EVERYDAY JULY1991

LECTRON Cs
INCORPORATING ELECTRONICS MONTHLY £1.50

ULTRASONIC PROXIMITY
METER
12V NICAD CHARGER
SIMPLE MODEL 41P-oe44`'''4

SERIES'
PROJECT 1 -
POLICE CAR

The No.1 Magazine for Electronics & Computer Projects

HIGH POWER AMPLIFIER For your car, it has 150 watts output. 17P3. LCD DISPLAY. 41/2 digits supplied with connection data £3.00 ref
Frequency response 20HZ to 20 KHZ and a signal to noise ratio SOLAR POWERED NICAD CHARGERCharges 4 AA nicads in 3P77 or 5 for £10.00 ref 10P78.
better than 60db. Has built n short circuit protection and adjustable 8 hours. Brand new and cased £6.00 ref 6P3. ALARM TRANSMITTERS. No data avaliable but nicely made
input level to suit youe cresting car stereo. so needs no pre -amp MOSFETS FOR POWER AMPUFIERS ETC.I00 watt mosfet complex transmitters 9v operation. £4.00 each ref 4P81.
Works intospeakers ref 30P7 described below. A real bargain atonly pair 2SJ99 and 2SK343 £4.00 a pair with pin out info ref 4P51. Also 100M REEL OF WHITE BELL VVIREtigure 8 pattern ideal for
£57.00 Order ref 57P1. avaliable is a 2SK413 and a 2SJ118 at £4.00 ref 4P42. intercoms, door bells etc £3.00 a reel ref 3P107.
HIGH POWER CAR SPEAKERS. Stereo pair output 100w each. 10 MEMORY PUSH BUTTON TELEPHONESThese are 'cus- TRANSMITTER RECEIVER SYSTEMoriginally made for nurse
4ohm impedance and consisting of 6 1/2' woofer 2" and range and tomer returns' so they may need slight attention. BT approved. £6.00 call systems they consist of a pendant style transmitter and a
1" tweeter Ideal to work with the amplifier described above. Pace per each ref 6P16 or 2 for £10.00 ref 10P77. receiver with telescopic aerial 12v. 80 different channels. £12.00 ref
pair £30.00 Order ref 30P7. 12 VOLT BRUSHLESS FAN' 112" square brand new ideal for 12P26
PERSONAL STEREOS Cuctonter returns but complete v.,th a boat, car, caravan etc. £5.00 ref 51'206. CLAP UGHT. This device turns on a lamp at a finger 'snap' etc.
pair of stereo headphones very good value at £300 ref 3P83. ACORN DATA RECORDER ALF503 Made for BBC computer, nicely cased with built in battery operated light. Ideal bedside fight etc
2KV 500 WATT TRANSFORMERS Suitable for high voltage but suitable for others. Includes mains adapter, leads and book. £4.00 each ref 4P82.
experiments or as a spare for a microwave oven etc. 250v AC input £15.00 ref 15P43 ELECTRONIC DIPSTICK KIT.Contains all you need to build an
£10.00 ref 10P93 VIDEO TAPES. Three hour superior quality electronic device to give a 10 level liquid indicator. £5.00 (ex case)
MICROWAVE CONTROL PANEL Mains operated, with touch tapes made under licence from the famous JVC ref 5P194.
switches. Complete with 4 digit display, digital clock, and 2 relay company. Pack of 10 tapes £20.00 ref 20P20. UNIVERSAL BATTERY CHARGER.Takes AA's, C's, D's and
outputs one for power and one for pulsed power (programmable). ELECTRONIC SPACESHIP. Sound and im- PP3 nicads. Holds up to 5 batteries at once. New and cased, mains
Ideal for all sons of precision timer applications etc. £600 ref 6P18 pact controlled, responds to claps and shouts and operated. £6.00 ref 6P36.
FIBRE OPTIC CABLE. Stranded optical fibres sheathed in black reverses when it hits anything. Kit with complete assembly instruc- ONE THOUSAND CABLE TIESI75mm x 2.4mm white nylon
PVC. Five metre length £7.00 ref 7P29 tions £10.00 ref 10P81. cable ties only £5.00 ref 5P181.
12V SOLAR CELL200mA output ideal fortnckle charging etc. 300 PC MODEMS1200/75 baud moderns designed to plug into a
mm square. Our price £15.00 ref 15P42 PHIUPS LASER. 2MW HEUUM NEON LASER TUBE, PC complete with manual but no software £18.00 ref 18P12
PASSIVE INFRA -RED MOTION SENSOR. -
BRAND NEW FULL SPEC £40.00 REF 40P10. MAINS ASTEC SWITCHED MODE POWER SUPPLYBOmm x 165mm
Complete with daylight sensor, adjustable tights POWER SUPPLY KIT £20.00 REF 20P33 READY BUILT (PCB size) gives +5 at 3.75A, +12 at 1.5A, -12 at 0.4A. Brand new
on timer (8 secs -15 mins), 50' range with a 90 AND TESTED LASER IN ONE CASE £75.00 REF 75P4. £12.00 ref 12P39.
deg coverage. Manual overide facility. Com- VENTILATED CASE FOR ABOVE PSUNith IEC filtered socket
plete with wall brackets, bulb holders etc. Brand
SOLDER 22SWG resin cored solder on a 1/2kg reel. Top quality. and power switch. £5.00 ref 5P190.
new and guaranteed. £25.00 ref 25P24. IN CAR POWER SUPPLY.Plugs into cigar socket and gives
£4.00 a reel ref 4P70.
Pack of two PA R38 bulbs for above unit £12.00 ' v
600 WATT HEATERS Ideal for air or liquid, will not corrode, lasts 3,4,5,6,7.5,9, and 12v outputs at 800mA. Complete with universal
ref 12P43
for years coil type construction 3"x2" mounted on a 4" dia metal plate spider plug. £5.00 ref 5P167.
VIDEO SENDER UNIT Transmit both audio for easy fixing. £3.00 ea ref 3P78 or 4 for £10.00 ref 10P76. CUSTOMER RETURNEDswitched mode power supplies. Mixed
and video signals from either a video camera,
TIME AND TEMPERATURE MODULE A clock, digital ther- type, good for spares or repair. £2.00 each ref 2P292.
video recorder or computer to any standard TV set within a 100' mometer (Celsius and Farenheit (0-160 deg F) programmable too DRILL OPERATED PUMP.Fits any drill and is self priming. £3.00
range! (tune TV to a spare channel). 12v DC op. £15.00 ref 15P39
hot and too cold alarms. Runs for at least a year on one AA battery. ref 3P140.
Suitable mains adaptor £500 ref 5P191
£9.00 ref 9P5. PERSONAL ATTACK ALARM.Complete with built in torch and
FM TRANSMITTER housed in a standard working 13A adapter Remote temperature probe for above unit £3.00 ref 3P60. vanity mirror. Pocket sized, red's 3 AA batteries. £3.00 ref 3P135
(bug is mains driven). £26.00 ref 26P2
GEARBOX KITS. Ideal for models etc. Contains 18 gears (2 of POWERFUL SOLAR CELL 1AMP .45 VOLTbnly £500 ref
MINATURE RADIO TRANSCEIVERS A pair of walkie talkies each size) 4x50mm axles and a powerful 9-12v motor. All the gears 5P192 (other sizes avali able in catalogue).
with a range of up to 2 kilometres. Units measure 22x52x155mm.
etc are push fit £3.00 for complete kit ref 3P93. SOLAR PROJECT KIT.Consists of a solar cell, special DC motor,
Complete with cases. £30.00 ref 30P12
ELECTRONIC TICKET MACHINES These units contain a plastic fan and turntables etc plus a 20 page book on solar energy!
FM CORDLESS MICROPHONE. Small hand held o).
magnetic card reader, two matrix printers, motors, sensors and Price is £8.00 ref 8P51.
unit with a 500 range) 2 transmit power levels reqs PP3 loads of electronic components etc. (12"x12"x7") Good value at
battery. Tuneable to any FM receiver. Our price £15 ref 1, "1 '1 I
RESISTOR PACK.10 x50 values (500 resistors) all 1/4 watt 2%
£12.00 ref 12P28. metal film. £5.00 ref 5P170.
15P42A
I
JOYSTICKS. Brand new with 2 fire buttons and suction feet these CAPACITOR PACK 1.100 assorted non electrolytic capacitors
units can be modified for most computers by changing the connector £2.00 ref 2P286.
10 BAND COMMUNICATIONS RECEIVER.7 short etc. Price is 2 for £5.00 ref 5P174. CAPACITOR PACK 2. 40 assorted electrolytic capacitors £200
bands, FM, AM and LW DX -local switch, tuning 'eye' mains
GAS POWERED SOLDERING IRON AND BLOW TORCH ref 2P287.
or battery Complete with shoulder strap and mans lead
Top quality tool with interchangeable heads and metal body. Fully QUICK CUPPA? 12v immersion heater oath lead and cigar lighter
NOW ONLY £19.0011 REF 19P14. adjustable, runs on lighter gos.£10.00 ref 10P12C plug £3.00 ref 3P92.
SMOKE ALARMS Ionization type 5 year warranty complete with LED PACK .50 red lads, 50 green lads and 50 yellow lads all 5mm
WHISPER 2000 LISTENING AID.Enables you to hear sounds battery only £5.00 ref 5P206
that would otherwise be inaudible' Complete with headphones. .£8.00 ref 8P52
ANSWER MACHINES BTapproved remote message playback, FERRARI TESTAROSSA. A true 2 channel radio controlled car
Cased. £5.00 ref 5P179.
intergral push button phone, power supply and tape. Exceptional with forward, reverse, 2 gears plus turbo. Working headlights.
CAR STEREO AND FM RADIOLow cost stereo system giving value at £45.00 ref 45P2
5 watts per channel. Signal to nose ratio better than 45db, wow and £22.00 ref 22P6.
CAR IONIZER KIT Improve the air in your car! clears smoke and ULTRASONIC WIRELESS ALARM SYSTEMTwo units, one
flutter less than 35% Neg earth £25 00 ref 25P21. helps to reduce fatigue. Case required. £12.00 ref 12P8.
LOW COST WAUKIE TALKIES. Pair of battery a sensor which plugs into a 13A socket in the area you wish to
6V 10AH LEAD ACIDsealed battery by yuasha ex equipment but protect. The other, a central alarm unit plugs into any other socket
operated units with a range of about 150'. Our price _I in excellent condition now only 2 for £10.00 ref 10P95. elsewere in the building. When the sensor is triggered (by body
£8 00 a pair ref 8P50
12 TO 220V INVERTER KITAs supplied it will handle up to about movement etc) the alarm sounds. Adjustable sensitivity. Price per
7 CHANNEL GRAPHIC EQUAUZER)lus a 60 watt -
15 w at 220v but with a largertransformer it will handle 80 watts. Basic pair £20.00 ref 20P34. Additional sensors (max 5 per alarm unit)
power amp! 20-21KHZ 4 -SR 12-14v DC negative earth. kit £12.00 ref 12P17. Larger transformer £12.00 ref 12P41. £11.00 ref 11P6.
Cased. £25 ref 25P14.
VERO EASI WIRE PROTOTYPING SYSTEMIdeal for design- TOP QUAUTY MICROPHONE. Unidirectional electret con-
NICAD BATTERIES. Brand new top quality. 4 x AA's £4.00 ref ing projects on etc. Complete with tools, wire and reusable board. denser mic 600 ohm sensitivity 16-18khz built in chime complete
4P44. 2 x C's £4.00 ref 4P73, 4 x D's £9.00 ref 9P12, 1 x PP3 £6.00 Our price £6.00 ref 6P33 with magnetic microphone stand and mic clip. £12.00 ref 12P42.
ref 6P35
MICROWAVE TURNTABLE MOTORS. Ideal for window dis- WASHING MACHINE PUMP.Mains operated new pump. Not self
TOWERS INTERNATIONAL TRANSISTOR SELECTOR plays etc. £5.00 ref 5P165. priming £5.00 ref 5P18.
GUIDE. The ultimate equivalents book. Latest edition £20.00 ref STC SWITCHED MODE POWER SUPPLY220v or 110v input IBM PRINTER LEAD.(D25 to centronics plug) 2 metre parallel.
20P32.
giving 50 at 2A. +24v at 0.25A, +12v at 0.15A and +90v at 0.4A £6.00 £5.00 ref 5P186.
CABLE TIES.142mm x 3 2mm white nylon pack of 100 £3.00 ref ref 6P59 COPPER CLAD STRIP BOARD 17' x 4" of .1" pitch "vero" board.
3P104. Bumper pack of 1,000 ties £14.00 TELEPHONE AUTODIALLERS.These units, when triggered will £4.00 a sheet ref 4P62 or 2 sheets for £7.00 ref 7P22.
automatically dial any telephone number. Originally made for alarm STRIP BOARD CUTTING TOOL£2.00 ref 2P352.
VIDEO AND AUDIO MONITORING panels. BT approved. £12.00 ref 12P23 (please state telephone no 3 1/2" disc drive. 720K capacity made by NEC £60.00 ref 60P2
req'd). TV LOUDSPEAKERS.5 watt magnetically screened 4 ohm 55 x
SYSTEM 25 WATT STEREO AMPLIFIERc. STK043. With the addition of 125mm. £3.00 a pair ref 3P109.
a handful of components you can build a 25 watt amplifier. £4.00 ref TV LOUDSPEAKERS. 3 watt 8 ohm magnetically screened 70 x
4P69 (Circuit dia included). 50mm. £3.00 a pair ref 3P108.
LINEAR POWER SUPPLY Brand new 220v input +5 at 3A, +12 BBC TRACKBALLS Once again in stock only £4.00 ref 4P86
at 1A, -12 at 1A. Short circuit protected. £12.00 ref 12P21. CROSS OVER NETWORKS 8 ohm 3 way Japanese made units
MAINS FANS Snail type construction. Approx 4"x5" mounted on a Excellent units avaiable at only £2.00 for a pair! ref 2P363
metal plate for easy fixing. New £5.00 5P166. SPEAKER GRILLS set of 3 matching grills of different diameters
POWERFUL IONIZER KIT. Generates 10 times more ions than 2 packs for £2.00 (6 gnlls) ref 2P364
commercial units! Complete kit including case £18.00 ref 18P2. 50 METRES OF MAINS CABLE £3.00 2 core black precut in
MINI RADIO MODULE Only 2" square with ferrite aerial and tuner. convenient 2 m lengths. Ideal for repairs and projects. ref 3P91
Superhet. Req's PP3 battery £1.00 ref BD716. 4 CORE -SCREENED AUDIO CABLE 24 METRES £2.00
HIGH RESOLUTION MONITOR.9" black and white Phillips tube Precut into convenient 1.2 m lengths. Ref 2P365
in chassis made for OPD computer but may be suitable for others. TWEETERS 2 1/4" DIA 8 ohm mounted on a smart metal plate for
Brand new units consisting of a camera, 14cm monitor, 70 metros of £20.00 ref 20P26 easy fixing £2.00 ref 2P366
cable, AC adapter, mounting bracket and owners manual. 240v AC COMPUTER MICE Originally made for Future PC's but can be
or 12v DC operation completewithbuiltin 2 way intercom. f99.00 ref BARGAIN NICADS AAA SIZE 200MAH 1.2V PACK OF 10 adapted for other machines. Swiss made £8.00 ref 8P57. Atari ST
99P2 £4.00 REF 4P92, PACK OF 100 £30.00 REF 30P16 conversion kit £2.00 ref 2P362.
6 1/2" 20 WATT SPEAKER Suitt in tweeter4 ohm £5.00 ref 5P205
1991 CATALOGUE AVAILABLE NOW IF YOU DO NOT CB CONVERTORS.Convens a car radio into an AM CB receiver. 5" X x. 16 OHM SPEAKER 3 for £1.00!! ref CD213
HAVE A COPY PLEASE REQUEST ONE WHEN ORDERING Cased with circuit diagram. £4.00 ref 4P48. ADJUSTABLE SPEAKER BRACKETS Ideal for mounting
OR SEND US A 6"X9" SAE FOR A FREE COPY. FLOPPY DISCS. Pack of 15 31/2" DSDD £10.00 ref 10P88. Pack speakers on internal or extemal corners, uneven surfaces etc. 2 for
of 10 51/4" DSDD £5.00 ref 5P168. £5.00 ref 5P207
GEIGER COUNTER KIT.Complete with tube, PCB and all compo- SONIC CONTROLLED MOTOR One click to start, two click to PIR UGHT SWITCH Replaces a standard fight switch in seconds
nents to build a battery operated geiger counter. £39.00 ref 39P( reverse direction, 3 cick to stop! Ea 00 each ref 3P137. fight operates when anybody comes within detection range (4m) and
FM BUG KIT.New design with PCB embedded coil. Transmits to FRESNEL MAGNIFYING LENS 83 x 52mm £1.00 ref BD827. stays on for an adjustable time (15 secs to 15 mins). Complete with
any FM radio. 9v battery req'd £5.00 ref 5P158 daylight sensor. Unit also functions as a dimmer switch! 200 watt
FM BUG Built and tested superior 9v operation £14.00 ref 14P3 max. Not suitable for flourescents. £14.00 ref 14P10
COMPOSITE VIDEO KITS.These convert composite video into
separate H sync, V sync and video. 12v DC. £8.00 ref 8P39.
SINCLAIR C5 MOTORS 12v 29A (full load) 3300 rpm 6"x4" 1/4"
BULL ELECTRICAL
250 PORTLAND ROAD HOVE SUSSEX
2 MEG DISC DRIVES 31/2" disc drives made by Sony housed in
a 51/4" frame 1.2 meg formatted. £66.00 ref 66P1.
360K 31/2" DISC DRIVES 1/2 height £25.00 ref 25P26
OrP shaft New £20.00 ref 20P22 40 CHANNEL TRANSCEIVER 4 WATT OUTPUT,
As above but with fitted 4 to 'nine reduction box (800rpm) and
1
BN3 50T TELEPHONE 0273 203500 HANDHELD SQUELCH CONTROL ETC £70.00
toothed nylon belt drive cog £40.00 ref 40P8. MAIL ORDER TERMS: CASH PO OR CHEQUE EACH REF 70P1
SINCLAIR C5 WHEELS13" or 16" dia including treaded tyre and WITH ORDER MIS £2.50 POST PLUS VAT. OR AVALIABLE AS A PAIR WITH NICAD
inner tube. Wheels are black, spoked one piece poly carbonate. 13" BATTERY PACKS FOR £150.00 REF 150P1
wheel £6 00 ref 6P20, 16" wheel £6.00 ref 6P21. PLEASE ALLOW 10-14 DAYS FOR DELIVERY
Illuminated channel display, 10 section aen al,
ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL Krflor c5 motor
PCB and all components to build a speed controller (0-
MINS Hi -Low power switch, external aerial socket,
DC charger socket, 12v DC power socket,
95%of speed) Uses pulse width modulation. E 1 7.00 ref
W9273 23077 carrying strap and owners manual.

SOME OF OUR PRODUCTS MAY BE UNLICENSABLE IN THE UK

 ELECTRONICS
INCORPORATING ELECTRONICS MONTHLY

VOL. 20 No. 7 JULY 1991

The No 1 Magazine for Electronic & Computer Projects
ISSN 0262 3617
PROJECTS ... THEORY ... NEWS ...
COMMENT ... POPULAR FEATURES ...
Projertx
ULTRASONIC PROXIMITY METER by Chris Walker 420
Know your distance and keep your distance with this multiple use design
DISCO LIGHTS CONTROLLER by Mike Tooley 429
A sophisticated three channel sound triggered system -
the latest Teach -In '91 project
SIMPLE MODEL SERIES -POLICE CAR by Owen Bishop 439
Flashing indicators and beacon, plus a siren, add realism to this
1/20 scale model
12V NICAD CHARGER by T. R. de Vaux Balbirnie 454
Charging 12V NiCads from a 12V supply or car battery
MODULAR DISCO LIGHTING SYSTEM by Chris Bowes 464
Customise your own light show.
Part Three: The Masterlink Module

5erievi
INTERFACE by Robert Penfold 436
The spot for all computer enthusiasts - PC prototyping cards
TEACH -IN '91 - 446
DESIGN YOUR OWN CIRCUITS by Mike Tooley
Part Eight: Power Contrc I
AMATEUR RADIO by Tony Smith G4FA1 463
Novice Licence Course; Young Amateur of the Year;
Amateur Radio and the Gulf

featurei
EDITORIAL 419
FROM FISH TO CHIPS by James Fowkes 426
Electronics from the Trojan wars to Photonics
SHOPTALK with David Barrington 428
Component buying for EE projects

SIMPLE MODELS SERIES SPECIAL

EASIWIRE OFFER 438
FOR YOUR ENTERTAINMENT by Barry Fox 452
Faxing Yourself, Digital Copyright; Overpowered
ROBOT ROUNDUP by Nigel Clark 458
News from the world of robotics
DIRECT BOOK SERVICE 460
Selected technical books and all the EE books by mail order
PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD SERVICE 468
P.C.B.s for EE projects, past and present
Wimborne Publishing Ltd 1991. Copyright in all
drawings, photographs and articles published in
EVERYDAY ELECTRONICS is fully protected, and ADVERTISER'S INDEX 472
reproduction or imitations in whole or in part are
expressly forbidden.
Our August '91 Issue will be published on Readers Services Editorial and Advertisement Departments 419
Friday, 5 July 1991. See page 411 for details.

Everj.dai- Vectronic.s. Jidi /991 41)9

 JUST A SMALL SELECTION END OF LINES
FROM OUR RANGE OF
OVER 120 KITS MODEMS - V22 BIS - 2400 BPS
KIT PRICE AUTO DIAL - AUTO ANSWER - FULL DUPLEX
No: DESCRIPTION: £ (EA) AUTO REDIAL - TONE & PULSE DIALLING
001 0.2 WATT FM TRANSMITTER 4.25 BT APPROVAL - BA BT APPROVAL
006 800 WATT MUSIC TO LIGHT 5.10 SUPPLIED WITH EAZILINK COMMS PACKAGE
009 I WATT FM TRANSMITTER 5.53
AM -FM -VHF RECEIVER 13.62 MC2400 - INTERNAL £55.00
013
014 3X700 WATT WIRELESS MUSIC -TO -LIGHT 11.06
PC2400 - EXTERNAL £85.00
018 GUITAR TREMELO 7.24
022 METAL DETECTOR 4.25
026 RUNNING LIGHTS 8.51 3.5" - 720K EXT FLOPPY DISC DRIVE
028 4 WATT FM TRANSMITTER 14.46 NEW - GREY CASE - BY WELL KNOWN OEM
CAR BATTERY CHECKER 2.98
034
3.83 SPECIAL OFFER PRICE £26.00
036 TRANSISTOR TESTER
DISCO STROBO LIGHT 11.49
037
AM -FM AERIAL AMPLIFIER 2.98
038 5.25" - 360K INT FLOPPY DISC DRIVE
049 ULTRASONIC RADAR 15.31
12.76
NEW - GREY OR BLACK - WELL KNOWN OEM
055 FM RECEIVER USING TDA7000
TELEPHONE AMPLIFIER 8.51 SPECIAL OFFER PRICE £24.00
059
065 INVERTOR I2V D.C. TO I2V A.0 21.27
069 I2V D.C. FLOURESCENT TUBE UNIT 5.53
6.38
073
075
VOX
ELECTRONIC DICE WITH L.E.D.'S 6.80
3.83
JUST ARRIVED
11 I LOGIC PROBE
114 ELECTRONIC LOCK 7.66
119 TELEPHONE LINE RECORDING 4.25 12" VGA PAPER WHITE MONITOR
TELEPHONE LOCK 6.80 TILT & SWIVEL BASE £115.00
125
NEGATIVE ION GENERATOR 14.46
129 WITH 8 BIT VGA CARD £160.00
TELEPHONE "BUG" DETECTOR 3.41
130
203 MINI FM TRANSMITTER WITH MIC GRAPHICS CARDS
(SUPPLIED READY ASSEMBLED) 4.25
OAK 8 BIT VGA £56.00
All kits contain a Silk Screened high quality P.C.B.
components, solder, wire and FULL instruction sheet. CGA - F/L CARD -
COMPOSITE OR TTL £15.00

SPECIAL OFFER HARD DISC DRIVE

60 MEG TAPE STREAMER 20 MEG - XT ONLY - 3.5" H/H
DC600 - 5.25" TRAY WITH CONTROL CARD £120.00
SUITABLE FOR ALL IBM COMPATIBLES 20 MEG - MFM - XT/AT
PRICE: £188.00 5.25" H/H £125.00

FLOPPY DISC DRIVES MOTHERBOARDS

3.5" 1.44M INTERNAL £48.00 8 SLOTS HEADLAND CHIP SET
3.5" 720K INTERNAL £40.00 AM I BIOS - SUPPORTS EMS 4.0
5.25" I.2M INTERNAL £48.00
1.2M EXTERNAL £51.00 & SHADOW RAM
5.25" £94.00
5.25" 360K EXTERNAL £27.00 286 -12 L/S 16MHz
286-16 L/S 21MHz £116.00
ACCESSORIES DRAM MEMORY - SIMM
5.25" ADAPTOR KIT FOR 3.5" F D D £8.00
5.25" TRAY FOR 3.5" F D D £5.50 256K x 9 80mS £14.00
POWER LEAD FOR 3.5" F D D £3.50 1 MEG x 9 80mS £42.00
IDC PIN TO EDGE CONNECTOR PCB £4.50
CONTROLLER CABLE FOR F D D £4.00
POWER SPLITTER £4.50 NEW PRODUCTS ARRIVE
HARD DRIVE CABLES £6.00 DAILY - PLEASE CALL
MICRO 'T SWITCH - RS232 £7.45

For a comprehensive
4., ALL PRICES
J INCLUDE VAT*
UK Orders:
HO WIT LTD guide covering our
Computer products, Kits
Test Equipment, Tools and
other miscellaneous items
ADD £2.00 carriage CREDIT CARD HOTLINE please send a stamped A4
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ADD £5.00 carriage
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ADD £10.00 carriage FAX No: 081-205 0603 £2.75

4 1 (1
Everyday Electronics, July 1991

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PEDOMETER
A pedometer measures the number of
paces walked, giving a rough idea of the C
actual distance. Since this figure can
only ever be approximate, this low cost
project should give quite acceptable
results.
The unit clips onto the side of the
walker's shoe with I.e.d.s showing the
number of paces in 500s. This gives a
maximum reading of 15,500 paces -
around 13 miles.

PORTABLE PET SCARER

A hand held, improved output version of the very popula- Pet Scarer design
we published back in May '89.

OPTICAL COMMUNICATIONS LINK

Another outstanding design that ties up with our Teach -In '91 series Design
Your Own Circuits. This fascinating use of opto-electronics will provide
many hours of experiment.

EVERYDAY

AUGUST ISSUE ON SALE FRIDAY JULY 5, 1991

NICS
Everyday Electronics, Jolt' 1991 411
 mnm. amp OM

eiMM. AM. fAMM.

