EVERYDAY MARCH 1993

WITH PRACTICAL
ELECTRONICS
INCORPORATING ELECTRONICS MONTHLY FULLY S.O.R. £1.80

DIGITAL AUDIO
BROADCASTING sigair 41
SIR 411%
Future transmissions
should match digital
hifi quality

SIMPLIFLY
A joystick to mouse interface
CAR ELECTRIC WINDOW
ENHANCER
MICROPHONE COMPRESSOR 9 770262 36103 1

THE No. 1 INDEPENDENT MAGAZINE for ELECTRONICS, TECHNOLOGY and COMPUTER PROJECTS
 WINDUP SOLAR POWERED RADIO! FNVAM radio takes re- CAMERAS Customer returned units 3 for £10 ref LI OP2
MICROWAVE CONTROL PANEL Mains operated with touch chargeable batteries Complete with hand charger 8 solar panel STEAM ENGINE Standard Mamod 1332
switches Compete with 4 digit dosphy digital clock, and 2 relay 14P200R Set of 2 AA ()loads C2 ref L2P9 engine complete with boiler Aston etc £30
outputs one for power and one for pulsed power (programmable) PC STYLE POWER SUPPLY Made by ref 30P200
Ideal for all sorts of precision Omer applications etc Now only 04.00 AZTEC 110v or 240vonput 4.50 15A.4.120 TALKING CLOCK
ref 4P151. Good expen mentors board 5A,-12@ 5A.-5@ 3A Fully cased with fan. LCD display. alarm, battery operated
FIBRE OPTIC CABLEStranded optical fibres sheathed in black onroff switch, :EC inlet and standard PC fly - Clock will announce the time at the
PVC Frye metre length E7 00 ref 7P29R or £2 a metre leads £1500 ref F15P4 push of a button and when the
12V SOLAR CEL.L200mA output ideal for tnckle TELEPHONE HANDSETS10 brand new handsets with mic and alarm is due The alarm is switchable
charging etc 300 mm square Our price £1500 ref L 'op speaker only E3 00 for 10 ref 3P146R from voice to a cock crowing irto 00 ref 14P200 R
15P42R Gives up to 15v BENCH POWER SUPPLIES Superbly made fully cased (metal) HANDHELD TONE DIALLERS
PASSIVE INFRA -RED MOTION SENSOR. giving 12v at 2A piss a 6V supply Fused and short circuit protected Small units that are designed to hold over the mouth piece of a
Complete with daylight sensor, adjustable lights on For sale at less than the cost of the case, Our pnce is £4 00 ref telephone to send MF dialing tones Ideal for the remote control of
Omer (8 secs -15 inns). 50' range with a 90 deg 4P103R answer machines C5 00 ref 5P209R
coverage Manual ovende family Complete with SPEAKER WIRE Brown twin core 100 feet for E2 00 REF 2P79R AMAZING TALKING COINBOX!
wall brackets bob holders etc Brand new and guar- MICROSCOPE 1200X MAGNIFICATION Fully programmable taking, lockable combos BT approved, retail
anteed Now Only C19.00 ref 19P29 Brand new complete with shnmp hatchery shnrnps prepared once is £79 ours is past C29, ref J29P2
Pack of two PAR38 bulbs for above unit £1200 ref 12P43R slides, light etc £29 00 ref J29P4 ANSWER PHONES £15
VIDEO SENDER UNIT Transmit both audio and video signals UGHT ALARM SYSTEM Customer returned units with 2 faults one we tell you how to fix the
from either a video camera video recorder or computer to any Small cased alarms that monitor a narrow beam area for sudden other you do your self! £18 ref J18P2 or 4 for £60 ref J60P3 BT
standard TV set within a 100' ranger (tune TV to a spare channel) changes in fight level Complete with wren that sounds for a preset approved (retail pnce £79 9511 each)
12v DC op £1500 ref 15P39R Suitable mains adaptor £5 00 ref time when unit is Inggered C7 00 ref J7P1 COMMODORE 64 MICRODRIVE SYSTEM
5P191R Turn your camcorder into a cordless camera, 720K 3 1 fr. DISC DRIVE FOR ElBrand new units made by JVC Complete cased brand new dnves with cartndge and software 10
FM TRANSMTTERNoused in a standard working 13A adapter complete with tech info lust £9 00,, they have a metal tab instead of ones faster than tape machines works with any Commodore 64
(bug is mains dnven) £2600 ref 26P2R Good range a button and you may want to ht an led Combined power and data setup The orginal pnce for these was £49 00 but we can offer them
device cable easily modified to IBM standard ref L9P to you at only £25 001 Ref 25P1R
MINATURE RADIO TRANSCEIVERS A par of wake MONO VGA MONITORS C59 Standard IBM compatible monitor 90 WATT MAINS MOTORS Ex equprnent but ok Good general
takes with a range of up to 2 'Woman's Units measure 7 made by Amstrad New Our pnce rust £59 Ref 59P4RB pupose unit £9 CO ref F9PI
22152x155mm Complete with cases and earpeciks.
£30 00 ref 30P12R
0 .) I
CAR BATTERY CHARGER A SPEAKER BARGAIN (Woman), made for TV sets they
Brand new units complete with panel meter and leads 6 or 12v consist of a 4" 10 watt4R speaker and a 2-140R tweeter If you want
FM CORDLESS MCROPHONE.Smaii hand held unit with 4508 output £7 00 ref J7P2 two of each plus 2 of our crossovers you can have the lot for C5 00
range, 2 transmit power levels Pegs PP3 battery Tuneable tO any CUSTOMER RETURNED SPECTRUM +2 ref F5P2
FM receiver Our once£15 ref I 5P42AR Complete but sold as seen so may need attention C25 00 ref J25P1 EMERGENCY UGHTING SYSTEM
12 BAND COMMUNICATIONS RECEIVER. 9 short or 2 for £40 00 ref J40P4 Fully cased complete with 2 adjustable flood fights All you need is a
bands, FM, AM and LW DX:local switch tuning aye' mains or Y..1....11.1..a CUSTOMER RETURNED SPECTRUM +3 standard 6v lead acid battery Our once is 'Lost C/0 ref J10P29
battery Complete with shoulder strap and mains lead £19 ref Complete but sold as seen so may need attention £2500 ref J25P2 AMSTRAD 464 COMPUTERS
19P14R Ideal for hstenong all over the world or 2 for £40 00 ref J40P5 Customer returned units complete with a monitor for lust £35' These
CAR STEREO AND FM RADIO.Low cost stereo system giving units are sold as faulty and are not returnable
5 watts per channel Signal to noose ratio better than 45db, WOLSEY DMAC DECODERS
wow and flutter less than 35% Neg earth C19.00ref 19P30 AMSTRAD 1640DD BASE UNITS Made for installation in hotels etc as the main sat receiver no data but
LOW COST WAUKIE TALKIESPar of tottery operated fully cased quality unit £20 ref K2OP I Suitable pea £8 ref K8P3
units with a range of about 200 Our pnce £8.00 a pair ref
8P50R Ideal for garden use nr as an educational toy
t!
_
BRAND NEW AND CASED REMOTE CONTROLS
Brand new infra red CONTROLS ongnally made for controling
7 CHANNEL GRAPHIC EQUAUZER3lus a 60 watt power amps TWO BUILT IN 5 1 4" DRIVES WOLSEY satellite receivers £2 ea ref K2P1 or 20 for £19 ref KI9P1
20-21KHZ 4-8R 12-14v DC negative earth Cased £25 ref 25P14R TELEPHONES
MCAD BATTERIES. Brand new lop quality 4 x AA's E4 00 ref MOTHER BOARD WITH 640K MEMORY
Modern 1 piece phones BT approved Last no moduli £8 ref K8P1
4P44R 2 x E4 00 ref 4P73R 4 x D's £9 00 ref 9P12R, 1 x PP3 KEYBOARD, MOUSE 8 MANUAL 386 TOWER SYSTEMS
£6 00 ref 6P35R Pack of 10 AAA ,s E4 00 ref 4P92R Tower case 52cmx40cmx20cm 2 tans. speaker. 275w psu I EC 11
TOWERS INTERNATIONAL TRANSISTOR SELECTOR OUR PRICE JUST and 0/L. 386 mlboerd with onboard disc controller, ethernet display
GUIDE. The ultmateequivalents book Newer E20 00 ref 20P32R dnver, parallel and sena' ports There are several ICs missing
GEIGER COUNTER KIT.Complete vnth tube. PCB and all comp>. from the miboard plus no data! C79 ref K 79P 1.
nests to build a battery operated gager counter £39 00 ref 39P1 R DOS PACKS
FM BUG KIT.New design with PCB embedded coil Transmits to £79!!!! Complete set of PC discs with MS DOS 3 2 Locomotive basic
any FM radio 9v battery recia £500 ref 5P158R 35mm square gemdesktop and gem paint No manuats 51'4' discs £10 ref Kl0P2
FM BUG Buill and tested supenor 9v operation E14 00 ref 14P3R CORDLESS TIE CUP MICROPHONE
SCART TO D TYPE LEADS transmits between 813108MH7 FM 5 2cm a 2cm, uses LR44 watch
COMPOSITE VIDEO pars.Thse convert composite video into
Standard Scan on one end, Ho density 0 type (standard VGA battery Complete with wire aerial 8 battery £16 ref Kl6P1
separate H sync, V sync and video 12v DC £8 00 ref 8P39R
connector) on the other Pack of ten leads only £700 ref 7P2R CHASSIS MOUNT TRANSFORMERS
CS MOTORS 12v 29A (full load) 3300 rpm 6"x4"1/4- OZONE FRIENDLY LATEX
OrP shaft. New £20 00 ref 20P22R Limited stocks 240v primary, 12v secondary 20VA £2 ref K2P2
250rn1 bottle of liquid rubber mason 2 hours Ideal for mounting PCB's 240v primary. 16v secondary 10A (spit winding) £10 ref L1 OPI
As above but with fitted 4 to 1 online reduction box (80Orpm) and
hang wires etc C2 00 each ref 2P379R 100 RED LED PACK (5MM) £5 REF KSP2
toothed nylon belt dna* cog £40.00 ref 40P8R BOO rpm
VIEWDATA SYSTEMS 12V STEPPER MOTOR Ideal for models etc 3" die £2 ref ..12P14
ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL KITfor C5 motor PCB and all
Brand new units made by TANDATA complete with 1200175 built in
components to build a speed controller (0.95% of speed) Uses INFRA RED BEAM SWITCH 24v DC 5m range source 8 sensor
modem infra red remote controlled (lawny keyboard BT appproved
pulse width moduleeon £1710 ref 17P3R Potentiometer control housed in plastic case El 2 ref J12P1
Presto' compatible, Centronics p ro rater port RGB colour and compos-
SOLAR POWERED MCAD CHARGER.Charges 4 AA CAPACITOR BARGAIN PACK 100 CERAMICS £2 REF J2P2.
ite output (works with ordinary television) complete with power
nocads in 8 hours Brand new and cased £6 00 ref 6P3R 2sC
supply and fully cased Our Anse is only E20 00 ref 20PIR SPECTRUM JOYSTICKS TWO FOR C5 REF J5P2.
cell model £6 00
COMMODORE 64 COMPENDIUM Pack consisting of a Com-
ACORN DATA RECORDER ALFS03 Made for BBC modore 64 computer, power supply data recorder and software All AMSTRAD PC CASE, POWER SUPPLY AND 720k FLOPP
computer but suitable for others Includes mains adapter, leads and DRIVE ALL THIS FOR C30 REF030P15
for £69 ref 069P1
book £1500 ref 15P43R
PPC MODEM CARDS Made for the Amstrad PPCI6401512
VIDEO TAPES. Three hour supsnor qualty tapes made under BUMPER PACK NO1 10 of our popular C1 packs for Just E5 our
range these are plug in modules that operate at 2400 baud No data
licence from the famous JVC company Pack of 10 tapes New low £15 ref 015P5 choice of contents
price C15.00 ref 413P4 BUMPER PACK NO 225 of our popular 21 packs for lust £12 Our
AMSTRAD LO3S00 PRINTER ASSEMBLIES Entire mechani-
PHIUPS LASER. 2MW HEUUM NEON LASER TUBE. cal assemblies including pnnt head, platen. cables, stepper motors choice of contents
BRAND NEW FULL SPEC C40.00 REF 40P1OR. MAINS etc etc intact everything bar the electronics and case, Our pnce lust LCD I X 32 DISPLAY Bargain once of past £3 complete with loads
POWER SUPPLY KIT 220.00 REF 20P33R READY BUILT CI 0 ref 010P3 of data fora similar display E3 ref L3P1
AND TESTED LASER IN ONE CASE £75.00 REF 75P4R. AMSTRAD DMP4000 PRINTER ASSEMBLIES Entire punter USEFUL POWER SUPPUES. 18v 900mA dc output (regulated)
12 TO 220V INVERTER KITAs supploed n will handle up to about assembles including pnnt head, platen, cables, stepper motors etc fully cased with mans cable and DC out cable £6 ref K6P1
15w at 220v txrt with a larger transformeritwnII handle 80 watts Basic Everything bar the electronics and case Our pnce lust E20 ref UNCASED PC POWER SUPPUES. Standard PC psu without
kit CI 2 00 ref 12P17R Larger transformer £12.00 ref 12P41R 020P2 case, fan etc Good for spare or low cost PC' C4 ref L4P6
VERO EASI WIRE PROTOTYPING SYSTEMIdeal for design- TOROIDAL TRANSFORMER 146VA Nth tape rigs at 8v, 10v and RADAR DETECTORS. Detects X and K bands pe speed traps).
ing projects on etc Complete with tools, wire and reusable board 32v will give 50v at 3A or 32 at 4A etc Centre tapped pnmary £9 ref Not legal In the UK so only available If you Intend to'export'll C59
New low bargain price only 0200 ref 62P1 09P2 Fixing kit is £2 ref 02P1 ref J59P1,
25 WATT STEREO AMPUFIER IC STK043 With the addition AERIAL BRACKETS Wall plate 7 5" sq complete with rawl bolts, 100 WATT MOSFET PAIR.Same spec as 2Sk343 and 2SJ413
of a handful of components you can build a 25 watt &molter £4 00 10" stand off brackets with standard tube clamps Wolf take up to 2" (8A,140v. 100w) 1 N channel and 1 P channel £3 a par ref J3P9
ref 4P69R (Circuit dia included) mast Substantial bracket (would take body weight) £7 ref 07P1 LOW COST CAPS. 1,000 capaators £3 (33uf.25v) ref JVI 0
BARGAIN NICADS AAA SIZE 200MAH 1.2V PACK OF 10 TV SOUND RECEIVERS Popular units that with the addition of a VELCRO. 1 metre length 20mm wide blue £2 ref J2P16
£4.00 REF 4P92R, PACK OF 100 £30.00 REF 30P16R speaker act as a N sound receiver Ideal as a stand alone unit or for JUG KETTLE ELEMENTS. Good general purpose heating ele-
FRESNEL MAGNIFYING LENS 83 x 52mm El 00 ref BD827R connecong into HI Fl I £12 ref 012P4 ment lust £3 ea ref £3P8 or 5 for £10 ref J10P3
12V 19A TRANSFORMER Ex equipment £20 but OK. 2000 COMPONENTS FOR C3 Yes thats nght Just send us C3 and VERY BIG MOTOR. 200v induction 1 lkw 1410 rpm 10"o7- GEC
ULTRASONIC ALARM SYSTEM. Once agan in stock these you can have 1,000 resistors plus 1.000 capacitors, Our choice of 1" keyed shaft Brand new. E95 ref J95P1
units consist of a detector that plugs onto a 13A socket in the area to value Order ref 03P1 BIG MOTOR 220-240v 1425rpm 2 BA 518th" keyed shaft GEC 6 5"
protect The receiver plugs into a 13A socket anywhere else on the ETRI FANS Mains, 11 watt 80mm diameter E6 Ref 06P3 x 8" complete with mounting plate £38 ref J38P1
same supply Ideal for protecting garages, sheds etc Complete UGHTGUNS Onginalhy made for the Spectruma2 but may have SMALL MOTOR. Electrolux 160 watt 3.000 rpm, 220-240v 5/8"
system now only C19 !!! other uses (good stnpper) C2 Ref 02P3 shaft precision built £18 re1J18P1
POWER SUPPUES Made for the Spectrum plus 3 give .5 @ G X4000 GAMES CONSOLES Complete with motor racing game, EPROMS 27C64 PACK OF 10 £7 REF M7P1.
2A..12 @700mA 8 -12 0 50mA. £8 ref 08P3 psu and joystick ft 5 ref 015P3 Extra 4 games £12 ref 012P2 EPROMS 27C256 PACK OF 10 E9 REF 8119P1.
UNIVERSAL BATTERY CHARGER.Takes AA's. C's D's and VCR RABBIT SYSTEM Lets you control your VCR from a second EPROMS 27C512 PACK OF 10£10 REF MI OP1.
PP3 Needs Holds up to 5 batteries at once New and cased mans set using the VCR remote control Retail £99 ours £3911, MODEMS FOR £1.25? These modems are suitable for stnppng
operated £600 ref 6P36R only hence they are only 4 for £5 ref .15P3
IN CAR POWER SUPPLY. Plugs into agar socket and gives SOLAR POWERED WOODEN MODELS. Complete with solar
3,4.5.6.7.5,9, and 12v outputs at 800mA Compete with universal
Nader plug £5.00 ref 5P167R
RESISTOR PACK.10 a 50 values (500 resistors) all 4 wall 2%1
BULL ELECTRICAL
250 PORTLAND ROAD HOVE SUSSEX
panel, motor and full instructions £9 ref J9P2 3 drof £20 ref J20P3
SOUND OPERATED LIGHT. Clap your hands and light comes
on Turns after preset delay (4 AA's recild) £2 ref J2P3
metal film £5.00 ref 5P170R FERGUSON SRB1 REMOTE CONTROLS. Brand new units
QUICK CUPPA? 12v immersion heater with lead and cigar lighter BN3 501 TELEPHONE 0273 203500 ideal for a spare or have two remotes' £4 each
plug £3 00 ref 3P92R Ideal for tea on the movel MAIL ORDER TERMS: CASH PO OR CHEQUE S 1/4" 360K DISC DRIVE Made for AMSTRAD 1640/1512 ma -
LED PACK .50 red. 50 green, 50 yellow all 5mm £8 00 ref 8P52 WITH ORDER PLUS £3.00 POST PLUS VAT. Owes White front Our pnce rust £9 ref 09P1
IBM PRINTER LEAD.(D25 to centroncs plug) 2 metre parallel PLEASE ALLOW 7 - 10 DAYS FOR DELIVERY 1993 CATALOGUE AVAILABLE WITH ALL ORDERS IF RE-
£500 ref 5P186R 3 metre version C6 03 ref 6P50 QUESTED OTHERWISE A4 SAE FOR FREE COPY.
COPPER CLAD STRIP BOARD r x 4" of r pitch "vero board
£4 00 a sheet ref 4P62R or 2 sheets for £7 00 ref 7P22R
STRIP BOARD CUTTING TOOL -1-2 03 ref 2P352R es FAX 0273 323077
SOME OF OUR PRODUCTS MAY BE UNLICENSABLE IN THE UK
VTIA
IN SUSSEX? CALL IN AND SEE US!
 EVERYDAY
WITH PRACTICAL

ELECTRONICS
LINCORPORATING ELECTRONICS MONTHLY ABC
CCM= PUSS

The No. 1 Independent Magazine for Electronics,

VOL. 22 No. 3 MARCH 1993 Technology and Computer Projects

ISSN 0262 3617

PROJECTS ... THEORY ... NEWS ..
COMMENT ... POPULAR FEATURES fi'reiertx
SPATIAL SOUND by Nicholas Watkins 174
Turn almost any mono sound source into pseudo stereo
CAR ELECTRIC WINDOW ENHANCER by Chris Walker 182
Add "one shot" and stall cut-out facilities to your car windows
SIMPLIFLY ATARI STFM INTERFACE by Glenn Ballantyne 188
Replace a mouse with a joystick for more realistic games
PERSONAL STEREO AMPLIFIER - ADD-ON 191
I. A. Duncombe
Modification for use with 3V personal stereos
MINI LAB by Alan Winstanley and Keith Dye 200
An amplifier is added to our Teach -In Test bed
MICROPHONE COMPRESSOR by Robert Penfold 206
Improve your PA system operation
BIOMET PULSE MONITOR - 2 by John Becker 214
The remaining construction and computer interfacing information

5ertex
CIRCUIT SURGERY by Mike Tooley 180
Mike solves some of your problems and gives advice
TEACH -IN '93 - 5 by Alan Winstanley and Keith Dye 192
The op -amp and its basic circuit configurations
INTERFACE by Robert Penfold 202
The page for computer enthusiasts
TECHNIQUES-ACTUALLY DOING IT by Robert Penfold 220
Component multipliers and markings explained
AMATEUR RADIO by Tony Smith G4FAI 228
No Press -To -Talk, Australian Experiment, RSGB Annual Report, Useful
Broadcast Guide

hollow
EDITORIAL 173
NEW TECHNOLOGY UPDATE by Ian Poole 177
R.F. Design, C.R.T. Developments, Spot Shape
INNOVATIONS 178
Everyday news from the world of electronics, plus new patents
DIGITAL AUDIO BROADCASTING by Ian Poole 186
A system now under test will mean radio reception as good as CD quality
HOME BASE by Terry Pinnell 204
Jottings of an electronics hobbyist
FOX REPORT by Barry Fox 205
Future of TV, Digital Compression, Pay -Per -View, Kit Building
READOUT 210
Our readers letters page - air your views
SHOPTALK with David Barrington 221
Component buying for our projects
ELECTRONICS VIDEOS 222
Our range of videos to compliment your study
DIRECT BOOK SERVICE 223
A range of technical books available by mail order
PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD SERVICE 226
Some p.c.b.s at sale prices plus all boards for recent projects
Wimborne Publishing Ltd 1993. Copyright in
all drawings, photographs and articles published FREE WITH THIS ISSUE MARCO TRADING
in EVERYDAY with PRACTICAL ELECTRONICS is CATALOGUE BANDED TO NEWSTAND COPIES
fully protected, and reproduction or imitations in
whole or in part are expressly forbidden. ADVERTISER'S INDEX 232
Our April '93 Issue will be published on Readers Services Editorial and Advertisement Departments 173
Friday, 5 March 1993. See page 163 for detai/s.

I 61
Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993
 Surplus always
wanted for cash!, THE ORIGINAL SURPLUS WONDERLAND! Surplus always
wanted for cash!

COMPUTER SCOOPS MONITORS

MONOCHROME MONITORS
PC -AT 386 20 -DX FULLY LOADED FOR E 4 4 cl! j
THIS MONTH'S SPECIAL!
There has never been a deal like this one,
20 Mhz DX processor Installed VGA card Brand spanking new 8 boxed monitors
2 megs RAM. Exp 10 meg Enhanced 102 key k board from NEC. normally selling at about £1401
These are over -engineered for ultra
40 meg hard drive Complete with MS-DOS 4.01 reliability. T green screen composite input
1.2 meg 5-1 4" floppy 2 serial 1 parallel ports with etched non -glare screen plus switchable
high/ ow impedance input and output for daisy -chaining 3 front
32K cache exp. 64K 8 free slots- 6 off 16 bit!
The MP386 quality made by Mitsubishi to last a lifetime, Brand new with
all manuals and software plus Super PC Quick Disk Accelerator for £449,F
1:4 $1.41
man.
f
controls and 6 at rear. Standard BNC sockets. Beautiful high
contrast screen and attractive case with carrying ledge. Perfect
as a main or backup monitor and for quantity users,
lehtnina disk access. Only
£39.95 each n or 5 for MSG)
A COMPLETE IBM PC COMPAT COLOUR MONITORS
HI -DEFINITION COLOUR MONITORS
SYSTEM FOR ONLY £99!!
Just plug in and go fully expandable the Display PC -99! System supplied
14" Philips Model CM8873 VGA multi -
sync all the way up to 34Khz with 640 x
complete with 12" mono monitor, 84 key keyboard. 360k 5-1,4" floppy disk drive, 480 resolution. This one has everything,
256K RAM. 2 serial and 1 parallel port plus DOS with manual. Many other features Two switches enable you to select CGA.
include 7 slot backplane. all metal case. 150 watt PSU and US made mother- EGA or VGA and digital analog. Unusual
board. In very good used condition with 90 day guarantee. At the unique price of: for a professional monitor. sound is also
,ireedemoWIT provided, with a volume control. There is
Optional FITTED extras: 640K RAM £39 12" CGA colour also a special "Text" switch for word
monitor with card £89. 2nd 5-1'4" 360K floppy £29.95.20
mbyte MFM hard drive £99 31mbyte RLL hard drive £125. £99,E, processing. spreadsheets and the like. Compatible with virtually
all computers including IBM PC's. Amiga. Atari. BBC, Ar-
chimedes etc. Good used condition (possible minor screen
FLOPPY DISK DRIVES POWER SUPPLIES burns) 90 day guarantee 15" x 14" x 12". Only...........£139(E)
Power One SPL200-5200P 200 watt (250 w peak).Semi open
51/4 " from £22.95 - 31/2" from £21.95! frame giving .5v 35a. -5v 1.5a, .12v 4a (8a peak). -12v 1.5a. Philips 9CM073 similar (not identical) to above for EGA/CGA PC
Massive purchases of standard 514" and 312" drives enables us and compass. 650 x 350 resolution. With Text switch with amber
to present prime product at industry beating low prices, All units .24v 4a (6a peak). All outputs fully regulated with over voltage or green screen selection. 14"W x 12"H x 13-1/2"D E99(E)
(unless stated) are removed from often brand new equipment protection on the .5v output AC input selectable for 110,240 KME 10" high definition colour monitors. Nice
and are fully tested, aligned and shipped to you with a 90 day vac. Dims13" x 5" x 2.5". Fully guaranteed RFE. £85.00 (El)
tight 0 28" dot pitch for superb clarity and
guarantee and operate from standard voltages and are of stand- Power One SPL130. 130 watts Selectable for 12v (4A) or 24 v modern styling. Operates from any 15.625 khz
ard size All are IBM-PC compatible if 312" supported). (2A). 5v @ 20A.. 12v @ 1.5A Switch mode. New £59.9518) sync RGB video source. with RGB analog and
3.5" Panasonic JU3614 720K" £21.95(B) Astec AC -8151 40 watts. Switch mode -.5v @ 2 5a .12v @ composite sync such as Atari. Commodore
3.5" Mitsubishi MF355C-L. 1.4 Meg. Laptops only' £29.95(B) 2a -12v @ 0.1a 6-1/4" x 4" x 1-3/4".New £22.95113) Amiga. Acorn Archimedes & BBC Measures
3.5" Mitsubishi MF355C-D. 1.4 Meg. Non laptop' £29.95(B) Greendale 19ABOE 60 watts switch mode .5v @ 6a. 12v @ only 13.5" x 12" x 11" Also functions as quality
5.25" EXTRA SPECIAL BRAND NEW Mitsubishi MF50113 1a. 15v @ 1a RFE and fully tested 11 x 20 05.5cms £24.95)C( TV with our RGB Telebox. Excellent used condition with 90 day
360K Absolutely standard fits most computers £22.95)B) Conver AC130. 130 watt hi -grade VDE spec.Switch mode .5v guarantee case Only £145 (El
Data cable included in price. @ 1 5a. -5v@ 1a.±12v@ 6a.27 x 12.50 6.5cms New C49.95(C) Brand new Centronic 14" monitor for IBM PC and compatibles
Shugart 800.801 SS refurbished 8 tested £175.00)E) Boshert 13090.Switch mode.Ideal for drives 8 system. .5v@ 6a, at a lower than ever price, Completely CGA equivalent. Hires
Shugart 851 double sided refurbished & tested C275.00(E) .12v @ 2 5a. -12v @ 0.5a. -5v @ 0.5a. £29.95)B) Mitsubishi 042 dot pitch giving 669 x 507 pixels Big 28 Mhz
Mitsubishi M2894-63 double sided switchable Farnoll G6/40A. Switch mode. 5v @ 40a.Encased £95.00(C) bandwidth. A super monitor in attractive style moulded cat2e4
hard or soft sectors- BRAND NEW C250.00(E) Farnell G24/5S. As above but 24v @ 5a. C65.00(C) 90 day guarantee. Only ........ (El
Dual 8" drives with 2 mbyte capacity housed in a smart case NEC CGA 12" IBM-PC compatible. High
with built in power supply, Ideal as exterior drives, f499.00(F) BBC Model B APM Board quality ex -equipment fully tested with a 90
End of line purchase scoop! Brand new NEC D2246 8' 85 day guarantee. In an attractive two tone
megabyte of hard disk storage, Full CPU control and industry
£100 CASH FOR THE ribbed grey plastic case measuring 15'1 x
standard SMD interface. Ultra hi speed transfer and access time MOST NOVEL 13"W x 12"H. The front cosmetic bezel has
leaves the good old ST506 interface standing. In mint condition DEMONSTRATA 8 LE been removed for contractual
and comes complete with manual. Only f299(E) reasons Only (E)
APPLICATION! 20", 22" and 26" AV SPECIALS
THE AMAZING TELEBOX! BBC Model B type computer on a board. A major purchase Superbly made UK manufacture. PIL all solid state colour
Converts your colour monitor into a allows us to offer you the PROFESSIONAL version of the BBC monitors. complete with composite video & sound inputs. Attrac-
QUALITY COLOUR TV!! computer at a parts only price. Used as a front end graphics tive teak style case. Perfect for Schools.Shops.Disco. Clubs.
system on large networked systems the architecture of the BBC In EXCELLENT little used condition with full 90 day guarantee.
TV SOUND
board has so many similarities to the regular BBC model B that
we are sure that with a bit of experimentation and ingenuity many
20"....£135 22"....£155 26"....£185 (F)
& VIDEO useful applications will be found for this board,' It is supplied CALL FOR PRICING ON NTSC VERSIONS!
TUNER' complete with a connector panel which brings all the I '0 to 'D. Superb Quality 6 foot 40u
The TELEBOX consists of an attractive fully cased mains and BNC type connectors - all you have to do is provide .5 and
powered unit. containing all electronics ready to plug into a host 12 v DC. The APM consists of a single PCB with most major
of video monitors made by manufacturers such as ic's socketed The ic's are too numerous to list but include a
19" Rack Cabinets
MICROVITEC. ATARI. SANYO. SONY. COMMODORE. 6502, RAM and an SAA5050 teletext chip. Three 27128 Massive Reductions
PHILIPS. TATUNG. AMSTRAD and many more. The composite EPROMS contain the custom operating system on which we
video output will also plug directly into most video recorders. have no data. On application of DC power the system boots and Virtually New, Ultra Smart!
allowing reception of TV channels not normally receivable on provides diagnostic information on the video output. On board Less Than Half Price!
most television receivers (TELEBOX MB). Push button controls DIP switches and Jumpers select the ECONET address and Top quality 19" rack cabinets made in UK
on the front panel allow reception of 8 fully tuneable 'off air' UHF enable the four extra EPROM sockets for user software. Appx. by Optima Enclosures Ltd. Units feature
colour television or video channels. TELEBOX MB covers vir- dims main board 13" x 10". I/O board 14" x T. Supplied tested designer, smoked acrylic lockable front
tually all television frequencies VHF and UHF including the with circuit data and competition entry form
door, full height lockable half louvered back
HYPERBAND as used by most cable TV operators. Composite
and RGB video outputs are located on the rear panel for direct
connection to most makes of monitor. For complete compatibility
only 9.95 or 2 for £53 (B)
door and removable side panels Fully ad-
justable internal fixing struts ready
punched for any configuration of equipment mounting plus ready
- even for monitors without sound - an integral 4 watt audio
amplifier and low level Hi Fi audio output are provided as Trio 0-18 vdc bench PSU. 30 amps. New £ 470 mounted integral 12 way 13 amp socket switched mains distribu-
standard.
Fujitsu M3041 600 LPM band printer £2950 tion strip make these racks some of the most versatile we have
Telebox ST for composite video input monitors £32.95
DEC LS/02 CPU board 150 ever sold. Racks may be stacked side by side and therefore
Rhode & Schwarz SBUF TV test transmitter require only two side panels or stand singly. Overall dimensions
Telebox STL as ST but with integral speaker £36.50 25 1000mhz. Complete with SBTF2 Modulator £6500 are 77-1 2"H x 32-1/2"D x 22"W Order as
Telebox MB as ST with Multiband tuner VHF -UHF -Cable Calcomp 1036 large drum 3 pen plotter 650 Rack 1 Complete with removable side panels
& hyperband For overseas PAL versions state £275.00 (G)
Thurlby LA 160B logic analyser £ 375 Rack 2 Less side panels 5145.00 (G)
5.5 or 6mhz sound specification. £69.95 1.5kw 115v 60hz power source 950
Telebox RGB for analogue RGB monitors (15khz) £69.95 Anton Pillar 400 Hz 3 phase frequency converter 75Kw POA COOLING FANS
Shipping code on all Teleboxes is (B) Newton Derby 400 Hz 70 Kw converter
RGB Telebox also suitable for IBM multisync monitors with RGB
POA 3 inch AC. 112" thick
Haefely Impulse Testers P6T and PEMI 12; good cond. POA 92 mm 8.50(B)
analog and composite sync. Overseas versions VHF & UHF call Sekonic SD 150H 18 channel Hybrid recorder AC 230 v. 18mm thick
£2000 31 2 inch AC ETRI slimline.Only 1" thick.
02.95(8)
SECAM NTSC not available. HP 7580A Al 8 pen high speed drum plotter £ 9.95(B)
£1850 312 inch AC 230 v 8 watts. Only 3/4" thick f12.95(A)
Kenwood DA -3501 CD tester, laser 'cku simulator
No Break Uninterruptable PSU's 350 4 inch AC 110/240v 11'2" thick.
10 inch AC round. 312 thick. Rotron 110v
C10.95(B)
:ran. news . ..xe. 230 pia. a power supp es BRAND NEW PRINTERS 60 mm DC 1" thick.No 812 for 6/12v.814 24v
£12.95(8)
£15.95(A)
from Densei. Model MUK 0565-AUAF is 0.5 kva and MUD Microline 183. NLO 17x17 dot matrix. Full width. C139 (D) 80 mm DC 5 v. Papst 8105G 4w. 38mm. RFE 19.95(A)
1085-AHBH is 1 kva. Both have sealed lead acid batteries. MUK Hyundai HDP-920. NLO 24x18 dot matrix full width. £149 (D) 92 mm DC 12v. 18 mm thick. Densitron. £ 9.95(A)
are internal. MUD has them in a matching case. Times from Oume LetterPro 20 daisy. (Dune OS -3 interface. £39.95 ID) 92mm AC 230 v. Densitron as previous £10.25(A)
interrupt are 5 and 15 minutes respectively. Complete with full Centronics 152-2 9 x 7 dot matrix. Full width. f149 ID) 4 inch DC 12v 12w 11/2" thick £12.50(B)
operation manuals MUK......£249 (Fl MUD £525 (G) Centronics 159-4 9 x 7 dot matrix. Serial. 9-1/2" widthf 99 ID) 4 inch DC 24v Etw 1" thick £14.50(R)
1992 Winter Issue of Display News now available - send large SAE - PECKED with bargains)
:000. : .000. :000. MAIL ORDER & OFFICES LONDON SHOP DISTEL The Original ALL ENQUIRIES
000 0000
Open Mon -Fri 9.00-5.30 Open Mon -Sal 9-5 30 Free dial -up database' At\
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London SE19 3XF London. SE25
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ri rririnivirc-
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All prices for UK Mainland UK customers add 17 5% VAT to TOTAL order amount Minimum order C10 PO orders from Government.Universibes.Schools 6 Local Autho ties
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All goods supplied subject to our standard Conditions of Sale and unless otherwise stated guaranteed for 90 days All guarantees on a return to base basis Rights reserved to
change prices & specifications without prior notice Orders subject to stock Quotations willingly given for higher quantities than those slated Bulk surplus always wanted for cash

162 Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993

 EiGREEN,
1993
ELD
T% r
wiciNjrz, NT;
E3r

32 Pages of Amazing Offers!

Multimeters - Opto - PSU's - Radios - Books - Solar Leads & Cable - Connectors -
Panels - Packs - Batteries - Graphics Supplies - Video Equipment Auto & Home
Security - Radio Mics - Computer Hardware & Software - Metal Detectors
+ lots more!

MIND MACHINE MKII

Since the original "Mind Machine" entrainment project was published back in 1991, considerable effort has
been made to find a simpler circuit capable of the same function. Whilst it worked well and proved popular
with readers, it was complicated to construct, especially with it's programmable option. This may have
deterred less experienced constructors who might otherwise enjoy experimenting in this exciting field.
This new version uses tape cassettes for program storage. A special generator, the subject of next
month's porject, produces the "binaural" signals at a level suitable for cassette recorder "line" inputs. A
tape is made of the desired sound program, which can then be used with just a player and headphones -a
"Walkman" is ideal. This eliminates the programmer and audio amps at a stroke. A separate unit, to be
described the following month, can be connected in parallel with the headphones to generate the lights.
This is also simple to construct, and is pocket -sized for portability.
Learn to relax with this "programmable" entrainment unit.

FOG LIGHT ALERT

High -intensity rear fog lights are effective in warning a following car of your presence in conditions of poor
visibility.' The trouble is, they are easily left switched on by mistake. This means that when the headlights are
next used, the fog lights will come on too. Leaving fog lights on in this way is bad practice - the Highway Code
reminds us they should only be used when visibility is seriously affected. This project provides an audible
warning in the form of a loud bleeping tone if the fog light switch has been left on.

UNIVERSAL DATA LOGGER

This Project utilising a single chip micro -controller (8031) and costing less than £20 to build, provides an
easy way to measure a varying voltage and convert to a RS232 data stream. The input voltage to the board
can be virtually any transducer or source that provides a d. c. voltage which is proportional to the process
variable being measured. The serial output can then be fed to the serial port of any computer and data can
be displayed graphically against a time axis. The author has written an example program that runs on a p.c.
(monchrome only), although software may be written for any other computer type to achieve a graphical
representation of the measured data.

EVERYD
WITH

EL TRONICS
APRIL ISSUE ON SALE FRIDAY MARCH 5th

Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993

 SURVEILLANCE
PR4WESSHRAL otaLITY KITS
No. I for Kits
Whether your requirement for surveillance equipment is amateur, professional or you are just fascinated by this unique area of
electronics SUMA DESIGNS has a kit to fit the bill. We have been designing electronic surveillance equipment for over 12 years
and you can be sure that all of our kits are very well tried, tested and proven and come complete with full instructions, circuit
diagrams, assembly details and all high quality components including fibreglass PCB. Unless otherwise stated all transmitters
are tuneable and can be received on an ordinary VHF FM radio.
UTX Ultra -miniature Room Transmitter UTLX Ultra -miniature Telephone Transmitter
Smallest room transmitter kit in the word! Incredible 10mm x 20mm including mic Smallest telephone transmitter kit available. Incredible size of 10mm x 20mm!
3-12V operation 500m range £16.45 Connects to line (anywhere) and switches on and off with phone use.
All conversation transmitted. Powered from line. 500m range E15 95
MIX becroinielatwe Room Transmitter
Best-selling micro -miniature Room Transmitter TLX700 Micro -miniature Telephone Transmitter
Just 17mm x 17mm including mic. 3-12V operation. 1000m range £13.45 Best-selling telephone transmitter Being 20mm x 20mm it is easier to assemble than
UTLX. Connects to line (anywhere) and switches on and off with phone use. All
STX High-perlonnance Room Transmitter
conversations transmitted. Powered from line 1000m range £13.45
Hi performance transmitter with a buffered output stage for greater stability and range.
Measures 22mm x 22mm including mic 6-12V operation, 1500m range £15.45 STLX High-performance Telephone Transmitter
High performance transmitter with buffered output stage providing excellent stability
VT500 High -power Room Transmitter
and performance. Connects to line (anywhere) and switches on and off with phone use.
Powerful 250mW output providing excellent range and performance. Size 20mm x
All conversations transmitted. Powered from line. Size 22mm x 22mm.
40mm. 9-12V operation 3000m range £16.45
1500m range £16.45
VXT Voice Activated Transmitter
T11X900 Signalling/Trading Transmitter
Triggers only when sounds are detected Very low standby current. Variable sensitivity
Transmits a continous stream of audio pulses with variable tone and rate. Ideal for
and delay with LED indicator. Size 20mm x 67mm 9V operation. 1000m range £19.45
signalling or tracking purposes. High power output giving range up to 3000m. Size
HVX400 Mains Powered Room Transmitter 25mm x 63mm. 9V operation £22.95
Connects directly to 240V AC SUP2' !or long-term monitoring. Size 30mm x 35mm.
CD400 Pocket Ng Detector/Locator
500m range £19.45
LED and piezo bleeper pulse slowly, rate of pulse and pitch of tome increase as you
SCRX Subcarrier Scrambled Room Transmitter approach signal. Gain control allows pinpointing of source. Size 45mm x 54mm. 9V
Scrambled output from this transmitter cannot be monitored without the SCDM decoder operation £30.95
connected to the receiver. Size 20mm x 67mm. 9V operation 1000m range f22.95 CD600 Professional hug Detector/Locator
SCUT Sehcarrier Telephone Transmitter Multicolour readout of signal strength with variable rate bleeper and variable sensitivity
Connects to telephone line anywhere, requires no batteries. Output scrambled so used to detect and locate hidden transmitters. Switch to AUDIO CONFORM mode to
requires SCDM connected to receiver. Size 32mm x 37mm. 1000m range £23.95 distinguish between localised bug transmission and normal legitimate signals such as
SCAM Sibcarrier Decoder Unit for SCRX pagers, cellular, taxis etc. Size 70mm x 100mm. 9V operation £50.95
Connects to receiver earphone socket and provides decoded audio output to IITX180 Crystal Controlled Room Transmitter
headphones. Size 32mm x 70mm. 9-12V operation £22.95 Narrow band FM transmitter for the ultimate in privacy. Operates on 180 MHz and
requires the use of a scanner receiver or our ORX180 kit (see catlogue). Size 20mm x
ATR2 Micro We Telephone Recording Interface £40.95
67mm 9V operation. 1000m range
Connects between telephone line (anywhere) and cassette recorder. Switches tape
automatically as phone is used. All conversations recorded. Size 16mm x 32mm. (IU1 MI Crystal Cointrolled Telephone Transmitter
Powered from line £13 45 As per OTX180 but connects to telephone line to monitor both sides of conversations.
20mm x 67mm. 9V operation. 1000m range £40.95

*** Specials *** QSX180 Line Powered Crystal Controlled Plane Trammittsr
As per OLX180 but draws power requirements from line. No batteries required. Size
32mm x 37mm Range 500m
ORX1110 Crystal Controlled FM Receiver
£35.95

OLTX/111.RX Radio Control Switch

For monitoring any of the '0' range transmitters. High sensitivity unit. All RF section
Remote control anything around your home or garden, outside lights, alarms, paging
supplied as a pre -built and aligned module ready to connect on board so no difficulty
system etc. System consists of a small VHF transmitter with digital encoder and receiver
setting up Outpt to headphones. 60mm x 75mm. 9V operation £60.95
unit with decoder and relay output, momentary or alternate, 8 -way dil switches on both
boards set your own unique security code. TX size 45mm x 45mm. RX size 35mm x A build-up service is available on all our kits it required.
90mm. Both 9V operation. Range up to 200m.
Complete System (2 kits) £50.95 UK customers please send cheques, POs or registered cash. Please add
Individual Transmitter DLTX £19.95 £1.50 per order for P&P. Goods despatched ASAP allowing for cheque
Individual Receiver DLRX £37.95 clearance. Overseas customers send sterling bank draft and add £5.00 per
MSX-1 Ni-Fl Micro Ireadeaster order for shipment. Credit card orders welcomed on 0827 714476.
Not technically a surveillance device but a great idea! Connects to the headphone output
of your Hi-Fi, tape or CD and transmits Hi-Fi quality to a nearby radio. Listen to your OUR LATEST CATALOGUE CONTAINING MANY MORE NEW
favourite music anywhere around the house, garden, in the bath or in the garage and
you don't have to put up with the DJ's choice and bonng waffle. Size 27mm x 60mm.
SURVEILLANCE KITS NOW AVAILABLE. SEND TWO FIRST
9V operation. 250m range £20.95 CLASS STAMPS OR OVERSEAS SEND TWO IRCS.

DEPT. EE
SUMA THE WORKSHOPS, 95 MAIN ROAD,
BAXTERLEY. NEAR ATHERSTONE,
DESIGNS WARWICKSHIRE CV9 2 LE 0827 714476
VISITORS STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

164 Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993

 Electromail offers you
over 34,000 products -you could
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Electromail is Europe's biggest electronic, electrical and mechanical components

and equipment catalogue, full of information on more than 34,000 top quality
products and tools. It's so packed, that it comes in 3 parts. Usually it would cost
PREITROMVCATALOGUE OFFER
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Please send me the complete Electromail catalogue for which I enclose payment understand my payment
you £6.50 but when you spend £50 on your next order, we'll provide a full refund! will be refunded in full should my nest purchase be over E50 This offer closes 28/2193 Please arrow 28
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Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993 165

 SERVICE MANUALS 19" RACK MOUNTING EQUIPMENT CASES
Tors range 0119" rack cases features satin black finished 16SWG (1 5mm) steel front panels (no fixing holes visible),
ElAvailable for most equipment, TV, Video, Audio, vlsA iih the rear box assembly constructed from 20SWG ( 9mm) steel The standard unIts are 10' (254mm) deep
9- project cases only 4' (101mm) deep and are available m the following popular sizes
Test, Amateur Radio, Kitchen, Computers etc. etc.
We have probably the largest range of Service Information PROJECT CASES
Type Height Price PU1
available anywhere. If you need a manual give us a call. PU1 1)," (44mm) 118 02
Originals or photostats supplied as available. PU2 :' (88mm) 120 07
PU3 5' (133rnm I 122 11
MAURITRON SERVICES (EE) PU4
PU6
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10' i (266mm)
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Tel:- (0844) 351694. Fax:- (0844) 352554. Type Height Price
U1 1 144mm) 122 33
(---A selection from our vast range of Technical Books U2 3' :* (88mm) 125 85
U3 51,' (133mm) 129 38
Video Recorder Faults - Repair Guide for Beginners £1.95 U4 7' (178mm) 131 72
VHS Video Recorder Principles £1.95 Delivery included (UK only)
Transistor Equivalents and Testing Manual £2.95 All prices Include VAT
Transistor Radio Repair Guide £1.50 BLANKING PANELS. RACKING CONSOLES
£4.95 and RACK CABINETS are also available
Switch Mode PSU IC Type TDA-4600 Repair Guide
Please send SAE for details
Teletext Repair Manual for SAA range of IC's £5.95 Tel 0272 373983 for Access. Vita Sales or cheque
Citizens Band Radio Circuits Manual £6.95 with order to
Power Supplies, Voltage Regulators & Stabilisers £2.95 RACKZ PRODUCTS
Telephone Code Reverse STD Location Guide £3.95 PO Box 1402 Mangotsfield, Bristol, England, BS17 3RY
Military Surplus Equipment. Giant 5 Volume Set £39.95
Record Player Speed Disc £0.95
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Lots more shown in our FREE Catalogue including
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Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993

 160 Pages of regular lines + our famous ONLY
1993 CATALOGUE
OUT NOW!!
Bargain List - 32 Pages of Surplus Bargains
+ First Class Reply Paid Order Form + Latest
Offer Sheet - You can't afford to miss it! £2.00
OPTO 0171WPOTENCEI
A big parcel of opto product - everything from surface mount LED's to massive dot matrix
PC SOFTWARE AT AMAZING PRICES!!
Words & Figures by Lifetree - combined Z5442 5'/4" version
LCD's has recently been purchased, offering you, the constructor, professional grade devices spreadsheet, word processor and database with Z5443 31/2" version
at Bargain List Prices! Full details in our lists, but see below for some tempting offers: graphics. Needs PC with DOS 2+, 256k RAM,
LED LIQUID CRYSTAL mono or colour display. Supports over 200
printers. 546 page manual, spread out menu and
BLOCKS
Dot matrix LED
DISPLAYS disks, all in library case. Just look at the price!!
Z5444 PC -MIX Multitasking Interfacing Executive - enables up to 3 ft
.95
la
displays in both CC progs to be run simultaneously. 96 page handbook and 51/4" disk. 1.21.Ui./
vl
and CA from INDIVIDUAL TUTORS - boxed set with SmartGuide for DOS
35-58mm in red, handbook and disk 25452 On line reference guide to
green and yellow. Full LCD dot matrix modules fitted with Z5445 51/4"; Z5446 31/2' Learn to type £3.95 DOS commands, topics and
details in latest list controller. All supplied with data. Elogd set with handbook
Z5448 51/4% Z5449 31/z" Learn to use DOS £3.95 paroscie. disk
Application notes - 16 page book £2.00
Z5469 Green 35mm 5x8 CC £1.60 Z5450 5'/4 Learn to use your PC £3.95 ' Z5453 31/2" version £4.95
Z5481D 16x1, 5.73mm char.ht. £4.00
Z5470 HE Red 35mm 5x8 CC £1.60
Z5482D 16x2, 4.27mm char ht. £6.00
Z5471 Yellow 51mm 5x7 CC £1.75
Z5475 Green 51mm 5x7 CC £1.75
Z5478 HE Red 51mm 5x7 CA £1.75
Z5484D 20x1, 5.2mm char.ht. £4.60
Z5485D 20x2, 4.85mm char.ht. £7.00 BORED TREASUR
Z5486D 40x2, 5.2mm char.ht. £9.50 So easy to find with C -Scope Metal Deflectors
Z5479 HE Red 51mm 5x7 CC £1.75
All characters 5x7 Gold sovereigns, Roman coins, historic pots and medals
Z5473 Yellow 58mm 8x8 CC £3.50
Z5477 Green 58mm 8x8 CC £3.50 and lost current coinage! (-Scone Metal Detectors
Z5480 HE Red 58mm 8x8 CC £3.50 JUMBO DISPLAY From just £79.99
LM225 Hitachi 640x200 dot LCD for ARE ALSO
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area C.S5COPE
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SUPPUEAS OF -(4
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£6.50 With comprehensive data. £39.50 at our shop. Prices start from less than £801
K806 LED's: Red only - round, square,
rect from 2mm up. 100 for £5.00
K801 Seven seg LED's - Red/green/
OPTO ISOLATORS
Z2771 4N30 Darlington 8 for £2
1993.360
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Z2779 CNY47 Transistor 10 for £2 it.e.zy....-4.,1-_,,
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SOT23 100 for £8.95
K845 Optocouplers, transistor up to 4kV
Z2794 HI IAVI 4kV Transistor 10 for £2
Z2793 HI I AGI CMOS Tr. 300% 10 for £2
Z2776 CNY30 SCR 200V 6 for £2
'
100%. 25 for £2.95 Z2828 HI1L3 Schmitt 5mA 3 for £2
K846 Optocouplers, darlington up to
2.5kV 600%. 25 for £3.95
Z2837 MOC3011 Triac 10mA 6 for £2
Z2840 m0C3021LP Triac 15mA 6 for £2
Boingl Leap inside for a few Spring Surprises
K847 Optocouplers, Triac/SCR up
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to Supplied with data sheet. Booklet giving
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resolution
411m111=611EMIll
Z9128 These brand new and boxed high
video composite INSULATION TEST UNIT
0 0
monochrome monitors made
Thompson model no VM3102VA have a
by
Y136C 500V tester that can be used with
most digital meters. 2 ranges covering
CAMERA Z9121 Veneered
330x217x116mm with 100mm 4R
cabinet
12" amber non -glare CRT and 35MHz
video bandwidth. Resolution is an
incredible 1000 lines at centre.
100k -1999M. Supplied with leads, batts,
instructions and carry case. Original trade
price £34
CLEARANCE speaker. Ideal as extn spkrs for kitchen
etc. £12.95/pr
Scanning frequency 15.725kHz 110 & 35mm all are returns, some have small parts
CASSETTE MOTORS

fl 2 95 5 for£10
missing, but great value for lenses, electronics etc
horizontal, 50-60Hz vertical. Composite
(most have built in flash units)
video input, -ve sync (0.6-2.5V p -p) (not
RGB). There is also an audio input and
internal amplifier and speaker
220-240V ac operation. Smart two tone All off and pack prices include VAT. qty prices do not. P&P
1

£2.75 per o der (£9.50 next day) Min Credit Card £12. Official
grey case. Overall size 336 wide x 290 11111111111\ Z5487 Mabuchi hi -torque 9V cassette
orders from Education welcome; min invoice charge £15. Payment
high x 300mm deep. Video and audio GREENWELD is accepted by cheque, PO, cash (inc foreign currency banknotes), motor 35mm dai x 25mm. £1.00 Box of
inputs on phono sockets. Supplied with book tokens, Access,Visa, Connect. Our stores have enormous 200 £65
fullcircuit diagram and instruction
manual.
ELECTRONIC
stocks we are open from 95.30 Mon -Sat. Come and see us!

