circuits. Most reputable wise deliberate cutting of the alarm and 0.15V too low in the second.
capacitor manufacturers quote the inter- switch wires one by one will not cause This is the kind of situation where
nal leakage of electrolytic capacitors as an alarm. Think about it... component tolerance spreads will give
ELECTRONICS Australia, December 1989 59
Forum designer on that one. Hopefully he can
suggest a circuit mod that will give more
some constructors a headache, looking the circuit, C7 is not expected to charge reliable operation, and in this case we'll
for a 'typical' CMOS chip, and where up via the pot; in fact it charges up via publish the details in the Notes and Er-
urban myths such as not using a D8, the diode connected across the pot. rata column.
NEC/Motorola/Siemens or whatever As explained in the article, the pot is Naturally enough, Mr Spyker has
CMOS chip start to abound. But the actually used to discharge the capacitor used this example of a specific project
trouble is not due to faulty product, via the low' at the output of IC2a which has turned out to have some de-
which is working within its specs. (when the alarm goes off), with the re- sign problems, as evidence for the need
Also with zero or near-zero noise mar- sulting discharge period determining the to implement his original suggestion:
gins, RF interference will now cause time for which the alarm sounds. that we should have teams 'of volunteer
false alarms, if you are the poor sod sad- I agree that without a resistor con- enthusiasts and project 'reviewers', vet-
dled with a CMOS chip with extreme, nected in series with the pot, to set a ting all of our project designs before
but still in -spec input margins. minimum value, the alarm will effec- they are published.
Note that the above design considera-
tively never sound with the pot set to But I'm afraid my answer to that one
tions used only Ohms law and the data
zero value - because C7 will be dis- has to be the same one I gave back in
charged so fast that the alarm will be March:
sheet info. No special Z-plane transfor-
mations or calculus knowledge were re- turned off almost before it begins.
But I can't see how the capacitor's It all sounds great, in theory. Fully
quired. Just engineering commonsense. pre-digested and debugged project de-
undoubted leakage should effect the
I slowly learned the hard way the folly ability of the alarm to sound, providing signs, described perfectly in multiple
of ignoring worst case specs, and to read you either fit the additional resistor or -
revision articles so that constructors
the fine print carefully- ever so careful- don't turn RV4 down to its zero setting. would never have any problems, and all
ly. kits would work perfectly first pop.
Before the alarm goes off, C7 can
I don't accept the premise that if 1000 charge up to virtually the full 12 volts Trained kit experts by the dozen, able to
kits work OK now, the kit design is
sound. I am concerned with the future of
via D8, the output of IC2a and - for advise their local electronics shop regard-
;;
sible kits, forgetting that this inevitably
RV2/1M
leads to the use of less -than -top -grade
R18 Di. R19/10k 05 V parts. And then they'll compain bitterly
when that's exactly what they get!
Luckily not all customers think this
way, and this has allowed some kit sup-
The 'alarm time' pliers to concentrate on quality rather
section of the than shaving the last cent off their
Two-Sector House prices. But the fact remains that if you
Alarm project of April want high quality parts, you must ex-
1989, referred to In Mr pect to pay for them.
Spyker's letter.
Kits and parts
T 2720yF
y 1 R27/560 The next letter I'd like to quote from
º R26 on this subject, and also on the subject
8 Al, RD of component quality, comes from a
2.2k ARMED
R25 familiar source: John Day, VK3ZJF,
C13 820k who as you may recall is the Technical
0.11.,F T Director of Stewart Electronic Compo-
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The 'Def Out' board schematic for the Rank C-1851 colour set, the subject of this month's second story. After much
searching, the cause of its faulty horizontal sync turned out to be yet another faulty electro on this board. -
Anyone who services early Kriesler sets and blowing, but didn't restore the pic- The sub -hold could still stabilise a TV
will know all about dry joints. ture. I still had to replace the vertical picture, but on the VCR it was hopeless.
I would hazard a guess that the dry driver transistor TR411 (2SB537), before Quite obviously, the problem was not
joints found by A.S. in his Pyes were I could return the set in proper order. one of simple adjustment but was more
secured with minimal solder. It's this, Some six months later the set was back likely a synchronising fault.
plus the heat generated by heavy AC again, this time with the complaint that One big advantage of the early Rank
currents, that causes most dry joints. there was no video or sound from the sets was the facility for servicing by
The weight of T1 and L502, in A.S.'s VCR, and no TV when the antenna was changing boards. For this exercise I
connected directly. elected to change the 'DEF BOARD'
story may well have contributed to the
Fixing this part was easy. Like most PWC367. `This carries the sync separa-
trouble, but could not be blamed for all
Rank owners, this one never bothered to tor, various sync amplifiers and both
of it.
disengage the AFT before adjusting the horizontal and vertical scan oscillators.
Troublesome Rank fine tuning. As a result, the adjustments Unfortunately, this produced no im-
Now we come to a contribution from got further and further out until the AFT provement. So I went on to change the
K.McG., of Mundubbera, again in could no longer hold a channel. video IF board, PWC312. You've prob-
Queensland. Mr McG. tells of his trials He had lost both local TV channels ably guessed already this did no good -
and tribulations with a Rank model and his VCR channel in this way, but he either.
C-1851: neglected to tell me why he had needed About this time I was getting desper-
My first encounter with this particular to adjust the fine tuning in the first place. ate, because I was running out of ideas.
Rank was late in 1987, when the owner Finding out cost me many hours and I would have liked to investigate the sync
brought it in with the complaint that "It him a lot more money than was neces- chain with the 'scope - but this was im-
just stopped!" sary. practical because I had mislaid my Rank
made the mistake of asking "What's Once I had retuned the channels, I C-2201 manual, which is the only one
wrong with it?", and got the smart-alec could see the true cause of the trouble. that shows any waveforms for this series
reply "If I knew that, I'd fix it myself!" There was an almost entire lack of sync of sets.
Some customers deserve... don't they? when playing videotapes, and even TV There can be all sorts of problems with
Anyway, on that occasion, I found was not without its problems with se- - Rank power supplies particularly the -
fuse F601 would glow like a neon before vere jlagwaving at the top of the screen. 19 volt rail so 1 spent some time -
burning out. The fuse should have been I was told that the set had once been checking both this and the 120 volt rail;
at 120V to ground but was only 20V, in- taken to another serviceman when it lost but to no avail. I couldn't find a thing
dicating a heavy load on the B+ rail. It horizontal hold, beyond the range pro- wrong to account for the weak sync.
turned out that this wasn't the usual vided by the rear panel control. This had About this time I recalled the problems
shorted line output transistor, but the been 'corrected' by manipulating the in- that can arise when C35I on the sound
vertical output transistor TR409 ternal Sub -hold VR501, but I suspect output board goes open circuit. This can
(2SC1104). that it was really the beginning of the make the volume control act like a
That stopped the fuse from glowing fault now before me. brightness control, and could conceiv-
ELECTRONICS Australia, December 1989 67
Serviceman
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The schematic for the CU701 line control unit in the Krelsler 59-01 set which formed the subject of this month's last
story.
ably crush the sync pulses. But that was- If only I'd had the Rank waveforms I waveform going into the + terminal of
n't the trouble, either. Replacing C351 might have been able to solve this in a the capacitor, but on the terminal -
made not the slightest difference. minute. there was only a garbled output, at about
After all that, there seemed to be only As it was, I had to study the circuit 5 volts.
the tuner and the picture tube to be test- diagram very carefully, to determine first A new capacitor and re-adjustment of
ed, and 1 guessed that neither of those if there was such a feedback loop and the sub -hold pot put the old Rank back
were likely to be the cause of the trouble. then where in the loop was the most into first class order, both on TV and
But just to be sure, I removed the tuner likely source of trouble. video.
and checked the attached circuit board. I Fortunately, there was a loop and it, But after the euphoria of solving that
have found dry joints on II; board and was made easy to find by the label on tricky problem, I was faced with the task
these can do funny things tc he signal. I TR505, the AFC Amp. This could only of having to explain to the owner how it
found nothing. be part of the loop and sure enough, it came to take 14 hours to find and re-
At this point the only thing that hadn't came from the line output transformer place a 50 cent capacitor. It's a lot easier
been changed or thoroughly tested was and went to the discriminator, ahead of not to attempt an explanation.
the Deflection Out Board PWC396. But the line oscillator on the Def Board. Well, I'm glad it was K.McG. that
at first I couldn't see how an output The base of TR505 is driven through had to solve that one, and I'm thankful
board fault could upset the line oscilla- C558, a I uF/50V electro, and the collec- that he had enough enthusiasm left to
tor. tor feeds into C556, a 10uF/16V electro. write it all down. I would probably have
Then I recalled how the old black and I couldn't get any odds on one of those taken just as long to find the trouble,
white sets used a pulse fed back from the being faulty and sure enough it was and then been too weary and miserable
line output transformer to the AFC dis- C556. to write ít down.
criminator, ahead of the line oscillator. The 'scope showed a clean 15V p -p Now it will be noted on my own Rank
68 ELECTRONICS Australia, December 1989
I1:4 E67:
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But the elusive cause of the Kreisler's abnormally low line frequency actually turned out to be on the main board, in the
circuit area shown here. And it was found with a multimeterl
with frequency counter proved that he was about to be written off and the
circuit, and will hopefully save me time a
when I come across it in the future. was right, but did nothing to show him owner advised to take it somewhere else
Thanks a lot, Mr McG! what was wrong. -like the local tip. Then Ray said
He tried all combinations of adjust- "Hang on a minute! Let me have a look
ments in the control unit and on the at it."
Hi -tech approach main board, and he managed to change Aftera few minutes discussion with
Now, here's one from closer to home. the speed of the oscillator, but not the others, he realised that they had
A colleague of mine is a working direc- enough to correct the fault. After sev- spent hours and hours working with the
tor of a small service company with five eral fruitless days he gave it away and highest of high tech instruments, but no
technicians, including himself and his went on with other work. one had thought to make use of the
partner. By the way, in the story that Angus took over, as a break from simplest tool of all a multimeter. -
follows, all names have been changed to VCR servicing and he decided that the It took Ray all of ten minutes to find
protect the innocent, as well as the fault had to be a dodgy electro. We all the trouble. His first test was to mea-
guilty... know that electros cause more faults sure the voltages along the contacts on
A few days ago my friend was strut- than any other component, so Angus horizontal control unit CU701. Most of
ting around the workshop like a dog spent a day removing and testing every these were abnormal to some extent,
with two tails. He was 'king of the electro on the line control module and but pin 9 was more abnormal than any
heap', and he was letting everyone then the line output board. He tested of them. This is shown as +2.5V on the
know. The others didn't want me to them for leakage and he tested them for circuit diagram, but in this set he found
capacity, but he didn't solve the prob- a voltage nearer 4.5 volts.
talk to him while he was in that state,
but I talked anyway! lem. Assuming that his workmates had
Before I go on, I should explain that Next, Mal had a go. He decided that given the control unit a thorough going
Ray is a marine electronics specialist. as Fred with the frequency counter and over, Ray decided that the fault was off
He works mostly on two-way radio, Angus with the capacity meter hadn't that board and probably on the main
radar and echo sounders. His partner done any good, he would see what he line output board. So he checked the
Fred is the TV expert, then there's could find with the oscilloscope. continuity from pin 9, back through
Angus the VCR man and Mal the car There would have been no story if R729 to the line output transformer and
radio technician. The fifth tech Tom is Mal had found anything unusual. In ground. And that's when he found it.
the audio expert, but he doesn't feature fact, he found all waveforms to be more The ohmmeter should have shown
in this story. or less normal. They all seemed to be a about 5k ohms to ground, but it read
It seems that a Kriesler 59-01 came little bit less than they should be, volt- about 2.4k. R729 had dropped from
agewise, but otherwise normal in shape. 4.7k to 2.4k, and was thus upsetting all
in, with the note 'No Horizontal Hold'.
The main trouble was that they were all the critical voltages around the line os-
Eventually Fred got round to working
on it. and decided that the horizontal too many microseconds long! cillator.
After a week in the workshop, the set The main board had suffered a small
oscillator was running slow. A check
ELECTRONICS Australia, December 1989 69
AMAZING Serviceman Fault of the month
Philips Kll
SAVINGS! burn-up in the vicinity of R729, and this
had deposited a thick layer of carbon on SYMPTOM: Very bright, white
screen with retrace lines. No sign of
VGA16 the resistor body. This was most likely
the cause of the loss of resistance, and a video information. Beam current is
new resistor restored perfect operation
so high that power supply will some-
to the old Kriesler. times trip off. Only about 2 volts on
All of the characters involved in this collector of luminance output transis-
story have come in for a deal of mutual tor TS290, instead of 115 volts.
A1.. & Tested $399 Inc. Tax Sound is normal.
Single Chip VGA graphics controller for IBM PC/AT
chiacking since the event. But the les-
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EGA. CGA. MDA & HGA compatible emulator It's nice to have all the high tech tools tor) open circuit, or less likely, S610
256K bytes DRAM
on hand to help sort out the tough jobs. open circuit. These components feed
800 x6OO high -res graphics mode w/16 colours
PLUS MUCH MUCH MORE ...
But those same tools can be misleading blanking pulses to U260 luminance
Dealer & Club prices available if used out of turn. Someone once said module and also set the bias on the
that if you are going to climb a ladder, video driver transistor TS291.
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eneiro
CONTROL
J use 18 to 24 different stories each year so there is plenty of room
contribution. Why not give it a go?
for your
'H /
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THE
BOTTOM
LINE IS
`/JOCKEY. JOC ODYI
At what age are you co
Allow us to tell you the unusual but considered a dog too old for new tricks.
true story of a SCUBA-diving instructor. This story does have a happy
He was pretty happy with ending, however.
his life. Can you do something
The small school he operated about it?
on the Barrier Reef was
doing alright.
28? The instructor sent off
coupon not unlike the one you
a
Address
make you a more Postcode
years to gain similar qualifications. (008) 333 243. Newcastle 26 3011. Parramatta 635 1511. Perth
325 6222, (008) 199 018. Sydney 219 5555, (008) 422 177.
When you decide to leave the Townsville 72 4566, (008) 015 150. Wollongong 28 1855.
1 G
1
=1NF
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1NF
L =DRIVE 13
H =COAST
100k Id SAMPLE)
INPUT
3 5-5 5v
1
547, 557, 328,337
80139.140
50k
H. FORWARD
L =BACK WARD
100k
Bidirectional motor speed
dependant
11
lOnF
100k
difference in
controller
vol Cage OV T greencap 10k back emf .2
OV sample bock 1k
I needed a circuit that would drive a emf between pulses OV
Mains controller
for Commodore 64
With one or more of these simple
controller interfaces, a Commodore 64
computer can be used to control up to
eight different 240V appliances turn- -
ing each one on and off independently,
under software control.
Each interface consists of the circuit
shown, using an MOC3021 opto -cou- corresponding to that channel's bit
pled diac to isolate the 240V circuit POKEing appropriate numbers from 0
to 255 into location 56297, the user port weighting to the last number POKEd,
from the computer. The MOC3021 is and POKEing again.
driven from the computer's parallel user address. For each channel, the number
corresponds to the weighting of the bit The SC151D triac will switch up to 15
port, via a BC548 buffer transistor, amps. An alternative device which
while it in turn drives an SC151D triac that is used. Hence a 1 will turn on
channel 0, as shown, while a 2 will turn could be used is the SC141D, but this
to perform the load switching. will only switch up to 6 amps. Remem-
The circuit shown is effectively just on channel 1, a 4 will turn on channel 2
and so on. ber to take great care with the 240V
one control channel, driven by the bit-0 wiring, to prevent the risk of shock or
All channels can be turned off to-
output of the user port. If you wish to damage.
gether by POKEing a 0, while individ-
provide further channels, these would Adam Nelson,
be driven from bits 1-7. ual channels can be turned on and off
by adding or subtracting the number Bendigo, Vic. $30
The channels are turned on and off by
ELECTRONICS Australia. December 1989 75
Construction project:
41,
The amplifier with Its cover removed - while it may look rather unassuming, its performance is exceptional.
76 ELECTRONICS Australia, Decerhber 1989
Output devices
The objective of this design was to
produce an amplifier of the highest pos-
sible quality with a power capability
comfortably in excess of 100W RMS per
channel (into 8 ohms), and a circuit
arrangement which would be both easy
to construct and extremely reliable.
Since an amplifier's output stage plays
a crucial part in determining its final
performance, stability and overall
reliability, the logical choice for our
requirements was to use the popular
MOSFET power transistors. These en-
hancement -mode devices offer a num-
ber of significant advantages over their
bipolar counterparts, due to their
unique performance characteristics.
The first important advantage is a
MOSFETs very high input impedance,
which basically appears to the driving
stages as a low value capacitance (less
than 1000pF). This in turn allows the
MOSFETs to be driven by a low -power
class A amplifier, which will maintain
its linearity due to the high load imped-
ance presented by the output stage.
As a further advantage, the largely
capacitive input (with a very low series
resistance) of the MOSFETs sets their
bandwidth to at least 3MHz, which adds
up to an output stage with unparalleled
frequency response and slew rate. How-
ever such a high input impedance, wide
bandwidth and fast response is a prime
environment for oscillations to occur.
Fortunately the MOSFET's response
may be tamed by the simple addition of
gate `stopper' resistors, which in combi-
nation with the gate capacitance form a
simple high pass filter.
So the dynamic performance of the
MOSFETs allows us to produce an out-
put stage which is at least as fast as the
driving stages. This is a significant
improvement on an equivalent bipolar
design, where the heavy-duty output
transistors cannot keep up with the
rapid response of the preceding stages.
The result is a slew rate limiting effect,
giving rise to unacceptable levels of
Transient Intermodulation distortion
(TIM).
In our case the maximum signal slope The schematic for one complete channel, including quiescent voltage levels.
is entirely defined by a passive input
filter, which is set to a point well be- effects, which is a considerable problem oping on the chip surface (the source of
yond the audio spectrum (about in bipolar designs. The MOSFETs have secondary breakdown effect in bipolar
100kHz). This is possible because a negative temperature coefficient devices) will cause an increased resist-
thanks to the MOSFETs, the actual am- (NTC) at drain/source currents of more ance in that area, and a lower localised
plifier has a bandwidth of around 1MHz than about 100mA, where the drain to current. This ultimately distributes the
and a slew rate of more than 60V/us. source resistance begins to increase as current and heat evenly across the chip
The end result is extremely low levels of the chip temperature rises. This has the surface.
TIM and a very stable design. stabilising effect of decreasing the drain MOSFETs also tend to have a rela-
The other significant advantage of to source current. tively low forward transfer admittance.