NOTHING STOPS FOR CRICKLEWOOD

ONE OF THE LARGEST RANGES OF COMPONENTS IN THE UK
FAST AND EFFICIENT SAME DAY PERSONAL SERVICE
VERY COMPETITIVE PRICES, QUANTITY DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE
NO MINIMUM ORDER
Whether your requirement for surveillance equipment
Over 13,000 different components from all over the world is amateur, professional or you are just fascinated by
this unique area of electronics SUMA DESIGNS has
19" RACK CASES a kit to fit the bill. We have been designing electronic
surveillance equipment for over 12 years and you can
* Suitable for instruments, high quality be sure that all of our kits are very well tried, tested
and proven and come complete with full instructions,
amplifiers and many other applications that circuit diagrams, assembly details and all high quality
demand strength and professional finish components including fibreglass PCB. Unless other-
* New improved construction and finish wise stated all transmitters are tuneable and can be
* Black anodised aluminium front panels received on an ordinary VHF FM radio.
* Separate front mounting plate, no fixing
screws visible of the front and the side of the UTX Ultra -miniature room transmitter. Smallest room transmitter kit in
enclosure * Heavy gauge front panel is of theworldl Incredible 10mm x 20mm including mic. 3-12V operation. 500m
brushed aluminium finish enhanced with two range £16.45
professional handles * With ventilation slits MTX Micro -miniature room transmitter. Best selling micro -miniature
and plastic feet * Rear box manufactured room transmitter. Just 17mm x 17mm including mic. 3-12V operation 1000m
from 1 1mm steel finished in black. Rack mounting or free standing. range £13.45
Comes in quick assembly flat package. STX High-performance room transmitter. High performance transmitter
Order Code Panel Size Rear Box Weight Price with a buffered output stage for greater stability and range. Measures 22mm x
WH (inch) W H D E 22mm including mic. 6-12V operation. 1500m range £15.45
U112 19 x 1.75 17 x 1.5 x 12 2.5kg 24.95 VT500 High -power room transmitter. Powerful 250mW output providing
U212 19 x 3.5 17 x 3.0 x 12 3.3kg 29.75 excellent range and performance. Size 20mm x 40mm. 9-12V operation. Range
U312 19 x 5.25 17 x 5.0 x 12 4.0kg 31.95 3000m £16.45
U412 19 x 7.0 17 x 6.5 x 12 4.6kg 34.95 VXT Voice activated room transmitter. Triggers only when sounds are
Please add £3.00 P&P for the first item and £1.50 for each additional item detected. Very low standby current, variable sensitivity and delay with I.e.d.
Overseas orders welcome indicator. Size 20mm x 67mm, 9V operation, 1000m range £19.45
Please add VAT to above prices
QTX180 Crystal controlled room transmitter. Narrow band FM transmit-
ter for the ultimate in privacy. Operates on 180MHz and requires the use of a
CRICKLEWOOD ELECTRONICS LTD scanner receiver or our QRX180 kit (see catalogue). Size 20mm x 67mm, 9V
operation, 1000m range £40.95
40 CRICKLEWOOD BROADWAY, LONDON NW2 3ET SCRX Subcarrier scrambled room transmitter. Scrambled output from
this transmitter cannot be monitored without the SCDM decoder connected to
TEL: 081-450 0995/452 0161 receiver. Size 20mm x 67mm, 9V operation, 1000m range £22.95
FAX 081-208 1441 TELEX 914977 VISA SCDM Subcarrier decoder unit for SCRX. Connects to receiver earphone
socket and provides decoded audio output to headphones. Size 32mm x 70mm,
9-12V operation £22.95
HVX400 Mains powered room transmitter. Connects directly to 240V a.c.
supply for long term monitoring. Size 30mm x 35mm, 500m range £19.45
ATR2 Micro size telephone recording interface. Connects between tele-
WE HAVE THE WIDEST CHOICE OF USED EASEL 8 KJAER SOUND LEVEL METER phone line (anywhere) and cassette recorder. Switches tape automatically as
OSCILLOSCOPES IN THE COUNTRY 2206 MK
WITH CARRYING CASE Elie each
phone is used. All conversations recorded. Size 16mm x 32mm. Powered from
OTHER 866 EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE line £13.45
TEKTRONIX 2445 Four Trace 150MHz Dual TB [1200
TEKTRONIX 485 Dual Trace 350MHz t1CO3 DERRITRON TA120 with VP3 vibrator (1300 UTLX Ultra -miniature telephone transmitter. Smallest telephone trans-
TEKTRONIX 2225 Dual Trace 50Mli2 Detay Sweep COCO Unm erruprade PSU Unused from E250 mitter kit available. Incredible size of 10mm x 20mm. Connects to line (any-
TEKTRONIX 2215 Dual Trace 60MHz Deiay Sweet, C450 TEKTRONIX Waveformer Monitor tyre 528 E300 where) and switches on and off with phone use. All conversations transmitted.
TEXTRON% 475 Dual Trace 200MHz Delay Sweep C550
TEKTRONIX 465 Dual Trace 1004Hz 004 Sweep
RACAL INSTRUMENTATION RECORDERS Store 4D and
tote 70 from E 50
Powered from line, 500m range £15.95
SCHLUMBERGER ENERTEC 5218 Three Trace 200MHZ Delay KEITHLEY 224 Programmage Current Source E1000 TLX700 Micro -miniature telephone transmitter. Best selling telephone
Sweep CHO FERROGRAPH 8152 Recorder Test Set from E SO transmitter. Being 20mm x 20mm it is easier to assemble than UTLX. Connects
SCHLUMBERGER ENERTEC 5220 Dual Trace 100MHz Delay £200
Sweep 3100
THURLBY PSU PL320140 30V 2A Quad Mod Pcitai
THORN BENCH PSO 0-405 050A Metered E 00
to line (anywhere) and switches on and off with phone use. All conversations
PHAIPS K43217 Dual Trace 504xxe Delay Sweep CPO FARNEu.PSU H30 100 0306 0100A E so transmitted. Powered from line, 1000m range £13.45
HITACHI V650f Dual Trace 60M Hz Delay Sweep
HITACHI V352F Dual Trace 354012
£450
CIO
GOULD K40 Logic AnaNser 32 Channel
TELEOUIPMENT CT71 Curve Tracer
E500
E250
STLX High-performance telephone transmitter. High power telephone
HITACHI V212 Basal Trace 2061I2 CIO MARCONi TF2700 Universal LCR Bridge Battery from E125 transmitter with buffered output stage providing excellent stability and perfor-
LEADER 1020 Dual Trace 20MHz MARCONi TF2337A Automatic Distortion Meter 400Hz 14,:. mance. Connects to line (anywhere) and switches automatically with phone
TRIO 051022 Dual Trace 20602
GOULD 051100 Dual Trate 301.410 TV Ire
E225
C1110
001% E175
frmeD 00
use. All conversations transmitted. Powered from line. Size 22mm x 22m.
MARCONI MOD Meters TF2300 723006. TF2303
RACAL 9915 Fred Counter 10-520MHz Crystal Oven E150
1500m range £16.45
GOULDOS300 20MHz Dua Trace MANNESMAN TALLY Pixy 3 XY Plotter RS232 300
075
TKX900 Signalling/tracking transmitter. Transmits a continuous stream of
2mv cm Small Ughtwegnt NOW ONLY E215 CUB COLOUR MONITOR 14" BOB TTL
,Far better than some of the New Ruttish available,
audio pulses with variable tone and rate. Ideal for signalling or tracking pur-
AVO 8 & AVO 9 MULTIMETERS
poses. High power output gives range up to 3000m. Size 25mm x 63mm, 9V
SCOPE% 14E15 Dual Trace 1514Hz E 50 6000 WORKING ORDER - PHYSICALLY NOT BRILLIANT.
operation £22.95
GOO D 1421 Digital Storage Dual Trace 20MHz
GOU D1425 ()portal Storage Duarrt ace 20MHz
ESSO
E650
SUPPLIED WITH BATTERIES & LEADS. ONLY E30
Other muse Text set Not maks, eams from (6s te pun
CD600 Professional bug detector/locator. Multicolour bargraph readout
TEE RONix 434 Dual Trace 25MHz Tube storage C250 of signal strength with variable rate bleeper and variable sensitivity used to
1105 MAST A SAMPLE - IONIY MINIS AVAIMIJI
PHiLuPSPI.46622 Universal Timer Counter. 80MHz 9 091 El 30 detect and locate hidden transmitters. Switch to AUDIO CONFIRM mode to
FEEDBACK SFG606 Sweep Func Gen. Site Sp In 0 01Hz-lmm E140
E55
distinguish between localised bug transmission and normal legitimate signals
R CAL DANA Wideband Lem Meter 5002 FEEDBACK FG600 Func Gen Sine SO Tn 001 Hz-1006Hz
R CAL DANA Synthesized Sig Gen 101(it-104Mftz £750 AVO VALVE CHARACTERISTIC METERkeN E79 such as pagers, cellular, taxis etc. Size 70mm x 100mm, 9V operation £50.95
R CAL DANA ukiMi LCR Databrege 9341
W ONE KERR LCR Meter 4210
W ONE KERR Automate Component Bridge 9605
£550
NCO
£450
LEADERLI,18186a Topa" MIirneter 91-500KHz1mv-SOOV

SOLARTRON 7045 Multwneter 4 5 Digit 30 Ranges Auto Man

3100
KIKUSLA AVM23 AC Voltmeter Duai 0110Hz-5000e 300uv.1004 E75
C95
* * * SPECIAL * * *
from [40
WAYNE KERR Universal RF Bridge B602
YNE KERR Component Tester 8424
C150
C125
Large Range Of BENCH POWER SUPPLIES avaMble
x.Y PLOTTERS Yr ous "'odes from E25 -E403
DLTX/LRX Radio control switch.Remote control anything around your
F KNELL Synthesized Oscillator DSG1 0 0001ftz 99 99Kliz C275 home or garden, outside lights, alarms. paging systems etc. System consists of a
F RNELL Automatic Mod Meter MN £250 NEW EQUIPMENT small VHF transmitter with digital encoder and receiver unit with decoder and
BRADLEY Oscilloscope Calibrator 192 with Cal Cent MOO
relay output, momentary or alternate. 8way d.j.'. switches on both boards set
RCON TF2008 AM FM 1002-510602 Sig Gen 000 HAMEG OSCILLOSCOPE HM1005 Tripe Trace 100M11;
M RCON TF2015 AM FM 10-520MHz Sr; Gen with IT2171 CA00 Delay Tunetiase £792 your unique security code. TX size 45mm x 45mm, RX size 35mm x 90mm. Both
M R(0141112015 without Synchronser TF2171 C250 HAMEG OSCILLOSCOPE HM604 Dual Trace 60MHz 9V operation. Range up to 200m Complete system (2 kits) £50.95
M PCONI TF2016 AM FM 10100.120MHz Sig Gen with Delay Sweep £810 Individual transmitter DLTX £19.95
TF2173 050 HAMEG OSCILLOSCOPE HM203.7 Dual Trace 20MHz
Individual receiver DLRX
M RCONI TF2016 without Synchroniser TF2173 £175 Comment Tester E338 £37.95
M RCONI TF2356 2357 Level Osc Meter 101.110 the or E950 HAMEG OSCILLOSCOPE HM205-3 Dual Trace
H 86200 Sweeper Main Frame 101300MIP C500 Dgitai Storage E610 A build-up service is available on all of our kits if required.
M RCONI SANDERS 605565g Source 8002150MHz £400 AI Mee mess arWoOle-dlaed4eecepss suppled 01113 probes UK customers please send cheques. PO's or registered cash. Please add £1.50
M RCON SANDERS 6070A Sig Source 400-1200MH: C400 per order for P&P. Goods despatched ASAP allowing for cheque clearance.
RACAL 9009 Mod WITH 101.4101 5GHZ C350 BLACK STAR EQUIPMENT PEP all units E5
APPOLLO 10 100MHz Counter Timer Rate Period Time oten:a
Overseas customers send sterling bank draft and add £5.00 per order for ship-
TEKTRONiX 491 Spectrum Analyser 1512 4GHz__.......C750 etc E222 ment. Credit card orders welcome on 0827 714476
E295
HP 141T Spectrum Analyser System with 8555A 81F APPOLLO 100100MH2 Ms aeon with mere funcrensi
METEOR 100 FREQUENCY COUNTER 100M112 E109
OUR LATEST CATALOGUE CONTAINING MANY MORE NEW
Pugm 10Mi.0,18GHz E3250
HP 140 Spectrum Analyser System with8554 81F METEOR 600 FREQUENCY COUNTER 6001+00 E135 SURVEILLANCE KITS NOW AVAILABLE. SEND TWO FIRST CLASS
Peon 500KHz-1250MHz E1750 METEOR 1000 FREQUENCY COUNTER 1GH2 £178 STAMPS OR OVERSEAS SEND TWO IRC's.
HP 140 Spectrum Analyser System with 8553 & F JUPITOR 500 FUNCTION GEN 0 1Hz SOOKIU Sine 53 To E110
009
SUMA DESIGNS
Plugin 1KHz-1101AHZ E1400 ORION COLOUR BAR GENERATOR Pal TV Video
HP Spectrum Analyser 182 wan 85588 0 1-15001.411z All other Black Star equipmeM avadati
from E2250
OSCILLOSCOPE PROBES Switched X1 510 ,P8P E3, C11
THE WORKSHOPS
Used Equipment- WIth 30days g tea. Manuals supplied II possible.
This is a VERY SMALL SAMPLE OF STOCK SAE or telephone for lists Please check availability before
ordering CARRIAGE all units C16 VAT to be added to total of goods and carriage
95 MAIN ROAD 0827
STEWART OF READING
BAXTERLEY, Nr ATHERSTONE
WARWICKSHIRE CV9 2LE 714476
110 WYKEHAM ROAD, READING, BERKS RG6 1PL miTim
Tel: 0734 268041 Fax: 0734 351696 Caller eeicome9arn to 5 30pm MON-FRI (UNTIL Bprn THUPSf

4)2 Everyday Electronics, Jul' 1991

 RTVC HAVE DONE IT AGAIN!
w have secured all stocks of nearly new factory MAIL ORDER AMPHONIC 125 + 125 POWER AMPLIFIER
r urbished units with manufacturer approval, at
.inrepeatable prices. We also offer a 6 month
£1 BARGAIN PACKS
guarantee with all units (this only applies to
products marked * on this page.)
BUY 20 GET 1 FREE
Please state pack(s) required
Ni, puck
BIXII 5B I 30W dome tweeter. Size 90x66mi JAPAN made
BP1117 3 33000pF 16V dc. electrolytic high quality com-
Alba digital auto reverse pus .utton AM/FM / puter grade UK made 125 watt per channel stereo power amplifier with inde-
BP019 20 20 ceramic trimmers pendent volume controls, professional 19" rack mount and
LW car stereo with sepwate bass/treble control BP1)2ii 4 Tuning capacitors, 2 gang dielectuc a.m. type silent running cooling fan for extra reliability.
APPSS on tape. 25 watts per channel output, BP021 10 3 position, 8 tag slide switch 3 amp rated 125V Output power 125W RMS max. per channel
with line output for car components use. a.c. made in USA Output impedance 4 to 16 ohms
(max power into 4 ohms)
*£79.40+£2.30 pp BP022 5 Push-button switches. push on push off, 2 pole
changeover PC mount JAPAN made Sensitivity 450V at 22K ohms
BP023 6 2 pole 2 way rotary switch Protection Elecvonic short-circuit and fuses
BP024 2 2 Right angle, PCB mounting rotary switch. 4 Power 220-240V a.c. 50Hz
pole, 3 way rotary switch UK made by LOR- Chassis dim 435 x 125 x 280mm
LIN £142 + f7.00 pp
BP025 4 3 pole, 3 way miniature rotary twitch with one
Sparkomatic Phoenix extra position off (open frame YAXLEY type)
Digital auto reverse BPII2b 4 4 pole, 2 way rotary switch UK node by LORLIN
AM/FM/LW car stereo, with tape volume and BP1127 311 Mixed control knobs SPECIAL OFFER T13.19111
balance control. 9 watts output per channel BP029 6 Stereo rotary potentiometers
*£52.40+£2.80 pp BP010 2 10k wire wound double precision poten- DTMF TONE DIALLER 1

tiometers UK made Suitable -or remote control

BPI 4 UHF varicap tuner heads, unboyed and untested
AM/FM CAR RADIO CASSETTE PLAYER UK made by PHILIPS
of telephone answering 11

In -dash fitting controls for volume. tuning, fast forward 131'033 2 FM stereo decoder modules with diagram UK machines, videos, appliances 0

and wave change. Output for two speakers. Total power made by PHILIPS etc. requiring DTMF Remo Con
output 10 watts. Size 178(W) x 124(D) x 43(H) mm BP033A 4 6"x's" High grade Ferrite rod. UV made £8.95 signals over Foote, Tore Paw
(Supplied with instructions £16.90+ £2.60 BP034 3 AM IF modules with diagram PHILIPS UK
and circuit diagram). PP MADE telephone lines.
BP034A 2 AM -FM tuner head modules. UK made by Mul- Please add 75p p8p when ordering
lard
IILOFAX. BP014B I Hi-Fi stereo pre -amp module inputs for CD.
tuner, tape, magnetic cartridge with diagram VIDEO SENDER
PERSONAL ORGANISER UK made by MULLARD With this handy unit you can transmit the out-
RADIO/CALCULATOR BP035
BP036
6 All metal co -axial aerial plugs put of your home video, video camera or satel-
6 Fuse holders. panel mounting 20mm type
Solar Powered BP113K 2)1 5 pin din. 180° chassis socket
lite equipment over -the -air to a receiving televi-
Calculator BP039 6 Double phono sockets. Paxolin mounted sion within a range of 100ft. Simply connect the
BP041 3 2.8m lenghts of 3 core 5 amp rr alns flex video and audio output of your equipment into
Eight Digit BP042 Large VU meters JAPAN made this unit and a 10-13.8V dc power supply extra
Display B P043 ill 4V miniature bulbs, wire ended, new untested £3.75 size 122 x 70 x 21mm
B P044 2 Sonotone stereo crystal cartridge with 78 and LP
Imperial, styli JAPAN made SALE OFFER £11.50 +e2 pp
Battery BP045A Mono Cassette Record and play heads
Metric Powered BP046A
2
2 606 Mains transformers, PCB mounting. Size VHF RADIO TRANSMITTERS
Conversion AM Radio 42x33x35 100mW mini bug. Built a neat little fibre glass
Tables BP047A I 25V DC 150mA mains adaptor in black plastic pcb w th condense Fully tunable over the
High/Low case with flying input anc output leads new
FM ban £5.75 + E0.90 pp
Volume Control
BP049 Ii)
units made for famous sotrid mixer manufac-
turer. Size 80x55x47 2 dry s plied with fibre glass
Earphone provided 0C44 transistors. Remove paint from to nis, diagrams, ready for you to
becomes a photo -electric cell (ORP
Punched with 6 holes to fit into all personal organisers made by MULLARD
£7.50 + (0.70 pp
Listed price C19.95 OUR PRICE £8.95 plus 75p p&p BP05C 30 Low signal transistors* kit. Fully tuneable over the

Genuine fILOFAX . complete

with 91 calender, A to Z index and address
BP052A
6 14 watt output t
T
ntary pairs
ant {or onents, including heat sink.
£67 +e1 pp
e are not licensable
section. BP053 5 5 watt and
£5.95 plus 75p p&p BPO54 10 Motor s
sette an HIFI WOOFERS
1 MULTIBAND RADIO BP055 I Digital DVMrRneter round 100 watt Goodmans Hifi woofer 2' coil. paper
VHF 54-176MHz + AM CB BANDS 1 -80 used by THAND cone, loam rubber surround 4%" magnet, frame size 10',"
Listen to: AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL, BP056 4 7 segment 0.3 L imp 80 07.50, £2.80 pp
BP057 X Bridges 8- round 100 watt Audax Hifi woofer, 1" coil with
AIRCRAFT, RADAR,
£17.95 PUBLIC UTILITIES,
BP05X
BP059
200
I
Assor
Power CB with 30V 4V/A transformer.
fitted phaseplug, Hiteck TPX polimar cone with rubber
surround 4'." magnet, cie cast chassis. size 9%" 80
RADMANY
IO AMATEU RS AND MC7818CT IC & bridge rectifier Size 4" x
r 1l POSTAGE MAN Y MORE
imp £34.90- ft; pp
£2.85 SQUELCH CONTROL BPI* I 5 6 35mm Mono lack plugs
8" square 80 watt Audax Hifi woofer. 1%" coil.
BP063 5 6 35mm stereo switched pox sockets polypropylene cone, rubber surround. 3%- magnet.
"RUBBER DUCK AERIAL" BP064 chassis size 8'e" square 80 imp £19.70 £2.50 pp
12 Coax chassis mount sockets
BRNO 3mtr Euro-mains lead with chassis socket 8" round 70 watt Peerless Hifi woofer 1" coil. treatec
ROSS PUSH BUTTON RADIO,
I

paper cone, foam rubber surround. 3%" magnet. 811 imp

Mains and battery operated. Postage £3 per order Li 2.50, £2.50 pp
High quality VHF/FM, 5%" 35 watt Goodmans Hifi woofer. 1" coil. treated
Medium and Long Wave reception,
6 push button selected
28.0.28V 4 AMP MAINS paper cone. rubber surround, 3%" magnet, 81)
imp £7.20 12.50 pp
preset stations. TRANSFORMER 4.4" square 35 watt Audax Hifi woofer. 1in coil. paper
Fully retractable telescopic With a 5.5V at 0.5A mains input 110-240 Size 90 x 105 x cone, rolled surround, 2'. ' magnet. 80imp £7.50 £2.50
aerial 75 fitted with copper screening band, made for famous HIFI pp
Headphone/earphone Co £8.50 each. Postage £2.80.It's weight is 2 7Kgl Brand
lack socket. new and unused condition
Size 230H x 150W x 65D 2 for £14 POST PAID
HIFI TWEETER AND MID RANGE
Ref. RE -5500 4'9" square 100 watt Goodmans sealed back mid
Brand new. range, 1" coil. treated paper cone. 2'r' magnet, 80
Listed price over E30 00 KOSS STEREO HEADPHONES imp £5.50 12.50 pp
OFFER £13.50 High quality lightweight stereo headphones fitted 3.5mm 4" square 75 watt Audax sealed back mid range '." coil
lack with adaptor to 6.4mm lack. Ideal use HIFI or personal treated paper cone, Ferrofluid cooled coil, chassis size 3r.,-'
+ E2 80 pp stereos. Made to sell for nine pounds. Our price for this unit 80 imp
£4.25 postage 60p. £7.95 - £1 pp
30+30 WATT AMPLIFIER KIT 4" round 130 watt Peerless 1" metal dome Hifi
Hi- Fi stereo cassette deck transport mechanism, complete tweeter, 1" coil, 2'." magnet, rec crossover freq
with 3 digit rev counter and tape heads. 12V d.c. operation. 3KHz £15.90 -11.60 pp
Unused manufacturers surplus JAPAN made 44" x 2%" 75 watt '." direct drive dome tweeter, Ferrofluid
£6.20 + 2.50 P&P 2 for £10.00 + 3.50 P&P cooled '." voice coil rec crossover, freq 4 5KHz as above
but with re" face plate
£6.90 -11.30 pp
An easy to build amplifier with a good specifica- BSR STEREO RECORD PLAYER DECK 10% x 4% 120W Jamo horn tweeter 80 imp crossover freq
tion. All the components are mounted on the Manual auto operation, 3 speed (78. 45. 33',) 240V opera- 7KHz £9.95+ £2 pp
single PCB which is already punched and back - tion. Unused but store soiled
printed. £10.50 ea £3 75 P&P 2 for £18.00 £3.75 P&P
MOTOROLA PIZO CERAMIC TWEETERS
30W x 2 (DIN 4 ohm) Convert electrical energy into sound without the use of
CD/Aux, tape I, tape II, tuner and phono in- RADIO AND TV COMPONENTS ACTON LTD voice coils and magnet assemblies. No moving mass
puts. 21 HIGH STREET, ACTON, LONDON W3 6NG hence excellent transient response and low distortion with
Separate treble and bass. high efficiency levels as they cannot reproduce bass
MAIL ORDER TERMS POSTAL ORDERS and or CHEQUES with orders sounds No crossovers are required
Headphone jack. Nett monthly accounts to Schools Colleges and PLC only 3%" square, 50 watt Pizo super horn tweeter
Size (H.W.D.) 74 x 400 x 195mm. ACCESSVISA Phone orders between 9 30.12pm please Overseas readers
Kit enclosed: case. PCB, all components, scale write for quote on delivery SALE OFFER £3.95 +75 pp
3'." round, 50 watt Pizo horn tweeter
and knobs £36.80 + E3.50 pp. Phone 071 723 8432 or 081 992 8430
(Featured project in Everyday Electronics, April
£5.75 +75pp
Callers 323 Edgware Road. London W2 Closed Sun 2" x 6" wide dispersion 400 watt Pizo horn tweeter
1989 issue). Reprint Free with kit. 21 High St. Acton. London W3 closed San. Mon. Toes & Wed £11.95 + E1 pp

Everyday Electronics, July /991 413

WE BUY MANUFACTURER'S SURPLUS STOCK HENCE
THESE LOW PRICES FOR PRIME COMPONENTS
PRICE
ETR I FAN - 240V. 14W. -120mm= 38mm deep £8.50 1111.
RELAY - SIEMENS -12V 2 pole c/o. Low Profile. Gold contact,
high quality £1.00 AMPLIFIERS FROM
MAINS FILTER - Bulgin or similar 'quality' make/I.E.C./3A.
250V £1.80

elMrag7
TORROID TRANSFORMER + complete wiring diag. - 240V in.
Outputs 1 2V 4A, 12V 0.4A,12-0-12 1A + 2A, 9-0-9 2A £4.00
THERMAL PRINTER PAPER- Rolls 80mm wide 25m long £1.00
Box of 40 rolls £23.00
BARGAIN PACKS -Approx 3 lbs. of quality NEW mixed
components. No rubbish! We deal mainly in bulk to the
trade. All smaller qty. parts go in the packs regardless of value .. £5.00
HEAT SHRINK TUBING - Pack approx 15 x 16 inch lengths.
£3.00
Different diameters & colours
HARDWARE PACKS - Same quality & quantity as the packs we The UK Distributor for the
£3.50
do at all the major radio rallies -small nuts & bolts
small self tapping screws £3.50 complete ILP Audio Range
ring & spade crimp terminals - insulated £3.50
3M STICKY PROTECTIVE FEET -grey rubber - sheet of 56 £3.00
B.T. PHONE LEADS - Modern jack to jack/grey/3 mtrs £2.00
COPPER CLAD P.C. BOARD - double sided 18" x 10.5" sheet,
easy to cut on thin and flexible fibre glass £2.00
DISC DRIVE LEADS - ribbon cable; signal lead 34W card edge
to 34W DIL, suit BBC etc. £3.50
Dual signal lead 2 x 34W card edge to 34W DIL £5.00
Power lead, 4 way plug to 4W sckt (large type) £2.50
R ESETAB LE COUNTERS - 6 digit panel mount inc. catalogue data
12V DC ... £6.00
240V AC £6.00
TA -XI CMOS SAFE CONTINUITY PROBE - detects & locates
short circuits with variable audio tone, easy to use.
S.T.C. price £22.00 Our Price £9.00 BIPOLAR AND MOSFET MODULES
Needs PP3 battery (state if required) £0.80
BRIEF -CASE TYPE CARRYING CASE -used but in good The unique range of encapsulated amplifier
condition, approx. 13W' wide x 8%" deep x 8" high £7.00 modules with integral heatsink.
HY30 15W Bipolar amp f12.62 HY248 120W Bipolar amp (8 ohm) £27.38
POSTAL CHARGES: Orders up to £10 -£1.50; £20 - £3.00; £30 - £4.50. HY60 30W Bipolar amp £12.62 HY364 180W Bipolar amp (4 ohm) £42.86
LARGER ORDERS RING FOR CARRIAGE COST HY6060 30W Stereo Bipolar amp C26.46 HY368 180W Bipolar amp (8 ohm) £42.86
PLEASE ADD 17 VA, VAT TO TOTAL COST HY124 60W Bipolar amp (4 ohm) C20.69 M0S128 60W Mosfet amp £44.04
HY128 60W Bipolar amp (8 ohm) f20.69 MOS248 120W Mosfet amp £50.68
SEND TODAY -YOU'LL BE BACK FOR MORE! HY244 120W Bipolar amp (4 ohm) £27.38 MOS364 180W Mosfet amp £81.69

RICH ELECTRONICS
The Warehouse, Windsor Place,
PLATE AMPLIFIERS
Bipolar and Mosfet modules with the same
Senghenydd, electronics as above amplifiers housed in a
PHONE Mid-Glam, FAX different extrusion without heatsink.
0222 831547 S. Wales C F8 2G D 0222 830022 HY6060P 30W Stereo Bipolar amp £21.76 HY364P 180W Bipolar amp (4 ohm) £28.35
HY124P 60W Bipolar amp (4 ohm) E16.14 HY368P 180W Bipolar amp (8 ohm) £28.35
HY128P 60W Bipolar amp (8 ohm) £16.14 MOS128P 60W Mosfet amp £39.69
HY244P 120W Bipolar amp (4 ohm) C21.91 M0S248P 120W Mosfet amp f43.37

6Vectronize HY248P 120W Bipolar amp (8 ohm) £21.91

Note: These modules require additional heatsinks

M0S364P 180W Mostet amp C72.44

CAR ELECTRON/CS KITS POWER SUPPLIES

Comprising toroidal transformer and DC board to
MICRO -PRESSURE CAR ALARM power the ILP amplifier modules.
This new type of alarm is triggered by a unique pressure sensing system. As Pre-amplifier £11.80 PSU542 HY248 £29.94
any vehicle door is opened air is drawn out, causing a minute drop in air PSU212 1 or 2 HY30 £21.04 PSU552 M0S248 C32.29
pressure. A sensor detects this sudden pressure change and sets off the PSU412 HY6060, HY124, 1 or 2 HY60 £23.65 PSU712 HY244(2) £34.38
alarm. A sophisticated arrangement of electronic filters and timers provide PSU422 HY128 £25.90 PSU722 HY248(2) £35.51
features to match more expensive ultra -sonic systems. PSU432 MOS128 £27.13 PSU732 HY364 £35.51
tr 1Micro -pressure Intruder detection. PSU512 HY244, HY128(2) (28.81 PSU742 HY368 £37.80
* 2 Operates on all doors and tailgate - no switches needed. PSU522 HY124(2) £28.81 PSU752 MOS364. MOS248(2) £37.80
* 3 Automatically armed 1 minute after leaving vehicle. PSU532 M0S128(2) £29.94
* 4 10 second entry delay with audible warning.
tr 5 Sounds horn or siren intermittently for 1 minute - then re -arms.
tr 6 Easy fitting - only 3 wires to connect - no holes to drill. PRE -AMPLIFIER MODULES
Or 7 Compact design can be hidden below dashboard. These encapsulated modules are now supplied
* 8 All solid state Power MOSFET output - no relays. with 0.1" pin connectors for direct mounting into
* 9 Adjustable sensitivity.
MICRO -PRESSURE ALARM DIY parts kit £15.95 Assembled £22.35 pcb/veroboard
Y6-1 Mono pre -amplifier £10.01

120dB PIEZO SIREN (optional for Micro -pressure .8 Volt Drop Alarms) £13.35 HY66-1 Stereo pre -amplifier £16.91
4783-1 Guitar pre -amplifier with overdrive and reverb £19.67
MICRO -PRESSURE TRIGGER
This module adds MICRO -PRESSURE sensing to any volt drop operated
alarm simply by connecting two wires across the vehicle's 12v supply. Use it POWER SLAVES
to upgrade an existing alarm or combine the benefits of both systems. These cased amplifiers are supplied assembled
MICRO -PRESSURE TRIGGER DIY parts kit £10.95 Assembled £14.95 and tested in 60 and 120 watt Bipolar or Mosfet
VOLT DROP CAR ALARM DIY parts kit £14.90 Assembled £20.95 versions.
US12 60 watt Bipolar (4 ohm) £83.73 US32 60 wan Mosfet £114.39
TOTAL ENERGY DISCHARGE IGNITION US22 120 watt Bipolar (4 ohm) £92.93 US42 120 watt Mosfet f125.62
Our unbeatable Extended C.D.I. system retains the contacts for easy fitting.
The contacts operate at low current whilst the 12v supply is converted to 370v Access
for a super power spark with improved starting, performance and economy. Prices include VAT at the new rate
Includes contact bounce filter, voltage regulator (full output at only 6 volts),
timing L.E.D. and standard/electronic change over switch. of 1 7.5% and carriage
TOTAL ENERGY DISCHARGE
IGNITION DIY parts kit £22.75 Assembled £28.45 Quantity prices available on request
All the above Include cable, connectors and clear, easy to follow instructions.
All kits Include case, PCB, everything down to the last washer, even solder. Write or phone for free Data Pack
All prices now include post, packing and VAT on U.K. orders. Same prices
apply to all European countries. For delivery outside Europe please add £3.
Telephone orders accepted with VISA or ACCESS payment. Jaytee Electronic Services
Order direct (please quote ref. E17) or send for more details from 143 Reculver Road, Beltinge, Herne Bay, Kent CT6 6PL
ELECTRON/ZE DES/GN Tel. 021 308 5877 Telephone: (0227) 375254 Fax: 0227 365104
2 Hillside Road, Four Oaks, Sutton Coldfield, B74 4DQ