Tel: (0703) 236363 RIBBON CABLE

COMPONENTS
HALF CAT PRICE!
£34.95
VISA
Fax: (0703) 236307 Z9122 50 way grey 100ft reel £8.50
27D PARK ROAD, SOUTHAMPTON, SO1 3TB Z9123 34 way grey 100ft reel £13.00

Everyday tvith Practical Electronics, March 1993 1 67

 BARGAINS - Many New Ones This Month
THIS MONTH'S SNIP is a 250 Watt Toroidal Transformer which nas tapped mains 2, 3 AND 4 WAY TERMINAL BLOCKS the usual grub screw types. Parcel containing
input and 3 secondaries: 230V 1 amp 20V and 6V but if these voltages are not quite a mixture of the 3 types. giving you 100 ways for £1, Order Ref. 875.
what you want it is very easy to add an extra winding. 4 turns adds or subtracts 1 12/24V DC SOLENOID. The construction of this is such that it will push or pull as
volt. You can also use this as a 250 watt isolation. Price only £10 but it's heavy so the plunger is a combined rod and piston. With 24V this is terrifically powerful but
please add £2 carriage if not collecting. Order Ref. 10P97. is still quite good at 12V and, of course, it can be operated by any
INFRA RED RECEIVER CONTROLLER made by Thorn to channel LIMITED SUPPLY ITEMS intermediate voltage. Price £1, Order Ref. 877.
switch their T.V. receivers. Mounted on panel with luminous chan- 2M 3 -CORE LEAD terminating with flat pin instrument socket. £1,
nel indicator, mains on/off switch, leads and plugs all yours for £2, are only described in our newsletter. Order Ref. 879. Ditto but with plug on the other end so that you
Order Ref. 2P304. Many appear in our current issue. If
could use this to extend an instrument lead. £1.50, Order Ref.
HIGH QUALITY KEY SWITCH single pole on/off or changeover you order something this month you 1.5P10.
through panel mounted by hexagonal nut. Complete with 2 keys. will receive this. MULTI -CORE CABLES all with 8A 230V cores so suitable for
Regular price £3. our price £1.50, Order Ref. 1.5P12. disco and other special lighting effects With earthable woven
DIGITAL MULTI TESTER M3800 single switching covers 30 ranges including 20A screen and thick pvc outer 3 core. 30p per metre, 16 core, 50p per metre. 18 core.
a.c. and d.c. 10 meg input impedence. 3Y2 LCD display. Complete with manual and 80p per metre, 25 core. El metre and 36 core, £1.50 per metre.
leads. Currently advertised by many dealers at nearly £40, our price only £25, SAFETY LEADS curly so they contract but don't hang down. Could easily save a
Order Ref 25P14. child from being scalded. 2 core, 5A, extends to 3m, £1, Order Ref. 846. 3 core.
ANALOGUE TESTER. Input impedence 2K ohms per volt. It has 14 ranges. a.c. 13A, extends to 1m. fl each. Order Ref. 847. 3 core, 13A. extends to 3m. f2 each,
volts 0-500. d.c. volts 0-500. d.c current 500 micro amps at 250 milliamp. resis- Order Ref. 2P290.
tance 0-1 meg-ohm. decibels 20 -
t 56dB. Fitted diode protection, overall size ULTRA SONIC TRANSDUCERS 2 metal cased units. one transmits. one receives
90 x 60 x 30mm. Complete with test prods, price £7.50, Order Ref. 7 5P8. Built to operate around 40kHz. Price £1.50 the pair. Order Ref. 1.5P/4.
2" 50 OHM LOUDSPEAKER replacement for pocket radio. baby alarm. etc. Also 100W MAINS TRANSFORMERS normal primaries 20-0-20 at 2.5A or 30V at 3.5A,
makes good pillow 'phone 2 for £1, Order Ref. 905. Ref 4P24 40V at 2.5A. £4, Order Ref. 4P59 50V at 2A. £4, Order Ref
13A SWITCHED SOCKETS on standard switch plates but coloured Ideal in 4P60
workshop. cellar. etc. British made. Twin switched. £1.50, Order Ref. 1.5P13. PHILIPS
PHILIPS 9" HIGH RESOLUTION MONITOR black 8 white in metal frame for easy
single switched 75p, Order Ref. .75P1. mounting, brand new still in maker's packing, offered at less than price of tube
LCD CLOCK MODULE 1-5V battery -operated, fits nicely into our 50p project box, alone. only £15, Order Ref. 15P1.
Order Ref 876 Only £2, Order Ref. 2P307. 16 CHARACTER 2 -LINE DISPLAY screen size 85mm x 36mm. Alpha -numeric LCD
OPTICAL INSTRUMENTS KIT makes microscope and six other optical instru- dot matrix module with integral micro processor made by Epson, their Ref.
ments. £15, Order Ref 15P28. 16027AR, £8, Order Ref. 8P48.
SINTINEL COMPONENT BOARD amongst hunders of other parts. this has 15 ICs INSULATION TESTER WITH MULTIMETER internally generates voltages which
all plug in so don't need de -soldering. Cost well over £100. yours for f4. Order Ref. enables you to read insulation directly in megohms. The multimeter has four
4P67
ranges. AC/DC volts. 3 ranges DC milliamps, 3 ranges resistance and 5 amp
9V 2.1A POWER SUPPLY made for Sinclair to operate their 128K Spectrum Plus 2 range. These instruments are ex British Telecom but in very good condition.
0, Order Ref 3P151 tested and guaranteed OK. probably cost at least £50 each, yours for only £7.50,
LINEAR HEATING TUBES. Quartz glass. 360W 110V so you need 2 with leads. carrying case f2 extra, Order Ref. 7.5P/4.
in series which would give you 720W. 2 for £1, Order Ref. 907. ASTEC 135 WATT P.S.U. MAINS 230V FAN best make "PAPST' 4 V' square, metal blades,
12V 250 MILLIAMP SOLAR POWER. Could keep that 12V battery 230V or 115V input with outputs of C13, Order Ref. 8P8.
charged where there is no access to the mains. £15, Order Ref + 12V at 4A, +5V at 16A and 2MW LASER Helium neon by Philips, full spec. £30, Order Ref.
15P47. - 12V at 1/4A completely enclosed 30P1. Power supply for this in kit form with case is £15, Order Ref.
EXTRA LIGHTWEIGHT STEREO HEADPHONES. Adjustable head- in plated steel case Brand new 15P16, or in larger case to house tube as well £18, Order Ref.
band. Suitable for use with all types of cassette players and and yours for £9.50. 18P2. The larger unit, made up tested and ready to use, com-
radios, only f1 per pair, Order Ref. 898. plete with laser tube f69, Order Ref. 69P1.
6-12V AXIAL FAN. Japanese -made 12V d.c. battery operated, brushless axial fan. 1/3 HP 12V MOTOR - THE FAMOUS SINCLAIR C5 brand new. £15, Order Ref. 15P8.
93mm square. its optimum is 12V but it performs equally well at only 6V and its SOLAR CHARGER holds 4 AA nicads and recharges these in 8 hours, in very neat
current then is only 100mA price only £4, Order Ref. 4P65. Mains power unit to plastic case. £6, Order Ret. 6P3.
operate this at variable speeds £2, Order Ref. 2P3. FERRITE AERIAL ROD 8" Long x 1a"diameter, made by Mullard. Complete
ELECTRONIC BUMP & GO SPACESHIP sound and impact controlled responds to with 2 coil formers. 2 for £1, Order Ref. 832B.
claps and shouts and reverses or diverts should it hit anything! Kit with really AIR SPACED TRIMMER CAPS 2-20 pf ideal for precision tuning UHF cir-
detailed instructions. will make ideal present for budding young electrician. cuits. 4 for £1, Order Ret. 818B.
Should be able to assemble but you may have to help with the soldering of the FIELD TELEPHONES just right for building sites, rallies. horse shows.
components on the PCB. Complete kit, f&95, Order Ref. 9P9. etc.. just join two by twin wire and you have two way calling and talking
20W 4 OHM SPEAKER made by Goodmans for Ford. this is mounted on a panel and you can join into regular phone lines if you want to. Ex British Tele-
and has an anodized cone protector cover but can be easily removed from this. com in very good condition. powered by batteries (not included) complete
Ifs a beautiful reproducer and the replacement price is nearly £20. Yours for only with shoulder slung carrying case. £9.50, Order Ref. 9.5P/2.
£3, Order Ref 3P145 MAINS ISOLATION TRANSFORMER stops you getting "to earth" shocks.
20W 4 OHM TWEETER also made by Goodmans for Ford. mounted on a baffle but 230V in and 230V out. 150watt upright mounting. f7.50, Order Ref. 7.5P/5
easily unscrewed from this. Yours for £1.50, Order Ref. 1.5P9. and a 250W version is £10, Order Ref. 10P79.
1KW BLOW HEATER. Only 6- wide so ideal where space is limited - under a desk MINI MONO AMP on PCB. Size 4" x 2" with front panel holding volume
or similar - or can be made into a portable heater for defrosting pipes. etc. Com- control and with spare hole for switch or tone control. Output is 4 watt into
plete little unit, although motorized. is virtually silent in operation. Price £5, Order 4 ohm speaker using 12V or 1 watt into 8 ohm using 9V. Brand new and
Ref 5P23 perfect. only £1 each, Order Ref. 495.
WHERE YOU UNLUCKY during any of the cold spells? Did any of the pipes in your ATARI 65XE at 65K this is quite powerful. so suitable for home or busi-
loft freeze and then burst" Some friends of ours were away at the time and had ness. unused and in perfect order but less PSU. only £19.50, Order Ref
ceilings come down. It could be just as cold this winter but you can avoid pipes 19 5P/5B
freezing by winding our waterproof heating wire around them. Operating cost. 80W MAINS TRANSFORMERS two available, good quality. both with nor-
even without thermostat, is only a few pence per week. 15m length consumes mal primaries and upright mounting, one is 20V 4A, Order Ref. 3P106 the
about 25 watts. This is the length we recommend for the normal house and the other 40V 2A, Order Ref. 3P107, only £3 each.
cost is £5.00, Order Ref. 5P109. Or, if you want specified length, send 35p per PROJECT BOX size approx 8" x 4" x 4 metal, sprayed grey. louvred
metre ends for ventilation otherwise undrilled. Made for GPO so best quality.
AMSTRAD KEYBOARD MODEL KBS. This is a most comprehen- only £3 each, Order Ref. 3P74.
sive keyboard, having over 100 keys including, of course full JUST ARRIVED EXPERIMENTING WITH VALVES don't spend a fortune on
numerical and qwerty Brand new, still in maker's packing, £5, dimmer switch suitable for lamps or a mains transformer. we can supply one with standard
Order Ref. 5P202 non -inductive loads of up to 750W
mains input and secs. of 250-0-250V at 75mA and 6.3V at
F.M. CORDLESS RADIO MIKE hand-held battery -operated profes- Fitted on a standard electrical plate
3A £5, Order Ref. 5P167.
sional model, has usual shaped body and head and is tuneable to so would replace normal wall switch.
15W 8 OHM 8" SPEAKER & 3" TWEETER made for a dis-
transmit and be picked up on the F M. band of any radio. Yours for Price only £2, Order Ref 2P309continued high quality music centre, gives real hi-fi, and
only £8.50. Order Ref. 8.5P1. only £4 per pair. Order ref. 4P57.
4 MORE SPEAKERS: Order Ref. 1.5P11 is Japanese -made 6Y2". 8 ohm, rated at WATER PUMP very powerful, an ideal shower controller, mains operated.
12W max This is a very fine reproducer The makers are SANYO. Yours for £1.50. £10, Order Ref. 10P74.
Order Ret. 900 is another Far East made 4 ohm, 12W max speaker. Very 0-1MA FULL VISION PANEL METER 21,- square. scaled 0-100 but scale
nicely made, using Japanese Hitachi tools and technique, only 0. easily removed for re -writing. £1 each. Order Ref 756
Order Ref. 896 is 6'., 6 ohm, 10W. exceptionally good sounder and yours for PCB DRILLS 12 assorted sizes between .75 and 1.5mm. fl the lot, Order
only £1. Ref. 128.
Order Ref. 897 is another 8 ohm speaker rated at 5W but its unusual feature is that
it has a built-in tweeter. Price still only £1. Prices include V.A.T. Send cheque/postal order or ring and
MOVEMENT ALARM goes off with slightest touch, ideal to protect car, cycle. door- quote credit card number. Add £3 post and packing.
way. window. stairway. etc. etc Complete with Piezo shrieker, ready to use. Only
£2 IPP3 battery not supplied). Order Ref. 2P282. Orders over £50 post free.
SOLAR ENERGY EDUCATIONAL KIT an ideal present for electronics students. Kit
comprises 8 solar cells, one solar motor, fan blades to fit motor and metal frame to
hold it to complete a free-standing electric fan. A really well written instruction
M & B ELECTRICAL SUPPLIES LTD
manual makes this a lovely little present. Price £8, Order Ref. 8P12B.
PROJECT BOX a first-class. Japanese two-part moulding size 95mm x 66mm x
Pilgrim Works (Dept. E.E.)
23mm. Will hold a PP3 battery and a PCB and is ideal for many projects. nicely
finished and very substantial. 2 for £1, Order Ref. 876.
Stairbridge Lane
12V 2A MAINS TRANSFORMER upright mounting with mounting clamp Price Bolney, Sussex RH1 7 5PA
£1.50, Order Ref. 1 5P8
AM/FM RADIO CHASSIS with separate LCD clock module, complete with
loudspeaker and ready to go. price is £3.50, Order Ref. 3.5P5.
Telephone or Fax: 0444 881965

168
Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993
SPARKOMATIC 4 x 150 watt
CAR AMPLIFIER R Eirrig 6MAIL ORDER
BARGAIN PACKS
::..--1,1;,--:;;.; No. Qty. per pack No. Qty. per pack
M021 1 60W Hifi tweeter made for Jamo UK size M070 1 Moving coil dynamic. handheld, ball
-
--- -7,----_ --_-----.--:-: ,

A c %C.
90mm sq £1 microphone Ross Electrocscustomers
ni
- -

M022 2 30 watt 8 ohm Hifi chassis speakers. returns (no warrantee)

Sp Made for Hitachi UK midi systems, size M071A 1 Analogue Multimeter. Ross Electronics f1
125mm sq with large 70mm magnet customers returns (no warrantee)
£9.00 - £2.00 p&p £3.90 + 90p p&p
M023 2 Pod Car Speakers Moulded in black M072 1 WW II EX WD headphone, A BIT OF
plastic with 15 watt 10cm Goodmans unit NOSTALGIA, low impedance

The SA3200 is our top of the line 4 Channel Amplifier

which is extremely well specified. It is very powerful and
fitted

Roadstarl
f 3.95 pair - £2.50 p&p
M023A 1pr 40 watt Car Speakers made for
of Switzerland Fitted with dual
polypropylene cone and foam rubber
surround Big 70mm magent for good
M073 1 Koss Stereo Headphones on ear
Lightweight design, vari -fitting ear -cups
with contour cushions, 36in cord
£3.50+ £1.20 p&p

versatile and features separate bass and treble controls 3 5mm - 6.35mm Jack plug adaptor
base response Supplied with grills fixing £3.50 - fl p&p
which gives the user the possibility of reducing bass screws and cable Size 13cm. weight
response to the front speakers and adding treble for 1.5Kg £11.70 pair - £3.65 p&p or M074A 1 Tone dialling key -
1;113 ,Pic Ire.
better pad. use sery -
better stereo imaging The bass response can then TWO pairs for £25.00 UK post paid
be increased to the rear speakers which are usually M024 2 Audax JBL 40-100watt dome tweeters. ices that require
larger and capable of offering better reproduction. The High performance 10mm Ferrofluid , r
DTMF tone sig-
SA3200 features a bridge operation switch which offers cooled horn loaded unit for load distortion . nals for a rotary
the possiblity of using the amplifier in 4, 3 or 2 channel and high output. Supplied with 1st order . ' dial pulse phone,
mode. The 3 channel mode is ideal for installations crossover, spec 40 watts at 3kHz, 100 . size 90mm x
where rear deck speakers are used in combination with a watt at 8kHz. size 51 mm x 51 mm x ' 55mm x 12mm
16 5mm Ideal for car use £7.50 - Cl p&p ,L.,,, c' c.d.'
e.o., lar.
separate subwoofer M025 2 330005F 102 d c can type computer
4 x 150 Watts max 4 x 80 Watts into 4 Ohms at grade quality electrolytic UK made £1
less than 0 5% TH D 2 x 80 Watts plus 1 x 160 Watts at M025A 1 475F 385V d c. can type electrolytic. Size
less than 0.5% THD 2 x 160 Watts into 4 Ohms at less 350mm x 250mm UK made by Phillips £1 .75
than 0.5% THD Separate bass and treble controls for M026 2 6805F 100V d.c can type electrolytic size £6.95 - 70p p&p
front and rear channels Separate sensitivity controls 45mm x 25mm El M075 1 100 yard roll of single screened quick
for front and rear channels 2, 3 or 4 channel operation M027 3 22005F 25V d c. can type electrolytic size splice cable, good quality British
Heavy duty power wires Glass blasted aluminium 45mm x 25mm £1 Made £4.50 - £2 p&p
heatsink High current capacility M028A 1 22005F 40V d c. can type electrolytic M076 1 100 yard 3 -core 3 amp cable, coded
capacitor made by Seimans, size 48mm x brown, blue and green/yellow
£251.65 plus £7 p&p 30mm £1 £4.20 - E2 p&p
M029 1 330005F 16V 27A can type electrolytic M080 2 Solar Powered Wooden Kits Easy
size 113mm x 50mm £1 to build aeroplane. with revolving
SPAR KOMATIC 2 x 150 watt M030 20 Assorted Variable trimmers £1 propeller, and an old time gramophone
CAR AMPLIFIER M031 4 Tuning capacitors 2 -gang dielectric type £1 with music chip. Supplied with glue,
The SA1500 is a very highly specified 2 Channel M032 2 10k - 10k wirewound precision solar cells, electronics and pre cut
potentiometer £1
Amplifier with built-in sub bass crossover. The SA 1500,
which is ideal for powering medium sized subwoofers, M033 8 Rotaryters
potentiometers
t ti
100k multiturn Varicap type tuning poten -
£1
panels
One of each for £12.00 ' £1.50 p&p
will also operate in bridge mode as a 150 Watt mono M034 5 M081 1 Bump and Go Space Ship Kit with
tiometer with knob size 45mm x 5mm El motor, wheels. p c.b wire and diagram
amplifier. M035 200 Carbon resistors El
2 x 150 Watts max into 4 Ohms 2 x 70 Watts per An ideal introduction for youngsters into
M036 2 Large VU meters. Japan Made £1
the world of electronics and mechanics.
channel at 0.5% THD Bridge mode operation Sen- M037 1 Large Tuning meter 1251.A -0-1255A size goes all the way to the moon on two AA
sitivity adjustment ranging from 100mV to 1V Heavy

t,
55mm x 47mm £1.75 batteries £8.95 El p&p
duty power wires Built-in sub bass crossover Glass M038 1 Dual VU meter 2805A f. s. d.. size 80mm x
Filofax Per
blasted aluminium heatsink High current capacity 42mm x 15mm El .50 M082 1

£1 sonal Organiser
plus £6.50 p&p M039 5 Coaxial Aerial Plugs, all metal type
Radio/Calculator
M040 6 Fuseholders. chassis mounting for 20mm
£1 This neat little
size fuses
unit simply fits
SPAR KOMATIC 80 watt CAR M041 4 Fuseholders, in -line type for 20mm size inside your filofax :::
fuses £1
POWER AMPLIFIER M042 20 5 Pin Din 180'chassis mount sockets El so you can listen
The AMP 7000 produces high power at low distortion M043 6 Double phono sockets El to AM Radio with .,,..
The amplifier accommodates low level, high level and El earphone or use it
M044 5 6.35mm (V) Stereo Jack sockets solar
high power radio speaker inputs. The response is linear M045 4 6.35 (%'') Mono Jack Plugs El as a
powered 8 -digit
..
and extends beyond the capability of all music sources M046 12 Coax Sockets chassis mount El ---...
This compact unit mounts easily and its quick connect M047 2 Case handles plated U -shape, size 97mm calculator.
El Punched with six .......
terminals accept RCA or straight wire input terminals x 50mm fit all
holes to
Power rating 2 x 40 watt per channel. MMP 2 x 20
watt at 10% THD response 20Hz-20kHz. Size 160mm x
M048
M049
30 Mixed control knobs
1 Cassette tape transport mechanism. belt-
£1
personal
organisers. UK
,...,........
...... .,
drive, top loading, six piano key operation
130mm x 45mm
with knobs, stereo record/replay erase Made under h
£32.95 plus £3.50 p&p heads, heavy fly -wheel £5.50 £2.65 p&p price £7.20 ft p&p -

M050 1 Hifi stereo pre -amp module. Input for CD M084 1 Multiband radio. Listen to air traffic con -
trol, aircraft, radar, public utilities VHF

--yMullard
Tuner record player with diagram Made
EPSILON, HIGH POWER by Mullard El 54-176MHz - CB 1-80 with built in
EQUALIZER 30W - 30W M051 AM/FM tuner head modules' Made by squelch control £17.95 - f2 p&p

'".
2
Cl M086 1 AM, FM. LW
M052 3 AM I F modules' Made by Mu//aril Cl Ross Pushbutton
M053 FM stereo decoder module with diagram. Radio. With this -.....'''
1

Made by Mullard fl neat unit you can '

M054 3 UHF Varicap tuned tuner heads un- easily tune in to '

boxed, untested but complete. Made by five pre-set sta-

-
- 9 1;604 M055
M055A
1
Mullard
25V d c. 150mA Mains adaptor in neat
plastic box, size 80mm x 55mm x 47mm
ETR/ Brand new 80mm Cooling Fan
El

El
tions of your
choice without
fiddling or fuss,
runs off six C -cell ;

V:jilliti
1

Five bladed A.C. impedance corrected batteries or 240V l

motor on a cast aluminium chassis. Size mains Output i

Q 80mm x 40mm Voltage 115V a c. work- 400mW. volume

,.............zi
ing, 130mA Japanese made and tone control. ..

£5.95 - £1.40 p&p. Size230mm x

TWO for £11.20 UK post paid 150mm x 65mm
5 band graphic equalizer. 10 I e.d level indicator, fader M056 2 6V -0V -6V 4VA p c.b mount mains trans- £9.95 each - £2.95 p&p
control, volume control, Eta- Defeat switch, CD input former 240V input. size 42mm x 33mm x M087 Amplifier Kit 30 -i- 30 Watt. An easy to
1

jack, power on /off switch. night slide I.e.d 35mm UK Made £1 build amplifier with a good specifica-
M056A 1 28V 15 Amp Mains Transformer Size lion. All components mount on single
£56.65 postage £3.65 80mm x 55mm x 65mm. Weight 1Kg p c.b. punched and back -printed for
£3.00 each - £2.50 p&p ease, case ready drilled finished in black
EMINENCE 40 PROFESSIONAL M056B 1 30-0-30 Volt 3 amp mains Jansformer vinyl with matching scale and knobs
UK made for leading Hifi manufacturer Inputs for CD 'AUX tape 1. tape II. tuner
USA MADE IN CAR CHASSIS Size 96mm x 90mm x 80mm Weight and MC phono
SPEAKERS 2 8Kg £7.00 each - £3.75 p&p Controls bass. treble, volume; balance.
All units are fitted with big magents -Nomex- Voice M057 25 4 Volt miniature wire -ended bulbs £1 mode and power switch. Featured
cods NOT ALUMINIUM, "Nomex" is very light and can M057A SRBP CopperPanted
1 Clad
Cla Circuit Board project in Everyday Electronics. April
Size 410mm x 360mm x2mm £3.65 - 75 p&p 1989 issue: reprint with kit
stand extremely high temperatures, this mixture makes M058 2 Mono cassette tape heads. Japan Made Cl £40.00 £3.65 p&p
for high efficiency and long lasting quality of sound M059 2 Sonotone stereo cartridge with 78 and LP All items prefixed with MO number MAIL ORDER only or
V6 6%- 200W Max Range 50Hz-3s £34.40 Styl Japan Made El can only be collected by prior appointment from address
V6 8- 300W Max Range 45Hz-3kHz £39.35 M060 8 Bridge rectifiers 1 amp 24Volt £1 below Where p&p not stated please add £3.65 per order
V1010" 400W Max Range 33Hz-4kHz £44.45 M061 10 0C44 transistors Remove paint from for postage and carton charge.

R lijrZI G3
V1212- 400W Max Range 35Hz-3kHz E45.95 top and it becomes a photo electric cell
BOSS 15- 800W Max Range 35Hz-4kHz E79.90 14 £1
KING 18" 1200W Max Range 20Hz-lkHz P.0.A. M063 6 14 watt output transistors. Three com-
Postage £3.85per speaker. plimentary pairs in T066 case (replace-
ment for AD161 -.-162) £1
M064 5 5 watt Audio i c. No TBA800 El 376 EDGWARE ROAD LONDON W21 EB
Build your own Bazooka sub woofer tube to suit M065 5 Motor Speed Control i.c. £1 MAIL ORDER TERMS, POSTAL ORDERS and or CHEQUES
Eminence car speakers 10mm thick fibre supplied with M066 1 Digital DVM Meter i c. Made by Plessey, with orders. Access & Visa accepted. -
grille and clamp terminals finished in black vinyl. with diagram Li Nett monthly accounts to Schools, Colleges and P.L.C. only.
M067 4 7 -Segment 0.3in I e d display (red) El Overseas readers write for quote on delivery.
Eminence U10. Size 270mm x 700mm
M068 1 Tape Deck i.c., with record replay switch- Please cross all cheques and postal orders "Account Payee
£25.95 £3.50 ing. No. LM1818, with diagram Only" and make payable to RTVC Ltd.
Eminence U12 Size 320mm x 710mm M069 2 Ferrite Rod. High grade with LW, SW &
MW coils, size 140mm x lOmm £1
Phone 071 723 3462 Fax 071 723 3467
£29.95 £3.50 p&p

Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993 169

 GE
ELECTRONICS
NIA
LTD
135 Hunter Street
Burton - on - Trent
Staffs. DE14 2ST VISA
All Prices
include V.A.T.
Add £2.00 per
Tel 0283 65435 Fax 46932 EE129 order p &p
SHOP OPEN 9-5 Mon -Fri 9-2 Sat --- OFFICIAL ORDERS WELCOME --- KIT LIST - S.A.E
VERSATILE BBC INTERFACE 12V EPROM ERASER
A comprehensive interface which allows the BBC
computer to to be connected safely to a wide range
of input and output devices. Two leads connect the
KIT HIGHLIGHT A safe low cost eraser for up to 4 EPROMS at a time
in less than 20 minutes. Operates from a 12V supply
(400mA) Used extensively for mobile work up-
interface to the User Port and the Printer port. The
interface connects to the 'real world' via standard
8 CHANNEL LIGHT SHOW dating equipment in the field etc Also in educa-
-

screw terminal blocks. Up to 16 outputs (all via PROGRAMMABLE tional situations where mains supplies are not al-
lowed. Safety interlock prevents contact with UV.
plug -in single pole change over relays 8 supplied)
and 8 fully protected inputs. L e d status monitoring SEQUENCER KIT 838 KIT 790 £28.51
is provided on all input and output lines The inter- An advanced design using a pre -pro
face requires an independent 12 Volt supply. grammed microcontroller IC to generate over
100 light sequences. Additional battery EE TREASURE HUNTER
KIT 844 £51,95 backed RAM area to store your own
sequences. Keypad control allows lamps to Our own widely acclaimed design This sensitive
Pulse Induction metal detector picks up coins and
STEPPING MOTOR he controlled manually, sequences entered and selected, and sequence rings etc up to 20cm deep. Negligible 'ground ef-
speed to be increased and decreased. ZERO VOLT SWITCHING. Programs fect means that the detector can even be used with
DRIVER & INTERFACE include 3 and 4 channel versions so that existing lights can be used as well
as 8 channel arrangements. Special output drive using a two winding
the head immersed in sea water Easy to use. cir-
A single board standalone stepping motor driver cuit requires only a minimum of setting up as a
with built in oscillator and speed control circuits. A transformer ensures foolproof operation with pin -spots and other difficult Quartz crystal provides all of the critical timing. Kit
loads. This is a superbly finished kit with pre drilled case and screen printed includes search -head, handle. case, PCB andall
computer is not required with this board which will front panel. Full LED mimic 2 P552 output
drive most unipolar 4 phase motors Variable Ac- components.
celeration, Speed, and Direction, may be controlled
sockets. 8 Amp isolated tab tnacs with heatsink.
Kit includes everything - down to the last nut
KIT PRICE KIT 815 £45.95
in HALF STEP, FULL STEP, and ONE PHASE
modes Up to 35V and 1 5A per phase. L. e. d. mimic
and bolt Tremendous Value. £64.89
display. Connector is provided for a computer port INSULATION TESTER
The Kit includes our MD35 motor
KIT 843 £29.95 - BUILT £44.95
MOSFET VARIABLE BENCH POWER A reliable and neat electronic tester which checks
insulation resistance of wiring and appliances etc.,
SUPPLY 25V 2.5A at 500 Volts The unit is battery powered. simple
and safe to operate. Leakage resistance of up to
DIGITAL LCD THERMOSTAT Our own high performance design. Variable output 100 Megohms can be read easily A very popular
A versatile thermostat using a thermistor probe and Voltage from 0 to 25V and Current limit from 0 to 2 5A college project
Capable of powering almost anything. Two panel KIT 444
having an I c d display. MIN "MAX memories, -10
to 110 degrees celsius, or can be set to read in meters indicate Voltage and Current. Fully protected £22.37
Fahrenheit Individually settable upper and lower against short-circuits The variable Current limit con-
switching temperatures allow close control, or alter- trol makes this supply ideal for constant current 3 BAND SHORT WAVE RADIO
natively allow a wide 'dead band' to be set which charging of NICAD cells and batteries. A Power Covers 1 6 to 30MHz in three bands using modern
can result in substantial energy savings when used MOSFET handles the output for exceptional rugged- miniature plug-in coils. Audio output is via a built-
with domestic hot water systems Ideal for green- ness and reliability. Uses a toroidal mains transformer. in loudspeaker Advanced stable design gives ex-
house ventilation or heating control, aquaria, home cellent stability, sensitivity and selectivity. Simple
brewing, etc. Mains powered, 10A SPCO relay out- KIT 769 £56.82 to build battery powered circuit. Receives a vast
put. Punched and printed case number of stations at all times of the day.
KIT 841 £29.95 KIT 718 £30.30
DIGITAL CAPACITANCE METER
Provides clear readings of capacitance values from a few pF up to thousands of
4 CHANNEL LIGHT CHASER j.iF Ideal for beginners. It allows obscurely marked components to be identified DIGITAL COMBINATION LOCK
A 1000W per channel chaser with Zero Volt Switch- quickly and easily Quartz controlled accuracy of 1%, and large clear 5 digit dis- Digital lock with 12 key keypad. Entering a four
ing, Hard Drive, and full inductive load capability. play. Kit is now supplied with a punched and printed front panel, case, all com- digit code operates a 250V 16A relay. A special
Built-in mic and sophisticated 'Beat Seeker' circuit ponents and top quality printed circuit board New low price. anti -tamper circuit permits the relay board to be
chase steps to music, or auto when silent. Variable mounted remotely. Ideal car immobiliser. operates
speed and mic sensitivity control, I e d mimic on KIT 493 £34.95 from 12V Drilled case, brushed aluminium keypad.
front panel Switchable for 3 or 4 channels. P552
output socket. Suits Rope Lights, Pin Spots, Disco KIT 840 £19.86
and Display lighting. BAT DETECTOR
KIT 833 £32.13 An excellent circuit which reduces ultrasound frequencies between 20 and 100 kHz PORTABLE ULTRASONIC
to the normal (human) audible range. Operating rather like a radio receiver the circuit PEsT SCARER
allows the listner to tune- in to the ultrasonic frequencies of interest. Listening to Bats A powerful 23kHz ultrasound generator in a com-
SUPERHET LW MW RADIO is fascinating, and it is possible to identify various different types using this project pact hand-held case. MOSFET output drives a spe-
At last an easy to build SUPERHET AM radio Other uses have been found in industry for vibration monitoring etc. cial sealed transducer with intense pulses via a spe-
kit. Covers Long and Medium waves. Built in cial tuned transformer. Sweeping frequency output
loudspeaker with 1 Watt output. Excellent sen- KIT 814 £21.44 is designed to give maximum output without any
sitivity and selectivity provided by ceramic IF special setting up
ter. Simple alignment and tuning without special
equipment Supplied with pre -drilled transparent QUICK CAPACITANCE TESTER KIT 842 £22.56
front panel and dial, for interesting see-through A low cost hand-held audioNisual unit which can identify short, open and
appearance working capacitors quickly and with a minimum of fuss Also gives indication of
leakage current An ideal kit for beginners, built on a single printed circuit board
LIGHT RIDER DISCO LIGHTS
KIT 835 £17.16 which has large copper areas used as test pads. Only a minimum of wiring is A six channel light driver that scans from left to
right and back continuously. Variable speed con-
needed 2! ed s and a piezo transducer provide the output indication.
trol Up to 500 watts per channel. Housed in a
ACOUSTIC PROBE KIT 834 £10.34 plastic box. for complete safety. Built on a single
A very popular project which picks up vibrations by printed circuit board.
means of a contact probe and passes them on to a IONISER KIT 560 £22.41
pair of headphones or an amplifier. Sounds from
engines. watches, and speech travelling through A highly efficient mains powered Negative Ion Generator that clears the air by
walls can be amplified and heard clearly. Useful neutralising excess positive ions. Many claimed health benefits due to the ioniser LIGHT RIDER
for mechanics, instrument engineers, and nosey removing dust and pollen from the air and clearing smoke particles. Costs virtually
parkersi nothing to run and is completely safe in operation Uses five point emitters.
9-12V CHASER LIGHTS
A low voltage DC powered end -to -end type chaser
KIT 740 £19.98 KIT 707 £17.75 that can be set for any number of lights between
3 and 16 The kit is supplied with 16 I eds but
by adding power transistors it is possible to drive
PEsT SCARER ACTIVE I.R. BURGLAR ALARM filament bulbs for a larger brighter display Very
Produces high power ultrasound pulses Led This alarm is useful where ordinary 'passive (pir) detectors are not suitable. It popular with car customisers and modellers Led
flashes to indicate power output. Battery powered works by detecting disturbances to its own short wave infra -red beam. Output is can be randomly positioned and paired to give
9 - 12V, or mains adaptor £2.00 EXTRA. via mains rated relay contacts. Built in timer, and mains transformer. twinkling effects
KIT812 £14.81 KIT 700 £40.74 KIT 559 £15.58

SEE OUR FULL RANGE OF K TS, BOOKS, TOOLS, AND COMPONENTS IN OUR CATALOGUE
HAM EG HM203-7 20 MHz EDUCATIONAL BOOKS & PACKS DC MOTOR/GEARBOXES
DUAL TRACE OSCILLOSCOPE Ideal for robots,
ADVENTURES WITH ELECTRONICS buggies,
& COMPONENT TESTER The classic book by Tom Duncan used throughout and many other mechanical
Western Europe's best selling oscilloscope It is RELI-
-
schools Very well illustrated, ideal first book for age 10 projects Mm plastic gearbox
ABLE. HIGH PERFORMANCE, & EASY TO USE. on No soldering Uses an S DEC breadboard. with 1 5-4 5V DC motor. 6
Sharp bright display on 8 x 10cm screen with internal Book &Components £28.95. Book only £6.25 ratios can be set up
graticule A special extra feature is the built-in com- Small type MGS....f 4.77
ponent tester which allows capacitors. resistors, transis- FUN WITH ELECTRONICS Large type MGL....f 5.58
tors, diodes and many other components to be checked. An Usborne book. wonderfully illustrated in colour. Com-
The quality of this instrument is outstanding, and is sup-
ported by a two year parts and labour warranty. ponent pack allows 6 projects to be built and kept Sol-
dering is necessary Age 12 on, or younger with adult
STEPPING MOTORS
If you are buying an oscilloscope this is the one It
costs a fraction more than some other 20 MHz 'scopes
-
help Book & Components £20.88, Book only £2.95 For computer control via MD35' - standard 48
but it is far far superior. Supplied with test probes, mains standard 4 pole unipolar steps per rev £12.99
lead, and manual 30 SOLDERLESS BREADBOARD PROJECTS drivers.
Includes FREE A more advanced book to follow the others No soldering MD38 - miniature 48 MD200 - miniature 200
£338.00 + £59.15 VAT Neyt_day delivery Circuits cover a wide range of interests. steps per rev £9.15 steps per rev £17.10
(Cheques must be cleared) Book & Components £30.69. Book only £2.95

170
Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993
 G E NTA G E NTA
/YLY'TRONICS LTD /YLY'rRONICS LTD
MOSFET VARIABLE BENCH
Teach In '93 POWER SUPPLY 25V 2.511

Our own high performance design. Variable output Voltage from

0 to 25V and Current limit from 0 to 2.5A. Capable of powering
almost anything. Two panel meters indicate Voltage and Cur-

MINI LAB KITS

rent. Fully protected against short-circuits. The variable Current
limit control makes this supply ideal for constant current charg
ing of NICAD cells and batteries. A Power MOSFET handles the
output for exceptional ruggedness and reliability. Uses a toroidal
ALL COMPONENTS TO ASSEMBLE mains transformer.
THE EPE MINI LAB ARE AVAILABLE KIT PRICE 769 £56.82
FROM MAGENTA.
LIGHT SHOW
The easy way to buy the correct parts to
follow this exciting new educational series. 8 CHANNEL SEQUENCER
Components are supplied in packs to keep PROGRAMMABLE
ordering simple.
A full MINI LAB consists of ML I MD, ML5, 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
ML6. These are available at a special rgTEP 91 U
combined price of £114.99 E36 FCT O a Ca
or less the p.c.b. 000
ML2, ML3, ML5, ML6 at £104.99 S.TOP aaa
The transformer unit ML4 is also needed....£21.45 iMICROCOMPUTER
SEQUENCER MAGENTA DESIGNS 0213 $1431

KIT ML1 MINI -LAB P.C.B. all components

inclusive of breadboard for
Part 1 (Nov. '92) £49.95 An advanced design using a pre-programmed microcontroller
KIT ML2 All Components for Part 1 less IC to generate over 100 light sequences. Additional battery
p.c.b £39.95 backed RAM area to store your own sequences. Keypad control
KIT ML3 Power Supply components £19.95 allows lamps to be controlled manually. sequences entered and
selected, and sequence speed to be increased and decreased.
KIT ML4 Transformer unit £21.45 ZERO VOLT SWITCHING. Programs include 3 and 4 channel
KIT ML5 L.E.D. Voltmeter, signal versions so that existing lights can be used as well as 8 channel
arrangements. Special output drive using a two winding trans-
generator, audio amplifier and former ensures foolproof operation with pin -spots and other
555 timer £33.95 difficult loads. This is a superbly finished kit with pre -drilled case
KIT ML6 Logic probe, display, radio and screen printed front panel. Full LED mimic. 2 P552 output
sockets, 8 Amp isolated tab triacs with heatsink. Kit includes
tuner £17.95 everything - down to the last nut and bolt. Tremendous Value.
(Note: batteries not included) KIT PRICE 838 £64.89
All prices include V.A.T. Add £2.00 p&p. All prices include V.A.T. Add £2.00 p&p.
Tel: 0283 65435 Fax: 0283 46932 Tel: 0283 65435 Fax: 0283 46932

7I
Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993 I
 74LS-Series
741500
74LSO1
ESQ
£0.14
C0.14
4000 Series
4000
4001
£0.17
£0.17
2N1613
2N1711
£0.31
00.26
TRANSISTORS
BC186
BC204C
£0.33
£0.72
BD534
80535
£0.47
£0.48
ESR ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS
Station Road, Cullercoats,
Tyne & Wear NE30 4PQ
Tel. 091 251 4363
LINEAR ICs
CA311E
CA324
Fax. 091 252 2296

£0.28
£0.23
SOLDERING IRONS
Amex Soldering irons
M 12 Watt E7.75
RF CONNECTORS
BNC Solder Plug 506 C0.93
74LS02 £0.14 4002 £017 2N1893 £0.29 BC206B f072 80536 BNC Solder Plug 75R C096
74L503 £014 4006 E032 00.65 CA555 CO22 C 15Wau £7.78
2N2218A CO 28 BC207C CO 72 BD646 £0.52 BNC Crimp Plug 500 00 .68
741504 E014 4007 £017 2N22194
CA741 CE £018 G 18Watt £7 96 BNC Crimp Plug 75R £068
E0 25 BC208 £0.72 B0648 £0.52 CA747CE £0.39
741505 CO 14 4008 C0.31 2N22224 00 .16 BC209A CS 17Watt E7 88 BNC Solder Skt £1 08
£0.72 B0650 £0.53 CA3046 £0.37
741508 £0.14 4009 C019 2N2646 E080 BC212 £008 XS 25Watt f7 96 BNC Chassis Sum C080
80707 £0.42 CA3080 £0.72
741509 £014 4010 £023 2N29044 E0 25 BC2121 £0 08 80807 f0.80 CA3130 £0.98
ST4 STAND £2 85 PL259 5 2mrn C068
741510 £014 4011 £016 2 N2905A CO 23 BC212LB £008 80532 £1.78 CA3130E
35Watt Gas Iron £11 58 PL259 11 mm £0 62
7415107 £023 4012 £016 2N2907 £0.98 Desolder Pump RND UHF socket £068
£0 20 BC213 CO 08 BDX33C £0.46 CA3140 £0.56 £3 00
7415109 £0.21 4013 £0.17 2N2926 £0 16 BC213LC CO 08 BDX34C £0.50 Antistatic Pump £430 SOR UHF socket C045
CA3240 £1.22 F Plug RG58
741511 £017 4014 E030 2N3053 £0 27 BC214 £0 08 BDX53C f0.47 1CL7621 £1.70 22SWG 0 5Kg Solder £7 40 £030
7415112 £0 21 4015 CO 31 2N3054 £090 BC214L -F Plug RG6 CO27
CO 08 BDX54C f0.50 ICM7555 COA3 18SWG 0 51.5 Solder f 6 60 N Plug RG8
74LS113 £0.21 4016 £018 2N3055 £0 62 BC237B 00 09 BF180 £0.31 ICM7556 lmm 3 yds Solder CI 60
4017 00 .25 2N3440 £0 50
C0.96 f0.62 N Socket RG8 Cl 40
74LS114 E021 BC238C CO 09 BF182 £0.31 LM301 A £0.25 Desolder Braid £0.87
741512 £014 4018 £0.27 2N3702 £009 BC239C £0.10 13E185 £0.31
BNC Crimp Pliers £1550
LM348N £0.31
7415122 £031 4019 £0 19 2N3703 £0 10 BC251 £0.13 8E194 £0.19
4020 CO 31 2N3704 £010 BC252 00.13
LF351 N £0.36 PCB EQUIPMENT
74LS123 £031 8E195 £0.19 1E353 £0.41
7415125 4021 £031 2N3705 E0 10 BC261B £0.24 8E244 £0.35 UV EXPOSURE UNIT £67.38
£021 LM358N £0.27
7415126 £021 4022 C032 2N3706 £010 BC262B £0.24 BF257 £0.33 LM377 £2.57
PLASTIC DEVELOPING TRAY £1.35
741513 E014 4023 £0 16 2N3771 El 44 BC267B C0.30 8E259 f0.33 LM3SON £1.12 PHOTO RESIST AEROSOL SPRAY (100m1) £3.90
4024 £0 21 2N3772 Et 51 BC307 E0.10 8E337 £0.36 FERRIC CHLORIDE CRYSTALS (0 5Kg)
7415132 £0/1 2N3773 CI 79
LM381 02.70 £2 45
74L5133 CO 18 4025 £0 15 BC308 £010 13E355 £0.38 LM386 £0.48 TIN PLATING POWDER (90g) E10.80
74LS136 00 16 4026 £040 2N3819 £040 BC327 f0.10 8E423 £0.13 I..M387 £1.60 ETCH RESIST PEN £0.72
4027 E018 2N3820 £0 58 BC328 f0.10 8E451 £0.19
7415138 £0/4 4028 £0.22 2N3904 £010 BC337 £0.10 8E459
L.M392N £0.79 PCB POLISHING BLOCK £1.84
74L5139 £0.25 £0.29 LM393N C0.28
4029 £0.27 2N3905 E0 10 BC338 CO 10 f3F469 E0.36 STRIPBOARD 01 PITCH BREADBOARD
74).514 £018 LM748CN £0.31 64rnm x 25mm £0.27
4030 E0.17 2N3906 £010 BC414C £0.13 13E529 £0.29 1M1458 £0.26
81 mm x 60mrn £306
74LS145 £056 2N4036 £0 31 64rnm 95mm f0.90 175rnm x 42mat C3.74
74LS147 El 26
4031 f0.70 BC441 00.40 13E584 £0.31 1M3900 £0.72 64rnm 431mm £3.22
4033 £0.58 2N5296 £0 57 BC461 f0.40 8E585 f0.31 LM3914 175mm x 67mm £5.56
7415148 £0.70 2N5321 £2.70 95mm x 127mm £1.50 203mm a 75rnm includes
4034 01 .24 CO 57 BC463 £0.29 13E550 £0.29 LM3915 £2.70
741_515 £0.14 4035 2N6107 C060 BC478 C032 95mm x 95mm £1 .10 mounting plate & posts f7.36
74L5151 CO 31 13E551 £0.26 MC3340 £1.60 95rnrn 431mrn
£0.25 4040 E029 AC126 CO 30 BC479 £0 32 6E1'52 £0.28 MC4558 £4.80 COPPER BOARD (G. Fibre)
741.5153 E0 25 36 100mrn a 160mrn El 60
4041 £0.31 AC127 £0 30 BC490 £0 24 85107 £0.21 NE531 100mm x 160mm £0 .90
74LS154 £1.56 119min a 454mrn £6 20
£0.70 4042 E0 22 AC128 £028 BC516 ECI 22 BS170 £0.21 NE556N £0.36 110mm x 220mm f1.24
741.5155 £0.25 4043 £028 AC187 C037 BC517 £020 BSW66 £1.35 NE567N PHOTO RESIST BOARD PHOTO RESIST BOARD
74L5156 AC188 £0.36
£0.25 4044 E0 31 C037 BC527 £0 20 BUl 26 £1.70 NE5532 C0.80 IG Fibre) (Paper)
7415157 £0.25 4046 £0 31
ACY17 £3 84 BC528 £0 20 BU205 E1.82 NE5534 £0.66 CO 86
AD149 CO 67
7415158 £0.25 4047 £0.25 CI 67 BC537 E0 20 BU2013A f 1.73 TBA1205 CO 77 4'x6 E1 62 4' x CI 24
7415160 £0.32 4048 £0 31
AD161 C092 BC546C £008 BU326A E1.80 TBA8105 C068 4 x8 £2.09 01 .58
741_5161 £0.32 4049 E0 20
AD162 £0 92 BC547C £009 BU500 E2.32 TBA820M £0 39 6 x6' £2.41 x f4.63
741_5162 £0.32 4050 BC107 £0 14 BC548C CO 08 BU5013A £1.76 TDA2030 El 35
E0 20
7415163 £0.32 4051 00 .25
BC107B E0 15 BC549C El) 10 8 U526 E2.24 TL061 00 35 CAPACITORS SWITCHES
7415164 £0.26 BC108 00 12 BC550C E0 08 BU806 £1.36 TL062 Ceramic Mini Disc 100 & 63V
4052 £0.25 BC108A C042 3amp 250v 6 4mm 0 mounting
7415165 £048 4053 00 14 BC556A £008 BUX84 £0.77 T1.064 £046 1 OpF to 100nF
£0 .25 BC108C £0 14 SPST Toggle fl) 58
741_5170 £0 30 BC557C E0 08 IRF540 £1.60 TL071 CP £0 32
4054 EC) 56 BC109 £014 BC558C £008 1pF-lnE E0.06 1n2.2n7 f0.07 SPDT Toggle £060
741_5173 E024 4055 £0 30 IRF740 £1.63 T1072CP £0 34 3n3 -4n7 f 0.12
BC109C CO 15 BC559C £0.08 MJ11015 SPDT CO Tog 00 64
741_5174 £0.24 4060 CO 31 BC114 £0 41
C2.11 TL074CN £048 10n & 12n £0.07 DPDT Toggle
74L5175 £0.24 4063 £0.29
BC560B £0.09 MJ11016 E2.11 TL081 £0.33 CO 68
BC115 £0 41 BC637 £0.21 MJ2501 £1.60 Polystyrene 160V 5% 47pF to lOnF DPDT CO Toggle £0 76
741_5190 £0.25 4066 CO 18 BC116 E) 41
TL082CP £034 47p 2n2 00 .09 2n7 10n C0.12
74L5191 BC638 £0.21 MJ3001 E1.52 71084CN 00 46 DPDT CO Toggle
£0.24 4067 E1 91 BC118 £0 41 BC639
7415192 E024 £0.21 MJE 340 £0.36 UA733 £0 64 (biased) £1 20
4068 £016 BC132 £0 36 BC640 E0 21 MJE350 D CONNECTORS
741_5193 £0.24 4069 f0.20 £0.42 ULN2004 £048 DPDT CO Toggle
BC134 E0 36 BCY70 £021 MPSA13 £0.12 ZN4142 £1 04 Plug Sticker
7415195 £0.24 4070 E0.17 BC135 (biased 1 way) £1 20
7415196 £0.24 4071
E0 36 BCY71 f0.20 MPSA42 £0.17 ZN425E £468 9 Pin £0.29 £0.30 DPDT mini slide
£0 20 BC140 £0 25 BCY72 CO 20 MRF475 £6.21 15 Pin E0.39 f0.39 £0.15
7415197 £0.24 4072 £017 ZN426E E2 61 Rotary Wafer 1 P.12W. 20-6W.
BC141 £0 27 BD135 CO20 TIP121 £0.35 ZN427E 15 PinH D £081 £0.90
74LS20 C016 4073 C017 £8.82 3P -4W. 4P -3W
BC142 E0 31 BD136 £0.20 TIP122 £0.37 ZN428E £6.12 23 Pin £0.40 C0.49 £0.78
741521 £0.14 4075 £0 17 BC143 £0.34 BD137 C0.22 TIP125 25 Pin £0.48 Key Switch SPST £2.70
74LS22 4076 £0.37 ZN435E £5.31 £0.50
£0.14 C0 30 BC149 £0.12 BD138 C0.22 TIP127 £0.37 ZN448E 9 Way plastic cover £0.30 Push to make £0.25
7415221 £0.36 4077 £0.17 BC154 £7.92
£0.36 8D139 £0.23 TIP132 C046 15 Way plastic cover £0.33 Push to break C0.28
7415240 £0.32 4081 £0.14 BC157 E012 BD140 E0 24 TIP137 C046 23 Way plastic cover £0.36 Latching Push Sur £0.63
74LS241 £0.32 4082 00 17 BC159 £012 BD150C £0.82
E PROM S & 25 Way plastic toyer
TIP142 El 06 RAMS £0.36 PCB Tact 6 x 6mrn £0.25
7415242 £0.32 4085 £028 BC160 £0 28 BD165 £0 42 TI P147 £1 12
741_5243 £0.32 4086 £0.26 BC170 £016 BD166 CO 35 TIP2955 £0 63 2716 £4.19
BRIDGE RESISTORS
74L5244 £0.32 4089 £0.55 BC17013 £016 BD187 E0 39 TIP29C C031 RECTIFIERS 0 25W 5% CF E12 Series
4093 E015 CC171 2732 £419 £0.60,100
741_5245 £033 CO 11 BD201 £0 40 TI P3055 CO 63 05W 5% CF E12 Series £0.95/100
74LS247 £0.32 4094 CO 31 801718 CO 16 BD202 £0 40 T1P30C 2764 25 E300 W005 1 5A 50V £0.19
C031 025W 1% MF E24 Series £1.721100
74LS251 f0.24 4095 E056 BC172 00 .13 BD203 E040 TIP31C £0.32 27C6425 £275 W021 5A 200V £0.20 POTS Log or Lin 470R IMO 25mm dia 0 25in
7415257 £0.24 4097 Et 20 BC172B £0 13 80204 £040 TIP32C £0.32 21728-20 £315 BR32 3A 2006 f0.36 shalt
BC177 CO 42
741_5258 £0.24 4098 00 31 £13 17 80222 £040 TIP33C £0.72 27C128-20 £2 88 PRESETS Enclosed Horz
4099 BC178 BR62 6A 200V £0.64
741526 £0.14 £0.38 £0 17 BD225 £042 TIP41A E036 or Vert 100R - 1 MO 0 15W £0.15
BC179 £0 17 27256 20 C315 1004 10A 400V £1.39
7415266 £0.14 4502 C038 80232 £0 38 TIP42C £038 PRESETS Skeleton Horz
4503 £031 BC182 C0.08 BD237 f0.32 TI P47 £0.48 27C256-20 C2.88
741_527 E0.14 or Vert 10013 - IMO 0 1W £0.11
7415273 4508 C090 BC182L C008 80238 CO 32 TI P48 £0.62 27512 £3 70
£0.32 BC182L8 PLEASE STATE VALUE REQUIRED
741_5279 £0.25 4510 CO 26 CO 08 80240B £0 37 TI P50 £0 53 27C512 E340
4511 £0 29 BC183 E0 08 802438 £0 50 VN1OKM £044 COMPUTER ACCESSORIES
741_530 £0.14 BC1831 £0 08
27C010 E4 60 DIODES
741532 4512 CO 31 BD244A CO 53 VN66AF £1.50 6116-10
£0.14 BC183LB C008 BD246 £1 25 Parallel Printer Lead 2n1 Zener Diodes 2V7 33.
7415365 £0.21
4514 CO 73 01 .06 ZTX300 £0.16 E690
4515 El) 78 BC184 £0 08 BD441 £0.41 ZTX500 £0.16
6264.10 £275 RS232 Lead (all pins) Male Male BZY813400Mw £0.08
741_5367 £0.21 £3.60
4516 CO 31 BC184L £0 08 BD442 f0.41 62256.10 E460 R5232 Lead (all pins) Female Male £3.60 02585 1 3W C0.14
74LS368 f0.21 4164.15
741537 al 14 4518 £027 TRIACS
01 .60 Centronics 36 Way Lead Male Male £4 78 1N4001 £0.06
4520 £0.26 THYRISTORS 41256-10 CI 60 1N4002
74LS373 f0.32 4521 £0.62 20105DA £0.42 Gender Changers £0.07
7415374 £0.32 P0102AA £0.30 511000-8 E4 20 9 Way D Mini Female to Female 1N4003 £007
4526 £040 TIC206D £0.65 TIC106D £0.40 E1.81
7415375 £034 TIC226D £0.73 514256-8 £4 20 9 Way D Mini Male to Male £1.98 1 N4004 E0 07
4527 £0 39 TIC116D f0.66
74LS377 £0.32 BTA08 6008 CO 84 25 Way D Min, Female to Female f2 23 1 N4005
4528 E040 TIC126D £0.77 CO 07
74LS378 E062 4529 £044 TIC236D £0 96 25 Way D Mini Male to Male f2.23 1 N4006
74LS38 DI L SOCKETS £0 08
C014 4532 £0 32 DIAC CO20 HARDWARE 9 Way D Female to Female £2.33
741_5390 £015 9 Way D Male to Male
1 N4007 £008
4534 £2 24 VOLTAGE T2 Box 75 x 56. 25mm £0.82 8 Pin £0.07 £2.33 1 N5400 £0 09
741_5393 £024 4536 Et 00 14 Pin 25 Way D Female to Female E2.71
7415395 £0.26 REGULATORS 13 Box 75 x 51 x 25mm f0.82 00.11 1 N5401 £009
4538 £0 37 16 Pin £0.15 25 Way D Male to Male £2.71
74L5399 £0.62 4541
T4 Box 111 x 57 x 22rnm C0.98 1 N5402 C009
741540 C014
£0 31 78L05 £024 MB1 Box 79 x 61 x 40mm C1.44
18 Pin £0.15 Adaptors
4543 £046 78L12 £0 24 20 Pin £0.16 1 N5404 £0 11
741_542 £025 MB2 Box 100 x 76 x 41rnrn 01.56 9 Way Male to 25 Way Female E2.33
4555 E0 34 78115 CO 24 24 Pin £0.19 1N5406 E0 11
741_547 £042 4556 MB3 Box 118 x 98 x 45rnrn 01.82 25 Way Male to 9 Way Female £2.33
£0.34 79L05 CO 28 28 Pin £0.22 1 N5407 C014
741551 £0.14 4560 MB5 Box 150 x 100 x 60rnin £2.50 25 Way D Male to 36 Way Centronic 3.56
El 18 79112 CO 28 40 Pin £0.25
25 Way Null Modem Female - Female 1 N5408 £015
74LS670 £0.69 4566 £1 .96 79L15 £0 28 £302
741_573 £0.17 4572 7805 E0 28 25 Way Null Modem Male to Female £3.02 1N914 £006
£0 25 ELECTROLYTIC RADIAL CAPACITORS
741_574 E019 4584 £024 7812 £0 28 25 Way Null Modem Male to Male E3.02 1N916 E0.06
741575 £0.19 4585 CO 32 7815 CO 28 uF 16V RS232 Surge Protector Male - Female C6.12 1N4148 £0.05
25V 63V 100V 450V
741_576 £0.25 4724 C070 7905 £0 38 0 47
RS232 Jumper Box Male to Female C3.02 BY133 f013
£0.05 E0.07 RS232 Tester 17 LEDs) Male - Female f6.59
741_583 £0.31 40106 £031 7912 £038 10 £0.05 £0.06 £0.15 0A47 £0 28
74L585 CO 35 40109 £0 50 7915 £0 38 22 Data Switch Boxes
741.586 £0.21) 11k4317T ECI 44
E005 £0.06 £0 18 0A90 £0 07
40163 £046 47 C005 C008 C0.30 Serial Switch box 2 Way A/B £920 0A91
74LS90 £0.23 40174 £0 34 LM723 Eti 29 10 £005 Serial Switch Sox C010
L200CV
CO 05 £0.06 £0.08 £0.48 3 Way A/B/C £13.16
74L592 £0.35 40175 £036 C116 22 £0.05 £005 C0.09 Serial Switch box - 4 Way A/B/C/D 04.202 CO 27
74LS93 0.25 LM323K C2.70 C15.15
40193 £0.60 47 £006 £006 C011 Serial Switch box - Cross over BA157 £0.10
LM338K [5.52 £19.69
100 E006 £0 09 C011 Parallel box - 2 Way A/B £11 84 BA158 £0 10
ENAMELLED 220 £0.09 £0 12 £0.31 Parallel box -3 Way A/8/C/ £17.11 BA159 £0 10
COPPER OPTO DEVICES 470 £0.15 £0.19 C057 Parallel box -4 Way A/B/C/D 1 N4149
ttritm Red LED 1000 E0.22 £1843 £0 06
WIRE £009 ECI 29 Parallel box - Crossover C20.42 0A200 £0 10
5r3m1Green LED 2200 £0 37 £0.57
CO 10 4700
Ai 20r Reels 5mm Yellow LED CI 11
E010
14 SWG
16 SWG
f0.63
£0 .67
5mm Orange LED
3mm Red LED
£010
E008
ELECTROLYTIC AXIAL CAPACITORS ORDERING INFORMATION
18 SWG £0.67 3mm Green LED £0 12 uF
20 SWG £0.72
160 3.33 100'. 45,13 All prices exclude VAT.
3mm Yellow LED £0 13 0 47 £015
22 SWG E0.76 3mm Orange LEO £0 13 10 £0.10 00 .10 E019 Please add £1.25 carriage to all orders and VAT (17.5%).
24 SWG £0.80 5mm Flashing Red 22 £0.10 £0 .10 £0.22
26 SWG £0.89
£0 50 47 £0.09 £0.10 £0 10 £0.34
No minimum order charge.
5mm Flashing Green E0 54 10 £0.12
28 SWG £0.91 5mm Bi Colour £0 36 22 £009
C0.12 £012 £0.48 Free Computer listing with all orders over £5.00
30 SWG £0.93 £0.13 00 .17 £1.06
5mm Tri Colour £0.48
32 SWG £0.93 5mm Plastic Bezel
47 £0.10 £0 .11 £0.16 00 20 £1.33 Please send payment with your order.
£0.04 100 f0.10 00 13 £0.21 £2.46
34 SWG £0.99 3mm Plastic Bezel £0 05 220 £0.13 CO 18 CD 42 POiChegues made payable to
36 SWG £1 .04 0 3" 7 Segment Display Red 470 £0.21 E0 24 £0.69 ESR Electronic Components
38 SWG £1.10 1000 £0.33 £0.40 £1.05
VISA
common anode E1.14
40 SWG £1.22 2200 £0.52 £0.64 Access & Visa cards accepted
common cathode E1.14 4700 £0.90
Offical orders from schools & colleges welcome
CALL IN - OPEN: MON-FRI 8.30-5.00 SAT 10.00-5.00