MOSFETs is their temperature stability The same effect also operates on a To put it simply, this means that a
and absence of secondary breakdown much smaller scale. Any hotspots devel- MOSFET has quite a high 'ON' resist -
ELECTRONICS Australia, December 1989 77
High performance stereo amp op amp. This is more than a coinci-
dence, since a number of the current
ance (when compared to an equivalent PCB, and a higher component count. sourcing and balancing techniques in the
bipolar device), which ultimately limits As a result, our interest was drawn back circuit are borrowed from op amp
the maximum output swing available to -
to the initial simpler circuit we were practice. So just like a quality op amp,
the amplifier offers differential inputs,
the load. While this tends to limit the back to square one, but with a host of
power capabilities of a MOSFET new techniques for improving and stabi- high open -loop gain and bandwidth, low
design, it also has a self-limiting effect lising driver stages. output impedance and a high slew rate.
in overload conditions - not unlike From this point on it became clear However the circuit is worth a general
analysis, since its operation is not quite
emitter/source degeneration resistors. that a refined version of the original
It is this effect together with the NTC basic circuit was capable of truly excel- as simple as it looks.
characteristics of MOSFETs that leads lent results. With the addition of a few The input signal is coupled to the first
to an extremely rugged output stage. So more components and close attention to differential pair 03/Q4 via the input
all in all, there's much in favour of such the layout and PCB routing, the network composed of Cl, 121, R2 and
a design, despite the slightly restricted performance and stability was improved C2. The input capacitor and resistor
power output. to better that of any of the more (C1 and R1) form a high-pass filter,
Of course, MOSFETs are slightly complex arrangements. which restricts the amp's low -frequency
more expensive than comparable bipo- response to a -3dB point of 10Hz. Simi-
lar devices, but it's worth it for the
The circuit larly, the overall high -frequency re-
above advantages. Besides, they tend to A quick glance at the actual circuit sponse is restricted to a -3dB point of
actually sound better in the final prod- diagram may not reveal anything partic- around 100kHz by the low-pass filtering
uct, presumably due to the harmonic ularly new. This is hardly surprising, action of R2 and C2 - this controls the
structure of the remaining distortion since the most significant contributions rise time of the input signal to a realistic
products, and the high slew rate (that to the amplifier's high performance level, which reduces the possibility of
is, low TIM). have to do with the PCB design, and slew -induced distortion components.
component layout. The input differential pair based
Driver stages Broadly speaking, the circuit simply around Q3 and 04 essentially functions
After extensive practical testing, it employs an input differential pair to compare the input and output (feed-
became quickly apparent that a well (Q3-04) which drives a high -gain volt- back) signals, and generate an error
designed MOSFET output stage is quite -
age amplifier based on another differ- signal which in turn drives the following
`transparent' to its driving circuits. ential pair (Q5 -Q6) - which in turn voltage amplifier stage. To improve its
Providing the amplifier has sufficient drives the paralleled sets of complemen- performance and power supply rejec-
loop negative feedback (NFB), the final tary MOSFET output devices (09/010, tion, the common emitter connection is
quality of the amplifier is largely set by Q11/012). supplied by a balanced, two transistor
the earlier stages. With this in mind wé By the way, you may notice that the constant current source formed by 01,
set about designing the cleanest possible main body of the circuit (up to the Q2, R3 and R4.
driving amplifier, so as to complement MOSFETs) looks remarkably like the When power is initially applied to the
the MOSFET capabilities. internals of a high-performance bipolar constant current source, current flows
Our initial tests were based around a
relatively simple circuit, as suggested in
the application notes published by PERFORMANCE OF PROTOTYPE
Hitachi (who manufacture the MOS- Power output (per channel, with both channels driven)
FETs). While the results were very Continuous: 140W RMS into 8 ohms
encouraging, we pressed on with more 200W RMS into 4 ohms
elaborate circuits in search of even IHF pulse power: 190W RMS into 8 ohms
better results. 320W RMS into 4 ohms
To cut a long story short, we found
Harmonic distortion
that circuits which employed a number
of low gain stages in series (using local 0.005% at 100W RMS into 8 ohms
and overall NFB), and fully symmetrical 0.007% at 140W RMS into 8 ohms
multiple driver stages provided only a 0.008% at 200W RMS into 4 ohms
slight increase in performance. It seems Intermodulation distortion
that the sum of the distortions gener- 0.004% at 100W RMS into 8 ohms
ated from. each stage was virtually the (4:1 ratio of 50Hz and 7kHz)
same as the total distortion from the Frequency response
simpler circuit. This effect is largely due
10Hz to 100kHz (-3dB points)
to the non-linearities produced at the
base/emitter junctions of the lower gain Signal to Noise Input impedance
stages, which have to cope with larger More than 100dB below rated output (unweighted) Approx 33k ohms
input signal levels.
Sensitivity Output slew rate
So while these more complex circuits
offered a small improvement in the 0.83V RMS for 100W into 8 ohms More than 60V/us
overall performance figures, we found Overload indicator Damping factor
these designs much more difficult to Activated if output distortion exceeds 0.05%
stabilise. Of course we also had to put Greater than 50
(regardless of load impedance)
up with a more complex and larger
78 ELECTRONICS Australia, December 1989
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The construction and wiring are very straightforward, as you can see from this shot of the prototype.
through R3, the base emitter junction and the collector loads of Q3 and Q4 quiescent drain current.
of 02, and to ground via R4. This will (R6 and R7 respectively). The current The output stage is formed by the
continue until the voltage across R3 mirror itself is not unlike a programma- complementary set of MOSFETs Q9-12,
reaches around 0.7V where Q1 con- ble constant current source, with the with their respective source degenera-
ducts, robbing base current from Q2. current through Q7 and R9 modifying tion resistors R18 to R21, and gate
The reduced emitter current of Q2 then the amount of current sourced by 08 - 'stopper' resistors R14 to R17. Since the
tends to reduce the drop across R3. the collector load for 06. MOSFETs may be driven to destruction
The circuit reaches a point of equilib- So, as a differential input signal tends by excessive gate drive, such as an out-
rium where the voltage drop across the to turn Q5 ON and Q6 OFF, the put overload where the NFB applies ex-
b -e junction of 01 is about 0.7V, increased current through Q7 and R9 cessive compensation, the gate to source
regardless of the value of R3. Since this will bias Q8 on a little harder. There- voltage is limited to about 12V by D1,
voltage is fixed, the current through Q2 fore as 06 is turning OFF, the action is ZD1, D2 and ZD2.
(and the differential pair Q3 and Q4) assisted as 08 (its collector load) effec- Capacitors C8 and C9 raise the effec-
will be set by the value of R3. With this tively becomes a lower impedance. Due tive gate to source capacitance of Q9
set to 680 ohms, the current is fixed at to this active collector load, the stage and 010 to around that of the comple-
around 1mA. offers an extremely linear output and a mentary pair Q11 and Q12. This pro-
Following the input differential amp is very high voltage gain. vides a more balanced high -frequency
the voltage amplifying stage. Thís ís To balance the power dissipation and load for the preceding driver stage,
based around a differential pair formed operating points of 05 and Q6, Rll is which enhances the overall amp's high -
by 05 and 06, and a balanced current inserted in the collector of 05, while C5 frequency performance and stability.
mirror load incorporating Q7 and 08. bypasses its effect at higher frequencies. C11 is added between the sources of
This section of the circuit provides most Also, C7 is included to decrease the Q9 and Q10 to provide a low imped-
of the amplifier's voltage gain, and a gain of the stage at very high frequen- ance path at high frequencies, where
highly linear output capable of swinging cies, which in turn controls the overall the inductive effects of the wire -wound
between the two supply rails. phase shift and ensures stability. The resistors R18 and R19 can lead to insta-
The current mirror (Q7 and Q8) acts outputs at the collectors of 06 and Q8 bility.
as the collector load for 05 and Q6, are separated by a fixed voltage as set You may also notice that the values
which operate at a shared quiescent by RVI, which sets the MOSFET's gate of C9 and CIO are slightly different
current of around 20mA, as set by R13 to source bias - thus ultimately their (330pF and 390pF) -
this avoids a
The choice co
is crystal-
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ELECTRONRD, MR. MRS. MISS
AGE
PEALS!
4.
GUITAR '
SPEAKERS 12
10' 65 watts Cat. CG -2379
, xt
$59.50
12' 100 watts Cat. CG -2380
$89.50
.
Ái15"15OWRMS
80mm dia. Voice coil.
i/I¡¡
' .0 Only $129 Cat CG -2382
OR 4 FOR $2 . \ 7
Cat SB-2350
érry Christmas
z
A MULTIMETER KIT PENLIGHT NiCads MINI STEREO
t SAVE EVEN MORE AMPLIFIER
la
NOW IN 500mA/Hr Cat SB2452 This amplifier was originally supplied with a pair of 5 watt
srocK Was $50 ea walkman speakers. We believe this amplifier has much
more merit on it's own rather than accompanied with two
NOW $3 EA or very ordinary speakers, which effectively doubles the price.
See Silicon Chip Nov'89 4 for $11 The amplifier is battery operated (requires 4 x AA) or can be
Ideal for students, who can now used with a DC 6V external source. Its input and output
build something really useful. connections are via 3.5mm stereo sockets. One for in, one
Multimeler specs: 20,000 ohms/
ohms volt, for out. It has 31eds for each channel to monitor output, a
23 ranges, continuity buzzer. high pass and low pass filter switch and an on/off switch
Size 135x90it40 ALARM STICKER with LED indicator. Size 150 I. x 70 D x 225 H mm. Ideal for
Ideal for cars, homes, etc. Sticks to walkmans, or anywhere a law power battery operated
Cal KC -5058
inside of window. Size 72 x 32mm. amplifier Is required.
ONLY $34.95 Cat LA-5100 SPECIFICATIONS
Output
ÍZ- Normally 95C ea Input & Imp
0.5 watt per channel 8 ohms
600 ohm
NOW 3 FOR $2 Band Width 120 H2.20 Kh2 - 3dB
Voltage Gain 8 dB +/- 1 dB (walkman only)
3 IN 1 ALARM CHRONOGRAPH Input voltage 250 rrry+ power output 30
incorporates (walkman)
- Hand held stop watch - Clip stop watch Cat AA -0350
- Alarm chronograph wrist watch - Whistle
Features 9 $29.95
Quartz security
- 1/100 second chronograph with I
apse time
- Display hours. minute, seconds,
month, date and day flag
!- .f° ,-t ....
Alarm and hourly chime function
- Battery included
ri
1
torch and
Cat ZR-1003 the beam is adjustable from spot to beam. and it's waterproof and shockproof.
Durable anodised abrasion resistant finish, with a
non slip knurled grip. ft can also be used as a lantern.
Unscrew the top and lire bulb is exposed to give 360° light A spare bulb is
1N 4007 1 AMP 1000V $5.00 for 50 supplied and mounts in the torch. We have seen these torches for S19.
11
Cat ZR-1009
WAS $9.95 SAVE $1 NOW $8.95
..1"..
ARLEC TRANS-
1" POWER CAR WINDOW WINDERS
Convert your normal hand operated window winders to power windows. It's really
DIGITAL
CAPACITANCE
FORMER BARGAINS
ARLEC No. 61365
simple to connect. remove the manual handle, choose the correct adaptor and connect
to motor drive and mount the drive unit Supplied with cables and auxiliary switch. Cat
METER
A chassis type tranny that gives 240V to IIR-::10 NEW
24V CT 4D 500mA and 9V ®5A/ This POWER WINDOWS FOR ONLY $219 A new
tranny could give you a ±12V 500mA and addition to
a5V 4D 5A DC power supply (with NEW LED or range of
rectifiers, regs, and electros of course). +a/ PACKS test equipment
CaaL MA-2600 Ideal for
Normally $25 Bargain of the checking
A bargain century tolerances,
at $9.95 100 assorted LED's measuring
101 $8.95 including 3mm and unmarked/
P&P54extra 5mm in yellow, unreadable
ARLEC No. 61435 orange, red and values, sorting
A grain oriented steel chassis type unit green, rectangular, values,
giving 240Vto9VAC®3A, 16V AC © triangular and other selecting
2A, 16V AC 3 1A. The secondaries can
be wired to give 16V © 3A or 24V © 3A
MICROCHART SELLOUT shapes and displays) matched sets,
All for less than 90 measuring
This is ideal for burglar alarm power For december you can grab the unique 'Microchart' (see over
each) cable,
supply as burglar alarms use 16V. You for cat details) for never to be repeated prices.
Cat ZD-1696 etc. 3 1/2
could also make a 13.8V regulated power
supply from this. Cal Desc. 68.95 digit LCD
display over Range Resolution
Normally $30 - $35 BM-8501 13080A/80805 Dala t;' 200pF 0.1pF
BM -8502 6502/65XX Data 9 ranges.
ONLY $9.95 S
Includes zaro 2nF 1pF
10158.95
Cat MA -2602
& extra
`! m.
BM -8503
BM -8504
54/74TTL(LS) Data
Algrithms
.- adjustment knob.
Overload fuse
20nF
200nF
10pF
100pF
P P S4
protected. Three 2uF 1nF
ARLEC No. 61439 BM -8510 Basic Intro Data
20uF 10uF
t
BM -8516 68000 Data
months
An in -line 'Maxibox type power supply. guarantee. 200uF 100nF
240V to 6V AC 4A 3 AMP. (Output lead
NORMALLY $9.95 2,000uF luF
_Specifications:
fitted with 5.5 OD 22.1 10 DC plug.) Buy 4 bet the 5th FREE!, NOW 66.95 20,000uF 10uF
Normally worth S40
Cat QM -1572
ONLY $9.95 í-r- INTRODUCTORY
10. $8.95
Cat MA -2608
7.311':
m/
reI. r1.44-7- , NF
rr PRICE ONLY 6109.95
ARLEC
PS -820
f
1 p
7
._ H l`c`Scoop Purchase!
PLUG PACK -
.
.,
A standard style plug pack of 10.5V DC 12 KEY NUMERIC
® 300mA We don't know what to use DON'T BUY YOUR YOUNG CHILDREN PAD (telephone
them for, but at $3.95 each, who cares.
A COMPUTER! style)
(Output lead same as 61439.)
Cat MA-2612 Not until you've seen this This fantastic little keypad measures 67H x 44W a
$3.95 EA anyway! 0. Each button is separately addressable and
101$3.50 has a fantastic tactile feel. 0-9 plus & S keys.
The Video Technology LESSON ONE is a much
ARLEC Connection data provided. Japanese made
No. 61071 more sensible alternative to a computer for
Duality.
children from 4 to under 12. It is the most fantastic
A large chasis grain oriented steel trans-
former that gives a massive 20V centre
learning aid we have seen for the price. Cat SK -0760 62.50 each
tap at 15 AMPS) This would enable you Children are encouraged to learn to compose music.
spell, learn maths and play strategic games all on their
OR 5 for 610
to, say build a regulated DC supply of
own without supervision!!
39V 3 around 10 AMPS.
A tranny of this size would normally cost
The 'LESSON ONE' is safe, (it runs on batteries, optional AC adaptor available) does not need
over $60 to be plugged into a TV. It costs a fraction of the vice of a computer and can even be played
in the cart All programs are in the machine - no tapes or discs etc to get lost) It has a full
ONLY $15
alpha -numeric screen.
Cat. MA -2604
We dare you to buy a better, more useful gift for your children, and, once again, Jaycar has
P & P extra S6 each 1!
purchased these at a price whoh is so low you will be amazed. Each 'LESSON ONE' comes in
LIMITED OTYS ,.
ARLEC PS -561 an attractive gift box, fantastic instruction book and is Q.C'd right here in Australia) This unit
would be valued at $149 (commpetilion sells for this) but the 'LESSON ONE' is only $791
A -Maxibox plug pack adaptor. 240V to
7.5 DC QD 600 mA (Output flying lead
1. Memory Tune
Math Quiz
.
2. Measures 280w a 145h x 170d
same as 61439.)
Cat
3. Multiplication Quiz Cat XC-3050
ONLY $6S 4. Am I Correct - math practice
LIMITED
5. Begins With - first spelling Not 699
6. Spelling
7. Guess That Letter
Automatic or program manually
$79
Guess That Word
Automatic or program manually SAVE $20? SCOOP
f'1,
9. Letter Finder
10. Number Finder
NOW ONLY Better Features. The Pro Series I not only kills the 5000 for perfomace. It has great features. For example, it has a chassis plug IEC
320 style mains inlet and a switched chassis IEC 240V socket to power other mains equipment It also features signal clipping
$59.95 LED's on the cast front panel. This keeps in mind the highly likely professional applications for this amp.
Simpler to Build. You would think that this new amp would be harder to build than the straight forward 5000. Not so! The Pro
LT -3819 Series I, intact, Is far easier to build and actually has less signal distorting components than the 5000.
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Construction Project:
Digital storage
adaptor for scopes
Here's a low cost and particularly easy to build unit which cause the nature of the signal is not dis-
effectively converts any normal analog oscilloscope into a cernable on replay.
digital storage instrument, with sampling rates up to 200 For example if a 10kHz sinewave
were recorded at 40k samples per sec-
kilosamples/second. It's also remarkably compact, with all ond, it is not clear from the replayed
circuitry fitting on two small interconnecting PC boards. signal whether the original was a sine,
square, triangle or whatever! There are
by JIM ROWE just not enough samples to give ade-
quate resolution.
The Digital Storage Adaptor or The output impedance is 1k, DC cou-
`DSA' described here has been designed. pled and suitable for any conventional From Nyquist's sampling theorem it is
to form an external accessory to any scope. not possible to record and faithfully
conventional analog oscilloscope. Its The DSA is manually `armed' by a reproduce any signal of frequency more
function is to take an incoming analog pushbutton which sets the unit ready for than half the sampling rate, but in prac-
signal and convert it into a stream of a new recording. The `TRIG' control
tice the signal should be at least 10
8 -bit data words, which are then stored times lower in frequency if the wave-
sets the threshold at which the record-
in sequence in a 2048 -word -deep memo- ing will start, between 0 and 2.5V. Ifform is to be reproduced faithfully.
ry. From the memory the stored data Hence with a maximum sampling fre-
higher sensitivity is required an external
samples can then be `replayed' as often opamp preamplifier can be used, while quency of 200ksps, this DSA is basically
as needed, converted back into analog fine for capturing waveforms in the
an external resistive attenuator can be
form and displayed on the scope. audio spectrum, up to around 20kHz. It
used to lower the sensitivity for larger
The particular advantage of a DSA is signals. can be used with higher frequency sig-
that 'one shot' or widely spaced events The uses for a DSA are manifold, butnals, but only if it is not crucial that the
can be captured and examined at lei- there are a few practical limitations. exact waveform be reproduced.
sure, whereas conventional oscilloscopes There is no point in taking fewer than Incidentally the design of this DSA
are useful only on repetitive waveforms. say 20 samples of the highest frequency
has been carried out by the R&D de-
For example, it may be desirable to component in the incoming signal, be- partment at Australian Test and Meas-
examine the sound of a bell ringing. A
microphone and preamp would be set
up and the DSA controls configured
ready to receive the signal. On receipt
of the first part of the bell's ring wave-
form, the DSA will digitise and store
the signal for 2048 samples- and then
continously replay the result for conven-
ient viewing on a conventional oscillo-
ill +
o.
scope.