414 Everyday Electronics, July 1991

 PACKS PACKS 1014TATAI:11-11k7ADO01111:1 SWITCH MODE PSUIN
LOTS MORE IN
CATALOGUE!
K539 LED Pack.
OUR
Not only round but
SIMPLE MODEL SERIES Totally enclosed Astec Unit
175 , 136 65mm with switched and
many shaped LEDs in this pack in As featured in this magazine. See Page 438 for fused IEC inlet.
Minoodutel Number: BM41012
red, yellow, green, orange and clear.
Fantastic mix of new full spec devices.
details of special offer !! 115/230V, 50/60Hz
Outputs: 5V 3.75A
Price 100/£5.95; 250/£11.75 All kits available separately. 12V 1.5A
K575 Plastic Power Pack. Mainly TO126
and T0220 transistors, SCRs, Triacs etc.
Easiwire £15.00 Police Car £5.95 rio, itcae sl wattage:
T
12V01 0.4A
65
All new full spec marked devices
offering fantastic value. Lots of TIP and
ASCII KEYBOARD LCD DISPLAY E14.95: 100 11.21
5V supply, switch on board Z2123 8 digit 10mm high. Z8887 Made by STC, this 160 100mm
BD types. No PCB is attached to an aluminium chassis
Price changes output to emulate AT edge connector, so
50/E7.50 165 102 65mm and has a single 5V
INDICATOR PACK or XT keyboards. 94 keys, but ONLY £1 100 0.50 6A output Supplied with connection
K700 Big variety of neons In this pack! 18 do not have caps. 20 keys
Round, square and oblong, clip and have removeable tops. Size
MODEL RAILWAY PSU details, we can offer these at fraction of
their normal cost!
screw fix. Red, Green, Amber and Clear - Z8897 Panel 185 105mm with Prices E5.95; 10 4.95; 100 3.95
Tag & wire -ended. All are 110V, but 350 145mm. mains 1/ P & 2 5V 1A outputs Z8888A5 above but 5V 10A output.
suitable resistors for use on mains are Order Code Z8922 Prices
fully variable 0-12V 1.5A Z8890 DC -DC E8.95; 10 6.50; 100 - 5 20
included. Really great value for Money! Price £12.00 Output (needs Converter board Panel
Price 20/E2.50 3 components 220 195 requre 50V I/P for 5V 19.5A
K805 M2 screws. Good mix, this. NEW SMPSU (supplied) to be fitted). O/PricesR
Cheeseheaci, c/s, pan, mostly p021, few Z8921 'Apricot' PSU. Beautiful 5 12V relays with 10A E7.95; 254 5.20; 100 , 3.89
slot. Lengths to 12mm. All steel with unit 160 x 110 x 55mm with We still have good supplies of yet
various plating
c/o contacts controlled by another Astec model. This one is
Pack of 100 £1.80
switched IEC mains inlet. transistor circuits. Screw partially cased. the overall size being
K806 M2,5 screws. Various heads -
Made by Astec, BM43024. terminals on I/ P and 0/ P. 160 104 45mm. The PCB measures
mostly pan and c/s pozi. All plated steel 120' 240V input. Outputs Supplied with circuit and 160 100mm. Input and Outputs are on
Lengths to 10mm. 5V 2.5; + 121/(,, 2A. wiring diagram. flying leads, all colour coded. There is
Pack of 100 also an additional IEC socket to extend
E1.50 Price E12.95 Price £19.95 mains to another unit
K807 M3 screws. Good selection of sizes
including a few brass. Most heads. Specification:
Lengths to 35mm. 1991 CATALOGUE + SPRING SUPPLEMENT Model Number AA12531
Pack of 100 Input 115/230V, 50/60Hz
£1.50 YOU GET A GREAT DEAL MORE WHEN YOU DEAL Outputs +5V
K808 M4 screws, Huge variety! Pan, cis,
cheese, set, slot, pozi. From 4-50mm WITH GREENWELD!! +12V 15A
Total Wattage 50W
long. All steel, plated, black/hi-tensile.
Pack of 100 £1.60
The 1991 Greenweld Catalogue is out NOW! Price £6.95; 100 . 5.21
K809 M5 screws. As above. * Many substantial reductions Have you purchased the above
AA12531 PSU?
Pack of 100
MOTOR GEAR PACK
£2.00 * Quantity pricing for bulk buyers We now supply a conversion kit to
K579. This pack contains 10 assorted * 132 pages of value -packed goods a further change the outputs to 5V 2.5A; + 12V
2A; -12V 0,1A and -5V 0.55A.
battery powered motors (mostly 3V) 48 pages in 2 supplements K625 Complete kit and instructions.
90 gears etc; 16-60mm dia worms and Price E3.50
shafts. Amazing value. * Next 6 updates plus lists included in price K626 Instructions only.
Price Only E7.95
K708 Voltage Regulators. This Is an * Easy to use order form Price £1.00
excellent pack, made up from a huge * 1st class reply paid envelope NI -CAD BATTERIES
variety of the ve, -ve, fixed and Regular stocks: AAA £1.20; AA 99p;
variable regulators from 1.2V to 37V, * Our famous Bargain List C £2.20;D E2.30; PP3 E3.95
100mA to 5A, plastic and metal. Price to include Catalogue, current bargain list and next 6 lists All supplied with 24150 mobile radio battery
Ex
Price 20 for E6.95 reply paid envelope E2.50 (UK & BFPO) £5.00 Overseas. 58 63 33mm case (sometimes
K709 Bridge Rectifiers. Another damaged) contains 8 AA size
superb value pack could Include Stepper Motors Motor Panels rechargeable Nicads. These can be
anything from ',/; amp to 35A, 25V to Superb little 12V motor by Airpax PCB 92 31mm with mercury tilt switch, removed by breaking the case open.
1000V, plastic and metal. 35mm dla 21mm deep with a 16 tooth 2 VTL 10D2 opt° slotted switches, length Each cell rated 1 2V 600mA.
Price 20 for £5.95 9 5mm dia gear wheel mounted on the of 11 core cable with socket and stepper Price £3.00
K710 SCR's & TRIACS. Big mixture could 2mm dia spindle. Fixing centres 42mm. motor as described above. 24149 As above but 84 66x33mm
include all types from T092 plastic up to 7V, 48 step. 100 price is £9.04. 1:
P1016 There are again 8 cells but they are
DO5 stud mounting with a chance of Order Code 15045
E4.00 100 2.50
£3.50 100 2.20 longer than AA size, being 73mm long
everything in between! 25V to 1000V, Prices Controller Boards cell rated 1.2V 900mA.
100mA to tens of amps. Marvellous Mercury Switches 122mm containing a wealth
PCB 175
Price E4.50
value. Metal enclosed, In case 7.5mm of components 80C39 CPU, 4 TL066, AAA Nicads by Sanyo
Price 25 for £4.95 dia 9mm long 10mm flange one end. TL094, CMOS and 74 series chips, 8 SUPERDEAL PRICE!! These superb quality
K711 74 Logic Pack. All brand new Order Code Z2118 T0126 transistors, 13 T092 transistors batteries rated 1.2V 200mAh,
are
full spec devices from basic gates to Prices 2 for E1.00 and lots of Rs and C's etc - also a 3V and may be charged at 20mA or
complex logic. May include 54 & 64 100+ 0.25; 1k 0.18 lithium battery. 3 connectors on it go quick -charged at 60mA. Normally
types as well as 74 In L, LS, S, ALS. H, HC, 4 Digit Displays to tai card reader V motor panel & (c) costing around £1 50 each, we can offer
HCT, etc. LCD 4 digit 12 5mm high with low batt display panel which is Identical to our these at the SUPERDEAL prices below
Price per pack of 100 E6.00 and clock symbol. Complete with edge 2027(P111 of Catalogue). 12117 AAA Nica0 £1.00
K712 Crystals. Mostly HC60 and connector. Can you believe the price?' Order Code 25047 25 0.75 100 ,060
HC18U In a wide variety of frequencies Order Code 22119 Prices E3.50 100 1 75
from a few hundred kilohertz to many Prices £1.00 each Opto Slotted Switch Sealed Lead Acid Batteries
megahertz and the odd crystal oscillator 25 + 0.60; 100 + 0.45; 1 k 035 Vactel Type VTL 10Di YuASA NP6-12. 12V 6Ah sealed lead acid
IR emitter and battery These have been regularly
Driver Chips
-

module or two. detector can be removed from the trickle charged whilst In store.
Price Size
20 for E4.95 For above display. Type ICM 7211 AMIPL, plastic housing if required An 150 95 65mm, List price £28.00
K713 Fuseholders. Panel and chassis this is a 4 digit LCD decoder driver 1,P extremelyi83, Cheap version Of TIL100
mounting from a basic clip to high Interface). List £3.69. Order Code 18918
current enclosed types for 15, 20 and Prices £14.95 10 , 11.20
Order Code Z2120 Order Code 22122 YUASA NP10-6. 6V 10Ah, size
32mm fuses. Prices £2.00 Prices Pack of 5 E1.00 150 95 SOmm. List £18D0.
Price for pack of 50 £4.00 100+ 1.50; 1k (- 1,20 100 0.10; 1k 0.07

CAMERA BONANZA! 1/2Meg Memory Board

K714 Power Supply Capacitors. Order Code 18920
All
cans, mostly computer grade including Prices E10.00 10 6.00
popular values like 10,0001: 40V etc. Big
mix of values and voltages up to 100V or Job lot of returns - famous manufacturer. All are complete and look OK, only minor Z8900 Massive panel 460 400mm
more and 50,0000F. faults. smothered in chips. Could be a
Price for box of 25 £12.50 15028110mm Manual models include 110LF and 110TF, many have built in flash. complete computer judging by the IC's
K536 Bonanza Pack of 74 series chips Prices E3.50 ea 5 for £14.00 on the board. Made by Whltechapel
on panels. 200 , chips, may Inlude L, 15029110mm Motor driven. Models include 110IF. Prices £4.00 ea 5 for £16.00 Computer Works. Contains at least the
LS, H, HC, HCT etc. (These are actually 15030 35mm Manual. Models Include 35HL, 806, 35CT, DL10, DL7. Most have built in following (some panels have extra chips):
the Z8900 computer panels with all the flash. Prices E4.50 ea 5 for £18.00 64 4164-15 RAM's; over 200 74LS, F and
memory missing.) 25031 35mm Motor driven. Models Include DL15, 35EM, 35EFM, 35ESM, most with other logic chips; 3 4016-3, 2 , 8253.5,
Price built in flash Prices E5.50 ea 5 for £22.00 8251, 2 5516, 6 xtals, 3 'D' plugs and
E7.00 25032 Broken cameras, These have parts missing. A parcel of 6 assorted, all 35mm sockets. 3 DIN 64 way socket, R's, C's
GLUE GUNS including manual, motor driven, autofocus, twin lens types. Price £15.00 etc. Price equivalent to 4164's 30p
87-0400 Hot melt glue gun. Also some brand new cameras and lenses - SAE for details. each andrest of chips 3p each!
Electronically controlled heating To avoid confusion over different VAT rates, E25.00
element which melts the long stick of all our 1 off prices will Include VAT ,,15%
,

24397 RS232 data cable - 25 '0' plug

glue when inserted. Trigger feed. Mains until further notice. Add 2.17% to total. to 25'D' socket 6 feet long. All pins
operated. Normally sells for £8.60. Quantity prices do not include VAT. P&P connected. These are identical to our'
Our price E2.00 per order. Min Credit Card £5 No
E4.95 cW0 min. Official orders from Education Cat. No. P2875 £4.95 except for some
Glue sticks - pack of 10
Multiturn Trimpots from 14p
£1.00
GREENWELD welcome; min invoice charge £10.00. very minor corrosion on socket casing.
Payment is accepted by cheque, postal Half price
order, cash, including foreign currency bank
notes, book tokens, Access, Visa, Connect.
Just £2.50
25048 Panel 275 - 178mm containing
details in B/L 68
ELECTRONIC Our stores have enormous stocks of some excellent components. 2 D8243
Grey ribbon cable 100ft reels. COMPONENTS components and our trade counter is open I/O expander, 8035 CPU, 8253 timer 2651
230176 14 way £6.00 from 9-5.30 from Mon -Sat. Come and see USART all in sockets, 2 2111A-4 RAM, 25
us!
230197 16 way £8-00 mostly CMOS chips, 8 T0126 transistors,
Tel: (0703) 236363 prm 5 TO92 transistors, R's, C's etc; 26W IOC
Bulk LED's from 2p _ see Fax: (0703) 236307 plug, 2 34W IDC plugs, 2 xtals.
L 68 27D PARK ROAD, SOUTHAMPTON, SO1 3TB Only E3.00
or

Everyday Electronics, July 1991 415

 MAIL ORDER AND SHOP
EE105
135 Hunter St
Burton -on -Trent
Staffs, DE14 2ST

ELECTRONICS Tel: 0283 65435

Fax: 0283 46932

All prices include VAT at 17'/%

Add £2
HAMEG HM 203- 7 OSCILLOSCOPE
Shop open 9-5 Mon -Fri;
9-2 Saturday p&p to Supplying Electronics New model lust arrived High quality reliable instrument
made in W Germany Outstanding performance
Official orders welcome all orders
for Education,
Full two year parts and labour warranty
20MHz-2 channels 1mV sensitivity £338
Easy to operate and high performance i £59.15 VAT
Next Day Delivery £10.00
DIGITAL LCD THERMOSTAT
Robotics, Music, (cheques must be cleared)

EE MAY '91
A versatile thermostat with LCD read out, Computing and much,
MAX/MIN temperature reccording, clock and EDUCATIONAL BOOKS &
individually settable upper and lower switching
points. Covers -10 to 110 degres Celsius, much morel BOOK PROJECTS
accurate to within 0.1 degrees. Submersible probe
on 3 metre lead. Kit includes punched and printed
case Save on energy bills by improved control of
your hot water system Also ideal for greenhouse,
1991 CATALOGUE ADVENTURES WITH ELECTRONICS
The classic Easy to Follow book suitable for all ages. Ideal
soil temperature and aquarium control.Complete
kit includes thermostat and probe, mains power
AVAILABLE PRICE for beginners. No soldering, uses an S -DEC breadboard.
Gives clear instructions with lots of pictures. 16 projects -
supply and relay output. PCB's and punched and
printed case. £1.00 INC. P&P including three radios, siren, metronome, organ, intercom,
KIT REF 841 KIT PRICE £29.95 timer, etc. Helps you learn about electronic components
and how circuits work. Component pack includes an S -DEC
D.C. MOTOR GEARBOXES breadboard and all the components for the series.
STEPPING MOTORS ADVENTURES WITH ELECTRONICS £5.25
COMPONENT PACK (less book) £22 83

A range of top quality stepping motors suitable

for driving a wide range of mechanisms under FUN WITH ELECTRONICS
computer control using simple interfacing From the USBORNE Pocket Scientist series -An enjoyable
introduction to electronics. Full of very clear full colour
Ideal for Robots and Buggies. A miniature plastic techniques. pictures accompanied by easy to follow text. Ideal for all
reduction gearbox coupled with a 1.5-4-5 Volt ID36 PERMANENT MAGNET MOTOR - beginners -children and adults, Only basic tools are
mini motor. Variable gearbox reduction ratios 48 steps per rev £16.86
needed. 64 full colour pages cover all aspects - soldering
are obtained by fitting from 1 to 6 gearwheels MD200 HYBRID MOTOR - - fault finding - components (identification & how they
(supplied). Two types available: 200 steps per rev £17.10 work). Also full details of how to build 6 projects - burglar
SMALL UNIT TYPE MGS £4.08 MD35 Y. PERMANENT MAGNET MOTOR2- alarm, radio, game, etc. Requires soldering -4 pages
Speed range 3-2200 rpm. Size 37x43x25mm 48 steps per rev £198 clearly show you how.
Thecomponents supplied in our pack allows all the projects
LARGE UNIT TYPE MGL £4.65 MD38 PERMANENT MAGNET MOTOR -
to be built and kept. The book is available separately.
Speed range 2-1150 rpm. Size 57x43x29mm 48 steps per rev £9.15
FUN WITH ELECTRONICS Book £2.95
COMPONENT PACK (less book) f17 93

30 SOLDERLESS BREADBOARD PROJECTS

EVERYDAY ELECTRONICS KIT PROJECTS A book of projects by R. A. Penfold covering a wide range of
ALL KITS HERE HAVE BEEN FEATURED IN EE AND ARE SUPPLIED WITH MAGAZINE ARTICLE REPRINTS interests. All projects are built on a Verobloc breadboard.
SEPARATE REPRINTS ALSO AVAILABLE PRICE 80p EACH INCLUSIVE P&P KITS INCLUDE CASES, PCB's
HARDWARE AND ALL COMPONENTS (UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE) CASES ARE NOT DRILLED OR LABELS Full layout drawings and component identification
SUPPLIED UNLESS STATED diagramsenable the projects to be built by beginners. Each
Price Ref Price circuit can be dismantled and rebuilt several times using the
Ref
DIGITAL LCD THERMOSTAT May 91 578 SPECTRUM I.0 PORT less case Feb 87 £10.78 same components. The component pack allows all projects
841
with punched and printed case £29.95 569 CAR ALARM Dec 86 £14.24 in the book to be built one at a time.
840 DIGITAL COMBINATION LOCK Mar 91 563 200MHz DIG FREQUENCY METER Nov 86 (71.47 Projectscovered include amplifiers, light actuated switches,
with drilled case £19.86 £11.65
561 LIGHT RIDER LAPEL BADGE Oct 86 timers, metronome, touch switch, sound activated switch,
839 ANALOGIC TEST PROBE Jan 91 £13.23 £22.41 moisture detector, M.W. Radio, Fuzz unit, etc.
560 LIGHT RIDER DISCO VERSION Oct 86
838 MICROCONTROLLER LIGHT SEQUENCER £15.58
559 LIGHT RIDER 16 LED VERSION Oct 86
Dec 90 With drilled and labelled case £57.17 30 SOLDERLESS BREADBOARD
556 INFRA.RED BEAM ALARM Sep 86 02.39
835 SUPERHET BROADCAST RECEIVER Mar 90 PROJECTS Book 1 £295
With drilled panels and dial f17.16 544 TILT ALARM July 86 £8.94 £27 74
COMPONENT PACK
834 QUICK CAP TESTER Feb 90 £10.39 542 PERSONAL RADIO June 86 £13.17
833 EE 4 CHANNEL LIGHT CHASER Jan 90 £32.13 528 PA AMPLIFIER May 86 £30 60
815 EE TREASURE HUNTER Aug 89 Full Kit £45.95 523 STEREO REVERB Apr 86 £30.21 ENJOYING ELECTRONICS
814 BAT DETECTOR June 89 £21.44 513 BBC MIDI INTERFACE Mar 86 £31.93 A more advanced book which introduces some arithmetic
812 ULTRASONIC PET SCARER May 89 £14.81 512 MAINS TESTER & FUSE FINDER Mar 86 £10.07 and calculations to electronic circuits. 48 chapters covering
SPECTRUM EPROM PROGRAMMER Dec 88 £30.60 497 MUSICAL DOOR BELL Jan 86 £21.41 elementsof electronics such ascurrent, transistor switches,
800
796 SEASHELL SYNTHESISER Nov 88 £28 55 493 DIGITAL CAPACITANCE METER Dec 85 £49.95 flip-flops, oscillators, charge, pulses, etc. An excellent
481 SOLDERING IRON CONTROLLER Oct 85 £6.25 follow-up to Teach -in or any other of our series. Extremely
790 EPROM ERASER Oct 88 f 28.51
464 STEPPER MOTOR INTERFACE FOR THE BBC well explained by Owen Bishop who has written many
769 VARIABLE 25V -2A BENCH POWER SUPPLY f 9 60
COMPUTER less case Aug 85
Feb 88 f 56 82 £9.15 excellent beginners' articles in numerous electronics
1 D35 STEPPER MOTOR EXTRA
744 VIDEO CONTROLLER Oct 87 f 33.29 OPTIONAL POWER SUPPLY PARTS £5.86 magazines.
740 ACOUSTIC PROBE Nov 87 £20.01 461 CONTINUITY TESTER July 85 £7.08 ENJOYING ELECTRONICS Book £3.60
739 ACCENTED BEAT METRONOME Nov 87 £23.94 455 ELECTRONIC DOORBELLJune 85 £8.63 COMPONENT PACK £1462
734 AUTOMATIC PORCH LIGHT Oct 87 £19.62 453 GRAPHIC EQUALISER June 85 £30.63
730 BURST FIRE MAINS CONTROLLER 444 INSULATION TESTER Apr 85 £22.37 Note -A simple multimeter is needed to fully follow this
Sep 87 f15.50 book. The M102 BZ is ideal. £13.98
392 BBC MICRO AUDIO STORAGE SCOPE
728 PERSONAL STEREO AMP Sep 87 £16 34 INTERFACE Nov 84 £40.82
724 SUPER SOUND ADAPTOR Aug 87 £43.86 387 MAINS CABLE DETECTOR Oct 84 £6.31 A FIRST ELECTRONICS COURSE
722 FERMOSTAT July 87 £13 88 386 DRILL SPEED CONTROLLER Oct 84 £9.91 A copiously illustrated book that explains the principles of
719 BUCCANEER I B METAL DETECTOR 362 VARICAP AM RADIO May 84 (15.02 electronics by relating them to everyday objects. At the end
July 87 £30 22 £27.59
337 BIOLOGICAL AMPLIFIER Jan 84 of each chapter a set of questions and word puzzles allow
718 3 -BAND 1 6.30MHz RADIO Aug 87 £30.30 E6.49
263 BUZZ OFF Mar 83 progress to be checked in an entertaining way. An S -DEC
715 MINI DISCO LIGHTS June 87 £14 39 £6.50
242 INTERCOM no case July 82 breadboard is used for this series - soldering is not required.
707 EQUALIZER (IONISER) May 87 £17.75
240 EGG TIMER June 82 £7.85
700 ACTIVE I/R BURGLAR ALARM Mar 87 C40.74 £10.76 A FIRST ELECTRONIC COURSE BOOK E4.99
108 IN SITU TRANSISTOR TESTER June 78
584 SPECTRUM SPEECH SYNTH (no case) PACK E22.83
106 WIERD SOUND EFFECTS GEN Mar 78 £8.94
Feb 87 £23.90
101 ELECTRONIC DICE Mar 77 £7.15
581 VIDEO GUARD Feh 87 £9 59

416 Everyday Electronics, Julv /99/

 INSULATION DIGITAL
PET t
TESTER CAPACITANCE
SCARER
EE APRIL 85 EE MAY 89 METER
EE DEC 85
Produces high power ultrasound pulses. L.E.D.
flashes to indicate Dower output and level. Simple and accurate (1%) measurement of
A reliable electronic tester which checks Battery powered (9V -12V or via Mains Adaptor). capacitors from a few pF up to 1,000 µF. Clear
insulation resistance of wiring appliances etc., at 5 -digit LED display indicates exact value. Three
500 volts. The unit is battery powered simple and KIT REF 812
ranges - pF, nF, and uF. Just connect the
safe to operate. Leakage resistance of up to 100 Mains Adaptor £2.02 £14.81 capacitor, press the button and read the value.
Megohms can be read easily. One of our own
KIT REF 493
designs and extremely popular. £49.95
£22.37
KIT REF 444

4/01411, DIGITAL COMBINATION

MOSFET
///7

3 BAND
WIPP if
"NIP
/1/
NM IN
11
I/ LOCK
EE MAR '91 VARIABLE wit
Digital combination lock with a 12 key keypad. 4 digit BENCH 25V 2.5A11,,
code operates 250V -16A SPCO relay. A special
SHORT WAVE RADIO anti -tamper circuit allows the relay to be mounted POWER SUPPLY
EE AUG 87 remotely from the keypad without any loss of security.
EE FEB 88
Covers 1.6-30 MHz in 3 bands using modern Can be operated in many modes (latching/unlatching,
manual/automatic setting, continuous/momentary A superb design giving 0.25V and 0-2 5A. Twin
miniature coils. Audio output is via a built-in output. etc.). Article describes operation as Vehicle panel meters indicate Voltage and Current.
loudspeaker. Advanced design gives excellent Immobilising security system. Low current drain Voltage is variable from zero to 25V. A Toroidal
stability, sensitivity and selectivity. Simple to Kit includes drilled case
transformer MOSFET power output device, and
build. KIT REF 840 £19.86 Quad op -amp IC design give excellent
KIT REF 718 £30.30 performance.
KIT REF 769

ACOUSTIC 4 CHANNEL
PROBE LIGHT
DIGITAL FREQUENCY EE NOV '87
A very popular woject CHASER
200 MHz METER which picks up vibrations by .1
EE NOV 86 means of a contact probe EE Jan '90
An 8 digit meter reading from AF up to 200 MHz and passes them onto a pair A 1000W per channel chaser with zero volt
in two ranges. Large 0.5" Red LED display. Ideal of headphones cr an switching, hard drive, inductive load capability,
for AF and RF measurements. Amateur and C.B. amplifier. Sounds from engines, watches and mic sound sensor and sophisticated 'beat'
frequencies. speech travelling through wallscan be amplified detector. Chase steps to music or auto when
and heard clearly. Useful for mechanics, quiet. Variable speed and mic. sens. LED mimic
KIT REF 563
instrument engineers and nosey parkers! on front panel. Switchable for 3 or 4 channels.
P552 output. Ideal for rope lights, pir spots, disco
KIT REF 740
£20.01 and display lighting.
KIT REF 833

MICROCONTROL LER
.inaltaxe LIGHT SEQUENCER
EE
7 EE DEC '90
A superb kit with pre -drilled painted and silk screer
EQUALISER printed case for a really professional finish. This kit
uses a microcortroller I.C. to generate 8 -channel EPROM
EE MAY '87
A mains powered Ioniser with an output of
light sequences.. Sequences are selected by keypad
from over 100 stored in memory. Space for 10 user
ERASER
negative ionsthat give a refreshing feeling to the programmed sequences up to 16 steps long also
EE OCT '88
surrounding atmosphere. Negligible current available. 1000 watts per channel, zero volt
switching, inductive load capability. Opto-isolated Safe low-cost ur it capable of erasing up to four
consumption and all -insulated construction for total safety. Many other features. EPROM's simultaneously in less than twenty
ensure that the unit is safe and economical in Complete kit includes case, PCBs, minutes. Operates from a 12V supply. Safety
use. Easy to build on a simple PCB. all components and hardware. interlock. Convenient and simple to build and
KIT REF 707 KIT REF 838 use.
KIT REF 790

EE TREASURE
HUNTER SUPERHET BROADCAST
LIGHT RIDERS EE AUG '89 RECEIVER
EE OCT '86 A sensitive pulse induction
Three projects under one title-all simulations of Metal Detector. Picks up EE MAR '90
the Knight Rider lights from the TV series. The coins and rings etc., up to __- #."? At last, an easy to build SUPERHET A.M. radio
three are a lapel badge using six LEDs, a larger 20cms deep. Low "ground kit . Covers Long and medium Wave bands. built
LED unit with 16 LEDs and a mains version effect". Can
Can be used with in loudspeaker with 1 watt output. Excellent
search -head underwater. sensitivity and selectivity provided by ceramic I.F.
capable of driving six main lamps totalling over
Easy to use and build, kit
filter. Simple alignment and tuning without
500 watts.
special equipment. Kit available less case, or with
includes search -head, handle, case, PCB and all
KIT REF 559 CHASER LIGHT £15.58 pre-cut and drilled transparent plastic panels and
parts as shown.
dial for a striking see-through effect.
KIT REF 560 DISCO LIGHTS £22.41 KIT REF 815 £17.16
Including headphones £45.95 KIT REF 835
KIT REF 561 LAPEL BADGE £11.65

Everyday Electronics, July 1991 417

 E.E. TREASURE HUNTER
P. I. METAL DETECTOR
A highly developed and acclaimed Magenta design
giving excellent performance and reliability. Quartz
crystal controlled circuit with MOSFET coil drive and
high slew -rate DC coupled amplification. Detects a
10p coin at 20 cm and larger objects much deeper. Full
kit includes ALL components, drilled and tinned PCB,
search head, handle, case and all plastic parts . Some
simple drilling is required.
Efficient CMOS design with Powerful coil drive.
low battery drain. Detects Ferrous and non-
Single winding search coil ferrous metal - Gold, Silver
needs no sensitive adjustments. Copper etc.
No 'ground effect' - works 190mm diameter search coil
normally with search head im- gives large area coverage.
mersed in sea water Kit includes headphones.
Variable pitch audio output to
lightweight headphones. KIT REF. 815
Simple operation using single
one -touch control.
£45.95

DIGITAL CAPACITANCE METER

A wonderfully easy to use
instrument giving direct read-out
of capacitors from 1 pF to
1000uF Quick and accurate to use
even by absolute beginners. 1%
accuracy circuit using close
tolerance charging resistors and
quartz crystal timing.
Kit includes punched and printed
case, PCB, and all components.
Large bright 5 Digit LED display.
Direct read-out in uF, pF, nF.
Calibration not required.

KIT REF. 493..£49.95 MAIL ORDER AND SHOP

EE104
135 Hunter Street
Burton -on -Trent
VISA Staffs, DE14 2ST
Tel: 0283 65435
Fax: 0283 46932

ELECTRONICS it LTD
418 Evcrlthil Electronics-lull. /99 /
 Editorial Offices:
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SPECIAL MODELS SERIES Editor: MIKE KENWARD

This month we start a new series of projects that are, as far as we are aware, Secretary: PAMELA BROWN
unique in their form of construction and presentation. The electronics in- Deputy Editor: DAVID BAR R I N GTO N
volved in these projects have been specifically designed to fit inside cardboard
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Because of this unique approach - one which we hope will interest many PETER J. MEW, Frinton (0255) 850596
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who are inexperienced in project building, namely that we can supply printed READERS' ENQUIRIES
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Unfortunately the series very nearly floundered when we discovered that the use, purchase, repair or modification
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poration or modification of designs pub-
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This series will again be of interest to everyone who wants to learn about are still available before commencing any
project in a back -dated issue.
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Everyday Electronics, July /99/ 419

Constructional Project

ULTRASONIC
PROXIMITY METER
CHRIS WALKER
Experimental project that can be Applications are numerous and include:
customised to individuals own Fluid level measurement. In this use the
sensor would be mounted at the top
requirements. Applications include of a tank, directed downwards so that
the ultrasound is reflected off the sur-
personnel proximity detector and face of the liquid. The display would
motorist's parking aid directly show the fluid level and could
also warn of overflow or low-level con-
ditions.
ELECTRONIC distance measuring cribed here consists of a sensor unit and a Personnel proximity detector. For
devices using an ultrasonic sound display unit linked by a cable which can be detecting people standing near to a
beam are readily available at d.i.y. several metres long. The display is made door or shop counter etc.
stores these days. Featuring a digital up of a row of eight light emitting diodes
forming a "dot" bargraph which shows the Proximity detector for robotic systems.
readout in a choice of metric or imperial
units, they claim to make measuring a distance between the sensor unit and any Parking aid for the motorist. With
cinch by eliminating the need for a helper "sound -reflecting" surface. the sensor unit mounted low on the
to hold the other end of the tape. The maximum range, i.e. the distance at garage wall, this device should allow
In the authors experience, these which the eighth I.e.d. lights up, is adjus- the driver to position the car close to
ultrasonic measurers are a contrivance of table from about 2m down to 0.1m (the the wall without modifying the smooth
limited practical use. They can only shorter range giving higher display resolu- contours of the bodywork!
measure to a relatively large sound - tion). In addition to a visual display, the
reflecting object and the user can never be
sure that the reading displayed corresponds
unit can be made to act as a proximity
switch to sound an alarm or operate a relay
REVERSING
to the object in question. Reflections from when one particular I.e.d. switches on. METER
"foreign" objects are quite common. Many This project actually started its life as a
people end up fetching out the old steel reversing meter for the motorist. It was
tape to check the digital reading! APPLICATIONS intended to mount the sensor unit on the
Ultrasonic distance measurers do, how- The Ultrasonic Proximity Meter is vehicle's rear bumper so that the display
ever, have plenty of application in other designed as an open-ended project to be would indicate the distance to an object
fields. The Ultrasonic Proximity Meter des- customised to readers own requirements. behind when reversing. Like so many other

Fig. 1. System block diagram for the Ultrasonic Proximity Meter

40k Hz
OSCILLATOR
FREQUENCY
:7\kADJUST

0.2ms

Sr STEM DIVIDE BY
MONOSTAB LE
OSC 21°

TRANSMITTER

/
ULTRASOUND
TARGET

CLOCK RESET SET

AMPLIFIER
ENABLE OUTPUT RESET DEMODULATOR AND
JOHNSON LIP -FLO AND HIGH-PASS
COUNTER SCHMITT TRIGGER
FILTER
RECEIVER

BARGRAPH
!SPLAY

EE31COG

420 Everyday Electronics, July 1991

 designs. however, this one worked great on and filtering, this pulse resets the flip-flop trimmed to match the resonant frequency
the bench but when installed on the car, which causes the counter to freeze and of the transducer.
two major problems arose. display its current state on one of the eight The other half of ICI, along with resis-
Most significantly, it was going to prove display 1.e.crs. This output is displayed tors R3 and R4. preset VR2 and capacitor
very difficult to protect the ultrasonic until the next pulse from the monostable C2 generates the system oscillator signal at
transducers from the onslaught of water. once again resets the counter and initiates pin 9 which is adjustable using VR2 from
mud and salt spray experienced at the rear the next timing sequence. about 700Hz to 13k Hz. This signal is fed
of the vehicle. Regular car washing added The Johnson counter has ten outputs into the clock input of IC2 (pin 10), a
to the need for robust environmental (although only eight are used for the 14 -stage ripple counter.
protection. The designer dabbled with display) which go "high" in sequence on The output from the tenth stage (pin 14)
several ideas for aerodynamically shaped every clock pulse. Since the distance from of IC2 is connected to capacitor C3. Every
housings and solenoid operated waterproof the transducers to target determines the time pin 14 goes high, the voltage at the
hatches to protect the transducers. time taken for the reflected pulse to be junction of C3 and resistor R7 rises to
However, in addition to the dirt problem, received, this distance also determines how a logic level but rapidly drops as C3
I

it was discovered that the transducers do many clock pulses are used to increment charges up via R7. With the values given
not operate very satisfactorily in freez- the counter which, in turn, decides which the voltage stays "high" for about 0.2ms.
ing winter temperatures. Constructors who I.e.d. in the bargraph becomes illuminated This pulse is used to pass the 40kHz
may like to use the Proximity Meter on the at the end of every cycle. carrier signal through NAND gate lC3a
outside of the car will have to overcome and an inverted version of the carrier signal
these problems.
CIRCUIT through gate IC3b. The antiphase outputs
from these two gates "push and pull" cur-
HOW IT WORKS DESCRIPTION rent through the ultrasonic transducer X1
The block diagram of the complete sys- The circuit diagram of the display unit is which is mounted in the sensor unit. Con-
tem is shown in Fig.!. Basically, the unit shown in Fig.2. One half of the dual oscil- nection to this unit is made via socket SK 1.
relies on the fact that sound waves travel lator ICI employs resistors RI and R2. The 0.2ms pulse is also used to reset the
at a speed of about 330m/s through air. preset potentiometer VRI and capacitor Johnson counter IC5 (pin 15) and, after

IC3d
40118E
12
IC3b
4011 BE Si IN 1C7
=pm C6 Mirk 22}1
tON 10 F F I

SKI/1
1 47n I 05K 1/3
R1
11,

3 SKI I 4
1D4
lk ADS
IC3c
40118E 4-

IC3c 105
R4 40118E 40179E
R2 4k7 C3
15k 03
IC1 194148 81
TLC55 VR2 II 14 90
100k
VR I R6
4k7
2
12k IC2
40206E
16 IC4d
4093 BE
12 10

04-1)11
R9 (See Text)
F5
DI IC4c 104
194148 40938E
4k7
In TR1 SKI/
BC548 EARTH TAG CC RB
SK1/5 Ttn 100k

EE3141G

Fig. 2. Circuit diagram of the proximity meter Display Unit.