172
Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993
 Editorial Offices:
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Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993 173

 Constructional Project

SPATIAL
SOUND
NICHOLAS WATKINS
Add psuedo stereo sound to your HOW IT WORKS
If a stereophonic system has an identi-
TV and Video or use this unit to cal signal coming from the left and right
speaker, the sound will appear to come
enhance mono recordings or from midway between the two speakers -
i.e. a central "image".
radio programmes. However if there are differences between
the left and right channel, then the image
will be spread out; hence creating a stereo
effect.
This project works by introducing a fre-
WITH the advent of NICAM stereo is that not all programs are broadcast in quency dependant phase shift in one chan-
television broadcasts, one would stereo. nel - hence creating a difference between
initially think a project of this This project creates a "spatial" stereo the left and the right channel. The phase
nature would be redundant. effect from a mono source. Its use is not shift varies between 0 and 180 degrees (Fig.
However, NICAM equipped TV sets are limited to TV sound, as any mono source 1). The frequency at which this occurs can
more expensive than their mono counter- such as old movie soundtracks, low sig- be varied by the user.
parts. Also to record in stereo, requires nal strength f.m. broadcasts, mono video The circuit is based on the all pass first
a stereo video recorder - which again is soundtracks etc can be improved with this order network (see Fig. 2). Basically the
more expensive. Another point to consider. project. operation is as follows - the gain of this

INPUT SIGNAL
Flu OUTPUT CHANNEL 11

OUTPUT SIGNAL
PARTIAL PHASE SHIFT

OUTPUT SIGNAL
MAX PHASE SHIFT 1180.1

Fig. 3. Phase change with frequency.

NOTE - THESE WAVEFORMS CAN BE OBSERVED BY CONNECTING A DUAL
TRACE SCOPE TO OUTPUT CH IS, CH? AND VARYING THE INPUT
FREQUENCY (FROM A SIGNAL GENERATOR( AND ALSO VARYING
THE NONOISTEREO CONTROL.

EE 4031G I

Fig. 1. Sine wave showing phase shift.

Fig. 2 Basic all pass network.

I74 Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993

 SI
+4 05

ION/OFF
RS
10k
R4
MONO 10k
INPUT Cl RI
47k R3 CHANNEL 2
SKI 10k OUTPUT

C3 1C2
10p
+11
t=ut Al
9V
to
SK3
VR2
`VOLUME' 10k
LI N 33C mookm
10a NOB C F' 7
SK2 mis '
I PHASE I

CHANNEL I - C7 55
OUTPUT
OV
DI
ti RED
LED

COMPONENTS Fig. 4. Complete circuit diagram of the Spatial Sound unit.

Resistors See network is I at all frequencies, however coupling capacitors. Resistors R5 and R6
R1 47k
R2 to R6 10k (5 off)
SKOP phase shifting occurs (see Fig. 3). As can be form a potential divider giving the OV rail.
R7 330 TALK seen, the phase change increases from 0 to
180 degrees as the frequency increases. The CONSTRUCTION
All 0.6W ± 1% metal film Page
point of maximum phase rate of change is Construction should be reasonably
Potentiometers f This point is defined asf=1/(27rCR) with straightforward, the p.c.b. layout is shown
VR1 100k rotary carbon lin. C and R being the component values in the in Fig 5. The stripboard is 0.1 inch pitch
VR2 10k rotary carbon lin. all pass network. Fig 2. and measures 58 holes by 11 strips. This is
not a standard size so the board must be
Capacitors
C3 11.1 radial elect. 16V (2 off) CIRCUIT cut from a larger piece using a hacksaw.
The two i.c.s should be mounted in
C2, C4
C5, C6
10µ radial elect. 16V (2 off)
Ord polyester (2 off)
CIESCFHFITIOAI holders. Make sure you do not miss any of
The full circuit diagram appears in Fig 4. the inter -strip link wires when assembling
C7 33n polyester
ICI is a buffer amplifier, with gain being set the board. Connections to VR1, VR2, SI
Semiconductors by R I and VR I . C I is used to block d.c. R2 and Dl are made as in Fig. 6.
D1 5mm I.e.d. (red) (1 off) is included to minimise bias current error. Note the connections to SKI, SK2, SK3
IC1, IC2 741 op -amp (2 off) C2, C3, C4 are all used as d.c. blocking and the sockets common ground connec-
capacitors. tion are soldered to the rear of the strip -
Miscellaneous The output from the buffer stage (ICI) board to avoid making holes or filing this
SK1, is fed through C3 into the all pass net- size of stripboard to allow the connections
SK3 Phono socket (3 off) work, the gain of this network is defined as to be made from the front.
S1 s.p.s.t. sub -min toggle R4/R3 = 10k/10k = 1.
B1
switch
9V (PP3 size)
Variable resistor VR2 and C7 are used to CASE
Stripboard, 0.1 in. matrix, size 11 strips determine the frequency at which phase The prototype case is arranged as in the
x 58 holes; 8 pin d.i.l. holder (2
i.c. shifting starts. This gives control of .f (see photographs. The on/off switch, power
off); case Verobox, 153x84x39-5mm; Fig. 3) from around 480Hz to above audio l.e.d. gain control and stereo width controls
knobs (2 off); male SCART connector; frequencies (i.e. no phase shift in the audio are mounted on the front panel. The
audio screened lead; phono plugs; bat- band - hence mono reproduction). The input/output sockets are mounted on the
tery connector; wire; solder etc. output from this stage can be up to 180° rear plate of the case. Note, the rear panel
out of phase with the output from IC I. is used as a common ground for the
A pprox cost
guidance only C9 Components C5 and C6 are supply de -
Fig. 5. Stripboard layout and wiring for the Spatial Sound unit.
input/output sockets.

VR1b SK2 51 VR2o

t s IO 20 25 1 30 IS DO

GROUND VR2b VRIa

ON 81 -VE
SKI - 3
20 25 30 35 40 45 50 SS

0 0 0 000
15

00 00000 0000000000000000 00000000 0000000000000000

0 0 00000000000000000000000000000000
00o0000000000000000000000
0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
K 000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
000000000000 0000000o 000000ooib o 00000000000000000
000000000000000000000
0000000000o0
00000000000 0000000
0000000 00000000
000000000000
...00000 00000000000000000000
0 0000000000000 00000000
000000000000000000 0000000000000000000
0000000000000000000000000000000
C
a
A
000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
IEE1.03501

Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993 175

 Fig. 6. Control and le.d wiring diagram

SHIELD, VIEWED
FROM WIRING
/SIDE
210 SCREEN
0 20
19 0
PIN No .S
170 018
15M O 16

130 014
10k RESISTORS
11M 012 (SOLDERED DIRECTLY
ONTO PINS1
90 1=110

7M 08 LO LOSS AUDIO
""-SCREENED CABLE
50
30 0
O2

PIN No SIGNAL
1 AUDIO OUTPUT B
3 AUDIO OUTPUT A
I. AUDIO GROUND

PHOND
PLUG

1 estorro1

Fig. 7 Wiring of the SCART socket using two 10k

resistors to combine the two signals.

Component layout is not critical, but the

stripboard size was chosen, so it could be
mounted in the slots provided by the
Verobox.

II%1 USE
In use, the output from this project is
connected to the amplifier via the left and
right channels of the AUX input (or Video
In, CD or Tape 2) and the mono input
signal is fed into the module, all via the
phono sockets on the rear of the case.
The MONO/STEREO control sets the
frequency at which phase shifting starts.
So depending on the music content, this
should be adjusted to give the best effect.
For a TVs source, the best way
to obtain the audio signal is via the
SCART 'PERITEL socket which will be
found on the rear of most modern
televisions and videos. Even with mono
videos TV there will be an audio signal
present at the left and right channel - so the
addition of these two signals is obtained by
connecting the output via two 10k resistors
- see Fig. 7
Otherwise, the audio signal could be
taken from the headphone/ext. spkr. socket
via a 3.5mm jack plug. Simply plug in,
switch on and adjust the Volume and Phase
controls for best results.

176 Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993

New Technology
Update
AVERY large number of developments
Ian Poole reports on techniques for improving
r. I design and the increasing use of C. R. T s.
or transition frequency of 10GHz. This any display. Its definition is good, it can
inelectronics are driven by the enables the performance of the whole i.c. to change rapidly (unlike the L.C.D. which
computer section of the industry. extend up to around 2GHz. takes time to respond) and the colours are
Larger, faster memories, new 3.3V i.c.s, To manufacture these i.c.s it has been clear.
and better displays (as we will see later) are necessary to use sub micron dimensions, To retain this dominance of the market
just a few examples. However, there are and this has required a great attention to further developments are under way. With
many other areas of electronics which are be paid to the manufacturing processes. the improvements in computers this is plac-
seeing some very exciting developments In addition to this, a technique called dry ing greater demands on displays and in
taking place. Sometimes they can even shallow junction processing is utilised. This particular higher resolutions are required.
make use of ideas which started life in the has been borrowed from the manufacture This is demonstrated by the movement to
computer technology. of DRAM i.c.s found in computer circuits. VGA monitors and now onto Super VGA
However it is used to advantage here be- monitors. As technology progresses there
cause it reduces spurious capacitance levels will no doubt be further improvements in
R.F. Design and allows circuits to operate at higher monitor standards in the future.
One development which has
such frequencies. Another area where monitors have
benefitted is radio frequency design. Here The cost of the new chips is expected to needed to improve is in their brightness. It
there is a vast amount of scope for be fairly low. They are aimed particularly is interesting to note that the increased use
development because of the demand at the satellite tuner market. However they of the all too famliar "Windows" pro-
arising out of satellite communications, will no doubt find uses in many other radio gramme has meant that a much higher
cellular phones, and the general telecom- frequency applications as well. brightness is required across the whole of
munications industry. In all of these areas the screen. With previous generations of
there isa need for simple and cheap monitor which just displayed text on a dark
amplifiers capable of operating up to C.R.T. Developments background this was not a problem. Now
frequencies of around 2 GHz. Much talk has been heard over the years with a whole screen brightly lit more
Using conventional components a typi- about the fact that solid state displays stringent requirements are placed on the
cal amplifier would use several resistors, a are likely to replace cathode ray tubes C.R.T.s.
number of capacitors, possibly a coil or (C.R.T.$) in the future. It must be at least If this was not enough, definition has to
two and of course the active device itself as ten years ago that people seriously started be maintained over the whole of the surface
shown in Fig. 1. All these components cost to suggest the replacement for the C.R.T. of the screen. Normally it is very good in
money and take up space on the board. To was just around the corner. the centre, but it falls off to the side and in
reduce both of these factors higher levels of Now we seem to be as far away as ever. particular in the corners where the electron
circuit integration can be used. In fact by Rather than replacing the C.R.T., other beam has to be deflected to a greater de-
increasing the level of integration it is types of display, including liquid crystal gree.
usually possible to improve the perfor- and electroluminescent varieties, seem to
be used in areas where C.R.T.s would not
mance as well.
With these ideas in mind a new range of be practicable. Contrary to what one might Spot Shape
devices has recently been launched by expect the use of C.R.T.s is on the increase, To meet the increasing requirements
Toshiba. They enable the component count mainly because of the computer industry. manufacturers have employed a number of
of a circuit to be reduced quite con- The figures are quite convincing. Between new ideas. New types of electron gun have
siderably whilst still maintaining perfor- 1991 and 1992 colour monitor production been developed. These guns actually alter
mance or improving the performance of increased by almost 20 per cent and it is the shape of the spot as it travels across the
the circuit. estimated that it will rise by another 10 per screen. If this were not done then a spot
The new i.c.s use bipolar technology cent during 1993 despite the world wide which was circular in the centre would
and are fabricated using a process called recession we are currently experiencing. appear as an oval further out.
SMART (Silicon Monolithic Architecture These figures prove the dominance of the To achieve the higher brightness the
for R.F. Technology). They use as their C.R.T. It is relatively cheap, reliable and electron guns have again been the focus of
basis a microwave transistor with a cut-off currently it gives the best performance of attention. In the first instance their ef-
ficiency has been improved. In addition to
this they have been modified to allow the
use of higher voltages. By adopting both of
these approaches a much more intense
electron beam can be created, enabling a
greater amount of light to be generated
when it hits the phosphors on the screen.
A number of other developments are
taking place. Screens are becoming flatter
and this makes them easier to read. In
addition to this, new silica based coatings
are being applied to the screens. These
reduce the amount of glare and also the
static.
With these developments and many more
taking place, the manufacturers see a very
healthy market for C.R.T.s for some con-
Fig. 1. A basic r. f. amplifier using a siderable time to come. Even though other
bipolar transistor. displays are improving all the time one
By using i.c. technology the bias com-
of the major advantages which C.R.T.s
.64
ponents can be removed and the tuning have is their price. Whilst this differential
can often be simplified. Fig. 2. Basic circuit of the i. c. remains there is little chance of the trusty
C.R.T. loosing its place in the market.

Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993 177

 Innovations
A roundup of the latest Everyday News from the world of electronics

Power Logic Drive

ANEW family of
integrated power Unipolar Stepper Motor Drive
i.c.s., TMPower + Logic, sv
0..01 01ClIC 14.0-SvN -
81000at Yaw 1.101110FDOX0
Application Information
have just been an- TPIC6595 100 100
This circuit uses a TPIC6595 to provide a
nounced by Texas 014.4111.0
,ON 10M
simple solution to the problem of translating
logic -level timing into the current require-
Instruments. These new a ments of stepping motors. The system clock
chips feature mul- a of the TPIC6595 is set for a frequency of
tiple, high performance 4kHz based on a time per motor step of 2.5ms
and a total of ten TPIC6595 clock pulses per
DMOS power transistors 501:14s1
DRAM
motor step. The motor is driven at its rated
with on -board CMOS 1-A peak current by operating AVO output
[Aura 4
control logic. DMOS transistors in parallel.
Developed using TI's The nature of a stepper -motor load causes
both the positive and negative current to flow
new PRISMTN technology, Micro -Controller through the DMOS power transistor. The
the DMOS outputs have a recirculating negative current may be
1Q3 typical RDS(ON) for DRAMS
blocked by placing a diode in series with
low power dissipation. each pole winding.
The Double -diffused MOS 0411.01 In this circuit, the drain of the DMOS is
(DMOS) output drivers are SCR IN
allowed to fly to its clamp voltage for short
current decay times. The energy of the pole
each capable of supplying, 01,40417
winding must be absorbed by the DMOS
with all eight outputs SPA -0- transistor. Consequently, this technique can
active, 250mA continuous 10140
POND
be used only in applications that do nor result
and up to 1.5A of pulsed in exceeding the device's thermal rating.
current per channel. The
outputs can be paralled to
provide up to 6A of pulsed current for loads including fractional horsepower
high current applications. motors, solenoids, lamps and relays. The first members of the
Each of the DMOS power outputs The 20 -pin devices can handle Power + Logic family
has a built-in 45V drain -to -gate Zener logic switching speeds of up to TPIC6259 Power + Logic 8 -bit
diode for enhanced unclamped induc- addressable latch.
25MHz, allowing direct interface to a TP106273 Power + Logic 8 -bit D -type
tive load switching. Each channel can microprocessor.
absorb up to 75mJ of avalanche energy, flip-flop latch.
Further information from: Texas In- TPIC6595 Power + Logic 8 -bit shift
making them well -suited for driving a struments Ltd., Dept. EPE, Manton register
wide variety of inductive and capacitive Lane, Bedford, MK41 7AP.

SMART MO VE Included in the boxed kit are Gull Wings, of 400 watts. The 800i is rated at 800W
Saving the expense of practising on the PLCC J lead, JEDEC, quad pack, Mini continous and 2000W peak power. For
real thing, OK Industries' trials kit has DIPs, SOTs, Mini MELF, chip resistors really big power demands the 1500i model
been designed to enable the production and capacitors and the trials board. delivers 1500W continuous and 3500W
engineer or "surface mount" student to OK Industries UK Ltd., Dept. EPE peak.
carry out qualified evaluation of produc- Barton Farm Industrial Estate, Eastleigh, For full details and prices contact: Mer-
tiOn and rework techniques on printed Hants. S05 5RR. Tel: 0703 619841. lin Equipment, Dept. EPE, Scotts House,
circuit boards. Cuxham Road, Watlington, Oxon, OX9
5JW. Tel: 0491 613027.
MOBILE POWER
Until now you have had to rely on
noisy and expensive generators for 240 -volt
power to operate mobile radio communica-
tions or computer systems claims Merlin
Equipment.
But help is at hand with the Merlin Pro
Watt range of d.c. to a.c. inverters. These
can be either plugged into the cigarette
lighter in your car, or wired direct to the
battery, the unit converts 12 -volt d.c. power
to 240 -volt a.c. allowing you to benefit from
mains power anywhere any time.
Ideal for amateur radio enthusiasts,
microwave ovens, TV's, videos, computers, W. H. Smith opened its new
chargers, power tools etc. This family of branch this month at London Vic-
inverters consists of four models, the toria station; this is claimed to be
pocket sized 125i and 200i claim 125W and one of Europe's largest railway
200W continuous output, with peak power station shops.

178
Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993
 pen then the demands for Polariod's video - preview the portrait before the ID card is
IDENTIFICATION based ID systems may be in increasing.
The ID -1000 is a video -based ID system
produced.
The ID -3000 is the very latest of
IT IS claimed that one of the moves being that captures and digitises both colour Polaroid's video -based ID systems. It
considered by the Government, as a result portraits and signature images. By merging features unlimited storage capacity, using
of EC directives to scrap border controls, is them with text data and pre-pro- advanced image compression techniques
the issuing of identity cards for all people grammed ID card formats, which and supports magentic or optical disk
over the age of 16. If this should hap- include any corporate logos or authoris- storage options to accommodate future
ing signatures, the expansion.
composite graphics This latest system is claimed to be the
are electronically re- only electronic imaging system to offer a
corded on Polaroid. choice of media output, including inexpen-
As thecard is sive black and white thermal temporary or
generated, the data is visitors passes through to either colour in-
stored internally on stant film or colour thermal prints for per-
the system's hard manent, highly secure ID cards.
disc. The portrait and It also offers a range of optional software
data can be retrieved modules to expand the working capabilities
for verification prior of the system.
to ID card re -issue. Further details from Polaroid (UK)
:

In use, the subject Ltd., Dept. EPE, Ashley Road, St. Albans,
is seated in front Herts., All 5PR.
of the ID -1000's
high resolution, CCD FREE ENTRY
colour video camera. Computing is a very popular occupation
This offers a freeze- amongst the disabled. Henceforth all dis-
frame feature on its abled wheelchair users will be admitted to
Producing an ID card from stored text data and a video monitor that allows the All Formats Computer Fairs free of
portrait. the operator to charge. See this month's Circuit Surgery.

has a length of reinforced flexible plastics

TN THOM8 PL)IPIA PATEN -111 sleeve (20) or hose, e.g. PVC with braided
nylon, fastened to that part of the cable
which is most likely to contact the moving
PATENT ABSTRACTS. Anthony Edwards and Associates parts of the tool. The sleeve may be only
The following abstracts are taken from recent UK patents in the general I m to 2.5m long, 1 Omm to 16mm thick
electrical/electronics area. British Patent Specifications can be ordered from and brightly coloured, and have an anti -
Patents Office, Orpington, Kent BR5 3RD, England friction surface.
The sleeve is fastened in position by
Colour Cathode Ray Tube of manufacturing a three dimensional releasable fastening means (21) at op-
In UK patent 2246012 Mitsubishi Denki electrical circuit substrate. The conduct- posite ends of the sleeve so that it may be
Kabushiki Kaisha describe a colour ing portion, comprising a circuit pattern, moved along the cable. Alternatively,
cathode ray tube with an antistatic coating is formed on the surface of a film by silk helical or split ring fastening means may
film formed over an outer surface of the screen printing. be used.
face plate. The coating is composed of a The film is placed over a resin board In a modification, instead of a rein-
polymer of silicon alkoxide, translucent in a mould in which the conducting forced plastics sleeve, the cable may be
conductive particles and several types of portion of the film is opposed to the formed with a region of thicker insulation
dyes or pigments so that it has a main resin board. Subsequently, blow moulding adjacent one end. This region may be
absorption band in the range of and/or vacuum forming is applied to the moulded integrally with the insulation of
570nm-610nm, between the main green mould. the cable or formed by bonding an ad-
and red luminescence peaks of the c.r.t. The film and the resin board are thus ditonal layer of insulating meterial; the
The coating also has a sub absorption closely overlapped, heat -bonded, and thicker region may be of the same or a
band in either a first range between a formed into a three-dimensional circuit different insulating material.
wavelength of 380nm and a wavelength substrate having a desired configuration.
of 420nm or a second range between a Prior to the blow moulding and/or
wavelength of 470nm and a wavelength vacuum forming, the film is provided with
of 510nm. By incorporating at least two terminal connection holes and a printed
selected dyes or pigments in the antistatic resistive portion.
coating the contrast performance of the
cathode ray tube is improved. Snap Action Switch
In UK patent 2246664 Dewhurst plc
Satellite Dish Cover describe an electrical snap action retrac-
In UK patent 2246242 Michael tive switch. It includes snap springs
Brassington and Philip Thomas Hatton arranged between an actuator and a
describe a flexible material cover for a carrier which carries a contact cooperable
satellite dish. It has a circular front and an with the fixed contact on an external
annular rear, the latter having an terminal.
elasticated rim at the inner peripheral edge The depth of the switch is reduced by
to hold the cover on the dish. positioning the contacts and the springs
A front face of the cover is screen for returning the actuator to its unac-
printed with a brick pattern to correspond tuated state away from the line of action
to a building upon which the satellite of the actuator. This reduction in depth
dish is mounted, thereby camouflaging the has particular advantages for mounting
dish. The cover may alternatively be sheet the switch in substantially flat panels such
material or transfers which can be adhered as for control of electrically operated
to the surface of the dish and may be used doors.
for decorative, camouflage or advertising
purposes. Electrical Cable Protection
In UK patent 2246673 Michael Ralph
Three-dimensional Electrical Forman and Florence Doreen Forman
Circuit Substrate describe a cable (17) for connecting a
In UK patent 2246316 Kitagawa In- hand-held electrical power tool (10), such
dustries Co. Ltd. describe a method as a hedge trimmer, to a power supply. It

Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993 179

 Regular CIMIc

CIRCUIT
SURGERY
MIKE TOOLEY
Once again, welcome to Circuit Surgery, our regular clinic which deals with readers' problems.
In this month's Surgery we show how a standard 74LS00 quad 2 -input NAND gate can be
configured to produce all of the other logical functions. We also offer some advice concerning
the selection and use of batteries and show how Robert Penfold's popular Car Ice Alarm can be
modified to provide audible warning of hazardous road conditions. For good measure, we also
take a peek (pun intended) at the increasingly popular All Formats Computer Fairs which
never fail to provide a host of bargains for would-be experimenters!

All very logical Vc c

Martin Comfort writes from Kent with
an interesting problem. Martin writes:
"Many logic circuits require a mixture of
OUTPUT A OUTPUT
different logic gates ( AND, OR, NAND and
NOR). Often /.find that I only use one gate
Dp
NOT
out of the four available from a standard i.c. Vcc ov
device such as the 74LS08. Can you explain
how it is possible to make logic circuits using
just one type of gate (e.g. 74LS00)."
Fortunately, Martin, this is a fairly
OUTPUT
A
B 1:4. OUTPUT

simple problem and most digital electronics NAND

text books will provide you with a few
Vcc
clues. Sticking to one type of logic gate
certainly does make sense, particularly if
you need a mix of logic functions. Fig.
shows how all of the basic functions can be
1

OUTPUT
-13 OUTPUT

derived from a single 74LS00 (or similar) AND

logic gate (pin connections as in Fig. 2).
OV

Vcc

13 CI ILI III CI El El
OUTPUT OUTPUT

OR

OV

161111.. Vcc

II CI II CI CI CI II
- OUTPUT = A 0- OUTPUT
B

NOR
Fig. 2 Package outline and pin con-
nection details for the 74LS00.
Sc c
There is just one point worth making
before we leave this subject. The time taken
for a logic transition (i.e. a 0 to 1 or I to 0)
to pass through a logic gate circuit can be
important in some cases.
OUTPUT =-="' liDel OUTPUT

EXCLUSIVE - OR
If the logic state transition has to pass
through several logic gates (rather than just OV
one) the "propagation delay" will be cor-
respondingly increased. This delay is very Lee 33333

small (usually between IOns and 2Ons) but

can still be significant in high speed logic
applications. Fig. 1. Various logic functions produced by a single 74L S00 NAND gate

180 Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993

Car Ice Alarm tently and which have fairly modest current
Mark Allen writes from St Albans with requirements).
the following query:
"In January's Everyday with Practical All Formats Computer Fairs
Electronics Robert Penfold described a Car Like most readers I suspect that I have a
Ice Alarm. This useful circuit provides a particular weakness for a bargain. For this
visible indication of the presence of ice. Most reason I have become a regular visitor to
drivers, myself included, would probably the All Formats Computer Fairs. For the
prefer an audible warning. Can you show benefit of the uninitiated, these popular
how the circuit could be modified to do this?" events regularly tour the UK and provide
Fortunately, Mark, this is an easy one. an outlet for a large number of specialist
All that you need is a piezoelectric sounder traders and dealers. New and secondhand
with integral drive circuitry (e.g. Maplin computer equipment is always available,
KU56L) connected in place of the l.e.d. Dl with disk drives, displays and printers in
and resistor R5. Fig. 3 shows how. Fig. 3. Modification to the Car Ice abundance.
Alarm (Jan '93) circuit to provide Don't be put off by the title; the fairs may
New batteries for old audible output. cater for the computer enthusiast (par-
Mr S. Weller writes from Gloucester with ticularly those who build or modify their
a plea for help which will strike a familiar virtually identical to the standard Duracell own systems) but they are also a paradise
note with many readers. Mr Weller writes: but is designed for industrial rather than for those with a more general interest in
"I have several small items of electronic domestic use). In either case, the 550mAh electronics. Printed circuit boards, key-
equipment powered by 9V PP3 batteries. rating should be more than sufficient for a boards, test leads, connectors, cables and a
Unfortunately, this is proving rather expen- wide range of applications in which the host of digital, processor and memory
sive as the batteries only seem to last a few battery is required to supply a relatively chips are always available at "rock bot-
hours. high load current for some considerable tom" prices. So, if you need to catch up
The obvious answer ( to increase the size time (note that the cheaper zinc chloride with them, the programme for Spring 1993
of the battery) is not possible because of the PP3 should generally not be used is as follows:
small size of the plastic boxes. Please tell for loads which
me what life I can reasonabIv expect from require a con-
tinuous current Feb 20 North West Haydock Park Racecourse J23 M6
a PP3 battery and also what type/make of
of more than 21 Scotland City Hall, Candleriggs, Glasgow
battery would give me the longest life?"
27 Hemel H/stead Dacorum Pavilion, The Marlowes
As Mr Weller has found, the choice about 50mA).
28 West Brunel Centre, Templemeads, Bristol
of battery can be crucial. The popular In exceptional
PP3 battery is available in a variety of cases it might be Mar 6 Leicester De Montfort Hall, Granville Road
forms. As an example, Ever Ready make worth consider- 7 North Univ. Sports Centre, Calverley St., Leeds
ing the use of 20 London Sandown Park, Esher, Surrey J9/10 M25
"Blue Seal", "Silver Seal" and "Gold Seal"
types. The two former varieties are conven- a zinc air bat- 21 West Midlands National Motorcycle Museum J6 M42
tery such as the 27 North West Haydock Park Racecourse J23 M6
tional zinc chloride types (the "Silver Seal"
variety provides extra life when used on Duracell DA 146. Apr 4 Scotland City Hall, Candleriggs, Glasgow
This provides al- 18 West Midlands National Motorcycle Museum J6 M42
equipment which places a relatively heavy
most three times 24 London Sandown Park, Esher, Surrey J9/10 M25
current demand or which is designed for
continuous use). The "Gold Seal" range of the capacity of its
batteries are new alkaline types and offer MN 1604 coun- All fairs are normally open between 10
much improved performance over their terpart - but at a price! a.m. and 4 p.m. and stands are available
predecessors. Finally, it is worth noting that the PP3- at a very reasonable charge, contact Bruce
The following table relates to several of sized nickel cadmium battery compares un- Everiss on 0608-663820. See you there!
the most popular variants of the PP3 favourably with alkaline manganese and
battery supplied by two of the most well zinc air types. Nickel cadmium PP3 batteries Next month: We shall be describing
known manufacturers: should therefore only be used when a limited some simple methods of reducing mains
From the above, it is worth noting that battery capacity is acceptable (I reserve this hum, we also describe a simple audio
the three alkaline types all provide very type of battery. for use in various items of amplifier for those with hearing dif-
similar capacities (the Procell MN1604 is test equipment which are only used intermit- ficulties. In the meantime, if you have any
comments or suggestions for inclusion in
Table 1: Some comparisons of the popular PP3 battery. Circuit Surgery, please drop me a line at:
Faculty of Technology, Brooklands Col-
Manufacturer Battery type Active constituents Voltage Capacity lege, Heath Road, Weybridge, Surrey,
KT13 8TT.
Ever Ready Gold Seal Alkaline 9V 500mAh Please note that I cannot undertake to
Duracell MN1604B1 Alkaline manganese 9V 550mAh reply to individual queries from readers
Duracell Procell/MN1604 Alkaline manganese 9V 550mAh however I will do my best to answer
Duracell DA146 Zinc air 8.4V 1500mAh all questions from readers through the
Ever Ready Rechargeable Nickel cadmium 8.4V 110mAh medium of this column.

Call us now! We have the widest range of

components available - At competitive prices!

CABLES CAPACITORS

CRICKLEWOOD Cricklewood Electronics Ltd. 40 Cricklewood Broadway. London NW2 3f I

Telephone: 081 452 0161 Faxsimile:081 208 1441

ELECTRONICS All Major Credit Cards Accepted

Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993 181

 Constructional Project

CAR ELECTRIC/
WINDOW ENHANCER
CHRIS WALKER
Upgrade your car electric windows to When the control rocker is released, both
terminals of the motor are shorted to-
the luxury class. No mechanical gether (to OV) and the motor is dynami-
cally braked to a stop.
modifications required. The exact wiring details of different
vehicles may vary and it would be wise to
One-shot option and safety stall acquire details of your own vehicle before
feature. attempting any modifications.
The Window Enhancer unit is inserted
into the leads between switch and motor as
shown in Fig. 2. A I 2V power supply is
ELECTRICALLY powered windows are omitted to reduce costs. The Electric Win- also conveniently supplied from the win-
a popular feature on cars these dow Enhancer described here is an add-on dow switch. When the switch is operated
days. Some years ago they were unit which provides manual or one-shot the motor responds as normal and stops
reserved strictly for the top -market saloons operation using the existing window switch when the switch is released.
or chauffeur -driven limos. Manufacturers and motor. However, if the switch is held pressed for
now fit them to the upper -range models of No mechanical modifications to the win- more than about half -a -second the motor
all sorts of vehicles, large and small, in an dow mechanism are required. In addi- "latches on" and runs continuously until it
attempt to add that extra touch of tion it incorporates a safety cut-out which is stalled, a condition which occurs when
"luxury". switches off the motor if the window move- the window reaches the end of its travel or
In reality, apart from the "status value", ment becomes obstructed. One Window encounters an obstruction. Alternatively,
electric windows are a useful addition to Enhancer is required for each window to be the one-shot action is halted by clicking the
a vehicle's equipment. For a start, they modified. control switch once more in the opposite
eliminate the arm -wrenching and finger- The stall cut-out offers some degree direction.
crippling action upon that awfully designed of protection should an object become Since all the wiring to the unit is made in
window handle; not too elegant or safe trapped by the closing glass. However, the vicinity of the existing window switch,
when driving in traffic. please remember that window automation the Window Enhancer should conveniently
In addition, how many times have you, poses hazards to inexperienced users; fit in the door cavity or under the car's
as a lone driver, stopped to ask directions young children, for instance, should never central console or wherever the control
from a pedestrian only to have to sprawl be allowed to play unattended in any switch is located.
headlong across the passenger seat whilst vehicle.
wrestling with a locking seat -belt just to HOW IT WORKS
wind down the glass? With electric opera-
tion the driver has fingertip control over HOW IT The full circuit diagram for the Car
several windows in the vehicle. ENHANCES Electric Window Enhancer unit is shown in
Fig. 3.
In a conventional electric window cir-
ONE-SHOT cuit the driver's control switch consists of
The operation of the "UP" section of the
circuit, comprising transistors TR I to TR3,
An added feature on some cars is the two independently operated spring -biased will be described. The "DOWN" section
"one-shot" facility, whereby the user can changeover switches as shown in Fig. I. (TR4 to TR6) is an almost exact copy of
completely lower or raise the window with These switches are actuated by a single this.
one press on the button without having to rocker which, when no pressed, rests in the When the UP window switch is depressed
continuously hold it down. This is a useful intermediate position between "UP" and the anode (a) of diode DI is connected to
facility as it frees the drivers hands for gear "DOWN". + 12V and current will flow via Dl and
changing, steering or signalling without the By operating the UP switch, a 12V through the coil of relay RLA. The con-
need for repeated fumbling of switches. p.d. appears across the motor. When the tacts associated with this relay, RLA1,
Unfortunately, many smaller or cheaper DOWN switch is selected the polarity changeover and apply power to the win-
cars equipped with electric windows do across the motor is reversed and the dow motor. If the UP switch is released the
not have this one-shot facility, presumably motor runs in the opposite direction. relay will relax and switch the motor off.

Fig. 1 (left). The

conventional
set-up for the
driver's electric +12V
window control
switch. WINDOW
MJTOR

Fig. 2 (right).
The Car Electric
Window Enhancer
is inserted into the
CEE40250 1
leads, between the
switch and motor

182 Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993

Manual control of the window is thus
retained.
Whilst the UP switch is held pressed,
capacitor Cl charges via resistor RI and
when the p.d. across CI reaches about 0.6V
transistor TR2 switches on which, in turn,
switches on transistor TR3. When this hap-
pens, current to the coil of relay RLA is
supplied via TR3 so that, even if the UP
button is released again, the relay stays
switched on. In addition, the presence of
+ 12V at the collector of TR3 ensures that
CI is kept charged via RI so that transis-
tors TR2 and TR3 remain fully latched on.
The values of RI and CI are chosen so
that it takes about 500ms for capacitor Cl
to charge sufficiently for transistor TR2 to
switch on. Therefore, the relay only latches
on if the UP button is held pressed for a
period longer than this. If the UP switch is
released before transistors TR2 and TR3
latch on, then capacitor CI discharges al-
most instantly through diode D2 (and via
the relay coil).
If, whilst relay RLA is latched on, the
DOWN switch is operated, then current The completed printed circuit board component layout. Resistor R9 is made up
will flow through diode D4 and resistor from a pice of 0.6mm dia. insulated copper wire (approx 20cm), coiled up for
R4 into the base of transistor TR1 which neatness, and can be clearly seen above.
consequently switches on and rapidly dis-
charges capacitor CI. This has the effect If the output shaft is completely C3 introduce a small delay (about 250ms)
of resetting the "UP latch" and switching prevented from rotating the motor supply into the response of the voltage com-
relay RLA off. Transistor TR1 will also current will rise significantly. The motor parator so that the circuit does not detect
switch on and discharge CI when the out- should NOT be subjected to this condition brief current surges which may occur as the
put from op -amp ICI goes high, a condi- for any length of time, otherwise the heat motor is switched on.
tion which indicates that the drive motor generated as a consequence could burn out A reference voltage presented to the in-
has stalled. the armature or even start a fire. (All verting input of ICI (pin 2) is derived from
motors used for automotive window lifting Zener diode D7. By adjusting preset poten-
STALL SENSOR should have been protected during design tiometer VR1 the reference can be adjusted
The stall sensor has a two -fold action. It and manufacture, by equipping them with over the range OV to 0.6V. When the volt-
eliminates the need for microswitches to a thermal cut-out if necessary, to prevent age drop across resistor R9 exceeds the
detect the end of travel of the window pane, such an extreme conclusion). reference voltage, the output from ICI (pin
and it also switches off the motor if, for Return current from the motor has to 6) swings up to about 12V and switches
example, fingers or other bodily parts be- pass through resistor R9 which is simply on transistor TR I and TR4 as described
come trapped by the closing glass. If you a short length of copper wire approxi- earlier.
wish to test this cut-out action, use some mately 0.6mm in diameter (24 s.w.g. for the In practice, VR I is adjusted so that the
inanimate object - we don't recommend oldies!). A p.d. is developed across the wire op. amp output is down at OV under nor-
you use your fingers, it may hurt! which rises proportionally to the current mal running conditions, but rises to 12V if
The system detects the stalled motor con- passing through it; this is Ohm's law. the motor is stalled (or excessively loaded).
dition by monitoring the current drawn by This voltage is monitored at the non -
the motor. Under free -running conditions inverting input of ICI (pin 3), an opera- CONSTRUCTION
the motor consumes very little current, but tional amplifier wired to act a a voltage The entire circuit is constructed on a
this increases as the motor is loaded. comparator. Resistor R12 and capacitor small single -sided printed circuit board, the

Fig. 3. The complete circuit diagram for the Car Electric Window Enhancer The power supply to the circuit is taken from the
window control switch, see Fig. 2

+12V

RLB1
414I 101
PIN 7 FROM
FROM UP,.., N,C N0 NC f-004sDwOWN
SWITCH TR5
COM1POLEI CCM IPOLEI BC212L
184001 R7
DI TR3 ( WINDOW MOTORI

On
184001 BC 212L 487
4k7
R6
3k3 DS 85
I 1142 4 46
'00k
RI l'23
a
100k R12 1184148°6
RLA 688 a
2 0 1
TR5 TR4
k 20 BC 548 BC 548
16141481
TR28
BC 5 R9 C2
C1 ISEE TEXTI 10 0 p
C3
470 R8
TR1
k7
BC 548
12V

R3 V1Rk1 R11 RIO

457 686 11,5
fc OV
O
CA'J
3
D7
4V 7

(00,03,01

Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993

 relays until last as they are bulky and make
the board difficult to handle easily. As
r -- usual, pay attention to the polarity of the
three electrolytic capacitors and the orien-
tation of the semiconductor devices.
Resistor R9 is manufactured from a
length (about 20cm) of 0.6mm insulated
copper wire. For neatness, this can be
coiled up. It is recommended that ICI is
mounted in an 8 -pin d.i.l. socket so that it
can be removed if necessary to disable the
stall sensor. This will be useful if the need
should arise to fault -find on the circuit
board at the end of construction.
IMPORTANT
The current drawn by the window lifting
motor can be quite high and the following
constructional points should be noted as a
The com- consequence:
plete printed The relays chosen have a contact rating
circuit board of 16A d.c. If a different relay is employed,
(p.c.b.) must be housed in a it is important to bear in mind that the con-
small plastic box and the con- tacts have to be able to break the high cur-
rent drawn by the motor when it is stalled.
nection leads taken out through a hole drilled in a side Also, a different relay to the type specified
panel An underside view of the completed circuit board may not locate onto the existing p.c.b. lay-
showing the heavy-duty leads soldered directly to the out. The specified type is fairly popular and
copper pads is shown above right.
should be easily available.
component layout and track pattern of this enclosure is used then the four corners Due to the problems encountered with
which is shown in Fig. 4. of the p.c.b. should be removed as shown passing high motor current along p.c.b.
The completed board must be housed before any components are mounted. tracks, the flying leads connect to the
inside a small plastic case, suggested size Component assembly sequence on the circuit board by being soldered directly to
80mm x 62mm x 40mm (type MB1), and if p.c.b. can be in any order, but leave the the chunky pads on the copper side of the

TO TO
MOTOR +12V MOTOR
COMPONENTS
a Resistors
N C. ge N.C. 0 N.C. R1, R5 100k (2 Off) Seenc-,\

D3
b
t

i TR3
RLA

'1
4;

-TO R9
RLe COIL
R2, R6
R3, R4,
3k3 (2 off)
R7, R8 4k7 (4 off)
R9 See Text
ti= -_J)

TALK
Page
R2 ®-.6
R10 1k5
ecI).e_iR 21,
R12
VR1 R11, R12 6k8 (2 off)
All 0.6W metal film or carbon.
R3 0 110

+0 Potentiometer
VR1 1k min. horizontal preset
R51- TR4
02 D5 Capacitors
k RI.
, C2 100µ radial elect., 25V
)6=}2. C3 47µ radial elect., 25V
I 04
01
WIRE SOLDERED Semiconductors
DIRECTLY TO D1, D4 1 N4001 silicon diode
COPPER TRACK (2 off)
FROM FROM
UP SWITCH DOWN SWITCH D2, D3,
OV TO R9 D5, D6 1N4148 silicon diode
(4 off)
D7 BZY88C4V7 4.7V
Zener diode
TR1, TR2,
TR4, TR5 BC548 npn silicon
transistor (4 off)
TR3, TR6 BC212L pnp transistor
(2 off)
IC1 CA3130 CMOS op. amp
Miscellaneous
RLA, R LB 12V relay, 270 ohm coil,
16A changeover
contacts (2 off)
Printed circuit board available from
EPE PCB Service, code 821; plastic
case (type MB1), size 80mm x 62mm
x 40mm; heavy duty connecting wire
(50/0.25mm); 0-6mm insulated copper
wire for R9; 6 -way terminal block; 8 -pin
d.i.l. socket.
Fig. 4. Printed circuit board component layout and full size copper foil master
pattern. Note the Vashed" lead-off wires are soldered directly to the under-
side copper pads (see text).
Approx cost
guidance only £16
184 Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993
 + 12V
board. In addition, the short length of
track which links the two sets of normally
closed contacts (n.c.) on relays RLA and + 12V
r-
RLB and which also connects to resistors
R9 and R12 should be reinforced by sol- +12V uP I

dering a piece of stout copper wire along its WI NOOW

length. MOTOR

The flying leads themselves should be

heavy duty 50/025mm insulated wire to OV
reduce voltage drops and minimise the L J
DRIVER'S PASSENGER'S
heating effect of a large current. It may SWITCH SWITCH
be more convenient to use slightly thin- t EE40266 I
ner insulated wire to link between the
UP 'DOWN control switch in the vehicle
and diodes DI and D4 on the p.c.b. Fig. 5. Suggested possible wiring arrangement to achieve passenger/driver control
However, very thin wires may soon break of the passenger window.
due to vibration within the vehicle.
At this stage it should be mentioned that one-shot action fails to latch, turn VR I
A small hole drilled in the plastic case some vehicles dynamically brake the motor
to align with potentiometer VR1 will al- anti -clockwise to de -sensitise the unit. If,
by shorting both motor contacts to + 12V on the other hand, the window motor
low the preset to be adjusted with a small
instead of OV as was described in Fig. I. In refuses to cut out when the glass move-
screwdriver when the lid is in place. order to permit the Window Enhancer to ment is restricted then turn VR1 clock-
work with this type of system it will be wise. When setting up the stall -sensor, DO
INSTALLATION necessary to interchange the + 12V and OV NOT allow the motor to remain in a
For safety, disconnect one terminal of the leads to the window control switch so that stalled condition for more than a few
car battery before starting any work on the the motor is shorted to the OV line. In any seconds or damage to the motor could
electrical system. case, it is most important to check exact result.
Connection between the car's wiring loom wiring details for your vehicle before at-
and the flying leads from the Window En-
hancer can be made via a 6 -way screw ter-
tempting to fit the Enhancer.
DRIVER/
minal block. Try to avoid "dodgy" connec-
Once installed, set preset potentiometer
VR I at about mid -position and re -connect PASSENGER
tion methods such as "twisted and taped"
joints. These cannot handle high currents
the car battery. Switch on the electric win-
dow circuit in the car and check that the
ARRANGEMENT
Control of the passenger window is
and inevitably work loose over time. UP/DOWN switch still operates the win- usually achieved with one of two switches
Cut the two wires which run from the dow manually. located near driver and passenger. A
car's window control switch to the window Holding the control switch closed for possible wiring arrangement to achieve this
motor. The Enhancer module fits into these over half a second should cause the one- is shown in Fig. 5.
wires as shown in Fig. 2. The two power shot action to latch. Check that the relays The Car Electric Window Enhancer is
supply leads for the module come from the cut out about half a second after the placed between the passenger's switch and
+ 12V and OV wires which feed the window window reaches the end of its travel. the motor as shown. It may be necessary to
control switch. Use a heavy duty terminal It may be necessary to adjust the sen- find a good OV "earthing" point for the
block to splice into these wires. sitivity of the stall -sensing circuit. If the Enhancer power supply.