A trigger output is provided by the
DSA to allow triggering of the scope
sweep at either the beginning or middle
of the replayed sample stream.
The 2048 -sample memory depth pro-
vided by the DSA is more than the
average scope can resolve along its hori-
zontal axis, so by activating the scope's
X5 or X10 timebase magnifier the reso-
lution can be greatly enhanced.
The DSA has input and output sensi-
tivities of 0 to 2.5V DC, and the input
has switch selectable AC or DC cou- The two boards for the DSA, unplugged and shown side by side. All wiring
pling with an input impedance of 1M. is
on the two boards.
86 ELECTRONICS Australia, December 1989
record oscillator circuits. Incidentally to
allow the I/O connectors to all be
mounted directly on this PCB, all signal
connections are made via 3.5mm minia-
ture jack sockets. These provide reliable
connections, at a reasonable cost.
The top board measuring 101 x 80mm
contains the single chip ADC-DAC, the
RAM and the digital control circuits
and LED indicators.
B The power supply consists of three
voltage regulators (U1, U3 and U4)
which provide the +5V, -5V and
+2.5V voltages (respectively) from an
external unregulated 9V DC plugpack
supply, which is connected to power
input socket Kl.
How it works
To understand how the DSA oper-
ates, refer to the circuit schematic. This
The two boards assembled, and shown almost exactly full size. As you can
is in three sections -
two covering the
baseboard circuitry (ATM17A/1 and /2),
see, it's a very neat and compact little Instrument...
and the third covering the top board cir-
cuitry (ATM17B).
urement, and accordingly the PCB etch- Compact construction When power is first applied to the
ing patterns and other aspects of the de-
The electronics section of the DSA unit, the reset monostable U4a (sche-
sign are proprietary. This means that consists of two compact double -sided matic ATM17B) is triggered and resets
other firms are not able to offer them printed circuit boards, which connect to- the record control flipflop U6a and b,
for sale. However AT&M is making gether via 10 -way PCB connectors on the write monostable U4b and the
available two complementary kits for each longer side. The two boards per- ADC/DAC device, U1 -
an AD7569.
the DSA, one for the complete elec- form literally all of the circuit wiring, so The unit is now in the replay or 'play-
tronics module and the other for a very that there is no conventional wiring at back' mode, where the digital contents
neat matching case. all. of the 6116 static RAM (U2) are conti-
The electronics module kit has catalog The lower `base' board, measuring nously read out and converted by the
number ATM17, and is priced at $161 121 x 86mm, carries all the input and DAC section of U1 into an output ana-
plus 20% sales tax, if applicable; the output connectors, the switches and log signal. Generally the initial contents
matching case kit is the ATM17-01, and potentiometer controls, the power sup- of the RAM will be random and pro-
is priced at $23 plus sales tax. ply, analog buffer, comparator and duce an irrelevant `garbage' analog sig-
K3 CIO C4 D2
100nF 120oF 4148 '115_ A -IN
I II
TRIGGER
SV2 R2 U2: B
SOURCE
7101AV2 TL082
-0o
AC/DC
'v'
lOK 5
7 NT
5U3
07101AV2
U2:
TL082
A
Dl R8 :x_To /TRIG
4148 10K 1
RIO
1M
II-
C8 R9
D3 100nF 10M
4 148
K4 R11
10K
RI K2
R
K7 C3
D4 10K 33oF
EXT -TRIG 1
4148 f 1. 25V! A -OUT
11>
K1 TR 66ER
UI LM7885C 2K2 LEVEL V-OUT
Vin 5V V1
R14
R15 100K
U3 U4 10K
9V -DC ICL7660 LM336
ch. VRI
2 CAP u 100K
-5V
CI ~- C11 _3_
-T
VOUT 4 ADJ
47uF
T 10uF CAP = C12
C2 C9 10uF_,_ R13
©
K7
1000- 108n1
ri
ATM17A/1
i 10K C16
100nF
C17
100nF
K?
The first section of the schematic, showing the input signal processing, trigger level comparator and power supply
circuitry on the baseboard.
ELECTRONICS Australia, December 1989 87
Digital storage
nal at this stage, but if a battery backed
NV RAM is used the output will be the
last signal that was recorded by the
DSA.
The address lines of the RAM are
driven by a 4040 counter (U3), which is
clocked by the ACLK signal from the
base board. During playback the
READ signal enables the gated relaxa-
tion oscillator U8b (schematic
ATM17A/2), to provide the ACLK sig- t.
nal for the counter and the RCLK sig-
nal for the DAC `/WR' (U1 pin 15) and
RAM `/G' (U2 pin 20) inputs.
On the positive cycle of RCLK, gate
U8c produces a negative ACLK signal
to advance the 4040 counter. On the
negative cycle the /WR and /G inputs
are strobed low, to output the data
from the RAM and write it into the
DAC section of U1.
The most significant RAM address
line is output as the SYNC signal for
Rear view of the assembled boards, showing the five 3.5mm I/O connector
the oscilloscope trigger. By selecting ei-
sockets and the DC input connector.
ther positive or negative triggering on
the scope, the centre of the displayed Recording a new waveform is acti- will set and the O output (U6 pin 9)
signal can either be the start or centre vated by firstly operating the ARM prepares the recording flipflop U6a to
of the recorded signal. switch (SW1), to place the unit in the set on the next trigger input. The /0
The DAC analog output signal (U1 READY mode, and then generating a output of U6b turns on the READY
pin 2) is passed down to the baseboard, trigger signal to start the recording se- LED.
where it is filtered by Rl and C3 prior quence. These two states are indicated The input signal at connector K3 is
to being output from the V -OUT con- by LEDs D3 and D2. buffered by amplifier U2b (schematic
nector K2. When SW1 is operated flipflop U6b ATM17A/1) and then fed to the ADC
R17
417
1
U8:
4093
A
3
VR2
IBBK
- -IpCPO
.4pCPI
--Z- MR
U6:
74HC390
A
00
01
02
03
3
OP1
14
U6:
MR
B
74HC390
o cPe oe
01
02
03
U7
74HC4061
Y0
81
20
21
2
4q
/UCLK
K8
16
I CIS
Ins
`
RS
n_
10K 15
13
US
4022
CLK
ENA
00
01
02
2
1.2
Y3
E0
El
E2
22
Z3 _19_
R6 03 E3
04
1Io SEL C6
100K
CS
I00nF
= 05
06
07 0
10 504 I00nF
I
5 RST CO 12
8125AV2 C7
R7 I00nF
10K tD>
EXT-WCLK
KS R4
3K3
K7
K8
U8: 8
10 4148
N
K6
4093 RCLK
READ
El>
5 .111->4 K7
C14
220FI VR3
20K
R18
10K
/RCLK
E>
CY
ATM17A/2 Rev. 00
This schematic shows the remaining circuitry on the baseboard: the write
clock oscillator, divider and MUX, range
selection counter, read clock oscillator and ARM control.
88 ELECTRONICS Australia, December 1989
K7
K
A
/UCL
-1N
m U6
TLXR5101
74HC74
B
x
D3
2
8
9 ]
L/
D2
1
li
C4
33oF !
SC
Ul
AD7S69
VIM
-W
VOUT
AGND AGND
087
086
Des
DB4
01113
2 A -OUT
K7
(11>
n READY REC 18
K7
__
1áL D c 0 -9
21 CLK
DB2
DB1
oB0 14 0
N R9 RIO
RECORD 11 CLK
04
o
a
1K 1K
R1 R2 1CI RNe
V55
BSV
N
US: A 10K 6K8 T601,4"
100K 4001
2
REC
tt
K
19
KO
R3 U2
10K 6116
1.16: A
74HC74 C3
US: D I00oF U3
4001 __2__ 5 4040
Dl
D o 0
1V---.
13 x, 012
K7 4148 11 011 A10
/TR1G 01 12
>CLK
010 A9
A8
ú á J 09 7
US: 0 08 A7 D7
RB 4001 07 A6 D6
10K 5 06 AS D5
4
OS A4 D4
04 A3 D3
11 ROT 23 A2 02
.X8 02 Al DI
/ACLK 10c'CLK 01 »1 A0 DO
KB
K7 /SYNC l8
/RCLK
EL4
K8
17 5E13
K7 RS
467 U4: 8 SEL2
IB 7411C123
0 10uF
:151
R6
I00K 04:A 7 RCxt SE 1
X19 X199
TC TIT EXT
K7 74HC123 X1
IS
E> RCxt EN. IV). ZtiD7
33o
T RI1 D4 D6
K7
K7
1 - IBBnF
100nF
IBBnF R7
10K
C7
Tl4 Cxt
6
19C B
Cxt
A 0 5
=
1K
vY
TLXR6101 x 4 K7
E> /RESET A 0
13 llc CLR 3 712 MCLK
C9
I00nF CLR D4
ATM 17B
And here's the schematic for the upper board, with the ADC/DAC section, memory and addressing, control flip flops,
timing and range indication circuitry.
section of Ul (as A -IN) and the Trigger level at input pin 13 of U5 will go high via capacitor C3, and generates the
Source switch SW3. The AGDC switch and prevent any furthur trigger pulses REC signal for the baseboard. The /Q
SW2 is used to select the input signal from reaching U6a. output of U6a turns on the RECording
coupling as either 0 to 2.5V (DC) or The Q output of U6a resets U6b via LED (D2) and enables the WCLK gate
-1.25V to +1.25V (AC). Resistor R2 OR gate USa, the address counter U3 USc.
and diodes D1 and D2 provide input
overload protection, by limiting the
input signal. When the input is AC cou- D
;..
r Ri
on pin 21. At the end of conversion the
ADC's /INT signal on pin 20 goes low
and triggers the WRITE monostable
U4b. The monostable's /Q output
strobes both the /RD input (pin 17) of
the ADC, to read the conversion 8-bit
word onto the data bus, and the RAM's ro
ir
T
memory. ixt
The rising edge of the same signal (as ,.sa
MCLK) is gated with the REC signal by
U8d, to produce a falling edge ACLK
signal and advance the address counter,
for the next sample. When this counter
reaches its final count Q12 (U3 pin 1)
goes high, and resets U6a via U5b and The assembled baseboard, again showing the location and orientation of all
also itself via R3. When U6 resets, the of the components. Again some leads must be soldered on both sides.
/Q output closes the WCLK gate U5c
and the REC LED turns off. The unit is
printed circuit boards. Firing it up
The locations of all components on To get the DSA going, you'll need a
now back in the Replay mode.
the two boards are shown in the layout plug -pack supply capable of supplying
A novel system is used to select the
diagrams. Note that although both PC 9V DC at around 100mA or so. Its con-
sampling clock signal used used for
boards are double sided, to save in the
WCLK, using a single 'form A' push- nector should be polarised with the cen-
overall cost of the project they are not tre contact positive, to match the DSR's
button SW4 in conjunction with counter
provided with through -hole plating. This connector.
U5 (a 4022) and multiplexer U7 (a
means that many of the IC and other
74HC4066). The next step is to connect up the
component leads must be soldered on plug -pack and apply the power. All
The internal WCLK signals are gener-
both sides, where there are tracks pre- going well, LED D4 should light up and
ated on the baseboard by relaxation os-
cillator U8a, which is followed by a dual
sent.
-
assuming there is no `smoke' - you
decade divider (U6). This provides a On each board we suggest that as can quickly check the power supply
-
choice of three signals that from U8a, usual, you fit the resistors and other
low -profile 'passive components first -
rails.
the 1/10 frequency signal from U6a, or The +5V rail can be checked by con-
the 1/100 frequency signal from U6b. taking care with the diode polarity. necting the negative test lead of your
The fourth possible signal for WCLK is Then fit the capacitors, again taking multimeter to pin 1 of 10 -way connector
an external clock signal fed in via K5. care with the polarised aluminium and K7, and then the positive lead to pin 10
Selection of one of these four signals tantalum electrolytics. of the same connector.
is performed by U7, which is the single It might be a good idea to fit the pots Similarly the -5V rail can be checked
pole, four position multiplexer. The and switches to the baseboard next, fol- by connecting the positive lead to pin 1
mux ís controlled counter U5, which is lowed by the 110 connectors and the of K7, and then the negative lead to pin
pulsed by SELect switch (SW4). Each two 10 -pin interconnection socket strips. 8 of the TL082 op -amp U2, on the
operation of the switch will step the Then you can fit the LEDs to the upper baseboard. And finally the +2.5V rail
counter and move the mux to the next board, and also the 10-way connector can be checked by measuring across the
position. The Q4 output of the counter pin strips. These push through from the ends of the `Trigger Level' pot, at the
(pin 11) is connected back to its reset top of the board, until the moulded centre front of the baseboard.
pin, so that it cycles continuously in a plastic strip is hard against the board, If any of the supply rails are signifi-
`X1, X10, X100, EXTernal' sequence. and are then soldered carefully on the cantly different from their correct volt-
In addition to being fed to the mux underside. age, switch off fast and begin trouble-
for selection of the WCLK signals, the With all of the passive parts mounted, shooting. However if all voltages check
four active output lines of counter US it would be a good idea to check every- OK, the odds are that your unit is ready
are also fed to the upper board, where thing over, to make sure that you've for functional testing.
they drive LEDs D4 -D7 to indicate the soldered the top connections of all leads For this you'll need a conventional
sampling range in use. which mate with a track on the top sur- analog scope, of course, plus a source
Pot VR2 allows fine variation of the face, as well as the bottom. Then you of suitable signals - such as an audio
internal WCLK oscillator U8a, on each can then fit the ICs to each board, and generator. You'll also need three con-
of the three internal ranges. solder these in carefully - again on nection cables, fitted with 3.5mm minia-
both sides where necessary. ture jack plugs at one end, and BNC or
Wiring it up Your boards should now be complete, similar connectors at the other to mate
With this project, assembly really is although it may be wise to check every- with your scope and generator.
the easy part, thanks to the ATM de- thing carefully, before plugging them to- First of all, set all three pots on the
sign with everything on those two small gether and proceeding. DSA to the centre of their travel. Also"
90 ELECTRONICS Australia, December 1989
PARTS LIST
PCB mounting
out' connector K2 to the scope's Y1 quence of the DSA's RAM addresses,
input, and the `Sync' connector K6 to this will ensure that you will be able to
the Y2 input. On the other hand if the display the full contents of the DSA's Capacitors
scope has only one Y channel, the best RAM, on the current timebase setting. 3 33pF ceramic
plan is to hook up K6 to the Y input At this stage, if you have a dual -trace 1 68pF ceramic
first, to set things up. scope, the Y1 channel will almost cer- 100pF ceramic
-
1
the scope's timebase set for lms/div or tial random contents of the DSA's 1 220pF ceramic
0.5ms/div, as desired, the Y2 or Y RAM. You'll get the same result with a 1 1.5nF monolithic
single -trace scope by swinging the Sync 14 0.1 uF monolithic
sensitivity set to 1V/div and the trigger-
1 uF 35V TAG tantalum
ing set to respond to the same Y chan- lead from K6 over to the scope's 'Est 1
MONO
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GPO BOX 536F, HOBAR1; 7AS 7001
Telephone: (002) 73 OI00 Facsimile: (002) 73 1871
*
^261-11 I place, to keep it lying flat against the
R14'.amM..-;¡wC7
R15: board.
R17.- The line coupling transformer Ti may
i 0
R3:4,-er
C3 4
A be mounted next, by first mechanically
.
_ P10 securing it to the board with its mount-
OP
ing tabs (if fitted), and then soldering
the pins which comprise the electrical
connections to its windings. Also mount
t- the two modular phone jacks, again fix-
ing them in place by melting their plas-
tic support tabs a little with the solder-
ing iron, and then making the connec-
tions.
Finally, mount the integrated circuits,
- , :
making sure that their orientation is
Ñ IC
V --s---0011 iher, correct. All ICs have pin 1 closest to
ce
E8 IC3 C1r, G28 . the bottom left-hand corner of the
r board, when the edge -connector is fac-
C.3
rl
TT e, 0.00
l_.r_ICs . IC'
r ing downwards. Attaching the card
mounting bracket to the right-hand edge
~Ic, 4. - -
a
31
c7 E3 n5
- J Ef
of the board completes the assembly
procedure.
Testing
After a final visual check, plug the
completed card into an unused slot of
an IBM PC, XT, AT or compatible,
A closeup of the assembled prototype. Note that the boards supplied may be and boot up the system. If the computer
slightly different, to meet Australian Telecom requirements. fails to boot -up normally, remove the
at a DC potential half way between the These may be followed by the dialling card and look for constructional errors
ground and 5V rails of the computer. relay, optocoupler IC1, speaker level around the bus interface circuitry on the
IC2d and Q1 form a simple audio am- control pot R18 and the ring detector board (ICs 4 to 9).
plifier, driving the small on -board capacitor Cl. At this point, the speaker, Assuming all is well so far, the next
speaker. This gives an audible indica- crystal and the various jumper blocks thing to do is make the connections to a
tion of the progress of a call an inval- - may also be fitted. The crystal has a phone line and phone, and try out the
uable aid during testing. wire strap placed over it and soldered in supplied FAXSIM software program. It
Construction
Construction of the fax card is rea- 9600 Bf7U0 CIII Ffi% C2,01=1...11 aRS
R4
41
sonably straightforward, being carried R9
0.)
El
E2
out on a double -sided plated -through W I I
t R17 C20
final version of the card will differ 4Il [7.--7J1
slightly from that shown in the accom- R13
34
C5 t7 Rrv
01.D R10 RIs 1°:
panying photographs, to ensure that the SPKR1 : R12 .
l
Telecom specifications. ó
E.90
OEie
Note that kits containing the YM7109 00
chip, the PC board, the end bracket,
the line coupling transformer, the
"
R21
'R22
E12 E11
:--_
9.8304MHz crystal and basic driver soft- R20 e
Y1
+
C21 ;CY*
ware needed for this project will be
available from the Australian distributor
for Yamaha Semiconductors, Energy
i
-
Control International of 26 Boron ICI
-
.
telephone \ .
Street, Sumner Park 4704
0.0
E4E3E531
.
IC4 5°
J3R 1
To begin assembly, mount all the
resistors and non -polarised capacitors,
and also the diodes making sure that - rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr rrrrr 1
~r
R17/1 2k R5/12k
8 R4/12k
c 10
R3/12k R14
C2
10k R9
.5V
+39nF
R15 68k
` 4 10k C3 MIA
II
J1
IBM PC
E 0 1uF
F1
EDGE CA 10
11
LM324 5V
LINE CONNECTOR
T1
6 R6 236
7 10k
O-
PHONE
o-
22
5V
02
C6 +
10uF
16V
I_
C5
0IUFI
R7
10k
..