By timing how long it takes a pulse of Cl to generate the 40kHz carrier fre- inversion through gate IC3c, the pulse acts
ultrasonic sound waves to travel from the quency at pin 5 for the ultrasonic transmit- to set the bistable flip-flop created by
transmitter, reflect off the target object and ter. VRI allows the actual frequency to be NAND gates IC4a and IC4b. When set.
return to the receiver, the circuit can calcu-
late how far away the target is.
By using high frequency sound at 40kHz
(which is above the human range of hear-
ing), the system is less likely to suffer
interference from everyday noises. Also,
ultrasound is fairly directional and thus
ideally suited to this kind of application.
The frequency of the system oscillator is
adjustable and this has the effect of varying
the usable detection range as mentioned
earlier. This frequency is divided by 210
and, on every rising edge of the resultant
signal, the monostable section generates a
pulse which feeds a 0.2ms burst of 40k Hz
signal to the ultrasonic transmitter.
At the same instant, the monostable out-
put pulse resets the Johnson counter and
sets the flip-flop. The flip-flop output goes
high and enables the counter which then
proceeds to count upwards, clocked by the
system oscillator.
The counter continues to increment un-
til the ultrasound pulse arrives back at
the receiver transducer. After amplification

Everyday Electronics, July 1991 421

the output at pin 4 IC4b goes "low" and pulse. After amplification in the Sensor Current consumption is between 25mA
this allows the INHIBIT pin on 105 (pin Unit, the 40kHz signal is presented to SKI and 40mA depending on whether the
13) to relax to OV through pull -down pin 5. The positive half cycles of the signal I.e.d's are illuminated. For intermittent
resistor R9. pass through diode DI and cause capacitor use, a 9V PP3 battery is adequate, but
The counter IC5 can now start to incre- C4 to charge up so that the voltage at pin continuous use will dictate the need for a
ment, receiving clock pulses at pin 14. Note 13 IC4d rises to a logic I level. larger battery or mains derived power
that transistor TR I is used to invert the When the 40kHz signal stops, capacitor supply. The circuit will operate down to
system clock signal before it is fed to IC5. C4 discharges via resistor R8 and pin 13 5V but the supply should not exceed 10V.
This is necessary because IC5 features a IC4d drops to OV. Providing pin 12 IC4d is No current limiting resistors are used
rising edge triggered clock, whilst the fre- high, the presence of received ultrasound for the I.e.d's D4 to DI I This is be-
.

quency divider IC2 is falling edge triggered. will cause pin 11 IC4d to go low and reset cause the outputs from the 4017 CMOS
Inverting the clock ensures that the whole the flip-flop, causing pin 4 IC4b to go high counter cannot supply more than a few
system stays synchronised. and inhibit counter IC5. milliamps for each l.e.d. The use of high
Pin 12 IC4d stays low whilst the zeroth brightness I.e.d's is, therefore, recom-
COUNTER ANO stage output from the counter (pin 3105) is mended.
DISPLAY high. This means that any ultrasound
received before the first increment of the REMOTE SENSOR
After the first clock pulse at pin 14 105 The circuit diagram of the Sensor Unit is
I.e.d. D4 lights, after the second pulse I.e.d. counter will be ignored. This is important,
otherwise sound picked up by the receiver shown in Fig.3. IC6 is a low noise, f.e.t.
D5 and so on up to I.e.d. DI I which lights input, quad operational amplifier package.
after the eighth pulse. If no target object is transducer directly from the transmitter
without first being reflected off the target Section IC6c is not used.
detected after this time, the ninth clock Op.amp section IC6d is wired as a volt-
pulse will cause the counter to increment to would cause the flip-flop to be immediately
its final state where pin 11 IC5 goes high. reset. age follower. It provides no voltage gain
Capacitors C5 to C7 decouple the power but it buffers the input signal from the
This pulls the INHIBIT pin (pin 13 IC5) receiver transducer X2. Op. amp IC6a,
high via diode D3 which stops the counter, supply lines and help to remove the glitches
which occur as the ultrasonic pulse is trans- resistors R I I and R12 and capacitor C8 act
preventing it from overflowing back to
.
as a high-pass filter/amplifier, providing a
zero. mitted and as the display I.e.d's turn on
and off. C5 is placed near the flip-flop and gain of 100 above a frequency of about
The counter can be stopped at any time 34k Hz.
prior to this by the returning ultrasound C6 and C7 close to the counter chip.

TRANSMITTER
PL1 /I
+9V OPL1/3
GOkHz CII
IC6 own 22k
PL1/1.
612
1M
PIN 4
IC6
-9V a"
RIG PIN 11 012 +
R11 CB 1804
C10 IN4140 IC7 ,_, L12
10k 470P
C9
104 I+
R13
RECEIVER 3k9 10

OHO
x2 PL PL 1/5
1.04Hz
SCREEN

OV
1-0PLI/Vo

IFE31420)

Fig. 3. Circuit diagram for the Sensor

COMPONENTS
Approx cost
guidance only £25 Unit.
Resistors R13 and R14, IC6b and
Resistors Semiconductors capacitor C9 provide another stage of
R1, R3 1k (2 off) D1, D2, amplification for ultrasonic signals, result-
R2 15k D3, D12, ing in a further gain of 50. The output from
R4, R5 4k7 (2 off) *D13 1N4148 silicon diode (5 off) this stage (pin 7 IC6) is fed via a screened
D4 -D11 High brightness light
R6
R7
12k
33k
See emitting diode (8 off)
cable to plug PL1 which connects to socket
BC548 npn silicon
SKI in the Display Unit.
R8 100k 3B=OOP T R1
A negative supply generator IC7 creates
transistor
R9, R11
R10
10k (2 off)
68k TALK
Page
'TR2 TI P122 npn power a - 9V rail for the op -amps. Diode D12
and capacitor CI 2 are used by this chip.
R12 1M Darlington transistor
R13 3k9 IC1 TLC556 dual CMOS timer Capacitors CIO and CI I provide further
R14 180k IC2 40206E ripple counter decoupling and smoothing in the vicinity of
R15,1316 2k2 (2 off) IC3 4011BE quad NAND the amplifier circuits.
All 0.6W 1% metal film or IC4 4093BE quad NAND Schmitt
0.25W 5% carbon film
IC5
trigger
4017BE 10 -stage counter
CONSTRUCTION
IC6 TL074 quad f.e.t.-input op -amp The Ultrasonic Proximity Meter is built
Potentiometers on two printed circuit boards (p.c.b.$).
VR1 4k7 min preset, hone IC7 ICL7660 voltage converter
VR2 100k min preset, horiz.
These boards are available from the EE
Miscellaneous PCB Service, codes EE753 and EE754.
X1, X2 40kHz Ultrasonic transducer
Capacitors transmitter/receiver pair
The component layouts and full size
C1, C4, S1 Single -pole toggle switch copper foil master patterns are shown in
C9 1n polyester layer (3 off) PL1 5 -pin DIN plug Fig.4 and Fig.5. Note that the widths of
C2, C3 1 On polyester layer (2 off) SK1 5 -pin panel -mounting DIN both p.c.b.s are identical, so they can be
C5, C6 47n metallised polyester film socket manufactured as a single board and care-
(2 off) Plastic cases, size 116mm x 78mm x fully cut using a hacksaw after etching.
C7 22u axial elect., 25V 36mm and 72mm x 50mm x 25mm; 8 -pin Start construction by assembling the
C8 470p polystyrene d.i.l. socket;, 14 -pin d.i.l. socket (4 off);
C10 100µ axial elect., 35V
larger, Display Unit p.c.b., referring to
16 -pin d.i.l. socket (2 off); 4 -core individually Fig.4. Take care when soldering as very
C11 22µ radial elect., 25V screened cable; battery clip; 9V battery (see
C12 10µ radial elect., 63V text); flexible multi -coloured connecting wire; thin tracks pass between the i.c. pads in
'C13 4p7 axial/radial elect., 25V solder pins; solder etc. two places on this board and it is easy to
bridge across these.
Printed circuit boards available from EE PCB Service, codes EE753 and EE754. If you do make a mistake, excess solder
'Optional components for external add-on driver circuit, see Fig.6. can be removed either by holding the

4/7 Everyday Electronics, Jul' /991

 EARTH
TAG

D6
04
TO L.E.D.ANODES
AND COMMON C6
CATHODE
CONNECTION

05
D9
010 4
06
CATHODES BL ACK RE".
D7
DI1
BATTERr
CLIP Fig. 4. Printed circuit board component lay-
1EE314301 out and full size copper foil master pattern for
the Display Unit.

board horizontal with the track side down- out" the solder joint. Do not leave the iron The prototype Display Unit is housed in-
wards and applying the clean soldering on for long or the solder will run up the side an ABS box measuring about 116mm
iron bit so that solder runs off the track preset's leg. x 78mm x 36mm. Mount the eight I.e.d.'s
down the iron, or you can use a solder - D4 to DI I side -by -side in the lid of the box
sucker. Do not, however, rely too often on FLY/A/G LEADS along with the on/off switch SI . A 5 -pin
either method. The copper tracks are only Sixteen off -board flexible lead connec- DIN socket SKI is mounted in one end of
bonded to the fibreglass board with ad- tions have to be made to various other the box base.
hesive and they will soon lift off if excess components. It will be found most con- All the cathode (k) leads of the I.e.d's
heat is applied. venient, at this stage, if terminal pins are should be soldered together and connected
Some over -enthusiastic solder -suckers inserted into the p.c.b. for this purpose. to the "common" connection on the p.c.b.
also have a habit of devouring the tracks! The flying leads are later soldered to The cathode leads are marked by a small
The solder -sucker is a useful but rather these pins on the component side of the "flat" edge on the body of the device, but
harsh tool and it is best not to make board. Alternatively, you can solder about you will need to look closely for this before
mistakes in the first place. 10cm lengths of wire directly to the solder the I.e.d's are clipped into their plastic
Insert the two wire links onto the display pads but, using this technique, the wires panel -mounting clips.
p.c.b. and then solder in five d.i.l. sockets tend to break off if they are manipulated The eight anode leads are then linked to
for ICI to IC5. These sockets occupy most excessively. the p.c.b. in the order shown, D4 is the
holes on the p.c.b. and help the construc- Wiring to display diodes.
tor to orientate himself more easily on the
board and reduce the risk of putting the
other components in the wrong places.
All the other components can now be
added in any convenient order. The
electrolytic capacitor C7 has + and -
leads which must be located as shown.
Diodes DI to D3 must also be inserted
the correct way around. The cathode (k)
lead is marked by a thin band around the
diode body. These components are sensi-
tive to excess heat when soldering so avoid
frying them by keeping the iron on the joint
for no more than about three seconds. This
advice also applies to transistor TRI and
this component also has to be orientated
correctly with the flat side on its case ad-
jacent to resistor R9.
When soldering the two preset poten-
tiometers VR I and VR2 you may find that
it is difficult to prevent solder running
through the holes in the p.c.b. and up the
legs of the presets. The designer finds it best
to solder these devices in two stages.
First apply just enough solder to hold the
preset in place, allow the joints to cool and
then re -apply the iron and solder to "fill

Everyday Electronics, July 1991

 EE754

PL1/5
PL1 BODY
)VIA SCREEN)

PL1 /3

SCREENED
CABLE TO
PL1

PL1 /4

PL1/1

CONNECTIONS
TO PL1

SCREEN CONNECTS
rEE314401 TO PLUG BODY

Fig 5 Printed circuit board component layout and full size (top
right) copper foil master pattern. The connections to the screened
link cable DIN plug are also shown.
"near" (minimum range) l.e.d. and DI 1 (right) The completed
is the "far" (maximum range) indicator. circuit board mounted
Like other semiconductors, I.e.d's can be in a small plastic
damaged with too much heat during sol- case. The ultrasonic
dering. transducers are glued to
The five i.c.s can now be inserted into one side panel and the
their sockets. All of them are CMOS screened lead is held in
devices and, although they are quite the recess by the lid.
robust, they are susceptible to damage
from static electricity. Discharge your body tion on the circuit board with their iden-
by touching an "earthed" object before tification notches positioned as shown. under the cable grip and squeezing the
handling the chips and then try not to In the prototype the battery was held jaws of the cable grip around the screen
touch their pins. in place inside the box with a doubled - and cable using pliers. The four cores are
On new i.c.s the two rows of pins are sided sticky pad. The p.c.b. was sufficiently connected to the plug as shown in Fig.5.
usually splayed out too wide to fit in the anchored by its own flying leads. At the other end of the cable, two of the
sockets and they require gentle bending by cores connect directly to XI, the transmit-
pressing the entire row on a hard, flat sur- SENSOR UNIT ter transducer. Polarity of this transducer is
face. All five devices lie in the same direc- Assemble the Sensor Unit p.c.b. accord- not important. The remaining two cores
ing to Fig.5. Use d.i.l. sockets for the two and the screen connect to the p.c.b. as
Layout of components inside Display i.c.s and carefully ensure that the three shown. Insert the two i.c's into their sock-
case showing wiring to the DIN socket. electrolytic capacitors, CIO to C12, are ets at the end of assembly.
orientated correctly along with the diode
D12. TESTING and
The prototype sensor is housed in a plas-
tic case measuring 72mm x 50mm x 25mm.
ADJUSTMENTS
To test that the Ultrasonic Proximity
The ultrasonic transducers X1 and X2 are
Meter is working correctly, plug the sensor
glued onto the outside of this case with cable into the DIN socket, connect a
their leads protruding through small holes battery and switch SI on. Turn the two
drilled in the side panel. The centres of the
display presets VR1, VR2 to about mid -
transducers should be positioned between position and point the Sensor Unit away
4cm and 5cm apart. from any close objects.
It is important to identify which It should be possible to see all eight
transducer is the transmitter and which is I.e.d.s briefly flash about once every second
the receiver as they are electrically
each time an ultrasonic pulse is trans-
different. Your component supplier should mitted. If nothing happens go back and
be able to tell you which one is which. check all your work; soldering, component
The receiver, X2, is linked to the sensor location and interwiring.
p.c.b. by two very short lengths of wire no If l.e.d. D4 stays on even when the
more than 3cm long. The "earth" connec- Sensor is far from any object then it is
tion of the transducer (that is the one con-
possible that ultrasound from X I is pass-
nected to its metal case) goes to OV on the ing directly to X2 and causing the latter
circuit board. to resonate for a short time after the
SCREENED 0.2ms pulse is transmitted. This problem
can usually be solved by wrapping X1
CABLE in sound absorbing foam rubber. Self-
A 4 -core individually screened cable adhesive draught -excluding strip is useful
links the display and sensor units. Attach for this purpose. For some reason, al-
a 5 -pin DIN plug to one end of the cable. though I am not sure why, this difficulty
The screen in the cable connects to the seems more acute at very low tempera-
metal body of the plug by trapping it tures.

424 Everrclat Electronics, Jolt /99/

 +95 TO +245'
D.C.

D13 LOAD
1N4146

OUTPUT EXTERNAL
R16 POWER
FROM
ICS 2k2 252 SUPPLY

FROM
PROXIMITY TR2
METER C13 T I P122
p

OV OV

I EE 31452

Front panel layout of the Display Unit. Fig. 6. External output driver circuit diagram.
Now turn VR2 fully anticlockwise and
place the Sensor about 2m in front of a
OUTPUT DRIVER sary to boost the low current sourcing
ability of the CMOS output from 105.
large reflecting surface such as a wall. Any one or more outputs from the Capacitor CI3 smooths out the brief
VRI should be adjusted to bring the Johnson counter 105 can be used to "drop -outs" which occur every time the
transducers into resonance so that the operate a relay or warning device etc. For ultrasound pulse is transmitted and diode
Proximity Meter reliably detects the wall example, if the Ultrasonic Proximity Meter DI 3 removes any high -voltage back e.m.f
at its maximum range. VRI needs no is used to monitor the level of water in a which could be generated when inductive
further adjustment, but VR2 can now tank then one output can be used to switch loads (e.g. relay coils) are switched off.
be set to give the required operating on a solenoid water valve to replenish the The transistor can safely switch load
range/display resolution. tank contents if the level drops too low. In voltages up to about 24V d.c. at a maxi-
Target detection is most efficient when addition, another output can be made to mum current of 5A. Since, in use, the
the surface of the object is perpendicular sound an alarm if the level becomes too transistor is either switched off or fully on,
to the sensors, and hard surfaces are more high. it should not dissipate much power. but
reflective than soft ones: a liquid surface An add-on circuit used to drive an out- heatsinking may be necessary if the device
is an excellent reflector. As mentioned put device is shown in Fig.6. Note that the is run close to its limits.
towards the beginning of this article, the relevant I.e.d. must be disconnected and re- Readers wishing to control higher
transducers are not waterproof so unshel- placed by this circuit. currents/voltages or a.c. loads should use
tered outdoor operation of the sensors is Transistor TR2 is a Darlington device this circuit to drive a relay coil and then use
not recommended. v.hich provides the eery high gain neces- the relay contacts to switch the load. CI

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Everyday Eketrimies, July /99/

 awarded the Nobel prize, and Niels Bohr
extended his work so far as to evolve the
"Quantum Theory" several years later.
Not long afterwards the famous author, J.
B. Priestley (b.1894), explained how he killed
rats with batteries constructed from seven
square feet of coated surface - and cats, with
a four and a half square yard coating.
Sugar, eggs, fruit, etc., become luminous in
the dark, when given an electrostatic charge.
After the first world war, in the East End of
London and other big cities, stalls were being
erected outside shops. On them traders con-
structed radio receivers (called wireless sets
then) to demonstrate their simplicity to an
enthusiastic public.

VALVES
Before very long thermionic valves had su-
perseded crystal sets, and the weekly ritual
to the "electric shop" to get one's batteries
charged became commonplace.
In the RAF museum at Cranwell, the first
Services radio receiver was preserved; it was a
crystal receiver.
Components were fitted with terminals in

FROM FISH TO CHIPS those days and screwed to a "breadboard",

connection being made with 16 gauge copper
wire. This was inevitably bulky and soon
became superseded by soldered joints, which
James F. Fowkes introduced a new technique to the enthusias-
tic amateur, who soon became adept with
WHEN the Trojan wars were being until about the middle of the 15th century, clumsy soldering irons, tins of flux, and
fought in Greece, long before the when Shakespeare was producing his great plumbers solder.
rise of the Roman empire, shocks works, and Drake sailed the Spanish Main By 1937 the crystal was almost forgotten.
from "torpedo" fish (which belong to the - and defeated the Armada. Many complex thermionic valves had been
skate family) were being used to cure gout At Colchester, in Essex, a Doctor invented for specific purposes - and could be
and rheumatism. These fish generate electric William Gilbert was made Court Physician bought new from as little as four (old) pence -
shocks from an organ in their heads to to Queen Elizabeth, and given the task of only two new pence.
defend themselves. investigating those early Greek experi- In the German "People's set" four valves
But the first example of a "man-made" ments. He was able to electrify many were incorporated in one glass envelope, but it
electric shock must surely be in the more materials and coined the word was found expensive to replace.
Old Testament of the Holy Bible. Three "electricity". Then came war. Higher frequencies (shorter
thousand years ago, just after the period we
now call the Bronze Age, in the second book FRANKLIN wavelengths) were used to economise in
airspace and made way for microwave Radar.
of Samuel, 6, 7: ". . . Uz-zah put forth his By the 17th century Benjamin Franklin, But the interelectrode capacitance of ther-
hand to the ark of God and took hold of it who was a philosopher and a journalist mionic valves was limiting high frequency
(to steady it) when the oxen shook it. And as well as a statesman, had shown how performance and the crystal - now silicon -
God smote him for his error; and there he electricity could be collected from a kite came back into its own as a microwave
died ..." flown in clouds during a storm. demodulator diode.
The Old Testament defines an Ark as a Soon balloons were used instead of a
wooden chest, and in Exodus 25, 10, and 37,
I, it even details its construction. It would
kite, and even fishing rods held from
upstairs windows in vain attempts to col-
TRANSISTOR
The Bell Telephone Laboratories added a
appear to be a very efficient, if primitive lect electricity; the more ignorant even
second catswhisker to the diode in 1946 to in-
means of storing electricity. collecting rain -water in jam -jars. troduce the trans(fer)-(res)istor.
And it describes the construction of cloth- People learned to be more careful in Most retailers would only supply these
ing for the priests who carried the ark, too. these experiments after a Professor Rieh- primitive semiconductors to order because
In Exodus 39, 3- there is a remarkable mann, of St. Petersburg, was killed by a of their high cost. By 1950 a simple ger-
resemblance to that worn by modern-day bolt of lighting. Then spark -gaps were manium audio transistor (an 0070, or "red
linesmen/electricians working on extra high fitted - closer to the point of discharge than spot") cost between £2-f3 (about half of an
voltage lines, and to that worn by atomic to the observers.
average week's wage), and amateur societies
power station employees working in "hot" In 1886 the Abbe Nollet is reported to like the RSGB were providing information to
areas; even to the earthing chains ... have discharged a Leyden jar through an enable members to construct their own crude
entire regiment of 1,500 men linking hands,
ELECTRA who "all received a violent shock in the arms
devices.
In similar fashion to the thermionic valve
But what we know now of the science of and shoulders". several transistors were amalgamated into
electricity really started in 585 BC, not long John Dalton developed the atomic one envelope; the "integrated circuit" - soon
after the first of the Olympic Games began theory in about 1803. He reasoned that the to be lovingly nicknamed "the chip" - had
from the Temple of Zeus, in Greece. smallest particle cannot be further sub- arrived.
A man named Thales who lived in a town divided without changing the element. Now we can incorporate more than ten mil-
called Miletus became known as "one of In 1837 Charles Wheatstone, at King's lion components onto a single "chip" using
the seven wise men" after he discovered College in London's Strand, developed the lithographic techniques. Gold "wire", used to
that amber would attract other materials line telegraph. It utilised the famous code join them, may be only several atoms thick -
when it was rubbed. The name given to consisting of dots and dashes invented by and less than thousandths of an inch wide.
amber and other bright minerals in those Samuel Morse. But the silicon microchip has almost
days was Elektra - or "electron".
Only a hundred years later a Roman WIRELESS reached its limits of minaturisation. Investiga-
tions into gallium arsenide began in the mid -
scholar named Leucippus tried to describe Before the end of the century experiments '50's, and it was found to be much faster
how the Universe was held together. And were being conducted in wireless telegraphy (capable of higher frequencies) than silicon,
two hundred years after that Democritus, using a telephone coherer (soon discarded and able to work at temperatures more than
who became known as the "Father of for a galena crystal and catswhisker) to 80 degrees C. above that at which silicon
physics", was teaching atomic theory. receive signals from a spark transmitter. breaks down.
("Atoma" is Greek for indivisible). In 1908 Lord Rutherford established the In 1983, a contract from Defense Advanced
Nothing really exciting happened then electrical structure of matter and was Research Projects Agency enabled the Rock -

426 Everyday Electronics, July 1991

 PHOTON/CS
Scientists working for the Bell
Laboratories in America have developed
a computer which uses laser beams to
carry its information through optical
switching clusters. This permits it to run
at up to 1,000 times faster than
silicon -based electronic computers; it is
only limited by the speed of light.
Capable of processing multiple in-
structions instantaneously, "clock" chip
speeds (bit speeds) will be replaced by
photons (light particles) - travelling at
186,300 miles per second - equivalent to
more than one hundred million instruc-
tions per second. The computer will
incorporate lasers, prisms, diffraction
gratings and lenses which will accelerate,
concentrate and focus the photon beam.
This new technology has been called
"photonics". Recent advances made in
super conductivity - at near -ambient
temperatures - may soon eliminate the
'time constant' from our equations.
We have reached the stage where we
An early static electricity experiment is shown utilising a coil and two Leyden jars need computers to design computers. The
(one jar has been removed to show "static collector'), Inset reveals the lead coat- atomic theories of the ancients have been
ing, both inside and outside of the jar, which forms a capacitor Other components replaced with twentieth century quantum
shown are a switch (to earth the aerial when not in use); a microwave valve; coils mechanics. This involves the merge of
and capacitors (the tiny dots behind the phones are latter-day capacitors); a Morse microelectronics with biochemistry.
key; an early 'Solon "soldering iron - and a tin of "Fluxite". It was recently reported that the
well Corporation to investigate gallium ar- tions would have to be aligned exactly so American Navy was experimenting with
senide integrated circuits. Within three years that they focus onto the correct input and the idea of using dolphins in warfare.
they were producing 6K gate arrays (6000 output molecules. Nobody has proved yet whether dol-
transistors connected to each other to store Since the molecular computer involves phins are related to skate.
digital information). a three-dimensional structure, both ROM
In 1985 Honeywell (a subsidiary of Rock- and RAM can be assembled to a very high *Historical Note:
well) claimed to have produced the fastest ever density, permitting memories of a gigabyte Sir Oliver Lodge's coherer:
transistor, using gallium arsenide. Taking or more. This opens up a whole new field of If a glass tube have two platinum wires
measurements from a ring -oscillator at room- uses, from medically implanted monitors sealed into its ends, and he filled with met-
temperature, each stage was switched in 11.6 (that will immediately diagnose and treat allic filings, the electrical resistance be-
trillionths of a second (11.6 picoseconds). any infection or emergency) to environ- tween the wires is, in the normal state of
GaA devices recover from high-energy mental monitoring. the tube. very great. If however, electro-
radiation breakdown much quicker than But now those 6K gates of the '80's have magnetic radiation is falling on the tube,
silicon, and will detect (and generate) light; led to the development of Gallium Ar- the resistance is much diminished, and a
making them very useful for telephone, senide optical switching elements arranged current will pass through a relay circuit
medical, and other fibre -optic devices. in clusters, and are each capable of process - im'luding a battery. a galvanometer, and
the coherer. If the coherer he kept con-
MOLECULAR ing 1,000,000,000 (one billion) pieces of
information every second. stantly tapped, so as to shake the filings. it
ELECTRONICS (Light emitting diodes 1.e.d's, can be returns to its initial state of high resis-
tance when the waves cease, and the current
Molecular electronics, involving organic seen in many applications; but laser
chemistry, was conceived in the mid'70's. It diodes generate a more concentrated through it is stopped.
utilises biochemistry to design molecules radiation of uniform wavelength. Photo - (From: The Theory of Experimental
for the basic elements of a computer sys- diodes, using a similar method of Electricity, by W. Whetham MA FRS,
tem, and involves switching them by mod- manufacture, can be tuned to detect that Fellow of Trinty College, Cambridge;
ulated laser beams. The optical connec same wavelength). Published by University Press, 1905).

twoiww,A

This selection of thermionic valves spans nearly sixty years

An early thermionic "bright -emitter" triode valve, circa 1907; of valve technology. A ";semi -shrouded" mains transformer
a galena crystal and catswhisker (point -contact shown in is shown in the background which was used to supply
inset); and a miscellany of more modern diodes, le.d.s and power to these valves. This (typical) one can supply
transistors; some integrated circuits and an EPROM. 300-0-300V at 100mA, 6.3-0-6.3V at 6A, and 4V at 3A.