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EXTENDED CDI IGNITION parts kit £22.75 assembled £28.45
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A unique air pressure sensing system operates automatically without door
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leads. A Power MOSFET output drives a siren or the car horn.
MICRO -PRESSURE CAR ALARM parts kit £15.95 assembled £22.35
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A similar unit to the above but relying on the courtesy light operation and
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Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993 185

Special Feature

DIGITAL AUDIO
BROADCASTING
IAN POOLE
Future transmissions should several channels so that adjacent regions
do not interfere with one another.
match digital hifi quality. THE NEED FOR
CHANGE
With all the developments taking place
electronics has seen a great
AUDIO spacing and hence the bandwidth of each with CDs, digital compact cassettes, mini -
number of developments in recent signal is 9kHz and hence the maximum discs and the like, radio broadcasting
years. The tape cassette which is so frequency which can be transmitted is only seems to be the poor relation. The basic
common now was introduced in the 1960s. 4.5kHz. a.m. broadcasts have not changed to any
In 1983 the compact disc was introduced. The other system which is in use is real degree since they were first introduced
Now digital compact cassettes and mini - frequency modulation or f.m. Instead of in the 1920s. Even the high quality v.h.f.
discs are set to battle it out for a new changing the amplitude of the radio fre- f.m. transmissions date back to the 1950s
position in the hi-fi and audio market. In quency signal its frequency is changed in but with the introduction of stereo in the
addition to this amplifiers, tuners, cassette line with the audio waveform as shown in 1960s and finally RDS in 1988.
and CD decks have made use of the latest Fig. 3. By making the frequency of the With the higher quality which v.h.f. f.m.
electronic technology. signal vary over a wide band ( + / - 75kHz supports, more people now listen to these
in the case of broadcast signals) it is found broadcasts than those on the Long or
RADIO SYSTEMS that the background noise can be reduced. Medium wave bands. However v.h.f. f.m.
At the moment radio uses two sys- In addition to this the signal is able to carry still has some distinct limitations. For the
tems for broadcast material. The first is much higher modulating frequencies. hi-fi enthusiast one of the greatest an-
amplitude modulation or a.m. which is The audio itself is limited to 15kHz, but noyance is the signal-to-noise ratio.
used on the long, medium and short wave in addition to this other signals are carried When compared to CD systems which
bands. It simply involves changing the above the audio range. Up until recently typically achieve 100dB the ultimate figure
amplitude or strength of the signal in line this consisted of the additional signals re- of 70dB which can be achieved by a typical
with the modulation as shown in Fig. 1. quired for stereo, but now Radio Data Sys- v.h.f. f.m. tuner today can be noticeably
With an a.m. signal it is found that tem RDS signals are also carried. poorer. Even then this sort of figure can
two sidebands are produced spreading out Whilst the signal itself varies over + / - only be achieved when a good signal is
either side of the main carrier as shown in 75kHz a full 200kHz has to be allowed present. To obtain this a large external
Fig. 2. From this it can be seen that the to accommodate the signal as shown in aerial may well be needed.
signal takes up a finite bandwidth. In fact it Fig. 4. Accordingly channels have to be One of the major problems with v.h.f.
takes up an amount equal to twice the spaced by this amount. This means that a f.m occurs with car radios. The system was
highest frequency being transmitted. On national network like Radio 1 occupies a never intended for use in cars when it was
the Long and Medium Wave bands the large amount of space because it has to use first launched. However, over the years the
ENVELOPE OF THE SIGNAL
kFOLLOWS THE AUDIO WAVEFORM

AUDIO SIGNAL

RADIO FREQUENCY SIGNAL

1111111
FREQUENCY
MODULATED
SIGNAL

Fig. 1. An amplitude modulated signal (a.m.).

Fig. 3. An fm. Signal
-0-CARRIER 150 kHz
It 75kHz1

LOWER UPPER
SIDEBAND SIDEBAND

9 kHz I ON MEDIUM AND LONG WAVE BANDS) OVERALL CHANNEL REQUIRED

200 kHz

Fig. 2. Spectrum of an amplitude modulated signal (a.m.). Fig. 4. Spectrum of an fm. signal.

186 Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993

 use of car radios has grown rapidly and The problem was caused by multipath area of the country to another. There is no
the improved quality provided by f.m. has distortion. The reflections caused data bits problem in locating the best frequency for
been put to good use. to overlap with the result that the signal a national station. It is simply a matter of
Everyone will have experienced the an- could not be decoded. In general it has tuning to the required block.
noying distortion which occurs from time been found that interference from reflected Local radio requires a slightly different
to time, particularly when the signal is signals becomes a problem once the delay approach. Four different blocks are re-
weak or when travelling in towns or near between the main and reflected signal ex- quired to split the country up into a areas
hills. This is caused by multipath distortion ceeds half a data bit period. If the reflected without adjacent areas using the same
resulting from reflected signals arriving at signal is very strong then even with this block. This will mean that signals from
the radio fractionally after the main signal. degree of time delay the signal can become distant transmitters are reduced. Any inter-
indecipherable. ference which is picked up will be treated as
NEW SYSTEM
When any new broadcasting system is
One way of overcoming this problem is multipath distortion by the receiver and
to increase the time between the data bits. will be ignored.
developed the requirements must be laid This reduces the problem of interference
down very carefully. This is very important
because over the years vast sums of money
but also reduces the rate at which data can
be sent. This is particularly important. A
FREQUENCIES
will be spent by the broadcasters them- One of the major problems which DAB is
CD player operates at about 1.5 Megabits encountering at the moment is that there is
selves and the listeners. This means that per second. Nicam digital sound requires
the system must not become outdated too no spectrum available. In the UK 3.5MHz
just over 700 kilobits per second. would be needed to carry two blocks for
quickly. Nor must it be so far advanced If sufficient spacing is placed between the
that equipment for it is outside the reach of national services alone. A further 7MHz
data bits of a radio sound signal then the would be needed for local radio as well.
the general public. data rate is reduced to just 14 kilobits per
In addition to this there are a number of Investigations have shown that for land
second. A figure well below that required based systems frequencies in the v.h.f. por-
other requirements which are specified. In for the quality of sound which needs to be
the case of DAB (Digital Audio Broadcast- tion of the spectrum are best suited for this
transmitted. To overcome this two main purpose. At u.h.f., hills and obstacles cause
ing) one requirement is to give audio ideas are used.
quality equivalent to that of currently greater problems with poor reception.
available CDs.
Another requirement is that it should
MASKING It is possible that one of the old 405 line
TV bands could be used. However gaining
The first way in which the data rate international acceptance for an allocation
be capable of giving good reception with is reduced is by taking account of the
a portable or car radio. There should be is not easy in view of the heavy usage of
properties of the ear. It is found that a this portion of the radio spectrum.
none of the problems with multipath dis- strong sound on one frequency will mask
tortion experienced with v.h.f. f.m.. It is also intended that DAB signals
other sounds on frequencies near to it as should be broadcast from satellites. Fre-
Tuning should also be easy. With the shown in Fig. 5.
large number of stations and transmitters quencies around I GHz (1000MHz) are
To make use of this fact the audio about optimum. In a recent World Ad-
on the f.m. band it is not always easy to spectrum is split into a number of different
locate the best signal of a national network, ministrative Radio Conference a band of
bands. In each of these bands the strong 40MHz stretching from 1452 to I 492MHz
or a particular local radio station. The new signals are converted into digital data and
RDS system helps overcome this to a was allocated for this purpose. Unfor-
the weak ones which the ear would not tunately existing users need to be given
major extent, but any new systems should perceive are discarded. In this way the data
not suffer from the same basic problem. time to move and it is unlikely that services
rate for a 20kHz signal can be reduced to will start to appear on these frequencies
SYSTEM CHOICE 128kbits/second. This is about one sixth
the rate if masking had not been used.
until after the year 2007.
Experiments and development of a
suitable system for transmitting digital radio MULTI - RADIOS
have been taking place for some time. Initial
tests employed the Nicam digital system CHANNELS The DAB system may appear quite com-
plicated. Indeed when it is introduced it
used for transmitting stereo sound for The second method is to use a system will rely heavily on computer type technol-
television. This gave excellent results with a which retains the slow data of each trans- ogy to unravel the signals which are picked
suitably mounted directional aerial. How- mission whilst allowing more data to be up.
ever the results were not at all encouraging transmitted. This is done by transmitting The radios will pick up the signals in the
with a poorly placed non -directional aerial the signal on a large number of different conventional manner. Once this has been
like that used with a portable or car radio. carriers at the same time. If 50 carriers were done the signals will be converted into digi-
used then the data rate would be increased tal data. From this point specially designed
LOUD SOUND DOMINATES
from 14kbits/second to 700kbits/second - microprocessors will be used to unravel the
about that used for Nicam TV sound. signals in a process called digital signal
The system which is used is rather processing.
AMPLITUDE
complicated and it is called Coded Or- Initially it is expected that these radios
thogonal Frequency Division Multiplex, or will be quite expensive. However as the
COFDM for short. Using this five pro- technology becomes more established their
grammes or stations are transmitted to- cost should fall rapidly in much the same
gether and they share a block of about way that personal computers did.
QUIET SOUND CANNOT BE
1500 carrier frequencies. This occupies DAB radios will not be confined to the
HEARD. THIS IS IGNORE() 1.5MHz of bandwidth. In addition to this top end of the market. The system is in-
IN THE DAB SYSTEM.
blocks would be separated by a further 250 tended for everything from the portable or
kHz giving an overall bandwidth of clock radio to car radios and hi-fi systems.
1.75MHz for each block (Fig. 6). Push button tuning will be used to simplify
The DAB signal contains not only the operation and overcome the problems of
FREQUENCY basic audio signal. Other data carrying in- locating the right station. Coupled with the
formation like the station or service name much improved reception quality this will
Fig. 5 Masking of quiet sounds by is also added. In this way the radio can
louder ones. bring enormous benefits to listeners.
display the name of the station which is
being heard as well as being able to act on
BLOCK CARRYING
other data which could be added at some CONCLUSION
FIVE PROGRAMMES future date. With the improvements which are con-
stantly taking place in the recorded music
NO RETUNING section of the hi-fi industry radio broad-
Unlike f.m. which requires a national casting has to be able to produce a system
radio network to occupy several different which is comparable. Digital audio broad-
frequencies DAB can operate with adjacent casting appears to be the solution. The
FREQUENCY
1.5 MHz transmitters on the same block of fre- BBC have performed many tests and the
quencies. This can be accomplished be- system is giving very encouraging results.
2500i. cause of the immunity of DAB to multi - In the long term there is little doubt that it
Fig. 6. Spectrum of a DAB signal. path distortion. This means that no retun- will be adopted. The only problem is that
ing is required when travelling from one of finding some suitable frequencies.

Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993 187

 Constructional Project

SIMPLIFLV
ATARI STFM
INTERFACE
GLENN BALLANTYNE
Joystick to mouse port interface.
Should work with most PCs.
AsAN Atari STFM user, I was
surprised to discover that several 07 OUTPUT
Flight Simulator programs I was +5'I
running did not support joystick control. R2
470
(RED)
So, in an attempt to give a more realistic INPUT B IC4.5
"feel" to this type of program, I have 6 IC2a 0
DI
!COMMON
(BLACK)
I
PINSII.
produced an interface that can be plugged 4001 UBE RED
into the Mouse Port and allow a standard OUTPUT2

switch -mode joystick to be used.

SKI
Although it will be used mainly with an OUTPUT
Atari, I've also successfully linked it to an IC4a 3
1O P UT
PL1 4066BE
Apple Mac, so I feel quite sure that, with 5 ,3
INPUT
INPUT 4
a suitable interface lead and connector, OUTPUT6
IC2c IC2b
RIGHT
!BROWN)
it should work with any machine and 2
400109
6
4001 UBE
(BROWN I
6

provide the normal vertical, horizontal OUTPUT

IC4e 9

40 66BE
and diagonal directions associated with a
joystick. IC1 R3
10k
4022 BE
IC4b
CIRCUIT 40 66BE
2 OUTPUT
xA

DESCRIPTION OUTPUT <

IC2d
INPUT 30
LEFT
12
(GREEN)

The complete circuit diagram for the 4001 UBE DV

(GREEN I IC4f
Simplifly Interface is shown in Fig. 1. IC3c R4 4066 BE
With IC2 (a 4001) forming two bis- 4011 UBE 10k

tables connected to four selected outputs of

ICI (a 4022 divide -by -eight counter) two
2 11
IC5g 10
03 OUTPUT
4066 BE
YA
square -wave pulse trains, one 90 degrees 12
(WHITE)
INPUT 1 0
out of phase with the other, similar to those 00 0H RE UP 3
generated by a mouse when it is moved, are ( WHIT E I
produced. The way these pulse trains are '31 KI IC5c 2

R5 4066 BE
presented to the computer via two banks of 10k

four bilateral switches (IC4 and IC5) will

determine the axis and direction selected. 04 OUTPUT
IC3a IC3b
As the clock rate from the oscillator, 4011 UBE 4 011 UBE
re
(BLUE)
INPUT 20
made from gates IC3a and IC3b, to ICI
(DOWN I
pin 14 can be varied continuously over a
(BLUE)
wide range by Speed control VR1; effects
like engine speed, rate of climb, etc. can be
adjusted. An l.e.d. DI, buffered by gate 0 9 OUTPUT
RIGHT
IC3c connected to pin 12 (carry -out (CO)) +5Y BUTTON
of ICI, will give some visual indication 10
(YELLOW)
of the clock frequency. Switch SI will INPUT 6 0 6 OUTPUT
select any function assigned to the "Right" OEM LEFT
(ORANGE) R7 IC3d IC4,5 BUTTON
mouse button. 10 0 k 4011 UBE PINS? (ORANGE)
Because the bilateral switches, IC4 and 00 ON
IC5, require a "high" to turn them on, the 0 B OUTPUT
!GROUND!
joystick common connection, which would
(BLACK)
normally go to ground, is taken to the posi-
tive rail. Consequently, the "high" signal
produced when the joystick FIRE button is Fig. 1. Full circuit diagram for the Simplifly Atari STFM Interface. Note that the
operated has to be inverted to the expected Joystick input common connection, usually connected to 'ground" (OV), is taken up
"low" state and gate IC3d does this. to the 'Positive" rad (+5V) -see text.

188 Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993

CONSTRUCTION nect VRI points A and B to points C and D
respectively. Insert all the i.c.s into their
Put the four support screws through their
holes and with a nut on each, tighten them
The Simplitly interface is assembled on
a single -sided glass -fibre printed circuit holders. up. The p.c.b. can now be slipped on and
off the screws so that the position of the
board (p.c.b.). This board is available from
the EPE PCB Service, code 822.
CASE hole in relation to switch SI can be con-
The topside component layout and full Using a 3mm drill, bore and countersink stantly checked. To ensure that SI operates
size underside copper foil master pattern is the four holes for the mounting screws so properly, it is essential that it is as close
shown in Fig. 2. The order of mounting the that the screw heads are flush with the to the lid as possible. some care should be
components on the board is not critical but surface of the case lid. With the same drill, taken in making this hole.
should follow in order of size, from smal- make guide holes for switch SI and Speed I have found that a round file of about
lest to largest. control VRI. The hole for the I.e.d. is 8mm maximum diameter and a tapered
Before fitting the components, place the drilled mid -way between the two points reamer makes producing accurate or non
p.c.b., track side up, on the inside of the lid marked for it. standard size holes much easier. The file is
and mark the positions of the four mount-
ing holes. VRI, switch SI at hole "Z", the
I.e.d., and the hole for the leads to PLI and
SKI. Leaving VRI aside for the moment,
solder the wire links, resistors, capacitor BLUE
WHITE
IN
and i.c. sockets to the board. Before fitting OUT. 1
SI, remove the corner of the switch nearest
to the mounting hole otherwise it will foul IN 2 63
BLUE OUT
WHITE

I
the screw. R6
Having stripped the outer sheath and OROAt jHrGE

screen from the 9 -way cable, separate the

individual wires. Cut lengths of about _t I 66
300mm from all of the wires, except violet
which is not used, one each from red and I R3
OUT
IN
D
6:6C

1.60RANGE

yellow and two from the other colours. GREEN

OUT T N
BLACK
A SI
2 BROWN VR1
Solder them to the p.c.b., matching them to GREEN B
the colours shown in Fig. 2. IN 1.11. OUT
BROW N
VRI

Pass all these wires through hole "X", 3

70 OUT 9
collecting and lacing them up with strong RED OUT
YELLOW
thread or some other means into two neat
8.13L'NAC
bundles, one for Input PLI and the other, K

for Output SKI. Cut the wires to the same

length and prepare the ends by stripping, f EE40396 1

tinning and trimming the soldered ends to

about 3mm. Using the surplus wire, con -

COMPONENTS
Resistors
R1, R3 to R6
R2
R7
10k (5 off) See
470
100k 3B=d0P
tc-4-37] 70114JET:
All 0.6W metal film
TALK
Potentiometer Page r.L..T.5151 La: --rcr
VR1 470k min. rotary
carbon, lin. n_. rd u
Capacitors
C1

Semiconductors
D1
0µ 01 ceramic disc

5mm red I.e.d.

I-17 822
IC1 40226E
divide -by -eight
counter Fig. 2 Printed circuit board component layout and full size copper foil master
IC2 4001U B E quad pattern. The completed prototype board is shown below. Make sure you insert the
2 -input NOR gate two line wires under lC4 and 105 before mounting the ic. sockets, see above.
IC3 4011UBE quad
2 -input NAND gate
IC4, IC5 4066BE quad
bilateral switch (2 off)

Miscellaneous
Si Keyboard switch, with
keytop 1 position
SK1 D -type 9 -way socket
PL1 D -type 9 -way plug
Plastic ABS case (type 2004), size
120mm x 65mm x 40mm; printed circuit
board available from EPE PCB Serv-
ice, code 822; I m 9 -way multicoloured
screened cable; two pairs jack posts;
"low height" control knob; M3 20mm
pozi screws (4 ofi); M3 steel nuts (12
off): M3 spring washers (12 ofi); con-
necting wire for board links; solder etc.

Approx cost
guidance only X16
Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993 189
 PLUG SOCKET PIN
(INPUT)
FUNCTION CABLE
(OUTPUT)
ORANGE BLACK
OUT 1 = XB (RIGHT) BROWN
YELLOW RED
IBLACK jo
OUT 2 = XR (LEFT) GREEN
ORANGE
OUT 3 = YR CUP) WHITE
61 0 1 0 1 16 OUT 4 = YB (DOWN) BLUE
0
0 BLUE BROWN BLUE I GIN 11
OUT
OUT
5
6
=
=
NC
LEFT BUTTON ORANGE
WHITE GREEN WHITE BROWN OUT 7 = +5v RED
A B OUT 8 = GROUND BLACK
IEE4041GI OUT 9 = RIGHT BUTTON YELLOW

Fig. 4. Full size template for the Fig. 5. Wiring connections to the 9- Fig. 6. Connection and function details
male and female 9 -way 0 -Connector way male Input (PL1) and the female of the Output socket SK1.
cutouts. Output (SKI) 0 -Connectors.
used to adjust any tendency for the centre and nut on each screw and tighten. Enclose port in your users manual and the informa-
point of the hole to wander and the tapered a piece of card with the letters RB, for tion supplied in Fig. 6, connect the inter-
reamer gradually opens up the hole to the Right Button, in the keytop and place it on face to the mouse port of your machine and
size required. switch SI and fit the knob to the Speed plug a joystick into the "IN" socket. Turn-
Once you are satisfied that the flat top control VR1, this completes this phase of ing the Speed control almost fully anti-
of SI is touching the surface of the lid, construction. clockwise, switch the computer on an the
rotary potentiometer VRI can be fitted to
the p.c.b., putting the lug in hole "Y", and
bending the three terminals so that they
SOCKETS I.e.d. should start to flash.
Once the desktop screen has loaded,
Using the template in Fig. 4, mark the operate the joystick and the pointer should
will touch the board when the fixing nut is holes for the D -type sockets at both ends of slowly travel in the direction selected.
tightened. These terminals can then be sol- the case. Cut these out using an Abrafile Check all the directions including the
dered to their copper pads. The hole for the saw and tidy them up with a file till the diagonals, and observe the results while
spindle of VR I can now be enlarged. sockets fit neatly. Mark and bore the holes adjusting the Speed control. At maximum
With the p.c.b. removed, place another for the jack posts. Pass one bundle of speed the flash rate will be so high that the
nut on each mounting screw and with the wires through each of these holes, and I.e.d. will appear as a stead glow. Pressing
p.c.b. back on the screws again, gradually solder them to the sockets using Fig. 5 for the "FIRE" switch should simulate the
adjust the nuts so that when switch SI is in guidance. operation of the left mouse button and
contact with the lid, the nuts are just touch- Experience has shown that the plas- using switch SI should produce any
ing the component side of the board and tic holding the pins in the male socket function assigned to the right button.
that the board is parallel in all respects with can sometimes melt and that you really Should any of the directions selected be
the lid. A spot of glue can be applied to need three hands during soldering. If you reversed or not working at all or the I.e.d..
each nut to prevent them from moving. plug the female into the male during this fail to light, check that IC4 is the correct
Finally, with the hole prepared for the process, the pins will not be displaced and a way round, (upside down in relation to
I.e.d., locate it on the p.c.b. with the short small hobby vice or a lump of BLU-TACK IC5), that you have not mixed up the "IN"
lead in the hole nearest SI and, holding it will hold the socket to the work surface and "OUT" wires or that your interface
to stop it from dropping out, put the board during soldering. lead, if you have made your own, is cor-
back on the screws and push the I.e.d. fully rectly wired.
into its hole. It can then be soldered to the
board.
TESTING Finally, providing some care is taken in
With the computer switched off, using a its construction, this Simplifly Interface
If you want to apply any lettering to the joystick extension cable for the Atari or if should be problem free and increase your
lid, it should be done at this point. With the you are using another machine, a suitable enjoyment when using Flight Simulation
board back in place, place a spring washer lead made up from the details of the mouse programs.

The two 0 -connectors, each end of

the case, and the p.c.b., mounted on
the rear of the case lid, can be seen
in the "opened out" photograph of
the finished unit

190
Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993
Constructional Project

PERSONAL STEREO
AMPLIFIER -
ADD-ON
I. A. DUNCOMBE
ANUMBER of readers have enquired be placed into position (it will only fit
into the Personal Stereo Amplifier one way round!) and soldered in posi-
article, described in the November tion. Depending on the size of the large
'92 issue, as to whether it could be used electrolytic, CIO it may be necessary to
with personal stereos which operate from change this for a radial type to allow the
three volts. In its present design of course it new board to fit comfortably.
cannot, as the minimum voltage available Adjust the preset to give the required
is just five volts. However by upgrading (or voltage, 3V and the Personal Stereo
should that be down -grading), the original Amplifier is ready for use once more. Bear
voltage regulator this can be achieved. in mind though, that due to the very low
The new design is shown in Fig. I. It uses voltage, the main amplifier will not work if
a 3V adapter is used to power this

original.
an LM317T regulator capable of being ad-
justed down to a couple of volts. The pre- and the personal stereo. In all other
set, VR1 is used for this purpose in a simi- respects hmk ever the unit performs as the
lar manner as in the original design. A

r")
small p.c.b. is used and the design for this is Fig. 1. Circuit diagram for the low remiZ e
shown in Fig. 2. It need not be built on a voltage Add -On Board for the Personal
p.c.b. of course as plain perforated board Stereo Amp. (Nov. '92).
will be equally suitable. The regulator is
fitted with a small aluminium heatsink.
The author purchased his from Mailtech

LL-/ 1
which came ready fitted with a heatsink,
and at a very reasonable price.
CONSTRUCT/ON Fig. 2 (left) Circuit board component
When mounting the components be sure layout and regulator pinouts. (Above)
to leave the leads of the regulator and tan- The p.c.b. copper foil master pattern.
talum capacitor C2 long as indicated. A
single -sided Veropin is soldered on the un-
derside of the board on VR1's wiper ter-
minal. Pins may also be used on the other COMPONENTS
two leads if need be.
To add the new unit to the existing Resistor
board, remove the following components R1 270'/ watt carbon
which are no longer required: IC2, CI I,
VR2, R5 and C12. The new board can then Potentiometer
VR1 4k7 horizontal p.c.b.
The completed Add -On Board mounted on the main p.c.b. mounting preset, lin.
Capacitors
C1 100n polyester
C2 11.t solid tantalum 35V

Semiconductor
i C1 LM317T adjustable one
amp regulator
Note: The regulator must be
suffixed by 7', other types
supply less than one amp.
Miscellaneous
Printed circuit board available from
the EPE PCB Service, code 823; three
Veropins.

Approx cost
guidance only £5
Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993 191
Teach In '93
with Alan Winstanley
and Keith Dye B.Eng(Tech)AMIEE Part 5
Teach -In '93 continues a tradition of offering an interesting and
thorough tutorial series aimed specifically at the novice or complete
beginner in electronics. The series is designed to support those
undertaking either GCSE Electronics or GCE Advanced Levels.

LAST MONTH we introduced a work- to any signal differences between the

horse of electronics - the transistor.
If you decrease both inputs by 0.5V the
inputs. output stays at around 8 volts. This is the
These npn and pnp semiconductor Try raiding the spares cupboard and
devices enable us to assemble complete circuit rejecting common mode signals. The
building the circuit of Fig. 5.1 on the Mini operation of this particular circuit is of
systems which are capable of performing a Lab, using the 47k and 100k potentiometers academic interest only, and it isn't necessary
specified function, being able to interpret the to provide variable input voltages. We make at GCSE Level to analyse the long tailed pair
information provided by a variety of input no apologies for not showing a breadboard
units, and also processing this information any further; the main thing to note is that if
layout diagram: this in any case depends on you increase the non -inverting input, then
in order to operate an output device such as which type of prototyping board you have
a relay or a light -emitting diode (I.e.d.). the output increases even more, whilst in-
fitted to your Mini Lab, and you ought to be creasing the inverting input instead, causes
Whilst the transistor is a versatile com- able to design this modest layout yourself.
ponent, there is very little which it is capable
the output to decrease (or invert). You will
Refer to Part Four for the ZTX300 pin -outs. see shortly how we can neatly obtain the
of doing on its own, other than maybe acting You could, if you wish, perhaps use an
as a simple solid-state switch or a crude same effect without having to bother with a
s.p.d.t. switch SI as shown to very con- cumbersome transistor circuit such as this.
amplifier. As we saw last month, you need veniently switch the LED. Voltmeter be-
several of them to form a complete and
effective system, and the use of extra transis-
tween either input, and a second switch S2
to alternate readings between an input and
TYPICAL USE
tors means extra biasing components and A typical use of the long-tailed pair might
the output: these save having to unhook be as a pre -amplifier to amplify the signals
coupling capacitors, more connections - wires all the time. After assembly, use
and more calculations! the L.E.D. Voltmeter and trim the poten- from low impedance microphones for in-
stance. When the audio signal arrives at
tiometers to set about 2.5 volts on each
LONG-TAILED PAIR transistor's base. the microphone, it could be converted by a
A theoretical transistor arrangement suitable circuit into two equal and opposite
Then note the output voltage with the signals. These could be fed down two cables
called a difference or differential amplifier, LED. Voltmeter - we measured 8 volts in
also known as a "long-tailed pair", is shown to the two inputs of the differential amplifier
our own trials. Now increase input (47k
1
in Fig. 5.1. It has two inputs and the output is where they are amplified to produce a single
trimmer) by about 0.5 volts and see the output.
taken from one of the transistor collectors as output rise by about 2 volts. Reset the cir-
shown. The circuit is very useful because it Now for the clever part. Often the
cuit then increase input 2 (100k pot.) and microphone cables run past other electrical
amplifies the difference between input 1 and the output falls by about 2 volts. Interesting!
input 2. A signal change which is common equipment such as disco lights which could
Input 1 is called the non -inverting input and
to both inputs (a "common mode" change) cause interference which is picked up by
Input 2 is the inverting input, because of the
is not amplified, but the circuit will respond both signal cables. The difference amplifier
effect changes there have on the output.
will reject this noise because it occurs on
both signals - called "Common Mode
Rejection" - and it only amplifies the
transducer's audio signals instead.

CHIPS WITH
EVERYTHING
The use of transistors is one means by
which an electronic system may be realised.
Fortunately though, it isn't always necessary
to have to use numerous individual transis-
tors because manufacturers have success-
fully miniaturised electronic components so
much that semiconductor integrated circuit
(i.c.) technology is now very widely used in all
areas of consumer and commercial elec-
tronics. Integrated circuits consist of a tiny
"chip" or die of silicon, on which a complete
transistor circuit has been etched.
Fig. 5.2 illustrates the appearance of a
dual -in -line integrated circuit, along with a
scale outline of a transistor for comparison
of size. We show the outline of the die within
the d.i.l. package as well: you can see that
Fig. 5.1. A transistor differential amplifier. it's much smaller than the plastic package.
192
Everrday with Practical Electronics, March /993
 Fig. 5.2 (left). Typical dual -in - -op-amp", which is used extensively in
line integrated circuits. Note the analogue circuits. They're the sophisticated
small area of the silicon "chip". i.c. equivalent of the two -transistor circuit
used at the start. Like transistors, op -amps
Fig. 5.3a (below left). Symbol for have unique part numbers such as 741C,
CO -
an operational amplifier (" op - LF41 1 C or TL081C, and they make use of
0
amp"). varying technologies which give individual
\LD. classes of op -amp particular operating
1092 TO1B Fig. 5.3b (below). Pin -out con- characteristics.
TRANSISTOR OUTLINES nection for a typical 8 -pin d.i.l. We introduce the op -amp by utilising a
TO SCALE
op -amp. Like most d.i.l. chips, a cheap and readily -available 741 type for
notch identifies orientation. Pins initial experiments. Fig. 5.3(b) shows the
1 and 5 are "offset null" pins for pin -out of a 741 op -amp in its standard 8 -pin
correcting inbalances. They are form. This represents a miniaturised
not used in GCSE electronics. circuit containing 24 transistors and as-
sociated resistors. Op -amps have two inputs:
the non -inverting input with a positive sym-
+V SUPPLY NEW SYMBOL bol, and the inverting input depicted with a
NOTCH IDENTIFIES POLARITY negative symbol. Take a look at Fig. 5.4(a)
INV which shows an op -amp in a very simple
OUTPUT demonstration circuit.
NON-INV N.0 N.C.
LIGHT-SENSITIVE
-V SUPPLY OP -AMP INVERTING INPUT I Vs I COMPARATOR
You will recognise R I and R2 as a light -
NON -INVERTING
INPUT
OUTPUT detection unit or light-sensitive potential div-
ider, which is connected to the inverting (-)
In basic form, an integrated circuit is a I-VsI N input of a 741 op -amp designated as IC1.
complete miniaturised semiconductor cir- VR1 is used to set a voltage at the non -in-
cuit containing transistors and resistors. N.0 NO CONNECTION verting ( + ) input of the op -amp. Note that
Dual -in -line (c111.) integrated circuits are this integrated circuit requires a power sup-
often much more convenient to use than ply connection at pins 7 and 4 as shown (but
individual components (often called -dis- see later when we mention the significance
crete" components). Packages can be As you know, your Mini Lab utilises i.c. of dual supplies). Also see how each pin of
referred to by the total number of pins on technology too, and is already fitted with six ICI is uniquely numbered on the circuit dia-
their packages. The LM3911N used in the integrated circuits, with a further nine to gram to match the di!. pin -outs.
L.E.D. Voltmeter is an 18 -pin d.i.l. device, for come: the ICL8038 and LM3911 chips are The output of ICI drives TRI, the Mini
example. examples of packages but the three Lab power transistor which acts as a switch.
Integrated circuits might only have say voltage regulators (for the + 5V, + 12V and Remember that TRI is a Darlington transis-
eight or fourteen pins, but represent a cir- Variable Power Supply) are i.c.s fabricated in tor, which has a very high gain (hFE). Here it
cuit containing dozens of transistors plus so-called TO -220 packages which enable has a filament bulb L PI as a load. In this
associated components like resistors and them to be bolted to heatsinks. case, the bulb can only illuminate when TR I
diodes. Whilst resistors can be formed from base is about 1.4V more positive than its
emitter (see last month).
semiconducting material, unfortunately it's OPERATIONAL Now go ahead and assemble this simple
impossible to incorporate a capacitor of any
significant value onto an i.c. chip, so if one is AMPLIFIERS circuit on the Mini Lab breadboard as
required you often have to add an external Whilst the area of digital electronics is guided by Fig. 5.4(b). It's very important that
capacitor somewhere, depending on the cir- concerned with signals which are either the power supply is connected the right way
cuit function. The same applies for inductors "high" or "low", analogue systems require round: the notch or indent in the pack
or coils. the interpretation of signals which have identifies pin I. Although the 741 is quite
varying states. An analogue signal could be robust (and cheap!), failure to connect the
LEVEL OF the output from a heat or light -sensing unit power supply correctly may result in a
we discovered last month, or the slowly -disintegrated circuit"!
INTEGRATION rising voltage across a charging capacitor, The L.E.D. Voltmeter is set for 5V f.s.d.
To give you an idea of the phenomenal ad- or those generated by the potentiometers in and by using one of the s.p.d.t. toggle
vances in i.c. technology, it's possible to class- our earlier experiment. switches as shown, you can read the voltage
ify integrated circuits by the rough equivalent Integrated circuits are available which at either of the op -amp inputs. With as-
number of components they contain: help us to build systems capable of handling sembly complete, set VR I at mid -way, check
SSI Small Scale Integration containing either digital or analogue information, the layout thoroughly then power up using
dozens of components; depending on the type of i.c. used. We will the + 5V section of the Power Supply. The
discuss digital electronics in depth in Part bulb will probably be alight. Cover the I.d.r.
MSI Medium Scale, representing Six, meanwhile Fig. 5.3(a) is the schematic with your fingertip - what happens? Adjust
hundreds of components;
symbol for an operational amplifier or VR1 if necessary.
LSI Large Scale, containing many
thousands of components;
VLSI Very Large Scale Integration +5V
devices having maybe up to
1,000,000 or more components on LP I
5V
the chip; 100 s,A

SLSI Super Large Scale Integration

might contain say up to 2,000,000
devices!
PIN 2/ILI 1111 Cl
4,
53

TR 1
TI 1 1 2

I.C. technology has advanced from SSI in

PIN 311C1
the early -mid 1960's to cutting edge SLSI
O
11111111111
chips thirty years later. A 386 computer chip SVIsd
R2
is an example of VLSI but the developing
586 chips (recently named "Pentuim" by 3V
manufacturers Intel) are rumoured to con-
tain getting on for two million components.
You would need over 15,000 breadboards
to assemble a 586 chip using discrete
transistors! They would measure some 1.5
kilometres end to end. Fig. 5.4a. A light-sensitive comparator circuit.

Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993 193

 +5V POWER TRANSISTOR ITR1I

TR1 /COLL

Fig. 5.5. Time delay circuit using an op -amp.

We saw in Part Two of Teach -In how an
electrolytic capacitor charges up exponen-
Fig. 5.4b. Mini Lab layout of the tially through a series resistor. In this circuit,
light-sensitive comparator. Use the CI will initially be in a discharged state, with
L.E.D. Voltmeter on pins 2 and 3 of no voltage across it: hence pin 2 starts at OV.
IC1.
VR1 could set pin 3 at say half the supply
rail, 2-5V. As soon as power is applied, the
COMPARATOR DIFFERENCE buzzer sounds because pin 3 is higher than
Use the voltmeter to measure the voltage In actual fact the op -amp is looking at pin 2 in voltage.
at pin 3 (which you can alter with VR I), and the difference between the voltages at Then the capacitor starts charging up
note it here: the two inputs. Operational amplifiers have through R1, so the voltage at pin 2 starts to
a tremendously high gain, say 200,000 rise. Eventually, the rising potential at the
VOLTAGE AT NON -INVERTING or more. The op -amp amplifies the dif inverting input overtakes the "reference"
INPUT (PIN 3):
Terence in voltage between pins 2 and 3, so voltageat pin 3, when the comparator
even when only a tiny difference of a few output will switch low, turning off the transis-
Now check the voltage at the inverting
microvolts exists, the i.c. amplifies this by a tor and silencing the buzzer. Using the
large factor, resulting in the output switching values shown, we measured a time delay of
input (pin 2). This depends on the light dramatically high or low when connected as about 20 seconds. Pressing the switch SI
level falling on the I.d.r.; as you obscure R2
a comparator. discharges Cl and restarts the circuit.
with your finger, the voltmeter reading will
rise - you should be able to work out The 741 device is perhaps a bit of a You should be able to build this simple
why (see last month). Measure the voltage
dinosaur in electronics, and does not have a circuit on your Mini Lab board. Utilise one
on pin 2 at the point when the lamp perfect output switching characteristic, so of the convenient Mini Lab push switches
extinguishes. It should be the same as the
when it's operated on a single supply rail like as a reset switch. Be sure to connect the
one you noted above. Try adjusting VR1 to
our 1- 5V supply, a "low" output might still electrolytic capacitor the right way round.
be at 1V or more. Similarly its "high" voltage Then measure the time delay generated with
a different setting and repeat the experi.
ment. might fall short of swinging right up to the your choice of RC network; you could select
In this circuit the 741 operational amplifier positive supply rail. alternative values if you like. Experiment with
is acting as a comparator. It compares the In the circuit of Fig. 5.4(a), if we used a the LED. Voltmeter (5V f.s.d.) to monitor the
voltages at the inverting and non -inverting normal silicon transistor like the ZTX300 for slowly rising voltage at pin 2, comparing it
inputs. When the voltage at pin 3 ( + input) TR1, it might well remain switched on all the against pin 3. Also replace the buzzer with
is higher than that at pin 2 (- input) then the time because the 741 doesn't drop below say a light -emitting diode and resistor, if you
op -amp output switches high, almost to the the 0.7V needed to turn the transistor off. A like.
supply voltage. Darlington switches off at less than about There are two ways in which you could
Thus if you set VR1 at midway, the voltage
1.4V base voltage - thar's partly why we alter the time delay. one is to adjust VR1
at pin 3 is about 2.5V. When R2 is brightly used it! which adjusts the reference voltage, so that
illuminated, the voltage at pin 2 will be quite It's also worth knowing that the output of a you change the op -amp switching point (or
low, typically well under IV, so the output 741 is short-circuit proof, the current being "threshold"). Another way would be to make
of IC I (pin 6) goes high (we measured over
limited by internal resistors in the emitters of RI variable. Can you think of another way of
3.5V at the output). the 741 output transistors, so there's little creating a reference voltage at pin 3? (A
fear of damage. Of course, this means that Zener diode would work in such an applica-
This turns on TR I which acts as a switch.
there's a limit to the current which the 741 tion.)
completing the circuit to the bulb which
can supply, so further current amplification We have so far described some basic ap-
illuminates. Conversely, if the non -inverting
( + ) input is lower than the inverting (-) using a transistor switch may be needed, plications using op -amps which form simple
input then, by comparator action, the output depending on the load. There is sufficient systems capable of interpreting analogue
of the operational amplifier switches low, current to light an I.e.d. though. signals, such as those generated by light -
approaching OV. This is sufficient to bias the
GCSE Electronics often makes use of sensors or RC networks. Remember that the
transistor off, extinguishing LP1. other types of op -amp such as the popular circuits which you have just assembled con-
Now try transposing the positions of RI 081, which is a FET-input type (see later) tain in effect several dozen transistors and
and R2 - the circuit should now work in with an improved performance, so don't resistors, thanks to integrated circuit tech-
reverse, with the op -amp output going high worry if you come across types other than nology. We now delve a little deeper into
and the bulb illuminating when the I.d.r. is the old 741. They all work in the same sort op -amp theory, showing how it's possible to
of way, and they are often pin -for -pin plug-in improve performance with some careful ad-
darkened. Can you work out what is happen.
ing at the op -amp inputs? Use the L.E.D. replacements for each other. For examina- ditions to the external circuit surrounding
Voltmeter to monitor the voltages at pins 2 tion purposes, it is assumed that a -perfect- the operational amplifier.
and 3 as before. op-amp is used anyway.
This new arrangement could form the
SCHMITT TRIGGER
basis for an automatic lamp system, which
TIME DELAY Look back at Fig. 5.4(a), the circuit dia-
will turn on when the ambient light has The circuit shown in Fig. 5.5 features a gram for a simple light -operated switch
dropped to a level which you set with 741 operational amplifier, this time with an using a 741 as a comparator. We explained
VR1. Substituting the I.d.r. for a thermistor
RC network of R I and ,C I connected to the that the 741, like all op -amps, has a very
inverting input. The voltage at the non -invert- high gain, and amplifies the difference
(thermally -dependent resistor) would result
ing input is controlled by VR1 as before, and between the two inputs by a factor of say
in a simple thermostatic system, with the
the output again drives a transistor switch, 200,000 or so. This gain is termed the open
transistor switching on and off according to
the temperature detected. this time with the Mini Lab buzzer as a col- loop gain (the gain of the op -amp when no
lector load. feedback is used - see later), and will vary

194
Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993
 between individual examples of the same
TEACH -IN GCSE QUESTIONS chip. A few microvolts difference between
the inputs is thus amplified into large output
transitions.
One problem with this light -operated cir-
The following question is reproduced with the permission of the Northern Examin- cuit is that it's so sensitive that minor input
ing Association, and is taken from their GCSE Electronics Paper 2 Summer 1991 movements either side of the switching
Examination (2052). We acknowledge their assistance with thanks. The answer is the point could cause the output to swing high
work of the Authors and may not constitute the only possible solution. and low repeatedly before settling down.
Operational amplifiers are one of the fundamental devices which we use for process- It doesn't always switch over cleanly and
ing analogue information. This question combines nicely the theory of the comparator sharply, though you won't notice if you use
with the practical aspects of utilising them. Note the use of a split supply. After say just a bulb as a load. More advanced
following Teach -In, you would have no problems at all - but the last question makes circuits could be affected by this nervous
you stop and think! #.;
behaviour, however.
'
It's rather like a high-speed car trying to
Question The Northern Examining Association. travel round a sharp bend, and hitting both
A3 This is the circuit diagram for a sub -system of a student's project. which is a smoke detector. kerbs a few times before negotiating the
0 +9V bend safely! If you slow the car down, it
might steer a more predictable route. Speed
of operation and high gain aren't everything:
10 kit you have to control an op -amp in order to
)",""
100 kfl make it really useable.
VR
Feedback is a principle used in elec-
0 Output tronics in order to "tame" a high gain circuit
Y so that we may obtain more predictable
results. Fig. 5.6(a) shows a 741 in its
comparator mode again. A potential divider
R1 and R2 sets up a reference voltage on
5 kil the non -inverting input, and VRI can be set
to adjust the inverting input voltage. This
LDR time we used an I.e.d. D1 with series resistor
on the output: the I.e.d. glows brightly when
0 OV the output is high. It might still glow very
dimly when the output is low.
0 o 9V Omitting R3 completely for now, build
The op -amp is powered by a ± 9V supply. this circuit on the breadboard, observing
The LDR has a resistance of 20 kO when an internal light shines on it. that the 12V rail is used this time. We haven't
The resistance increases when smoke passes between the LDR and the light. shown a layout diagram as you should now
la) (i) Calculate the voltage at point X in the circuit. be capable of finding your way around and
(ii) How should the voltage at point Y compare with that at X if the LED is to light up? assembling this circuit for yourself ("A" Level
(iii) If VR is set at 50 kfl. will the LED be on or off when no smoke is present? candidates would certainly be expected to).
Explain your answer. The I.e.d. can fit straight onto the bread-
board, observing the correct polarity of the
lead -outs.
(b) In order to test the circuit a breadboard was used. This has rows of small sockets into which Use the LE.D. Voltmeter (10V f.s.d.) to
components or single core wire can be inserted. The sockets are joined together inside the monitor the threshold voltage at which the
breadboard in groups of five. In the drawing the thin lines indicate these groups. Le.d. changes state. This point is measured
The student set up the breadboard as shown. at pin 2 of ICI. With pin 3 fixed at half the
supply rail by RI and R2, varying the voltage
at the inverting input will obviously cause the
0 0 0 +9V comparator output to change state when the
0-0-- CJ -0 0-0-0-0-0 inverting input traverses 6V.
0-0- 9, -0-0 O--0- 0 0 0 FEEDBACK
VR 0 o 0 0 o-0
100 kfl
0-- -0- Now add the resistor R3 between ICI
0-0 T-0- i 8 output and the non -inverting input, as
0 2 7 -0-0-0-0 shown in the circuit diagram, then rotate
VR1. Now there are two noticeable switch-
3 6 ing points. When we ran the experiment, we
4 5 0 0- -0-.0 noted that the I.e.d. lit when the inverting

0- - 4-0
-5----o---o
0-0
o -0-o-
0-0- -0-0
LED input was anything up to 7.5V or so, then it
extinguished. However, the input voltage
had to fall back to about 4.5V or lower
before it illuminated again. There was thus
0-0- -0-0 0- 0- -0-0 a difference of 3V between the switching
0-0- -0-0 -00 levels.
0-- 0 -0-0 0-0- -0- 0
LDR
-0-0 OV

0 0 0-0--0 0-0-0-0-0
0 -0-o- .0 -.0 0-- 0-0-0-0
- 9V

(i) Add a line for the missing power connection to the op -amp.

(ii) The student has made three other mistakes in setting up the circuit. Label these on the
above diagram.
(c) The three mistakes have been corrected. To improve the system the student suggested that the
variable resistor should be replaced by another LDR identical with the first.
This should be illuminated by the same light source but should not allow smoke to pass across it.
Would this be an improvement?
Give reasons for your answer. Fig. 5.6a. An op -amp Schmitt trigger.

Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993 195

 OP -AMP
Fig. 5.66. Schmitt trigger characteristic
curve.
OUTPUT
GCSE QUESTION (see previous page)
HIGH - ANSWERS
Voltage Divider theory: X is 5k/15k X 9= + 3V.
Fundamental comparator action: the voltage at Y
V
should be higher than that at X for the 1.e.d. to
light.
The 1.e.d. is off: the I.d.r. resistance is 20k in the
absence of smoke. With VR set at 50k, then using
voltage divider theory, the non -inverting input
(Y) will be 20k/70k x 9= +2.6V. The inverting
LOW - input (X) is + 3V, so by comparator action, the
1.V5 7V5
INPUT VOLTAGE IPIN 21 output is low and the I.e.d. is off.

Connect pin 4 to the -9V strip.

The middle (wiper) terminal of VR should be
-1-12 VOLTS used instead of either one of the outer pins; the
I.e.d. series resistor has changed mysteriously to
680k - and it's disconnected from the I.e.d.!

(c) Yes. The second I.d.r. would compensate for any

failures in the bulb system or power supply. It
clamps Y at mid rail, 4.5V, so it would be best to
make X the same by changing the 5k resistor to
10k for maximum sensitivity. A reduced power
rail or dirt on the bulb would dim the bulb so
both I.d.r.'s darken by the same amount - hence
the mid -way point at Y is maintained and the
smoke alarm still functions normally.
Only very few candidates managed to analyse
the circuit fully.

Fig. 5.7a. L.E.D. flasher/oscillator.

Adding the feedback resistor R3 has an tant applications: its main use is to con- 6V. Cl continues charging until pin 2 ex-
important effect, turning our simple com- vert a slowly -moving input voltage into a ceeds the non -inverting input, when the I.e.d.
parator into a circuit called a Schmitt Trig- rapid -snap-action- transition. For instance, extinguishes and then R5 is paralleled with
ger. When the op -amp output is high, R3 is it could be driven by the signal produced by both R3 and R2. This reduces the threshold
paralleled with RI. This modifies the poten- the light -sensing unit. A normal comparator at pin 3 from 6V to roughly 3V. Then Cl
tial divider formed by RI and R2, which without the feedback is reasonably effective, will discharge through R4 to OV via pin 6,
previously set pin 3 at halfway between the but the Schmitt Trigger removes the lit- until the inverting input drops below the
supply rails. Now the output voltage of this ter- at the threshold level, because once non -inverting input again, when the output
divider is about 8V: check by calculating the the Schmitt has triggered, the hysteresis en- swings high. The circuit oscillates like this
value of RI and R3 in parallel (5k), then sures that the signal has to rise or fall to a continuously. What is the hysteresis of this
apply the Potential Divider formula with this different value before the circuit changes Schmitt -based oscillator? (3V roughly.)
new value for the top half of the divider. state again. The frequency of operation in Hertz is
Likewise when the op -amp output is low, The feedback resistor also improves the determined by the values of R4 and Cl.
R3 is placed in parallel with R2, which now speed of response of the circuit, because You could experiment by changing Cl for a
alters the bottom half of the potential divider once the 741 output starts to go high lower value, perhaps 00 so that the cir-
to 5k and means that the voltage at pin 3 towards the positive rail, this makes the cuit oscillates at higher audio frequencies.
becomes 4V. So what's happening is that non -inverting ( + ) input more positive, which You could go on to assemble a suggested
when the op -amp switches high or low, it makes the output even more positive, and loudspeaker amplifier stage as shown in Fig.
causes the voltage at its non -inverting in- so on. Thus positive feedback is used to
put to change. This means that there are accelerate the triggering characteristic -
now two threshold voltages, 4.5V and 7.5V valuable when you are trying to deal with
as measured. (The reason these measured very slow -moving voltages (e.g. monitoring
values differ slightly from the calculation is dusk or dawn with an ORP12 I.d.r., or maybe
because the 741 output doesn't truly swing room temperature using a thermistor).
between 12V and OV).
OSCILLATOR
HYSTERESIS Fig. 5.7(a) is a form of Schmitt Trigger
The difference of 3V between the two using a 741 op -amp. This time an RC
values is called hysteresis. and is the network R4 and Cl is connected across the
fundamental characteristic of the Schmitt Schmitt Trigger as shown. Assemble this
Trigger. A Schmitt Trigger Characteristic circuit using components of roughly the
Curve is shown in Fig. 5.6(b), based on the value indicated: the I.e.d. will blink on and
measurements we took. Notice the arrows off This circuit is one type of relaxation
or 'he curve, indicating the direction which oscillator, which here gives a good quality
the must follow before a switching square wave signal at the output, and a
event takes place. Try predicting the effect of triangle at pin 2.
changing the value of R3 using the potential Assuming that on power -up the output
divider formula, then try and prove it on the swings high, the I.e.d. illuminates and Cl
Mini Lab. charges up through R4. Pin 6 is high so R5 Fig. 5.7b. Loudspeaker driver circuit
This circuit has some extremely impor- is parallel with R1; pin 3 is then clamped at suitable for the oscillator of Fig. 5.7a.

196 Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993

Fig. 5.8a. Sink and source capability of an Fig. 5.8b. Use of an op -amp with dual Fig. 5.9. One way of creating "artificial"
op -amp. supply rails. split rails from a single supply.

5.7(b). You will hear the audio frequency diodes, the I.e.d. configuration has been to flow. The gain of this amplifier is the ratio
clearly on the Mini Lab loudspeaker. modified as shown. They are now corn- of VR I/R4, i.e. 220 maximum.
The circuit of Hg. 5.8(a) shows a variation moned to OV and they are also both con- The op -amp used this time for the pre-
on the theme of comparators. We use the nected to the op -amp output through a 390 amplifier is a CA3140 which is a FET-in-
+ 12V rail again, the comparator section ohm series resistor. put type (the FET transistor is described
being familiar but now we have added two When the op -amp output is high ( + 6V), separately). Unlike the bipolar 741, these
light -emitting diodes D 1 and D2 to the source current flows out of the op -amp, have an extremely high input impedance
output. Build this on the Mini Lab using through the series resistor and D2 to OV. and draw no noticeable current and so they
different -coloured I.e.d.'s if available, or even Conversely when the output is low (-6V this don't load the signal from the microphone.
a bi-colour type. Both I.e.d.'s can plug time, not OV), current sinks from the OV rail, You could use another FET-input type like
straight into the breadboard. Rotate VR I and through D 1 and the resistor and into the the TL08 IC with equal success. The old 741
see what happens. The light -emitting diodes op -amp output. is also worth a try.
change over! Therefore the op -amp output now swings You can now go ahead and assemble the
When the op -amp output is high, source around the OV rail instead of between OV pre -amplifier on the Mini Lab. It's not dif-
current flows through D2, which illuminates, and the positive supply. Sometimes we can ficult, and it's best to spread the circuit out
and then flows to OV through R4. Con- actually use ordinary operational amplifiers on the breadboard. A cheap moving coil
versely, when the output is low, current designed for dual rails, on a single supply. microphone (e.g. a cassette recorder mic. as
sinks into the output through R3, causing We could do this by creating an artificial OV used last month) is required, and is hooked
Dl to light. Op -amps have a -complemen- to bias the op -amp as shown in Fig. 5.9 up to OV and the pre -amplifier using croc-
tary- output similar to the output stage where two equal resistors divide the supply clip leads or similar. Then connect the pre-
which uses an npn and pnp transistor, in two, and the capacitors help to smooth amplifier output (pin 6 of the CA3140) di-
shown last month. This means that current and filter noise from the rails. rectly to the + VP terminal of the Mini Lab
can actually flow both ways at pin 6 of the Audio Amplifier. You may have noted that a
op -amp. AWESOME AMPLIFIER coupling capacitor is present on the input of
The next section requires the Mini Lab the Audio Amplifier. What does it do? It lets
DUAL SUPPLIES Audio Amplifier - refer to the construc- the a.c. signal shift from one d.c. bias voltage
It should be noted though that just be- tional section of this month's issue for to the next.
cause the output pin of any particular device details of this easy -to -build and economi- We have to say that the performance of this
(such as an op -amp or a digital i.c. like those cal module. system can only be described as awesome!
we describe next month) is at OV, this does A circuit for a microphone pre -amplifier Gain and sensitivity are far in excess of the
not necessarily mean that current can sink is given in Fig. 5.10. The circuit has been transistor amplifier described last month. Be
into it: it depends on the internal circuitry adapted to work from a single rail by using prepared for plenty of ear -piercing howlround!
and the type of technology used in that R I and R2 to provide a mid -rail reference We suggest using the microphone against the
device. The humble 741 will both sink or point, which holds the non -inverting in- earpiece of a personal stereo: you will be
source current as shown above, but some put of IC 1 at 6V. It's like Fig. 5.9. but impressed with the results! Adjust the volume
other types of integrated circuit definitely without the smoothing capacitors. The control of the LM380 amplifier or the gain
won't. Conversely, some devices such as cer- microphone is coupled via C1 and R3 to of the pre -amplifier using the 2M2 poten-
tain logic gates are much happier actually the non -inverting input. Thus when audio tiometer. The system which you have just
sinking current than sourcing it. signals enter the microphone, they are constructed with two integrated circuits (the
It is very common to utilise operational converted to a.c. signals which are seen by op -amp and the LM380) represent probably
amplifiers with split supplies. Instead of the pin 3. 40 or 50 transistors.
straightforward +5V or + 12V rails we used ICI is actually connected as a non -invert-
to introduce the op -amp, these devices were ing amplifier (see later), so positive -going in- TONE CONTROL
usually intended to operate from split rails puts are seen as positive -going amplified sig- A very simple form of tone control is
such as ± 15V (that is, 30V with a OV centre nals at the output. C2 prevents d.c. current shown in Fig. 5.11. It's usual to interpose
tap). However the most recent op -amps are flowing in the feedback path but allows a.c. tone controls between the pre -amplifier and
indeed designed to run from a single rail.
The Mini Lab does not offer a split supply
rail but in Part Two we showed how it is 12 VOLTS
possible to simulate a split supply by using VR I
two batteries (Fig. 2.4) connected to form a TM?