:C+:
14
13
1N4004 i CNC: 5V 2
(SV
RL1
PRMA1A05
R2 7415125 5V R10k 2t R22 5V
IC9a 10k C14 C15 3
10k tuF
Cl R1/2 7k 0 1uF O
Rt 2 3
16
29
E10
1
IBM PC
EDGE CARO
CONNECTOR
13A
0 47u
250V 1N4004
01
ZED ICI
4N35
SV IC47i6
7415245
ADD
w
A+DD
CABS
LAaLL2
35
:
E9
o--+
Ízo 31 E12 En
00 VCc 3O o
AS 00 118
3 Al
5
8 01 01 917 32
6
02 A2 02 16 33
D2 7
6 03 5 A3 07 15 D3 29
03 6 AA
5 0' Da
1L
28
DA
13 9
ns 7 A5 27
35 2 10
3 06 8 A6 D6
06
26 YI
U6 11 11 9 8304MHz
07 9 A7 u'
07 34
C7 37 .3R
9
VD DiR
t'... 24 ( C17 22
oT 8
10 10V
r_ 25 5V
3 20 16 '22p
2 /.F R19
741504 741500
C13~ 10
1903 25
IC3 G 7nF E4
11 1 2
Y M 7109 5 6 E3
Al 11
3 1RD- 24
22 ICSD .5V IC9b ES CT
19 .5V 4
0E6 4 14
14
IRO
23 qE7 IC7
8 10
8
9
cs
5V 5V
AR 5 R10
9 R11
v
24 E8
Al IC6a 7 rn 14 01
6 7
25 4 13 " 10k 10k wig 2N2222A
A6 pl 741530 C8
ICSb IC51
tOnFI
26 6 12
AS
R 13
27 ICSc 10k 100 SPK1
A 21 CL
15 R18 50 F
A3
20 RS3 RS3
pl ---71,Ct8 10k 16V
IL
952 I10yF
29 RS?
16V
A2
13
30 951 RS1
Al 2
31 7sa 150
AO
RESET
5V
16
3 uR 3
SV ,,,,,,
Put
2
Li 1,1
a. 6
IC100 C, IC10b
74L574 12 74L574
10k U
l0E J
eR
The complete circuit. Note that J3A and J38 are the two sides of the PC-bus edge connector.
screen in graphics mode. The document actually read the message.
ify a ring count of zero, then the
will slowly scroll up the screen, and can Spooled faxes can also be printed out,
modem will not wait for the phone to
during the standard using the supplied FAXPRINT pro-
ring, and will attempt to receive im- be paused
<CTRL> -S combination. gram. The printer used must have an
mediately -
for manual connections.
Epson compatible graphics mode to op-
There are three graphic display pro- Users of Hercules (or compatible)
graphics cards can use the public-do- erate with this program, and must be
grams to display received faxes on
main CGA simulator, SIMCGA, avail- addressed as the logical DOS device
screen: FAXCGA, FAXEGA and
able from most bulletin boards and user PRN:. Note that fax files printed out in
FAXVGA, for CGA, EGA and VGA
groups. However, due to the slow up- this manner are about 20% smaller than
graphics adapters, respectively. Typing
the command followed by an optional date time of this emulation, you may actual size -
a limitation imposed by
need to pause the display frequently to the size of the dots on Epson printers.
spool filename will display that file on
ELECTRONICS Australia, December 1989 97
PHONEORDER TOLL FREE ALTRONICS 008 999 007
- Don't waste your time and hard-earned cash! Do your shopping at ALTRONICS
Just phone your order on 008 - 999 - 007 for the best service in Australia.
-
Low Cost Dual Tracking Supply Gel Cell Charger
With memory logic and OP Amps (See SC Jan '88) (See Silicon Chip July '89)
'`J_
Load switch
,í NEW -
:
Normally $99.00 K 3325 NEW
Beat Triggered This month - a SÁVÉ7
CRACKING $90.00
Strobe O K 1685
Bonus Offer
$23.50
The intelligent way to charge Gel Cells and ceded
We will Include a set of 4 Car Alarm WARNING stickers ($3.95 value)
lead acid batteries Monitored battery voltage
5 ABSOLUTELY FREE with every Car Alarm Kit ordered this month. states charging current Can add years to battery
life Microprocessor controlled laical for radio
amateurs and model racing car drivers
The Protector
Nme1111.aoaN..o411iA01.
product equipped with this new technology. 1 Ideal for use in office, shops, doctors surgeries,
Now our top selling car alarm. Two sensor inputs - normally open and n. rriúlIy clamed, enable
Why GaAs diodes make the difference chemists etc.
simple corenectirnu to door, bonnet, boot light, switches etc.
Lower threshold allows for a better ignal to K 1915 Was $45.00
noise ratio
so
Lower signal conversion loss
A special bargain this
I Eater bartier redhtdac mire. Quite simply GaAs
diodes increase the sensitivity of the Mkeorye K4360 Great Value $39.95 month $39.00
Vector. Simply plugs into you cigarette
O
lighter socket ar can be direct wired into your
existing car wiring
mobile radar equipment
Clips onto visor Detects
Up to now similar lamps sold for S1000 & more
Build A Sub -Woofer Adaptor z
Highway/City/Mrrdes
Separate audio alerts for X and K bands
Visor bracket Velcro Cigarette lighter
Plasma Get an amazing bass Improvement
(See EA May'89)
'n'^
plug. V,
$399 Lamp for your stereo system.
This fantastic adaptor
simply "samples" your ,t
a
Display :
r
o
SCAN
Microprocessor Controlled
Detector Clips on to Sunvisor -
voice or sound system. Provides
endle fascination as it sizzles
and arcs.
Supplied complete with AC
bridge configuration for
those who really want to
rattle the floorboards.
K 5560 Kit (less plug -
o
Unwanted audio sdcetrumn
Invisible from outside your Mains Adaptor
vehicle - this fantastic high A 0120
is removed with the
pack) $29.50
Frequency Camel' (Cutoff
spec. Radar Detector detects X Normally $199 .
threshold adjustable 60- M 9020 12V AC/AC
and K Band Radar up to an 13011x) Adaptor) $16.95
amazing 13kM. Save $50 A 0980
A 1530 Normally $499
This month only $149 be quick Normally
Save $100 this month
If you have trouble with fuse PCB work or
$279.00
HAVE A HAPPY Icomponent identification but still want both This
banda free, this is for you. We thoroughly
Irecommend this quality Australian roadie product.
Desk Mounted month
TECIINICAL INFORMATION: Illumination:
ALTRONICS 22W Fluorescent Weight: 8.16kg lateral
Extension: 254nun Vertical Extension: 254nun
Lamp Magnifier $229.00
IFixing: Heavy table base (grey re ivory) with GREAT SAVE
L CHRISTMAS! J
two chrome plated flexible arms.
I SAVINGS I
I
$50.00
PHONEORDER TOLL FREE ALTRONICS 008 999 007
PHONEORDER TOLL FREE ALTRONICS 008 999 007
INVERTERS INVERTERS INVERTERS INVERTERS INVERTERS
Get 240V AC Mains Power from your battery with these handy Inverter kft sets 300 WATT
POWERHOUSE 600W i4, Many combinations to choose from:
INVERTER
:
(Soe EA Dec'87)
This ºteener hu the capacity to produce 600 watts
of maim power which will ram famartic array of
appliances. Ideally suited to running power tools,
lighting (including Burin) electric motors and
much more. It can be used either as a portable or y-,
1111~_ -_ a .
1 Auto Start draws power from
you battery only when appliance
is plugged in and -turned on- ie,
battery can be left permanently
connected if required. Voltage
permanent future. o-, - - Regulated a Current Regulated e
r- o, .- Current Overload unit self limits
Manual or Auto Start facilitie. Low battery ii111aW-741trama -
a
cut-out.
". Complete Kit
Kit version K 6770 $425.00 "1/4
K 6750 $279.00
Fully built and tested "or Fully built
12V Input K 6774 $525.00
24V Input K 6775 $525.00
` J and tested
K 6755 $379.00
100'S OF USES AT
40W INVERTER FOR SMALL APPLIANCES see EA Aug'85
HOME AND AWAY TOP
Features: 2 modes of operation, Standard Charger. Fixed of variable frequency allowsfrequency dependent devices.
Operates from 12Volt car battery. Allows for precision control. K 6705 $89.00 VALUE
4,
i/
$300.00
a pair
15,000Hz, -80 db Q I kHz, 35mm
Mono jack. . 1\ Sawa floor space.
C 0980 15Watt 8 Ohm,
Ught grey Inner
C 0981 15 Watt 8 Ohm,
This impressive new 12' speaker will enhance
any musical instrument Amp system. 97db SPL Dark grey Inner
at SM. Designed principally for guitar and
piano, thú reproducer will handle MOW
intermittently or 150W umtinuous. 8 Ohm,
NOW ONLY $29.95 Only
50mm voice call, MASSIVE 4kg magnet.
Fantastic Value!
SAVE $10.00 09055
$29.50 each
10" WOOFER
15" (375mm) WOOFER 60Watt RMS
Huge 120 Watts RMS 12" (300mm) WOOFER
Massive 200 W Max. 100 Watt RMS 150W Max. 100W Max.
C 3075 C 3070 C 3065
Normally $99 Was $69.00
Normally $129
NOW ONLY
NOW ONL V $99 Iv z NOW ONLY $89 $49.00
YOU SAVE $30
61/2" Mid Range
HUGE SAVINGS ON SPEAKERS 30Watt RMS 50W Max.
with sealed frame
8" WOOFER 61/2" WOOFER/Midrange C 3045Was $27.50
6OWatt RMS 100W AAax. 30Watt RMS 50W Max. NOW YOU SAVE
C 3060 Was $49.95 C 3055 WAS $29.95
AT $22.00
Now $39.95 SAVE $10.00 NOW ONLY $24.00
Ideal for "live" recording, our NEW Audio A 2570 240V Mains Operated
Mixing Console has truly
sophisticated features: Normally $499 _
GREAT
PA mixing
SAVINGS
Fantastic tape recording
Steroo/mono VCR recording
This Month $399 Outgoing muaage variable from 30 to 120 rec.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Frequency Range: 100k -1SOMItz Is, 6 ranges
RF Output keel: 100mV RMS Accuracy a/- 3%
R/L 5 band graphic equalisers
Talkover facility You Save $100.001 Announcement -only mode
Incoming message Is voice controlled Modulation: Internal (30% depth)- ! Idle
-13
Separate headphone level control
Patch switch bank
Incoming call can he monitored
Rapid erase
External - 5011z - 20112
oscillator
Crystal locked
_
Individual controls for Microphone, Phono 182, Aux. line 182, and Master slide level Has bult-in microphone - great for dictation o 1550 Normally $299.00 O
controls.
Blend up to two magnetic or crystal turntables, two tape decks and two microphones
-all et oncett
A 0512 Normally $199. This
month 50 only at $149 This Month $249.00 zm
FULLY PROFESSIONAL SPECS: (No back orders at this price) Save $50.00
.Input - Mic 1: 0.5e V. 600 Ohms, Mis 2 0.5mV, 600 Ohms (Low comp.), 2.5 eV, 10kOhms (low Imp.): Phono
182(Mag,) 3m V, 50kOhms: Phono 182(Cry.). 150roV, 100kOhnre Tape/Tuner 182150mV, 100k0hms. O
Equaliser 5 hea,ency bands: 60Hz, 250Hz. IkHz, ¿kHz. 126Hz Bowl Cut Rangs, plus ce minus 12eó
1 GHz FREQUENCY COUNTER
SUPER Low PRICE ON EA Measuring Mode: Frequency Measurement, CHANNEL A
Range: 10f (z to 10M11z direct counter, l OMHz to 100MHz prescaled by 10
Resolution: Direct couture: 1,10, 100í1z switch selectable, prescaled: 10, 100,
8 SECTOR BURGLAR 100011z switch selectable Gate Time: 0015, 0.1S, LOS, switch selectable
1
Protect your Hume or Rtrainees front Intruders with this Period Measurements (Channel A) Range: 1011z to 25M1(z
"State of the Art" Burglar Alarm System and save SSS on Resolution: 10-75, 10.11S,10-95 .witch selectable
the ceet of commercial equivalents. Totalize Measurements(Channel A) Range: 10Hz to lOMHz Resolution: a/-
Features: Alum has 8 separate input circuits - 8 sectors count of input Display: 8 digit.. 7mm red LED display with decimal point, gate, '
can be monitored independently Each input circuit is overflow, kits, MJCL cad uS indication. w wana-r cc.n.
provided with en indicator LED and a sector ON/OFF See our 1989 Cm/aloeae Pars 62 for full apecilicasiear of this top quality counter,
switch. Individual sector notation allows the user to he in wow Sena greater value for on. mouth only.
scene areas of the pemism while others remain protected, eg
Inside OFF, Ouside ON. inputs accept both normally
closed and normally open sensors. Two impute provided
01530 Normally $499.00 This Month Only $399.00 SAVE $100.00
with an entry delay (between 1675 seconds). Internal trip
warning buzzer - alerts owry/ocap nt of pending alarm
operation great fir the "forgetful" amcopt us. This buzzer
Labtech Dual Trace 20MHz CRO
is pre-settabie between S and 55 scrods prior to alarm.
Unique circuit detects automatically when either N/O or
N/C loom are either open circuit or dead short, eg someone
With Component Tester
Is trying to bridge reed switches etc Switched output
can be used to send a dent alarm through am auto-dialler _
e
circuit or similar.
(See EA ]an/Feb'85 or our 1955 analogue for full
features)
Kit (Leas Battery Back Up)
-y.
components m or out of the actual circuit board can easily be tested, requiring no power to drive the
circuit. The display shows compusnt faults, component value, characteristics and tests components
Will even clean your teeth)
FEATURES: Component Tester Wide bandwidth & high sensitivity Very low power
Won't wretch or damage - uses consumption High sensitivity X -Y mode 2axes (intensity modulation) Front panel electrical
ordinary tap wafer and creates mullions n trace rotator 'taunted power supply for greater accuracy.
=
of super-pcmtrating bubbles. Hospital
tests show that Ultrufnicc cleaning $100 FREE BONUS OFFER
produces better results infer than
conventional methods.
iBrr``\, 00155 LABTECH DUAL TRACE CRO $899 0 0175 2 OFF 10:1 PROBE
Unit (Reed Switch) uy, the roof spare and plugged into
maim power.
Suitable for windows and daa.
o
_
1
O
Features:
Wireless reception of external or Internal sensors or detectors
Cmsi.s of endowed reed switch and removable
enclosed magnet. S 5290 $125.00
Selectable hone or away modes. Allows Internal or external
arming or Just external to provide protected movement Inside
S 5270 $55.00
o7 the building
o) Built -In pier. electric siren gives different signals for different
FREE THIS MONTH Hand Held Control
o functions
I
... ow*
co
o
Sends signals down power line to activate one or more remote
sirens
The main control receiver runs m 240V AC with a 12V I.2At1 WARNING Ill
Transmitter Unit
- rVvA
//.""
o battery fee emergency back-up. All other units with the exception
of the live carrier run on a 9V battery each The average life
expectancy ú appron. one year. System works around 305MIIe
ADRONICS SURVEILLANCE
ALARM SYSTEM
HERE
J
Keep it at the bedside table allow. you to
arm the haute per'uretere when you retire or
you can take it with you when you go out,
frequency where there is lea. chance of a false alarm. The range of armitg your system after you lack the door.
the unit is normally 80 metre. in open spare. With each system adored we will include 3 Large
CC
ALTROflIC) 174 Roe St. Perth W.A. 6000
If you have a Retail Shop, you could increase your income
significantly by becoming an Altronics Dealer, Phone Chris
Campbell (09) 328 2199 for Details.
Z ALTRONICS RESELLERS
Chances are there is an Altronics Reseller right near you - check
this list or phone
have to pay the cost of
INSURANCE -
As with virtually every other Australian supplier, we send goods at
consignees risk. Should you require comprehensive insurance cover against loss
us for details of the nearest dealer. Please Nola: Resellers
O freight and insurance and therefore the prices charged by individual Dealers may or damage please add 1% to order value (minimum charge $1). When phone
ordering please request "Insurance".
2 vary slightly from this Catalogue - in many oases, however, Dealer prices
will still
represent a significant cost saving from prices charged by Altronics Competitors. TOLL FREE PHONE ORDER -
Bankcard,Visa, MasterCard Holders can phone
a Don't forget our Express Mall and Phone Order Service -for the cost of a local
Bankcard, VIaa or Mastercard holders can phone order for same day despatch.
call, order toll free up to 6pm Eastern Standard Time. Remember with our Overnight
~service we deliver next day.
COUNTRY ALBANY BP Electronics 412681 ESPERANCE Esperance Communications 713344 Lance GERALDTON K.B.Electronics 8
WA Rock Retravislon 351246PORT
Marine 212176 KALGOORLIE Todays Electronics 212777 KARRATHA Daves Oscitronic 854836 MANDURAH
HEADLAND Ivan Tomek Electronics 732531 WYALKATCHEM D & J Pease 811132 NT ALICE SPRINGS Ascom Electronics 521500 Farmer
Electronics 522388 ACT CANBERRA Bennett Commercial Electronics 805359 Scientronics 6241331Electronics VICTORIA CITY All Electronic
7233860 PRESTON Preston
Components 6623506 SUBURBAN CHELTENHAM Talking Electronics 5842386 CROYDEN Truscott
Electronics 4840191 COUNTRY BENDIGO KC Johnson 411411 MORWELL Morwell Electronics 346133 QUEENSLAND CITY Delsound
CAPALABAKingsway Electronics 3902399 WOODRIDGE David Hall Electronics 8082777 COUNTRY CAIRNS Electronic
World
P/L 8396155 SUBURBAN
518555 BUNDABER03 Bob Elkins Electronics 721785 GLADSTONE Supertronics 724459 MACKAY
Phlltronlcs 578855 ROCKHAMPTONAccess
TOOWOOMBA Hunts Electronics 329677 TOWNSVILLE Solex 7724466 SA CITY Force
Electronics (East St.) 221058Xanthos Electronics 278952
BRIGHTON Force Electronics 3770512 CHRISTIES BEACH Force Electronics 3823366 ENFIELD Force
Electronic 2125505 SUBURBAN
3496340 FINDON Force Electronics 3471188 LONSDALE Force Electronics 3260901 COUNTRY MT.GAMBIER South East
Electronics
454764 TASMANIA HOBART George Harvey 342233 LAUNCESTON George Harvey
Electronics 250034 WHYALLA Eyre Electronics COUNTRY COFFS
316533 Nichols Radio TV 316171 NSW CITY David Reid Electronics 2671385 CARINGHAH Hicom Unhronics 5247878
Tomorrows Electronics 247246 GRAFTON East Coast Electronic 431250 NELSON BAY Nelson Bay
HARBOUR Doffs Habour Electronics 525684GOSFORD
Electronics 813685 NEWCASTLE Novocastrian Elect.Supplles 621358 NOWRA Ewing Electronics 218412 RAYMOND TERRACE Alback
Electronics 873419 WINDSOR M 8 E Electronics 775935 WOLLONGONG Newtek Electronics a 271620 Vimcom Electronics 284400
arrangement is the better. But other quired. After much hunting a third was the speed is increased by up to 50%. It
operators prefer the former arrangement,
because while they do not agree with
those who claim breathing to be an ob-
stacle in the way of the reception of
weak signals, the cessation of breathing,
when no signals are coming through, at
once indicates that the clockwork had
run down or that the band has stopped
from some other cause or that there is a
faulty connection in the circuit.