Everyday Electronics, Ju1v 1991 427

 Proximity Meter. The 40kHz ultrasonic

TALK
transducers are usually advertised as pairs
and MUSTbe purchased as such.
It is important to identify which
transducer is the transmitter and which is
the receiver (usually marked with a T and
R) as they are electrically different. Consult
your supplier if in any doubt.
with David Barrington The two printed circuit boards for this
drives the siren, flashing beacon and in- project are available as a pair from the EE
Police Car -Simple Model Series dicators, may prove difficult to locate. If this PCB Service, codes EE753(Display) and
The new "model making" series com- is the case then Maplin can supply, code EE754 (Sensor), see page 468.
mencing this month will have a wide appeal WQ39N (LM3909 LED Flash/Osc.), and it
across a broad spectrum of our readers and Teach -In '91
is also currently listed by Cirkit, Green - This month, it looks as though the semi-
it combines two interesting hobbies in weld and Omni to name but a few.
one - namely electronics and models. conductor devices could possibly cause
There will be whimsical models and realistic Disco Lighting System Modular followers of the Teach -In '91 series, Design
scale models. So if you have some model We do not expect any component buying Your Own Circuits, certain local supply
makers amongst your friends who would problems to be encountered by construc- difficulties.
like an easy "hands-on" introduction to tors of the Masterlink, this month's Disco The only listing for the MC3041 triac
electronics - pass the word around! Lighting System module. opto-isolator, with internal "zero crossing"
Assembly and wiring of the electronics is The metal instrument case for this mod- circuit, used in the Disco Lights Controller
by the use of the Easiwire wire -wrapping ule is the same for all modules in the series and Solid -State Switch Module is from
system, which means no soldering. The and is the Maplin Blue case 233, code Electromail (126 0536 204555) code
models and circuits are built up on printed XY84C. Other cases can be used but they 301-628. Maplin carry a very similar device,
card, which can be obtained from the must be of the same dimensions or greater but it has not been tested in the model.
Editorial Offices for the sum of £2 (includ- and be METAL. It is also essential that the The 600V 8A triac type BTA08-600B is
ing postage) for the Police Car (other case be "earthed". also listed by the above company and
models prices to be announced as each one The printed circuit board is available from Maplin, code UK54J. The mounting tab is
is published). You can, of course, photostat the EE PCB Service, code EE752. isolated from the pins, so no mounting
the published diagrams on to your own kit is required. The IEC 6A chassis filter
12V NiCad Charger plug, with integral fuseholder, is stocked by
card. The adjustable voltage regulator type
To help with assembly, Greenweld Electromail, code 210-291, and listed at
L200 called for in the 12V NiCad Charger £10.99.
Electronic Components (IIP 0703 appears in most components catalogues
236363) and Bull Electrical (VP 0273 The printed circuit boards are available
and should not be difficult to locate locally. from the EE PCB Service, see page 468.
203500) are putting together complete kits Be careful when mounting the heatsinks on
of parts, including printed cards, as each The Disco Lights Controller boards are
the regulators as the metal "tabs" are also coded EE755 (PSU/MIC. Preamp.) and
model appears. The first in the series is the connected to the ground pin 3.
Police Car, with siren, flashing beacon and EE756 (Low, Mid, High, Filter/Triac; three
The combination of battery holder(s) for boards). The Solid State Switch p.c.b. is
indicators, and a kit will cost £5.95 plus £1 the NiCads will depend on battery size used
postage. - See Special Offer page 438. coded EE757.
and will have to be adapted and soldered
The above mentioned companies have together as required. The one in the model PLEASE TAKE NOTE
large stocks of Easiwire solderless wiring takes ten AA size in two groups of five, Three -Transistor Tremolo Unit
packs and have agreed to make these one above the other, and is listed as a 12V (April 91)
available to EE readers who order kits from NiCad Battery Box. For the circuit of the Three -Transistor
them. If you purchase any one single kit an It is most important, for safety Tremolo to function correctly, it has been
Easiwire pack will set you back just £5. considerations, 3A minimum rating found that the I.e.d. D1 MUST be the low
However, if you are prepared to order four cable be used where indicated. current (2mA) type.
or more of the kits listed they will supply a Also, to avoid
Easiwire kit FREE When the wire -wrap kit
was first introduced to the UK market by
BICC-Vero they were advertised at £15,
any possibility
of short circuits
Build or Upgrade your own
across the copper
including postage.
For those readers who wish to go their
tracks, the circuit
board should be
I.B.M Compatible
own way, all the components for the Police mounted using
Car appear to be standard off -the shelf MOTHERBOARDS CASES
nylon fixings and
items, with the exception of the high have insulating 28612Mhz up to 4Mb £85.00 Flip Top case with PSU. £65.00
intensity light emitting diode (I.e.d.). The material, such as 386 25Mhz up to 8Mb De -Luxe AT case with speed dis-
only source we have been able to locate, cardboard, taped Special offer till 1st July .. £369.00 play and PSU. £92.50
apart from above, which lists a Yellow I.e.d. to the bottom of 386 33Mhz up to 8Mb .... £660.00
with the correct specification (30mcd) is De Luxe Mini tower case with
the metal case (64k cache) speed display and PSU... £97.50
Electromail (11IP 0538 204555), the mail below the board.
order arm of RS Components. This is 486 25Mhz up to 32Mb .. POA (flip top case accepts baby boards
Ultrasonic 'phone for the latest memory price. only, all others accept any board.)
quoted as stock code 587-844.
It may be possible to use an Ultrabright Proximity Meter
or Superbright I.e.d., but they have NOT We can- HARD DRIVES
DRIVES
been tried in the model. These seem to have not foresee FLOPPY DRIVES
a higher rating, but only Red versions ap- any component Seagate
5.25' 1.2Mb Floppy drive ..£50.00
pear to be stocked by advertisers. problems when 44Mb IDE 28ms 3.5' £140.00
3.5' 1.44Mb Fbppy drive .. £50.00
It is quite possible that in some areas, the shopping for parts 89Mb IDE 19Ms 3.5' £245.00
LM3909 I.e.d. flasher/oscillator chip, which for the Ultrasonic All Seagate drives now come a
CARDS
one year swap out warranty.
A- 16 Bit VGA 256k £65.00
LYS ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS 741 op amp 5 for .90
BOOKS 16 Bit VGA 1024k £130.00
555 TIMER 5 for £1.00 IDE HDD/FDD controller, 2 serial & 1
7805 + V.REG .40 7905 -V.REG .35 PC Configuration Hndbk £21.95 parallel ports, games port .. £32.50
7812 + V.REG .40 7912 -V.REG .35
LM317 ADJ REG .50 LM337 ADJ REG .50 Programmers Reference /
ZENER DIODES 400mW ALL AT .05 EACH Manual for the IBM PC .... £22.35
MONITORS
HORIZ/VERT CARBON PRESETS .12 EACH Catalogue free
'/.W 5% CARBON RESISTORS 0.1 each (100).60 (1000) £5.50 any mix
1/2W 5% CARBON RESISTORS 0.2 each (100) 10 (1000) £7.50 any mix PC Assembly Handbook .. £6.75 Samsung 14' mono VGA £95.00
5mm RED LED .08 GREEN .08 YELLOW .09 (Our practicle guide to making Tystar 14' SVGA colour .. £250.00
DIL SOCKETS L/PROFILE 8 pin .03 14 pin .05 16 pin .06 18 pin 0.7 20 pin .08 (1024 x 768)
DIL SWITCHES 2 way .40 4 way .60 10 way .90
your own IBM compatible)
4-
LM3914 BARGRAPH DRIVER £3.40
R.F. COAX (ANTI MICROPHONIC) 75 OHM RANGE OUTER SHEATH This is just a small sample of our range. We have many other parts and
(Normally £3.00 mtr) ONLY .90 MTR 100 MTR £60.00 books available, Including modems, network cards, software. printers
DIGITAL FREQUENCY METER KIT 2 RANGES 0-30MHZ/25-1000MHZ etc.., Complete machines also supplied. Full detail: In our catalogue,
COMPLETE INC 3 PCB'S (EXC. METALWORK) £83.60 write or call for your copy now. All our parts come with a one year
ANALOGIC PROBE KIT (EXC. CASE) £9.80 warranty and are fully tested before despatch. All prices Plus VAT
We have one of the largest ranges of used test equipment inc: Scopes.
Analysers, Multimeters, Signal Generators, AF Bridges etc.
All by leading manufacturers. E.G. Philips PM3217 50 MHz Scope £300 Knowles & 43 Victoria Avenue
For details on any of the above contact Hull, HU5 3DN.
LYS Electronic Components,10Westbrook Road, Portchester, Hants P016 9NS
Tel: (0705) 386550 Tel:/Fax: (0705) 388303 (24 hrs) Associates Telephone: 0482 448224

42 Everyday Electronics. July 1991

 Teach -In '91 Project

DISCO LIGHTS
CONTROLLER
MIKE TOOLEY BA
This companion project to our work on the filterltriac hoards when the unit
circuit design series features a is "live" and connected to the mains supply.

three -channel Disco Lights CIRCUIT

DESCRIPTION
Controller. As with all of our The simplified block schematic for the
practical projects, a number of Disco Lights Controller is shown in Fig. I.
In most applications, the Disco Lights
modifications are suggested so Controller will derive its input either

that the more intrepid from an "auxiliary" output on the main

amplifier or directly from one (or both) of
constructor can customise the the loudspeaker outputs (see "Modifica-
tions" for details of a stereo loudspeaker
unit to his or her own particular signal combiner). In some other ap-
plications it may not be possible to
requirements. make a direct connection to the audio
equipment and thus a separate low-level
"microphone" input is provided.

O UR Disco Lights Controller

provides a means of controlling
three separate light channels (each
safe and reliable operation and uses readily
available components.
Important Note: This project involves
After preamplification (if required) the
audio signal is fed to three active filters
based on operational amplifiers. These
rated at up to 300W) and is thus ideal for components which operate directly from the filters separate the audio signal into
party and small -function use. The circuit a.c. mains. It is essential that constructors three separate bands corresponding to
can derive its input from one of several adopt safe working practices when testing "low" (20Hz to 400Hz approx.), "middle"
sources including the "auxiliary" output and operating this unit. In particular, it is (400Hz to I .2kHz approx.) and "high"
on the main amplifier, the loudspeaker important to ensure that the metal panels of (1.2kHz to 20kHz), as shown in Fig. 2.
output from the main amplifier, or from a the case are properly earthed and that all The output of each filter stage is rectified
microphone placed in close proximity to live connections are adequately insulated. and passed to a C -R "hold" circuit with
the loudspeaker system itself. The Disco Constructors should not attempt to make a decay time constant of approximately
Lights Controller has been designed for any connections to the unit nor should they 50ms. The output from the hold circuit is

Fig 1 Block diagram of the Disco Lights Controller

+v
THRESHOLD
ADJUST

LOA

MIC. MICROPHONE
INPUT PREAMPLIFIER
MIC

AUX
AUX 0
INPUT
MIDGLF

POWER
AC SUPPLY
MAINS

,>,..
E,,,,..
'HIGH
PRE- AMP /POWER SUPPLY COMPARATORS
BOARD
FILTERS RECTIFIER/
HOLD CIRCUTS
FILTER/TRIAC BOARDS
t EE31620 I

Everyday Electronics, July 1991 429

 300 to 399 "high" channel filter/triac
p.c.b.
Specifications 400 to 499 pre-amplifier/power sup-
ply p.c.b.
Frequency response: "Low" channel, 20Hz to 400Hz (approx.) The low-level "microphone" s --.put from
"Mid" channel, 400Hz to 1.2kHz (approx.) SK2 is applied to a conventional inverting
"High" channel, 1.2kHz to 20kHz (approx.) operational amplifier stage (IC401a) which
provides a voltage gain of approximately
Aux. input impedance: 10kilohm (approx.) at 1 kHz five and an input impedance of approxi-
mately 50k. The output of this stage is then
Aux. sensitivity: 100mV r.m.s. (typical) applied to an adjustable gain amplifier
stage (IC401b) which provides a maximum
Mic. input impedance: 50kilohm (approx.) at 1 kHz voltage gain of approximately 50. The
resulting signal level at the output of
Mic. sensitivity: 5mV r.m.s. (typical) IC401b is then typically in the range 200 to
500mV r.m.s.
Max. load (per channel): 300W The three filter stages IC101, IC201
and IC301 (for the "low", "mid" and
Max. load (total): 1 kW "high" frequency ranges respectively) are
each based on a single -stage operational
Supply: 220V to 240V a.c. mains (at 5A maximum) amplifier. The output from each stage is
fed to a voltage doubler rectifier ar-
rangement (D101/D102, D201/D202 and
D301/D302). The output of each rectifier
fed to the input of a comparator stage components are numbered on the follow- arrangement is fed to a parallel C -R
(with adjustable threshold). The output of ing basis: "hold" circuit (R105/C106, R205/C206
the comparator drives an optically coupled 1 to 99 chassis,front and rear and R305/C306). The resulting voltage is
triac (featuring zero -axis crossing trigger- panel mounted com- applied to the input of a comparator stage
ing). This triac then drives a high -power ponents (IC102, IC202 and IC302), the reference
mains triac which switches current in the 100 to 199 "low" channel filter/triac input of which is made adjustable (by
external tungsten filament lamp loads for p.c.b. means of VR101, VR201 and VR301
each channel. 200 to 299 "mid" channel filter/triac respectively).
In the complete circuit diagram (Fig. 3) p.c.b. When the rectified voltage produced by
each rectifier/hold arrangement exceeds the
pre-set threshold voltage, the output of the
respective comparator (pin -7) goes low.
This causes a current of approximately
19mA to flow in the series connected
channel indicator and opto-isolator I.e.d.
associated with the channel in question.
The triac output of the opto-isolator
has an internal zero -axis crossing detector
which is instrumental in minimising tran-
sient disturbances and noise generated on
the a.c. supply rail. The triac is triggered
into conduction no more than 10ms after
the signal at the output of its respective
comparator stage is taken low.
The low -power triac within each
opto-isolator is connected so that it, in
turn, provides a triggering current pulse to
the power triac associated with the
channel in question (CSR 1 01, CSR201
and CSR202). A "snubber" circuit
(R I 10/C109, R210/C209 and R310/C309)
is connected across the a.c. switching
terminals associated with each triac. This
C -R arrangement helps to reduce the rise
time of the fast switching transients
produced by the triacs and thus can help to
reduce radiated noise and radio frequency
interference (RFI).
A simple dual -rail power supply/bridge
rectifier arrangement (T1, D401 to 404,
C404 and C405) provides the necessary
unregulated d.c. supply rails required
by the operational amplifiers and corn-

Fig. 2. Frequency response for the filter networks.

GAIN

LOW MIO. HIGH

100Hz 1kHz 10kHz

FREGUENCY
(LOG I
tEE316301

430 Everyday Electronics, July 1991

 C104
106

9106
16E0 I 22108
11- 4.67 DI r 56
22104
22k 101kii
I
CSRIO1 R1111
R102 0 P101
[Lew TENS I 8107 Braoe 01
10k 4k7 470
105 2 4 -6008
16 2129
11 4
R12,2
oloi8 1C102
Lm31I
w L
1C103
2..112
0102
IC101 0A91 8105 MDC 3041
01 TL071
jzi c106 C107
I n 0101 106
407 1 1006
0A91
T
2108
1006

'AUX INPUTI 0204

106, 'GREEN
INPUT 9208
SELECTOR R206 02 r 56
5k12) 0 467
AUX
II-2V1?' amk,i
N.,7 I
ic , S2
IMIO SENS I 059201 R210
C202 R202 0---,\M6 VR201 9207 BTA 08 100
C1
10, I
LI.. 0 47 22k
C205
467 470
2' -6000
19
I4 C209
1..11F."Al'..4. J R100 226
vR 1
10k
omk </c202 C207 330
1C201 0202 R205 LM 311 100,1
1C203
LOG 0A91 ( 6 NoC3041
TL071 4.7
'GAIN! ZEIZ 5
T'"
1C105

R301 I AMBER' 9300

22k R306 3 56
41,7 k
OP,
C302 C303 s;.. I
106 10n !HIGH SENS I C5R301 9310 30 20
0305 yR301 8307 IV: 100 EXTERNAL
467 422 TA0,8
-BOOB LOADS
zl
14 0309
1

9309 21,
IC301 c01 1c,302 330
P303 11071 m311 1C303 O
22k 0302.
OAR I 305 112306 ^33 MOD 3041
11301
0p
08910 ,K 3
T'°6 ID
2308
0402 9
47p
1600T

-i 'M IC GAIN'
I 3 NiOFF
VR40
C403 100k Si,,
{MIT INPJ11 8403 16
44701 .0
120V 1

sK2)-e-IFW-6- 2404 =7 1
-I
LT01 1 i
I OL
1
I I
(1 2122 ,3 m
mm
IC401C1 IC401b i
I I
000 ri
TL072 TL072 06
1 1 _
____-
R40 R404 9405 15n
1209 1
476 100k 10k
205 d 1

1
1262 0000
1.3m I
1-1 T
i ,
1 ON
10007 0
0
001'0
,316461 Sib
OE
4.11.1
 COMPONENTS
Low channel filter/triac p.c.b. C207 100p radial elect. 16V Semiconductors
C208 100p radial elect. 16V D301 0A91
Resistors C209 22n 1000V polypropylene 0302 0A91
R101 10k (rated for 350V con- IC301 TL071
R102 10k tinuous a.c. operation) IC302 LM311
R103 not fitted IC303 MOC3041
R104 22k Semiconductors CSR301 BTA08-600B
R105 4k7 D201 0A91
R106 4k7 D202 0A91 Miscellaneous
R107 470 IC201 TL071 PL301, PL302 3 -way straight p.c.b.
R108 56 0.5W 5% IC202 LM311 header (0.1" pitch)
R109 330 0.5W 5% IC203 MOC3041 PL304 5 -way straight p.c.b.
R110 100 0.5W 5% CSR01 BTA08-600B header (0.1" pitch)
All 0.25W ± 5% unless otherwise stated PL303 2 -way p.c.b.
Miscellaneous mounting screw
Potentiometers PL201, PL202 3 -way straight p.c.b. terminal
VR101 1k miniature horizontal header (0.1 inch Printed circuit board available from
pre-set pitch) the EE PCB Service order code EE756;
P L204 5 -way straight p.c.b. T0220 clip -on heatsink (24 deg.C/W);
Capacitors header (0.1 inch 6 -pin low -profile d.i.l. socket (1 off);
C101 10n polyester pitch) 8 -pin low -profile d.i.l. sockets (2 off)
C102 not fitted PL203 2 -way p.c.b. mount-
C103 not fitted ing screw terminal Power supply/preamplifier.
C104 1 On polyester Printed circuit board available from p.c.b.
C105 1p polyester layer the EE PCB Service, order code EE756;
C106 10p radial elect 16V T0220 clip -on heatsink (24 deg.C/W); Resistors
C107 100p radial elect. 16V 6 -pin low -profile d.i.l. socket (1 off);
8 -pin low -profile d.i.l. sockets (2 off) R401 47k
C108 100p 16V radial elect. 16V R402 47k
C109 22n 1000V polypropylene R403 220k
(rated for 350V con- R404 100k
tinuous a.c. operation) High channel filter/triac p.c.b. R405 10k
All 0.25W ± 5%
Semiconductors Resistors
D101 0A91 R301 not fitted Potentiometers
D102 0A91 R302 not fitted VR401 1k miniature horizontal
IC101 TL071 R303 22k pre-set
IC102 LM311 R304 22k
IC103 MOC3041 R305 4k7
CSR101 BTA08-600B R306 4k7
Capacitors
C401 1p polyester layer
R307 470 C402 47p polystyrene
Miscellaneous R308 56 0.5W 5% C403 1p polyester layer
PL101, PL102 3 -way straight R309 330 0.5W 5% C404 1000µ axial elect. 25V
header (0.1 inch R310 100 0.5W 5% C405 1 000p axial elect. 25V
pitch) All 0.25W ± 5% unless otherwise stated
PL104 5 -way straight p.c.b.
header (0.1 inch Potentiometers Semiconductors
VR301 1k miniature horizontal pre- IC401 TL072
pitch) D401 -D404 1.6A bridge rectifier (e.g.
PL103 2 -way p.c.b. set
mounting screw SKB2/02L5A)
terminal Capacitors
Printed circuit board available from C301 not fitted
the EE PCB Service, order code EE756; C302 10n polyester Miscellaneous
T0220 clip -on heatsink (24 deg.C/W); C303 10n polyester PL401, PL402, 5 -way straight p.c.b.
6 -pin low -profile d.i.l. socket (1 off); C304 not fitted PL403, PL405 headers (0.1 inch
8 -pin low -profile d.i.l. sockets (2 off) C305 1p polyester layer pitch)
C306 10p radial elect. 16V PL405 3 -way straight p.c.b.
C307 100µ radial elect. 16V header (0.1 inch
pitch)
Mid channel filter/triac p.c.b. C308 104 radial elect. 16V
Printed circuit board available from the
C309 22n 1000V polypropylene
(rated for 350V con- EE PCB Service, order code EE755; 8 -pin
Resistors low -profile d.i.l. socket
R201 not fitted tinuous a.c. operation)
R202 22k
R203 not fitted Off -board components
R204 22k
R205 4k7
R206 4k7 Miscellaneous See
R207 470 D1 Red panel mounting I.e.d. (with bezel)
R208 56 0.5W 5% D2 Green panel mounting I.e.d. (with bezel) aROP)
D3 Amber panel mounting I.e.d. (with bezel)
R209
R210
330 0.5W 5%
100 0.5W 5% S1 D. P. D.T. mains rocker switch (illuminated) TALK
S2 D.P.S.T. miniature toggle switch Page
All 0.15W ± 5% unless otherwise stated.
T1 12VA mains transformer with 240V a.c. primary
and two secondary windings each rated at 9V 0.6A
Potentiometers VR1 10k log. potentiometer and pointer knob
VR201 1k miniature horizontal pre- SK1, SK2 Chassis mounting phono sockets (2 off)
set SK3 8 -way non -reversible mains socket (and matching plug)
0.25 inch push -on blade receptacles (and covers) (11 off); Enclosure (to suit in-
Capacitors dividual constructor's preference - but see text); 10mm plastic p.c.b. fixing pillars with
C201 not fitted self -tapping No. 6 fixing crews (8 off); 3 -way straight 0.1 inch pitch p.c.b. "free" connec-
C202 10n polyester tors (7 off); 5 -way straight 0.1 inch pitch p.c.b. "free" connectors (5 off); IEC 6A chassis
C203 not fitted plug (with filter and fuseholder - see note); 5A 20mm quick -blow mains fuse; Mounting
C204 10n polyester nuts and bolts, transformer frame earthing tag and front and rear panel (3 off);
C205 1p polyester layer (Note: Whilst not essential, the use of an I EC 6A chassis filter plug (FL1) with integral
C206 10p radial elect. 16V fuseholder is strongly recommended for use with this project.)

Approx cost
guidance only £65 plus crsP

432 Everyday Elecironics, July /99/

 PL404 0403 C401 PL4-01
0404 1

IC402
PL402 9401 9404
1.-04405
5
PL 405

D401 -0404
PL 03 C405
ti 19403
IC401
VR4.01
--(R402 1-
Fig 4. Preamplifier/
power supply p.c.b.
copper foil and com-
ponent layout.
CN-0-43-or-D/ EE 755
1--2-° 8 8 8
0-0 0 0 0

parators. In order to further minimise

noise and RFI (which may otherwise be fed
back into the mains supply) a low-pass
mains filter (FL I ) is incorporated.

CONSTRUCTION
Construction of the Disco Lights Con-
troller is relatively straightforward. With
the exception of the front and rear panel
mounted components and the mains trans-
former, all of the components are as-
sembled on four single -sided printed circuit
boards. One of these boards is used for
the power supply and pre -amplifier whilst
Fig. 5. Filter/triac p.c.b. copper foil layout the remainder contain the active filters,
comparators, opto-isolators and triacs as-
sociated with each of the three channels.
R106 PL103 The copper foil and component layout
PL1 02
of the preamplifier/power supply printed
R,01 R1G2 ro. I circuit board is shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 5
PL1
1C103
C109 R110 j- shows the copper foil layout of each of the
0106
IC101
CIFF'9 R108 j-
059101 filter/triac printed circuit boards. Note that
the same copper Oil layout is used for all
E -,R104
1-*
9107
0-i 910 9 G
three channels.
The component side layout for each of
0106 it p 6-1=711 C1013 C107
the filter/triac boards is shown in Fig. 6a, b
0105
D102 and c. Note that, by virtue of the different
PL104 filter arrangements employed, not all of the
components are fitted on each channel.
Components should be assembled on the
Fig. 6(a). "Low" range filter; triac p.c.b. layout. four printed circuit boards in the follow-
ing sequence; p.c.b. headers, p.c.b. screw
terminals (if required), d.i.l. sockets, pre-
R206 PL 203 set resistors, resistors, capacitors, and tri-
R202
0-( 1-*
PL 202
acs. As with all of our projects, it is vi-
PL 201 09201
C202 tally important to ensure that all of the
1'203
--4 R210 1- components are correctly located. Further-
more, in the case of the polarised com-
1C201 CSR201

1.\-1 C204 111 C709 --LR 28 j- ponents (such as the electrolytic capacitors,
-{R204 integrakd circuits and triac) it is absolutely
610 19 R207 -1 0209 1- essential11o ensure that each component is
0206
jE 6-1=171'01 -1.0205 C206 C207 correctly rientated.
D202 ...!.1 When construction of the printed circuit
PL204 boards has . been completed (and before
inserting the integrated circuits into their
respective sockets) it is well worth carrying
Fig. 6(b). "Mid" range filter/triac p.c.b. layout. out a careful visual check of both the upper
and lower sides of the board. The up-
per (component) side of the printed circuit
9300 PL303
board should be ermined to ensure that the
PL 302 components have been correctly located
PL301
C302
VR301
1C302 1 whilst the lower (copper track) side of the
FE \-1 IC303 board should be checked to ensure that there
-{9303 j- E 6111`-'
I E
1) 0309
--1 R310 1181
CSR301 are no dry joints or solder bridges between
9 E --i R308 adjacent tracks. This simple precaution will
--4 3 0 4 }- only take a few minutes to carry out but can
---1 R309 1-- be instrumental in preventing much heart-

I,,)
R307
0306 --(R305 }-
1C30
-a=- D301

0302
C308 C307 ache at a later stage!
When assembly of the printed circuit
PL304 boards has been completed, the integrated
circuits should be inserted into their
holders (taking care to observe the correct
Fig. 6(c). "High" range filter/triac p.c.b. laybout orientation in each case).

Everyday Electronics, July / 99 / 433

 PL102

Pin Colour Connection to:

LOW MIDDLE HIGH

0 0 0 GAIN ADJUST
1 Green
Blue
DI (anode)
DI (cathode)
3 n.c.
AC ON/OFF
INPUT SELECTOR P1.202

MIC (:) AUX

Pin Colour Connection to:

Green D2 (anode)
7 Blue D2 (cathode)
tEE316901 3 n.c.

PL302
Fig. 7 Recommended front panel layout.
Pin Colour Connection to:

Green D3 (anode)
A.C. MAINS Blue D3 (cathode)
3 n.c.
0
INPUTS U U PL103
1II
CJ WO
MIC. AUX.

00
lk Pin Colour Connection to:
FUSE
OUTPUT I Red SK3 2
2 Black TI (neutral) and PL203 2

P1.203
IEE31716j
Pin Colour Connection to:
Fig. 8. Recommended rear panel layout.
Red SK3 3
CASE
The Disco Lights Controller should
PL202 3 -way L.E.D.
output
indicator
from
I

Black PL103 2 and PL303 2

be housed in an ABS enclosure with "middle" channel PL303

aluminium front and rear panels. The filter/triac board
enclosure used for the prototype unit PL302 3 -way L.E.D. indicator ouput Pin Colour Connection to:
measured approximately 220 x 230 x 70mm from "high" channel
and was fitted with detachable front and filter/triac board I Red SK3 4
rear aluminium panels. In practice, the PL 103 2 -way Triac output from 2 Black PL203 2
precise dimensions of the enclosure are "low" channel
unimportant provided adequate room is PL203 2 -way Triac output from PL104, PL204, PL304 (commoned)
made available to accommodate all four of "mid" channel
the printed circuit boards along with the PL303 2 -way Triac output from Pin Colour Connection to:
mains transformer. "high" channel
The front and rear panels should be care- PL104 5 -way Power supply input to I Brown PL402 I
fully marked out before drilling and cut- "low" channel 2 Red PL402 2
ting takes place. As usual, there is nothing filter/triac board 3 Orange PL402 3
particularly critical about the layout of the PL204 5 -way Power supply input to 4 Yellow PL402 4
unit and constructors may wish to experi- "mid" channel 5 Green PL402 5
ment with the location of the front panel filter/triac board
controls and I.e.d. channel indicators. Figs. PL304 5 -way Power supply input to P1401
7 and 8 show the front and rear panel lay- "high" channel
outs and markings used in the prototype. filter/triac board Pin Colour Connection to:
Once the front and rear panels have been PL401 5 -way Pre -amplifier signal
drilled to accommodate the controls-, in- input/output Yellow S2 (mic)
dicators and sockets, the four printed cir- PL402 5 -way Power supply output 2 Coax. SK2 (signal) inner
cuit boards can be mounted by means of (to filter/triac boards) 3 n.c.
four plastic snap -fit p.c.b. mounting pillars PL403 5 -way Power supply output 4 n.c.
secured to the base of the enclosure. (spare) 5 Coax. SK2 (common) screen
Connections to the printed circuit boards PL404 5 -way Power supply output
are made using various 0.1 inch pitch (spare) PL402
printed circuit board headers and p.c.b. The recommended method of terminat-
mounting screw terminals, as follows: ing the female connectors which mate with Pin Colour Connection to:
the headers was described in the first of
Connector Type Function reference our constructional projects which appeared I Brown PL104, PL204, PL304 I
in the December 1990 issue of Everyday 2 Red PL104, PL204, PL304 2
PL101 3 -way Signal input to "low" Electronics. 3 Orange PL 104, PL204, PL304 3
channel filter/triac Coloured stranded 0.1 inch pitch ribbon 4 Yellow PL104, PL204, PL304 4
board cable is used to make connections to the 5 Green PL104, PL204, PL304 5
PL201 3 -way Signal input to "mid" front panel. The following colour coding is
channel filter/triac recommended: The internal wiring of the Disco Lights
board Controller is shown in Fig. 9.
PL301 3 -way Signal input to "high" PL101, P1201, P1.301 (commoned)
channel filter/triac TESTING
board Pin Colour Connection to: Before testing the Disco Lights Con-
PLIO2 3 -way L.E.D. indicator troller, it is important to carefully check the
output from Brown VRI (slider) wiring of the printed circuit boards, mains
"low" channel 2 Red VRI (common end) transformer, and front and rear panel
filter/triac board 3 Orange VRI (body/front panel) mounted components. A 5A quick -blow

434 Ever ydui. Electronics, July 1991

 PL405
'11) 12) 13)
ORANGE RED `BROWN

"
9V OV 9V OV

SK3 (7)
PL103,203.303 12)

EARTH TAG
ELI

EARTH
TAG

PL103

PL2O3
11
60
PL303 SK3
EARTH
11I

0
Ti IL
EARTH
TAG

HIGH 02 EARTH
TAG
CIRCUIT BOARD

BROWN (11 PL402,403,404 CONNECT TO

PL104.204, 304, PIN FOR PIN PL401 (2 AND 5 -EARTH)
RED (2) PL101,201,301
ORANGE (31 Fig. .9. Internal wiling of the Disco Lights Controller.