± 6V supply. RI
100k
Hg. 5.8(b) depicts how, instead of using
a simple + 12V supply rail, split supplies !GAIN]
could be used to power the circuit we've just R1 IC1
Fig. 5.10. A com-
seen. The + 6V and -6V rails are connected R2 31 0 plete microphone
as shown. OV itself is not directly wired to the 100k amplifier system
op -amp, which means that there is still a using the Mini Lab
potential difference of 12V across the device CI nim RG
10k
Audio Amplifier.
Opl CI +VRI ARE INCLUDED
between pins 7 and 4. IN AUDIO AMPLIFIER
The output of the comparator is a dif- MIC I C2
ferent story. Because it can sink or source
current, the output can now swing anywhere T 0 VOLTS

between + 6V and -6V with respect to the INPUT ORE ANIPI IF IER AMPLIFIER
OV rail. To drive our pair of light -emitting

Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993 197

 R2

+12 VOLTS
RI
INPUT FROM
MICROPH:)NE C2 `dm Vin
001 OUTPUT TO
AMPLIFII U AMPLIFIER Vout Vout
Vout
R2 VOLTAGE GAIN= Vin
10k

TREBLE BASS X =VIRTUAL EARTH RI Vout

CUT CUT
VOLTAGE GAIN
VR1
100k R2
0 VOLTS ci INVERTING AMPLIFIER .1+R1
(d; NON -INVERTING
AMPLIFIER
Fig. 5.11. A simple treble and bass -cut k

tone control circuit. 10k

11 VSIVI
the main power amplifier, where they are the v,,
most effective. Essentially, RI and CI form a Vou 115 VOI
low pass filter which will cut higher (treble
frequencies) whilst C2 and R2 make a high 12 VS1V3
pass filter which will cut lower (bass) fre-
z X= VIRTUAL EARTH
quencies. VR1 shifts the balance between
the two filters. This simple arrangement (b) ADDER, OR SUMMING lel FOLLOWER OR BUFFER
can't actually boost frequencies, but it might AMPLIFIER
be worth assembling it on the Mini Lab
to check out the results. Use it in con-
junction with a personal stereo and the R2
R2

microphone pre -amp. It's not quite a hi-fi

graphic equaliser but you should notice a
little difference.

ANALOGUE
SUB -SYSTEMS
Vin \/\ VIne

R2
0.-
RI
R2
xlIhnB-VInA)
R2
VO

We have described some useful applica- GAIN r. --

RI
tions using op -amps as comparators and
amplifiers which are easily demonstrated on (c I INTEGRATOR (f 1 DIFFERENTIAL
the Mini Lab board. They have further AMPLIFIER
applications in analogue systems, which
enable us to conveniently construct a variety
of sub -systems or building blocks capable of
processing analogue information in various Fig. 5.12. Analogue signal processing systems.
ways. Fig. 5.12 illustrates the important Vout = VI + V2 + V3. By choosing the resistor equals the input difference multiplied by
ones. ratios carefully, we can use a summer to R2/R1.
When used with feedback network,
a
convert combinations of digital signals to a Fig. 5.13 shows the performance of a
op -amps try to maintain their equilibrium or single analogue output voltage: a digital -to - typical op -amp, plotting gain against fre-
-stabilise- themselves by zeroing the dif- analogue converter. quency. The high open -loop gain (no feed-
ference between their inputs, hence their back) is only available at low frequencies. A
output movements are controlled by events INTEGRATOR circuit with a gain of 1,000,000 would only
at the inputs; the output moves to compen- An integrator is another inverting work for frequencies up to a miserable
sate as needed for any input changes, the amplifier, with a capacitor across the 100Hz. Adding a feedback network reduces
move passing back through the feedback feedback resistor, see Fig. 5.12(c). This gain to say 100, but signals up to 100kHz
network to the input, until the input dif- converts an input pulse into a voltage which can now be amplified, and furthermore we
ference is zero as far as possible. is averaged over time. The op -amp output are now given repeatable and consistent
An inverting amplifier is shown in Fig. decreases when a positive -going input results.
5.12(a). Since the non -inverting input is at voltage is applied until the feedback resistor You now know all the fundamental rules
OV, the op -amp output feeds back through balances the input voltages. The output about the use of operational amplifiers.
R2 which provides negative feedback to try would be a triangle waveform in the case of a Clearly the use of integrated circuits like
to make the inverting input OV too. It can be square wave input. these saves a tremendous amount of incon-
shown that gain is equivalent to -R2/R I (the Fig. 5.12(d) is a non -inverting amplifier venience which would result if using separate
minus indicates inversion). Imagine R 1 as which simply amplifies an analogue discrete transistors. Op -amps form easily -
10k and R2 at 100k. Gain is therefore -10. If waveform. A positive -going input
a + IV input voltage is applied, what hap- signal results in a positive -going
pens to the output? It inverts this to -10V, output with a gain determined by the Fig. 5.13. The gain of an
which through RI /R2 voltage divider action ratio of R2/R1. However, the input op -amp is more consistent
VOLTAGE GAIN
results in OV at the inverting input. Hence impedance is the same as that of the when feedback is used.
+ IV appears across RI and -10y across op -amp input: extremely high in the
R2. IOM
case of a FET-input type like the
Point -X- is called a Virtual Earth even 3140 or 081.
though it's not directly wired to ground. It's 1M OPEN LOOP
A follower like Fig. 5.12(e) is GAIN
created by the "intelligence" of the op -amp based on the non -inverting amplifier 10 0 k
and cannot be treated like an ordinary OV but without the resistor network. It
rail. The op -amp maintains this point at OV has unity gain (i.e. 1), so it doesn't 10k
in its attempt to zero the input difference. amplify the signal, but it does buffer
The Virtual Earth is not physically joined to it or follow it. See the "Emitter 1k
OV as no current actually flows to Earth. Follower" last month. Again it has a
The circuit's input impedance is that of R1, high input impedance so it won't 100
which at 10k is quite poor. load the signal.
An adder or summing amplifier is shown Finally, Fig. 5.12(f) is a differential
in Fig. 5.12(b) which is an inverting amplifier amplifier which as we have seen
where we can combine several input signals, amplifies the voltage difference be-
all referred to the OV Virtual Earth. tween the inputs. Gain can be set 10 100 1k 10k 100k 1M 10M
It provides an output voltage equal to
with external resistors to make the
the sum of the input voltages. Thus circuit consistently controllable. V0
FREQUENCY (HZ

198
Everyday with Practical Electionics, March 1993
assembled sub -systems and can be used
almost as freely as simple resistors, to make
very effective electronic systems to process
FETS
analogue signals. The Field Effect Transistor (FET) functions in a completely different way to the
We will be spending the next two parts of npn and pnp bipolar ("two polarities") transistors we have used up to now.
Teach In by examining the world of digital
systems. Unlike the analogue systems we FET's have several flavours, depending on their internal construction. Stan-
have looked at which process varying sig- dard semiconductor JFET's (Junction FETs) are available in n -channel and p -
nals, digital systems talk strictly in terms of channel types, roughly equivalent to npn and pnp transistors. Another form
-on- or -off- or -high- and "low-. So we will is the MOSFET (Metal Oxide Silicon FET) which uses a completely different
be checking out digital integrated circuits fabrication technique. Uniquely these latter types have an extremely high input
with many interesting demonstrations, and a impedance which draw no current.
further three modules of your Mini Lab will Fig. 5.14(a) is the schematic symbol for a popular FET. They have three
be constructed. terminals - drain, source and gate. The main difference is that instead of
ALL RIGHT SO FAR? drawing base current like a bipolar transistor, the FET operates simply by
Teach -In is devised specially for begin- attracting or repelling electric charge
ners in electronics. If you have any problems internally, and no appreciable current
relating to any particular topic discussed in flows into the gate. Again unlike an N- CHANNEL JFET
Teach -In, remember that the Authors will try ordinary transistor, FET's thus have a
DRAIN
to help, so please write in with your queries - high input impedance.
we welcome feedback (positive or negative!), Fig. 5.14(b) shows an n -channel GATE

comments and suggestions from everyone. MOSFET connected as a simple switch. SOURCE

The Editor regrets that lengthy technical No gate resistor is required. Connect- (a)
queries cannot be handled over the tele- ing it to + 12V turns the FET on and
phone.
Don't forget that your Mini Lab now has a
drain current will then flow. Easyl The +12 VOLTS

variety of modules which will help you to modern MOSFET makes an excel-
develop your own ideas or demonstrate cir- lent power switch, and can handle LOAD

cuit principles. In between reading through analogue signals very effectively. Their
+12 VOLTS=ON
Teach -In, you can also use the Mini Lab to "on- resistance is very low, almost like a 0 VOLTS =OFF 0
build a choice of the circuits which regularly perfect solid-state switch. G
appear as constructional projects in Every- FET's are used as input transistors
day with Practical Electronics, experiment- on many modern op -amps, the in-
ing with them as you wish perhaps before puts of which draw no current, unlike o VOLTS
committing the circuit to a final fully -built
version. Finally, check out the EPE Direct the bipolar 741 types which are con- Ib)

Book Service which has a wide range of structed from semiconductor npn tran- Fig. 5.14. The field-effect transistor. (a)
specially -selected text books covering many sistors. Thus, FET-input op -amps make A Junction FET. (b) A MOSFET in a
topics in electronics, computing, construc- excellent buffers because they don't simple switching circuit.
tion and more. load the signal.

TEACH -IN BOOKS

We carry a range of Everyday Electronics Teach -In books. These are
reprints of previous Teach -In series or collections of various series plus
other relevant articles and projects, etc.
For full details see our Direct Book Service pages.
Teach -In No 5 will be of particular interest to those taking GCSE Electronics
or Technology, it includes our series Project Development for GCSE.

sucornom ttearne Tarcinft

Tencomo- firkinCt-11-11In ELECTR°IVICS
EXPLORI
Ekevraco
E.plains the workings o
frrumiewv- E- TO guiLD,
Rolvic ,NG
-91 ,

sno circuits by licrolvt

In ciiispenstvTwip
. Assumes no cracks* A
SPIN into 29 **wily corn
dkiestlble &cotton*
. Contains many aefu
0.0 Certificate
INT .`* ,;6'
"4
DIGITALRODUC
ELECT PLus:simpLE
c<1.

PROJECTS
TO IttilL0

Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993

 leach -In Project

MINI
LAB
Alan Winstanley £ Keith Dye REng(Tech)AMIEE
The Everyday with Practical Electronics Mini Lab has been created to
accompany Teach /n :93, and enables the reader to assemble demonstration
circuits by following the clear instructions and diagrams contained in the
math text, with every chance ofit working first lime.
irtliS month your Mini Lab p.c.b. takes
a further step towards completion
with the assembly of a very simple but
hig ly effective Audio Amplifier. This is
constructed adjacent to the loudspeaker
which was installed last month.
The circuit diagram is shown in Fig. 1. and
is seen to centre around IC1, an LM380N
integrated circuit audio amplifier which is
contained within a 14 -pin d.i.l. package. The
device has a fixed gain of 50 and is
protected against short-circuits and thermal
overload. The power output is specified at
up to 2 Watts or so.
The input signal is coupled by Cl to
remove any d.c. voltage content, so that the
a.c. signal is presented to the amplifier. A
potentiometer VR1 acts as a volume con-
trol by controlling the difference between
the inputs, which determines overall gain.
The surrounding capacitors C2 and C3
help to remove any spikes on the supply
and provide local smoothing of the power Fig. I. Circuit diagram of the Mini Lab Audio Amplifier. The loudspeaker SP, was fitted to the
rails by acting as a reservoir capacitor. C5 Mini Lab p.c.b. last month.
removes the d.c. content of the output, so
that only a.c. flows into the loudspeaker SP1 component positioning, see Fig. 2. Link Continue with the smaller components
which the LM380 can drive directly without wires are required adjacent to C3, and also and trimmer resistor (for which a
the need for extra buffering. to the right of the Triangle Output of the thumbwheel type is preferred), then the i.c.
Because the temperature of the LM380 8038 Signal Generator (check with last which must be correctly orientated: the
will rise when its power dissipation increases, month's issue), to ensure that the + 12V notch at one end should match the similar
it is possible to obtain a reasonable power power supply continuity is maintained. Insert markings on the board. As stated earlier, the
output level before the internal thermal limit these links first. followed by the s.i.l. sockets. ft. is best soldered directly to the board
circuit takes control, by heatsinking the
chip on the Mini Lab board. This is ef-
fected by soldering the chip directly to the
p.c.b. where areas of copper foil help to
sink the heat away from the integrated
circuit. Finally, it is necessary to link the
loudspeaker to the Audio Amplifier circuit by
using s.i.l. sockets to hook up to C5 and
OV. Thus by removing these links, the
') 00
loudspeaker can be made to operate inde-
11 0
pendently - useful if you need a sound
output transducer for any reason.
Once again we see how convenient an in-
Ita P46.
tegrated circuit can be - imagine the num-
ber of transistors you would need to provide
the same performance and protection as a 0
single LM380 audio amplifier. In our case, it
also vastly simplifies assembly, with a very
0044 4tfie
high chance of the circuit working first time.

CONSTRUCTION
Assembly is very straightforward and the
silk-screen printing on the p.c.b. assists with

200 Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993

 MINI LAB
COMPONENTS O LOUDSPEAKER
0
See 000 000
Resistors
RI 2W 5%'/.W ,,f1=11( 0 0
Carbon film
TALK 0 0
Potentiometer
VR I I 00k 0.25W preset
Page
AMPLIFIER
000 000
potentiometer and
thumbwheel 0
Cs
0
Capacitors
CI (100n) polyester 000 000
c
Op I
C2
C3
C4
41.17 tantalum bead 35V
220p radial elect. 25V
Op I(l 00n) polyester
0
VOLUME +I/P OV
C5 47011 radial elect 25V

Semiconductors Fig. 2. Mini Lab layout for the Audio Amplifier. Two solder pins are needed at the location
IC i LM380N audio amplifier i.c. marked "SP1" pointing downwards, these are then connected. using insulated wire, to the
loudspeaker terminals.
Miscellaneous
turned pin sockets (6 off) [N.B. The TESTING An audio tone should be heard from the
speaker - adjust the Volume and Fre-
loudspeaker was fitted in Part Four.]
Using two short link wires, connect the quency controls as needed. Please take
loudspeaker as shown in Fig. 2 and check care when using the Audio Amplifier on
Price Approx
out all wiring before switching on the -h 12V
supply. Hopefully a switch -on -thump..
other frequency ranges: the LM380 circuit
is extremely effective and certain pitches
should be heard from the loudspeaker, in will prove ear -piercing, so please consider
which case switch off and then connect the others. If this test is successful then the
without using a d.i.l. socket: make sure you input of the Audio Amplifier to the sine -wave Audio Amplifier is complete and ready for
have inserted it correctly, and solder each output of the 8038 Signal Generator. No OV use. In Part Eight, we deal with Communica-
pin quickly and neatly, avoiding excessive signal input link wires is actually needed as tions and the Audio Amplifier is used in
heat or shorting out adjacent pins with this is commoned by the p.c.b. to all the conjunction with the Mini Lab Radio Tuner
surplus solder. Finally solder in the other OV terminals around the board. Select to form an amazingly effective AM radio -
radial -lead electrolytic capacitors which the 500Hz range then switch on the -h 12V music while you work!
must be connected the right way round. supply for the Generator and Amplifier. Next month: 555 Timer and Logic Probe.

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the required
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PCB Design Harding Way, St. Ives, Huntingdon,
Back in EASY -PC Professional the design, Cambs. PE17 4WR, UK.
complete with connectivity, can then be
translated to PCB. To route the PCB, the For Full Information- Please Write, Phone or Fax.
components are located in the required
positions and the "Rats Nest" converted into
tracks. The connectivity and design rules Tel: 0480 61778
can be checked automatically to ensure that
the PCB matches the schematic. Fax: 0480 494042
Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993 20I
 INTER inc
Robert Penfold
'THERE are plenty of old jokes based on Along The Lines rolling stock. This inverted setup is rather
I the theory that you always have to Linear Hall effect sensors are still avail- less useful, but it is occasionally used for
wait at least half an hour for a bus, and able, and it would presumably be possible something like automatic train lighting,
then three buses come along together. to produce a magnetic switch based on where the lights come on as the train
Electronics and computing seems to be one of these devices. However, this is approaches a tunnel, and switch off again
governed by the bus theory, and there not really a very practical method as the when the train emerges from the tunnel.
are long periods with few new develop- cost of linear Hall effect sensors is rela-
ments, separated by shorter periods when tively high. The only practical alterna- Logic Interfacing
there are numerous launches of new com- tives are opto-sensors, or old fashioned The contact ratings of reed switches
ponents. sensors such as microswitches and reed are often quite low. This is of no great
The bus theory also seems to govern switches. consequence in model train applications
the demise of existing products. Mike Reed switches are the most popular old where the switches will not be used to
Kenward, the Editor of Everyday with Prac- technology method of train position sen- directly control motors etc., but will be
tical Electronics, commented in a recent sing, and are the method still favoured by used to drive computer ports or other
Editorial about the number of electronic many model railway enthusiasts. Unlike logic inputs.
components that had disappeared from microswitches, they do not require any In some cases the reed switch can be
the market recently. physical contact with the passing train. interfaced to a logic input using a circuit
Like Hall effect switches, they require the as basic as the one shown in Fig. 1. Nor-
Hall Lights train to be fitted with a small bar magnet, mally RI holds the logic input low, but
Some of these components are in- and they are activated by the passing the input is pulled high when the switch
tegrated circuits that were introduced not magnetic field. closes. Simply swap Si and RI if the input
all that long ago, while others are old The switch is closed when the magnetic must normally be high, and pulsed low
favourites that have been available for field is present, and open when it is when the switch is activated.
many years. Many of these components absent. Most component retailers sell
(such as spring -lines and certain dual gate matching bar magnets for their reed
MOSFETs) are of little relevance to the switches.
computer add-on enthusiast. Fortunately, The obvious way to activate the reed
o +5V
the popular computer chips are now so switch is to place the end of the bar
well established that they should be S1
magnet close to it. This does not give the
available for many years to come. desired result though, and it is highly (reed switch)
Probably the only recent component unlikely that this will result in the switch
casualties which are used in home closing even if the magnet is actually
computing applications the TL170C and Out
touched against the switch.
TL172C Hall effect switches. There might The bar -like reed switch and the mag-
still be some of these devices available in R1
net must be parallel to one another and
the shops, but they are no longer 470
reasonably well aligned in order to ac-
manufactured and will cease to be tivate the switch. Note that magnets
available once existing stocks have been OV
other than bar types are not likely to give
sold. satisfactory results with reed switches.
The TL170C and TL172C are semi- The operating range is not very great, Fig. 1. Interfacing a reed switch to a
conductor switching devices which are and is typically between about 5 and 40 logic input.
activated by a magnetic field. These millimetres. For operation in model train
components have numerous uses, and I applications small magnets and switches There is a potential problem with this
remember using them in an electronic lock are obviously preferable, and they should system in that the switch may only be
project many years ago. A more popular have an operating range of about 20 operated very briefly as the train passes.
application is for position sensing applica- millimetres or more. In practice, very This obviously depends on factors such as
tions, particularly in computer controlled small magnets often fail to give adequate the speed of the train, and whether or not
model railways. operating range. the system is operating well within its
For example, they are often used in maximum operating range. As with any
automatic signal lights to sense a passing Magnets form of mechanical switch, there is poten-
train. A typical arrangement is to have In my experience it is best to use a tially a problem with contact bounce
one sensor by the signal, and another a slightly larger magnet (such as the Maplin producing multiple output pulses.
little further along the track. The signal is "large" type), and to fit it lengthwise and In a computer based system the brevity
turned to "red" as the train passes it by, centrally along the base of a piece of of the pulses might be of no consequence.
and then back to "green" again as the rolling -stock. The reed switch is fitted It may be possible to use an edge trig-
train passes the second sensor. This is along the centre of the track, and will gered input, or to simply monitor the
basically the way real train signals func- probably have to be embedded in the switches at a high enough rate to ensure
tion, but is obviously a rather simplified sleepers or mounted beneath them in or- that no pulses are missed.
version of the real thing. der to prevent it from derailing the train. It may well be possible to sort out any
Hall effect sensors can be used in other It is perhaps worth mentioning that this contact bounce problems using a software
model train sensing applications, such as system will work properly in reverse. In ution. However, it is often easier to
automatic train control systems where the other words, it is quite acceptable to have some simple hardware to provide
train must be made to stop at a particular the bar magnet mounted in the track, and debouncing and a consistent output pulse
position on the track. the reed switch fitted inside a piece of duration.

202 Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993

 Debounce ing, with typical operating lives of around Target
A 555 monostable (Fig. 2) probably 100 million operations! In use the sensor is mounted in or on
provides the most simple and inexpensive the track, "looking" upwards. Obviously
method of debouncing and pulse stretch- Light Railway the sensor must be mounted low enough
ing. Si is the reed switch, but the circuit If a higher -tech method of detection to ensure that it will not come into con-
can also be used to debounce a micro - with no moving parts is required, then an tact with passing trains. The sensor incor-
switch or any other type of mechanical opto-switch of some kind is probably the porates an infra -red filter, but you should
switch. Resistor RI normally holds the best choice. The circuit of Fig. 3 is for an still avoid having the sensor aimed di-
trigger input of ICI high, but when the opto-sensor which is based on a reflec- rectly towards an electric light or any
switch closes, pin 2 of ICI is taken below tive infra -red sensor (the Maplin "Sensor bright light source.
the trigger threshold and a positive out- OPB706B" is suitable). As the train is likely to be very dark on
put pulse is produced at pin 3. This is basically just an infra -red I.e.d. the underside, a target for the sensor must
Resistor R2 and capacitor C2 set the and a photo -transistor in a common casing, be fitted to the underside of one piece
output pulse duration, and the specified and with both components "looking" in the of rolling stock. The target is simply a
values give a pulse length of just over a same direction. It is the same device that small piece of white paper or aluminium
second. The pulse duration is proportional was used in the barcode "pen" that was foil which is glued in place. Alternatively,
to the values of these two components, featured in a previous Interface article. a small area on the underside of a piece of
and can easily be altered to suit individual Any light from the l.e.d. that is reflected rolling stock can be painted white.
requirements. The nominal pulse time is back to the photo -transistor produces a The sensor can detect targets as small
1.1 C.R seconds (with the value of C2 in reduction in the collector to emitter resis- as a few millimetres square, but in the in-
microfarads and that of R2 in megohms). tance of the transistor. If enough light is terest of good reliability it is best to make
Reed switches may represent a less in- reflected back to the sensor, the collec- the target as large as circumstances per-
teresting means of train position sensing tor voltage of the transistor becomes low mit. Of course, if there should happen to
than using Hall effect devices, but they enough to trigger ICI, and produce a be a metal plate or other reflective surface
are a very practical choice. They generally positive output pulse of just over one on the underside of the train, there is no
give slightly better maximum operating second in duration. need to add a reflective patch.
range, and are quite cheap. Although they The sensitivity control VR I, should be set The maximum range of the system
are a form of mechanical switch they are for the lowest sensitivity (i.e. the lowest should be more than adequate at about 10
fast in operation, with the smaller types resistance) that gives satisfactory results. to 20 millimetres. The circuit operates
having operating times of only about one This minimises the risk of spurious trigger- very rapidly, and there is no risk of fast
millisecond. They are also very long last- ing by ambient infra -red light. moving trains slipping past, undetected.

+ 5V o +5V
R1 R2 R3
S 100 1k 47k

VR1
22k IC1
C1
Out 0 Out
.1' 220u NE555

I /
Sensor
C2
22u
OV
0 OV
Fig. 2. Using a 555 monostable to provide pulse Fig. 3. A simple position sensor based on a reflective
stretching and debouncing. opto-sensor.

N. R. BARDWELL LTD (EPE) CONTROL PORT for PCs

200 Signal diodes 1N4148 £1 .00 200 Printed circuit board 20mm fuse This I/O Port follows the general approach of the 'INTERFACING to PCs'
75 Rectifier Diodes 1N4001 £100 clips Elm series in this mag, BUT allows user's prototype control circuitry to be set up
50 Rectifier Diodes 1N4007 £1 .00 200 Asstd. disc ceramic capacitors £1 .00
56 Rectifier Diodes 1N5401. £1 .00 80 Asstd. capacitors lnf to luf £1.00 and run OUTSIDE the PC.
100 Asstd. Zeners £1 .00 80 Asstd electrolytic capacitors C1.00 The double sided pcb fits into an I/O slot, and &ribbon cable terminating in
10 NE555 Timer ICs Cl DO 80 4 7UF 16V Radial electrolytics
8 C106D 400V 6 amp thynstors Cl .00 75 4.7UF 63V Radial electrolytics
C1.00
E100
a D-25 plug allows the control of projects with little risk to the PC. On
8 IOW Transistors.... E1.00 80 1OUF 16V Radial electrolytic, £1.00 board facilities include: 8 -bit A -D, 8 -bit D -A, 8 inputs, 8 latched outputs, 3
30 BC478 Transistors.. .. .E1 00 50 10UF 50V Radial electrolytics £1 .00 strobes and 1 IRO.
30 MPSA42 Transistors C1.00 80 22UF 25V Radial electrolytic, E1.00
30 5mm red I e.d s £100 60 33UF 16V Radial electrolytic, ... £1.00 Available as:
25 Asstd. high brightness I.e.d.s Cl 00 50 47UF 50V Radial electrolytics £1.00 (a) Etched double sided board with full instructions for
24 Miniature red I.e.d.s 3mm dia E1.00 80 100UF 10V Radial eletrolytics £1.00 drilling/assembly/testing using BASIC £12.50
50 Axial 14,0s (Diode package) wide 50 220UF 16V Radial electrolytics £1.00
angle I e d s. 0.00 60 470UF 10V Radial electrolytic, £1 .00 (b) Complete I/O card with ribbon cable and BASIC test
12 Asstd. seven segment displays Cl .00 40 1000UF 10V Radial electrolytics £1 .00 programs. (Built and tested) £29.00
30 Asstd. IF transformers. £1 .00 12 1000UF 25V Axial electronics.._. _£1 .00
48 Asstd coil formers .. .. £1 00 1 1 Farad 5.5V memory back up Also available: Test pod with D-25 socket providing analogue and
100 Asstd. RP chokes (inductors) .0.00 capacitor Et 00 digital test signals/outputs for the I/O card, with BASIC test
30 Asstd. connectors edge-dil-sil etc Ella 1 Peltier effect heat pump E1.95 programs on disc £17.00
10 4P 3W MBB mm. rotary switches C1.00 1 10 watt Stereo amplifier. 4 controls
20 1 inch Glass reed switches.. 000 plus data £2.95 (Please send large S.A.E. for more details)
20 Magnetic ear pips plus lead 6 plug..E1.00 All above prices include P&P. Mail Order only from:
20 Min SP/CO slide switches E1.00 Prices include VAT. postage Ti 25 Stamp for Lists
30
20
Asstd. d.1 I. sockets up to 40 pin
24 -way turned pin IC sockets
CL 00
£1.00 288 Abbeydale Road. Sheffield S7 1FL R. BARTLETT
16 40 pin d.i I. wire wrap IC sockets E1.00
Phone (0742) 552886 Fax (0742) 500689
17 LIME TREE AVENUE, TILE HILL
2 ORP12 light dependant resistors E1.00 COVENTRY CV49EY

Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993 203

 Fluid situation
Home Base Sitting on one occasion in a new car
poring through the handbook, it seemed
that another circuit was about to become
redundant. I was now the proud owner of
a "computer checkout" and the manual
told me that this monitored all sorts of
Jottings of an electronics hobbyist -Terry Pinnell things, registering their status with an il-
luminated symbol. For example, a wheel
was quickly overlayed with "OK" when
the brakes were first successfully applied,
over. I recall being impressed to see him
Auto motive? wriggle back into the car to make a
and so on.
One of the symbols was a bottle which
I used to be in a very lucky position of 'phone call! was supposed to be displayed when the
getting a new company car every three My new car's thermometer did not have washer fluid level dropped below some
years, which was about 60,000 miles. The an integral ice alert so the two devices minimum level. But in fact it did no such
only downside was that it had become complemented each other anyway. thing - not surprisingly, as there was no
increasingly difficult to justify installing There is plenty of scope for personalisa- sensor of any kind in the container.
my gadgets in them, as their own in-built tion when making these things. For ex- Galactic HQ in Milton Keynes duly ad-
accessories had become so comprehen- ample, the variant I've fixed in my wife's vised me that imported vehicles did not
sive. car has an audible as well as a visual have this particular luxury, so I promptly
Hardly a grave crisis I'll agree. More warning (a mixed blessing) and my own re -installed my own unit.
like the problem you occasionally hear latest version sports an amber I.e.d. to
of, the pools winner who is apparently indicate temperatures between 2°C and
worried about how to spend the winnings. 4°C in addition to the red one triggered Washer Circuit
But my car had always been a major tar- under l*C. The basic circuit for my Simple Washer
get for my electronics creations. Fluid level Alarm is shown in Fig. I. When
Come to think of it, one of the first power is first applied via the ignition switch,
gadgets I ever made was when I was 16 Lighting on a a brief positive pulse sets the bistable ICI;
for my number one motor car. This was
an old Hillman - one lady driver, hardly solution pin 4 goes low and therefore the transistor
and I.e.d. are kept off. If the fluid then falls
driven, etc. I paid £35 for it, which was One of my most useful projects in the below the minimum level set by the position
not very much even then, and I suppose a earlier days of this hobby was also one of the upper probe, the resistance between
dispassionate observer would have des- of the simplest. It was a Lights -left -on the probes rises to a very high value and the
cribed it as a heap. Alarm based on a two transistor circuit voltage at pin I goes high, resetting the bis-
It was nevertheless my pride and joy from R. M. Marston's book 20 Solid State table and thus activating the I.e.d.
and had to be protected against theft. Projects for the Car and Garage, published The 1p5 capacitor smooths out sudden
This took the form of a secret switch by Butterworths. I must have made half changes, such as caused by the fluid slosh-
hidden behind an old rag in the glove a dozen of these for myself, family or ing around when cornering. Once the I.e.d.
compartment. disconnecting the ignition. friends over the years. is latched on it stays so until the ignition is
Returning to the car one evening with If the lights are on when the ignition switched on again. So if the bottle is refilled
my pal Key, and forgetting the switch's switch is turned off, then a tone sounds while the engine is running, the warning
recent installation, I still recall with shame to warn you. If you deliberately want to will misleadingly remain on. If you make
his futile gasping efforts to push-start it leave the lights on, such as for parking, one of these and use the same sort of
on the slight uphill gradient - eventually then the tone gradually decreases in fre- probes as I did (just stripped insulation
rewarded when the penny dropped and I quency and finally disappears altogether from copper wire) you'll find they will need
surreptitiously closed the switch. after about ten seconds, thereafter draw- cleaning every few months to ensure reli-
But returning to my theme: it wasn't ing only microamps. able triggering.
just loosing an obvious target for new But my last company car gave an My recent move out of the company
projects but also the wasted effort on pre- audible warning if the ignition switch car scene into buy -your -own -car mode has
vious ones. With the imminent delivery of was removed while any circuit remained changed the situation drastically and I'm
a new car I would painstakingly remove switched on, including the sidelights. So now scrabbling around for all those old
then all, ready for re -installation. In fact my ancient unit became yet another victim circuits again - with decidedly mixed feel-
this became a factor in my choice of car. of modernisation. ings.
On one occasion the clincher in choosing
an identical model was that it would max-
imise my investment; those hours spent
studying the manufacturer's wiring dia- +12V ALWAYS
grams and groping around looking for
connection points would not be in vain.
At its peak my car was probably en- +12V WHEN IGNITION ON

hanced with around a dozen gadgets of RESET

varying usefulness. Not all of them suc- 470
cumbed to the redundancy trend though. ICla
4001
_J

Cold facts 10n NS

ANY GENERAL
LED

Even after the acquisition of a car PURPOSE NPN

boasting a digital thermometer I kept my SET
e g BC 108

home -brewed ice alarm. With more than I PK/BEd b

our fair share of treacherous country 487

lanes I had come to rely on its flashing ICS
light, triggered at about one degree cen- 4001
tigrade air temperature. SET i2v RESET
On at least one occasion it probably
prevented a serious accident. Alerted on
MINIMUM
LEVEL 7 T 1,V

leaving for work one morning, I inched OV

round a nearby blind bend, to find a BISTABLE 1/2 X 4001
Volvo upside down a few yards ahead. Its
owner scrambled out with everything ex- (tacos.° I
cept his good mood intact and told me
that the car had hit black ice and the
roadside bank had then neatly flipped him Fig. 1. Simple Washer Fluid Alarm circuit.

204 Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993

 at

- '

by Barry Fox
FUTURE OF TV "taboo" channels in the cracks be- either because they are busy, away
At a seminar staged recently by the tween main channels, and satellites on business or away on holiday. This
BKSTS (British Kinematograph Sound can use frequencies shared by different realisation is sowing the seed for pay -
and Television Society) at the Science craft closely spaced in orbit. Cable per -view TV.
Museum, several speakers made the capacity can go up tenfold. All the modern analogue encryption
same point. We are moving into an era The technology is not a pipe dream. systems make provision for pay -per -
when there will be more and more TV Full Motion Video for CD -I proves it view working. The industry is just wait-
channels, but we are also moving into works. Greenland now gets its TV ing for public dissatisfaction with sub-
an era when there will be less and less news pictures by compressed video scription viewing to make the time
money for the TV stations to spend on from satellite, because much of the right to offer PPV. By the time digital
programming. country is too far North for analogue services come on stream, in the second
Roger Bolton, one of the most TV reception. half of the decade, PPV will be a
respected documentary producers (he The professional decoders used at familar concept.
headed Thames TV's This Week team at Greenland's TV stations are made by The main losers in this movie -based
the time of "Death on the Rock"), told Compression Labs Inc, look like a scenario will be viewers who get the
how it is now an "immensely depress- domestic receiver, and cost only $3000. chance to see very few documentaries,
ing time to be in television - a lot of Tele-Communications Inc in the US is the independents who get no money to
producers and production companies ordering a million set -top domestic make them and the shops, trying to rent
will not survive". Bolton now runs an decoders for its cable subscribers to or sell movies on video tape to people
independent company and admits that start using in January 1994. who can get them delivered electroni-
he has to impose working practices on cally into the home.
his staff, which he cannot condone. PAY -PER -VIEW
There is no job security and no holiday No wonder people wonder who will KIT BUILDING
or sick pay, simply because he cannot pay for programmes to fill the hundreds It is a long time since I built a cir-
afford it on the budgets available. of extra channels that will be opened cuit from a kit. solder leads, make up
I

More and more independents are up. But they are missing the point. the occasional junction box and do the
competing for less work. The grapevine It is already quite clear (e.g. from odd simple running repair. But time is
tells that Channel Four got over 600 recent patents) that station pro- too tight to build circuits from scratch
applications for the score of Equi- grammers do not intend even trying to unless something I need is only avail-
nox programmes, forty of them on the put different material on each channel. able in kit form. So I am pretty rusty at
DCC/ MD battle. And Channel 4 will They will move into the technology of stuffing components into a p.c.b.
soon have to cut back because from 1st staggered simulcasting, with pay -per - Obviously a lot of people do build
January it is no longer supported by view reception. kits, though, because magazines like
the advertising revenue of the ITV net- It will work like this. When a TV EPE publish construction articles and
work. Why else do you think that company transmits a 100 minute are heavy with adverts for kits. For
Channel 4 now puts out the Big Break- movie, it will use a cluster of five digital some people building circuits is like
fast, a kids TV programme on speed for channels. The same movie will be doing a jigsaw, making a matchstick
adults? transmitted, five times over, but starting house or constructing a model
Oracle and TV -AM gave one hint progressively twenty minutes later on aeroplane. It is therapy after a hard
of the future as they played out the each channel. grind at different work. And it is a
last months of their franchises. We The signals will be scrambled, but wonderful way to get a feel for how
saw endless competitions with ques- viewers will be able to tune in for a things work, and why.
tions so easy that large numbers of few minutes to get a sight of what Recently a friend wanted to control
people will phone in with answers at is on offer. They will then make a the speed of a 12 volt motor. We
36p/48p a minute, of which 28p goes pay -per -view payment to watch and burned out several heavy duty resistors.
to the advertiser. Hopefully the Inde- record the movie from the beginning, Then I noticed J and N Bull's advert for
pendent Television Commission will on whichever channel is first with the a Pulse Width control kit. I bought one
not allow this to continue into the new start of the movie. So no-one will have and hope it will do the trick. But
franchises. Perhaps one of the ITC's more than twenty minutes to wait for a already one thing is clear. Although I

brass will get a phone bill run up by his pay -per -view impulse movie purchase. do not doubt that the price for com-
children. The time is coming right for this ponent content is fair, just a little more
change. UK viewers pay leas than 25p thought would surely make kits likethis
DIGITAL COMPRESSION per day per household in licence fees far more useful and accessible to a
Digital compression can put at least for all that the BBC offers. The cost of wider public.
four PAL -quality TV programmes into cable or satellite subscriptions is well The single instruction sheet gives
the space currently occupied by one over 50p a day. a circuit diagram but no explanation
terestrial channel and half a dozen in As more satellite channels scramble, of how the circuit works. If you do
a satellite channel. With digital sig- putting the subscription rates up even not already know how PW control
nals, at low stength, there is less risk further, more and more people realise operates, you will not learn anything
of interference between close chan- that they are continually paying for a from just soldering components to the
nels. So terrestrial TV can use the service which they often do not use, board where marked.

Everydat. with Practical Electronics, March 1993 205

 Constructional Project

MICROPHONE
COMPRESSOR
ROBERT PENFOLD
Avoid the disasters of severe This gives a form of negative feed-
distortion with this low cost, back, with higher input levels being largely
balanced by reductions in gain. This tends
easy -to -build signal compressor. to hold the output signal at an almost
constant amplitude, even if the input sig-
MANY pieces of audio equipment re- buffer stage, and then to a further high gain nal is taken well beyond the compression
quire the signal level to be set and amplifier. threshold level. In fact an increase of 26dB
maintained quite accurately if they Two voltage amplifiers are needed in or- from the threshold level gives a change in
are to function correctly. An inadequate der to provide the massive amount of gain the output of only about 6dB (i.e. a
signal level simply gives a poor signal to required to bring the very weak input sig- twenty -fold increase in the input signal is
noise ratio. nal up to a level that can drive the signal compressed to a doubling of the output
The consequences of an excessive signal processing stages which introduce the auto- level).
level are usually more drastic, with severe
distortion being the best that can be hoped
matic gain control. The v.c.a. is placed
between the two voltage amplifiers as this CIRCUIT
for. In an extreme case it is possible that the
loudspeaker system could be damaged.
gives a good compromise between two con- OPERATION
flicting requirements. The full circuit diagram for the
The two types of audio equipment where In order to obtain a low level of dis- microphone compressor is shown in Fig. 2.
problems with inappropriate signal levels tortion the v.c.a. should be fed with a ICI is used as the basis of the preamplifier,
are most likely to cause problems are very low signal level. On the other hand, and this is an operational amplifier used in
public address (PA) systems and tape re- feeding it with too low a level can give the non -inverting mode. It has a voltage
corders. Experienced users know how to rise to problems with noise and excessive gain of 40dB (100 times) and an input
use the equipment to best effect, but inex- breakthrough from the control input. impedance of about 600 ohms. This will
perienced users often make a complete A v.c.a. is rather like a volume control give good results with virtually any low
hash of things. PA equipment in particular, that is governed by a d.c. control voltage. impedance microphone.
often seems to have an extremely tough
time in the hands of illogical people who
think that you need to shout into the
microphone in order to be heard! m{,

ON THE LEVEL ID - PRE AMP OUTPUT

Some equipment is fitted with an auto-

matic level control circuit which maintains
a reasonably stable signal level despite wide
variations in the input level. This is actually
quite a common feature in tape record-
ing equipment, but it seems to be rela- EE4042G1
tively rare in PA systems. However, there
is usually no difficulty in using an exter-
nal automatic level control circuit between Fig. 1. Block diagram for the Microphone Compressor.
the microphone and the tape recorder, PA In this case the v.c.a. normally provides
amplifier, or whatever. For operation with high impedance
little attenuation, and small input voltages microphones a lower level of gain and a
Units of this type are known as "com- do not have any effect on the degree of
pressors", as they take a wide range of higher input impedance are needed. This
attenuation. Increasing the control voltage can be achieved by making resistor RI 100
input levels and compress them into a above a certain threshold voltage causes
relatively limited range of output levels. kilohms in value and reducing R5 to 10
the losses through the v.c.a. to increase kilohms.
The compressor featured here includes a dramatically.
built-in microphone preamplifier, and it is The LF35 1 N specified for ICI is suitable
The control voltage is produced by first for non -critical applications, such as most
designed to feed into a high level input on amplifying the output signal slightly,
the amplifier or tape recorder. If necessary PA work. For applications where a really
and then rectifying and smoothing the good signal-to-noise ratio is needed it
though, it is easily modified to provide a amplified signal to produce a positive d.c.
low level output that can feed into a would be advisable to use an NE5534A for
signal. This d.c. voltage is roughly propor- ICI. This is significantly more expensive
microphone input. tional to the strength of the input signal. than the LF35IN, but it will give a roughly
With low input levels the voltage
SYSTEM produced is too low to have any effect on
tenfold improvement in the signal-to-noise
ratio.
OPERATION the v.c.a. However, if the input signal is
taken above a certain threshold level, the
A CMOS 4007UBE complementary pair
plus inverter is used to form the voltage
The block diagram of Fig. helps to
1

explain the way in which the compres- control voltage fed to the v.c.a. becomes controlled attenuator (v.c.a.) network. In
sor functions. The first stage is a high large enough to start introducing sig- this case it is only the n -channel MOS-
gain preamplifier which boosts the weak nificant losses. The higher the input level is FET which is used, and no connections are
microphone signal. Next the signal is fed to taken above the threshold level, the greater made to the other sections of the device.
a voltage controlled attenuator (v.c.a.), a the losses become. The drain -to -source resistance of the MOS-

206 Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993

Resistors
R1 680
R2 2k7
R3, R17 47k (2 off) Mac
R4 68k OUTPUT
R5, R15 100k (2 off)
R6 1k
R7 56k
R8
R9
150k
22k
m pIRESsott
R10, R11 1M (2 off)
R12 2k2
R13, R14 33k (2 off) See The completed
R16, R19 10k (2 off) SHO7 compressor showing front
R18 2M2 panel layout. Keep the input and
TALK
Page
output sockets well separated to avoid any
All 0.25W 5% carbon film feedback pick-up from the output wires to the input wires.

SI
R16 ON /OFF
10k

R17 012
471. 56p

IC5
pA7
C5
1p
IC

R5
100k
R7
56k
j. CII
Ip
C6
100n 000
109
02
164146
162
161 64 R6 Re
14 [OUTPUT[
MICROPHONE 566 506
6
1C2 6
816 C13
C3 400 213E 4,461°
262
C4 C7
INPUT 229 292
1
T497 R19
10k
rrET611111

Fig. 2. Full circuit diagram for the Microphone Compressor Only one n -channel le.t. of 1C2 is needed, all other pins are unconnected.

Capacitors FET acts as a voltage controlled resistor. be obtained. This is suitable for the high
Cl 100µ axial elect. This forms an attenuator in conjunction level inputs ("aux", "tuner", etc.) on most
C2, C5, with resistor R7. amplifiers, tape recorders, etc. However, if
C11, C13 1µ radial elect., 63V (4 off) The n -channel MOSFET is an enhance- necessary a slightly lower output level can
C3, C9 4µ7 radial elect., 63V ment mode device, which means that it has be obtained by making resistor R17 higher
(2 off) a high resistance with little or no input in value (around 100 kilohms), or a higher
C4 22µ radial elect., 25V output level can be produced by reducing
C6 100n polyester
voltage to the gate terminal. Strong posi-
C7, C8 2p,2 radial elect., 63V tive gate voltages bias the device into con- its value to around 22 kilohms.
(2 off) duction, giving low drain -to -source resis- The rectifier and smoothing circuit is a
C10 10µ radial elect., 25V tances. This gives the desired v.c.a. effect conventional half -wave passive type based
C12 56p ceramic plate with low losses through R7 at low control on diodes DI and D2. This has a fast
voltages, and large losses with high control attack time so that the unit rapidly
potentials. responds to any input signal which exceeds
Semiconductors The buffer amplifier is formed by IC3. the compression threshold level. It has a
D1, D2 1N4148 silicon signal
diode (2 off) This has an input impedance of 500 slower decay time in order to ensure that
IC1, IC4 LF351N bifet op.amp kilohms, which ensures that there are there is minimal distortion. The decay time
(2 off) minimal losses through the v.c.a. with low is still reasonably short though, so that the
IC2 4007UBE CMOS comp. control voltages. IC4 operates as an unit will respond as quickly as possible to
pair plus inverter inverting mode amplifier with a voltage reductions in the input level.
IC3, IC5 µA741C op.amp (2 off) The output of the smoothing circuit is
gain of around 52dB (40 times). This gives
an overall voltage gain of about 72dB fed to the input of the v.c.a. via protec-
Miscellaneous (4000 times), which might seem excessive. tion resistor RI9. Note that no buffering is
J K1 3.5mm jack socket Remember though, that low impedance needed at the input of the v.c.a. as a MOS-
J K2 Standard 6.35mm ('in.) microphones have output levels that are FET transistor has an extremely high input
jack socket often well under one millivolt r.m.s. Also, resistance.
S1 Rotary on/off switch
B1 9 volt battery (PP3 size) bear in mind that in normal use the unit A small (PP3 size) 9V battery is adequate
Stripboard 0.1in. matrix, size 60 holes will go beyond the compression threshold, as the power source since the circuit has
by 19 strips; 8 -pin d.i.l. i.c. holder (4 and that the voltage gain of ICI and IC4 a current consumption of only about six
off); 14 -pin i.c. holder; battery will be tempered to some extent by losses milliamps.
connector; control knob; metal inszru- through the v.c.a.
ment case, approx. 230mm x 135mrh x
50mm; connecting wire; 6BA fixings;
Another inverting mode amplifier, IC5 CONSTRUCTION
provides a low voltage gain of only about The complete circuit for the Microphone
solder; etc. five to six times. Thus maximum output Compressor can be built on a single piece
level is effectively controlled by the gain of of 0.1in. matrix stripboard. The topside
Approx cost
guidance only £16 IC5.
With the specified values an output level
of around one volt peak -to -peak should
component layout, details of breaks in the
underside copper tracks and interwiring
are provided in Fig. 3.

Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993 207

 10 IS 20 2S 35 SO
00000000000eo0,.000000000000050000,0 00000 0000000050000046
0
9000000000000005000oo00oo0oo00000g00o0o0o00ipos000o000000000
iloo000lso 000000000000000000000000000000000000cooe000000,
000000550 000000000000 00400900000000000000000000000000000000,
000000000 000000000050 000 00000000000000000000000000000000,
000000000 550g00000000 0410 00000 0000 00000 0000Q.9 0500000
0000000,00
I 00000000000 00 000000 0000 apeoce 00055000 0000000
oooooooooooooooooo 000oo°
oo oli sooe octiouq2p o0 0m 0 0 0
ch o
ofh000dr00000000000 oo 00 0000 /000 0000 od000noo, o00000.
00000000000000rnoi oo 00 000000000000000000000000000000000
0000000000000000000000004,0 0000000 iipo0000000000000000 0,
00000000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000,
0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
00000800000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000.000.
000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
0000k0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000090000
00000D00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000eloono
w
B
000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
(2E402901

Fig. 3. Stripboard component layout, wires to front panel components and details of breaks required in the
underside copper tracks. If the output must be attenuated (see text), insert a one megohm resisotr in place of
lead "C":

The board has 60 holes by 19 copper ing. The other four integrated circuits are helps to avoid problems with instability
strips. A board of this size must be cut not MOS types, but I would still recom- due to stray feedback from the output
from a larger piece using a hacksaw. Cut mend the use of holders for them. wiring to the input wiring. Although
along rows of holes rather than trying to Fit single -sided solder pins to the board 3.5mm and 6.35mm jack sockets are
cut between rows (which is virtually im- at the points where connections to the off - specified for JK I and JK2 respectively,
possible with 0.1in. matrix board). board components will be made. Tin the you can obviously use any audio connec-
Be very careful when working with tops of the pins with a generous amount tors that fit in well with the other equip-
stripboard as these boards are quite brittle of solder. ment in the system.
and break easily. Any rough edges are
easily smoothed using a small flat file.
The two mounting holes are 3.3 milli-
CASE The component board is mounted on
the base panel of the case, just to the rear
The prototype is housed in a metal of the two sockets. Use spacers about 6
metres in diameter and will take 6BA or instrument case about 200 millimetres to 12 millimetres long over the mount-
metric M3 mounting bolts. I would not wide, but this is somewhat larger than is ing bolts to keep the connections on the
recommend plastic stand-offs for use with really necessary. I would strongly recom- underside of the board well clear of the
stripboard, as they rarely seem to provide mend using an "all -metal" case rather metal case.
secure results with stripboard. than one of plastic or plastic and metal The small amount of hard wiring can
Fitting the components and link -wires construction. An all metal case provides now be added. This is also included in
is quite straightforward, but there are a good screening against mains "hum" and Fig. 3. Provided the wiring to JK1 and
fair number of components and wires to other electrical noise. JK2 is kept short and direct, and if an
add. Work methodically across the board The front panel layout should have jack all -metal case is used, there is no need to
from one side to the other, making sure sockets JK I and JK2 well separated. This use any screened leads.
that you do not rush things.
Note that IC2 must be a 4007UBE
(unbuffered) device, and not a 4007BE.
The 4007UBE seems to be the only
version offered by most component
retailers.
This component is a CMOS device, and OFF
OUTPUT
it requires the standard anti -static han- MiC
dling precautions. Use a holder for this
device, and do not fit it in place until lk
the unit is in all other respects finished.
Handle IC2 as little as possible once it has
been removed from its anti -static packag-
COMPRESSOR
208
Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993
 _sr
'At st /nterwiring from
/A/ USE attenuate the output it is merely necessary board to front
Ideally the unit should drive a high level to use a resistor of about 1M (megohm) in pane/ com-
input, as this will give the optimum signal- value to carry the connection from the ponents.
to-noise ratio. If there is no option but circuit board to JK2 (lead "C" in Fig. 3).
to feed the output of the unit into a The unit is wired into the system using an a loud input to the microphone. Relatively
microphone input, it is imperative that ordinary screened audio lead to connect weak sounds should provide a fairly high
the output signal is attenuated. Otherwise JK2 to the input of the main amplifier, tape signal level in the ancillary equipment,
there will almost certainly be severe clip- deck, or whatever. The level/volume con- making the presence of the compression
ping and distortion in the input stages of trol on the ancillary equipment is set so fairly obvious if the unit is functioning
the recorder or amplifier. In order to that overloading does not occur even with correctly.