.
1
i2=3
\\
1
11liti.
++M
-' -
;a.__Trrf._ca
_ {T
1Z
clockwork is provided by the brass
knob, T.
The primaries are wound over small
glass tubes, and are made of No. 36
DWS (double wound silk covered) cop-
per wire. They are wound for a distance
of about 2 centimetres over the tube, this
giving them a resistance of between 2
and 3 ohms, and an inductance of about
,-----
-1
....
- } ty
30 microhenries. Each secondary coil is
s....)s....) 11
I
!{
¡,,l'
4f=4.w i I
ings. The pulley therefore runs very construction of the pulleys involved only the correct relationship to the moving
smoothly. the use of an electric drill, set up in a band, blocks of timber had to be cut to
The other part of this assembly in- cradle to allow it to be used as a crude fit under the bobbins.
volves the tension rod and knob. The lathe. Finally, there is the moving band.
rod is made from threaded brass rod The mounting block for the magnets This has involved the most irritating and
and a brass knob was found in the junk was made up from a piece of Oregon, frustrating search, for a reasonable sub-
pile, just the right dimension to fit onto found in the building materials junk stitute for the proper stranded iron
it. The rod fits through two pillars, one pile. Again careful finishing and staining cable. As the material was described by
of which attaches to the underside of make for a satisfactory replication. The Marconi as being made of soft iron
the slide box, while the other is set on timber straps that hold the magnets into wire, stretched beyond its limit of elas-
the base plate and is threaded to match position are fixed back with long ticity, it seems rather unlikely that any-
the rod. Behind the far pillar is a split screws, set into brass cup heads. Behind thing closely resembling the genuine ar-
washer which allows the rod to pull up the timber are cylindrical sleeves to act ticle will be found. As a result, recourse
the box when the knob is turned and as spacers. to a thin metal band, culled from a dis-
hence tension the band. The terminal blocks are also made carded tape measure, was tried initially
The pulleys have involved another from Oregon strips finished with shoe
compromise. In the original Maggie, polish and screwed down to the base
ebonite was used - which is now unob- board.
tainable. This being the case it was de- Not having any suitable lengths of
cided that suitably finished timber glass tube, ultimately some pieces of
would make an adequate substitute. clear plastic tubing from a stationery
Carefully finished Meranti (Queens- shop became the formers for the pri-
land Maple) was used and when this mary and secondary winding. The actual
was coated with black shoe polish it is secondary windings were laid onto two
Left: A closeup of
one of the
solenoid
assemblies, with
terminal block.
As can be seen from the illustrations, records and apparatus and also supplied
the replica Maggie produced from the photographs.
information provided in this article
bears a strong resemblance to the genu-
ine magnetic detector. When confronted
REFERENCES
with such a device in 1989, it is quite Hawkhead, J.C. and Dowsett, H.M.,
hard to imagine a time when such a Handbook of Technical Instruction for
large and cumbersome piece of equip- Wireless Telegraphists, 1915
ment as the Maggie represented the ab- Baker, W.J., A History of the Marconi
solute forefront of technology and re- Company, 1970
mained so for a period of nearly twelve Aitken, H.G.J., Syntony and spark -
years. The origins of Radio, 1976
About all that has not changed since
1902 is the human operator who then,
Jolly, W.P., Marconi - A biography,
1972
as now, relied on wireless for communi-
Marconi, G., Radiotelegraphy (Paper to
cation and safety both at sea and on
the Royal Institution of Great Britain),
land. Even the name of the system of
1911
communication has changed. It is now
Radio! Geddes, K., Guglielmo Marconi 1874-
In closing I would like to thank the 1937, 1974
An end view drawing, showing the
Marconi Company of Chelmsford, Eng- O'Dell, T.H., Marconi's Magnetic De-
remaining major dimensions as well
as the magnet mounting block. land, which gave me access to archival tector, 1983
'
o'
r `WARRANTY
VOID IF REMOVED
ments, for example in the military field,
among PTT authorities and private ser-
vice operators, with satellite communi-
have an isolation voltage of 300V DC,
are short-circuit protected and output
ripple and noise is 3mV RMS. There is
;
high -stability timebase oscillators, allow- neering cost for single, dual, quad and
ing any stability and budget require- multiple output requirements.
CTCSS encoder ments to be met. The highest -perform- For applications engineering informa-
A CTCSS encoder, specifically de- ance version achieves a stability of 5 x tion contact Priority Electronics in Syd-
signed for the Philips PFX and PF85 10-10/24h. ney on (02) 905 6024 or Melbourne on
portable transceivers is now available. For further information contact (03) 521 0266.
The Sigtec designed C1012 CTCSS Philips Test & Measurement, 25-27 Paul
encoder features 37 EIA tones plus 13
non-EIA tones, nil current drain on
, ... ..--- . (l.
.
standby, only 3 -wire installation.
_
frame models.
,
-
Optical TDR
y
1-* --":110
Pocket microscope
The new Scope 'Mark III' pocket mi-
The TD2000 from Laser Precision is
claimed to be the `absolute latest in
croscope features a built-in light. This OTDR technology'. Its applications in-
, .I -sr lightweight (80g) instrument has a 4 lens clude both long haul and short haul
30 magnification optical system. high resolution fibre optic testing which
Focussing above or below the nominal, are accomplished by a single instru-
surface is easily achieved. ment.
Trade price excluding tax is expected The TD2000 is user-friendly, with
to be around $41.00. most facilities available by 'soft key'
For further information contact Scope controls. Traces, which auto centre, and
Laboratories, 3 Walton Street, Airport `help' menus are displayed on an easy
High precision West 3042 or phone (03) 338 1566. to read 17.7cm CRT display.
2.3GHz counter The TD2000's built-in disk drive en-
1
- text. Alternatively, an optional LCD
display unit can be fitted which allows
the analyser to be used independently
3.5 or 5.25" are available for additional
flexibility.
.047 of an oscilloscope.
ICI
Other features include uploading In addition to being able to analyse
data, mapping a cable system, overlay- transmission formats and to monitor
ing traces enabling easy checking of data, it can also be used to generate test
fibre link degradation over a period of with solder tags for connection to leads. data for checking the operation of print-
time. An inbuilt printer option is avail- Higher voltages are available for se- ers and terminals when no transmitting
able when instant hard copy is required. curity and standby applications. device is available or when the opera-
For further information contact Lithium batteries are available in two tion of the transmitting device is sus-
Vicom Australia, 4 Meaden Street, ranges. One is a 3 -volt range designed pect.
South Melbourne 3205 or phone (03) for low current (uA to low mA) appli- The data input to the DA100 is pro-
690 9399. cations as memory back upin comput- vided via a BNC socket suitable for a
ers. With long shelf life over 80% of standard oscilloscope proble. An op-
-111111 < initial capacity is still available after ten tional RS -232 `breakout box' provides a
convenient means of making connec-
-
- -
RIP-UP AUTOROUTER ments.
P.O.A.
t1,1 Designated the LK-680, the kit in-
cludes an all new multi -pin IC logic
PC-CADAT monitor (LC -160), a 20MHz logic probe
-
ADVANCED SIMULATION
ANALOGUE
SIMULATION
PSPICE - $6000
from $1295
Multi -gauge
(PRB-20), a 0.5Hz/500Hz switchable
digital pulser (PLS-500), a probe tip
adaptor with micro -hook (PRB-MHI),
the OK Industries' Digital Logic
Troublshooting Guide, operation manu-
wire stripper als and power cords, all packaged in a
ORCAD A new wire stripping tool released re- ruggedised carrying case.
SCHEMATIC $1290 cently by Scope handles the six most
All instruments in the LK-680 kit are
DIGITAL SIMULATION from $1900 popular gauges from 0.6 to 3.3mm. circuit powered and are ideal for field
service as well as laboratory use. The
AUTOTRAX
- PROTEL - Previously it was necessary to purchase
both Type A and Type B stripping tools
to cover this range.
new LC-160 multi -pin IC logic monitor
adapts to IC's with up to 16 pins, and
$1290 will indicate Hi, Lo, Pulse or Clock
SCHEMATIC $890 This new tool will strip six of the
seven gauges covered by Type A and B.
conditions. Additionally, the LC -160
has unique IC leg extension pins for ex-
available now from The exception is 1.0mm. An adjustable
ceptionally easy individual leg probing.
stop to control stripping length and an
The slim-profile PRB-20 Logic Probe
RCS CADCENTRES automatic anti nicking feature are stand-
ard.
has separate Hi, Lo and Pulse LED's
phone 03 499 6404 or Designed for production wire strip-
and under/over voltage LED's.
fax 03 499 7107 ping it has six diameter specific 360° Further information from Electronic
cutting jaws, which bite through insula- Development Sales, 2A/11-13 Orion
tion to a controlled depth, giving a Road, Lane Cove 2066 or phone (02)
418 6999.
clean cut and an undamaged conductor.
I 11 Trade price is expected to be around Vector/waveform
$16.90 excluding tax.
Established 1933
IS THE ONLY COMPANY For further information contact Scope monitor
WHICH MANUFACTURES AND Laboratories, 3 Walton Street, Airport The Leader 5871 is a TV signal test
SELLS EVERY PCB 8 FRONT PANEL West 3042 or phone (03) 338 1566. instrument that combines a waveform
published in EA. Eil & Silicon Chip monitor with a vectorscope in a single
651 Forest Road Bexley 2207 Logic analysis kit instrument.
AUSTRALIA OK Industries has introduced a new Both waveform and vector can be in-
RING 1021 587 3491 FOR INSTANT PRICES
24 HOUR TURNAROUND SERVICE
Logic Troubleshooting kit which com- dependently or simultaneously displayed
EAGLE
PCB ARTWORK A PROBLEM?
CAD for Printed Circuit Board layout
DO YOU HAVE SCHEMATICS THAT
NEED TO BE DRAWN OR UPDATED?
* EXCELLENT INTERACTIVE ROUTING
DO YOU
IF SO CONTACT
WANT TO BE A RADIO * NETLIST OR ROUTE ON -THE -FLY
AMATEUR? * AUTOROUTER
The Wireless Institute of Australia. CIRCUITWORKS * DRC (Design Rule Checker)
established in 1910 to further the * * ON LINE CONNECTIVITY CHECKER
interests of Amateur Radio. conducts a ALL TYPES OF ANALOGUE & DIGITAL
BOARDS. * OUTPUT FOR PRINTERS & PLOTTERS
Correspondence Course for the A.O.C.P.
and L.A.O.C.P. Examinations conducted * GENERAL ELECTRONIC DRAFTING. * GERBER AND DRILL TAPE OUTPUT
by the Department of Communications. * * RUNS ON PC-XT/AT & COMPATIBLES
WE CATER FOR THE HOME HOBBYISTS &
Throughout the Course. your papers are * Schematic available in Dec. 1989
PROFESSIONAL WORK CENTRES.
checked and commented upon to lead
you to a Successful conclusion * CIRCUIT BOARD PRODUCTION IF
For further information. write to
*
REQUIRED.
5590 (ex. tax)
THE COURSE SUPERVISOR PROMPT SERVICE.
AV transmitter
Still on the subject of accessories for video
recorders, another exciting new item in
Arista's 1990 catalog is the AVS30
Audio -Video Transmitter, a very compact little
unit which allows you to distribute audio and
video signals to any UHF -equipped TV set in
your home or the office - without the need
to run cables. The 1311490 Security Sensor
Measuring only 120 x 83 x 40mm, the
AVS30 accepts audio and video signals from a Leaving video gear, another very handy
VCR or camcorder and uses them to modulate new item in the Arista range is a very
a low -power carrier on UHF channel 30, compact portable security sensor: the PIR90.
The new DVL-2 Video Light. radiated from a small built-in telescopic whip This is a passive infra -red detector, which
(Advertisement)
volts, with full-scale readings of 1.999V,
19.99V, 199.9V and 450V in both cases. For
resistance measurements there are also five
ranges, with full-scale readings of 199 ohms,
1.999k, 19.99k, 199.9k and 1.999M
respectively. A built-in beeper can also be
used for continuity checking, sounding for
any resistance of less than 200 ohms.
1990 Catalog in
The DMM1 consumes only 5mW of power
operation, and runs from two LR-44
(SR -44) button cells. For only $74.95 it also
represents excellent value for money, and
Arista expects stocks to almost fly out the
doors, as soon as they arrive!
senses the movement of any heat -generating The WSB650 is a little larger, and features Bench type DMM
body in its range. This helps to prevent false a long -throw 6-1/2" polypropylene cone Still on the topic of digital multimeters,
alarms. woofer which also has a foam surround, 10oz another interesting new product in the 1990
Measuring only 108 x 70 x 35mm, the magnet and high temperature voice coil. The Arista catalog is the DMM5. unlike most
PIR90 comes complete with built-in swivel tweeter is a 1" high efficiency soft dome type, modem DMMs this is especially designed to
mounting bracket which allows it to be and together the two provide a response from operate on the workbenh, with the LCD
mounted on a wall, and aimed in any desired 50Hz to 22kHz, again in an 'infinite' baffle. display in clear view without having to prop it
direction. It can cover a 12m x 12m room, Power rating and sensitivity are as for the up precariously against something.
and can be set to either sound a 'ding-dong' smaller unit, but with a nominal impedance of Measuring 94 x 90 x 74mm, the DMM5 has
chime for 5 seconds, when movement is 8 ohms and a crossover frequency of 2.5kHz.
a 3.5 digit display and includes a tester for
detected, or a 'siren' sound which persists The crossover network is in this case a bipolar transistors as well as a full array of
until the unit is turned off. It operates from a second -order type. voltage, current and resistance ranges. It also
216-type 9V battery, which fits neatly inside Dimensions of the WSB650 are 307 x 219 x includes a diode check range and an inbuilt
the case. 84mm, and it is finished in the same colour continuity beeper.
An excellent little unit for home and office and styling as the WSB525. It will sell for
security, as well as making a great entry $279.95.
sensor for shops. And it will sell for only Both systems are fitted with red and black
$64.95! spring terminals at the rear for connection of
.. i» .
the input, and come with matching rear
Wall speakers mounting plate. They can be fully fitted from ci
Moving on, another couple of new Arista the front. o"
items which should interest audio and hifí
enthusiasts - as well as architects and ..
builders - are the WSB525 and WSB650
Pocket DMM
-17
wall -mounting speaker systems. These are
two-way full range woofer/tweeter speaker
systems, complete with crossover network,
which are assembled onto very attractive
flush -mounting wall plates to allow them to be
built into wall cavities.
The smaller WSB525 unit features a 5-1/4"
polypropylene cone woofer with foam
surround, 10oz magnet and high -temperature The DMM5 Benchtop DMM
voice coil, coupled with a 1" polyimide dome
tweeter. The two give an overall response There are five DC voltage ranges, with
from 60Hz to 21 kHz in the 'infinite baffle' full-scale readings of 199.9mV, 1.999V,
provided by a typical wall, and are rated for 19.99V, 199.9V and 1000V. For AC volts
up to 60 watts input, with a nominal there are four ranges, with full-scale readings
impedance of 4 ohms and a sensitivity of of 1.999V, 19.99V, 199.9V and 700V. There
are also three current ranges each for both
DC and AC, for full-scale readings of
19.99mA, 1.999A and 10A. Resistance is
The DMM1 Pocket DMM
covered by six ranges, with full-scale readings
of 199.9 ohms, 1.999k, 19.99k, 199.9k,
If you're often called upon to test pieces of 1.999M and 19.99M.
equipment unexpectedly, Arista's new DMM1 The DMM5 is fuse protected on all except
. Pocket Digital Multimeter should be of great the 10A current ranges, and is fitted with a
interest. That's because it's positively TINY, 'hold' button to store an important reading. It
measuring only 106 x 51 x 12mm, and with a will be priced at $129.95.
weight of only 100g. Together with its And that's about all we have space for, this
permanently -fitted test leads it fits inside a month. We'll give you a few more sneak
neat little vinyl wallet measuring only 121 x previews of the new 1990 Arista Electronics
The WSB525 Wall Speaker - small enough to slip easily into
78 x 15mm Catalog in next month's issue...
90dB at 1W/1m. Crossover frequency is 3kHz, most shirt pockets! In the meantime, if you need any
with a first -order crossover network using an Despite this, it's a full -featured 3.5-digit information on the existing Arista range of
air -cored inductor. MM, sporting a high contrast liquid -crystal products, this is available either from your
Overall dimensions of the WSB525 are 279 display with clear 11 mm -high digits and existing Arista dealer or direct from:
x 191 x 70mm, and its front features such as automatic or manual
escutcheon/frame is ABS plastic, finished in ranging, a range hold button, automatic Arista Electronics Pty Ltd, Unit 16, Slough
decorator white with a strong perforated metal polarity and overload sensing plus low battery Estate, Holker Street, Silverwater 2141.
grille also finished in white. It will sell for indication. Phone (02) 648 3488 or fax
$199.95. There are four ranges each for DC and AC (02)648 4010.
CAD software package review:
J
Nt12,
Nflit -- ...1.-.....» ifi I
fundamentally wrong. You've laid down
6Ft2e
'úrd
N19'lieht
;= ,.--.
i,__ ` ilt . ....
rri:?`l
-T';7111
a whole section of IC's in such a way
that the most critical tracks want to
irF_rnatianlyT
- .,.......
t
=if come in from the bottom. But the area
---
r
LI
ry -`-á the tracks will come FROM on the
'L
around to the bottom (messy business).
Or you could pick up the whole offend-
-.`- ing section, tracks, IC's and everything.
.
......~...... ~bar
-- .11M- a_....--, .. y R r .4=41%
..;
spin it around through 9(r. and bung it
.z
down again so the new tracks could
-
. -- °° r-- -- ti= --.
.- -
enter from the side.
This is only one of the operations you
_..--ti - =
' can do to blocks. Once you have
.-
^ -=-F z-. marked off a rectangular area of your
I
I ._
. o-- .__ - .
',..-'71._. - -. board as a block, you can move it up or
-
-
Is ..9
s-:
...-- .