fuse should be fitted in the fuseholder but set controls until the all three l.e.d.s flash in by double -pole and stereo -ganged com-
the initial testing should be carried out sympathy with the music at the same set- ponents respectively.
without connecting the disco lights to the ting of VR I (some experimentation may be
unit. necessary here in order to find the optimum Additional channels
The variable gain control (VRI) should setting depending upon the signal source The Disco Lights Controller can also
be set to maximum -position whilst all three used). be very easily modified to provide addi-
pre-set variable resistors should be set to In order to test the microphone (low- tional channels by simply adding additional
mid -position. Connect the mains supply level) input facility, disconnect the signal filter/triac cards based on the mid -range
and switch the unit "on". The mains from the "auxiliary" input, switch the in- filter network. As an example, the recom-
indicator (integral within the mains rocker put selector to the "mic" position, and con- mended configuration for a fourth channel
switch) should be illuminated whilst all nect a dynamic microphone (of between 5k ("upper -mid" frequency range) involves:
three of the channel indicator I.e.d.s (DI, and 50k impedance) to the "microphone" C502 4n7
D2 and D3) should be extinguished. If this input (SK2). Place the microphone close to C504 4n7
is not the case, check SI, TI (primary), FL I the loudspeaker and adjust VR401 until the R502 27k
and associated wiring. channel indicator I.e.d.s produce a satisfac- R504 27k
Now measure the d.c. voltage across tory indication of the signal. All other components remain the same.
C404 and C405 (on the pre- Finally, connect the disco lights to the
amplifier/power supply p.c.b.). These unit and check that the lamps flash in sym- Stereo loudspeaker
voltages should be in the range + 12V to
+ 13.5V and -12V to -13.5V, respectively.
pathy with the music (and the channel in-
dicator I.e.d.$). The disco lights should be
signal combiner
In many practical applications it is
If this is not the case, check T1 (secondary), wired as follows: convenient to drive the Disco Lights
PL5 and associated wiring before checking Controller directly from a loudspeaker
Pin Connection
PL104, PL204, PL304 and each filter/triac output rather than from anywhere else.
p.c.b. in turn. Unfortunately, such an arrangement can
2 Channel 1 lamp(s) (neutral connection)
With no signal present, the settings of the pose problems where the amplifier output
3 Channel 2 lamp(s) (neutral connection)
three preset resistors should be ad- is stereo (i.e. there are two separate
4 Channel 3 lamp(s) (neutral connection)
vanced (turned clockwise) until each loudspeaker channels) and the Disco
7 Common (line) connection to all lamps
respective channel indicator I.e.d. becomes Lights Controller is only configured for
illuminated. Once this position has been
8 Earth
monooperation.
found, the respective control should be (NB: The total load on any channel should A stereo loudspeaker coupler that can be
backed -off slightly (anti -clockwise) until not exceed 300W) used to combine the "left" and "right"
the I.e.d. in question just becomes extin-
guished. If one (or more) l.e.d.s fail to 114001F/CATIONS channel oudspeaker outputs in order to
provide '2. composite (left/right) signal
become illuminated, leave the preset con- A number of modifications can be made which can tie fed to the auxiliary input of
trol in question at its most extreme in order to enhance the performance the the Disco Lights Controller is shown in
clockwise setting. of the basic Disco Lights Controller. Fig. 10. 7
Having checked the I.e.d. indicators and As always, the suggestions made here
adjusted the preset controls for maximum are provided as "food for thought" and RI
sensitivity, a signal should now be con- should make a starting point for fur- LEFT LS ADJUST
nected via the "auxiliary" input (SKI ). For ther development. Constructors are in- OUTPUT BALANCE
test purposes, the signal can be derived vited to report their own modifications to
directly from the loudspeaker of a small be incorporated in the Readers' Feedback 1 SIGNAL 1

portable radio or cassette player (leaving which will appear in the final part of our RIGHT LS TO SKI
the speaker connected so that the signal Design series. OUTPUT
R3 (AUX. INPUT)
can be heard). The input selector switch
should be placed in the "aux" position and Stereo Operation GROUND/
COMMON
8.2
10k

COMMON
VRI set to the minimum position. The Disco Lights Controller can be
Adjust the signal in the loudspeaker for very easily adapted for stereo operation EE311161
moderate volume and advance the setting by simply duplicating the circuit for left
of VRI, noting the point at which each of and right hand channels. A single mains
the three channel indicator I.e.d.s become transformer can be used (rated at 20VA) Fig. 10. Stereo loudspeaker signal
illuminated. Carefully adjust the three pre- whilst SI and VRI should be replaced combiner

Everyday Electronics, July 1991 435

 INTER
RobertPenfold
ALTHOUGH it is not long ago that There are three types in the range, which expensive through -plated holes, and are an
several Interface articles were devoted are a half length 8 -bit type, plus 8- and 16 - irregular shape due to the edge connector. It
to the IBM PCs and compatibles, we bit full length cards. The half length card at would be totally unrealistic to expect this
are returning to these computers this month, 216 millimetres long is actually about two type of product to sell at stripboard prices.
and for the next two or three months. This thirds length (the full size cards are 333 mil- Remember that these boards are not really
may seem a bit unfair on users of other limetres long). All three cards are full hoght intended as the basis for a final unit, but are
computers, but the PCs seem to generate at about 100 millimetres or so excluding the merely intended as a means of permitting
much more feedback than any other com- edge connector. prototype circuits to be tested. Having per-
puter at present. Each terminal of the edge connector is fected a circuit it is then transferred to a cus-
In they probably generate more
fact brought out to an individual pad, and the tom printed circuit board, and the prototype
feedback from readers than all the other pads are in two rows immediately above the card can then be reused. Of course, if you
computers put together. This is perhaps not connector. At the rear end of the card there wish to avoid the complication of custom
surprising in view of the large number of is provision for right-angled 25 -way DIN printed circuit boards, and are prepared to
PCs in use today, and the relatively small connector, plus some holes on a 0.lin. pitch pay the cost of these boards, they could be
amount of published information on inter- for a connector block etc. This provides a used for the finished product.
facing to them. convenient means of connecting prototype I have not had a chance to make exten-
cards to the outside world. sive use of these cards yet, but they seem to
On The Cards No fixing brackets are supplied with be good practical products. They are of ex-
In this months article we will consider the these cards, but prototype cards are not cellent quality, and enable projects such as
subject of PC prototyping cards. These usually bolted in place. Continually bolting PIO ports to be easily tested out and per-
vary from simple circuit boards that have them in place and/unscrewing them again is fected. However, even with quite simple cir-
no electronics at all until you add some, time consuming, and over a period of time cuits the end result is likely to be something
through to complex systems that have could seriously wear the computer's mount- of a "birds nest", but the aim is to check and
multi -output address decoding, buffering, ing frame. perfect circuits, not to produce neat results.
and the ability to take several plug-in The main part of each card is covered It is easy to recommend these cards due to
prototyping "daughter" boards. Here we with a matrix of one millimetre diameter a lack of any obvious competition! About
will only be concerned with simple "pas- through -plated holes on a 0.Iin. pitch. Apart the only way of obtaining a reasonable PC
sive" boards, but next month we will delve from power buses around the perimeter prototype card system at a much lower cost
into active boards which have built -on of the board, these holes are not joined is to take the do-it-yourself approach.
address decoding. together in stripboard fashion. The idea
If you look through some of the larger is presumably to use wire -wrapping tech- DIY Protocards
American computing magazines you are niqiies when building prototype circuits, or Over the past year or so I have experi-
likely to find several advertisements for PC to simply wire them up using thin insulated mented with a number of ideas for home
prototype cards, including some passive wire. constructed PC prototype cards. The ob-
types at quite modest prices. Unfortunately, At around £19 to £25 per board includ- vious route is to produce something simi-
most of these cards are not imported into ing VAT, these cards might not seem to be lar to the commercial prototype cards. This
the U.K., and those that are mostly seem to very reasonably priced. However, it is not is difficult though, since the board would
cost substantially more in this country than realistic to expect them to cost about the have to be very intricate in the area where
in the USA. I may have overlooked some- same as a piece of stripboard having a simi- the connections to the edge connector are
thing, but the only reasonably inexpensive lar area. These are tough fibreglass boards, made. Also, drilling all those thousands of
PC prototyping cards I have been able to not thin s.r.b.p. types. holes could take an hour a day for weeks,
locate are the ones sold by Maplin. Furthermore, they are doubled -sided with and wear out numerous drill bits!
In order to be really practical for home
The two Maplin 8 -bit PC Prototype cards. construction a somewhat simpler form of
card is required. One obvious simplification
is to reduce the number of connections to
the two by 31 -way edge connector to the
bare minimum.
Although there are 62 terminals on the
edge connector, most of these do not
connect to functions on the expansion bus
that you will ever need. All that is required
for most projects are the lower ten address
lines, three control bus lines, the data bus,
and the supply lines.
This simplifies things to the point where
this area of the board presents no real
problems, provided you are prepared to face
up to a double -sided board. The board must
be double -sided because the supply lines and
two lines of the control bus are on the
opposite side of the connector to the rest of
the lines.

436 Everyday Electronics, July 1991

 On the main part of the board there is no
need for a complete matrix of holes. Some
d.i.l. clusters connected to some pads are O
O
0
0 00
0
e
00
0 0.0.
0 0 0
0 0
sufficient to accommodate TTL chips, a PIA 0 0
O 0 0 00
chip, or whatever. A small area of pads and O
O
0
0
O 0
Co O.
0.0
copper strips will accommodate transistor 0°0
O 0
0
oscillators, amplifiers, etc. Provision for a 0 0
O

25 -way D -connector for input/output lines 0' 0' O O.

° *
0.0.
is more than a little helpful. O
O
0
0
O 0
0
This basic scheme of things enables quite O
O
0 0 0

a simple but effective PC prototyping card

0 0 o 0 00 0
to be produced, such as the design in Fig.1 e0 0
O
O
0
0
co 0 0
and Fig.2. The on -board legends help to o o0 C
0 *0°0
O 0
o0 0 0 0 0 O

identify the pads which connect to the edge

nI n3flfaa U NOB D2 MOB fill -5V
connector, and should reduce mistakes when
wiring up the card. A complete list of these
connections, working from left to right as
viewed in Fig.1, is as follows: A0, Al, A2,
A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, A9, (gap) 10R,
IOW, - 12V, AEN, + 12V, DO, DI, D2,
D3, D4, D5, D6, D7, OV, + 5V, and - 5V.
Fig. 1 The component side of the DIY PC Protocard
C01
Cloo:112
CloKimmED
0422
4200100
laCIIN03
inmiCimim0
it/
1
41.Co
It is advisable to fit the d.i.l. clusters with 0 0 flt

holders. Bear in mind that the 40 -way

cluster will also accept 24- or 28 -pin devices. loCiee
enele0
Also, the 20 -pin clusters for instance, will 12111el

accommodate 8-, 14-, 16-, or 18 -pin d.i.l. ig 4,30

c1C=2
.00
devices. This makes the board at little more
versatile than it might at first appear. cal
Obeezr
COO
e lm° 0

Single -side pins are fitted to the board at C10.

CleICOMED
da l
coolo0
3

the pads which connect to the edge connec- 00.0.00

.12 11:011m0m10
Sion!". 1,Y, Come:
Ceeeneo
cl000Di
0111CCI
tor, and these are soldered on both sides of
the board. Solder pins are also fitted to the ....00....
pads that connect to the d.i.l. clusters, and
these provide an easy means of wiring up
prototype circuits using thin, multi -strand
illlllllllllllllllllllllllllllllJ-
insulated wire. Of course, wire -wrapping Fig 2 The underside of the PC Protocard
methods can be used if preferred.

Decoupling Pads card like the one in Fig.1 and Fig.2, but to been perfected and thoroughly tested. A
You will notice that there are pairs of pads leave the main area of the board blank ex- new stripboard can then be prepared and
above most of the d.i.l. clusters. These will cept for the 25 -way D -connector pads. A fitted to the card, which can be reused
take 100n ceramic decoupling capacitors, hole is then carefully drilled in each corner many times.
which are likely to be a necessity when of a suitable piece of stripboard. One useful refinement, but one which
using TTL devices on the board. In most Matching holes are then drilled in the has not yet been tried, would be to cut a
cases the pads will be found to connect to PC card so that the stripboard can be "window" in the card behind the piece
the right pins of the cluster, but in some bolted in place on the card. Use an extra of stripboard. The point of this is that
cases a bit of hard -wiring and (possibly) nut on each mounting bolt to act as a it would facilitate changes to the circuit
track cutting will be needed. short spacer between the card and the board without having to keep removing
This prototyping board is really only of- stripboard. and refitting it to the card.
fered as a starting point. It should actually The advantages of this method are that This would greatly speed things up, and
suit most PC prototyping quite well, but the board is more securely held in place, would make the card much more con-
if you are making your own boards there and there is no need to hold the stripboard venient to use. Also, provided the strip -
should be little difficulty in modifying it to at all when fitting and removing the card. board and "window" are not made too
suit your precise requirements. You might Provided you do not go at things in a "bull large, this method should not weaken the
prefer to have an extra 40 -pin socket and in a china shop" fashion, the stripboard card to the point where it is in danger of
fewer smaller sockets for example. should survive intact until the circuit has being broken in normal use.

Strip -O -Board
My initial approach to PC prototype
cards was to produce an edge connector
plus pads, much like that in Fig.1 and Fig.2,
but with only a small area of board above
this. The basic idea was to bolt a piece of
stripboard (or similar) to the edge connector.
The prototype circuit would then be built on
the stripboard, and wired up to the edge
connector.
Although basically a good idea, it
failed dismally in practice. The problem
is that stripboard is not particularly
strong. It is made from a thin s.r.b.p.
material, and not from heavy grade
fibreglass. Fitting and removing the card
tends to break the stripboard away from
the edge connector. The stripboard version of the DIY PC prototype card
A more successful approach is to make a

Everyday Electronics, July 1991 437

 SIMPLE MODEL SERIES
SPECIAL EASIWIRE OFFER
FREE EASIWIRE IF YOU BUY
ANY FOUR MODEL KITS
OR EASIWIRE FOR £5 WHEN YOU
PURCHASE A PROJECT KIT
The two companies mentioned below
have large stocks of Easiwire solder -
less wire wrapping systems, as used
to build all our Simple Model Series
projects. They have agreed to make APitse,v
these available to EE readers who
purchase complete kits of com- 14.111,41/

ponents for the projects, INCLUDING

printed cards to cut out and assemble
for each model. If you are prepared to for making
buy any four of the six model kits that electronic circuits!
kick off the series then you can get
your Easiwire FREE.
If you buy any one model kit you can
purchase an Easiwire kit for just £5.
(These kits were previously advertised
by BICC-Vero at £15, including p&p). To
get your kit and Easiwire simply fill
in the appropriate coupon and send
it with your cheque (or credit card
details) to either of the companies.
The six projects that kick off the
series are: Police Car (July 91); Fairground
Roundabout (Aug 91); Micro Micro - a
dolls house microcomputer (Sept 91); Cen-
turion Tank (Oct 91); Mini Microwave - dolls
house microwave oven (Nov 91); Christmas
Novelty Decoration (Dec 91). These models
all play tunes or make noises or flash lights
etc. They will each cost about £8 or less to
build, the prices charged will be as given by All prices include VAT
EE in the 'approximate cost box."
All the kits will be available seperately as the projects are published and the £5 Easiwire offer will be
available with each kit when each project is published.
Please fill in the appropriate coupon below, tick the relevent boxes and send your cheque/PO/credit
card number with one of the coupons to:
BULL ELECTRICAL GREENWELD ELECTRONIC
250 PORTLAND ROAD, OR COMPONENTS
HOVE, SUSSEX 27 PARK ROAD,
BN3 50T SOUTHAMPTON SO1 3TB
Tel: 0273 203500 Tel: 0703 236363
Fax: 0273 23077 Fax: 0703 236307
SEND EITHER COUPON TO EITHER COMPANY -YOU CHOOSE YOUR SUPPLIER
Overseas readers please add £3 to cover the extra postage charge.
FREE EASIWIRE -1--
1E5- EASIWIRE
- - - - - ... - - ---------- -
Please send me my FREE Easiwire kit. I understand that I Please supply the Police Car Kit on
I must buy four model kits at the price given by EE- 1 its own at £5.95 plus £1 p&p
I enclose a cheque/PO for £20 for the Police Car, and as a I Please supply an Easiwire at
0
deposit on further kits DI £5 with the above kit
Please debit my credit card as each kit is sent 0 I Overseas readers please add £3 to cover the
Card No. I extra postage charge.
I I enclose a cheque/PO for £
Ex. Date Signature (£6.95 or £11.95)0
The kits I require are Police Car [July '91) £5.95 plus £1 p&p 0 I
Fairground Roundabout (Aug '91) plus £1 p&p fli
Please charge my credit card - 0
Tick four or more Micro Micro (Sept '91) , 1 Card No.
plus £1 p&p bj .
boxes. Centurion Tank (Oct '91) Ex Date
plus £1 p&p Li 1'
Mini Microwave (Nov '91) plus £1 p&p El 1 Signature
Christmas Novelty (Dec '91) plus £1p&pE I Name
Name I Address
Address I
I

438 Everyday Electronics, July 1991

 Simple Model Series

FLAW
POLICE chAR:,;:,.;_
OWEN BISHOP PROJECT 1
A novel series which combines In this series we use integrated
circuits as much as possible to
two hobbies in one - electronics keep the wiring simple and to cut
down on the size of the circuit
and model -making. Simple boards. Assembly by the Vero
Easiwire wire -wrapping system
electronics circuits combined means that model -makers need
not worry about soldering.
with easy- to -assemble models Circuit -boards made of card are
provided by us. They show where
wificover a wide range of all the components should go, so
there should be no problems with
interests. There will be whimsical getting everything to work first
time. All projects are battery -
models and realistic scale models. powered for safety.
Models are made of easily
There will be models for the handled materials such as
cardboard, plastic, modelling
railway enthusiast, miniature compound and other inexpensive
items that can be obtained from
furniture for the doll's house, and any modelling shop. You will also
need some adhesives and paints or
toys for all ages. The models that crayons.
Few tools are required other than
form the first six parts of the a pair of scissors, a steel ruler and a
craft knife.
series are; Rolice Car; Musical THis 1:20 scale model is based on the
Roundabout; Micro Micro; Vauxhall Cavalier SRI, which has a
2 -litre 4 -cylinder engine giving a top
Centurion Tank; Mini Microwave; speed of 125 mph, and an acceleration
from 0 to 60 in 8.9 seconds. The design
Christmas Novelty. shows the car trimmed in a general police
livery but you can eaily substitute that of
your local police force. The electronics
The first six models of the series. To give an idea of sca/e the police car is approxi- provides the car with four flashing yel-
mately 215mm long. low indicator lamps, a blue flashing roof
beacon, and a siren sound.
A.
ASSEMBLING THE
MODEL
You can either photostat the layout for
the car shown onto thin 400 g/m2 card or
send for the printed card - see components
box, Shop Talk and the Special Offer page.
Cut out the two sides and the
bonnet/roof/boot (BRB). Score (see box)
along the FF lines. Fold the sides slightly
along the FF line. Fold the flaps fully
inward at either end of the BRB and stick
them to the inside of the bumper area. This
is to give extra strength to these ends. Fold
the flaps along one side of the BRB at
right -angles and glue these to one side of
the car, folding the BRB where necessary.
When the glue is dry, attach the other side
in the same way.
It is preferable for the wheels to be made
of thicker card, if you wish you can stick
the wheel designs to another piece of card
(about 400g/m2) first to double the thick-
ness. Cut out and score the wheels. Fold
the double -flaps at right -angles and stick

Everyday Electronics, July 1991 439

 .111M1r-

REAR BUMPER

G75 WUD

FRONT BUMPER

F. FOLD

SIDE
SIMPLE MODEL E
POLICE CAIF F F

F
REAR BATTERY BOX SUPPORT
F F F
RADIATOR
BUMPER FRONT BATTERY SUPPORT
F
BONNET WINDSCREEN F ROOF
F

A
F
4411
Every* Electronics, July 1991
 F F

U-
U-

iERIES MAIN BOARD SUPPORT

F
F F F F

z
O

U-
U- co

REAR BOOT BUMPER ROOF LAMP HOLDER SUPPORT

WINDOW LID

WING MIRROR
CUT 2
G 75
WUD
REAR N° PLATE

WHEEL CUT 4
F F
44
Everyday Electronics, July 1991
 to the inside of the wings. Cut out the
bumpers; fold the central flap back and SCORING
stick it to the inner surface of the bumper. Scoring makes it easier to bend the card neatly and sharply along a straight line. Place a
Bend the ends of the bumper gently to ruler along the line and either run a blunt knife along the line to squeeze the card thinner.
curve around the body. Then use a dab of or run a sharp craft knife very carefully along the line to cut the card for about one
glue on the central flap and the ends of the quarter of its thickness. The second technique gives the sharper edge. but there is the risk
bumpers to hold them in place on the body. of cutting too deeply and weakening the card at the fold. Practise on a scrap of card first.
Cut out the rear registration plate and
colour its background using a yellow high-
lighting pen. Stick the plate to the rear
panel of the body. Finally cut out and stick
the external rear view mirrors in position
on the front doors.
This completes the construction of the
model except for some internal fittings and
the lights. Before attempting these, we need
to assemble the electronics.

HOW IT WORKS
The indicator lamps and siren are driven
by a binary counter. The i.c. has an
integral oscillator circuit. With the com-
ponent values shown in Fig. I the clock
frequency is 20kHz. This frequency is
divided repeatedly by two in a chain of
flip-flops in the i.c. The lower frequencies
used in the circuit are:
Stage Frequency

4 I.25kHz
5 625Hz
13 2Hz
14 1Hz
Stages 4 and 5 give the two notes of the
siren's warble. The frequency of the warble
is under the control of stage 14. The output
from stage 14 is inverted by gate 1 (1C2a). +6V
The I.25k Hz signal goes to gate 2 (1C2b)
and the 625Hz signal goes to gate 3 (IC2c). R4 15 IC2b
680k 4011
At any instant either pin 9 or pin 13 is high 5
1C2
PIN 14
01
and the signal passes through one of the R3
gates. At the same instant the output of the 68k
other gate is a steady high. Thus gate 4 01P5
5
IC2d 61
IC2a IC2c 4011
(IC2d) receives a high on one of its in- IC1 4011
4011
4060
puts and an oscillating signal ( I .25kHz or
625Hz) on the other. C1
330p ()M I<
The frequency changes as the output of OlP 13
2

stage 14 changes, alternating between high ST

and low frequency once a second. The sig- o a 0 a 01 - 04

nal reaches the piezo-electric crystal which ,k107 //V
k k
//V OH - INTENSITY
130 mcd I
produces the two-tone sound.
Stage 13 output goes high for 0.25s, then 81
560
low for 0.25s, repeating. When it is high, R2
120
(PIEZO-
ELECTRIC
current flows to the base of TR1, turn- SOUNDER)
ing it on. Current flows through the light -
102
emitting diodes, making them turn on. in TR1
PIN 7
Z T X300
this way the I.e.d.s flash on and off twice a
second.
The beacon flasher (Fig. 2) employs an
i.c. specially intended as a lamp flasher. EE311.6G

With the resistor and capacitor values

shown, the lamp flashes on very briefly
about once a second. The circuit operates Fig. 1. Circuit diagram of the hazard flashers and siren section.
on 6V, but it has been found possible to use
a 3.5V lamp as the "on" period is very of card 30mm square and make slits for the
short. The result is the short high -intensity lugs. Push the lugs through the holes and
flash typical of such beacons. bend them firmly against the other side of
the card.
MAIN CIRCUIT If the sounder is unmounted leave it at-
CARO tached at present and attach it directly to
the inside of the car body later. Push the
To commence construction of the circuit twin leads from the sounder through the
boards first cut out the board and, using TO 81 circuit card. Twist the leads from the bat-
the pointed tool in the Easiwire kit, punch tery clip around the + 6V and OV staples.
through the holes where indicated. This is Around the same staples twist leads of flex-
best done with the card laying flat on a ible wire about 80mm long. These are to
thick piece of scrap cardboard. conduct the power supply to the beacon
The main circuit board (Fig. 3) holds the board.
circuit for the flashing indicator lamps and Mount the components on the circuit
the siren. The lamps are high -intensity rEE314761
card and make the connections between the
light -emitting diodes. The siren noise components, including the leads from the
comes from a piezo-electric sounder. The sounder, and from the battery clip. The
type of sounder used in the prototype had a Fig. 2 Circuit for the flashing blue light l.e.d.s are connected in parallel to the card
metal housing with three lugs. Cut a piece beacon.
(at the staples) by a pair of flexible leads.

442
Everyday Electronics, July 1991
 +6V ILL EDS4a LEDS

WIRE -WRAPPING
Insert wire staples (from an ordinary office stapling machine) at
a the points where wires are to be connected to off -card components.
ff D R To mount the components, use a sharp point, such as the point
ff of a drawing -compass or the pointed Vero utility tool, to pierce the
IC2 E
F circuit card where indicated. Push the leads of components (or the
F i.c. terminal pins) through the holes, so that the components lie flat
against the component side of the card. Turn the card over to the
wiring side and, if necessary, cut the leads to about 3mm long.
Plan the wiring so that, where several points have to be con-
nected together this is done with a single long run of wire, not with
separate lengths of wire for each connection. An example is the OV
COMPONENT SIDE line, which connects to six points.
BEACON
OV DV
BATTERY
The wrapping wire has no insulation. Where wires cross (e.g.
CARD between the i.c.s on the main board) first lay one wire in place. Cut
a small rectangle of p.v.c. insulating tape and press this down over
OV
the wire, at the crossing point. The second wire may then be laid in
place on top of the tape.
wnt RI R3 Cl To connect to the staples. follow the sequence shown in Fig. 4.
When all the wires have been wrapped. push the staple fully into

-
9

0-11
111,11
the card and bend its ends flat with the card again.
Wire -wrapping joints are surprisingly strong and survive normal
S TR1
handling. To make them more secure, spray the completed board
with a printed circuit lacquer.
R2

LEDSIk1/ INSULATING r---1 Fig. 3. Maui circuit board construction, note

TAPE
+6V &LE DSIo1 the use of insulating tape.
WIRING SIDE

COMPONENTS WIRING
SIDE
Resistors
R1 560 See 0 INSERT STAPLE. 0 LEVER OUT THE
11
O RAISE THE STAPLE. 0 PUSH STAPLE DOWN,
R2 120
R3 68k SHO COMPONENT
USING STAPLER,
ON WIRING SIDE
BENT ENDS
WRAP WIRES, USING
SCREWDRIVER.
BEND ENDS FIRMLY,
USING PLIERS.
R4
R5, R6
680k
68 (2 off) TALK
Page
SI DE
OF CARD

Capacitors IEE315101
Cl 330p polystyrene
C2 10011 elect. 12V
Fig. 4. Method of using staples to fix the flying lead connections.
Semiconductors
D1 to D 4 high -intensity (30mcd)
light -emitting diodes,
yellow (4 off) The main circuit card removed from its mounting under the car. The final board
TR1, TR2 ZTX300 npn transistor layout differs slightly from this prototype.
(2 off)
IC1 4060B CMOS 12 -stage
counter/oscillator
IC2 4011 B CMOS quadruple
2 -input NAND gate
IC3 LM3909 I.e.d. flasher
Miscellaneous
WD1 Piezo transducer, about
25mm diameter, with leads
LP1 3.5V 0.15A round MES
lamp
Batten -mounting socket for MES
lamp, with screw terminals; 8 -way d.i.l.
socket; 14 -way d.i.l. socket; 16 -way
d.i.l. socket; battery box, long AA type,
approx. 109mm x 26mm x 16mm (4
x 1.5V); battery clip PP3; wire -
wrapping wire; light -duty insulated
cable (10/0.1); mains and beacon
circuit cards available from EE (see
Shop Talk) or see the Special Offer
page.
Materials required
Sheet white cardboard, about
400g/m2
or printed model card see
Shop Talk or the Special Offer page;
wire staples and stapling machine; clear
adhesive (Bostick Clear etc); Easiwire
wiring kit -see EE Special Offer.

Approx cost
guidance only £6
4
Evemkty Electronics, July 1991
 L.E.D LEAD
lO WRAP WIRE AROUND FLAT
L E D LEAD INDICATES
IT BEND BACK LEAD &
SQUEEZE BACK CATHODE
FIRMLY.

TO ANODES 0 a

TO CATHODES

75 240 75-+1
[EfsHoo I

Fig. 5. Connection and wiring of the le.d.s.

make sure that they are connected the right tight fit. Place a dab of clear adhesive on
way round. Allow enough wire between the each I.e.d. and push it through its hole
I.e.d.s to run between the corners of the car from the inside. Fig. 7. Mounting the beacon light
where the I.e.d.s will be mounted, Fig. 5. Stick the card bearing the sounder or the cover
The figure shows how the connections may sounder itself to the inside of the side of the holder up through this. Fix the holder in
be made secure. car about level with the driver's door. Cut place by gluing the beacon support under-
Power is provided by 4 AA cells in a out the two battery box supports and stick neath it.
"long" battery box, which fits into the them in position. Cut out the support for The beacon consists of a transparent
space provided for it in the car. When the mounting the card, fold its flaps and stick plastic dome of suitable size and shape.
battery clip is pushed on to the terminals of them to the inside of the sides of the car, The prototype used a cover taken from a
the battery box, the I.e.d.s begin to flash across from one side to the other. The sup- domestic polish spray. This was of clear
and the sounder emits a two-tone "dee- port pulls the two sides of the car together plastic. A thick waterproof marker pen,
dar-dee-dar . . ." wail. The volume of at the bottom, giving the car a bulging out- bright blue in colour, was used to coat the
sound will be greater when the sounder is line when seen head-on. inside of the cover. Glue the rim of the
mounted in the car. dome to a square of thick card, painted
BEACON CARO
INSTALLING THE Make holes in the beacon card for the
black, with a hole in its centre (Fig. 7). Two
lugs glued to the underside of the square
MAIN CARO component leads and i.e. pins (Fig.6).
Connect two leads of flexible wire about
are pushed through slits in the roof of the
car. This allows the dome to be removed if
Remove the battery, but leave the I.e.d.s
and sounder attached to the card. Cut 60mm long to the lamp holder screw necessary to change the bulb.
holes in the car body where the indicator terminals, and push their other ends Rest the beacon card on its support, con-
I.e.d.s are to go. These holes should be a through the holes in the card. Make the nect the battery and the police car is ready
connections by wire -wrapping, as before. for patrol.
Twist the power leads from the main board
around the staples. When the battery is OTHER MODELS
connected to the battery clip the lamp The two circuits operate independently,
flashes very brightly about once a second. so you can instal either one in the model, if
Cut out the beacon card support and you prefer not to have both. These circuits
glue this under the bonnet. Cut a hole are also applicable to other models such as
about 10mm in diameter in the centre of a fire -engine or an ambulance. You could
the roof of the car and push the lamp fit them in a ready-made model.

Internal structure of the

Police Car showing the
circuit cards and rear bat-
tery mounting.

Fig. 6. Beacon circuit card construction.

444
Everyday Electronics, July 1991
SUMMER 1991 CATALOGUE
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Everyday Electronics, July 1991

 +I2V
Teach -/n '91

DESIGN YOUR
OWN CIRCUITS
Power Control
MIKE TOOLEYBA PART 8
This eighth part deals with power Paramount amongst the disadvantages
of simple electromechanical relays are an
control. Our, design problem is inherently low switching speed coupled
with the "contact bounce" which occurs
based on a CMOS logic interface during the transitory state which exists
whilst our companion project between the true "on" and "or con-
ditions. Furthermore, electromechanical

deals with the construction of a relays are, by virtue of their moving parts
and open contact sets, somewhat prone to

Disco Lights Controller. failure when compared with their more

modern solid-state counterparts.