LOW COST RANGER1 PCB What

The Press
DESIGN FROM SEETRAX About
Pm-
Said
ItiNGERi
Seetrax most small
Rangr]
Circuit Schematic affordable
Sop
users,
provides
system a
Circuit Capture REDUCED than price.
EasyPC
Boardniaker
It is
at an
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PCB Design Tsiens
a lot more since it provides
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Host Of Outputs takes
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from s eh
all the and
All -In -One Design System packagesern a tie to PC13
for both, separate
way
- o ther

£100 capture. that is, no schema

but the it is mo
designs

expensive
circuit ability toredraw
tk
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makes design
Source up for this.
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Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993 209

 complaints which the Commission has
received from educationalists who have

READOUT
taken umbrage at the mnemonic used in
Teach -In '93 in the November issue
of Everyday with Practical Electronics.
Overall, the complainants feel that the
mnemonic in question serves to belittle
girls' interest in, and contribution to, the
study of electronics in a grossly un-
savoury way.
We, too, are appalled by the
DOING IT the year to come. I have always found it discriminatory and derogatory message
Dear Ed., the best electronics magazine. which the mnemonic conveys, a message
I read with interest the article on doing David Cheeseman which runs contrary to the efforts made
the metalwork of your projects in Actually Chobham by this Commission and others to combat
Doing It! (EPE Dec '92), and would like sexism in male -dominated subjects like
to offer my advice to fellow readers. One word of warning - don't try to science.
I have found that two very useful addi- charge dry cells unless your charger is of I would have ordinarily urged you to
tions to my tool kit are "Abra" files and the PCR type, they can explode if fed reconsider the magazine's position, but I
Cone cutters. with a direct current. Any other views on understand from one of your colleagues
The first items are available from any our p.c.b.s and/or paper quality? -Ed. that you have already decided to rectify
good tool merchant and they are long, the matter by publishing an apology to,
thin, hardened toothed cutting wires, CAT'S WHISKER and announcing a new mnemonic com-
which fit a Coping saw frame or a stan- Dear Ed., petition for, readers in the next issue of
dard Hacksaw frame (with adaptors). I am one of the Cat's Whisker brigade the magazine. This news is most wel-
They have the advantage of being move- mentioned by Mr. P. W. Warwick of come.
able in any direction, so you can cut Cheltenham (Readout Jan. 1993) and Christopher Frenie
almost any shaped hole in aluminium, am sitting quite content with a pair of Education and Training Unit
plastic or steel panels. earphones listening to an Oriental Lady Equal Opportunities Commission
The second, the Cone cutters are quite from the other side of the world.
expensive (the largest size for holes up The radio is from EE August 1987, Dear Ed.,
to 30mm in diameter costs over £30) the heart of which is a transistor array I was pleased to read Councillor Des
but enable you to cut neat holes in thin CA3086. This i.c. just happens to be on Loughey's letter in the latest issue of the
aluminium, plastic and steel just using an offer by one of your advertisers at £1 for magazine. As a member of the teach-
electric drill and making a small pilot hole four. This appealed to my thrifty outlook. ing profession who teaches Electronics
first. Compared with buying individual But I must take to task many of to GCSE and A Level standard I too was
chassis punches, (and the Allen keys to your advertisers who I am con- surprised to see the mnemonic you pub-
turn them with), they work very well, and vinced make their profit out of the lished for the resistor colour codes, al-
soon pay for themselves. carriage/carton/packing/postage/mini- though I must admit that it was at least
Also, for making holes in plastic boxes I mum order charge. After all you can send slightly toned down from the original ver-
found that an ordinary flat woodworking 200g second class for 41 p. There were sion passed on to me by a former member
bit works very well. some interesting items in your latest of the navy.
Changing the subject, I recently catalogue insertion, but minimum order In a day and age when we are trying to
bought an oscilloscope, and my first job £10, delivery £2 to £8 plus VAT, and encourage girls to study Electronics and
was to look at the waveform of my two heaven help you north of Aberdeen. Physics which have traditionally had a
Ni-Cad battery chargers to see if they I sometimes wonder whether many of male bias, rhymes of this nature are un-
could be used to recharge ordinary the advertisers are the same company, helpful in promoting a welcoming image
batteries as per an article called "Better trading under a different name, spread to females. Even if that were not the case
Use of Dry Cells': written by Alen Tong about the country. And you will all have it is inappropriate to use a mnemonic
in EE Aug 1991 I found that the noticed the cost of the catalogues from which is so blatantly sexist.
waveform of both chargers was in the the "Big Boys". Of course they contain I would like to submit the following
form of PCR as mentioned in the article. much information, but by the time you mnemonic which I teach my students
In both chargers this was produced by get to the bottom line on the order form, and has proved useful to them as a more
shunting an I.e.d. and not an ordinary you have wasted much time and effort, positive alternative.
silicon diode, with a resistor. The I.e.d. and you can't afford it anyway. British Bulldogs Run Over Your Garden
acts as a charge indicator. In fact on the I'm going back to my Oriental Lady - Barking Viciously Growling Wildly.
bottom of one charger it gives instruc- Idon't understand her and don't un- I On a more positive note may I con-
tions on how to charge ordinary batteries derstand sales techniques, but maybe 70 gratulate your magazine on it's commit-
as well as Ni-Cads. year old O.A.P's are not the target for ment to education and on another ex-
I now try and recharge all my batteries, Oriental Ladies or advertisers. cellent Teach-ln. I am advising all my
but have had mixed success. It is best to Another of the Analogue Lot. students to take out a subscription for
catch the alkaline ones before they get P McBeath at least the duration of the course and
too flat, otherwise they won't recharge. Northumberland doubtless many will continue to take it
Also, ones that have been kept a long P.S. Regarding mnemonics for resistors, I after they leave college.
time don't accept the charge, but you can don't need one because have circuit
I David Grant
only try! symbols and component data presented Gosport
Just one more thing! Is it possible free with Everyday Electronics October
to publish the p.c.b. layouts in EPE 1977, so there! Dear Ed.,
on acetate film?, so that readers can May I say how pleased I am that
use them directly for making their own OFFENSIVE- NOT NOW despite your take over of Practical Elec-
p.c.b.s? Our offensive mnemonic competition tronics you are maintaining your policy of
I ask this because I find that resulted in a large response. We have presenting projects that are not only
photocopying the page onto acetate selected a few interesting and varied relatively inexpensive and easy to build
does not work too well, and it picks up letters (we do not necessarily endorse the but are useful too.
the background paper as fine grey spots views of readers) and a range of old and My main areas of interest are test
which really spoils the contrast. new mnemonics for your enjoyment! instruments and computing projects. I

Failing them being printed on acetate Our thanks to everyone who responded think its fair to say that Everyday with
film, could they possibly be printed on - there are a few versions that seem to Practical Electronics caters for most of my
better quality paper? I am sure that most be widely used. Unfortunately we do not needs very well.
readers would not object to paying a few have the space to include all those sent I am following the excellent Teach -/n
more pennies for EPE for the improved in. '93 series which has appealed to me in a
quality. number of ways. a) Brushing up on elec-
I hope that you find my letter interest- Dear Ed., tronics knowledge. b) The circuit board
ing, and I look forward to reading EPE in I write in connection with several will be a very useful test bed as well as a

210 Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993

good teaching aid. My two children, son we were taught an alternative version to be From D. Heathaeld, Bournemouth
11 yrs and daughter 9yrs, have had some used in front of offendable councillors: - Black Beauty Ran One Year Giving
fun with it already. Bye Bye Rosie Off You Go Back Via Bookies Very Good Wins
Although the mnemonic for resistor Great Western.
colour codes has been around for a long I hope this gets you off the hook but From C W Heddle, Crown Woods
time, I must admit to having been a little as the GWR no longer exists I'm sticking School, Eltham.
uneasy about its use too. Whilst have I with the other version. Black Berries Ripen On Your Green
no wish to join the so called "Politi- J. Cole Bushes. Very Good With Golden Syrup.
cally Correct" camp I do feel, on reflec- Catterick Garrison Unlike many mnemonics for the pur-
tion, that the present mnemonic is inap- pose, this has definite links with reality to
propriate. Dear Ed., distinguish the Black from Brown, Green
In response to your request for an alter- I am a male electronics instructor at a from Gold and Grey.
native mnemonic I would like to suggest Women's Technology Centre. The cen-
the following: - tre's trainees consist mainly of married From C I. Wells, Bedale
Brass Bells Ring Out Yule -tide Greetings women and single parents and we aim to Black Bears Run Over Yellowstones
But Vinyl Gongs Won't train them to go into employment after Grounds But Visting Grizzlys Walk
Keep up the good work. their training.
David Price The traditional mnemonic for the resis- From Peter Elson, Gillingham
Ashford tor colour code was taught to me but I Bold Braves Rush Out Yelling
have had to use alternative ones to avoid Grievances Before Very Great Warrior
Dear Ed., it being seen as offensive, embarrassing
With reference to your letter from and sexist.
Counsellor D. L. on page 795, Dec '92. My less offensive suggestions are THE WINNER
Tut -tut, you really are not very politically enclosed. I hope that it will get you out of Finally the "original" one we liked
aware are you? If you lived and worked in trouble with the councillor. best - a years subscription plus a
education in a county like Derbyshire you Betty Brown Runs Over Your Garden binder goes to Mr. M. Humphrey
would realise that, given the proper But Violet Grey Won't from Winsford:
political bias, there are very few phrases, OR Big Bears Roar, Orang-utan's Yell,
or words come to that, which do not Bad Beer Rots Our Young Guts But Gorilla's Bellow, Vixens Growl Well
offend someone if they try hard enough. Vodka Goes Well Just to remind everyone the se-
My list of possible mnemonics contain Peter Shields quence from 0 to 9 is Black, Brown,
all sorts of unacceptable ideas, depend- Mirfield Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue,
ing on your bias. It will probably upset Violet, Grey, White.
some of the following, the temperance From Raymond Whitaker- Halifax.
movement, gay rights (guys marrying A Black Hole - Zero
women), animal rights, vegetarians, and One Brown penny
probably many more I have not even Two Red lips HAM FISTED!
though about. However mnemonics are Three Orange balls, as in Pawnbroker Our contributor Tony Smith recently
an aid to memory, if the blinkered This gets worse as we go along! invited readers comments on taking up
minority are so upset let them work out Four Yellow door panels amateur radio. What follows is part of a
their own version, assuming their minds Five Green fingers readers letter - more of this letter and this
can get away from the tracks into which Six legged Blue bottle subject next month.
they have become so rutted! Seven (Violent) Violet Men, refering
These I prefer, to the film "The Magnificent Seven" Dear Tony,
Best Bitter Runs Over Your Gullet, But Eight(y), old and Grey So you would be interested to hear
Vodka Gives Warmth. The White cat has nine lives. from any readers who have considered
Buy Brown Rags Or You Get Back Very Amazingly it works very well, possibly taking up amateur radio but for some
Grimy Wipes. because the "picture" images sometimes reason decided against it. Well here's my
Buy Bargain Rally Offers, You Get Very spring to mind before the actual colours. view.
Good Whatsits. Several years ago I became interested
Dear Ed., in Short Wave Radio as a listener so I

Then of course you could start at the hate to think what would have hap-
I
decided to find out how to get on the
other end and write it in reverse order. pened to your more sensitive readers if airwaves myself. To cut a long story short,
Why Get Vexed, Better Get Your Op- you had published the version current I found out that if I wanted to talk to
tions Reversed Before Beginning. when I was in the army, and later, in people all over the world on short wave I
S. Dodds industry too! had to pass a Morse exam. As someone
Derby To spare your, their and my own who can barely type with two fingers
blushes (sheltered life!), I won't repeat it the thought of having to memorise some
Dear Ed., here, but submit my own harmless and in meaningless (to me) code and send a
I also disliked the colour code glorious colour. message in it was too much.
mnemonic in the November issue. I am Bad Boys Run Over Your Garden But I didn't see the point of doing the class
glad that my name is not Violet. It is Vegetables Grow Well. B with its normally fairly limited range.
memorable only because of it's offensive- What do you think? The cost in both time and money for
ness. J. E Maudsley classes and then equipment did not jus-
However, I wish to offer the following Verwood tify the benefit.
mnemonic that I was taught at the Mars So that's what put me off. To me, and
Electronics factory where I work: - From W E Woodnoth, Arnold I'm sure to a lot of other people, it seems
Bye Bye Rosie Off You Go (to) Birming- Billy Bunter Ran Of Yelling Ganagway a crazy situation that to speak to people
ham Via Great Western. Burning Vinda-loo Geewhiz Whoops worldwide you first have to learn to com-
Virginia Kennedy municate in Morse.
Reading Dear Ed., Imagine if the telephone was like this.
This one is very popular as you can see My mnemonic not only states a very The class B license would let you talk
below - for younger readers Great Wes- important fundamental electronic prin- to people in local areas and the class A
tern refers to the old "Great Western Rail- ciple, it also incorporates the name of the would let you talk to people all over the
way"- Ed. very component whose colour code we world. However, to get a class A you
are interested in: would have to pass a Morse exam just in
Dear Ed., Buy Better Resistors Or You'll Get Bat- case conditions were bad. Most people
I must admit to a knowing smile when I tery Voltage Going Wonky! with common sense would try to phone
read about the offensive mnemonic for If you want to be patriotic you could another time.
resistor colour code. I was taught it thirty say British instead of Better, and for those Lui Giacomello
years ago while undergoing technical who don't like the word Wonky, they Edinburgh
training in the army and I still use it today, could substitute West. If other readers would like to comment
as do countless others. We must have had Eric Moore on this subject we would be pleased to
a very forward looking instructor because Ballyclare hear from them. -Ed.

Everyday rith Practical Electronics. March 1993 211

 1111 OM. nen mina
min
SIREN AND ZENON STROBE PCB
IMO
din it
ONO rMid
Men
12V d.c. supply, on board Ni-Cad battery, anti -
ONE land
n on tamper connection + ve or - ve triggering re-
ddni,
OEM
and mnio
inn and
quires a 8ohm speaker for the siren output. £8.75
Wind
=dd. =NM OD 4=MI Inn inon each.
dale IMIND ifin RESET TIMER PCB
MOW OM/ 10111 WWI nnt
dnin
111
WIMP
Minn
omMi
dinn
MED
ainn Gives a timed relay closure following a momen-
tary input. Requires 12V d.c. supply SP c/o relay
output LED indication. 19 different time intervals
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS from 25sec to 35min 20sec. £5.98 each.
ALARM CONTROL UNIT
MAINS TRANSFORMER Pri. 120V-OV, 120V-OV. Single zone alarm control unit built into a domestic light switch
Sec. OV-12V, OV-12V, at 3VA £2.62 each box. Ideal for home, caravan, boat, garage, shed etc.
PROJECT BOXES A range of high quality boxes moulded in black high Facilities: - Normally closed loop for pir sensors, door/window
impact ABS, easily drilled or punched to produce a professional looking contacts etc. SIREN
Normally open loop for pressure mats. 12 volt dc for external use
end product SPECIAL OFFER - PROJECT 24 -hour loop for personal attack button 115db £8.95
TYPE W L H PRICE BOX Visual indication that the system is BELL BOX
T2 75 56 25 £0.77 As above boxes operational. A plastic bell box cover
T4 111 57 22 £0.92 50 x 70 x 25mm Automatic entry/exit delay. supplied with backplate.
MB1 79 61 40 £1.35 60p each 10 for £5.00 Automatic system reset. Red/yellow/white
MB2 100 76 41 £1.47 Alarm output cmos logic level. £8.99 each
KEY SWITCH
MB3 118 98 45 £1.71 3 Position keyswitch £2.35 PRICE COMPLETE WITH FULL INSTRUCTIONS £8.95
MB4 216 130 85 £5.19 BELL/SIREN INTERFACE BOARD COMPLETE £3.95
MB5 150 100 60 £2.35 CRYSTAL OSCILLATORS PASSIVE INFRA -RED ALARM SENSORS
M B6 220 150 64 £3.95 4.0 mhz
7.5 mhz
ALL
£1 50 each
SUB -MINIATURE PASSIVE - - --
MB 7 177 120 83 £3.42 INFRA-RED SENSOR ONLY
MB8 150 80 50 £2.22 12.0 mhz OR £5.95
18.432 mhz 4 FOR Brand new passive in-
All sizes are in millimetres £5 00
33.33 mhz fra -red sensor, measures
MICRO SWITCH roller arm operation spdt 40p each only 33mmW x 24mmH x
29mmD. Logic level output.
MINIATURE TOGGLE SWITCHES data and application
Full
spdt 60p each spdt 3 position c/off 70p each
notes supplied.
dpdt 70p each dpdt 3 position c/off 80p each EX INSTALLATION SENSORS tested working.
spdt biased 60p each spdt 3 position c/off biased both ways 70p each Type 1. Measures 180 x 112 x 70mm with walk test led, relay output
dpdt 3 position c/off biased one way 80p each and tamper protection. 12 volt dc supply required £8.50 each
MINIATURE TOGGLE SWITCH pcb mounting 3pdt 50p each 10 for £4.00 Type 2. As above but a smaller unit 123 x 62 x 50mm £11.75 each
MINIATURE PUSH TO MAKE SWITCH 50p each Type 3. Ceiling mounting passive, infra red sensor 360" detection.
DIL RELAYS 5 volt dp/changeover 60p 10 for £5.00 12V d.c. supply relay output, tamper circuit and pulse count option.
12 volt dp/changeover 80p 10 for £6.00 Data supplied. £15.70 each
RELAY 10 amp contacts sp/changeover 12 volt coil £1.20 each DOOR/WINDOW Please note.- There may be variations in
CAR HORN RELAY in metal can with fixing lug, s/pole on CONTACTS the size of the above passive infra red
10 amp contacts £1.00 each 6 for £5.00 Surface or flush mounting,
20 AMP RELAY dp on 12 volt coil £1.50 each 4 for £5.00 white £1.10 each sensors depending on stock at the time
REED RELAY 12 volt 50p each 10 for £4.00 JUNCTION BOX of ordering. But the unit will certainly be
240 VOLT AC RELAY. 3 -pole c/o 10 amp contacts £1.50 each 4 for £5.00 white 6 way 60p within the stated sizes.

DIL SKTS 'D' CONNECTORS DUAL TECH SENSOR Microwave and passive infra -red combined.
8 pin 10 for £0.60 plug socket cover Separate led indication for each function. Measures 120 x 75 x 50mm.
£0.90 9 pin 30p 30p 35p 12 volt d.c. supply, Relay output. Tamper protection. £29.95 each
14 pin 10 for
16 pin 10 for £1.00 15 pin 40p 40p 35p BREADBOARDS - CAPACITORS - SOLAR CELLS -
18 pin 10 for £1.00 25 pin 50p 50p 40p HEATSHRINK - ETC
20 pin 8 for £1.00 SOLAR CELL 2 volt 150mA max, size 60 x 100mm £1.35 each 5 for £6
24 pin 8 for £1.00 ALL COMPONENTS FULL BNC SOCKETS 50 ohm single hole fixing 50p each 10 for £4.00
28 pin 6 for £1.00 SPECIFICATION DEVICES MIN BNC PLUG AND SOCKET 2 pairs for £1.50
40 pin 5 for £1.00 BREADBOARD
MERCURY TILT SWITCH
173 X 65mm 840TP £5.25 each
SEMICONDUCTORS - TRANSISTORS - ICS - DIODES - Standard on/off £1.00 each
TEXTOOL ZIF SOCKET
4 Contact (Directional) £1.50 each
REGULATORS - ETC 28 pin zero insertion socket £5,95 each
VOLTAGE REGS PIEZO VIBRATION SENSOR SOLID STATE RELAY
7812/7805/7912/7905 with data sheet £1 00 each Switch mains up to 7 amp 12 volt control
TIP31B 30p each
voltage Data supplied. £2.95 each
TIP 3055 90p each all 35p each, any 4 for £1 20
2N3055H 60p each AD592An Temperature Sensor i.c. 6 VOLT NI -CAD PACK 5AA NI -CADS, fast charge type £3.95
2N3771 £1.20 each mounted on 1 5m screened CAPACITOR 10,000 mfd 25 volt with fixing clip 60p each
741 op -amp 25p each lead complete with data and CAPACITOR 470 mfd 400 volt £1.50 each 4 for £5.00
555 timer is 30p each application notes £1.50 each EPROMS 27C256 - 30 27C512 - 25. Once programmed but never
LM324 quad op -amp 30p each LM3914/LM3915 Bargraph ics £2.95 each used eprom. Mounted on a plastic carrier, can easily be removed
MICRO IC'S -Z80A CPU £1.20; Z80A PIO £1.50; Z8OB S10-1 £4.00
from the carrier or used with a low insertion force socket.
27C256 £1.00 each 6 for £5.00 27C512 £1.20 each 5 for £5.00
OPTO DEVICES - LEDS - ETC Suitable low insertion force socket 28 pin 40p each 3 for £1.00
5mm rnd red/yellow/green/amber 10p each 12 for £1.00 any mix MULTITURN PRESETS 20mm RECT, 500R, 1K, 5K, 10K, 20K, 50K,
5mm rnd high brightness red/green 20p each 6 for £1.00 any mix 100K IMO. 40p each, 3 for £1.00
5mm rnd flashing red 60p each, yellow/green 70p each CAR CIGAR LIGHTER ADAPTER (DUAL SIZE)
5mm rnd bi-colour 35p each, tri-colour 45p each mounted on two metres of cable £2.00 each
LED mounted in chrome bezel red, yellow or green 30p each, 4 for £1 100db PIEZO SOUNDER
LED mounted in a black bezel red only 25p each, 5 for £1.00 2KHz note, 3-12V d.c. 40Ma, 45mm dia. x 26mm £1.76 each
PLASTIC BEZEL for 5mm rnd leds 10 for 40p VIBRATION SENSITIVE ALARM BOARD WITH PIEZO SOUNDER
High brightness bi-colour I.e.d.. rectangular, red/green, Originally a bike alarm. There is a short delay after activation then
two leads 40p each the piezo sounder operates for a preset period. £3.76 each
LCD DOT MATRIX
or the above alarm board with custom designed case, fixing clip
COOLING FANS - BRAND NEW! £9.95
GRAPHICS DISPLAY 230V a.c. 50/60Hz impedance protected and keyswitch
made by Hitachi ENCAPSULATED TOROIDAL TRANSFORMER
80mm x 80mm x 25mm £7.05 each £7.85
part No. LM225 prim, 0-120, 0-120 V; sec, 0-15, 0-15 V 50VA
115V a.c. 50/60Hz impedance protected INFRA -RED BREAK BEAM Transmitter and receiver p.c.b. with 2
module size 92mm x 92mm x 25mm £6.25 each
270w x 150h x 13t (mm)
lens assemblies. 12V d.c. supply. These are ex -installation units
24V d.c. brushless fan motor and are not guaranteed to be working. £4.96 pair
display area 2.9 watt 80mm x 80mm x 25mm ALUMINIUM DIE-CAST BOX 220mm x 145mm x 105mm deep
239w x 104h £6.25 each £7.64 each
640 x 200 dots 12V d.c. brushless fan motor RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES
data sheet supplied 0.15 amp 60mm x 60mm x 25mm AA (HP7) 600 mAH 93p each C (HP11) 1200 mAH £2.08 each
ONLY £23.50 £7.05 each D (HP2) 1200 mAH £2.21 each PP3 8.4V 100 mAH £4.77 each

212 Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993

 e1 .00 SURVEILLANCE
BARGAIN PACKS A SMALL SMOKE OF OUR RANGE KIT
PROF
MODULE FINISHED

SUB -MINIATURE TOGGLE SWITCHES ROOM TRANSMITTER RT1 An extremely 9.95 13.75 19.00
sensitive miniature transmitter with long battery Ide
P.C.B. Mounting Dimensions 20 x 20rnm
B01 S.P. on 4 for £1.00
B02 D.P. on 3 for £1.00 MAINS TRANSMITTER MT4 Can be connected 19.75 31.50 45.00
inside any equipment that is mains powered
B004 DIL SWITCHES 4 -way S.P. on 3 for £1.00 Dimensions 35 x 20mm
B005 DIL SWITCHES 8 -way S.P. on 2 for £1.00
8006 DIL SWITCHES 12 -way 90° sp on 2 for £1.00 TELEPHONE TRANSMITTER TTS Smart enough 12.75 17.50 25.00
to conceal within a telephone Will transmit both sides of
B007 12 x PP3 BATTERY SNAPS a conversation (series connection)
B008 1 x CAPACITOR 1 FARAD 5.5 VOLT Dimensions. 10 x 20mm
20mm dia. x 7mm high
TELEPHONE TRANSMITTER TTP Similar to 21.95 31.50 45.00
8009 INSTRUMENT KNOBS (0.25" SHAFT) High quality grey TTS will monitor at telephones on the line (parallel
plastic knob, collet fixing 15mm dia, 5 for £1.00 connection) Dimensions 15 x 27mm
B010 as above but 29mm dia, 3 for £1.00
TELEPHONE SOCKET TRANSMITTER TSTS 14.74 ----- 29.00
B011 4 x MAGNETIC EARPIECE 8 ohm with 3.5mm plug Replace your telephone socket with the one within
8012 4 x 28 -WAY TURNED PIN DIL SOCKET which a transmitter has been concealed
8013 15 x 12 VOLT WIRE -ENDED LAMPS
ROOM AND TELEPHONE TRANSMITTER RTT 31.50 45.50 65.00
B014 8 x 2 PIN DIN PLUGS screw terminal connection Operates as a room transmitter, then switches to
8015 2 x LIGHT DEPENDENT RESISTOR Less than 200 ohms in telephone transmitter mode during telephone calls
daylight, greater than 10 megohms in darkness Dimensions 30 x 25mm
8016 1 x KEYPAD 20 -key in 5 x 4 matrix bubble type switch AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE RECORDER 16.80 25.90 39.00
contacts SWITCH TRS2 Record telephone conversations with
B017 2 x PIEZO BUZZERS approx 3 to 20 volt d.c. this interface unit and your own tape recorder.
Dimensions 36 x 50mm
B018 5 x 78M12 VOLTAGE REGULATORS positive 12V 500mA
B019 4 x TL082CP bi-fet op -amps AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE RECORDER AT R1 34.95 - 59.00
8020 20 x ASSORTED LEDS full spec. various shapes and sizes Adapt the tape recorder included to record telephone
calls automatically
B021 3 x INFRA -RED DIODE TX/RX PAIRS made by Honeywell
(no info) TELEPHONE TAP ALERT TTA1 usual warning 21.95 31.50 45.00
8022 4 x CONSTANT CURRENT LED 5mm round, red 2-18V d.c. or of any invasions of privacy on your telephone line
Dimensions 38 x 52mm
a.c. nominal 14mA
B023 50 x IN4148 diode RF DETECTOR RFD1 Highly sensitive hand-held 42.75 89.00 95.00
B024 2 x INFRA -RED TRANSISTOR FPT5133 detector. Range between 10Mhz and 600Mhz Silent
operation Dimensions 70 x 50mm
B025 5 x DIACS
B026 3 BDX33C 10 amp 100V npn transistor CAMERA DETECTOR CD8 Detects hidden video 69.00 89.00 125.00
B027 12 x 2N3702 Transistor cameras (even miniature CCD models)
Dimensions 63 x 38mm
B028 12 x 2N3904 Transistor
8029 12 x BC337 Transistor RECORDING BRIEFCASE RBC1 Build your 145.00
8030 4 x LM317T Variable regulator mounted on a small heatsink own discrete recording briefcase
B031 2 x MAN6610 2 digit 0.6" 7 segment display Com anode, SHOTGUN MICROPHONE AMPLIFIER SMA 24.95 36.00 45.00
amber Ideal for surveillance The arrpldter wit pick up sounds
B032 3 x PHONO TO PHONO LEAD 63cm long from a long distance
B033 15 x RECTANGULAR RED LEDs 6 x 6 x 2mm stackable SIGNALLING TRANSMITTER SIGT Sends a 21.95 34.89 45.00
B034 1 x PHOTO SENSITIVE SCR mounted on a PCB, data sheet continual audio pulse. Can be integrated into alarm,
supplied tracking or warning systems Dimensions 20 x 50mm
B035 4 x IEC Panel Mounting Mains Plug Snap fix REMOTE SWITCHING SYSTEM RSS Single channel 39.00
B036 5 x ASSORTED PIEZO TRANSDUCERS Transmitter/receiver set Applications include car
B037 5 LENGTHS OF HEATSHRINK SLEEVING 8mm dia. 400mm security and remote control of household appliances. Double channel 49.00
Dimensions
long Single channel transmitter, 45 x 35 x 12mm, Receiver,
8038 25 x CERAMIC DISC CAPACITORS 0.1 mfd 63V 50x 60 x25mm
B039 15 x MONOLITHIC CERAMIC CAPACITORS 0.1 mfd 63V, in a Double channel transmitter; 56 x 35 x 10mm, Receiver,
50 x 60 x 25mm
dil package
B040 25 x ASSORTED ELECTROLYTIC CAPACITORS PCB TELEPHONE AMPLIFIER TA5 Connected directly 10.95 16.95 19.95
mounting useful values to the telephone, this unit will amplify both sides of a
telephone call Dimensions 25 x 52mm
B041 25 ASSORTED PRE-SET RESISTORS
B042 8 x 3.5mm LINE JACK SOCKETS (mono) PROFESSIONAL SOUND TO LIGHT UNIT 21.95 32.49 44.95
B043 8 x 3.5mm JACK PLUG (mono) SK72 Custom built for disco or home use Audio signal
divided into bass, and and treble bands, with internal
B044 8 x 3.5mm CHASSIS SOCKET (mono) microphone and spotlight option.
B045 2 x TRIACS 800 volt 8 amp Dimensions 210 x 45mrn
B046 12 x BC213L Transistor
1.5-12V POWER SUPPLY PSU Versatile low cost 9.95 15.95
B047 12 x MIN SLIDE SWITCH dpdt unit with variable or fixed voltage control (specify on
-

8048 15 x MIN CERMET TRIMMER POTS (good range ordering) Regulation better than 1%
of values) Dimensions 60 x 43mm
B049 1 x PCB WITH TWO LARGE LEDS 15mm square, one red and MICRO LIVE WIRE DETECTOR LWD without 9.95 16.95
one green actual connection will warn of the presence of AC mains
8050 1 x 12V DC RELAY 4 -pole c/o with plug in base live Dimensions- 40 x 25mm
8051 4 x LM324 quad op -amps MICRO METAL DETECTOR MMD Detect the 9.95 16.95
8052 4 x 555 Timer presence of ferrous and various non-ferrous metals.
8053 5 x 741 op -amp Useful for at those DIY jobs. Dimensions 40 x 25mm
B054 25 x IN4001 diode
B055 20 x IN4007 diode
-
''
i%
B056 1 x SLOTTED OPTO Please add £2.00 P 8 P
Please use order code when ordering the bargain packs. :-.".. __,, ---.
to all orders and 17.5%
Please make cheques and postal orders payable to Mailtech. ."- ;----7r
VAT on alt U.K. orders.
o; ---___
All prices include VAT. -.:-
Please add 75p postage to all orders. For full catalogue please
At the moment it is not possible to have a full telephone answer- \k\ send two 1st class
ing service. But we will have the phone definitely manned on stamps or 2 IRC'S
Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10am and 5pm. ...... ,i-z-

Dept EE, Mailtech 172 Caledonian Road

Dept EE
London N1 OSG
PO Box 16 Ludlow CANAL BRIDGE AUDIO
Shropshire SY8 4NA Ames*

.lam 071-837 4423 nsA

Tel: 058 474475
Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993 213
 Constructional Project

BIOMET
PULSE MONITOR
JOHN BECKER Part Two
Probe the rhythm of life with isolator measurements, the meter's com-
this mini heart monitor. mon probe is connected to the OV line of
the power supply (battery negative, or
wiring pin number 8 on the Display board).
THE Biomet is a heart and pulse rate dard PC -compatible expansion slot. For The positive probe is connected to the
monitor which can be used on its own the test model, the author etched the p.c.b. point which is referred to as being
or in conjunction with a computer. as two single -sided boards, plugging them "monitored" or "checked". Unless other-
The computer screen displays heart rhythm into two expansion slots. As explained wise stated, all quoted voltages are d.c.
waveforms and pulse rates. Pulse rates are later, with only minor changes, the ADC Note that quoted a.c. voltages may differ
also shown on the Biomet's liquid crystal board can also be used as an ADC inter- between meter types due to the meter's
display screen. face for non -PC -compatible computers. waveform interpretation technique.
Last month we described the probe All components on the ADC board may If parts of the circuit fail to work as
amplifier, beats -per -minute converter, pulse be mounted conventionally. The capacitors described, it is likely that an assembly or
rate display and the PC -compatible ADC do not need to be mounted flat, and i.c. soldering error has been made in the
interface circuits. The constructional sockets may be used. As with the other associated areas. Component failures, al-
details for the Sensor and Display printed boards, carefully check the soldering and though possible, are usually unlikely.
circuit boards were also included together correct component orientation. Ordinary Check out the Sensor board first. It may
with the full components list. We conclude unscreened 3 -core cable of about two or be connected to the Display board, but not
this month with constructional details for three metres in length may be used to con- yet to the ADC board. Switch on the 9V
the ADC Interface board, setting -up nect the Biomet to the ADC board. supply and check that the voltage on TP1
procedures and software listing. Although the Biomet uses an opto- (test point) is approximately 4.5V (half the
isolator to isolate its circuits from the battery voltage level).
AOC INTERFACE ADC, care MUST be taken to ensure that Monitor TP2 and observe that the volt-
BOARD the interconnecting cable cannot come adrift
and touch the mains connections within the
age here is changing between about IV
and 8V (the exact swing range may vary
Component layout and full size copper computer. depending on the meter's response time;
foil master details of the ADC Interface the important point being checked is that
board are shown in Fig. 12. This double -
sided board is available from the EPE PCB
SETTING-UR the circuit is slowly oscillating). Adjust
All voltage measurements quoted in VR5 until the circuit oscillates at about one
Service, code 819. the following setting up procedure can cycle per second. Turn the wiper of VR6
As shown, the board is a double -sided be taken using either a digital or an fully clockwise (maximum output).
p.c.b. designed for insertion into a stan- analogue multimeter. Except for opto- Set the wiper of preset VR2 midway.

AO CD CD
Al 0 CD 4001 0111311-01 0
A2 CD 10101
A3 CD 10/ OD DO 4MIIMINNID1 CC, DO
AG CD 001 CD ODD 411.1 CM, 0-101 40112 11:11
ea/
AS CD 110C11 DD 0011 4412222111410101 010 00 rCP
A6 CD C101 1010 400 immiin1 CI= CIO OM
A7 CD COED CD 41053 OIL) Ct COED
AS CA CICD CD CD 01 CICD
A9 C2 OD I31
CD 40CD
CD 401
DD
CD
40.2 CD CD
CD CD
40D401 C11
401 401
01 CD
CO CD Ql
CD CD
friCiall/421112
CD
CO
CD CD
CD 401
0 00 101
DO 0 0
0 CD
CD
CD
CD
Dl 1111111111121111CD
TO VR4
02
00CP CD O
D3
0 CD CD O-0
CD CD CD
04
D5 0 401
CD CO
06 +5V
D7
GND IOVI
0 ° CI".CI N
CD
IM11121111
0

Fig 12 The ADC Interface printed circuit board The numbered leads from the board are soldered
in the stereo Jack plug JK2 see Fig 8 and Fig 11 (last month).
( FE 3995G I

214 Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993

Check that an a.c. voltage is present on
TP3, probably reading about 4V a.c. This
checks that the 5kHz oscillator is running,
although not necessarily at exactly 5kHz.
Turn the wiper of VR3 fully clockwise
(maximum gain), and set the wiper of VR I
midway. With all jack sockets empty of
plugs, monitor TP4 and check that the
voltage here is changing up and down at
the same rate as that on TP1, although
probably at a lower amplitude.
If l.e.d. D4 has been included, it should
now be flashing. Due to the nature of
the amplified test oscillator waveform, the
I.e.d. may flash at twice the rate of the
oscillator, responding to both phases of the
test waveform pulses. If the I.e.d. has been
omitted, monitor IC3 pin 14 and observe
that the voltage on this pin is strongly
"toggling" up and down, so proving that
the comparator is working.
Reducing the setting of VR3 (turning
its wiper anti -clockwise) will reduce the
amplitude of the output at TP4, eventually
to the point at which the comparator ceases
to be triggered. Reducing VR6 should have
a similar effect.
DISPLAY BOARD
CHECKING The completed Biomet opened out to show the Display and Sensor boards
Re -adjust presets VR3 and VR6 until
the comparator is again being triggered. mounted in the hand-held case. The sensor board is the one on the right.
Monitor TP5 and check that it is toggling at then necessitate the resetting of the battery Monitor TP4 on a millivolt a.c. range.
the same rate as the test oscillator output at check preset VR9. Touch a finger to the bare wire at the far
TP2. end of the chest probe lead. The 50Hz
Check that a voltage of + 5V is present 50Hz hum picked up through your body will be
at TP6. Monitor TP7 and check that an a.c.
voltage is present (probably about 2.5V SUPPRESSION amplified by the circuit. If necessary, adjust
the setting of VR3 to increase the gain.
a.c.), so proving that the oscillator of IC7 is If an accurate frequency counter is avail-
able, the 50Hz filter can be aligned by ad- Carefully adjust VR2 until the meter read-
functioning. Check that IC8 pin 3, IC8 pin ing is at its lowest millivolt a.c. level.
11, and I.c.d. pin or pin 40 all produce justing VR2 until the frequency output at
1

TP3 is exactly 5kHz. For the alignment of the differential cir-

similar a.c. readings. Now check that a cuit's balance, keep the probe and meter
negative voltage of about - 3.8V is present Alternatively, the correct clock frequency
at TP8. can be set using a multimeter. However, connections as above. Now adjust VR1
With these tests carried out, it should be this technique requires that the Biomet is until the lowest millivolt a.c. reading is
apparent that the I.c.d. screen is active. being set up within a few metres of mains obtained. If adjusting VR1 makes no dif-
powered equipment which radiates at least ference, leave its wiper at about midway.
The + (plus) symbol should be flashing in
time with the output at TP5, and at least
three digits should be visible, displaying
a small amount of 50Hz "hum".
Plug the chest probe cable into SKI. AOC INTERFACE
any number from 000 upwards. Temporarily join together the far ends of INSERTION
Monitor TP9 and adjust VR8 until the the cable pair so that electrical contact is The software Listing I does not need to
multimeter shows a reading of one volt, or made. This ensures that the probe lead will be loaded for the initial checking of the
as close as possible. This sets the reference pick-up 50Hz "hum" equally along both its opto-isolator and the ADC.
level against which the DPM chip IC7 as- paths, feeding it equally to preamps ICI a Switch off the Biomet and the computer.
sesses the values of input data voltages. and IC1b. Referring to the computer manual and the
Switch on S2, so setting the Biomet into
battery check mode. Check the precise volt-
age across the 9V battery and adjust VR9
so that 1.c.d. shows a reading 10 times
the numerical value on the meter. That is,
if the meter reads 9.2V, set VR9 so that
l.c.d. shows a reading of 092. Remember
when setting VR9 that the I.c.d. updates its
numerical display at a rate of about one
sample every two or three seconds.
Alignment of the pulse rate converter
stage around IC8 can now be carried out.
Switch S2 back from battery test to pulse
rate monitor mode. Observe the l.c.d. and
make sure that the + (plus) symbol is
flashing evenly, adjusting any associated
presets if necessary.
Monitor TP5 and adjust VR5 so that
about 60 pulses can be counted during a
period of exactly 60 seconds. Adjust the
wiper of VR7 until the I.c.d. shows the same
number, i.e., if the pulse count over 60
seconds is 61, set the l.c.d. readout for 061.
There is a slight chance that the span
range of VR7 may be just under that
actually required. If so, fractionally reduce
the reference voltage at TP9 by readjusting
the wiper of preset VR8 until the display The completed Display board. Note the radial electrolytics are laid flat to save space
shows the correct number. This action will and the display driver i c. is mounted under the LCD.

Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993 215

 10y1
RD +5V cNo B
31 14 3 2 1
A

31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 11 10 9 B 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

AO Al A2 A3 A4 A5 A6 A7 A8 A9 AEN DO 01 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 A
LEFT FRONT RIGHT
IEE330,G)
Fig. 13. PC -compatible expansion socket. (Orientation as found M the Amstrad 1640.)
PC -compatible expansion slot shown in ground with yellow lines creating three by VR4. Carefully adjust VR4 until the
Fig.13, check the correct orientation for the boxed sections each containing a red upper and lower points of the screen trace
ADC board. Insert the board carefully into horizontal line. The screen should also appear to be fully displayed. If necessary,
the expansion slot, ensuring that the edge show the start of a moving green trace modify the signal amplitude by adjusting
connector tracks line up with the slot within the first box, representing the VR3 and/or VR6.
terminals. It may be necessary to slightly waveform being monitored via the ADC When the screen trace reaches the end of
file down the sides of the p.c.b. in order to Interface. each boxed section, the heart pulse rate is
achieve satisfactory alignment. After filling all three boxes, the green calculated and displayed. The rate is estab-
Switch on the computer. If it does not trace will resume from the top of the lished from the number of times that the
respond correctly as usual, immediately screen, each box being cleared of the waveform amplitude has crossed a trig-
switch off and recheck the interface as- previous trace before the new one begins. ger value during its pass across the screen.
sembly and insertion. Vertical positioning of the trace on screen Represented on screen by a red line, the
Assuming that all is well, plug the in- is software controlled but the alignment of trigger value can be moved up or down by
terface connecting lead into SK2 of the its waveform shape is determined by the pressing the " + " or " - " (plus or minus)
Biomet. This can be done with the com- bias on the opto-isolator transistor, as set keys on the keyboard.
puter switched on since resistors R29 and
R31 in series with the lead prevent any Listing 1: BIOM ET PC -Compatible Software Program
brief shorting between the connector pins
from placing an adverse load on the com-
puter power supply. 100 REM HEART MONITOR HE103 06 OCT 92
110 REM SOFTWARE COMPATIBLE WITH QUICKBASIC AND GWBASIC
Insert an unconnected jack plug into 120 SCREEN 0: COLOR 15, 4: SCREEN 1: COLOR 1, 2
Biomet socket SK3 to switch the test 130 DEFINT A -B, P, T: Q = 10: W = 25: TM = 96.2
oscillator out of circuit. Connect the multi - 140 DIM P(300), G(1300), A(319, 2), B(319, 8)
meter's common lead to the computer OV 150 DATA 255,127,63,31,15,7,3,1,128,192,224,240,248,252,254,255
connection at TP11. Monitor the collector 160 FOR A = 0 TO 7: READ T(A): NEXT: FOR A = 0 TO 7: READ V(A)
of the opto-isolator's output transistor at 170 NEXT: FOR A = 0 TO 8: B(0, A) = 255: B(319, A) = 255: NEXT
TP10 and adjust the wiper of VR4 until the 180 J(0) = 1: J(1) = 255: J(2) = 255: J(3) = 255: X$ = CHRS(27)
meter reading is about 2-5V. 190 B$ = X$ + "*" + CHRS(1) + CHR$(64) + CHR$(1)
200 G$ = B$ + CHR$(255): FOR A = 1 TO 318: L$ = L$ + CHR$(1)
Remove the jack plug from SK3 to bring 210 NEXT: P5(0) = " ": P$(1) = CHR$(3)
the test oscillator back into circuit. Check 220 LOCATE 1, 3: PRINT "PULSE TRIG [+/-] GRAPH [u/d]"
that the voltage at TP10 now changes in 230 FOR D = 8 TO 199 STEP 63: FOR A = TM TO 319 STEP TM
time with the test oscillator rate. 240 LINE (A, D + 63)-(A, D + 60), 3: NEXT
The Biomet is now ready to have the sig- 250 LINE (0, D)-(319, D), 3: LINE (1, D + W)-(318, D + W), 2
nal on TP10 processed by the computer. 260 NEXT: LINE (0, 8)-(0, 196), 3
270 LINE (319, 9)-(319, 196), 3: GET (1, 9)-(318, 72), G
SOFTWARE 280 F = 0: FOR D = 8 TO 194 STEP 63
290 Z$ = INKEYS: IF Z$ <> "" THEN X = W + D: GOSUB 440
The software, Listing 1, is written in
QUICKBASIC, but is compatible with 300 PUT (1, D + 1), G, PSET
GW-BASIC. These are two of the most 310 P = 0: Y = 0: C = Q + 64 - (INP(768) AND 63)
popular Basic dialects for PC -compatibles. 320 IF C > 63 THEN C = 63 ELSE IF C < I THEN C = 1
330 PSET (1, D + C): IF C < W THEN Y = 1
Users of QUICKBASIC may delete the line 340 FOR A = 1 TO 318: B = Q + 64 - (INP(768) AND 63): X = 0
numbers except where they are associated 350 IF B > 63 THEN B = 63 ELSE IF B < 1 THEN B = 1
with GOSUB and GOTO routines. 360 IF B < W THEN X = 1: IF X <> Y THEN P = P + 1: P(P) = A
The program begins by setting the screen 370 IF X <> Y THEN LOCATE 1, 1: PRINT P$(X)
colour and graphics modes, and specifying 380 LINE -(A, D + B), 1: A(A, F) = B: FOR Z = 1 TO 3: NEXT
display and printout factors. 390 Y = X: NEXT: IF P < 2 THEN T = 0: S = 0: GOTO 410
The routine commencing at line 280 reads 400 S = INT((P(P) - P(1)) / (P - 1) * 10) / 10: T = TM / S * 60
data from the ADC board via the computer 410 LOCATE 1, 8: PRINT T; " ": F = F + 1: NEXT
bus address decimal 768 (lines 310 and 340) 420 GOTO 280
and plots it as a waveform on the screen. 430 REM At input of 1.0Hz, S is the correct value for TM
440 IF Z$ = "p" THEN GOTO 530
The 'ZS =INKEYS' statement in line 290 450 IF Z$ = "+" THEN W = W - 1: IF W = 0 THEN W = 1
reads the keyboard and if a key has been 460 IF Z$ = "-" THEN W = W + 1: IF W > 63 THEN W = 63
pressed any relevant action stated within the 470 IF Z$ = "u" THEN Q = Q - 1: IF Q = -11 THEN Q = -10
subroutine between lines 440 and 520 is per- 480 IF Z$ = "d" THEN Q = Q + 1: IF Q = 21 THEN Q = 20
formed. The actions include changing trig- 490 Z$ = INKEY$: IF Z$ <> "" THEN GOTO 440
ger level and waveform positioning factors, 500 PUT (1, D + 1), G, PSET: LINE (1, X)-(318, X), 0
and also calling the printer subroutine be- 510 LINE (1, W + D)-(318, W + D), 2
tween lines 530 and 650. 520 GET (1, D + 1)-(318, D + 63), G: RETURN
The printer commands conform to stan- 530 WIDTH LPRINT 255: LPRINT LPRINT Xi; "0"; CHRS(1); CHRS(15)
:

dard Epson protocols and should be recog- 540 LPRINT TIMES; " "; DATES; " PULSE RATE"; STR$(T); X$; "0"
550 FOR K = 0 TO 2: L = W + (K * 63) + 8: PSET (1, L)
nised by the majority of 9 -pin or 24 -pin 560 FOR A = 1 TO 318: LINE -(A, L), 3
dot-matrix Epson printers. 570 C = A(A, K): E = A(A + 1, K): IF C > E THEN SWAP C, E
SOFTWARE 580 M = INT(C / 8): N = INT(E / 8): B(A, M) = T(C MOD 8)
590 FOR H = M + 1 TO N: B(A, H) = 255: NEXT
RUNNING 600 B(A, N) = B(A, N) AND V(E MOD 8): NEXT
610 LPRINT B$; CHR$(J(K)); LS; CHR$(J(K))
Type the Biomet software program into
620 FOR M = 0 TO 7: LPRINT Gi;
the computer, save it and then run it with 630 FOR A = 1 TO 318: LPRINT CHR$(B(A, M)); B(A, M) = 0: NEXT :

the Biomet connected as above. 640 LPRINT CHR$(255): NEXT: NEXT

The computer should go straight into 650 LPRINT BS; CHR$(J(K)); LS; CHRS(J(K)): K = 0: RETURN
graphics mode, showing a blue back-

216 Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993

 The waveform's position on the screen
can be moved up or down by pressing
lower-case (unshifted) keys "u" or "d".
Vertically moving the trace will also change
its relationship to the trigger value. New
trigger and positioning values are actioned
only in the interval between the trace
moving from one box to another.
PRINTOUT
A printout of a screened waveform can
be called by pressing lower-case (unshifted)
"p". The printout instruction will be ac-
tioned when the screen trace reaches the
end of its current screen box.
The boxes are scanned by software one
at a time, the printout being made after
each box has been scanned. The scanning
process is indicated by a yellow line being
drawn in place of the red trigger line. Fol- Early prototype topside component layout for the ADC Interface board. The final
lowing completion of the full screen print- board is a double -sided p.c.b., see Fig. 12
out, normal monitoring and screen display
resumes as before.
Connect D7 of the User Port to the RD CHEST
PULSE RATE connection of the p.c.b.. Solder a link wire
MONITORING
CALCULATION between pins one and two of the IC13 posi-
tion. Connect IC12 pin 6 to IC12 pin 3 (so Standard medical chest -monitoring
The rate at which the monitored grounding pin 6). IC12 is then under con- electrode pads were used with the Biomet
waveform crosses the screen will depend on trol from User Port line D7 allowing DO - test model. Measuring about 47mm in
the speed at which the computer processes D6 to be read on command, as follows: diameter, they are self-adhesive and have a
the software commands. This factor must First load the User Port data direction press -stud to which the connecting leads
be taken into account during the pulse rate register with decimal 128, so setting bits DO can be attached using small crocodile clips.
calculations and is held by the numerical to D6 as inputs and D7 as an output. IC12 The author's pads came from a medical
value of variable 'TM' in line 130. The can then be controlled by setting D7 high, supply company, although some chemists
value of `TM = 96.2' as shown was that reading the data on DO to D6, and then may also be able to supply them.
required when the listing was compiled by setting D7 low. Electrical contact with the skin is op-
QUICKBASIC for running on an For example, a routine which would timised by the lubricant with which the
Amstrad 1640. cause a Commodore 3032 to sample the pads are impregnated during manufacture.
The value of TM for other computer/ ADC and print its output value on the The pads can be re -used several times
software configurations is easily estab- computer screen is : if the electrical contact area is smeared
lished from the 'S = .' routine in line 400 with K -Y lubricating jelly (available from
when related to a pulse input rate of exactly 10 POKE 59459,128: REM SET DATA chemists) prior to each re -use. When the
1Hz. Set the Biomet test oscillator for a DIRECTION REGISTER adhesive eventually weakens, the pads may
rate of as close to 60 pulses per minute as 20 POKE 59471,128: REM SET D7 be secured to the chest using strips of
you can realistically achieve. Alternatively, HIGH first -aid plaster.
via SK3, feed in a pulse rate of I-0Hz from 30 A = PEEK (59457) AND 127: REM It is not essential to use commercial
a signal generator. READ DO TO D6 monitoring pads. The author has satisfac-
Run the program with TM at the value 40 POKE 59471,0: REM SET D7 LOW torily used two copper discs the size of 2p
shown in the listing. Shift the trigger level 50 PRINT A;: REM PRINT DECIMAL coins. Connecting leads were soldered to
up or down until the waveform evenly VALUE OF DO TO D6 the discs, which were then smeared with
crosses the red line. Then, after one or 60 GOTO 20: REM REPEAT K -Y jelly. The use of larger discs will
more boxes of waveform data have been SAMPLING INDEFINITELY increase the signal strength.
displayed on screen, stop the program
by pressing keyboard keys CTRL and The completed Biomet showing the chest -monitoring electrodes (left) and the
BREAK. Now tell the computer to print finger pulse probe (right).
the value of 'S' (PRINT S < RETURN > ).
Substitute the answer for the existing
value of TM, then resave the program.
Note that with repeated samplings of the
1Hz input waveform, the value of S may
change slightly depending on the inevitable
hysteresis of the ADC sampling and dis-
play procedure. If so, choose an average
value of S.

PC-INCOMPA77BI-ES
It is regretted that neither the author nor
EPE can advise on converting the software
listing for other Basic dialects, or for use
with computers which are not PC -com-
patible.
However, if you wish to interface the
Biomet to a non -PC -compatible computer,
you may find that you can make use of the
ADC part on its own, omitting the address
decoding lines, and putting the p.c.b. in a
separate box. For example, your computer
may have a User Port dedicated to ex-
ternal input/output interfacing. If so, the
ADC can be entirely controlled by the eight
data lines of the User Port. The computer
manual will advise on the location of the
+ 5V/GND power supply points.
Omit IC I 0, ICI I and IC13. Connect DO -
D6 of the p.c.b. to D0 -D6 of the User Port.

Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993 217

 14:23:04 10-10-1992 PULSE RATE 69 18:06:40 10-06-1992 PULSE RATE 77

Using the finger probe.

There are many places on the body at
which heart and blood flow pulses can be
sensed and you may find it interesting to
experiment with the monitoring pads con- Fig. 14. Typical readout of monitored Fig. 15. Typical readout of monitored
nected to different body zones. However, heart rhythm using chest probes. pulse using finger probe.
the strongest heart signals are likely to be Enclose the probe body between the fingers lesser peaks between each main peak.
found with one pad attached to the upper and palm of one hand, then place the There are several variations of this type of
right chest, and the other attached to the thumb lightly over the face of the light waveform which are of no significant
lower left of the rib cage. Connect the pads sensor. medical concern.
to these positions and plug their cable into Turn the hand so that the thumb A printout of another healthy subject's
SKI. Adjust VR3 until the I.c.d. + (plus) faces any reasonably bright light source, pulse as detected by the finger probe is
symbol flashes or the signal waveform daylight or artificial. Adjust the settings of shown in Fig. I5.
shown on the computer screen is at a VR3 and/or VR6 until the I.c.d. " + " (plus)
reasonable amplitude.
Typically, the heart rate of a mode-
symbol flashes evenly in response to rately relaxed subject will be between
It may be necessary to move the probe changes in the blood flow. Keep the hand about 60 and 90 pulses per minute. Fol-
pads around a bit until the optimum sig- as still as possible to avoid erratic
nal strength is obtained. The subject should
lowing exertion, heart rates may rise
triggering. much higher.
remain as still as possible during monitor-
ing can generate EXAMPLE Medical texts should be consulted for
strong electrical impulses. WAVEFORMS information about pulses rates and the in-
terpretation of heart waveforms. Heed a
FINGER PULSE As an example. the waveform gener-
ated by a normally healthy subject and
note of caution, though. Before hastening
MONITOR/NO monitored using the Biomet is shown in
to the nearest hospital armed with a prin-
tout showing an unusual waveform, make
With the chest probe unplugged from Fig. 14. The waveform displays typical sure that your monitoring equipment or
SKI, plug the linger puke probe into SK3. strong peaks at regular intervals with two technique is not faulty!

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218 Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993

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Ever_vdayirith Practical Electronics, March 199.1

219
 0.47µF would normally appear on circuit
diagrams, etc. in the form "0µ47".
The "F" for farads, "R" for ohms, etc.

Techniques are usually omitted when this system is

used. The exception is when the units in
use are the basic unit of measurement
(e.g. 4R7 is 4.7 ohms). If the "R" (or
whatever) is not needed to indicate the
position of the decimal point, then it
is often omitted. For example, a value

ACTUALLY IC of 680R would normally be appear as

just "680" on a circuit diagram or in a
components list.
The main point of this system is that

-by Robert Penfold it keeps the number of digits used to a

minimum, which is helpful when values
have to be marked on small components.
IS quite a time since I last received Capacitance values are measured in It is also useful in that it minimises the
IT a letter which included a question farads, but you are unlikely to encounter size of labels on circuit diagrams, which
such as "how many ohms are there in a capacitors of so many farads in value. helps to keep the diagrams as uncluttered
microfarad?'. As ohms are the units used There are capacitors of about one farad as possible.
in resistance values, and farads are the in value listed in some component
units used for capacitance, the question catalogues, but these are "specials" Table 2
is basically nonsensical. However, for a which are intended as an alterna-
beginner electronics can sometimes be a tive to NiCad batteries in memory Letter Prefix Multiplier Value
bit confusing, with a plethora of new back-up circuits. In normal electronics
terms, names, etc. to contend with. most capacitors have values of a few P Pico 0.000000000001
BASIC UNITS thousandths of a farad or less. In radio n Nano 0.000000001
circuits there are often capacitors having Micro 0000001
The basic units of measurement used in II
values of a few millionths of a millionth of m Milli 0.001
general electronics are given in Table 1,
a farad. k Kilo 1000
and should help to clarify matters. Note
As well as inconvenient units of M Mega 1000000
that although "R" is the generally ac- measurement, there is also a slight
cepted abbreviation for ohms, previously G Giga 1000000000
problem in that the difference between T Terra 1000000000000
the Greek letter omega (Q) was used. the highest and lowest values in general
Omega is still used to some extent, and it
is something you are likely to see quite
use can be truly vast. An audio power
amplifier could well have resistors of COMMON UNITS
often in component catalogues and other
publications.
a few million ohms in value in its The standard prefix letters, what each
At Everyday with Pratical Electronics" preamplifier stage, while in its output one stands for, and the multiplication fac-
stage there could be resistors of just a tor it represents are shown in Table 2.
we have stopped using the letter R for fraction of an ohm in value.
resistor values where it applies to ohms, Some letters are shown as upper case,
In order to avoid having most electrical while others are given in lower case. To
i.e. 100R (100 ohms) would be shown quantities expressed using huge multi -
as just 100 on the circuit diagram. We be strictly accurate you should always
digit numbers, often having a decimal use whichever case is shown in Table 2.
have also dropped the use of the letter point followed by half a dozen zeros
F for capacitor values, except of course It is particularly important to use the
before the important digits are reached, right case for the letter "m", since in
"whole units" - see later.
very large or small numbers have a prefix lower case it represents milli (one
Learning the right units for each type of
letter. This prefix letter indicates that the thousandth), and in upper case it stands
component, etc. should not be too units in use are some fraction or multiple
difficult, and it is something that you for mega (one million). Although the
of the basic unit of measurement. letter "u" is now generally accepted as
should pick up as you go along. In For example, most electrolytic
electronics there is no substitute for
the abbreviation for micro, previously the
capacitors have their values marked as so Greek letter mu was used. In fact it is still
"hands on" experience, and by building many µF. The "A" is an abbreviation for
simple projects and actually using com- used a great deal, and it is the abbrevia-
"micro", which simply means "one tion for micro that is normally used in
ponents you will gain a great deal of millionth of". A 2.2µF capacitor
knowledge, even though you may not Everyday With Practical Electronics.
therefore has a value of 2.2 microfarads, The prefixes from pico to mega are in
realise it at the time. I know that this is a
or 00000022 farads in other words. common use, and you need to become
point I have made many times before, but
It is now the accepted practice for the familiar with them. Giga and terra are
it is one that it is definitely worth making letter indicating the units of measurement
again.
little used in practice, and are mainly of
to be used to indicate the position of the academic importance.
TRUE VALUES decimal point as well. Consequently, a There is a potential source of confusion
One problem with some of the basic value of 2.2µF would normally be written in that you may find the same value
units of measurement used in elec- in the form "42". A value of 47µF would written in two or three different forms.
tronics is that they are extremely large. be written as simply "47µ:', and one of For example, a components list might
specify a capacitor having a value of
Table 1: Basic Units 10n, but in a components catalogue you
might find polystyrene capacitors listed
Component/Measurement Type Letter Units Value Range as having values from 10p to 22000p,
and polyester capacitors having values
Resistors R Ohms OR1 to 10M from 0.01µ to 1 µ. Reference to Table
Resistance (In General) R Ohms 1mR to 1TR (tera) 2 will reveal that 10n is the same as
Capacitors (non -elect.) F Farad 1pF to 2µ2 10000p (1n =1000p), and that it is also
220n to 100001.1
the same as 0.01µ (1µ = 1000n).
Capacitors (elect. & tant.) F Farad
When dealing with capacitance values
Capacitors (variable/trimmer) F Farad 5pF to 500pF itis more than a little helpful to bear
Inductors H Henries 0.1 µH to 4H in mind that 1µ equals 1000n and
Loudspeakers (impedance) R Ohms 2R to 80R 1000000p, and that 1n equals 1000p.
Similarly, with resistors it is useful to
Headphones (impedance) R Ohms 8R to 4k remember that 1M equals 1000k and
Impedance (general) R Ohms 1mR to 1TR 1000000R, and that 1k equals 1000R.
Voltage V Volts 1µV to 20kV
A Amperes 1nA to 10A
CRYPTIC CAPACITORS
Current Some components have the value
Power W Watts 1µW to 1kW marked in a straightforward form that is

220 Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993

 easy to interpret. For example, capacitors further examples which should help to For capacitors the most common
are often marked with something like clarify the way in which this system additional marking is the maximum
"10n" or "560p". Some components operates. operating voltage. This will simply be
have their values marked in rather more On these capacitors, and many other marked in the form "50V" or whatever.
cryptic forms. types of component, you will often find The tolerance of the value may also be
Most resistors, plus some capacitors all sorts of extra letters and (or) figures. marked on a capacitor in a straightfor-
and inductors, have their values marked These seem to worry some newcomers to ward fashion (e.g. "20%"). The tolerance
using coloured bands and a simple project construction, but you soon get is often marked using a standard code
method of coding. This is a topic which used to picking out the important digits letter, as detailed in Table 4.
merits an article of its own, and it is not and ignoring the rest.
something that we will pursue further The extra letters and numbers are
here. Table 4
usually of no relevance at all. In most
Many capacitors, and disc ceramic cases they are simply manufacturers
types in particular, have the value marked batch numbers, or other markings which Code Letter Tolerance
using a three digit number. This method are only of significance to those at the F 1%
can be a bit confusing at first sight, but it factory where the components were G 2%
is really quite simple to follow. produced. However, a few of these H 2.5%
As a simple example, suppose that a additional markings do tell you some- J 5%
capacitor is marked "104". The first two thing useful about the components. K 10%
digits are simply the first two digits of the M 20%
value. The third digit is the number of
zeros that must be added to the first two Table 3
digits in order to give the full value in A capacitor helpfully marked "473K
picofarads. Marking 63V" would therefore have a value of
Value Value Value
In our "104" example the first two 47n, a tolerance of 10 per cent (i.e. the
digits are obviously "10", and the third (p) (n) value is within 10 per cent of 47n), and a
number indicates that four zeros must be 102 1000 1 0 001 maximum voltage rating of 63 volts.
added to these in order to give the full 222 2200 2.2 0.0022 A capacitor rather unhelpfully marked
value. The component therefore has a 472 4700 4.7 0.0047 "M47 682 3859" would presumably
value of 100000p, which is the same as 103 10000 10 0.01 have a value of 6n8, possibly with the
100n and Oµ1. 333 33000 33 0.033 "M47" indicating a tolerance of 20% and
This method of marking seems to be 683 68000 68 0068 a maximum operating voltage of 47 volts.
used for capacitors from about 1n to 224 220000 220 0.22 The "3859" would be purely extraneous
470n in value. Table 3 provides some data.

Scart connectors should now be widely

TALK
available. They are certainly carried by
Cricklewood, Maplin, Cirkit, Green -
weld and Marco Trading to name a few.
Simplifly Atari STFM Interface
There is not a lot to report in the way
of hard to find parts for the Simplifly Atari
with David Barrington Interface.
Car Electric Window Enhancer commercial monitoring pads and it might The keyboard switch and cap were pur-
All components needed to construct the mean adopting a similar method to that chased from Maplin, codes FF61 R and
Car Electric Window Enchancer are stan- described by the author. FF62S (keytop 1) respectively. The chas-
dard items and should not cause any sourc- The double -sided interface printed cir- sis mounting D -connectors are available
ing headaches. However, care must be cuit board is available from the EPE PCB from most sources, but may be offered in
taken when selecting the relays, they must Service, code 819 (see page 227). It is separate parts i.e. shell, cover and possibly
be able to handle (break) the high motor regretted that we cannot advise on con- the jack posts.
current if a stall condition is encountered. verting the software listing for other Basic The printed circuit board is available from
Also, they must have an identical contact dialects, or for use with computers which the EPE PCB Service, code 822.
layout if they are to sit directly on the p.c.b. are not PC -compatible.
The 12V 16A relay used on the model was We do not expect any component buying
bought from Maplin, code YX99H. Personal Stereo Amp. -Add -On problems to be encountered by readers who
It is important that heavy-duty insulated The small add-on circuit for the Personal wish to tackle the Microphone Compressor
wires (50/025mm) be used for off -board Stereo Amplifier, published in the Novem- or the Mini Lab Teach -/n projects.
wiring. Due to the large currents, the leads ber '92 issue, is the result of requests from
must be soldered directly to the underside readers for a version which will operate Kit News
copper pads as indicated. In addition, the with three volt personal stereos. The com- After many years of experience in the
underside copper pads as indicated. In ponents are all readily available and should audio visual field Canal Bridge Audio of
addition, the copper tracks which take the not cause any purchasing problems. London, have recently launched a full range
relay contacts, and the track associated However, when ordering the voltage of kits and professionally finished products
with R9/R12, should be reinforced by sol- regulator you must ask for the LM317T for electronics enthusiasts, including sur-
dering heavy-duty wires along their tracks. type, with the emphasis on the suffix T. veillance, counter -surveillance, test kits and
The printed circuit board is available from Other types seem to be rated at less than many other types.
the EPE PCB Service, code 821 (see page one amp. Customers will have the choice between
227). It is most essential that before com- The small printed circuit board for the kit, module and professionally finished
mencing construction, the vehicle manual Add -On Circuit is available from the EPE product. There are top quality kits at a very
is consulted to make sure that the window PCB Service, code 823, and is designed to reasonable price for those wishing to build,
controller can be fitted to the car. If in any mount directly on the main board (Nov modules for incorporation into projects,
doubt at all seek the advice of your local '92), once the original regulator ( IC2) and the finished product for those who
garage workshop. and associated components have been prefer the work to be done for them.
removed. (C10 may have to be mounted Among the many interesting items is a
Biomet Pulse Monitor vertically or replaced with a radial type). recording briefcase which, with a built-in
Most of the "special" components re- highly sensitive microphone, is ideal for
Spatial Sound making high quality recordings of business
quired to build the Biomet Pu/se Monitor Once again, the components listed for
were covered last month. But to reiterate, meetings, conferences, etc.
the Spatial Sound project are "off -the - An advice service is also provided by ex-
the CA3306CE 6 -bit flash ADC chip re- shelf" items and should all be stoked by
quired for this month's AOC Interface board perienced staff to help with all manner of
most of our components advertisers. The queries and give a full technical back-up.
is available from Maplin, code CR23A. stripboard is not a standard size and will
The location and purchase of the self- The design team is already working on up-
have to be cut from a larger piece. dating models and expanding the innova-
adhesive chest -monitoring electrode pads The two-piece plastic case, with
could be a problem. It is a case of searching tive ranges, so it is worth keeping in touch
aluminium front and rear panels, or one very for furture developments.
the local directory for a "medical equip- similar should be available from most For a full catalogue write to: Canal
ment" supplier listing or approaching the advertisers. This is one area where suppliers Bridge Audio, Dept EPE, 172,
local chemist to see if they can help. How- carry very good stocks and sometimes have
ever, as pointed out, it is not essential to use Caledonian Road, London N1 OSG. 1116
"special offers" running. 071 8373744.

Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993

221
 VIDEOS
ON ELECTRONICS
Everyday with Practical Electronics is pleased to announce the availability of a range of videos
designed to provide instruction on electronics theory. Each video gives a sound introduction and
grounding in a specialised area of the subject. The tapes make learning both easier and more
enjoyable than pure textbook or magazine study. They should prove particularly useful in schools,
colleges, training departments and electronics clubs as well as to general hobbyists and those
following distance learning courses etc.
The first four videos available are:
*Electronics And You - Part 1: D.C. Series and parallel circuits and the
use of a digital multimeter. Running time approx. 51 mins.
Order code VT1 £29.95 inc. VAT
*Part 2: A.C. Coils, capacitors, transformers and other a.c. devices.
Running time approx 62 mins.
Order code VT2 £29.95 inc. VAT
Part 3: Semiconductors. Basic semiconductor theory plus fifteen different
semiconductor devices explained. Running time approx. 57 mins.
Order code VT3 £29.95 inc. VAT
Part 4: Power Supplies. A step by step look at how they work plus trouble
shooting tips. Running time approx. 56 mins.
Order code VT4 £29.95 inc. VAT
Each video uses a mixture of animated current flow in circuits plus text, plus cartoon instruction etc.,
and a very full commentary to get the points across. The tapes are imported by us and originate from
VCR Educational Products Co, an American supplier.
To order see our Direct Book Service "Ordering Details" - the postage for tapes is the same as for our
range of books and you can order tapes and books at the same time and pay only one lot of postage.
(All videos are to the UK PAL standard on VHS tapes)

222 Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993

 SPECIAL EVERYDAY ELECTRONICS BOOKS tion forms a very basic introduction to electronics in general,
it therefore provides an excellent introductory text for begin-
ners and a course and reference book for GCSE students.
Full details on registering for C&G assessment, details of

SECTIN r-r SUCTINc ELECTRONICS

assessment centres, components required and information
on the course in general are given

7100111-
tliee
na0111". TEACH -IN n'41
GUIDE TO BUILDING
The City & Guilds introduction to module 726/301 reads
-A candidate who satisfactorily completes this module will
have a competence to identify basic components and digital
integrated circuits and connect them together to form simple
EMS EXPLORiket ELECTRONIC PROJECT working circuits and logic units." This provides an excellent
introduction to the book
ELECTRON1 :m1!,7 'or 112 pages (A4 size) =am £2.95
Lapiant mwerung
and eircuN! 111W 1DAVA
-Hrisai.a.-4104001* ELECTRONICS TEACH -IN No.5 GUIDE
aim* oiNemWilowsw
sot Immo restlYiael A Co 800117 TO BUILDING ELECTRONIC PROJECTS
Published by Everyday Electronics
orrorviericallarho
Mike Due to the demand from students, teachers and hobbyists
Cps riSni 0.4.1"1" Sir Ora& WM. we have put together a range of articles from past issues of
OP 3 1110 C+0, CertIficat( Everyday Electronics that will assist those involved with the
City and oprocipmerr w car construction of electronic projects

......
reromiroirr 1.04109.4/ The book contains the complete Project Development for
ten:Matte Course encorm aria *man.
LPUTCATUC GCSE series
Contents: Features - First Steps in Project Building,
NiatimicKma . ELECTR ON
PLUS: SIMPLE PROJ
Building with Vero. Project Development for GCSE;
t LOW tiact,e.a *el
Getting your Projects Working, Guide to Printed Circuit
Boards. Choosing and Using Test Equipment - The
ELECTRONICS TEACH -IN 88;89 - Ioniser, Bat Detector, Acoustic Probe. Mainstester and Fuse Multimeter, The Oscilloscope, P S U s. Logic Probes,
INTRODUCING MICROPROCESSORS Finder, Light Rider - (Lapel Badge, Disco Lights, Chaser Digital Frequency Meters. Signal Generators, etc, Data
Mike Tooley BA (published by Everyday Elec- Light), Musical Doorbell, Function Generator, Tilt Alarm. - Circuit Symbols, Component Codes, Resistors, Iden-
tronics) 10W Audio Amplifier, EE Buccaneer Induction Balance tifying Components; Capacitors, Actually Doing It -
A complete course that can lead successful readers to the Metal Detector, BBC Midi Interface. Variable Bench Power Understanding the Circuit Diagram, Component Codes.
award of a City and Guilds Certificate in Introductory Supply, Pet Scarer, Audio Signal Generator Mounting circuit boards and controls, Understanding
Microprocessors (726,303) The book contains every- 128 pages (A4 size) Capacitors, Projects - Lie Detector; Personal Stereo
thing you need to know including full details on register- der code 1 12.45 Amplifier, Digital Experimentsr's Unit, Quizmaster, Siren
ing for assessment etc. Effects Unit, UV Exposure Unit Low-cost Capacitance
Sections cover Microcomputer Systems, Micro -proces- ELECTRONICS TEACH -IN No 3 EXPLORING ELEC- Meter, Personal Radio
sors, Memories, Input/Output. Interfacing and Program- TRONICS (published by Everyday Electronics) 88 pages (A4 size) parrreMitratili £2.95
ming. There are various practical assignments and eight Owen Bishop
Data Pages covering the most popular microprocessor Another EE value for money publication aimed at students of
chips EVERDAY ELECTRONICS DATA BOOK
electronics. The course is designed to explain the workings
An excellent introduction to the subject even for those of electronic components and circuits by involving the reader Mike Tooley BA
who do not wish to take the City and Guilds assessment in experimenting with them The book does not contain (published by EE in association with PC
80 pages (A4 size) raft/ITMTWICT:18:1:1 E2.45 masses of theory or formulae but straightforward explana- Publishing)
tions and circuits to build and experiment with. This book is an invaluable source of information of
Exploring Electronics contains more than 25 useful everyday relevance in the world of electronics. It con-
ELECTRONIC PROJECTS BOOK 1 projects, assumes no previous knowledge of electronics and tains not only sections which deal with the essential
Published by Everyday Electronics in association with is split into 28 easily digestible sections theory of electronic circuits, but it also deals with a wide
Magenta Electronics. 88 pages (A4 size) raf1167M181k1 range of practical electronic applications.
Contains twenty of the best projects from previous issues of £2.45 It is ideal for the hobbyist, student, technician and
EE each backed with a kit of components. The projects are ELECTRONICS TEACH -IN No. 4 engineer. The information is presented in the form of a
Seashell Sea Synthesiser, EE Treasure Hunter. Mini Strobe. INTRODUCING DIGITAL ELECTRONICS (published basic electronic recipe book with numerous examples
Digital Capacitance Meter, Three Channel Sound to Light. by Everyday Electronics) showing how theory can be put into practice using a
BBC 16K sideways Ram. Simple Short Wave Radio, Insula- Michael J. Cockcroft range of commonly available "industry standard" com-
tion Tester. Stepper Motor interface. Eprom Eraser. 200MHz Although this book is primarily a City & Guilds Introductory ponents and devices.
Digital Frequency Meter. Infra Red Alarm EE Equaliser A must for everyone involved in electronics!
level course (726/301), approximately 80% of the informa-
256 pages ider code sA A £8.95

174.3
The books listed have been selected by Everyday with Practical Electronics editorial staff as being of special
interest to everyone involved in electronics and computing. They are supplied by mail order direct to your door.
Full ordering details are given on the last book page. For another selection of books see next month's issue
ELECTRONIC TEST
EQUIPMENT HAND-
BOOK 114-'111k [rib #ei =1 a-Ai I1-1 practical bias - tedious and higher
mathematics have been avoided
where possible and many tables
Steve Money
The principles of operation of the various types of test (plus a very few inexpensive components in some cases) have been included.
instrument are explained in simple terms with a minimum Some useful quick check methods are also covered The book is divided into six basic sections Units and
of mathematical analysis. The book covers analogue and While a multimeter is supremely versatile, it does have Constants. Direct -current Circuits. Passive Components,
digital meters, bridges, oscilloscopes, signal generators, its limitations. The simple add-ons described in chapter 2 Alternating -current Circuits, Networks and Theorems,
counters. timers and frequency measurement The practi- extended the capabilities of a multimeter to make it even Measurements.
cal uses of the instruments are also examined more useful The add-ons described include an active r.f 256 pages DZIEBEMMIZI £3.95
Everything from Audio oscillators, through R, C & L probe. a high resistance probe. an a c sensitivity booster.
measurements (and a whole lot more) to Waveform Gen- and a current tracer unit.
erators and testing Zeners A truly comprehensive book for 84 pages re7ffilT=T1:12141 £2.95
the hobbyist, student, technician and engineer PRACTICAL DIGITAL ELECTRONICS
206 pages fflowgiaso E8.95 THE ILLUSTRATED DICTIONARY OF
HANDBOOK
Mike Tooley (Published in association with
ELECTRONICS 5th EDITION Everyday Electronics)
HOW TO TEST ALMOST EVERYTHING Rufus P. Turner and Stan Gibilisco The vast majority of modern electronic systems rely
ELECTRONIC -2nd EDITION With more than 27,000 terms used in electronics today, heavily on the application of digital electronics, and the
Jack Darr and Dalton T. Horn this collection is THE most comprehensive dictionary Practical Digital Electronics Handbook aims to provide
Describes electronic tests and measurements - how to available. Including all practical electronics and computer readers with a practically based introduction to this
make them with all kinds of test equipment, and how to terms, it is as up-to-date as the latest advances in the field subject. The book will prove invaluable to anyone
interpret the results New sections in this edition include itself' Tables and data on subjects most often consulted for involved with the design. manufacture or servicing of
logic probes. frequency counters, capacitance meters, and projects and experiments are included. Other conversion digital circuitry, as well as to those wishing to update
more (An American book tables include English/metric and metric/English con- their knowledge of modern digital devices and tech-
190 pages relitr17=1,1143,4:1 19.05 versions for units of energy, power and volume, and niques. Contents: Introduction to integrated circuits;
Fahrenheit/Celsius temperature conversion charts. basic logic gates: monostable and bistable devices;
Setting this edition apart from other electronic dic- timers, microprocessors: memories; input and output
GETTING THE MOST FROM YOUR MULTIMETER tionaries is its emphasis on illustration. Featuring more devices, interfaces, microprocessor buses. Appendix 1:
R. A. Penfold than complete definitions, this fourth edition includes over Data. Appendix 2- Digital test gear projects, tools and
This book is primarily aimed at beginners and those of 450 detailed drawings and diagrams. test equipment; regulated bench power supply; logic
limited experience of electronics. Chapter covers the
1 All entries are listed in alphabetical order Abbreviations probe: logic pulser; versatile pulse generator, digital
basics of analogue and digital multimeters, discussing the and initials are listed in sequence with whole words. All IC tester; current tracer, audio logic tracer, RS -232C
relative merits and the limitations of the two types. In terms of more than one word are treated as one word (An breakout box; versatile digital counter/frequency meter.
Chapter 2 various methods of component checking are American book) Appendix 3: The oscilloscope. Appendix 4: Suggested
described, including tests for transistors. thyristors, resis- 720 pages reading. Appendix 5: Further study
rtltF code T2900 £23.95
tors, capacitors and diodes. Circuit testing is covered in 208 pages MIWEEMIZOLI £6.95
Chapter 3, with subjects such as voltage, current and
continuity checks being discussed ELECTRONICS -A "MADE SIMPLE" BOOK
In the main little or no previous knowledge or experience G. H. Olsen ELECTRONICS -BUILD AND LEARN
is assumed. Using these simple component and circuit This book provides excellent background reading for our R. A. Penfold
testing techniques the reader should be able to confidently Introducing Digital Electronics series and will be of interest The first chapter gives full constructional details of a cir-
tackle servicing of most electronic projects to everyone studying electronics. The subject is simply ex- cuit demonstrator unit that is used in subsequent chapters
96 pages re171/611=r1:14*Ttl £2.95 plained and well illustrated and the book assumes only a to introduce common electronic components - resistors,
very basic knowledge of electricity capacitors, transformers, diodes, transistors, thyristors, Pets
330 pages and op amps. Later chapters go on to describe how these
rder code 10 £5.95 components are built up into useful circuits, oscillators,
MORE ADVANCED USES OF THE MULTIMETER
R. A. Penfold multivibrators, bistables and logic circuits.
This book is primarily intended as a follow-up to BP239, PRACTICAL ELECTRONICS CALCULATIONS AND At every stage in the book there are practical tests and
(see above), and should also be of value to anyone who FORMULAE experiments that you can carry out on the demonstrator
already understands the basics of voltage testing and F. A. Wilson, C.G.I.A., C.Eng., F.I.E.E.. F.I.E.R.E., F.B.I.M. unit to investigate the points described and to help you
simple component testing. By using the techniques des- Bridges the gap between complicated technical theory, understand the principles involved. You will soon be able
cribed in chapter 1 you can test and analyse the perfor- and "cut -and -tried" methods which may bring success in to go on to more complex circuits and tackle fault finding
mance of a range of components with just a multimeter design but leave the experimenter unfulfilled. A strong logically in other circuits you build
120 pages Order i.orle PC103 £5.95

Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993

223
 COMPUTING
HOW TO CHOOSE A SMALL AN INTRODUCTION TO 6502 MACHINE CODE how to install, customise and fine-tune the program,
BUSINESS COMPUTER SYSTEM R. A. & J. W. Penfold and how to optimise your system resources. How to
No previous knowledge of microprocessors or manipulate Windows screens and how to run Win-
D. Weale dows and DOS applications under the Windows
This book is for anyone intending to buy an IBM com- machine code is assumed Topics covered are
patible computer system. whether it is their first system or assembly language and assemblers, the register set Graphical User Interface (GUI) environment How to
a replacement. There are sections on hardware, applica- and memory, binary and hexadecimal numbering use the Windows triple Management system, Program
tion and systems programs, and how to actually make your systems, addressing modes and the instruction set. Manager. File Manager and Print Manager to ad-
choice as well as sections on the law, ergonomics and a and also mixing machine code with BASIC. Some vantage. How to use the word processor accessory
glossary or common terms. The text contains many useful simple programming examples are gi..;:n for Write to type. edit, format, print and save documents
tips and some warnings (which could save much effort 6502 -based home computers like the VIC-20, How to use Paintbursh and its tools to draw and
ORIC-1 ,Atmos, Electron. BBC and also the edit drawings, and how to set up. sort and search a
and expense) After having read this book you should have Cardfile database and exploit ,ts autodial feature. How
a better idea of what is suitable for your needs. how to Commodore 64
112 pages r der code BP147 £2.95 to use the Windows Calendar to enter appointments.
obtain it and how to ensure that the system is operated add special times and alarms. How to use the Terminal
with the minimum of difficulty accessory to connect to remote systems, specify ter-
144 pages pairmwrztliarmi £4.95 AN INTRODUCTION TO PROGRAMMING THE
BBC MODEL B MICRO minal emulation preferences, communications setting,
R. A & J. W. Penfold telepho'ne number and prepare files for transfer. How
HOW TO EY.PAND, MODERNISE AND REPAIR PCs to use the Notepad, Macro Recorder. PIF Editor and
AND COMPATIBLES Written for readers wanting to learn more about pro-
gramming and how to make best use of the incredibly Calculator
R. A. Penfold 138 pages rder code BP 5 £4.95
Not only are PC and compatible computers very expan- powerful model B's versatile features Most aspects
dable, but before long most users actually wish to take of the BBC Micro are covered, the omissions being
advantage of that expandability and start upgrading their where little could usefully be added to the information
PC systems. Some aspects of PC upgrading can be a bit provided by the manufacturer's own manual A CONCISE USER'S GUIDE TO MS-DOS 5
confusing. but this book provides advice and guidance on 144 pages 'clef code BP1 9 £1.95 N. Kantonis
the popular forms of internal PC expansion, and should If you are a PC user and want to get the most out
SERVICING PERSONAL COMPUTERS - of your computer in terms of efficiency and produc-
help to make things reasonably straightforward and pain- tivity. then you must learn the intricacies of its MS-
less. Little knowledge of computing is assumed. The only 3nd EDITION DOS operating system. With this book you will learn to
assumption is that you can operate, a standard PC of some Mike Toofey BA
The revised and enlarged second edition contains a do lust that in the shortest and most effective way
kind (PC, PC XT, PC AT, or a 80386 based PC) The book explains. The enhancements to be found
The subjects covered include: PC overview: Memory new chapter on the IBM PC. AT, TX and com-
upgrades. Adding a hard disk drive. Adding a floppy disk patibles It is essential for anyone concerned with in MS-DOS version 5, over previous versions of the
the maintenance of personal computer equipment or operating system How the DOS operating system is
drive. Display adaptors and monitors. Fitting a maths structured so that you can understand what happens
co -processor, Keyboards; Ports; Mice and digitisers, peripherals, whether professional service technician.
Maintenance (including preventative maintenance) and student or enthusiast when you first switch on your computer. How di-
240 pages (Hard cover) Order code NE15 T25 rectories and subdirectories can be employed to struc-
Repairs, and the increasingly popular subject of cf.i.y. PCs ture your hard disc for maximum efficiency. How to
156 pages OrMEINUMagra £4.95
A CONCISE USER'S GUIDE TO WINDOWS 3.1 use the DOS Shell program (a menu -driven graphical
The PRE -BASIC BOOK N. Kantonis interface) to perform various house -keeping opera-
F. A. Wilson, C.G.I.A., C.ENG., F.I.E.E., If you are a PC user and want to get to grips with tions on your disc How to manage disc files and
F.I.E.R.E., F.B.I.M. Microsoft's Windows 3.1, then this book will teach how to use the MS-DOS Editor to fully configure
Another book on BASIC but with a difference. This you how to do just that in the shortest and most effec your system by writing your own CONFIG. SYS and
tive way AUTOEXEC BAT files. How to optimise your system by
one does not skip through the whole of the either increasing its conventional memory or increas-
subject and thereby leave many would-be pro- The book is written with the non -expert, busy per-
grammers floundering but instead concentrates on son in mind. and as such, it has an underlying struc- ing its speed. How to write batch files to automate the
introducing the technique by looking in depth at the ture based on "what you need to know first. appears operation of your system
most frequently used and more easily understood first" However, the more experienced user cas start A summary of all DOS commands, illustrated with
computer instructions. For all new and potential micro from any section, as the sections are self contained. examples, is given in the penultimate chapter, which
The book explains what hardware requirements you turns it into a useful reference guide
users, £4.95
192 pages rcier code BP14 £2.95 need in order to run Windows 31 successfully, and 124 pages Order code BP 18

CIRCUITS AND DESIGN

REMOTE CONTROL HANDBOOK
Owen Bishop
Remote control systems lend themselves to a modular
approach. This makes it possible for a wide range of
systems, from the simplest to the most complex, to be
built up from a number of relatively simple modules
The author has tried to ensure that, as far as possible LoudsPeakers
for
the circuit modules in this book are compatible with Musicians
one another. They can be linked together in many dif-
ferent configurations to produce remote control systems
tailored to switch a table lamp on and off, or to operate
an industrial robot, this book should provide the circuit
you require.
226 pages rder code BP 4 £3.95

COIL DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION MANUAL

B. B. Babani
A complete book for the home constructor on "how to
make" RF, IF, audio and power coils, chokes and trans-
formers. Practically every possible type is discussed and The manual is divided into eleven chapters, anti
calculations necessary are given and explained in detail. trial and error, but without resorting to any advanced
mathematics Hints on designing circuit blocks to meet presents over 300 practical circuits, diagrams and tables.
Although this book is now rather old, with the exception of
torroids and pulse transformers little has changed in coil
design since it was written
96 pages renTERTIMAIdil f2.50
128 pages 1=2
your special requirements are also provided The subjects covered include Basic principles, Sine
wave generators. Square wave generators, Pulse gener-
ator circuits, 'Timer IC" generator circuits. Triangle
and sawtooth generators: Multi -waveform generation:
50 CIRCUITS USING GERMANIUM SILICON AND Waveform synthesizer ICs. Special waveform generators:
ZENER DIODES Phaselocked loop circuits; Miscellaneous "555" cir-
30 SOLDER LESS BREADBOARD PROJECTS - cuits.
BOOK 1
R. A. Penfold
R. N. Soar
Contains 50 interesting and useful circuits and applica-
tions, covering many different branches of electronics.
267 pages Le=g1MI £13.95
Each project. which is designed to be built on a "Vero -
bloc" breadboard, is presented in a similar fashion with a using one of the most simple and inexpensive of com-
ponents - the diode. Includes the use of germanium and OPTOELECTRONICS CIRCUITS MANUAL
brief circuit description, circuit diagram. component layout R. M. Marston
diagram. components list and notes on construction and silicon signal diodes, silicon rectifier diodes and Zener
diodes, etc A useful single -volume guide to the optoelectronics
use where necessary. Whenever possible. the components
used are common to several projects, hence with only a 64 pages MEMIUMial f1.95 device user, specifically aimed at the practical design
engineer, technician, and the experimenter, as well as
modest number of reasonably inexpensive components, it
is possible to build in turn, every project shown Recom-
mended by BICC-Vero
160 pages flier code BP1 r £2.95
DESIGNING WITH LINEAR ICs
G. C. Loveday
=M. the electronics student and amateur It deals with the
subject in an easy -to -read, down-to-earth. and non -
mathematical yet comprehensive manner, explaining the
basic principles and characteristics of the best known
A book that deals with the design of the vital area of
analog circuitry covering design with modern linear in- devices, and presenting the reader with many practical
tegrated circuit devices. The first chapter introduces the applications and over 200 circuits Most of the i.c s and
BOOK 2 - other devices used are inexpensive and readily available
All projects use CMOS i c s but the items on component reader to important design techniques, test strategies,
layout, and protection and also includes a section on the types, with universally recognised type numbers
identification etc., are not repeated from Book 1
£2.25 use of a typical CAD tool. There are separate chapters 182 pages razummusom £13.95
160 pages rder code BP11 that cover in depth the use of op -amps, comparators and
timers each with detailed design examples and reader
exercises A final chapter brings all the previous work POPULAR ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS - BOOK 1
AUDIO IC CIRCUITS MANUAL POPULAR ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS- BOOK 2
R. M. Marston together in a number of complete design problems with
fully worked solutions. The text is essentially non -math- R. A. Penfold
A vast range of audio and audio -associated i. c s are Each book provides a wide range of designs for
readily available for use by amateur and professional ematical and is sup orted by many diagrams
64 pages Special Price £5.00 electronic enthusiasts who are capable of producing
design engineers and technicians. This manual is a guide working projects from just a circuit diagram without the
to the most popular and useful of these devices, with aid of detailed construction information Any special
over 240 diagrams. It deals with i.c s such as low setting -up procedures are described.
frequency linear amplifiers, dual pre -amplifiers, audio TIMER/GENERATOR CIRCUITS MANUAL
R. M. Marston BOOK I 160 pages der code BP £2.95
power amplifiers, charge coupled device delay lines, BOOK 2 160 pages Order code BP98 £2.95
bar -graph display drivers, and power supply regulators. This manual is concerned mainly with waveform gener-
and shows how to use these devices in circuits ranging ator techniques and circuits. Waveform generators are
from simple signal conditioners and filters to com- used somewhere or other in most types of electronic
CMOS CIRCUITS MANUAL

=1=j
plex graphic equalizers, stereo amplifier systems, and equipment, and thus form one of the most widely used
classes of circuit. They may be designed to produce R. M. Marston
echo/reverb delay line systems etc Written for the professional engineer, student or en-
168 pages £13.95 outputs with sine, square, triangle, ramp, pulse, stair-
case, or a variety of other forms. The generators may thusiast. It describes the basic principles and charac-
produce modulated or unmodulated outputs. and the teristics of these devices and includes over 200 circuits.
All the circuits have been designed, built and fully

11=1
HOW TO DESIGN ELECTRONIC PROJECTS outputs may be of single or multiple form.
Waveform generator circuits may be built using tran- evaluated by the author, all use inexpensive and interna-
R. A. Penfold sistors. op -amps, standard digital ICs, or dedicated tionally available devices
The aim of this book is to help the reader to put together 187 pages
projects from standard circuit blocks with a minimum of waveform or "function" generator ICs

224 Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993

 PROJECT CONSTRUCTION
TEST EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTION HOW TO DESIGN AND MAKE YOUR OWN P.C.B.s BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO BUILDING ELECTRONICS
R. A. Penfold R. A. Penfold PROJECTS
Deals with the simple methods of copying printed cir- R. A. Penfold
This book describes in detail how to construct some cuit board designs from magazines and books and covers Shows the complete beginner how to tackle the practical
simple and inexpensive but extremely useful, pieces of all aspects of simple p.c. b construction including photo- side of electronics, so that he or she can confidently build the
test equipment. Stnpboard layouts are provided for graphic methods and designing your own pc bs electronic projects that are regularly featured in magazines
all designs. together with wiring diagrams where ap- 80 pages renIMMIII:111141 £2.50 and books. Also includes examples in the form of simple
propriate. plus notes on construction and use projects
The following designs are included - HOW TO GET YOUR ELECTRONIC PROJECTS 112 pages
AF Generator. Capacitance Meter. Test Bench Amplifier, WORKING [07:=41714,44 £1.95
AF Frequency Meter, Audio Millivoltmeter. Analogue R, A Penfold
Probe, High Resistance Voltmeter. CMOS Probe. Tran-
sistor Tester, TTL Probe
The designs are suitable for both newcomers and more
We have all built projects only to find that they did not work
correctly, or at all, when first switched on. The aim of this
book is to help the reader overcome just these problems by
RADIO/TV
experienced hobbyists indicating how and where to start looking for many of the SETTING UP AN AMATEUR RADIO STATION
common faults that can occur when building up projects I. D. Poole
104 pages telrrtra").r11:12tEll E295 96 pages KAM= £2.95 The aim of this book is to give guidance on the decisions
which have to be made when setting up any amateur radio

AUDIO AND MUSIC or short wave listening station. Often the experience which
is needed is learned by one's mistakes, however, this can
be expensive. To help overcome this, guidance is given on
many aspects of setting up and running an efficient sta-
LOUDSPEAKERS FOR MUSICIANS tion It then proceeds to the steps that need to be taken in
Yamaha's frequency modulation. and sampling - and gaining a full transmitting licence
Vivian Capel then describes how the instruments are adjusted to
This book contains all that a working musician needs to Topics covered include. The equipment that is needed,
produce various types of sound strings, brass, percusi Setting up the shack, Which aerials to use. Methods of
know about loudspeakers, the different types, how they sion, etc. The theoretical side of synthesis is treated in an
work. the most suitable for different instruments, for construction, Preparing for the licence.
easy to understand way the technical information
-
An essential addition to the library of all those taking
cabaret work, and for vocals. It gives tips on constructing being restricted to what you need to know to use your
cabinets. wiring up, when and where to use wadding, and their first steps in amateur radio
when not to, what fittings are available, finishing, how to
ensure they travel well. how to connect multi -speaker
instrument effectively
168 pages p=iigma E6.95
86 pages rifffrtrgil
EXPERIMENTAL ANTENNA TOPICS
:1110:11 £3.95

arrays and much more.

Ten practical enclosure designs with plans and com- H. C. Wright
AUDIO Although nearly a century has passed since Marconi's first
ments are given in the last chapter. but by the time you've F. A. Wilson, C. G. I. A., C.Eng., F.I.E.E., F.I.E.R.E..
read that far you should be able to design your ownl demonstration of radio communication, there is still re-
F.B.I. M. search and experiment to be carried out in the field of
164 pages ri6Tpxr"p1a14:14 E3.95 Analysis of the sound wave and an explanation of acousti- antenna design and behaviour.
cal quantities prepare the way. These are followed by a The aim of the experimenter will be to make a
study of the mechanism of hearing and examination of the measurement or confirm a principle, and this can be done
MAKE MONEY FROM HOME RECORDING various sounds we hear A look at room acoustics with
Clive Brooks with relatively fragile, short -life apparatus. Because of this,
a subsequent chapter on microphones and loudspeakers devices described in this book make liberal use of
Now that you've spent a fortune on all that recording gear, then sets the scene for the main chapter on audio systems
MIDI and all, wouldn't it be nice to get some of it back? cardboard, cooking foil, plastic bottles, cat food tins, etc.
- amplifiers, oscillators, disc and magnetic recording and These materials are, in general, cheap to obtain and easily
Well here's the book to show you how electronic music.
It's packed with money making ideas. any one of which 320 pages worked with simple tools, encouraging the trial -and -error
will recoup the price of the book many times over. Whether
1.I71TTERM7II:11261.1 £3.95 philosophy which leads to innovation and discovery.
you have a fully fledged recording studio at home, or just Although primarily a practical book with text closely
a couple of stereo cassette recorders and a microphone
you'll be able to put the ideas in this book into practice and
make money
DATA supported by diagrams, some formulae which can be used
by straightforward substitution and some simple graphs
have also been included
105 pages £5.95 72 pages reffItTIMI:1114111 £3.50
1,1777777613206117,1
PRACTICAL ELECTRONIC DESIGN DATA
Owen Bishop NEWNES SHORTWAVE LISTENING
INTRODUCTION TO DIGITAL AUDIO This book is a comprehensive ready -reference manual for HANDBOOK
(Second Edition) electronics enthusiasts of all levels, be they hobbyists, Joe Pritchard G1 UQW
Ian Sinclair students or professionals. A helpful major section covers Part One covers the 'science- side of the subject, going from
Digital recording methods have existed for many years the main kinds of component, including surface -mounted a few simple electrical first principles", through a brief treat-
and have become familiar to the professional record- devices. Foe each sort, it lists the most useful and readily ment or radio transmission methods to simple receivers The
ing engineer, but the compact disc (CD) was the first available types. complete with details of their electronic emphasis is on practical receiver designs and how to build
device to bring digital audio methods into the home. The characteristics, pin -outs and other essential information. A and modify them, with several circuits in the book
next step is the appearance of digital audio tape (DAT) special feature of this section are the easily followed charts Part Two covers the use of sets, what can be heard,
equipment. and tables which advise the reader on how to select the the various bands, propagation. identification of stations,
All this development has involved methods and cir- best type of component for any particular puspose sources of information, QSLing of stations and listening
cuits that are totally alien to the technician or keen Basic electronic units are defined. backed up by a com- to amateurs. Some computer techniques, such as com-
amateur who has previously worked with audio circuits. pendium of the most often required formulae, fully ex- puter morse decoding and radio teletype decoding are also
The principles and practices of digital audio owe little or plained There are five more extensive sections devoted to covered
nothing to the traditional linear circuits of the past, and circuit design, covering analogue. digital, radio. display,
224 pages Dmizaziaso £15.95
are much more comprehensible to today's computer en- and power supply circuits Over 150 practical circa dia-
gineer than the older generation of audio engineers. grams cover a broad range of functions. The reader is
This book is intended to bridge the gap of understand- shown how to adapt these basic designs to a variety of
ing for the technician and enthusiast. The principles applications Many of the circuit descriptions include step-
and methods are explained. but the mathematical back-
ground and theory is avoided other than to state the end
product
128 pages
by-step instructions for using most of the standard types
of integrated circuit such as operational amplifiers, com-
parators, filters, voltage converters and switched -mode
POSTAGE
rell6=1116tiffsibt4 f6.95 power supply devices. as well as the principal logic cir-
cuits
328 pages der curie BP316 £4.95
PLEASE NOTE OUR
SYNTHESIZERS FOR MUSICIANS
R. A. Penfold POSTAGE CHARGE IS
Modern synthesizers are extremely complex, but they INTERNATIONAL TRANSISTOR EQUIVALENTS
mostly work on principles that are not too difficult to GUIDE THE SAME FOR 1 BOOK
understand If you want to go beyond using the factory A. Michaels
presets or the random poking of buttons. this is the book Helps the reader to find possible substitutes for a popular OR 100 BOOKS
for you selection of European American and Japanese transistors
It covers the principles of modern synthesis - linear Also shows material type, polarity manufacturer and use.
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 BABAN I BOOKS
We now supply a// the books published by Bernard Banani (Publish- would like to be able to purchase all the books from us and thus keep
ing) Ltd. We have always supplied a selected list of Babani books and the postage charge to an absolute minimum (£1 for UK p&p no
you will find many of them described on the previous pages or in next matter how many books you buy). We are pleased to be able to
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Many readers have asked us to also supply various other Babani can supply it. Babani presently list over 180 different technical titles
books, which have a reputation for value for money. Our customers tell those not described in detail on the previous Direct Book Service pages
us they appreciate our speedy service and low postage charge and they or in next months issue are listed below:
Code Title Price Code Title Price Code Title Price
208 Practical Stereo & Ouadrophony Handbook - £0.75 BP144 Further Practical Electronics Calculations B P247 More Advanced MIDI Projects £2.95
'214 Audio Enthusiast's Handbook £0.85 & Formulae O.O.P. BP249 More Advanced Test Equipment
219 Solid State Novelty Projects £0.85 BP145 25 Simple Tropical and MW Band Aerials £1.75 Construction £3.50
225 A Practical Introduction to Digital ICs O.O.P. BP148 Computer Terminology Explained £1.95 BP250 Programming in FORTRAN 77 £4.95
BP28 Resistor Selection Handbook £0.60 BP149 A Concise Introduction to the Language BP251 Computer Hobbyists Handbook £5.95
8P37 50 Projects using Relays. SCRs and of BBC Basic £1.95 B P258 Learning to Program in C f4.95
TRIACs £2.95 BP152 An introduction to Z80 Machine Code £2.75 BP259 A Concise Introduction to UNIX £2.95
BP39 50 (FET) Field Effect Transistor Projects £2.95 BP153 An Introduction to Programming the BP260 A Concise Introduction to OS/2 £2.95
BP44 IC 555 Projects £2.95 Amstrad CPC 464 & 664 £2.50 BP261 A Concise Introduction to Lotus 1-2-3
BP48 Electronic Projects for Beginners 01.95 BP154 An Introduction to MSX BASIC £2.50 (Revised Edition) E3.95
BP49 Popular Electronic Projects £2.50 B P156 An Introduction to OL Machine Code E2.50 BP262 A Concise Introduction to Wordperfect
BP56 Electronic Security Devices O.O.P. BP157 How to Write ZX Spectrum & Spectrum -i- (Revised Edition) E3.95
BP58 50 Circuits Using 7400 Series IC's f2.50 Games Programs f2.50 BP263 A Concise Introduction to dBASE £3.95
BP63 Alternating Current Theory (Elements of BP158 An Introduction to Programming the B P264 A Concise Advanced User's Guide to
Electronics - Book 2) £3.50 Commodore 16 & Plus 4 £2.50 MS-DOS 0.0.P.
BP68 Choosing and Using Your Hi- Fi £1.65 BP159 How to Write Amstrad CPC464 Games BP269 An Introduction to Desktop Publishing £5.95
BP74 Electronic Music Projects O.O.P. Programs £2.50 BP270 A Concise Introduction to Symphony £3.95
BP76 Power Supply Projects £2.50 8P161 Into the QL Archive £2.50 BP272 Interfacing PC's & Compatibles £3.95
BP78 Practical Computer Experiments £1.75 B P162 Counting on QL Abacus £2.50 BP273 Practical Electronic Sensors f4.95
BP84 Digital IC Projects £1.95 BP171 Easy Add-on Projects for Amstrad CPC 464. BP274 A Concise Introduction to SuperCal5 £3.95
BP86 An Introduction to BASIC Programming 664. 6128 and MSX Computers E2.95 BP276 Short Wave Superhat Receiver Construction £2.95
Techniques £1.95 BP174 More Advanced Electronic Music Projects £2.95 BP279 A Concise Introduction to Excel £3.95
BP90 Audio Projects £2.50 BP175 How to Write Word Game Programs for BP280 Getting the Most From Your PC's Hard Disc £3.95
BP94 Electronic Projects for Cars and Boats £1.95 the Amstrad CPC 464.664 and 6128 £2.95 BP283 A Concise Introduction to SmartWare II £4.95
BP95 Model Railway Projects £2.95 8P182 MIDI Projects . £2.95 BP284 Programming in QuickBASIC £4.95
BP97 IC Projects for Beginners £1.95 BP187 A Practical Reference Guide to Word BP286 A Reference Guide to Basic Electronics Terms £5.95
BP99 Mini -matrix Board Projects f2.50 Processing on the Amstrad PCW8256 BP287 A Reference Guide to Practical Electronics
BP106 Modern Op -amp Projects E1.95 and PCW8512 E5.95 Terms E5.95
BP109 The Art of Programming the 1K ZX81 £1.95 BP190 More Advanced Electronic Security Projects f2.95 BP288 A Concise Introduction to Windows 30 £3.95
BP114 The Art of Programming the 16K ZX81 E2.60 BP191 Simple Application of the Amstrad CPCs for BP291 A Concise Introduction to Ventura £3.95
BP122 Audio Amplifier Construction £2.95 Writers £2.95 BP292 Public Address Loudspeaker Systems £3.95
BP125 25 Simple Amateur Band Aerials £1.95 BP192 More Advanced Power Supply Projects £2.95 BP293 An Introduction to Radio Wave Propagation £3.95
BP126 BASIC & PASCAL in Parallel £1.50 BP193 LOGO for Beginners £2.95 BP294 A Concise Introduction to Microsoft Works £4.95
8P128 20 Programs for the ZX Spectrum & 16K ZX81 £1.95 8P196 BASIC & LOGO in Parallel £2.95 BP298 A Concise Introduction to the Mac System &
8P129 An Introduction to Programming the ORIC-1 £1.95 BP197 An Introduction to the Amstrad PC's £5.95 Finder £3.95
BP132 25 Simple SW Broadcast Band Aerials £1.95 B P198 An Introduction to Antenna Theory £2.95 BP302 A Concise Users Guide to Lotus 1-2-3
BP133 An Introduction to Programming the BP230 A Concise Introduction to GEM £2.95 Release 3.1 £3.95
Dragon 32 £1.96 BP243 BBC BASIC86 on the Amstrad PC's and IBM BP303 Understanding PC Software £4.95
BP136 25 Simple Indoor and Window Aerials £1.75 Compatibles - Book 1 Language £3.96 BP307 A Concise Introduction to QuarkXPress f4.95
BP137 BASIC & FORTRAN in Parallel £1.95 BP244 BBC BASIC86 on the Amstrad PC's and IBM BP311 An Introduction to Scanners and Scanning E4.95
BP138 BASIC & FORTH in Parallel E1.95 Compatibles - Book 2, Graphics and Disk Files £3.95 BP312 An Introduction to Microwaves E3.95
BP143 An Introduction to Programming the Atari BP245 Digital Audio Projects £2.96 BP313 A Concise Introduction to Sage £3.95
600/800XL £1.95 BP246 Musical Applications of the Atari ST's £5.95 BP314 A Concise Introduction to Ouattro Pro E4.95