. . --r
e-,%
'-. _
-_
=-.r= down, left or right, spin it around, flip
' +-=
`~-r =a
if over, copy it, or use the DELETE
_- ... rT -- -
command to send it off to 'circuit board
heaven'. The block concept is probably
t
~:-`w-
r _I--.-
'
-
.
._,- one of the most useful features of any
circuit board design program, and it's
¿ ,
implemented very nicely in Easytrax.
Like Autotrax, Easytrax uses friendly pull -down menus, driven by a mouse. There are lots more capabilities in
However you can also use command key sequences... Easytrax. but there's not enough space
Everyone has their own style of doing If you don't want to be entirely origi- here to detail every one of them.
things. I personally use the first steps to nal, you can call up an existing compo- There's a very good instruction manual
sort of 'toss the components onto the nent pattern, 'explode' it into its indi- to do that for you.
hoard' so I know what's there. Then I vidual pans, and then reassemble them As far as I can see, Easytrax has
use Move Component to shuffle them more to your liking. This shape can pretty much the same editing tools as
into the right positions. I mentally plan then be re -stored in the library as a new the up-market 'big fella' programs. The
tracks and power rails as I go, and each component. only thing missing is an auto -router, a
component may be shifted and spun Connecting up the IC's and other facility that takes a net list from a sche-
around several times until I'm happy components with Easytrax is a simple matic design program and uses it to de-
with the layout. matter of typing PT (Place Track) and sign a board more or less automatically.
With the old stick -down graphics then zipping around the board layout This shouldn't worry a small user or a
shapes, you could clip them off their with the cursor keys. leaving a track prototype developer. It's much more
sheets with the backing paper still at- wherever you go. Mistakes are easy to satisfying to do the track routing your-
tached. You could move them around fix; you just type DT (Delete Track) self; then you KNOW they are as short
and try various layouts, but once you and it's gone. Or you don't have to re- and efficient as possible. You are the
pulled the backing paper off and move it; you can break a track into sec- artiste, not the computer!
pressed them onto the plastic film, they tions. add new sections, or grab hold of I've used an auto -router. once. It was
couldn't be. moved. If you made a mis- an existing track and 'drag' it across the an imported model. an accessory to an
take or changed your mind about a board. earlier Protel package. That auto -router
component location, your only option When you made a mistake with the was supposed to make PCB design a
was to pull the old one up. throw it tape system, you took one end of a breeze. But it chose to do all the easy
away, and try again with a new shape. track between your fingers, swore loud- tracks itself. leaving all the hard ones
And each one of these cost money! ly. and went R-R-RIPP! If the track for me. And they were made all the
Easytrax component shapes are virtu- was a long one you'd end up with thin harder because the program wasn't able
ally free, since you can use them over tape wrapped around your fingers. to he to 'think ahead'. planning pathways for
and over many times. You can even torn away and tossed into the jumble of tracks that looked potentially trouble-
manufacture your own shapes and store other ex -tracks on the floor. Then you'd some.
them in the library. get out your roll of tape and start stick- I had to manually move some of the
I've had to do this many times, with ing it down anew. hopefully to the right tracks the auto-router made, just to
things like a funny little 3.5mm PCB destination. If it was hot you'd sweat make room for the ones it gave up on.
mounting socket. which was oddly onto the plastic film and the tape It was good fun watching the auto-
shaped and had its pins spaced in very wouldn't stick properly. Oh. life was router work, zipping in new tracks here
peculiar ways. Drawing this socket tough! and there as if by magic. But I person-
manually each time it was needed would Easytrax can tackle changes that ally thought the resulting board was a
have been a lot or work: it was much would have had you screwing up your shambles. and I'm sure I could have
easier calling it up as a ready-made design and throwing it in the hin, with done the job better, and quicker, my-
'stick -down' shape. the old system. Say you've been work- self.
1".111.1~.iII
Maliaffirne
- a`s.s=)1;.i
_
h
_r -A Further information is available from
-- Austek Microsystems, Technology Park
e `Qe 5095 or phone (08) 260 0155.
.
o,
access to PCs
A communications adaptor card ena-
bling PCs to access Integrated Services
Digital Network (ISDN) has been
released by Linkware. The PC Snet
kh
' l
.ir.r ,..rra i p,.i..a ,.r,y1
ow 7, am -..-.+vwf*«i
+f card, manufactured by OST, Europe's
° A.=11.,-r
M ow }11111 1'J mY. ... leading X.25 network supplier, emulates
ISDN terminal functions for IBM PC, Phaxswitch improved
XT, AT or compatibles. Banksia Information Technology
The full-size card provides complete (BIT), manufacturer of the highly suc-
access to the ISDN basic rate interface cessful PHAXswitch which allows a
AT -compatible (2B+D), which is the ISDN standard in phone and a fax to operate off a single
Europe and Australia. telephone line, has improved the device
laptop PC Priced at $4206 (including tax), the and made it better suited to the regional
Sharp has announced the release of PC Snet card is available with a number vagaries of Telecom and the idiosyncra-
its newest powerful laptop business of optional packages, including OSI cies of different telecommunications
computer, the PC -5541, an IBM AT- transport and session driver, NetBios equipment.
compatible with a 40MB hard disk drive LAN gateways and drivers for Xenix Among the refinements made to the
116 ELECTRONICS Australia, December 1989
PHAXswitch to ensure its operation Digital Signal Processors, with the rele-
under these special conditions were: vant DIP or LCC adaptor.
extended 'deafperiods to allow for For further information contact Dy-
long STD beep sequences in some areas namic Component Sales, Showroom 1,
of Australia, such as Burnie and 17 Heatherdale Road, Ringwood 3134
Launceston, before the PHAXswitch or phone (03) 873 4755.
made its distinction between an incom-
ing fax and telephone call;
modification of the firmware to en-
sure the PHAXswitch distinguished be-
tween the 900Hz STD calls in some
older Telecom exchanges, and the ol `,
900Hz continuous tone of a particular
1
brand of fax; I
CAD/CAM software packages. A fully
removal of software that also caters -- configurable RS-232 port as well as a
for overseas conditions, thereby ensur- g', 'ir1ih'º Centronics parallel port are provided.
ing the PHAXswitch was adapted exclu- .
A 2.5K byte buffer is standard with
sively to Australian conditions. the EDG-2400. Maximum plotting
PHAXswitch, which is manufactured 71#!tt ltttla'Illllll!tl'lllá speed is 232mm/s (9.13in/s). Resolution
in Hong Kong and is the winner of the is 0.05mm/step with a repeatable ac-
1988 prestigious Hong Kong New Prod- curacy of 0.1mm or less. Paper is held
uct of the Year Award, measures 35mm using a magnetic plate.
131mm x 189mm. Accessories supplied as standard in-
x
It is available from leading retail elec-
CGA/HGA `combo card' clude eight 0.3mm coloured fibre tip
tronic equipment outlets throughout Electronic Solutions has released the pens, plastic dust cover, quick reference
Australia at a new recommended retail `Magic Combo Card' which provides, on sheet, instruction manual, RS -232 cable
price of $328.00. the one card, a monochrome graphics and 240 volt AC adaptor.
adaptor with colour graphics adaptor Further information is available from
(CGA) compatibility using levels of GFS Electronics, 17 McKeon Road,
grey to simulate colours (640 x 200 pix- Mitcham 3132 or phone (03) 873 3777.
els) as well as a monochrome display
adaptor with Hercules graphics (720 x
348 pixels).
Industrial grade
'IlY lilYltllU
Together, these standards are said to RS485 adaptor
cover 97% of graphics applications ever Microconsultants have announced
written, in the fields of business, games their ICU889 industrial style RS232 to
and general PC graphics. So there's no RS485 interface adaptor (base band
need to put up with gritty CGA graph- modem). The device is specifically de-
ics for your text -
switch instead to signed with industrial control systems in
high quality 720 x 348 pixel MDA/Her- mind, and includes a number of features
cules. Nor do you have to miss out on aimed at enhancing overall system reli-
all the games software, because you ability. It is especially useful where an
Universal programmer can't run CGA graphics. existing system design with RS232 ports
Dynamic Component Sales has an- The card comes with a custom LSI is being upgraded to multipoint or wide
nounced the release of a new upgraded and driver software. area operation, with for example a PC
For further information call Electronic type central controller.
version of Sprint, a PC -driven universal
Solutions, 5 Waltham Street, Artarmon The ICU889 is powered off 12V -40V
IC device programmer which offers sys-
2064 or phone (02) 906 6666. DC or 12V -24V AC, and has three-way
tem designers high productivity in pro-
gramming. electrical isolation between power,
Sprint now supports a total of 1150 Low cost RS232 and RS485 ports. A transmit
PROMs and PALs, GALs and RALs time limiter protects against a stuck Re-
from just about every manufacturer, plotter quest to Send (RTS) input which could
which is claimed to make the most com- GFS Electronics has announced the disable a complete system, and a relay
plete programming system yet released. release of a new low cost high quality on the RS485 port, controlled from
This does not include variations in professional A3/A4 flat bed plotter Data Terminal Ready (DTR) on the
speed package of temperature options claimed to be very similar to a Roland RS232 port, allows fail safe isolation
for any particular part or brand. plotter. and self-test schemes to be implement-
All major devices are supported, and Manufactured in Korea, the new ed.
adaptors are also available for Hitachi EDG-2400 is selling for $1350 plus sales The Australian manufactured unit
and Intel Controllers and for the 4MB tax. It is an 8 -pen colour plotter (using also has circuitry which allows an RS232
EPROMS, PLCC and surface mount easily obtainable HP-type pens) capable device which lacks an RTS output to
packages. of plotting on a wide range of different nevertheless operate in a true RS485
The system is designed to be used material including overhead projector 2 -wire, half duplex multidrop mode.
with logic design tools such as LOG/iC, film. Because it is compatible with both For further details contact Microcon-
ABEL or CUPL. It can also handle the HP -GL and RD -GL languages it may sultants, 72 Dernya Drive, Frankston
Texas Instructions TMS320 range of be used with a wide range of 3199 or phone (03) 787 7700. m
ELECTRONICS Australia, December 1989 117
as those young Clem built himself.
But amateur radio wasn't forgotten
for long. The town's Methodist minister
also happened to be a ham, and with
his encouragement Clem applied for -
and gained - his transmitting licence in
late 1922. It was licence number 3382,
and his initial callsign was 2CH. This
Clem Henry, VK2UR was replaced by his current callsign
VK2UR in the later 20's, and the 2CH
Radio technology has progressed enormously since Clem call was. given to Sydney's Council of
Henry first became interested in 'wireless', back around 1920. Churches broadcasting station when it
His first amateur radio 'rig' consisted of a spark transmitter opened in early 1932.
using a Ford spark coil, which was joined soon after by a His first valve transmitter had an out-
put of 5-10 watts, and used type 202
one -valve receiver. valves. Like most experimenters in the
1920's he used the broadcast band at
"I remember it was my father who
first, then moved to the 80m and 40m
first got me interested in wireless, as it
bands. This was not only because of the
was called then", Clem Henry recalls.
growing 'competition' from commercial
"He brought back a magazine, when he
went down to Sydney for a trip. I was
broadcasters, but because of the more
reliable DX available with the shorter
about 15 at the time, and he thought it wavelengths.
would keep me out of mischief!"
Clem grew up in the Northern NSW To check his operating frequencies he
town of Uralla, near Armidale. His fa- built an absorption wavemeter, which
ther was originally a joiner and cabinet was calibrated for him in Sydney by the
maker, but very progressive when it chief engineer of the Water Board. It's
came to new technology. He had still in his 'shack', although long since
bought the town's first motor car, and retired from service as a wavemeter.
also built and ran Uralla's electricity Needless to say, his receivers and
generating station - powered from an transmitters soon grew in size and com-
internal combustion engine running on plexity - spurred on by the steady
'suction gas'. Like many early plants the stream of designs appearing in Wireless
station produced 240 volts DC. Weekly and other local magazines. Be-
The signals from Clem's first crude for a growing clientele. His father pro- fore long he had a four -valve receiver,
spark transmitter were heard by his duced the cabinets, and needless to say with an RF amplifier and regenerative
friend E. Barlow 2GQ, in nearby Armi- they were also in a good position to re- detector followed by two audio stages.
dale. But at that stage he had no receiv- charge the customers' filament batteries, Similarly the transmitter soon developed
er, so he couldn't hear 2GQ's own sig- when required! more 'steam', with the help of a Mar-
nals. The radio receiver business grew so coni output valve capable of producing
Soon after he built his first receiver, a rapidly that soon they were Uralla's first 40 watts. A Ford spark coil was pressed
one -valve job using a V24 valve and licensed 'radio dealer', and selling the into service as a modulation transform-
other parts bought by mail from Col- famous Atwater Kent receivers as well er, for grid modulation.
ville -Moore and similar dealers in Syd-
ney. The tuning capacitor was bought as
a collection of stamped -out plates and
other parts, and assembled himself.
The valve heater ran from a small
lead -acid accumulator, charged up when
necessary from his father's DC power
main via a dropping resistor. For the 'B'
supply he made up a wet -cell battery
using carbon and zinc rods, in test tubes
filled with sal -ammoniac solution.
WWI
With this receiver he was able to hear
2CG, L.V. Todd's station 2CR in Tarn - w
worth, and also Charles Maclurcan's e
station 2CM in Strathfield, Sydney.
This was in 1920-21, when experimen-
tal 'broadcasting' was just beginning.
.. : ,.;
r
Soon some of the townspeople, hearing ., .w.
of his experiments, asked him to build 1:»
L
0,:j
ing areas.
In the early 1930's he built a very husky 250W phone Cd0..73
transmitter for the broadcast band, with the idea that he =ffl
1\\F
R9
WILASI-Len. 4k7
might 'go commercial'. The transmitter was based on two
Mullard transmitting valves, an SW 1 as the RF final and an
MB2 as the modulator. A motor -generator running from the
240V DC main was used to produce the 2000V/500mA
needed for the plate supply, with a separate dynamotor for
IIIJ_Ji.kL
the filaments. He even made his own transmitting capacitors, '
'ILDIR 01
RS
470 '
'03
with well -dried maple as the dielectric.
The modulation choke had a value of 80 henries at
500mA, he recalls, and weighed about "a quarter of a hun- s R6 Il©®4k7
came active again - mainly on 2 metres, and with converted Ratsnest. force vector for placement optimization
disposals gear. All OrCAD products are fully compatible and include
After the war he also moved to the Sydney area, and 12 months free updates and support.
began a new career with Telecom, or the 'Postmaster -Gen-
eral's Department' (PMG) as it was then called. It was from
Telecom that he retired in 1970, when he was awarded the CUT OUT AND MAIL TODAY.
Imperial Service Medal by the Queen for his long and valued
. We w% ill send you a FREE Demo and Literature.
service.
Name
Now a very alert 84, Clem Henry is currently recovering
Title
from a bout of bad health. But he still retains a strong inter- Company
est in amateur radio, and is currently planning a new an- Address
tenna system to allow operation from his Sydney home unit. Telephone Fax
I very much enjoyed my talks with him, in preparation for
Prometheus Software Developments Ply Ltd
this story. You can read about the early days of amateur 260 high Street Kew. Vic. 3101.
radio, but nothing really compares with hearing about it Telephone: 1031 862 3666.
from someone like Clem, who was there and working in it at Fas: (03) 862 2092.
the time! (J.R.)
ELECTRONICS Australia, December 1989 119
We'd like to wish our customers a Merry
SHERIDAN ELECTRONICS*
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Pencil Grip $39.95
Construction Project
An Over -speed
Monitor for your car
Attention all drivers -
particularly those with a less than tion to any vehicle. Now for
tailed description.
a more de-
perfect score, due to a recent speeding fine! Now you can
relax and enjoy the drive, without having one eye on the
speedo and the other on everything else. Build our speed What it does
The unit is in two sections: the sens-
monitor, and get visual and audible warning if you exceed the ing electronics and a visual indicator. A
speed limit. It's simple to build and install, and could save you row of seven LEDs is used in the indi-
many times its cost. Put fun back into your driving, and cator and these display, in step form,
maybe even live a bit longer... the car's speed relative to the selected
speed. As already described, in use, the
by BRANCO JUSTIC and JEFF ft! ONEGAL potentiometer is adjusted to set the unit
so that the centre (orange) LED is lit
Speeding, according to the experts, is useless in city driving. But not so our when the vehicle is travelling at the cor-
a large factor in -road accidents. It is new speed monitor. rect speed.
also a large factor in the state budget, The unit presented in this article is The remaining LEDs, three above
and not being caught by the hi -tech simple in concept - adjust a dash and three below the centre LED, will
radar systems is now more a game of mounted potentiometer to light the cen- light if the speed varies by a preset
chance than ever before. Of course, the tre LED of a seven LED display, when amount from the centre value. The
simple answer is - don't speed. But this you are at the required speed, and amount of variation to light each LED
is not as easy as it seems, given today's thereafter it will indicate any variations is preset during commissioning, and can
hi -tech, high performance cars and. from the preset value. If the speed is be set from around 2km/hour to 10km/-
trucks. higher than the preset value, a buzzer hour.
The simple fact is that many motorists will sound. This means, for example, that if you
speed unintentionally, particularly on That's a basic
overview of its opera- set the step value to 5km/hour, the first
country highways or on inter -urban six tion, but the unit
has other features that (red) LED on the right will light if the
lane arterial roads. Slowing down from make it an almost indispensable addi- vehicle speed increases from, say 6Okm/-
the highway limit to a town limit is
often difficult, as adjusting to a 40km
difference in speed requires a lot of
concentration. Similarly, maintaining
the city speed limit on a good arterial
road requires considerable monitoring
of the speedo, often at a time when 1
`
your senses are required to keep track
of all the other distractions. 1
COIL 56nF
NEG 15k
LEAD VR1
ZD1 47k-8CYL 100k ZD2
91V 68k-6CYL 15V
DI R4 100k-LCYL
400m' 1W
1N4148 see
text
OGND
r LEDS 1
,9V
1C1 = 4011
1C2 1071
R16 IC3= 7805
IC4 = LM3914
R17
2N2907 04 IC5= 4093
2N2907
R18
2N290
18 R24/270k
3.47k 2N2907 1N 4148
IC4 LM3914 Q/ BUZZER
R25/10k
C8
68k C11 +
tuF
10u uTE
R23 R27 +CtO 04r R31
1M 2.2M 4.713F PBI
N[,148 3 3M
Y
DISPLAY BOARD J 1
D3 1N4148
The circuit diagram. The circuit is contained on two PCBs, and the display section is shown outlined by dotted lines.
hour to 65km/hour. The second LED of around 30 seconds. This is useful. for been designed so that the buzzer starts
will turn on (others turn off) when the example. during overtaking or if the en- sounding only when the preset is ex-
speed is 70km/hour and the third LED gine revs, due to a gear change. to sug- ceeded for more than two seconds. This
shows a speed deviation of 15km/hour. gest that the speed is higher than the allows higher than normal revs when
or a speed of 75km/hour. reference. the vehicle is being accelerated from
Similarly, a speed reduction will he As well. because the unit senses en- rest. or for a change down when climb-
indicated in the same way. but this time gine revolutions. rather than wheel ing a hill. Of course. the mute button
by the LEDs (green) to the left of the revolutions for its input, the circuit has can also be used if the time spent in a
reference LED.