MANY applications of electronics in-

Relay ratings
sipation within the An important consideration when using
volve the control of appreciable switching device (it
should exhibit a very low resistance in the relays (particularly at high d.c. voltages)
levels of voltage and/or current. on/conducting state and a very high resis- is the arc which may form between the
Typical examples in the domestic world are tance in the off/non-conducting state) contacts when the contacts break. Arcing
the motor speed controllers found in wash- (ionisation breakdown of the air in the
* The switching device should only require
ing machines and the lamp dimmers which proximity the contacts) results in the gener-
a very small input current in order to con-
allow us to control the levels of illumina- trol a very much larger current (flowing ation of heat (which may literally burn out
tion in our homes. Both of these applica- through the load) the contact surfaces) and radio frequency
tions are made mere childs' play with the * The switching device should operate very interference (RFI) which may be radiated
use of a range of sophisticated solid-state rapidly (i.e. the time between "on" and over a wide area unless special precautions
power control devices. are taken. Readers should note that, be-
"or states should be negligible)
This eighth part of our series introduces cause of susceptibility to arcing, a relay
the devices in question and shows how they
* During conduction, the switching device
should be capable of continuously carry- which is rated for, say, 250V a.c. operation
can he used in a variety of applications. will generally only be rated for d.c. opera-
ing the rated load current. It should also
tion at up to about 50V.
Amplification be capable of handling momentary surge
currents (which may be an order of mag- A typical electromechanical relay may
versus power nitude greater than the continuously rated be rated for around 1,000,000 operations,
control
The concept of amplification
load current).
* In the non -conducting state, the switch-
or more. To put this into context, if
operated once every minute, the contact
was dealt set on such a relay can be expected to give
with in Part 2. In this part we showed ing device should be capable of con-
tinuously sustaining the peak value of rated satisfactory operation for a period of
how a relatively small voltage or current about two years. It is important to note,
present at the input of an amplifier could supply voltage. It should also be capable
of coping with momentary surge voltages however, that electromechanical relays
be magnified using transistors and/or in- are prone to both mechanical and electri-
tegrated circuits to produce a correspond- (which may exceed the normal peak supply
voltage by a factor of two, or more). cal failure (the latter being more prevalent
ing but much larger voltage or current at if the device is operated at, or near, its
the output. This principle can be extended
to provide a means of driving loads (rather Relays maximum rating).
Having said all this, in simple low-speed
than just loudspeakers) with appreciable The traditional method of switching cur-
levels of direct and/or alternating current. rent through a load which requires isola- "on/off' switching applications, the con-
ventional electromechanical relay can
Unfortunately, using a high quality tion from the controlling circuit involves provide a highly cost-effective solu-
(linear) power amplifier to drive loads such the use of an electromechanical relay. Such
tion to controlling currents of up to
as solenoids and actuators is not a very devices offer a simple, low cost solution to
cost-effective solution to the problem. the problem of maintaining adequate isola- about 10A, or more, at voltages of up
to 250V a.c. and 100V d.c. Fur-
Furthermore, many types of load, for tion between the controlling circuit and the
a thermore (unlike solid-state switching
variety of reasons (not the least of which is potentially lethal voltages associated with devices) relays are available with a
safety!) have to be electrically isolated from an a.c. mains supply.
Relays do, in fact, offer many of the variety of different contact sets, includ-
the circuit which is controlling them. ing single -pole (s.p.) on/off switching,
desirable characteristics of an "ideal"
Power switching switching device (notably a very low "on"
single -pole chanegover (s.p.c.o.), double -
pole chanegover (d.p.c.o.), and four -pole
devices resistance and virtually infinite "off"
resistance coupled with a coil to contact
changeover (4p.c.o.).
The switching device employed in a breakdown voltage which is usually in The coils which provide the necessary
power control circuit is crucial to the magnetic flux to operate a relay are avail-
excess of several kV). Unfortunately, the able for operation on a variety of volt-
successful operation of the circuit. The humble relay has a number of very serious
basic requirements for the device are: ages between 5V and I I 5V d.c. and 12V to
* There should be minimal power dis- disadvantages which mitigate against its
use in a range of applications. 250V a.c. at currents of between 5mA and
100mA. A typical specification for a low -

446
Everyday Electronics, July 1991
 +5V to +24 V
+5V to +24V

DI RLA
1N 4148

RI
10k TRI
84108
I SEE TEXT I
INPUT
135V1
04

Frerifin
IEE3174 G I

Fig. 61 . A simple relay driver circuit Fig. 8.2 Relay driver circuit based on a Fig 8.3. Relay driver based on a plastic
discrete Darlington arrangement. Darlington transistor.

voltage relay suitable for switching a mains

connected load are as follows:
Thyristors plications this necessitates the interruption
(or disconnection) of the supply before the
Thyristors provide an alternative means
Contact rating: 5A, 30V d.c./250V a.c. of switching a high voltage/high current device can be reset into its non -conducting
Coil rating: I 2V (10.9V to 19.5V) load from a much smaller triggering cur- state. However, where a thyristor is used
Coil resistance: 205 ohm rent source. Thyristors (or "silicon con- with an alternating supply, the device will
Electrical life: 200,000 operations (at trolled rectifiers" as they are sometimes automatically become reset whenever the
full rated load) called) are three -terminal devices which can mains supply reverses. The device can then
Mechanical life: 10 million operations switch very rapidly from a conducting to a be triggered on the next half -cycle having
non -conducting state. In the "olr state, correct polarity to permit conduction.
Relay driver the thyristor exhibits negligible leakage Like their conventional silicon diode
Circuits current whilst, in the "on" state the device
exhibits very low resistance. This results in
counterparts, thyristors have anode and
cathode connections (see Fig. 8.4). Control
In many applications, a relay will require
some form of interface to the circuit to very little power loss within the thyristor is applied by means of a gate terminal and
which it is connected. Often such an inter- even when appreciable power levels are the device is triggered into the conducting
face need consist of nothing more than a being controlled. ("on" state) by applying a current pulse of
single transistor, as shown in Fig. 8.1. Once switched into the conducting state. sufficient magnitude (and rise time) to this
Almost any npn transistor with a current the thyristor will remain conducting (i.e. it terminal.
gain of 50, or more, can be used in the is latched in the "on" state) until the for- The following table summarises the
circuit of Fig. 8.1 however it is impor- ward current is removed from the device. characteristics of a variety of popular
tant to ensure that it is operated within It is important to note that, in d.c. ap- thyristors:
its maximum collector current (1-c(mAx))
rating. The following devices are recom- Type VRRM VGT IGT Case style
IF(AV)
mended:
TRI 2N4443 5.IA 400V I.5V 30mA TO220
Coil resistance
2N4444 5.1A 600V I .5V 30mA TO220
BT106 IA 700V 3.5V 50mA Stud
300 ohm to
BC I42 (or equivalent) BTI 52 I 3A 600V IV 32mA TO220
500 ohm
BTX 18-400 IA 500V 2V 5mA TO5
500 ohm to
1.2k ohm BC108 (or equivalent) BTY79-400R 6.4A 400V 3V 30mA Stud
BTY79-600R 6.4A 600V 3V 30mA Stud
The circuit of Fig. 8.1 requires an in- BTY79-800R 6.4A 800V 3V 30mA Stud
put current of about 0.5mA when operated NO18-RHOS 21A 500V 3V 100mA Stud
from a 5V source. In some applications it NO18- RHO8 21A 800V 3V 100mA Stud
may be desirable to increase the sensitivity NO18-RH12 21A I 200V 3V 100mA Stud
of the circuit in which case a Darlington TICIO6A 3.2A 100V I .2V 200µA TO220
driver stage can be used (see Fig. 8.2). TICIO6B 3.2A 200V 1.2V 200uA 10220
The silicon diode, DI, is fitted in order to TICIO6C 3.2A 300V I .2V 2000 TO220
provide a current path which will absorb TICIO6D 3.2A 400V I.2V 200µA TO220
the back e.m.f. generated when the mag- TIC106E 3.2A 500V I.2V 200uA TO220
netic flux in the relay suddenly collapses TIC I 06M 3.2A 600V I.2V 200µA TO220
when the transistor ceases to conduct. TICIO6S 3.2A 700V I.2V 2000 TO220
A Darlington driver based on two (dis- TICIO6N 3.2A 800V 1.2V 200uA TO220
crete) npn devices and which requires a cur- TIC116A 5A 100V 2.5V 20mA TO220
rent of only a mere 40µA at 5V in order to TIC116B 5A 200V 2.5V 20mA TO220
operate the relay is shown in Fig. 8.2. Fig. TIC116C 5A 300V 2.5V 20mA TO220
8.3 shows an equivalent arrangement based TIC116D 5A 400V 2.5V 20mA TO220
on a plastic npn Darlington transistor. This TIC116E 5A 500V 2.5V 20mA TO220
circuit can be used with relays having coil TICII6M 5A 600V 2.5V 20mA TO220
resistances as low as about 200 ohm and TICI I6S 5A 700V 2.5V 20mA TO220
will also operate reliably with an input cur- TIC1 I 6N 5A 800V 2.5V 20mA TO220
rent of as little as 40µA. TIC 1 26A 7.5A 100V 2.5V 20mA TO220
Question 1: If the circuit of Fig. 8.1 is to be TIC126B 7.5A 200V 2.5V 20mA TO220
operated from a CMOS logic circuit which TIC126C 7.5A 300V 2.5V 20mA TO220
operates from a + 12V supply rail and can TIC126D 7.5A 400V 2.5V 20mA TO220
produce no more than about 500µA of TIC126E 7.5A 500V 2.5V 20mA TO220
drive current at 8V, specify the required TIC I 26M 7.5A 600V 2.5V 20mA TO220
value for RI. TIC I 26S 7.5A 700V 2.5V 20mA TO220
Question 2: If, in Question I, the relay coil TIC I 26N 7.5A 800V 2.5V 20mA 10220
has a resistance of 200 ohm, determine the TICP106D 2A 400V IV 200uA T092
minimum acceptable value of current gain TICP106M 2A 600V 1V 200uA TO92
for the transistor.

447
Everyday Electronics, July 1991
 By virtue of the symmetry in triggering,
triacs thus provide a means of controlling
Noise and radio
ANODE a.c. voltages over both positive and nega- frequency
tive half -cycles. Thyristors, on the other
hand, can only provide control on one, or
interference tRF!J
Thyristors and triacs switch on and off
other, of the half -cycles. very rapidly. In a.c. power control applica-
GATE
Discs tions, this rapid switching can result in
transients which may be conveyed some
CATHODE In order to simplify the design of distance via the a.c. mains wiring. To mini-
ES317SGI
triggering circuits, a triac is often used in mise such effects and prevent radiation of
conjunction with a diac. This device is noise, an L -C filter should be fitted in close
somewhat similar to a Zener diode proximity to the power control device, as
having bi-directional properties. A typi- shown in Fig. 8.6.
cal diac conducts heavily when the
Fig. 8.4. Thyristor symbol
applied voltage exceeds approximately Variable a. c. power
± 32V. Once in the conducting state, the
resistance of the diac falls to a very low control
value and thus a large value of current Triacs make excellent variable a.c. power
will flow (sufficient to trigger the triac to control devices. Fig. 8. 7 shows a circuit for
which it is connected). a lamp dimmer capable of handling a resis-
tive (tungsten filament lamp) load of up to
Trisc date I kW. At higher power levels (i.e. exceeding
150W) the triac will require a heatsink and
The following table summarises the
characteristics of avariety of popular the designer should consult the representa-
triacs: tive characteristic curves shown in Figs. 8.8

Type IT(RMS) VRRM VGT IGT(TYP) Case style

BTI 39 15A 600V 1.5V 5mA TO220
Fig. 8.5 Triac symbol BTA08-6008 8A 600V 1.5V 50mA 10220*
BTA 1 6-600B 16A 600V I.5V 50mA TO220*
BTA26-600B 25A
Triggering TIC206M 4A
600V
600V
I.5V
2V
50mA
5mA
10220*
10220
requirements TIC2I6M
TIC225M
6A
8A
600V
600V
3V
2V
5mA TO220
When designing circuits based on thyris- 20mA TO220
tors as power control elements, trigger TIC226M 8A 600V 2V 50mA TO220
pulses should have the fastest possible rise TIC236M I 2A 600V 2V 50mA TO220
times. Thyristors will turn on faster (and TIC246M I 6A 600V 2V 50mA TO220
power dissipation within the device will be TICP206D I .5A 400V 2.5V 2.5mA 1092
minimised) as gate current is increased. TICP206M I .5A 600V 2.5V 2.5mA T092
Signals with slow rise times or poorly TRI800-8 8A 800V 2.5V 20mA TO220
defined edges are generally unsatisfactory
for triggering purposes.
It is also important to ensure that suf- * = isolated tab (such devices do not
ficient gate current is made available to require insulating washers and can be
mounted directly onto a grounded heat -
ensure effective triggering. This will nor- 0000
220pH
\--0- L sink)
mally require the designer to minimise the 4n7
resistance/impedance of the gate driver cir- POWER
350V ci
AC
cuitry as far as possible. At the same time, CONTROL 10n
350V0 MAINS and 8.9 in order to determine the rating for
CIRCUIT
care should be taken to ensure that the such a device.
peak value of gate voltage does not exceed As an example, assume that we require a
the rated value for the device. Similarly, the circuit to control a lamp rated at 500W on
pulse width of the trigger pulse applied to a 250V a.c. supply and that we do not wish
the gate of a thyristor must be kept short in the case temperature of the triac to exceed
order to minimise the gate power dissipa- I1ES17f[I 60 deg.0 (here we do not need apply the
tion. Negative gate voltages should also be de -rating curve shown in Fig. 8.9). The fol-
avoided in order to prevent power loss. lowing steps are required:
In a.c. applications, the thyristor trigger- Fig. 8.6. Typical RFI filter I. Determine the load current to be con-
ing circuit should be designed so that it trolled.
will provide effective triggering over a suffi-
ciently wide angle of the applied a.c. supply
voltage. Failure to observe this rule will RFI FILTER VARIABLE TRIGGER CIRCUIT
generally result in an inadequate range of LI L2
100CH SA 100NH SA
control.

Triscs
Triacs are a refinement of the thyristor 240 V a.c.
which, when triggered, conduct on both MAINS
SUPPLY 4;r1
positive and negative half -cycles of the -350Va c
applied voltage. Triacs have three ter-
13
minals; main -terminal one (MTI ), main 100uH 5A
terminal two (MT2) and gate (G), as shown
in Fig. 8.5. Triacs can be triggered by both ON IOF F)
(IMW MAX I
positive and negative voltages applied be-
tween G and MTI with positive and nega- R6
tive voltages present at MT2 respectively. 100

These modes are summarised in the follow- SNUBBER

NETWORK
ing table: C7
100n
Trigger mode Conditions (w.r.t. MTI) tt 77777 01 350Va c

1+ MT2 + ve, G + ve
1- MT2 + ye, G -ve
111 + MT2 -ve, G + ve
III - MT2 -ve, G -ve Fig. 8.7. Triac a. c. power controller for up to I kW of tungsten filament lighting.

448
Everyday Electronics, July 1991
 Fig. 8.9. Derating characteristic for
CASE TEMPERATURE typical 8A and 16A triacs.
POWER DISSIPATION CASE (*CI
PTOT (W I
110

20

100
15 -

00

10-

80
5

70

0
10 15 20
CURRENT. IL(Al
[EE31720j
60

Fig. 88. Characteristic showing total power dissipation 1E0316041

plotted against load current for a typical 8A triac.

IL = PL/VL thus IL = 500W/250V = 2A suddenly switched into conduction at, or Solid -State Switch
2. Determine the power dissipation within
the triac (from Fig. 8.8):
near, the positive or negative peak of the
a.c. cycle. Module
The power dissipated will be approxi- When used in conjunction with a power
mately 2W. Solid-state triac, an optically coupled triac can form
3. Estimate the maximum ambient tem-
perature for the unit.
switches the basis of a simple yet highly effective
solid-state switch. Fig. 8.12 shows the com-
In recent years, there has been an plete circuit of a Solid -State Switch Mod-
In most cases, we can assume that this increasing need to interface digital logic
will be about 35 deg.0 (allowing for the ule which can be used to control loads of
circuits and microprocessor I/O ports to up to I kW. ICI is an optically coupled
effect of localised heating). mains operated loads. In order to meet
4. Determine the difference between the triac which incorporates a zero -axis cross-
this requirement, solid-state switches (or ing detector. CSR I is a power triac rated at
maximum allowable case temperature and "solid-state relays") have been developed.
the maximum ambient temperature. 8A maximum load current.
These devices usually contain a triac, The device specified uses a conventional
tDIFF. = tCASE(MAX)- tAMBIENT(MAX) snubber network and opto- isolated driver
= 60-35 = 25 deg.0 10220 encapsulation but, unlike many
(often incorporating zero -axis crossing earlier devices, benefits from an isolated
5. Determine the rating (thermal resis- trigger circuits).
tance) of the heatsink required: metal tab. This makes mounting to a
Solid-state relays are available as encap- heatsink more straightforward (there is no
RTH = tDIFFIPTOT= 25/2 = 12.5 deg.C/W sulated film circuits (rather than true in-
Hence, we require a heatsink with a need for insulating washers and bushes)
tegrated circuits) and typically have the and the circuit is also inherently more safe
rating of 12.5 deg.C/W, or less. It is following specification:
important to note that we have ignored a as there is less likelihood of contact with a
number of factors in this example (such as live metal surface.
Input voltage: 3V to 24V Resistor RI limits the current through
the thermal resistance of the insulating Input current: 2mA to 16mA
washers, if fitted). Despite this, the method the input of the opto-isolator whilst DI
Maximum load provides a visual indication of the state of
shown will prove to be sufficiently accurate current: 2.5A r.m.s. continuous
for most applications. the circuit (useful when testing without a
Isolation voltage: 4kV (minimum) load connected). R5 and Cl constitute a
Question 3: A BTA08-600B triac is to be
used to control IkW of tungsten filament snubber network and slow down the rate of
stage lighting which operates from a 240V switching (change of voltage with time) to
a.c. mains supply. Assuming that the case an acceptable value. In order to increase
temperature of the triac is not to exceed the sensitivity of the circuit, an optional
50 deg.C, determine the necessary heatsink transistor driver stage (R2/TRI) is incor-
rating. porated.
The copper foil and component p.c.b.
Optical isolation layout of the Solid -State Switch Module is
shown in Fig. 8.13. Connections to the
One of the most useful components to
support the high power switching devices Solid -State Switch Module are via a five -
employed in modern power control circuits way header (PL I ) for the input and d.c.
is the optically coupled triac and optically supply and a two-way p.c.b. mounting
coupled thyristor (see Fig. 8.10 and Fig. screw terminal block (BT1) for the mains
8.11). These devices provide a very high neutral and load connections.
degree of electrical isolation between the Connections to PL I are as follows:
Fig. 8.10. Optically coupled thyristor
controlling circuit and the load and com- Pin number Function
prise an encapsulated light emitting diode
together with a light sensitive triac or 1 + V supply ( + 5V to
thyristor. When the I.e.d. is illuminated, the + I2V)
triac or thyristor (as appropriate) is trig- Collector (ground to
gered into conduction. ANODE MAIN TERMINAL
switch)
Some of the most recent optically TRIAC SUBSTRATE 3 Base input ( 1 V to switch)
coupled triacs (such as the MOC3041) CAN -100E 00 NOT CONNECT 4 Ground (OV)
also contain a "zero axis crossing" 5 Ground (OV)
detector. This circuit ensures that the triac NC MAIN TERMINAL
is triggered at the most favourable point Connections to BT I are as follows:
on the a.c. cycle, just as the voltage swings
through the zero point. This arrangement 1E0319201 Pin number Function
greatly reduces the noise and radio
frequency interference which would other- Load
wise occur if the device were to be Fig. 8.11. Optically coupled triac. Neutral

Everyday Electronics, July 1991 449

 COMPONENTS
61
fEE TEkn
83
00 Br Resistors
DI IC1 R1 220 0.25W 5% carbon
MOC 3041 (see text)
R2 10k 0.25W 5% carbon
R3 56 0.5W 5% carbon
R4 3300.5W 5% carbon
R5 1000.5W 5% carbon

Capacitors
TR1 C1 22n 1000V
BC 106
84
330 Semiconductors See
CSR1 BTA08-600B '1=idor)
IC1 MOC3041
EE 3f no]
TR1
D1
BC108
Red I.e.d.
TALK
Page

Miscellaneous
Fig. 8.12. Complete circuit diagram for the Solid -State Switch Module. P L1 5 -way straight p.c.b. header
(0.1 inch pitch)
BT1 2 -way p.c.b. mounting
screw terminal block;
Pl1 T0220 heatsink (see text); 6 -pin
i.c. socket; printed circuit board
d.i. I.
TR1 available from EE PCB Service, order
R2 I-, code EE757.
RI 1..40
DI
Approx cost
167,50
CSR1

9
guidance only

Solid -State
Switch Module
specifications
00
---00
o'er
NICT-b Supply: + 5V to + 24V at 20mA
(max )

Controlled
EE757 voltage: 240V a.c.

Max. load: I kW
Fig. 8.13. P.C. B. track and component
layout for the Solid -State Switch Input
Module. current: 45µA (typical, 5V source)
Fig 8.14. Operating configurations for 10mA (typical - without
Values of RI should be selected from the the So/id-State Switch Module (a) transistor stage)
following table: basic Solid -State Switch (R1 and TR1
not fitted) (b) sensitive Solid -State
Supply voltage RI Switch (R1 and TR1 fitted).
4V to 6V 220 lamp load of 60W. Assuming that the max-
6V to 9V 390 imum current available from the logic is
9V to I 2V 560 501.1A at 10V, design a suitable interface
I2V to I8V 1k circuit.

Finally, Fig. 8.14 shows two operating Answers to

configurations for the Solid -State Switch questions in Pert
Module. Note that, in applications where
the load to be switched exceeds about Eight
150W, it will be necessary to fit a heatsink Question is 15 kilohm.
to CSR1. The rating of the heatsink can, Question 2: 120.
however, be determined using the steps Question 3: 3.75 deg.C/W (or less)
given previously.

Design Problem Answer to last month's design problem:

This month's design problem (as with all A simple medium -wave a.m. tuner (for use with the Bench Amplifier' Signal Tracer which
of the design problems presented in this we described in Part 3) is to have the following specification:
series) is designed for readers who would
welcome the opportunity of tackling a little Tuning Range 700k 11: to 2MHz (.specify the coil and capacitance required to cover
"homework". The exercise may be tackled this range.)
purely "on paper" or may be used as the Aerial input: Separate inputs for high and low -impedance aerials.
basis of a complete constructional project.
This month's problem involves designing Audio output 100mV ( typical) into 5 kilohm (the unit should incorporate an audio
an interface circuit: amplifier stage).
A CMOS logic circuit operates from a
+ 15V supply rail. One of the outputs is to Supply Single 9V battery ( PP3 )
drive a relay having a coil resistance of 700 One solution to last month's design problem is shown in Fig. 8.15.
ohm whilst another is to control an 240V a.c.

450 Everyday Electronics, July 1991

 Fig. 8.15. Answer to last month's
RS ION/OFF I
Design Problem.
IRO

Next Month: Next month's instalment

deals with the fascinating world of op-
toelectronics. Our design problem features
an automatic porth light whilst our
accompanying constructional project fea-
tures an optical communications link.

TEACH -IN
TUNING R F. AMPLIFIER DETECTOR A F AMPLIFIER

LI = 100pHlapprox I COMPRISING IL mm WINDING LENGTH OF 26s wg. ON A 7mrn DIAM FORMER.

VCI .60pF TO 500pF
TAPPED AT 10 TURNS lapprox
BOOKS
The following books have
L2 = 20 TURNS OVERWOUND ON LI been reprinted from
FEE'S." I
various Teach -In Series
and will be of particular
interest to many readers
of this series. See our
Cumulative index to modules Direct Book Service
pages for full ordering
details.
Title Part Function/specification ELECTRONICS TEACH -IN 88/89-
INTRODUCING MICROPROCESSORS
Mike Tooley BA (published by Everyday
Dual output power Dual ± 5V, ± I 2V or ± I 5V regulated Elecronics)
supply module power supply rated at I A max. output A complete course that can lead successful
readers to the award of a City and Guilds
723 variable power 1
Single variable output of + 2V to + 37V at up to 5A max. Certificate in Introductory Microprocessors
(726/303). The book contains everything you
supply module Output voltage and current limit are set by means of pre- need to know including full details on register-
set controls. ing for assessment, etc.
Sections cover Microcomputer Systems.
L200 variable power I Single variable output of +2.7V to +35V at up to 2A Micro -processors. Memories. Input/Output,
max. Inutput voltage and current limit are set by means of Interfacing and Programming. There are
supply module various practical assignments and eight
variable controls. Data Pages covering the most popular
microprocessor chips.
General purpose transistor 2 Pre -defined voltage gain and frequency response. Low/ An excellent introduction to the subject
amplifier module medium input impedance, low output impedance. Re- even for those who do not wish to take the
quires a single 9V d.c. supply at 2mA nominal. City and Guilds assessment.
NO pages ( A4 .size) Order code TI -88/89 £2.45
General purpose 2 Pre -defined voltage gain and frequency response. Two ELECTRONICS TEACH -IN No. 3 -
operational stages may be used independently (e.g. for stereo EXPLORING ELECTRONICS (published
amplifier module operation) or connected in tandem. Requires a dual sup- by Everyday Electronics)
ply of between ± 5V and ± 15V at 10mA nominal. Owen Bishop
Another EE value for money publication
aimed at students of electronics. The course is
High -quality power 3 Fixed gain medium/high power class AB audio amplifier designed to explain the workings of electronic
amplifier module capable of operating with very low distortion. Recom- components and circuits by involving the
mended load impedance Bohm. Requires a dual supply of reader in experimenting with them. The book
between ± 12V and ± 20V at up to 2A. does not contain masses of theory or formulae
but straightforward explanations and circuits
to build and experiment with.
TBA820 i.c. amplifier 3 Versatile i.c. low/medium power for general purpose ap- Exploring Electronics contains more than
plications. Requires a single supply rail of between + 5V 25 useful projects, assumes no previous
and + I 5V. knowledge of electronics and is split into 28
easily digestible sections.
88 pages ( A4 size) Order code 113 £2.45
Sine wave oscillator 4 Low distortion sine wave oscillator capable of providing
outputs over the range 50Hz to 50kHz. Frequency and ELECTRONICS TEACH -IN No. 4
amplitude adjustable. Requires + I 2V to + 15V supply at INTRODUCING DIGITAL
10mA (nominal). ELECTRONICS (published by Everyday
Ekcronics)
Michael J. Cockcroft
8038 waveform 4 Provides sine, square and triangle outputs adjustable Although this book is primarily a City &
generator the range 0.01Hz to 20k Hz. Requires ± 9V supply Guilds Introductory level course (726/301).
at 10mA. approximately 80% of the information forms
a very basic introduction to electronics in
Single stage decade counter with seven -segment 1.e.d. dis- general, it therefore provides an excellent in-
Digital counter module 5
troductory text for beginners and a course
play. Standard TTL input levels. Requires + 5V supply at and reference book for GCSE students.
90mA. Full details on registering for C&G assess-
ment, details of assessment centres, com-
General purpose 6 Astable or monostable mode timer circuit configured by ponents required and information on the
wire links. Extenal trigger (both a.c. and d.c.) and reset course in general are given.
timer module The City & Guilds introduction to mod-
inputs. Output up to 12V at 200mA. Requires a single ule 726/301 reads: "A candidate who satis-
supply rail of between + 5V and + 15V. factorily completes this module will have a
competence to identify basic components and
RF amplifier module 7 High gain r.f. amplifier module which can be used in a digital integrated circuits and connect them
variety of applications, including receivers (both TRF and together to form simple working circuits and
logic units." This provides an excellent intro-
superhet) and test equipment. Requires a single supply rail duction to the book.
of + 9V. 122 pages (A4 size) Order code T14 £2.95

Solid -State switch 8 Solid-state switch capable of controlling a.c. mains loads See Direct Book
module rated at 240V IkW maximum. The switch operates from Service pages for
an input of less than 100µA and requires a supply of be- ordering details.
tween 5V and 24V.

Everyday Electronics, July 1991 451

 FOR YOUR L_ _J
11

I
NYA
by BarryFox
Faxing Yourself payment, by using inaudible identifica-
Over the years have carted various
I
tion codes buried in digital recordings, Overpowered!
portable computers and modems round has been available for nearly ten years but was in Cannes recently for the
I

the world on press trips, with the inten- never been used. The BBC has taken the MIDEM music industry Conference and
tion of sending back articles as electronic intitiative and warned that if the technol- Festival. One day I heard the sound of
text by telephone line. But it is never as ogy is not used now, it will forever lie deafeningly loud music from the street,
easy as it sounds. idle. stopping and starting every minute or so.
So I bought myself a portable printer The CD standard, as laid down by It sounded like someone turning a mobile
and started sending back text by fax. I Philips and Sony, defines eight channels discotheque on and off.
would write the story, print it out in my in the digital bit stream, called subcodes, The source turned out to be a small
room and ask the hotel office to fax it which carry information related to the Renault car, with the entire back seat
back to the UK. music. The P and Q channels carry timing area made over to mount a batch of
But the printer is quite heavy. So last codes which control the CD player, tell- enormous loudspeakers. These churned
year I
bought myself a new portable ing it when musical selections out thunderous bass. But only while the
modem, the Discovery 2448P. This costs begin
and end. The Q channel can also carry car was moving and its alternator was
around £200 and comes with software copyright information. Digital tape for- generating enough power to drive the
which lets it send faxes as well as mats can carry similar codes. amplifier. Every time the car slowed
electronic mail. The software converts In 1986, after fifteen years discus- down in traffic, the amplifier drew so
word -processed text into fax code and sion, the International Standards Or- much power from the battery, that the
squirts it down the telephone line to any ganisation agreed a code format which sound system tripped into silence and
conventional office fax machine back is applicable to any digital the engine stalled.
home. recording
medium. ISO 3901-1986 defines the If the driver had turned down the wick
But that still left me without any hard International Standard Recording Code. a little he could have kept the engine and
copy of my own text, and on several oc- Twelve alphanumeric characters can un- sound system running. But no. He was
casions I found I needed this. So I started ambiguously identify a recording by date, far happier to hear snatches of music in
carrying the printer as well as computer name and company owner. A modified between re -starting the engine.
and modem. CD player in a broadcast studio will strip
In the USA recently I found a simple this code out of the bit stream and deliver
way round the problem. had writtenI it to a computer. The computer's internal
a report which had to pass on to a
I
clock will log when the recording was BTEC ELECTRONICS
business contact, but I had not brought played and for how long. TECHNICIAN
my printer. So I phoned the hotel recep- The radio station will then give a copy
tion from my bedroom and asked for the of the log to all the copyright bodies FULL-TIME TRAINING
hotel's fax number. I then used the Dis- (Phonographic Performance Ltd, the 2 YEAR
covery modem to fax my report to the Performing Rights Society and Mechani- BTEC National Diploma (OND)
hotel office, with a note on the front ad- cal Copyright Protection Society), which ELECTRONIC &
dressing it to me. then match the identifying number with COMMUNICATIONS ENGINEERING
(Electronics, Computing, Television, Video, Testing &
Soon afterwards a messenger knocked their own database record to calculate Fault Diagnosis)
on my hotel door carrying my fax. So what royalties the performers and com-
I ended up with a hard copy print-out 1 YEAR
posers should be paid. STEC National Certificate (ONC)
without ever using a printer. It would all be so easy, accurate and ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING
fast. Everyone would gain. But most CDs 1-INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(Electronics, Satellite TV, Networks. Telecomms)
Digital Copyright now have a string of zeros where the
Few people realise that since CD was code should be because record com- 2-ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT SERVICING
(Electronics. Television, Video Cassette Recorders, CCTV,
launched, in 1983, the record and music panies do not give the pressing plant an Testing and Fault Diagnosis)

industry has been missing out on a sig- ISRC number to insert.