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SEE PREVIOUS PAGE FOR FULL ORDERING DETAILS

PROJECT TITLE Order Code Cost

Downbeat Metronome DEC'88 629 £4.84

PCB SERVICE
Printed circuit boards for certain EPE constructional projects are available from
the PCB Service, see list. These are fabricated in glass fibre, and are fully drilled
Continuity Tester
Sound -to -Light Interface
Midi Pedal
Midi Merge
FEB'89
RA A R'89
619
637
639
640
£2.67
£6.24
£7.00
£3.00
and roller tinned. All prices include VAT and postage and packing. Add El per Audio Lead Tester 641 £5.77
board for airmail outside of Europe. Remittances should be sent to The PCB Light Sentinel: Main Board APR'89 632 £9.20
Service, Everyday with Practical Electronics, 6 Church Street, Wim- Remote Interface (4 bds) 633 £4.59
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Please check price and availability in the latest issue.
Xenon Beacon SEP'89 650 f4.13
Boards can only be supplied on a payment with order basis.
Power Supplies: Fixed Voltage 654 £4.08
LEAll p.c.b.s on this Music on Hold
Variable Voltage
OCT'89
655
646
£4.48
£3.85
page reduced to Power Supplies - 25V 700mA
30V 1A
656
657
f4.35
£4.55

SA- 'A PRICE (Just send half the price shown, while stocks last)
EE Seismograph - Control

Wash Pro
Detector
Lego/Logo & Spectrum

Logo/lego & Sepctrum Interface

NOV'89
658
659
660
643
664
f4.08
£4.22
f6.49
£3.83
£5.60
PCBS ON OPPOSITE PAGE PRICES AS SHOWN Biofeedback Monitor- Front End N OV '89 661 £4.52
Processor 662 £4.56
PROJECT TITLE Order Code Cost Biofeedback Signal Generator JAN'90 666 £4.08
Video Guard Alarm FEB'87 556 £3.80 Quick Cap Tester FEB'90 668 £3.92
"computer Buffer/Interface MAR'87 560 £3.32 Weather Stn: Anemom. - Freq./Volt Board 670 £3.94
Optional Display 669 £3.73
Fridge Alarm MAY'87 565 0.00 Wind Direction 673/674 £4.22
Monomixer JULY' 87 571 £4.75 System Power Supply 675 £3.59
Noise Gate SEP'87 577 £4.41 Prophet In -Car Ioniser 676 £3.18
Multi -Chan Remote Light Dim JUNE'88 Weather Stn: Display Driver M A R '90 672 & 678 £4.22
Relay/Decoder 601 £4.86 Display and Sensor 671 £4.47
Power Supply 603 £3.00 Fermostat Mk2 677 £4.28
Tea Tune Thermostat AUG 88 609 £3.00 Superhet Broadcast Receiver/Tuner/Amp 679/680 £4.22
Time Switch 614 £4.84 Stereo Noise Generator APR'90 681 £4.24
Suntan Timer 610 £3.07 Digital Experimenter's Unit - Pulse Generator 682 £4.46
Car Alarm 615 f3.12 Power Supply 683 £3.66
Eprom Eraser OCT'88 620 £4.07 Enlarger Timer 684 £4.28
Weather Stn: Rainfall/Sunlight Display 685 £4.27
Doorbell Delay NOV'88 616 £3.56
Rainfall Sen and Sunlight Sen 686/687 £4.16
Infra -Red Object Counter (Set) 622;3/4 £9.28

226 Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993

 PROJECT TITLE Order Code Cost PROJECT TITLE Oider Code Cost
Amstrad Speech Synthesiser MAY.90 689 E4.68 Mod. Disco Lights MIZAIN
80 Metre Direct Conversion Radio Elnagal 691 £4.95 Superchaser (Double -sided) 771 £6.91
Mains Appliance Remote Control J U l .90 Supersweep (Double -sided) 772 £8.26
Encoder Board A
Bicycle Alarm 773 £5.01
694 £6.61
Darts Scorer 774 £7.90
Encoder Board B 695 £4.78
The Tester 696 £4.15 Knockerbox COMM 775 £5.35
Mains Appliance Remote Control AUG.90 Signal Generator - Main Board 776 £7.46
Mains ON/OFF Decoder 697 £4.55 PSU 777 £4.73
(5 or more 697's ordered together £3.25 each)
Mind Machine - Main Board 778 £7.00
Simple Metronome
Auto Nightlight 779 £5.03
698 £3.94
Mind Machine - Programmer Board JAN'92 780 E7.39
Hand Tally: Main Bd and Display Bd S E P.90 699, 700 £10.95
Transistor Checker 781 £4.63
Alarm Bell Time -Out 701 £4.10
Mains Appliance Remote Control Stepping Motor Driver/Interface 782 £10.39
Micro -Sense Alarm 783 £5.42
Temperature Controller (p.c.b. only) 702 £5.20
Telesound FEB'92 784 £4.66
Ghost Waker OCT.90 703 £4.32
Programmable Timer 785 £4.63
Frequency Meter 704 £5.25
Freq. Meter/Tachometer NOV 90 705 £3.98
Auto Garage Light MAR 92 786 £6.10
EE Musketeer (TV/Video/Audio) £5.78 Versatile BBC Computer Interface 787 £11.59
706
Economy Seven Timer 788 £5.20
Microcontroller Light Sequencer DEC 90 708/709 £10.90
Versatile Bench Power Supply Unit 710 £4.24
Sonic Continuity Tester APR'92 789 £4.79
Teach -In '91, Part 1 -L200 Module Telephone Ringer 790 £5.46
711 £3.93
Dual Output Module
LM723 Module
712
713
£4.13
£4.21
Experimental Weighing Scale
12V Drill Charger/PSU (both boards)
Mani 792
793
£5.17
£5.31
Spatial Power Display
Amstrad PCW Sound Generator
JAN.91 714
715
£5.33
£5.03
Digital Servo Interface
Tie Pulser
MEM 791
794
£4.73
£5.19
Teach -In '91, Part 2 -G.P. Transistor Amp 717 £3.77 CCD Reverb Unit 795 £6.39
Dual Op.Amp Module 718 £3.83 Switch -Mode Power Supply 796 £7.01
Intercom (Teach -In '91 Project 2) 719 £4.41 UV Exposure Timer JULY'92 797 £5.33
Analogic Test Probe 720 £3.24 Cricket Game 798 £6.77
MARC Phone -In FEB.91 721 £6.87 Quick Prom 799 £5.61
Teach -In '91 Part 3 - TBA820M Amplifier
High Quality Power Amp
723
724
£4.05
£4.93
Gas Alarm
Dual Metronome
EMI' 800
801
£5.47
£6.74
Bench Amplifier (Teach -In '91 Project 3)
Gingernut 80m Receiver
725 £4.45
Ultrasonic Tape Measure MUM 802 £6.06
Quicktest 803 £4.82
R.F. section (726), Voltage Regulator (727) 726/7/8 £3.06
Audio Amplifier (728) per board Extended Range Capacitance Meter KRUM 804 £5.63
all 3 together £8.16 Traffic Lights System 806 £5.04
Pocket Tone Dialler MAR 91 729 £4.36 Mini Lab NOV 92 MINI LAB £14.95
Battery To Mains Inverter 730 f4.97 EPE Altimet (Altimeter) 807 £6.30
Simple Basic Alarm 731 £4.50 Personal Stereo Amplifier 808 £6.47
Car Code Lock (pair) 732a/b £4.69 Inverter Daughter Board (for March '91 project) 809 £3.00
Teach -In '91 Part 4- Sinusoidal Oscillator 733 £4.39 Universal Infra -Red Remote Control EMMEN 8117/811R £6.56
8038 Oscillator 734 £4.15 Combination Switch 812 £5.68
Waveform Generator (Teach -In '91 Project 4) 735 £4.72 Christmas Lights Colour Spectrum 813 £5.97
Humidity Tester APR'91 716 £4.97 TV/UHF Aerial Amp (double -sided) MEM 814 £7.23
Model Train Controller (double -sided) 736 £9.75 Continuously Variable Balanced Power Supply 815 £5.65
Electronic Die (Teach -In '91 Project 5) 737 £4.93 Emergency Lighting Unit 816 £6.77
Teach -In '91 Part 5 -Digital Counter Module 738 £4.35
Biomet Pulse Monitor FEB'93
Modular Disco Lighting System
Switched Power Output Module
MIME Sensor 817 £6.30
739 £5.91 Display 818 £6.30
Digital LCD Thermostat -Control Board £5 for pair 740 £4.05
Biomet Pulse Monitor MAR'93
-Power/Relay Board 741 £3.76
- ADC Interface (double -sided) 819 £7.11
Pulse Generator (Teach -In '91 Project 6) 742 £4.97
Car Electric Window Enhancer 821 £5.00
Teach -In '91 Part 6- Timer Module 743 £4.62
Simplify Atari STFM Interface 822 £5.55
Digilogue Car Tachometer JUN' 91 744 £5.63 Personal Stereo Amp. Add -On 823 0.90
Modular Disco Lights - Simple Chaser 745 £5.00
Sweeper Module
Automatic Light Control - PSU Board
746
747
£5.17
£4.88 rEPE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD SERVICE& 1
Logic Board 748 £5.17
Radio Receiver (Teach -In '91 Project 7) 749 £4.57 Order Code Project Quantity Price 1-1
Teach -In '91 Part 7 - R.F. Amplifier Module 750 £4.23 01
Modular Disco Lights - Masterlink JU LY .91 752 £6.36 AI
Ultrasonic Proximity Meter 01
Display Unit (753) & Sensor Unit (754) 753/754 £7.06 I Name
Disco Lights (Teach -In '91 Project 8)
>1
'01
PSU and Pre -amplifier 755 £4.54 I Address -d
Low, Mid, High Filter/Triac (set of 3 boards) 756 £11.00 D1
Teach -In '91 Part 8 -Solid State Switch Module 757 £4.24
Mod. Disco Lights- Pattern Gen LIME 760 £6.79
I

I enclose payment of f (cheque/PO

NI
Teach -In '91 Part 8 -Light Sensitive Switch 761 £4.74 in f ster ing only to 1-1
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Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993 227

 REPORTING
1U
Tony Smith G4FAI
NO PRESS -TO -TALK teachers in small communities. A teacher radio in general. It also made sixteen
Amateur radio two-way voice com- would remain at one location and com- awards to record achievements on the
munication normally involves two sta- municate with students at a number of HF, VHF/UHF and microwave bands.
tions on a single frequency, one transmit- schools over a large area by means of It organised three major events, the Na-
ting and the other receiving, each switch- amateur TV. tional Mobile Rally at Woburn; the VHF
ing from transmit to receive or vice -versa The Education Department has under- Convention at Sandown Park; and the
when an "over" is completed. Unlike taken to train its staff in amateur radio. National Amateur Radio Convention and
using the telephone, which permits nor- It will supply transmitting equipment in- Exhibition at the NEC, Birmingham.
mal conversation without interruption, cluding repeater stations, as necessary for 1480 Morse tests were carried out by
such "simplex" communication allows the trial and the equipment may be used 296 volunteer examiners. The Amateur
only one party to speak at a time and it is for normal amateur operation after school Radio Observation Service kept an eye on
necessary to use a recognised procedure hours. amateur radio itself, to ensure the regula-
to indicate the end of an over. The WIA, which is Australia's national tions were observed; and the Monitoring
If telephone type conversation is re- radio society, sees advantages in the in- Service logged intruders in the amateur
quired it is necessary to set up a "duplex" creased use of amateur frequencies for the bands, reporting these as necessary to the
arrangement which uses two separate benefit of the community at a time when Radiocommunications Agency.
frequencies, with one station transmitting most amateurs themselves are unable to The new Novice examination was in its
continuously on one frequency and the use them. It also visualises an increased first year. The RSGB's training arrange-
second station likewise on the other. interest in amateur radio as a result of its ments for this were carefully monitored
This results in a more natural conversa- greater exposure outside the hobby. and the first examination results showed
tion, but as it usually requires at least an At the time of writing, the Australian a pass rate of over 80 per cent. Meetings
extra receiver at each end (if transceivers licensing authority was considering this were held with the Air Training Corps
are in use) it is not always practicable, proposal, having previously put it out to to establish ways of aligning the ATC's
apart from the fact that double the usual consultation in the amateur community at Communications and Radar course with
amount of spectrum is required for the large. It is hard to visualise, however, that the Novice Licence Training Scheme. Ac-
contact. there could be any objections to this cording to the RSGB, this has the poten-
Now, according to a recent report imaginative idea. tial for recruiting an extra 40,000 new-
in the Japan Amateur Radio League comers to amateur radio.
News, newly developed technology will RSGB ANNUAL REPORT
result in "single -frequency 2 -way simul- How does one describe the scope of USEFUL BROADCAST GUIDE
taneous communication radio equip- the work of the Radio Society of The International Short Wave League
ment". This is apparently achieved by Great Britain, our national Amateur has again produced its invaluable Guide to
dividing the operator's voice signals into Radio Society? In his introduction to English Language Broadcasts to Europe
0.2 second segments, compressing them the Society's Annual Report, 1991- (Winter Schedules 1992/3). Stations will
into half the time before transmission, 92, General Manager Peter Kirby send their new schedules to listeners if
thus leaving the other half for receiving. describes it as "adviser, negotiator, they write for them but there is really no
don't know when we are likely to
I publisher, librarian, coordinator, repre- need for that when this inexpensive publi-
see such equipment available on the sentative, tester, policeman, organiser, cation covering literally hundreds of trans-
amateur market or how expensive it will bestower of awards, promoter, educator, missions is so readily available.
be. It will, of course, need to be com- researcher, card sorter and book seller, All the necessary information is
patible with older -style equipment other- quite apart from the administrative presented in time (UTC) order in one -hour
wise there won't be many contacts pos- functions necessary to run a £1.5M blocks around the clock, showing country
sible, especially in the early days! company". and station names, alternative frequencies
If and when it does comes into use it The Report expands on many of these in kilohertz (kHz), and the types of
will not entirely result in the end of activities in detail. The space available programme to be heard. Particularly useful
old-style amateur communication and here is insufficient to do justice to even for those interested in programmes about
"lingo". The licence regulations will still one,but a few examples picked at random shortwave radio itself is a section on The
require each station to announce its will give some idea of what is involved. Dx Week.
callsign at the beginning and end of each The Society represents UK amateurs This provides details, on a daily basis,
transmission (which will then be the both nationally (to the licensing authority of programmes giving the latest news
entire length of the contact and not the and others) and internationally as a from the shortwave world, e.g., infor-
length of each over) and at 15 minute member of the International Amateur mation about new stations, changes in
intervals during the transmission if it goes Radio Union. In the year under review, schedules, technical developments, ad-
over that time. representatives attended conferences or vice on improving reception, and so on. A
have a feeling, however, that some-
I meetings in Indonesia, Singapore, good number have some content relating
thing will be lost if amateur communica- Malaysia, Austria and Spain (the latter to amateur radio, and a few are entirely
tion simply becomes the equivalent of being the ITU World Administrative devoted to it.
just picking up a telephone! Radio Conference). There is a great deal of work involved
Expert volunteers provide advice to in preparing such a comprehensive list-
AUSTRALIAN EXPERIMENT members on Electromagnetic Com- ing (27 pages x A4). It is compiled on a
A joint proposal has been made by patibility (interference) problems or voluntary basis by four League mem-
the Queensland Department of Education difficulties in obtaining planning permis- bers, each well-known in the world of
and the Wireless Institute of Australia for sion for antenna installations. A particular shortwave listening, and is available to
a trial use of licensed amateur radio problem during the year was the number non-members as well as ISWL members.
stations to transmit televised lessons be- of cases related to the false triggering of To obtain a copy, send £1.00, or two
tween schools. A similar arrangement security alarms by breakthrough from IRCs, or £1 postage stamp to ISWL HQ,
already works successfully in Canada radio signals. Alarm manufacturers were 10 Clyde Crescent, Wharton, Winsford,
which has similar problems to Australia in contacted by the Society and responded Cheshire CW7 3LA, and mention that
terms of distance and the availability of positively to the problem. you read about the Guide in EPE. Used
scarce resources. The RSGB ran nearly 100 contests over with my world band receiver find it
I

The idea is to maximise the number the year and awarded many trophies for quite invaluable and recommend it un-
of classroom hours available to specialist service to the Society and to amateur reservedly.

228 Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993

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Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993 119

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AMSTRAD VCR46004700.5200 C319 COMPUTER SPARES
FISHER FVHP905,9061908 03.03 AMSTRADISINCLAIR ATARI SECONDARY NEOPRENE
JVC RR33003330/3660 E3.30 40028 G Array E24 54 CO25913 DMA (ST) £33.24 WINDING WASHERS
Large range of Pinch Rollers Idlers. PCW 9512 Sery Manual C15 76 Sent Manual (ST520) T13.75
Heads. etc Irom stock AY38912 C7 06 PC900WH11L3 (ST) £2.88 INSULATION
SERVICE MANUALS SED942OCAC (14 93 ROM Basic (XE/L) t4.5e
PHILIPS CST427 C450 STK7356 13 81 THERMISTOR (ST-PSU) £1.37 CORE
TOSHIBA STU2/L Tuner TEA2000 0563 PC713V ISTE-PSU)
PRIMARY
C6.99 £2.94
Many other Manuals available TMS4532-NL4 (1 72 2SC2331 tST.PSU) £1.59
WINDING
ZTX650 E0 49
END CAPS
SEMICONDUCTORS COMMODORE
BU508A C1 50 TDA460t C3 25 ZX830210L1 CIO 98 17 7344MHz Xtal C4 99
LM733CN
P8255A
STK0029
E2 43 UC3884
02 85 UPC1378H
C6 69 UPC1397C
E8 95
C2 82
DI 34
ZX8401
Spec - 2 ROM
Spec /OL Modulator.
C7 94
t16 69
C7 36
C64C User Manual
C64 User Manual
DI 39
C4 25
C64tC Service Manual C15 00
Write or phone for free Data Pack
STX414111 C8 79 UPD8039LC C12 39 Spec 48K Speaker 01 74 6510 CPU El 1 04
TA7280P 0668 V20-8MHz C1073 Spec. 48K Membrane (499 6526 CIA C1222
1582101.1 ES 52 27C256.200 C2 913 /1286 Membrane. 0899 6569 VIC C1995
This is lust a very small sample of our stock. OL Membrane C899 8520 Amiga £1235
Send C1 25 for our Selected Spares
CATALOGUE Includes voucher
PHILIPS (CMS143.3)
Service Manual - Mk 1
Line OtP TX - Mk 1
04.71
8565 viC
906114-01 PLA
12396
(9.24
Jaytee Electronic Services
£29.37 251841-02 PLA £491
spendable on future orders IC-TDA3505 C8.52 M881416-12 DRAM (C161 C4 99 143 Reculver Road, Beltinge, Herne Bay, Kent CT6 6PL
Order by Post or Phone We accept pa meet
y VISA. ACCESS. DELTA, SWITCH. Cheque MARAPET (EEC) Telephone: (0227) 375254
r PO. Post 8 Packing is E1 20 No VAT to
dd on 1 HORNBEAM MEWS
All Items subject to availability
Prices can change without notice GLOUCESTER GL2 OUE

Everyday with Practical Electronics, March 1993 231

Carbon Film resistors '4W 5% E24 series 0 51 R to 1 OM 0
100 off per value - 75p even hundreds per value totalling 1000 16.000
1p
ADVE RTISERS INDEX
Metal Film resistors '''4W 1OR to 1 MO 5% El 2 series - 2p 1% E24 series 3p N. R. BARDWELL 203 KARE ELECTRONICS 229
Mixed metal/carbon film resistors 'hW E24 series 1 RO to 1 OMO 1'hp 203 MAGENTA ELECTRONICS .1 70/1 71
5p R. BARTLETT
1 watt mixed metal/ Carbon Film 5% El 2 series 4R7 to 10 Megohms Cover (iii) MAI LTECH 212, 213
Linear Carbon pre-sets 1 00mW and '4W 1 OOR to 4M7 E6 series 7p BK ELECTRONICS
Miniature polyster capacitors 250V working for vertical mounting BRIAN J. REED 232 MAPLIN ELECTRONICS Cover (iv)
015, 022. 033 047. 068-4p 0.1 - 5p 0 12.0 15.0 22 - 6p 0 47 - 8p 0 68 - 8p 1 0 - 1 2p
BULL ELECTRICAL Cover (ii) MARAPET 231
Mylar (polyester) capacitors 100V working E12 series vertical mounting CAMBRIDGE COMP. MAURITRON 166
1000p to 8200p - 3p 01 to 068 - 4p. 0.1 - 5p. 0.11 0.15. 0.22 - 6p. 0.47/50V - 80 168
Submin ceramic plate capacitors 100V wkg vertical mountings. E12 series SCIENCE 229 M&B ELECT. SUPPLIES. .

2%1 8pf to 4 7 pf - 3p 2% 56pf to 330pf - 4p. 10%390p -4700p 4p 213 M&B ELECTRONICS..... 185. 229
2p
CANAL BRIDGE AUDIO
Disc/ plate ceramics 50V El 2 series 1 PO to 1000P, E6 Series 1500P to 47000P 232 NATIONAL COLLEGE OF
Polystyrene capacitors 63V working E12 series long axial wires COMPELEC
7p CRICKLEWOOD ELECT 181 TECH 231
lOpf to 820p1 - 5p. 1 000pf to 1 0.000pf - 6p 1 2,000pf
741 Op Amp - 20p 555 Timer 20p 232 NUMBER ONE SYSTEMS 201
40p CR SUPPLY COMPANY
cmos 4001 - 20p 4011 - 22p 401 7 DISPLAY ELECTRONICS 162 OMNI ELECTRONICS 166
ALUMINIUM ELECTROLYTICS (Mfds/Volts) 166
1 /50, 2.2/50. 4.7/50, 1 0/25. 10/50 5p ELECTRONIZE DESIGN 185 PICO TECHNOLOGY
22/ 1 6, 22/25, 22/50. 33/16, 47/16, 47/25, 47/50 6p 172 RACKZ PRODUCTS 166
ESR ELECTRONIC COMP
100/16,100/25 7p; 100/5012p; 100/100 14P 169
GREENWELD ELECTRONICS 167 RADIO & TV COMPONENTS
220/16 8p; 220/25. 220/5010p; 470/16.470/25.1170p
p HART ELECTRONIC KITS 219 RS COMPONENTS 165
1000/25 25p; 1000/35, 2200/25 35p; 4700/25
Submin. tantalum bead electrolyics (Mfds/Volts) HESING TECHNOLOGY 231 SEETRAX CAE 209
0.1/35, 0.22/35.0.47/35, 1.0/35, 3.3/16. 4.7/16 14p 218
20p ICS 231 SHERWOOD ELECTRONICS
2.2/35, 4.7/25, 4.7/35, 6.8/16 15p; 10/16, 22/6 166
33/10, 47/6, 22/16 30p: 47/10 35p; 47/16 60p; 47/35 80p JAYTEE ELECTRONIC SMART HOUSE SYSTEMS.....
VOLTAGE REGULATORS SERVICES 229,231 SUMA DESIGNS ............ 164
1A - or 5V. 8V, 12V, 1 5V. 18V & 24V - 55p. 100mA. 5.8, 12, 15. V + 30p
JPG ELECTRONICS 232 TECHNICAL INFO SERVICES.... 231
DIODES (piv/amps)
75/25mA 1 N41 48 2p. 800/1A 1 N4006 45p. 400/3A 1 N5404 14p. 115/15mA 0A91 . 8p
100/1 A 1 N4002 Shp. 1 000/1A 1 N4007 5p. 60/1.5A S7 M1 5p. 100/1A bridge 25p
400/1A 1 N4004 4p. 1250/1A BY 127 10p. 30/15A 0A47
Zener diodes E24 series 3V3 to 33V 400rnW - 8p. 1 watt
10p
12p Millions of quality components
Battery snaps for PP3 - 6p for P P9
L E D 's 3mm & 5mm. Red, Green, Yellow - 10p. Grommets 3mm - 2p. 5mm
50p
1 2p
2p at lowest ever prices!
Red flashing L E. D.'s require 9-12V supply only
Mains indicator neons with 220k resistor 10p
6p
Plus Tools, Watches, Fancy Goods, Toys.
20mm fuses 100mA to 5A. 0. blow 6p.A/surge 10p. Holders, chassis, mounting
High speed pc drill 0.8. 1.0, 1.3, 1.5. 2.0mm - 30p. Machines 12V dc
HELPING HANDS 6 ball joints and 2 croc clips to hold awkward jobs
11 5
£3.50
00 Mail order UK only.
£6.50
AA/HP7 Nicad rechargeable cells 90p each. Universal charger unit
AA/HP7 zinc/carbon batteries in packs of 4 E1.10 per pack All inclusive prices -
15p
Glass reed switches with single pole make contacts - 8p. Magnets
0.1" Stripboard 25" x 1" 9 rows 25 holes - 25p. 3t. x 25" 24 rows 37 holes 70p NO post, or VAT etc to add on.
Jack plugs 2 5 & 3.5m -14p; Sockets Panel Mtg. 2.5 & 3.5m
Ear pieces 2 5 & 3 5mm, dynamic - 20p; 3.5mm crystal
10p
11 50
Send 34p stamped self addressed label or
Multi cored solder. 22G - 8p yard. 18G -14p yard. envelope for catalogue/clearance list.
TRANSISTORS
BCI 07/8/9 12p. BC547/8/9 - 8p. 8C557/8/9 - 8p. BC182. 182L, 8C183, 183L.
-
At least 2,100 offers to amaze you.
BC1 84, 184L, BC212, 212L - 10p.
BC327. 337, 337L - 12p. BC727, 737 - 12p. BD135/6/7/8/9 - 25p. 8CY70 - 18p.
BFY50/51/52 - 20p.
BFX88 -15p. 2N3055 - 55p, TI P31, 32 - 30p, TIP41, 42 - 40p. BU208A - £1.50, 8F195, 197 - 12p
Brian J Reed
Ionisers with seven year guarantee, list price 116.95
All prices are inclusive of VAT. Postage 30p (free over £5) Stamp for list.
112.50 6 Queensmead Avenue, East Ewell
THE CR SUPPLY CO Epsom, Surrey KT17 3EQ
127 Chesterfield Rd., Sheffield S8 ORN Tel: 081-393 9055
Tel: 0742 557771 Return posting

STC P S U 240V input 5V 6A output LEDs 3mm or 5mm red or green Sp each yellow Resistor Jumbo pack 25000, 1,4 and 1.'2W
Metal detector boards with Data has llp each High intensity red. green or yellow. resistors our choice of values and size, will be
tuner, mode, discriminate, headphone (converts to 12V 3A details 5mm 30p each mainly in boxes or rolls of 1000. 2000 and 5000
lack, on/off volume & push button available) £5.95 ea Cable ties 1 p each. [5.95 per 1000 E49.50 per of one type £25.00
facilities £7.95 ea. 240V input 5V 10A output (converts to 10 000 °warty keyboard. 58 key good quality switches.
12V 5A no details) £5.95 ea Sloping motor 4 phase 12V 7 5' step new £5 00
35mm Camera returns with auto flash, wind 50 ohms C8.95 °warty keyboard with serial output. no data
on etc., Ell ea or 2 for 110 6000 line output transformers £1.25 ea SAA1027 stepping motor driver chip C3.95 C6 00
(used)
100k Lin. Joystick, mach ri* 240V in 0-12V 0.75A out
E1.75.
FM Transmitter kit good quality sound 08.60 Polyester capacitors. box type. 22.5mm lead pitch
Dictaphone cassette. meth/record erase
transformer High quality photo resist copper clad epoxy 1 pf 250V do 20p each. 15p 100+,10p 1000+
playback heads, 6V solenoid, motor, hall 240V in 0-28V 62VA out transformer. £2.75 glass boards 2 2pf 250V dc 30p each, 20p 100+, 15p 1000-
Transformer + PCB gives 2x7.5V 32VA Dimensions single sided double sided 3 3pf 100V do 30p each, 209100+, 15p 1000
effect switch 12.00 ea 3.1 inches C0.95 E1-07 1pf 60V bipolar electrolytic axial leads. 15p each,
13 95 ea
with skt for 5 or 12V regulator, will power E2.68
T V. /Printer stands £3.75 ea 4.8 inches C2.40 7.5p 1000
floppy drive 6.12 inches E5 37 0.22pf 250v polyester axial leads. 15p each
Bice -Vero Easiwire
£4.95 ear Ultrasonic transducers (transmit + 12y12 inches CI 0 66 100. 7.5p each
construction kit £1.50 pair
receive) Rechargeable Batteries Philips 123 series solid aluminium axial leads.
Dot matrix LCD 10x2 lines 13.75 ea 50p 33pf 10V & 2 2pf 40V 40p each. 25p 100
3 to 16V Piezoelectric sounders AA (HP7) 500mAH C0.99
40 characters x 1 line dot matrix LCD 9VDC electromechanical sounder 500 AA 700mAH C1.95 Multilayer AVX cerami capacitors all 5mm pitch.
£6.95. 13.50 100V 100p1. 150pf. 220pf. 10,000pf (10n)
with data. 24V DC electromechanical sounder 50p C 2AH with solder tags
D 4AH with solder tags E4.95 10p each, 5p 100 + . 3.5p 1000.
2 digit 16 segment VF display DIL switches PCB MT 3/4/6 way 35p: 1 /2AA with solder tags f1.55 Welwyn W23 9W 120 ohm 35p each. 20p 100.
with data £2.95 ea 5V SPCO SIL reed relay 40p AAA (HP16) 18OrnAH. E1.75 680 ohm 2W metal film resistor, 4p 100+,
4 digit intelligent dot matrix display....13.50 ea 5V 2PCO DIL miniature relay 60p AA 500mAH with solder tags £1.55 2p 1000
12V 2PCO or 4PCO continental relay 60p C (HP11)1 BAH £2.20 Solid carbon resistors, very low inductance, ideal
17 segment V F display with D (HP2) 1 2AH E2.80 for RF circuits, 27ohm 2W. 68ohrn 2W 25p each.
driver board and data £2.99 ea. 12V 10A PCB MT (to make contact) PP3 8 4V 1 1 OrnAH 15p each 100 +. we have a range of 0 25W
8 digit liquid crystal display 11.75 ea relay 95p Sub C with solder tags E2.50 0 5w. 1w and 2w solid carbon resistors - PleaSe
3 to 12V electro magnetic acoustic 1/3 AA with tags (Philips CTV) E1.95 send SAE for list
4 digit LCD with 7211 driver chip 13.50 ea Standard charger, charges 4 AA cells .n 5 hours
transducer with data 75p lntelegent 4 digit alphanumeric (5.7 dot 0 145-)
Digital clock display £2.50 2.4576/8.8329/21.10 MHz crystals or 4Cs or Ds in 12.14 hours + laPP3(1. 2. 3 et red LED display, 12 pin 0 6 inch wide package,
£1.50 ea 4 cells may be charged at a time)... E5.95 Siemens type DLR1414 £2.50 each. 12.0030
11 key membrane keypad 50p ea
.

High power charger. as above but charges the data sheets £1.00
Keyboard 392mm x 180mmi1 00 Bridges 25A 200V El .00 Cs and Ds in 5 hours. AA.s. Cs and Ds must be AM D 27256-3 Eproms E2.00 each. 11.25100+
keys on board + LCD + 2A 100V 50p charged in 2s or 4s ........... 110.95 DIP switch 3PCO 12 pin (ERG SDC- 3-023) 60p
74HC05/80C49 easily removable 14.95 31b Mixed components pack. 14.95 Special of fare - please check for availability each, 40p 100
19' 3U sub rack enclosures 18.95 25 off mixed relays £5.95. F calls 32dia x 87mm C3.96 Disk Drove Boxes fora 5 25 disk drive with room
F cell with solder tags. 1 2V E4.30 for a power supply light, grey plastic 67mm
12V stepper motor, 48 steps per rev 40 off mixed toggle switches 42mm x 16mrn dia 1 2V E1.45 268mm x 247mrn E7.95 or £49.50 for 10
13.95 ea. 50 off mixed switches, toggle, rocker,
7.30 step angle.. .

Stepper motor board with 2 slotted

13.95 ea
slide, micro
Miniature axial chokes 0.1, 0.18. 0.12.
£9.95 leads 4.8V.E5.95
Stick of 4 171rtn . 16mm do with red & black
4 call battery 94mm x 25mm do
Hand Held Ultrasonic remote control
Computer grade 58000pf 60V capacitors
with screw terminals.
.E3.95

E4.95
opto + 2 mercury tilt switches E3.50
0.33. 0.39, 0.15,1. 3.3UH (1/2C cells) CV2486 gas relay 30mm x 10l11111 die with
1000 mixed '4 wan 1% resistors 14.95 ea Computer grade capacitors with screw terminals.
10p ea_100 for C7.50. 3 wire terminals. will also work as a neon
250 electrolpc axial + radial caps £4.95 ea 38000p120V £2.50; 87000p1 10V £1.95; light 20p each. 17.50 per 100
250 off 16/22/24/40 way IC Skts....£4.95. 68000p115V E2.95; 10000pf 16V C1.50 A23 12V car alarm remote control and lighter
200 off mixed polyester caps 17.95. Crystal Oscillators 10/24/48 MHz....£1 ea 7 segment common anode led display.
E0.45 battery 76p each, E50.00100
100 Mixed trimmer caps popular values 14.95 75p ea. 12rnm
Spider Plug Leads LM 2931 AT 5 0 low drop out 5V 40pf 370V a c motor sten capacitor (drelectrol
100 off Phono plugs 10.85 type containing no PCBs) £5.95 each
regulator 10220 package
(red/black/grey) E3.50. QUANTITY DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE 7812 and 7912 12V IA regulators £20.00 per 100 149.50 to. 10
50 Mixed terminal blocks E2.95 PLEASE RING LM337k TO3 case variable regulates All products advertised are new and
We also buy all forms of electronic 100 10
E1£1:80
25 off asst buzzers & sounders f4.95. 85250 P channel mosfet 45p 8C559 transistoransistor unused unless otherwise stated
Cable box UHF modulator/video
components, p s u's, disk drives etc 10013.95
Lists to below address. Wide range of CMOS TTL 74HC 74F Linear
preamp/transforiner/R's + C's/leads E8.96 74LS05 hex inverter, £10.00 per 100
Used 8748 Microcontroller E3.50 Transistors kits, rechargeable bakeries,
1000 off mixed Multilayer ALL PRICES INCLUDE V.A.T. SL952 UHF Limiting ampldier LC 16 surface capacitors, tools etc always in stock
Ceramic Caps £7.95 PLEASE ADD 17.00 p&p EXCEPT mounting package with data sheet E1.95
£1.25 each, 90p 100. Please add 95p towards P&P
B.B.0 Micro to disc drive lead LI.50 ITEMS MARKED. WHICH ARE 50P, AM27S02
VAT Included in all prices
CD4007UB 10p100.. 6010000
Car Burglar alarm vibration auto SAE FOR BULK BUYING LIST TV Mains switch, 4A double pole with momentry
entry/exit delay £5.96 ea. PAYMENT WITH ORDER TO.' contacts for remote control, pack of 10 E3.95
box of 60E19.95
JPG ELECTRONICS
Single zone alarm panel auto Dept EE, COMPELEC, DC -DC convenor, Reliability model. VI 2P5, I 2V 276-278 Chatsworth Road
entry/exit delay housed in
domestic light socket 19.95 ea. 14 Constable Road, in 5V 200mA out. 300V Input to output. Isolation
with data, E4.95 each or pack 0110 - E39.50
Chesterfield S402BH
SM P.S 115-240V input + 5V 5-5A St. Ives, Huntingdon, Hour counter used 7 digit 240V ac 50Ht £1.45
Resistor pack 2500 resistors 1/8-2W 50 different
Access Visa Orders:
(0246) 211 202
+12V.5A -12V 0.3A - 5V 0.3A with
1U.

IEC inlet and outlet. fully cased 16.95 ea Cambs PE17 6EQ values E8.96
Callers welcome
UM1233 Video Modulators 13.50 ea. Tel/Fax: 0480 300819
Published on approximately the first Friday of each month by Wimborne Publishing Ltd.. 6 Church Street, Wimborne, Dorset BH2I 11H. Printedin England by Benham & Co. Ltd. Colchester.
Essex. Distributed by Seymour. Windsor House. 1270 London Road. Norbury. London SW I6 4DH. Sole Agents for Australia and New Zealand -Gordon & Gotch (Asia) Ltd.. South Africa -
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BH2I 11H. EVERYDAY with PRACTICAL ELECTRONICS is sold subject to the following conditions. namely that it shall not, without the written consent of the Publishers first having been
given, be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise disposed of by way of Trade at more than the recommended selling price shown on the cover, and that it shall not be lent, resold, hired out or
otherwise disposed of in a mutilated condition or in any unauthorised cover by way of Trade or affixed to or as part of any publication or advenising, literary or pictorial matter whatsoever.
 POWER AMPLIFIER MODULES -TURNTABLES -DIMMERS - *-- B .* -- - II - *

LOUDSPEAKERS -19 INCH STEREO RACK AMPLIFIERS SERVICE * LARGE CA4) S.A.E 50 STAMPED FOR CATALOGUE *

OMP MOS-FET POWER AMPLIFIERS THOUSANDS PURCHASED *MP MOS-FET POWER AMPLIFIER MODULE SUPPLIED READY BUILT AND TESTED.
HIGH POWER, TWO CHANNEL 19 INCH RACK BY PROFESSIONAL USERS These modules now enjoy a world-wide reputation for quality. reliability end performance at a realistic price. Four
models are available to suit the needs of the professional and hobby market Le Industry. Leisure. Instrumental and 111-Fi
etc. When comparing prices. NOTE that all models include toroidal power supply. integral heal sink, glass !dire P C B. and
drive circuits to power a compatible Vu meter. All models are open and short circuit proof.
THOUSANDS OF MODULES PURCHASED BY PROFESSIONAL USERS
OMP/MF 100 Mos-Fet Output power 110 watts
R.M.S. into 4 ohms. frequency response 1Hz - 100KHz
-3dB, Damping Factor . 300, Slew Rate 45V/uS,
T.H.D. typical 0.002°z, Input Sensitivity 500mV. S.N.R.
-110 dB. Size 300 0 123 x 60mm.
PRICE C40.85 £3.50 P&P

OMP/MF 200 Mos-Fet Output power 200 watts

F R.M.S. into 4 ohms, frequency response 1Hz - 100KHz
THE RENOWNED MXF SERIES OF POWER AMPLIFIERS -3dB, Damping Factor 300, Slew Rate 50V/uS,
FOUR MODELS:- MXF200 (100W 100W) MXF400 (200W - 200W) T.H.D. typical 0.001 %, Input Sensitivity 500mV, S.N.R.
MXF600 (300W 300W) MXF900 (450W 450W) -
-110 dB. Size 300 x 155 x 100mm.
ALL POWER RATINGS R.M.S. INTO 4 OHMS, BOTH CHANNELS DRIVEN PRICE C64.35 - C4.00 P&P
FEATURES: *Independent power supplies with two toroidal transformers * Twin L.E.D. Vu meters *
Level controls Illuminated on/off switch * XLR connectors * Standard 775mV inputs * Open and short circuit OMP/MF 300 Mos-Fet Output power 300 watts
proof * Latest Mos-Fets for stress tree power delivery into virtually any load * High slew rate a Very low R.M.S. into 4 ohms. frequency response 1Hz - 100KHz
distortion * Aluminium cases * MXF600 8 MXF900 fan cooled with D.0 loudspeaker and thermal protection. e -3dB. Damping Factor 300, Slew Rate 60V/uS.
USED THE WORLD OVER IN CLUBS, PUBS, CINEMAS, DISCOS ETC. T.H.D. typical 0.001%. Input Sensitivity 500mV, S.N.R.
-110 dB. Size 330 x 175 x 100mm.
SIZES:- MXF200 W19 013'2 (2U)xD1 1"
MXF400 W19 xA15' . (3U):1,1 2" PRICE C81.75 C5.00 P&P
MXF600 W19 aH5'. (3U)xD1 3"
MXF900 W1 xH5' (3U).01 4." OMP/MF 450 Mos-Fet Output power 450 watts
PRICES:-MXF200 £175.00 MXF400 0233.85 R.M.S. into 4 ohms. frequency response 1Hz - 100KHz
MXF600 C329.00 MXF900 C449.1 5 -3dB, Damping Factor . 300, Slew Rate 75V/uS,
SPECIALIST CARRIER DEL. £12.50 EACH T.H.D. typical 0.001%. Input Sensitivity 500mV, S.N.R.
-110 dB, Fan Cooled, D.C. Loudspeaker Protection, 2
011:W/1111-1114.1111.11:1:11111,11140i:T Second Anti -Thump Delay. Size 385 x 210 x 105mm.
* Manual arm * Steel chassis * Electronic speed PRICE C132.85 C5.00 P&P -

control 33 8 45 R.P.M. * Van pitch control * High NOTE MOS-FET MODULES ARE AVAILABLE IN TWO VERSIONS:
STANDARD - INPUT SENS 500mV, BAND WIDTH IDOKHz.
torque servo driven DC motor * Transit screws * PEC (PROFESSIONAL EQUIPMENT COMPATIBLE) - INPUT SENS
12 die cast platter * Neon strobe * Calibrated 775mV, BAND WIDTH SOKHa. ORDER STANDARD OR PEC
balance weight * Removable head shell *
cartridge fixings * Cue lever* 220/240V 50/60Hz Vu METER Compatible with our four amplifiers detailed above. A very accurate
* 3900305mm * Supplied with mounting cut-out visual display employing 11 L.E.D.s (7 green, 4 red) plus an additional on/off
template. indicator. Sophisticated logic control for very last rise and decay times. Tough
JP' moulded plastic case. with acrylic tinted front. Size 84 a 27 45mm.
PRICE £61.30 £3.70 P&P PRICE £8.70 50p P&P
51517111M14114KTIFTEIRTV STANTON AL500mkii GOLDRING G950
PRICE C16.95 50P P&P PRICE C7.15 50P P&P LARGE SELECTION OF SPECIALIST LOUDSPEAKERS
I E4 * WITH ECHO * AVAILABLE, INCLUDING CABINET FITTINGS, SPEAKER
GRILLES, CROSS-OVERS AND HIGH POWER, HIGH
STEREO DISCO MIXER with 2 x 7 band FREQUENCY BULLETS AND HORNS, LARGE (A4) S.A.E.
L 8 R graphic equalisers with bar graph
LED Vu meters. MANY OUTSTANDING (50p STAMPED) FOR COMPLETE LIST.
FEATURES:- including Echo with repeal 8 P - From McKenzie Professional Series
speed control, DJ Mic with tone control S - From McKenzie Studio Series
8 talk -over switch, 7 Channels with 4:k4I.121:1:99:Ill!,14:111:1CILIII011401031140.,
individual faders plus cross fade. Cue
Headphone Monitor. Useful combination of ALL McKENZtE UNITS B OHMS IMPEDANCE
the following inputs:- 3 turntables (mag), 3 8 100 WATT PC8-100GP GEN. PURPOSE. LEAD GUITAR, EXCELLENT MID, DISCO.
rnics, 5 Line for CD, Tape, Video etc. RES. FREQ. 80Hz. FREQ. RESP. TO 7KHz, SENS 96dB. PRICE C31.45 C2.00 PAP
10 100WATT S C10-100GP GUITAR, VOICE. KEYBOARD. DISCO, EXCELLENT MID.
Price £134.99 £5.00 P&P SIZE: 482 240 e 12Ormn RES. FREQ. 72Hz. FREQ. RESP. TO 6KHz, SENS97dB. PRICE C38.89 C2.50 PAP
10 200WATT S C10-200GP GUITAR, KEYB'D, DISCO, EXCELLENT HIGH POWER MID.
.1I.I1114.11;IIite,7441111:1-15,',11141:10111 RES. FREQ. 691-1z. FRED. REAP. TO 5KHz. SENS 97dB. PRICE C53.21 C2.50 PAP
Join the Piece revolution! The low dynamic mass (no voice coil) of a Piezo tweeter produces an improved 12 100WATT P C12-100GP HIGH POWER GEN. PURPOSE, LEAD GUITAR, DISCO.
transient response with a lower distortion level than ordinary dynamic tweeters. As a crossover is not required RES.FREO. 49Hz. FREQ. RESP. TO 7KHz, SENS 98dB. PRICE C40.35 C3.50 P&P
These units can be added to existing speaker systems of up to 100 watts (more if two are put in series. FREE 12 100WATT P C12-100TC (TWIN CONE) HIGH POWER, WIDE RESPONSE. P.A., VOICE. DISCO.
EXPLANATORY LEAFLETS ARE SUPPLIED WITH EACH TWEETER. RES. FREQ 45Hz. FRED. REAP. TO 12KHz. SENS 97dB. PRICE C41.39 C3.50 P&P
TYPE 'A' (KSN1036A) 3 round with protective wire mesh. Ideal for 12 200WATT SC12-200B HIGH POWER BASS. KEYBOARDS, DISCO. P.A.
RES. FRED. 45Hz. FREQ. RESP. TO 5KHz, SENS 99dB. PRICE C71.91 C3.50 P&P
: bookshelf and medium sized Hi-Fi apeakers. Price 04.90 50p P&P. 12 300WATT SC12-300GP HIGH POWER BASS, LEAD GUITAR, KEYBOARDS. DISCO ETC.
TYPE 'B' (KSN1005A) 3'/," super horn for general purpose speakers, RES. FREQ. 49Hz. FREQ. RESP. TO 7KHz. SENS 100dB. PRICE C95.66 C3.50 PAP
TYP*A 'TYPE disco and P.A. systems etc. Price £5.99 -50p P&P. 15 100WATT P C15-100BS BASS GUITAR. LOW FREQUENCY. P.A., DISCO.
TYPE 'C' (KSN1016A) 2"x5" wide dispersion horn for quality Hi-Fi sys- RES. FRED. 40Hz. FREQ. REAP. TO 5KHz. SENS 98dB. PRICE C 59.05 C4.00 P&P
tems and quality discos etc. Price C6.99 50p P8P.
-
15 200WATT P C15-200BS VERY HIGH POWER BASS.
TYPE 'D' (KSN1025A) 2"x6" wide dispersion horn. Upper frequency RES. FREQ. 40Hz. FREQ. REAP. TO 3KHz. SENS 98dB. PRICE C80.57 C4.00 P&P
15 250WATTSC15-250BS VERY HIGH POWER BASS.
TYPE C TYPE'S
response retained extending down to mid -range (2KHz). Suitable for high RES. FRED. 39Hz. FREQ. RESP. TO 4KHz. SENS 99dB. PRICE 090.23 - C4.50 PAP
quality Hi-Fi systems and quality discos. Price £9.99 50p P&P. 15 400WATTSC15-400BS VERY HIGH POWER. LOW FREQUENCY BASS.
TYPE 'E' (KSN1038A) 3'. horn tweeter with attractive silver finish trim. RES. FRED. 40Hz. FREQ. RESP. TO 4KHz, SENS 100dB. PRICE 0105.46 C4.50 P&P
Suitable for Hi-Fi monitor systems etc. Price £5.99 50p P&P. 18 500WATTSC18-500BS EXTREMELY HIGH POWER, LOW FREQUENCY BASS.
LEVEL CONTROL Combines. on a recessed mounting plate, level control RES. FRED. 27Hz. FREQ. REAP. TO 2KHz, SENS. 98dB. PRICE C174.97 C5.00 P&P
-i-voE and cabinet input jack socket. 85x85mm. Price C4.10 50p P8P. . - I -
ALL EARBENDER UNITS 8 OHMS (Except EB8-50 a EB10-50 which are dual impedance tapped u 4 II 8 ohm)
BASS, SINGLE CONE, HIGH COMPLIANCE, ROLLED SURROUND
.01,',111111:1:11111011.11-i;14I:1:1---4 8 50watt EBB -50 DUAL IMPEDENCE. TAPPED 4/8 OHM BASS. HI-FI, IN -CAR.
RES. FREQ. 40Hz. FRED. REAP. TO 7KHz SENS 97013. PRICE C8.90 - C2.00 P&P
THE VERY BEST IN QUALITY AND VALUE 10 50WATT EB10-50 DUAL IMPEDENCE. TAPPED 4/8 OHM BASS, HI -Fl. IN -CAR.
RES. FREQ. 40Hz. FREQ. REAP. TO 5KHz, SENS. 99d13. PRICE 013.65 ' C2.50 PAP
Made especially to suit today s need for compactness with high output 10 100WATT EB10-100 BASS. HI -Fl. STUDIO.
sound levels finished in hard wearing black vynide with protective RES. FREQ. 35Hz, FREQ. RESP. TO 3KHz, SENS 96dB. PRICE C30.39 C3.50 P&P
corners grille and carrying handle. Each unit incorporates a 12" driver 12 100WATT EB12-100 BASS, STUDIO. HI-FI, EXCELLENT DISCO.
plus high frequency horn for a full frequency range of 4511z-20KHz. RES. FREQ. 26Hz. FREQ. RESP. TO 3KHz. SENS 93dB. PRICE C42.12 C3.50 PAP
Both models are 8 Ohm impedance. Size' H20" x W15" a D12'. FULL RANGE TWIN CONE, HIGH COMPLIANCE, ROLLED SURROUND
5'. 60WATT EB5-60TC (TWIN CONE) HI -Fl. MULTI -ARRAY DISCO ETC.
CHOICE OF TWO MODELS RES. FREQ. 63Hz. FREQ. REAP. TO 20KHz. SENS 92dB. PRICE C9.99 C1.50 PAP
POWER RATINGS QUOTED IN WATTS RMS FOR EACH CABINET 6' 2 60WATT EB6-60TC (TWIN CONE) HI -Fl. MULTI -ARRAY DISCO ETC.
RES. FREQ. 38Hz. FREQ. RESP. TO 20KHz, SENS 94d13. PRICE 010.99 1.50 PAP
OMP 12-100WATTS (100dB) PRICE Cl 6 3.50 PER PAIR 8 60WATT EB8-60TC (TWIN CONE) HI -Fl. MILTI-ARRAY DISCO ETC.
OMP 12-200WATTS (200dB) PRICE C2 1 4.5 5 PER PAIR RES. FREQ. 40Hz. FREQ. RESP. TO 18KHz, SENS 89d13. PRICE C12.99 C1.50 PAP
10 60WATT EB10-60TC (TWIN CONE) HI -Fl. MULTI ARRAY DISCO ETC.
SPECIALIST CARRIER DEL. C12.50 PER PAIR RES. FREQ. 35Hz. FREQ. RESP. TO 12KHz, SENS 98dB. PRICE C16.49 C2.00 PAP

THREE SUPERB HIGH POWER

CAR STEREO BOOSTER AMPLIFIERS
150 WATTS (75 75) Stereo. 150W
-
PROVEN TRANSMITTER DESIGNS INCLUDING GLASS FIBRE
Bridged Mono PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD AND HIGH QUALITY COMPONENTS
250 WATTS (125 125) Stereo. 250W COMPLETE WITH CIRCUIT AND INSTRUCTIONS
Bridged Mono 3W TRANSMITTER 80-108MHz VARICAP CONTROLLED PROFESSIONAL
400 WATTS (200 200) Stereo. 400W PERFORMANCE. RANGE UP TO 3 MILES SIZE 38 x 123mm SUPPLY 12V a 0 5AMP
Bridged Mono PRICE 014.85 C1.00 PAP
ALL POWERS INTO 4 OHMS FM MICRO TRANSMITTER 100-108MM. VARICAP TUNED, COMPLETE WITH
Features: VERY SENS FET MIC. RANGE 100-300m. SIZE 56 x 46mrn. SUPPLY 9V BATTERY.
bridgable mono * Choice of ii PHOTO: 3W FM TRANSMITTER

PRICES: 150W C49.99 250W 09 9.9 9

400W Cl 0 9.9 5 PAP C2.00 EACH
high A low level inputs * L 8 R level
controls * Remote on -off * Speaker 8
thermal =tenon
POSTAL CHARGES PER ORDER E1.00 MINIMUM. OFFICIAL
ORDERS FROM SCHOOLS, COLLEGES, GOVT. BODIES, PLCs ETC.
BARCLAYCARD
B.K. ELECTRONICS
UNITS 1 & 5 COMET WAY, SOUTHEND-ON-SEA,
PRICES INCLUSIVE OF V.A.T. SALES COUNTER. VISA AND ESSEX. SS2 GTR.
ACCESS ACCEPTED BY POST, PHONE OR FAX. Tel.: 0702-527572 Fax.: 0702-420243
 BUYER'S GUIDE TO ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS 1993

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