While a visual indication is useful, the
real strength of the unit is its ability to
give an audible warning. The buzzer, at-
tached to the box containing the sensing
electronics. will he silent while the car is
travelling below and at the preset
speed. When the preset speed is ex-
ceeded by the first step the buzzer will
sound occasionally, giving a gentle re-
minder.
The buzzer will become more 'excit-
ed' as the speed increases away from
the reference. giving a tone consisting
of a more rapid series of beeps. If you
still don't take ant' notice, and let the
speed rise so that the third LED is on.
the buzzer will emit a continuous tone. ` .t. :u Ó
It
(13v now you may also he hearing that
well known siren. that is accompanied
.1-----'
with flashing blue lights!).
But to make the unit a bit more
,
friendly, and to allow for the odd occa-
sion where a speed increase is essential.
(though probable still not legal). you This photo shows both PCBs for the speed monitor. The cable between the
can press the 'elute' button. When this two PCBs contains six wires, and a wire clamp is used to secure the cable to
button is pressed. a tinter will prevent the display PCB. Note how the main PCB is attached to the lid of the box,
the buzzer from sounding for a period and the clamp arrangement used for its wires.
I7¡'
IR
equal to the supply voltage of 9V. In
7 + ' '-NMI this instance. D3 will be reverse biased.
preventing it from interfering with the
7
o action of the oscillator circuit already
described.
However when the 'mute' button is
pressed momentarily, the monostable
will be triggered into its unstable state.
This photo shows the prototype PCB of the speed monitor. The op amp IC remaining there for a period determined
faces the opposite way to the other ICs. Also, watch that the wiring doesn't by CI and R31. This period is set to
cause the three transistors (one is hidden under the wiring) to contact each approximately 30 seconds. and during
other, as the transistor case is also the collector. this time the output from IC5c will he
play. The minimum brightness level is pacitor CIO will begin to discharge via zero volts. This will forward bias diode
largely determined by the value of R15. resistor R26. D3. preventing CIO from charging if ei-
as the LDR will have a resistance value Because IC5 has Schmitt inputs. as
ther Q2 or Q3 arc turned on. Thus.
of over IM when it is in darkness. soon as the voltage across CIO falls to until the monostable has timed out. the
The rest of the circuit operates the the lower threshold value (logic 0). the buzzer will not sound for either of the
buzzer. The three PNP transistors Ql. output of IC5b will return to a high. first two excess speed steps.
02 and Q3 are connected to LEDs 5, 6 turning off Q4 and the buzzer, allowing If the speed reaches the third step.
the buzzer will sound, regardless of the
and 7. which are those LEDs operated CIO to recharge through R24 and R26
state of the monostable. It was found ill
when the speed exceeds the reference. as before. Since the discharge resistance
practice that this arrangement works
When a LED is turned on. it will have for CIO through R26 (68k) is less than
well. in which audible feedback is al-
approximately I.8V across it. sufficient the charge resistance through the series
ways available to some extent.
to operate the particular transistor con- combination of R24 and R26. (338k)
The voltage to the unit is regulated by
nected across it. the cycle time will have an uneven mark
IC3. which is connected to the vehicle's
The transistor that is turned on will space ratio and as a result the buzzer
12V supply via the protection circuit
depend on how much the speed exceeds will produce relatively widely spaced
consisting of R13 and ZD2. RI3 limits
the reference as set by VRI. For exam- short 'beeps'.
the zener current and the I5V zener
ple exceeding the reference speed by We have to admit this is a rather unu-
one 'step' causes Q3 to he turned on via
(ZD2) protects IC3 from possible exces-
sual oscillator circuit. but it is one that sive voltage spikes.
RI8. If the speed rises to operate LED works very well! IC3. a 5V regulator. functions as a 9V
6. (the second step). Q2 will operate.
driven through RI7. and if the third If the reference speed is being ex- regulator by the addition of resistors
step is reached (LED 7 on). QI will he
ceeded by two steps. Q2 is turned on RII and R I2. which hold the reference
through R17. causing CIO to charge via input of IC3 at approximately 4.5V. Fil-
turned on. Note that only one transistor
the series combination of resistors R25 tering of the 9V supply is provided by
is on at a time. as driven by the LED
and R26. The lower total resistance of the electrolytic capacitors C4 and C9.
display.
R25 and R26 compared to that of R24
If Q3 is on (first step above the refer-
and R26 causes the buzzer to sound
ence speed). CIO will charge via the Construction
more frequently compared to the opera-
series combination of resistors R24 and
R26. It will take about 2 seconds for
tion just described. although the oscilla- Kits of parts for this project are avail-
tor works in the same way able from Oatley Electronics, who also
CIO to charge up to the threshold volt-
age of the inverter gate IC5h. It is this If the reference speed is being ex- provide a back up service for repair and
delay that allows higher engine revs ceeded by three 'steps'. QI is turned on fault finding. The kit includes all the
during the period the vehicle is being via resistor R!! Under these condi- components listed in the parts list, ex-
accelerated from rest, as previously tions. the inverter of IC5a will he oper- cept for the three wires which are
mentioned. ated. in which the logic t supplied by needed to connect it into a vehicle. The
When the voltage across CIO rises to QI causes the output of IC5a to become length of these depend on the vehicle
a value recognised as a logic I by the a low. This in turn operates 04 through and actual placement of the unit.
Schmitt input NAND gate of IC511. the resistor R28. and the buzzer will sound Begin construction by cutting the PCB
output of IC5h will fall to zero. supply- continuously. Note that there is no to separate the main board from the
ing base current to 04 via R29. turning delay under these conditions. as ('III k display board. Cut the board using a
both Q4. and the buzzer on. Ilmkever no longer involved. hacksaw, or by scribing a line and
the low voltage at the output of IC5bwill In summary. the first speed step oper- breaking the board along the line. Next
also forward bias diode D2 and ca- ates 03. giving a two -second delay fol- assemble and solder all the resistors. ca -
- \s---.-
*HITACHI
_
--'
*HITACHI
i ., 1/4.
. .l!rr%
.
*HITACHI
it - HITACM,
,I
-
. Io
discerning enthusiasts. performance is exceptional with minimum Fade control Flying erase head interval
Ranging from the VM-0528E compact Ir1:yC illumination sensitivity from 10 to 7 lux. recording and an array of accessories - complete
weighing 1.2kg through to the VM-S7280E with carry case. The ergonomic design provides
full size SIAS Camera with in-built colour
character generator. All models feature
HITACHI greater user control and handling comfort.
Hitachi video cameras, the choice is Automatic.
Victoria: (03) 555 8722 New South Wales: (02) 666 3088 Queensland: (07) 260 1344 South Australia: (08) 268 7670 Western Australia: (09) 277 9955 Tasmania: (002) 72 5651
INDEX TO VOLUME 51:
Reference Notebook Forum Notes & Errata
Australian Radio And TV Circuit Symbols Your - Multi -Purpose Audio
Stations List Jan p150 Response, And Further Preamplifier (Nov 1988) Jan p157
Capacitor Colour Codes Jan pll0 Comments On 'Tingles' Jan p 44 Power Conversions 300W
Transistor Base Connections Jan p110 When Double Insulated Inverter (Dec 1988) Feb p142
Common Connections Feb p106 Doesn't Mean Safer Feb p 30 Real World Interface
Crystal Oscillator Circuits Mar p 86 Have We Ended Up With the (Dec 1988) Mar p126
Components Hardware We- 2 -Chip FM Radio (Jun 1988) Mar p126
Deserve? Mar p 36 PCB Short Tracer (Feb 1989) Mar p126
Design & Theory Whatever Happened to Single -Channel UHF
Basics Of Digital Audio Jan p 62 Amateur Radio? Apr p142 Transmitter (Jan 1989) Mar p126
Single Chip SCSI Host What's Better Than Even PC Driven Function Generator
Adaptor for PC's Jan p136 Giant -Crystal OFC Cable? May p 52 (Jan 1989) Mar p126
Power Supplies: Choosing a The 'Boomerang' Topic that Low Distortion Audio
Regulated DC Supply Feb p118 Keeps on Coming Back! Jun p 52 Oscillator -
2 (Mar 1989) Apr p255
Basics Of Small DC Motors Feb p126 My April 'Stir' on Amateur Serial to Parallel Interface
Broadcast Band Loop Radio - Initial Responses Jul p 54 (Jan 1989) Apr p255
Antennas -2 Feb p132 Golden Connectors,
Directional Cables & Other
PC Driven Function Generator
(Jan 1989) May p126
PC Interfacing: New I/O Cards
for Lower Cost Interfacing Mar p88 Exotica Aug p 42 Fan Controller (CDI Feb 1989) May p126
Basic Principles of VCR's 4 - Mar p112 Surely Ham Radio Can't be
Dead - Look at all These
Beat -Me (Mar 1989)
Sub-Woofer Adaptor
Jun p142
Components: A User's Guide
to LCDs Apr p202 Plurry Letters! Sept p 38 (May 1989) Jun p142
Components: New Programma- The 'DI' Boomerang Pays Us Car Brake Lamp Monitor
ble Active Filter Chips Apr p214 Another of Its Regular Visits Oct p 66 (Apr 1989) Jun p142
Basics of Radio -
7 Apr p242 Letters of support on audio,
but an amateur who's hopping
Simple Tester for Power
Transistors (May 1988) Jun p142
PCB: PC Laminates and Their
Properties May p100 made! Nov p 40 Radio & TV Listing (Jan 1988) Jun p142
PCB: State of the PCB Art in Problems with projects, and Low Cost Adaptor for Tuning
Australia May p104
whiskers on kit bits Dec p 58 Your Car (Apr 1989) Jul p158
Basic Principles of VCR's 5 - May p116 Low Distortion Audio
Oscillator (Jul 1989) Jul p158
Broadcast Band Loop
Antennas -3 Jun p 90 Playmaster 30-30 Amplifier
(Aug 1988) Aug p142
Test Instruments: Kikusui
AM/FM Signal Generator Jun p116 When I Think Back Playmaster 60-60, 200 Artwork Aug p142
Test Instruments: Low Cost Earwig (Feb 1988) Aug p142
DMMs from Jaycar Jun p126
The Ross Hull Story Feb p 22 Low Cost IR Movement
Test Instruments: Handheld Our Family's First Valve Radio Mar p 42 Detector (May 1989) Oct p158
RC Audio Oscillator Jun p128
And the Magazine was Very TTL-Analog Video Converter
Basic Principles of VCR's 6 - Jul p104
Young...
-
Apr p130 (Feb 1989) Oct p158
Basics of Radio -
8 Jul p124
Organs
Otherwise
Electronic and
May p 34
Nicad Charger (July 1989)
PC Frame Grabber (Aug 1989)
Oct
Nov
p158
p142
SMT: Current Trends in Chip
Components Ernest Fisk: Entrepreneur & RGBI-PAL Encoder
SMT: Applying Adhesive &
Jul p136
Visionary - Jun p 40 Aug 89) Nov p143
-
1
Treasure
Jan
Jan
Jan
p 14
p 2
p 30
$8.50 ,
Model Railway Projects
BP -095 $8.50
IC Projects for Beginners
BP-097 $8.50
Mini -Matrix Board Projects
BP-099 $6.50
Aerial Projects
30 Solderless Breadboard Projects - Book 1
BP -105
BP -107
$8.50
$11.00
II 1
Previously we have looked at the earliest type of loudspeaker, caused the armature to move between
the horn type, which had evolved from the headphone. The the pole pieces and the motion was
shortcomings of the horn speaker soon became apparent, and transferred to the cone through a drive
rod and lever. The balanced armature
other developments followed rapidly. Here we look at the next movement eliminated some of the worst
development: the so-called 'magnetic' speakers. features of the traditional headphone,
with the result that some headphones
and even a few horn speakers still being
A horn speaker has the advantage of was to use a massive mains -energised made at the time, used the improved
high efficiency, but if it is to have an electromagnet, but mains powering of system.
adequate bass response, its dimensions receivers was very much in its infancy at Similarity of the balanced armature
become so large as to be domestically the time and universal acceptance of the movement to a polarised telegraph relay
unacceptable. superior moving coil speaker had to led it to being known originally in Brit-
Before long it was found that the use wait for receiver technology to catch up. ain as a relay speaker. The earlier un-
of a horn could be avoided by increas- balanced magnetic reed moving iron
ing the area of the driver unit dia- Immediate answer loudspeaker soon became obsolete, but
phragm, and although efficiency was As battery powered receivers pro- old advertisements can be confusing be-
lost, there was a noticeable improve- duced only a few dozen milliwatts of cause eventually the balanced armature
ment in sound quality. However, large audio power, sensitive loudspeakers in- type became known also as the mag-
diaphragms needed to have low mass corporating the available permanent netic or moving iron speaker.
combined with rigidity. magnets were essential.
The material most commonly used The efficient moving iron speaker was Various stages
was paper, generally shaped in the form improved with a balanced armature sys- Although the circular cone was by far
of a cone to achieve the necessary stiff- tem, magnetically polarised by a horse- the most common shape, some experi-
ness. But other materials, such as doped shoe magnet and surrounded by a wind- ments included off centre mounting and
linen were sometimes used. ing of fine wire. One end of the arma- square or rectangular cones. In one
Headphone -type drivers using reed ture was centred by a reed and the model, the diaphragm took the form of
mounted iron armatures were the first other end drove the cone through a rod a cylinder, with the driver unit working
development. However these gave high and a reduction lever. This is illustrated between the edges of a lengthwise slot.
distortion as a result of the one-sided in Fig.1, which is reproduced from Initially, speakers were free standing,
operation of the magnetic system. Reed Drakes Radio Cyclopedia of 1931. with drive units mounted inside the
resonance also caused poor tonal qual- Signal currents through the winding cone. But eventually the familiar rear
ity, and so better drivers were soon
sought.
Expensive solution
One method developed was the use
of a moving coil in a strong magnetic r
-
field, first patented by Siemens in 1877.
In 1925 Chester Rice and Edward Kel-
logg of the American General Electric
company developed what is generally
regarded as the first successful moving
coil loudspeaker. Together with a mains
powered 1.0 watt amplifier, this was
marketed by RCA in 1926
very expensive.
- but was
Although it had superior reproduc-
tion, the new speaker was insensitive
and needed a powerful magnetic field,
which could not be provided by the car- A 1927 Western Electric model 650 A 1927 RCA model 103 with tapestry
bon 'steel permanent magnets available
professional balanced armature cloth cover. Missing is a small
at the time. The only practical method speaker with 24" diameter cone. composition base.
132 ELECTRONICS Australia, December 1989
'+
s
#*i ¡g¡ri¡
, '< <r:
,
r/,
i
'4
A Philips `Sevenette' model of 1930, A French Sferavox' with 11" diameter An American Bremer Tully balanced
well made in a 12" high Bakelite case fabric cone doped with aluminium armature unit of 1928, measuring 12"
with bronze fret. paint. x 10" and with a chamois leather
cone surround. The cabinet contains
mounted driver and basket chassis suit- down some of the more strident high flock -filled pads to reduce internal
able for cabinet installation became gen- frequencies, some speakers had a small resonances.
eral. Various methods of cone suspen- choke and a capacitor connected in
sion were used. The free standing series with the armature winding. was to conceal the speaker behind a
speakers had rigidly mounted cone Various disguises tapestry screen.
edges, but some free edge cones were Exposed paper cones are vulnerable
used. Moving coil speaker design had The balanced armature loudspeaker to damage, and metal or Bakelite cases
an influence with cloth, leather and cor- was very successful, and was produced became common. Eventually, speakers
rugated paper surrounds all being tried. in large numbers. Radio was still estab- were built into the receiver cabinets or
The impedance of the winding varied lishing itself and appearance was an im- given their own separate wooden cabi-
enormously over the audio range, mak- portant acceptance factor. Conservative nets.
ing matching to the output stage a com- households were catered for by making
promise. Matching transformers were speakers as decorative as possible, or
not often used, and it will be seen that disguising them to look like something
direct current through the windings else.
would bias the armature. A degree of A common method was to make a
compensation could be made with the paper cone look like a shield, either
or wall hanging. Another
adjusting screw, but generally receivers free standing
with output valves drawing more than a
few milliamperes were fitted with out- Cone or
put chokes, and fed the audio to the
Diaohi/dym
speaker via a series coupling capacitor Rod
of a microfarad or more. Armatu re
To improve the sound by damping +
Coil
Reduction
Lever
Pivot
Pole
Pieces
\ 'w
Adust-
men t
Mobile data
system growing
Mobitex, the UHF digital mobile data
system designed and marketed by Erics-
son, continues to move towards becom-
.._.o e a 125.900-00 at>.
m
ff 113
Q
©"
G F
-
ing a de facto world standard, with re-
cent contracts being awarded for net- r-
r
1
p116
Index to volume 51: Single -Channel UHF R/C
Apr p194
Nicad Discharger
Timer/Controller for Garden
Sept
Continued from page 129 Receiver
p 90
Versatile Sub-woofer Adaptor May p 62 Sprinklers Oct
Low Cost IR Movement Simple DC Voltage Reference Oct p100
Construction Projects Detector May p68 Mains Filters - On The
Cheap! Oct p104
-
Beepo Continuity Tester Dual Voltage Electronic
Megger May p 82 TV-Derived Time &
Supremo Jan p 70
Build Your Own Etching Tank Frequency Standard 2 - Oct p112
Simple PC -Driven Function
Generator Jan p 76 for PCB's May p 98 The 'Maggie' 1 - Nov
Nov
p 20
p 64
Improved FM Radio An Improved Light Chaser
High Quality Audio Power p 68 A Fax Adaptor Card for
Microphone Jun
Amp Module
Touch Me!
Jan
Jan
P84
p100 Interior Light Delay for your PC's - 1 Nov
Nov
p 76
p80
Car tun p 80 The 'Vulture' Car Alarm
16-Channel UHF Remote
Simple FM Transmitter for
Control -3 Jan p106 New Improved Teletext
Jun p 84 2 -Metres Nov p 86
New Single Channel UHF Decoder - 1
'Spark': An Old-time Induction High Performance Stereo
Transmitter
Inexpensive PCB Shorts
Jan p112
Coil Jun p 96 Amplifier - 1 Dec p 76
Low Cost Variable Bench Digital Storage Adaptor for
Locator Feb P 70 Dec p 86
Supply Jul p 70 Scopes
Opto Link AM -1 Feb p 76
p80 A Fax Adaptor Card for
Automatic Charger for Nicads Jul
Low Distortion Audio
- 3 -Chip SCSI Host Adaptor PC's - 2 Dec p 94
Oscillator 1
--(0KEEPING YOU
SolidS' a Up''
INFORMED ON THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN SEMICONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGY
uvuuouUu
Switchmode controller
To accommodate off-line applications,
Siliconix has expanded its popular
Si91XX family of SMARTPOWER
CMOS switchmode ICs to include the
Si9115 and Si9116 - increasing' the
input voltage range to 300V.
Designed for reliable, high perform-
ance from 5 to 250W, the new control- +5V
lers operate from rectified, filtered AC
power lines. Unlike their bipolar coun-
terparts, which are limited to 60V input
capability, these high -voltage CMOS
ICs allow a reduction in parts and
greater reliability in high-performance
DC -to -DC converter applications, such
as medical equipment, instrumentation,
military systems and oil well logging .. :, .
equipment.
In most applications the need for an ence. The Si9115, ideal in the 1 to 50W to 250W applications. In these high -
external resistor and capacitor is elimi- range, includes an inverted output power circuits, the fast current -limiting
nated and, in many cases, the step- which directly drives an external MOS- delay of the Si9116, typically 100n, pro-
down transformer and linear regulator FET. The Si9116, which includes a non - vides improved short-circuit protection
are also eliminated. inverted output is designed to use with over equivalent bipolar controllers.
The Si9115 and Si9116 include high- an external driver (such as the Further information from Anitech, 1-5
voltage start-up .circuitry, and oscillator, Si9950DY half -bridge) to drive a large Carter Street, Lidcombe 2141 or phone
an error amplifier and a voltage refer - power MOSFET, and is aimed for 150 (02) 748 1711.
High-performance
op-amp/comparator 16
The LM613 is a member of National 15
COMPARATOR - COMPARATOR
Semiconductor's new Super -Block 3 14
family of high performance analog IC's.
It combines dual operational amplifiers,
Vt
4 p substrate 13 Ziezi
ys
dual comparators and an adjustable V-
reference on a single chip. 5 12
The dual op -amps in the LM613 are
like the LM324 series, but with im- 1 1 National
proved slew rate, wide power band- WA Semiconductor
width, reduced crossover distortion and OP AMP o
OP AMP
low input current for large differential anode
input voltages and swings of +1-36V. 9
FEEDBACK 8 CATHODE
The voltage reference has an accuracy
of +1-0.4% and temperature coefficient
drift of +/-20ppm/°C. A/D with internal $uried-zener refer- system address bus and control lines
Further information is available from ence (+10V), clock, and control logic. and operate totally under processor con-
National Distributors or phone (03) The MN674A is packaged in a 28 -pin trol.
267 5000. DIP and contains all the interface logic MN674A's combination of bipolar and
necessary to directly mate to most CMOS technologies is said to represent
Fast 12 -bit popular 8 and 16-bit microprocessors. the latest advances in 574A/674A evolu-
The 3 -state output buffer connects di-
A -D converter rectly to the uP's data bus, and can be
tion. At 450mW max, power consump-
The Micro MN674A (15us max con- tion is almost half that of competing de-
read either as one 12 -bit word or as two vices.
version time) is a faster version of the 8 -bit bytes. Chip select, chip enable, ad-
standard 574A microprocessor -inter- For application engineering informa-
dress encode (short cycle), and tion contact Priority Electronics at Suite
faced, 12 -bit A to D converter. It is a read/write (read/convert) control inputs 7, 23-25 Melrose Street, Sandringham
complete, successive -approximation enable MN674A to connect directly to 3191 or phone (03) 521 0266.
138 ELECTRONICS Australia, December 1989
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Current -controlled
6-18GHz attenuator
Narda has introduced a 6 to 18GHz
current -controlled attenuator/modulator
which provides a 3:1 bandwidth of
operation.
Model 4806-40 VVA provides a 40dB
minimum attenuation, with rise and fall Programmable communications, video, and radar appli-
times of 50ns maximum. Laser welded cations.
and hermetically sealed, it is equipped delay generator Featuring trigger rates of up to
with removable SMA connectors for Programmed with an 8 -bit code, Ana- 50MHz, this IC is suitable for both high
drop-in applications and satisfies the log Devices' AD9501 delay generator and low -speed designs. The full-scale
leak rate specifications of MIL -STD - provides precise time delays of digital delay range is established simply by a
883. pulse edges. A TTL/CMOS-compatible user -supplied external resistor and ca-
Applications for Model 4806-40 in- alternative to existing ECL-compatible pacitor; the delay value in that range is
clude amplitude or pulse modulation, components which require ECL-to-TTL then precisely set by a single byte. For a
level setting, and high speed switching. level shifting circuitry, the AD9501 full-scale range of 2.5ns, the incremen-
For further information contact Ani- needs just a single +5V supply. (For tal timing delay can be set to 10-ps reso-
tech, 1-5 Carter Street, Lidcombe 2141 ECL designs, the similar but faster lution. Triggered by the rising edge of
or phone (02) 648 4088. AD9500 is available.) an input pulse, the AD9501 output is a
With a full-scale range of 2.5ns to pulse edge that is delayed and then re-
Echo cancelling l0us - with lOps resolution -
this transmitted by the set time delay (plus
monolithic device is designed for pulse short internal propagation delay).
DSP chip deskewing and clock timing adjust- For further information, contact Avi-
SGS-Thomson has introduced a new ments. Applications include automatic sun, 11-15 Alexander Street, Crows
device to provide a solution to the prob- test equipment (ATE), disk drive, data Nest 2065 or phone (02) 438 3900.
lem of echo cancelling. The DSP chip
TS75320CP is well suited for high per-
formance low cost integrated V32
modems. Triac optocoupler has 2A rating
The principal operation of the
TS75320CP is the determination, by Siemens has expanded its range of are housed in a 4 -pin SIP power pack-
means of adaptive algorithms, of the triac optocouplers with the IL-428. With age measuring only 23 x 20 x 5mm.
coefficients of digital filters and phasing a 2A rating, the new coupler can di- The phototriac's sensitivity is so high
processors that will generate a (modem) rectly switch almost 10 times as much that very low currents of less than 8mA
receiver input free of near and far and current as conventional devices of this (typically 4mA) are sufficient to switch
echoes. type. The IL-428's novel single inline a maximum of 2A efficiently. The 600V
voltage
Features of the device include near package (SIP) also requires no addi- repetitive peak forward off state
when operated at 2A and permits operation at 230V AC power
end cancellation greater than 55dB. The tional cooling
far end echo channel delay can be as a maximum of 55°C. systems with a safety factor better than
long as 1.14s and the hardware and With its high current capacity, the IL- two. Additional features include the
high as
firmware have been designed for ease of 428 is expected to help electronics gain ability to handle dV/dt ratios as
increased application in AC -powered 10,000V/microsecond and to withstand a
interface with a general purpose DSP or voltage.
load -switching equipment, and replace 7.5kV insulation test
microprocessor.
For more information contact Pro - more and more mechanical parts. For further details contact The Com-
The IL -428 consists of a GaAs infra- munications Equipment Department of
mark Electronics (Australia), 104 Re-
serve Road, Artarmon 2064 or phone red LED optically coupled to phototriac Siemens, 544 Church Street, Richmond
without a zero voltage switch. The chips 3121 or phone (03) 420 7314. m
(02) 439 6477.
ELECTRONICS Australia, December 1989 139
rmation centre
}
r
Conducted by Peter Phillips
Tesla, Dolby and others for the theory that light waves are elec-
tromagnetic in nature. 1879: Hughes
There have been numerous topics that have mushroomed noted that when an electric spark was
produced anywhere in his house, he
within these columns, including the greenhouse effect, plant heard a noise in his telephone receiver.
watering systems and so on. But it seems Tesla takes the 1882: Dolbear used a spark coil for gen-
cake, and I now have two piles of letters those on Tesla,
and those on everything else. And all from a simple question:
- erating waves and a mass of carbon
granules for detecting them. 1888: Hertz
and Lodge used a spark coil for generat-
'Who invented radio?' The 'everything else' pile includes a
ing waves and a slotted ring of wire for
dissertation on noise reduction techniques employed in tape detecting them. 1892: Tesla demonstrated
recorders, plus the usual round of enquiries and answers. the first electronic tube designed for use
as a detector in a radio system. 1897: On
Letters are also still arriving to give my teaching career, I often showed a
the 2/9/1897, Tesla was issued US patents
assistance to those reader questions I video of Tesla's life, from a film broad-
posed in the August edition. For exam- 645,576 and 649,62/ for a tuned trans-
cast some years ago on the SBS net-
ple, there's the letter from D.C. of Ka- mitter and tuned receiver. (A. L., Car -
work. rum Downs Vic)
toomba (NSW), who suggests that a Some of the letters have given sugges-
suitable way to measure humidity is tions regarding the title of the book Interesting, don't you think, that Mar-
with a human hair. This is in response about Tesla I mentioned as 'having a coni's name is not even mentioned in
to B.S. of Bungendore, who asked for lingering memory of.' Correspondent the above letter? Correspondent B.R.
help in regard to an automatic misting P.H. from Broadbeach (Old) suggests it suggests it is time EA presented an arti-
system for his greenhouse. could be either The Prodigal Genius, by cle on Tesla, and from the correspond-
The main point made by D.C. is that John O'Neill, or The Man Who In- ence I have received, I must agree.
the best hair for use in this application vented the 20th,Century, author's name (Editor's Note: We published a three-
is one from a female human who is a unknown. Another writer, M.B. of part series on Tesla in the issues for Sep-
natural blonde. Forget those whose Frankston (Vic), suggests it might be tember-November 1983. Photocopies of
blonding is 'assisted', it ruins the hygro-
scopic (expansion in length when moist)
Nikola Tesla - A Man Out of Time. the series are available via the Reader In-
formation Service, for $10.)
Another correspondent (B.R. from
properties of the hair. He also suggests Melbourne) makes reference to My In- That original and apparently simple
a solenoid valve from an old washing
machine, to control the water flow, and
ventions - Nikola Tesla, although not question certainly created a lot of inter-
est. And while on the subject of radio...
suggesting it may the book i referred
a brass hose nozzle screwed almost shut to.
as the atomiser. A budget priced mist- But the thrust of all the letters is pro-
ing system, providing you can find a Tesla, anti -Marconi. In fact, B.R. writes
UHF transmitter
natural blonde! I have been advised by Oatley Elec-
'In 1943, the United States Supreme
But the main topic, as I've already tronics of an erratum to solve a rather
Court voided Marconi's fundamental
mentioned, is Tesla. I'll have to keep it US wireless patent because of prior
obscure problem with the single -channel
short, as space is limited, and we have UHF transmitter design published in
work by Nikola Tesla, Oliver Lodge
already explored the topic of who in- January, 1989.
and John Stone.'
vented radio last month. It seems sonic users have been experi-
More in context with the original
encing an apparent lack of reliability
question is a letter giving a sequence of
Nikola Tesla events on the development of radio.
with the unit, particularly in long bouts
of wet weather. This also explains why
The question 'Who invented radio?', Here's the letter, which you might like
this problem has not come to the atten-
posed by a correspondent in the August to compare with a similar letter pub-
lished last month:
tion of the designers until fairly recently
edition, has generated an amazing
amount of mail. I presented some of In reply to a query in EA August
- that is, not until the wet spell Sydney
experienced during the winter months.
these last month, but the letters arc still 1989, about who invented radio, I offer The problem is caused by leakage be-
coming in, mainly in support of Nikola the following: tween pins of the trinary encoder IC,
Tesla. 1845: Michael Faraday described his across the case, no less. The result is
It seems Tcsla is regarded by many theory of die relationship between light the transmission of an incorrect code,
readers as the unsung hero of electro - and electromagnetic lines of force. 1862: and then only occasionally. The solution
technology. I have to agree, and during Maxwell presented a mathematical basis is to connect a I M resistor across the
140 ELECTRONICS Australia, December 1989
r
ence point. On playback, the signals are veloped for a need, but since solved an-
processed in the reverse way, in which other way, leaving a beaut little circuit
signals below the reference point are with nowhere to go. The circuit has a 0
compressed, reducing tape hiss into the to 7 counter connected to a dual, 4 bit 0-7
COUNTER
bargain, and signals above the reference multiplexer. To make things a bit sim- MULTIPLEXER
74L5253
point are expanded. The other frequency pler, I've drawn the equivalent internals se
Dolby HX.
the nomogram. The diagram shows this 7. 7
Like dbx, the Dolby system is a corn - fairly clearly, in which each scale is as- 6
6
pander system designed to keep the
sumed to represent the decade encom- 5 5
audio signals below the tape saturation 47k
passing lk to 10k. Note that both sides
ceiling, but above the noise floor level, must be for the same decade. The point
4 4
-
34. Professional expert in 19. Said of wire with several
______
electronics, etc. (8) conductors. (9)
21 22 23
20. Varieties of an atom (8)
24 Down 22. Type of wire commonly used
1. Devices for securing wires. in simple circuits. (4-2)
25 26 27 28 (6)
29 30 I
2. The radioactive ore,
23. Extend in scope. (7)
24. Device that passes selected
31 32 L pitchblende. (9)
3. To avoid the skin effect,
multistrand ----wire is used.
frequencies. (6)
26. The electric ---- Is terminal in
some parts of USA. (5)
1--- 29. Head of a faculty. (4)
33 34 4. Circuit item responding to 30. Regions of concentrated
low inputs. (3,4) radiation. (4)
suit. Phone (08) 362-8436. World, Croydon, Vic: Willis Trading Co, Construction available.
cuits to
WA: Assoc TV Service, Tas. HYCAL INSTRUMENTS
SATFAX: weather satellite picture re- Design, manufacture, repair of electronic equipment
ceiving program for IBM XT/At. Dis- THE HOMEBUILT DYNAMO: By Al-
plays in 64 colours. Needs EGA colour fred T. Forbes Published by Todd - (02) 633 5897
Forbes Publishing, Orata, Auckland,
monitor and card, AM demodulator and
ADC interface. $45 + $3 postage *** New Zealand. Hardcover, 81/2" x 12",
182 pages with over 300 illustrations. MONITOR DFP
RADFAX2: HF weather fax, morse and
RTTY receiving program for IBM ISBN 0-9597749-0-4. Price $A85 post-
XT/AT. Needs CGA, SSBhf, FSK/Tone paid airmail direct from Todd -Forbes DISK CARTRIDGES
Also "RF2HERC" and Publishing, Dept D2, P.O. Box 3919,
decoder.
"RF2EGA", same as RADFAX2 but Auckland, New Zealand. Trade en- 177 16mb disk cartridges
suitable for Hercules and EGA cards re- quiries invited. "What a delight this for sale $195.00 each ONO
spectively, $35 + $3 postage ***All book will be to any lover of anything to
do with diy, ingenuity, and devotion to
programs are on 5.25", 360K floppy + Two styles:
full documentation. ONLY from M. the completion of a job once started. It
is the complete pictorial history of how CDC 91204 Total 84
Delahunty, 42 Villiers Street, New Farm
4005, Qld. Ph. (07) 358-2785.
Alfred Forbes built a dynamo to power Phoenix Total 93
his house in New Zealand ... Definitely
THE HOMEBUILT DYNAMO: by Alfred
T. Forbes Published by Todd -Forbes
Publishing, Oratis, Auckland, New Zea-
a book to put on your list of wanted
Christmas presents."
tronics.
-
Practical Elec-
(02)
Telephone
692 1000
land. Hardcover, 81/2" x 12", 182 pages
with over 300 illustrations. ISBN ELECTRONICS CONCERN: For sale extn. 1191 or 1138
0-9597749-0-4 Price $A85 postpaid in the beautiful N.S.W. Tweed Valley.
Airmail direct from Todd-Forbes Pub- Established clientele. Antenna Installa-
lishing, Dept D2, PO Box 3919, Auck- tions, computer tuition, electronics and TRANSFORMER REWINDS
land, New Zealand. Trade enquiries in- computer repairs. No competition. Ultra ALL TYPES OF TRANSFORMER REWINDS
vited. low overheads. Contact Electronic Im-
REWOUND TO YOUR SPEC
"What a delight this book will be to pact (066) 724- 588 or P.O. Box 650, EXACT REPLACEMENT WINDING
Murwillumbah 2484. VINTAGE RADIO A SPECIALITY
any lover of anything to do with diy,
UNUSUAL BOOKS: Radar, electronic ALL ONE OF TYPES
ingenuity, and devotion to the comple- ALL QUOTES BY RETURN MAIL
tion of a job once started. It is the com- devices, surveillance, unusual chemis- RAPID SERVICE
plete pictorial history of how Alfred try, locksmithing and more. Send $1.00 For price quote send details showing physical
Forbes built a dynamo to power his (refundable) for BIG new catalogue to size & number of tappings (or send unit, same
will be returned to sender If quote not
house in New Zealand ... Definitely a VECTOR PRESS, Dept. E, P.O. Box
R
97 computer
~MI generated Charts which break product
areas into detailed sub -groups and identify
rlobs . -
-. ' ' !' -
.
Ni
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w .
szi
the Australian suppliers for each one.
* Used as an Index to Technical
IndexesElectronics Data System which
contains over 195,000 pages of technical
product data on microfiche.
The Australian Electronics Directory is priced
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25.
A
M
11
Function &
Unit Indication 1
1uM
4u
So
50 point Bargraph
11rr
11;4 tA- eC
M 8ü 1
. -I
Multi -Mode Bargraph -
Relative Mode (Mx51 &
Normal - 50 point linear trend indication MX52) After recording a reference
1..
Centre zero - ideal for adjusting bridges, value, the display then shows the
FM detectors etc. difference from this value, while the
Zoom mode - magnifies input variations v
bargraph shows the actual value.
five times to increase resolution to 0.4%. C Surveillance Mode (MX51
Automatically tracks any shift in input within & MX52) Memorises the
span of digital range. measured MIN and MAX values
Patented "Live Trend Mode" while the display shows the
When Memory, Peak -Hold, Relative, or current value. Surveillance
Surveillance modes are selected, the bar p,..r continues even while MAX/MIN
graph continuously displays instantaneous values are being examined.
values, digital display follows the selected mode mA Memory Mode (MX51 &
Logic Function - display plus two tone * t
V
MX52) Stores and recalls up
beeper distinguishes between "LO", "HI" and Q to 5 values and their settings
"OPEN" .
r L 1 o
TrON
1.
(range, polarity etc) for
) y'4 subsequent analysis. (Can
be same or different types)
True RMS & dB
Measurement (MX52) covers
ITT 4 Year
Warranty
the range from -40dB to +60dB with
0.1% db resolution
Frequency Meter (MX52)
covers 10Hz to 500kHz autoranging
Europe's Favourite Multimeter with a maximum resolution of 0.1 Hz.