3-SOFTWARE ENGINEERING
nificant hidden benefit which was built Without coded records, there has been (Electronics, Assembler, BASIC, Pascal, CADCAM)
into the format from day one. no incentive for radio and TV stations to
When radio stations play records on modify CD players and connect them 4-COMPUTING TECHNOLOGY
(Electronics. Computing SoftwareMardware,
the air, they must fill in copyright forms so to computers. Only one CD player, a Microelectronics)

that the artists and composers get the Revox machine made by Studer, is al- 10 MONTHS
royalties due to them. The BBC pays up ready designed to strip out the code. It BTEC Higher National Certificate (HNC)
to 70 pounds in copyright fees on each costs £1,800. So broadcaters continue to COMPUTING TECHNOLOGY & ROBOTICS
(Microprocessor Based Systems, Control, Robotics)
record broadcast and each week staff prepare copyright returns by hand.
spend 2,500 hours typing out 15,000 Nimbus presses CDs for many com- Mese courses include a high percentage
of college based
practical work to enhance future employment
copyright forms. panies and cannot remember ever being No additional lees for overseas students
prospects

Some TV stations and smaller radio asked to include the code. Nor can Tape Shortened courses of from 3 to 6 months can be emerged for
One, a finishing studio which prepares applicants with previous electronics knowledge
stations write them in ink, with zeros in- THOSE ELIGIBLE CAN APPLY FOR E.T. GRANT SUPPORT
several hundred digital master tapes for
distinguishable from Os. The PPL and pressing every month. Both say the cost
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES PROGRAMME

MCPS have to deal with over a thousand O.N.C. and O.N.D.

of adding the code would be negligible,
record companies (owning 3000 record or nothing at all. Next Course Commences
labels). They have recently had to try and Monday 16th September, 1991
pay royalties on "Away in a Manager" Says Tony Churcher, head of broad-
casting administration at the Performing FULL PROSPECTUS FROM
and pieces of music identified only as
"Overture", "The Rolling Stones track" Rights Society, one of three copyright LONDON ELECTRONICS COLLEGE
and "The Who track". bodies involved in paying musical artists, (Dept. EE) 20 PENYWERN ROAD
The technology to automate copyright
"If we don't make a start now, we will
never do it". EARLS COURT, LONDON SW5 9SU
TEL 071 - 373 8721
452
Everyday Electronics, July 1991
 PLEASE ADD 21/2% VAls TO ALL ORDERS

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& EQUIPMENT BRITISH MADE (COLOUR WHITE)
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COMPONENT SUPPLIERS
Tel 0902 22039 FULL RANGE OF ANTEX IRONS MARCO KITS
55A WORCESTER ST
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COMPONENTS IN C -15W IRON. £8.37 Ceramic 50V 11251 £3.99
24HR ANSAPHONE WV2 4LL CATALOGUE CS -17W IRON
XS -25W IRON
£8.48
£8.59
f lectiolytics Red (100)
Fuse 20nrn 0.B 1801
ER 50
f 4 75
Fuse 20nm A S 1801 f 8 50
XS -KIT 25W £11.98
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C -KIT 15W
£1117
£11.98
Pre.sel Pots flora (120)
Preset Pots Vet (1201
£7.75
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Made i 1 U.K. For those of you who
CATALOGUE enjoy building kits -
RESISTORS
* Velleman Kit Catalogue ery high quality 'Mini -Bug - ideal fo we nowt:41er the above ALL BITS FOR IRONS - £1.75
aby alarm. etc!! A fiery good range i transmitter in kit form. ELEMENTS £4.10 STANDS £3.24 0 25W Popular (10001 £8.99
* Free pre -paid envelope obtainable - we have obtained over Y. Ideal for the beginner 015W5 ell 13051 C3.75
* Many new lines mile. but it does depend on conditions. - supplied complete NI -CAD RECHARGEABLE 025W 1001116101 £5.10
. imply remove cover - insert battery with lull, easy to 0 5W Popular 110001 £10.75
* Pages of special offers 0 5W 5 oft 1365) [5.40
* Free gifts
nd you'r ready to go. Reception ca
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IiNuttLIDEioDus'LliiPsLNOouTr
BATTERIES 0 5W lf off (7301 (11.16
BOXES Section for IW 5 of 13651 f15.25
e1 .50 requency

RDER CODE SEC/FMB1

105-109MHz F
suitable housing.
ORDER
SEC,FMKiT
CODE
AAA
PRICE
1 +-
£1.50
EACH
10*
£1.30
2W 5 el -13651
Zener D odes 5 off 155)
[25.00
£3.99

CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION SYSTEM RICE: £9.99 PRICE £7.50 AA 95p 85p
1x CAMERA 1 X CAMERA BRACKET HOME ALARM PACKAGE C £1.95 £1.80 NI -CAD CHAR ER
£2.00 £1.85
ncludes. BACK-UP LEAD PP3 £3.90 £3.75 a a
* Optima Alarm Control Panel ACID BATTERY -1-"Y
USED External Red Bel Box DESOLDERIN PUMP
2 x 1 Internal Passive I.R. 12V 1 9Ah
Complete price 2 x Door Contacts
Siren for bell box £14.00 £2.99ORDER CODE
TOOL/ DESOL MP
£175 100 rms. cable and clips LEAD ACID SPARE TIP 75P
Plus £10 carr * Full fitting instructions
USED CHARGER Charges AA, AAA, C D & PP3
1 X MONITOR
ONLY £127.50 £19.99 Ni-Cads
£4.99
GAS
-1--7----77111112a 240V AC

SOLDERING
EPROM
V TWIN FLUORESCENT UAT
POWER SPECIAL SPOT -LIGHT
IRON KIT YO60G 27 256-25 LAMP12" DOUBLE TUBES
SUPPLY (S1751) (Brand New) Hand-held or hanging, 1 2ft
Butane powered
£3 each Curly cable, 5 times normal
catalytic soldering
iron kit comprising: 10 C2.50 each
ONLY £5.99 headlamp intensity. On/off
gas tank and switch. Simply plugs
POWER SUPPLY / BATTERY CHARGER regulator. catalytic NEW into cigar lighter
soldering iron tip. OFFER socket
POO7G (Z2540) £2.991 catalytic hot knife tip. EVERY DIMENSIONS:
Plug-in power pa y designed to heat blower tip. blow
charge 10xAA Ni-Cad batteries found in mobile I GAS SOLDERING IRON I torch. 3 auxiliary cold
Mts, sponge. cap
MONTH £5.99 368 X 67 X 43MM
CBs etc. Plugs directly into a 13A socket. Output YO6OH (S1752)
via integral lead with 2 5mm DC power plug. tip
positive. Thermal fuse overload protection.
I
Butane powered catalytic
soldering iron with cap
with flint and carrying
case. A fully portable POWER SUPPLIES
Input voltage 240V ac SOHe containing the starting flint. A hot tool kit. FARNELL POWER SUPPLIES (BRAND NEW)
Output voltage 13.8V do i fully portable soldering iron, Re -tillable front
Output current 100mAl re -tillable from standard butane standard butane SWITCH MODE POWER SUPPLY (Made by Farnell UK)
Stability ...... 40;41 lighter fuel canisters 350 Watts I

G125S 60 Watts G12 -20A 240 Watts

Riple
Dims 62 x51 x 49mm 1 OVO £12.50
eis
I'anisrluel £20.65 Model N350/ F4184 I (Nominal Or tout 12V al 5A) Nominal output 12V at 20A
CAR AM PLIFIE " S A fully enclosed unit made to the I
highest standard.
INPUT: 1 1 5-1 20V
220-240V
INPUT: 115-120V
220-240V
4 x 120W CLASS A AMPLIFIER 2x125W CLASS A AMPLIFIER 194.99 320 x 190 x 75mm I VARIABLE OUTPUT: VARIABLE OUTPUT:
BOON (CPA504) BOOR. CPA140 +5Vat11A 8-1 2.6V AT 5 Amps
High powered 4 -channel class A amplifier, High power class A amplifier capable of -5V at 3A DIMENSIONS: 8-12.6V at 20 Amps
capable of delivering 4 x 120W or 2 x 240W delivering 2x125W stereo or 250W mono in + 24V at 7A I 88 x 60 x 165mm DIMS: 88x 160x 194mm
in bridge mode. Inputs are direct from the bridge mode. Inputs are direct from the 240V Input. Outputs are clearly Current Price: £368.00
speaker outputs of the car radio cassette. speaker outputs of the car radio/casette or marked. Current Price, £189.75
or low level phono inputs with left and low level phono inputs, with left and right Original price over £200 each OUR PRICE: OUR PRICE:
right lever controls. Full thermal overload
protection.
Output power
level controls. Full thermal and overload
protection.
BARGAIN PRICE!
£15.00 £75.00 £150.00
Output power 2x125W stereo 0.08% THD ORDER CODE: SO/431 ORDER CODE: SO/432
4x120W or 20240W (bridged) 250W mono 0.2% THD
Signal to noise ratio > 90dB Signal to noise ratio > 90dB 12V de CAR FAN 8047 (SC711)
Frequency response 10-50000Hz Frequency response 10-50000Hz SPARE HALOGEN BULBS A 12V dc oscillating car fan with
Input sensitivity 100mV-3V adjustable Input sensitivity 100mV-3V adjustable Standard length bulbs in 3 Wattages large suction cup for attaching to the
Input impedance High level input 1000 Input impedance High level input 1000 dash 3ciard. Fully adlustabie for tilt
200W SEC/200W £3.50 and angle. Supplied with a 1.7m lead
Low level input 20k0 Law level input 20k0 300W SEC/300W £3.75
14.4V do. 60A fitted with a cigar lighter plug £4.99
Power Output impedance 40 500W EEC/500W £4.00
Dims_.....400 x 240x 50mm Damping factor >180 into 40
e1 18.50 Power
On,
14.4V dc 23A nom
240 x 180 x 50mm
SOLDER 18 & 22 SWG 500gm REEL
1 8swg
1+
£4.95
10+
E4.70
CAR AMPLIFIERS CAR AMPLIFIERS TUNGSTEN
HALOGEN
22 swg £4.99 E4.75
LAMP Remember: Our prices INCLUDE VAT!
2 x 60W CLASS "A" AMPLIFIER £39.99 2 x 200W CLASS "A" AMPLIFIER £99.00
BOO5LA (CPA 100) BOO5M (CPA 200)
Class "A" stereo in -car amplifier capable of AK High power class "A' amplifier capable of deliverying 2 x 200W stereo
delivering 2 x 60W stereo or 120W mono in bridge _6 of 400W mono in bridge mode, Inputs are direct from the speaker
COMPONENT SPEAKER SYSTEM
B020 (TC6500)
£19.99
mode. Inputs are low level phono. with left and outputs of the car radio/cassette, or low level phono inputs with left 2 X 3 -way component speaker system comprising: two 6.5 woofers. two 4
right level controls. Full thermal and overload and right level contrcls. Full thermal and overload protection. mid -range. two 2.25 tweeters and all leads, filters and fixing screws. Finished
Output power 2 x 200W stereo 0 8% THD in black with black mesh grilles.
protection. Maximum power ...... 60W/side
Output power 2 x 60W stereo 0.1% THD 400W mono 0.2% THD Frequency resonse. 60-20000Hz
120W mono 0.1% THD Signal to noise ratio >90dB S.ppeeadkaerncseizes 6.5 woofer. 4 mid range. 2.25 tweeter
Signal to noise ratio >80c113 -7k Frequency response 10-50000Hz 40
Frequency response 20-20000Hz Input sensitivity 100mV-3V adjustable 40W SHELF SPEAKERS B020B (TX300E) £10 75
Input sensitivity 100mV-3V adjustable Input impedance High level input 1000 3 -way bass reflex shelf mounting speaker system. Dual ported wedge shaped
Input impedance Low level input 20k0 Low level input 20k/2 black plastic case with metal grilles. 40W max. power handling per speaker.
Output impedance 40 yy Output impedance 40 Maximum power 40W
Frequency response B0-18000Hz
Power 14.4V dc 15A 'Pk Damping factor > 1E0 into 40
Speaker size 3 woofer. 2 mid range. 1 tweeter
Dims 240 0 120 x 50mm * Power 14.4V dc 43A nom Impedance 40
Dims 240 x 180 x 50mm

Everyday Electronics., July 1991 453

Constructional project

12V
NiCad CHARGER
T, R. de VAUX-BALBIRNIE
Charge 12V battery packs than 13V, the excess voltage over that of

from a 12V supply the cells would be absorbed by losses (volt-

age dropout) of typically 2V in the charg-
ing circuit.
THIS CIRCUIT will charge a I2V nickel - is only suitable for "negative earth" sys- To overcome this problem, the charger
cadmium battery pack from a car bat- tems. This is of little consequence since arranges for the cells to be placed in two
tery or other nominal 12V d.c. sup- practically all cars in use today have this equal groups of 6V each. By means of two-
ply. This could have numerous uses where polarity. way switching, these sets are connected in
Ni-Cad batteries need to be charged and no This charger is really designed to charge parallel (where the total terminal voltage is
mains supply is available. a home-made battery pack made up from 6V) for charging and in series (where the
Applications include models, video individual nickel -cadmium cells. It may be total terminal voltage is I 2V) for discharg-
cameras, audio equipment, lights, boat and possible to modify an existing battery pack ing - see Fig. lb and Fig. I c.
caravan back-up supplies, power tools, etc. but the reader would need to make the By using a separate controlled current
Note that it is the ability of this circuit to necessary investigation. This is because it is circuit for each 6V section the correct
charge 12V batteries from a 12V supply necessary to "split" it into two separate 6V charge rate is maintained for the type of
which is the point of the present design. A sections. cell being used. Taking into account the
simpler circuit could be used to charge A special feature of this circuit is to voltage dropout and the possibility of the
batteries having a lower nominal voltage. reduce the current as charging proceeds. At car battery voltage falling below I IV, an
It will charge "AAA", "AA", "C" and the end point, the current is just a fraction excess voltage will still remain to drive
"D" size cells in approximately 24 hours - 25 per cent approximately - of the current through the cells and so charge
and some in five hours as an option. The original value. This is good for the batteries them.
batteries and charging circuit are built into and saves power when they are left on Providing the supply battery is in good
an aluminium box to make a self-contained charge for long periods - or even con- condition to begin with, the amount
unit. tinuously. ofenergy needed to charge even high -

12V 1.
+l
NI -CAD BATTERY I
. 12V CHARGING
ARRANGED IN 1 6v 6v 12 V
BATTERY
12V NI -CAD 12V CHARGING TWO SEPARATE' OUTPUT
CELL BATTERY GROUPS

IEE3158G1 (a) (b) (c)

FDig. la. The charging battery cannot Fig. 1b. The voltage across the two Fig. lc. The two groups of cells are
charge the NiCad cells because the two groups of cells is only 6V so the now connected in series for discharg-
voltages are equal and opposite. No 12V charging battery can drive current ing. 12V appears between the output
current therefore flows in the circuit. through them. terminals.

CHARGE/ PARALLEL capacity cells will cause only a small drain.

DISCHARGE CHARGING If the batteries are to be charged repeatedly
then it will need to be recharged every so
A rotary -type charge/discharge switch When charging nickel -cadmium cells, a
.and l.e.d charge indicator are mounted on controlled current source is needed. This often but if fitted to a car, normal running
one side of the case. A socket for connect- delivers the correct current for the type of will do this.
ing the input lead and a flying lead output
are also provided. The input lead will have
cell being used.
Attempting to charge I 2V batteries from CIRCUIT
an appropriate connector - possibly a a 12V supply using a conventional circuit, DESCRIPTION
cigarette lighter type plug - on the end. would be unsuccessful because the two sim- The complete circuit for the I 2V Ni-Cad
The maximum current which may be ilar voltages would be opposed and so un- Charger is shown in Fig.2. This is based on
drawn from the unit is 3A which will be able to drive current through the cells - two identical integrated circuits, ICI and
found sufficient for most purposes. Note see Fig. I a. (Fig.l shows simplified arrange- 1C2. These are combination voltage and
that the case is connected to the negative ments which would not make practical cir- current regulators each being responsible
terminal of the charging battery (and the cuits). Even if the car battery were fully for charging one 6V half -set of cells B I and
negative output wire) so if used in a car, it charged and had a terminal voltage greater B2 respectively.

454 Everyday Electronics, July 199/

 Switch SI is a 4 -pole 3 -position rotary Table 1 : Standard Charging
switch. The poles and moving contacts
(wipers) are labelled A, B and C, position Type of cell Nominal Charge Value of Fuse (FS2)
D being unused. The fixed contacts are Current (mA) R1/R2 (ohms) Value (mA)
labelled 1, 2, 3 (for pole A), 4, 5,6 (for pole
B) and soon. AAA 15 27 50
AA 45
CHARGE C or D (1.2Ah commercial) 110
10
3.9
125
250
With SI set to Charge - that is, at either C (2.0Ah industrial) 180 2.7 400
extreme position, a feed is established
D (4.OAh industrial) 360 1.2 800
from supply battery, B3, positive terminal
through fuse, FS2, and S lc contact 7 or 9.
This is applied to pin I of ICI and IC2
through diodes D4 and D5 respectively. Table 2: Rapid Charging
These diodes isolate the i.c. inputs. They
also protect the circuit if B3 is connected Type of cell Nominal Charge Value of Fuse (FS2)
with incorrect polarity since they would Current (mA) R 1jR2 (ohms) Value (mA)
then be reverse biased and block current
flow. At the same time, red I.e.d. Charge AAA 45 10 125
indicator, D3, operates through diode D5 AA 140 3.3 400
and current -limiting resistor, R7. C or D (1 2Ah commercial) 360 1.2 800
Resistors, R I and R2 set the output cur-
rent flowing from pin 5 of each i.c. and are (Other types of battery not applicable)
chosen to suit the particular cells being
charged (see Tables I and 2). The value of Resistors R3/R5 (for ICI) and R4/R6 one could possibly be used but a larger box
RI/R2 shown in Fig. 2 is appropriate to (for 1C2) set each i.c. output to 7.8V will be needed where "C" and "D" size
standard charging of "AA" size batteries. approximately. Taking into account the cells are to be charged.
While in charge mode, Sla contact 2 is voltage drop of approximately 0.7V across Construction of the I 2V Ni-Cad Charger
open and prevents current being drawn diodes D I /D2, there will be 7.1V available is based on a circuit panel made from a
from the output - this could otherwise to charge the cells. This corresponds to piece of 0.1 in. matrix stripboard, size 9
cause problems. Also, the two sections of 1.42V per cell and means that as charg- strips x 26 holes. The board component
the battery pack, B1 and B2 are connected ing proceeds, the voltage of the cells ap-
through diodes, Dl and D2, to the ap- proaches that of the supply and the current
propriate i.c. output. These diodes isolate falls.
the regulator outputs and prevent current The output fuse, FS1, will normally have
from the charged batteries possibly flowing a value of 3A. If a lower current is to be COMPONENTS
back into the outputs when the supply is drawn, it could be reduced in value ac-
disconnected. SI b contact 4 or 6 completes cordingly. The input fuse FS2 will have a Resistors
the circuit to B1 by connecting the negative value a little higher than the total maxi- R1, R2 See Tables 1 and 2
end to supply negative. mum charging current being drawn - that 1% or 5% (2 off)
is, rather more than twice the charging
DISCHARGE current for one set of cells (see Tables I and
R3, R4
R5, R6
1k5 (2 off)
820 (2 off)
With SI in the centre (Discharge) posi- 2). R7 1k See
All 0.25W or 0.6W
tion, S lc contact 8 disconnects the positive
supply feed battery. Diode D3 (Charge) CONSTRUCT/ON 1% metal film except SHOP
then goes off. SI b contact 5 connects the Readers wishing to use rapid charging
where stated. TALK
Page
negative terminal of battery B1 to the posi- should have available a multi -tester or
tive terminal of B2; the batteries now ap- Capacitors
milliammeter to check the charge rates. Cl. C2 220n ceramic (2 off)
pear in series. Sla contact 2 establishes the Nickel -cadmium cells will be damaged by C3. C4 100n ceramic (2 off)
output circuit and allows the combined to- overcharging.
tal voltage (nominally 12V) to appear at Note that the specified case is correct for Semiconductors
the output via fuse, FS I .
"AA" size cells. For "AAA" cells a smaller D1 D2,
D4, D5 1N4001 1A 50V rec. diode
Fig. 2 Complete circuit diagram for the 12V NiCad Charger (4 off)
D3 Red I.e.d indicator
IC1, IC2 L200CV Adjustable
voltage/current regulator,
CHARGE 1 2A max. (2 off)
01
1Q Sto 184001 DISCHARGE )140.9.S...
kmo Miscellanous
CHARGE 30
04
3o 104001
S1 4 -pole 3 -position rotary
01
10
140 switch, break -before -make
FS1 20mm 3A quick -blow fuse
IC1
Cl 1
220 T 100n
C3
FS2
and chassis fuseholder
20mm quick -blow fuse and
chasis fuseholder, for
value see Table 1/2
-I...07 51c B1, B2 Holder for 10 cells (see text)
8o
4 and 10 nickel -cadmium
Ow
5 (i9 cells to fit - see text
5100 PL1/SK1 2.1mm power -in plug and
6
Neal matching chassis socket.
D5
104001 V FS2 Car cigarette lighter type
8SEE plug or other connector for
02 TEXT
10
SK1+?
car battery
IC 2 Mil Stripboard 0.1 in. matrix, size 9 strips x
OUTPUT C2 C4 -r100n 26 holes; aluminium box, size 133mm x
T209 B3 1 102mm x 38mm (see text); strain relief
82 I R7 120
6V1 CAR bush or rubber grommet; multi -coloured
BATTERY
.-.1.4.. stranded wire; connecting wire; solder;
05 06 );.. 03 5617 battery holder connector; small nylon
820 620 fixings; 20mm aluminium squares (2 off
Yk ICHARGE1 for heatsinks).

EE3,59G1
Approx cost
guidance only
Li 10 5
Everyday Electronics, July 1991 455
 ,
1:1)
IC1

FIXING HOLES
IC2

O00og00000000000000000000 0
H O U00000004000000000000000
00000000000000000000 000 0
O 0100000010 000000000000
0

0000001100000000000
0

000000g
O
000000 10oo
0000 0 00 0 000 00000
0000000o0000000
0

0
The finished
charger. Size
000000000 0 0000000000 00 of case depends
on batteries used.
Make a hole in the case to accommodate
the strain relief bush or rubber grommet
Fig. 3. Stripboard component layout and details of breaks required used for the output lead. Drill holes for the
in the underside copper tracks. power input socket, I.e.d. indicator, switch,
fuseholders, battery holder (depending on
layout and details of breaks required in the Attach heatsinks to ICI and IC2. the type) and for circuit panel mounting.
underside copper tracks is shown in Fig.3. These consist of pieces of thin sheet Refering to Fig.4, mount all internal
Cut the stripboard to size, drill the two aluminium 20mm square approximately components - but not the circuit panel -
mounting holes and make all track breaks and bent as shown in the photograph. and complete the interwiring. Work care-
as indicated. Follow with the soldered No mounting kit is needed - the heat - fully using different coloured wires; this
on -board components taking care over the sinks are attached direct to the i.c. bodies will guard against errors which could be
orientation of the four diodes. Mount using small fixings. difficult to find later.
ICI and IC2 by gently straightening and For clarity, some wires are letter -coded.
spreading the pins to fit the 0.1in. strip - BATTERY PACK Wiring shown in bold print should be of
board matrix. The battery pack is made from two sec- 3A rating minimum.
To select the correct value of RI and R2 tions containing five cells each. Holders for The negative terminal of SKI is the
refer to Tables I and 2. If these resistors are this number are not readily available but, meeting point for several wires denoted by
mounted on short stalks (made from dis- for "AA" size at least, holders for 10 cells the letter X and care must be taken over the
carded resistor ends) as in the prototype may be obtained. quality of the soldered joint here. When
unit, it will be easy to replace them with For the prototype unit, it was an easy soldering diode D3, use minimum heat
alternative values if ever the need arises. matter to cut the interconnecting wire at from the soldering iron since this com-
Solder 10cm pieces of light -duty stranded the mid -point and make soldered connec- ponent is easily damaged. Also, take care
connecting wire to the copper strips A, D. E tions to the free ends. Alternatively, a over the polarity or it will not work.
and G on the left-hand side and to strip H holder for 4 cells and a holder for I cell Mount the circuit panel clear of the case
on the right-hand side as indicated. could be used in each group. to prevent short-circuits between the cop -
Fig. 4. Interwiring between all off -board components. The thick wires must be rated at 3A minimum.

H26

L. 222

CIPCUiT
PANFL

PST
3 FS2

WIRES SHOWN IN BOLD PRINT

3A RATING MINIMUM',,,,
A
12V BATTERY PACK
f- B1

03

WIRES MARKED X
CONNECTED HERE
SLEEVE
CONNECTION
ommnemmilm- X
SH1

L_ CENTRE / INPUT
SOCHEI
CONNECTION

EE3151 G I OUTPUT

456 Everyday Electronics, July 1991

 to roll off at the end of the charging cycle as
it should. This could also happen in a hot
environment. Connect a I 2V lamp to the
output, switch SI to Discharge and check
that the charger has done its job.
Readers having access to a multi -tester
(multimeter) may check the charging cur-
rent in the following way. Using rapid
charging, such checking is essential.
With the batteries discharged and with
the supply battery disconnected, unsolder
to the positive connection from each section
in turn. With the meter set to an ap-
propriate current range connect the nega-
The completed circuit board. Small 20mm square aluminium heatsinks should be tive meter probe to the battery positive
bolted to the two ic. tabs - see photograph below. terminal and the positive one to the free
per strip side and the metalwork. In the Make the input and output leads. These wire. Reconnect the supply - the meter
prototype, a piece of cardboard was placed consist of pieces of twin -stranded wire of reading should not exceed the figure given
on the bottom of the box and the circuit 3A rating minimum with suitable connec- in Table I or Table 2 for the type of cell
panel separated from this using adhesive tors on the ends. The input lead will have a being charged. Repeat the procedure with
fixing pads. power -in plug on one end and perhaps a the other battery set.
Use nylon (non -conducting) fixings. This car cigarette lighter type plug on the other. The charge rate should be similarly
will prevent the possibility of a short circuit Measure the correct amount of output checked near the end point. With rapid
between strip G and the case, Note that all wire needed inside the case and fit it charging, this must fall below the rate for
components are mounted on the base sec- through the strain relief bush or rubber standard charging (Table I) within five
tion of the box - this causes least strain on grommet. If using a rubber grommet, apply hours and may then remain at this figure
the numerous interconnecting wires. some strain relief - for example, tie a indefinitely. For example, fully discharged
With SI switched to Charge, insert the piece of string firmly around the wire on "AA" size cells may be charged at up to
batteries into their holders. The battery the inside. Make the internal connections 140mA for five hours, after this time the
holders may be secured by using small and insert the fuses making sure that the current must not exceed 45mA.
fixings, adhesive fixing pads or a small fuseholders are correctly identified. If it falls below this figure in a shorter
bracket depending on the type. Take care time, the charging time is simply increased.
that no battery holder connections can TESTING If it remains high for longer than 5 hours,
touch the case and cause a short-circuit. Testing should be carried out with dis- and the cells are remaining cool, increase
Insulate with cardboard if necessary. charged batteries. If they are charged, con- R5 and R6 slightly. Alternatively, simply
If rapid charging is contemplated, it may nect a 12V lamp to the output, set SI to remember to switch off promptly.
be necessary to mount the battery holder Discharge and wait until the lamp goes out. If all is well, re -solder the connections
with a 5mm clearance between itself and Now plug the input lead into the power - to the battery holders. There should be
the base of the case so that holes may be in socket and connect the other end to the no need to alter the initial charging rates
drilled below to provide ventilation. In this car battery. Switch SI to Charge and check but they may be reduced by increasing the
case, do not secure the battery holder until that the I.e.d. indicator D3 lights. value of RI and R2 and vice -versa.
tests have been made. Place the lid in position and leave the Replace the lid of the box checking for
Drill a matrix of ventilation holes in the unit on charge for an hour checking the trapped wires and short circuits, especially
lid of the case corresponding to the posi- temperature of the cells and heatsinks peri- at SI contacts. Check particularly that the
tion of ICI and IC2 also above the bat- odically. Note that the heatsinks will be- self -tapping screws used to fix the two
tery holder if rapid charging is to be used. come warm and at high charging currents sections of the case together cannot cause a
This is not necessary for charging "AAA" they will become quite hot. If the tempera- short-circuit to any part of the battery
or standard charging of "AA" cells as was ture rise is excessive (too hot to touch), holder.
the case with the prototype. increase their size. It only remains to attach plastic feet to
If the battery cells become more than just prevent the unit scratching surfaces. The
slightly warm, provide additional ventila- 12V Ni-Cad charger may then be put into
tion. If they are warm the current will fail service.

Evertday Electronics, July 1991 1

4> "f
 ROBOTH D}
Nigel Clark
INNOVATION He emphasised the cultural problems of them. And despite the fact that, of the
Developing the new technologies is getting people into what are seen as the nine products identified by the DTI
seen by many as the recipe for future less glamourous areas of industry. There is Advanced Robot Initiative six have been
prosperity in the UK. If we can take a large amount of work being done with taken up by industry, there seemed to be
advantage of our natural ability at in- enthusiasm on research under the Depart- a greater co-operation between industry
novation, so the argument goes, then we ment of Trade and Industry's Advanced and research in Japan. The products
have nothing to fear in 1992, with the Robotics Initiative but he is not sure that identified by the DTI were in industries
single European market, from Japan or this would result in new products and in- such as construction, underwater, medi-
any developing country. dustries within this country. cal and fire fighting.
With many instances of British inven- He pointed to areas where change was In addition Japanese research is often
tions which were developed aboard, the necessary if the UK was to make the best more limited. Rather than aim im-
computer and the jet engine being two use of the research being undertaken. He mediately for the most sophisticated
popular examples, it is thought that all picked out the lack of cross disciplinary solution to a problem they find one
we have to do is invent something and co-operation beginning at school and solution and then seek to improve on that
then ensure that we get the benefits to continuing into the professional bodies. step by step. It is a similar approach to
guarantee our future. The different bodies for different branches that discovered by the organisers of the
There is one major problem with this of engineering were given as an example Micro Mouse competition where the aim
approach. Whereas there are many new of the way in which the disciplines have is to get an electronic mouse to the centre
products being invented only a few will tended to stay apart. of a maze as quickly as possible. Unlike
prove to be successful and create or There are some moves towards more the UK contestants who were always
expand industries. Picking the winners co-operation with the amalgamation of searching for the most interesting way to
from the losers is not easy. History is the some of the professional bodies, and solve the problem the Japanese took one
only basis on which decisions can be universities beginning to offer interdis- design and concentrated on perfecting
taken but that, in terms of both existing ciplinary studies within engineering. that. The success of this approach led to
products and a person's past ability at However progress is slow and the tertiary the rules being changed.
spotting winners, is a notoriously in- education system is still dominated by Many seem to recognise the problem
secure foundation. traditional single discipline departments. of the gap between research and
Sir Clive Sinclair is a good example. In a recent article in the IEE's Comput- development into saleable products. The
He created a market for home computers ing and Control Engineering Journal Prof. DTI says that it is taking action to try to
from almost nothing, with very little his- Gray outlined the depth of the problem bridge the gap by promoting co-
torical precedent on which to work. His faced in making use of robotics develop- operation between the academics and
judgement then let him down with his ments. There is a requirement, he wrote, industry. However if industry does not
now infamous electric car. "for personnel with broad interdisciplinary have sufficient people who have the
However there is a growing belief skills, encompassing nearly all the tradi- knowledge to spot the possibilities or
that there is a much more fundamental tional engineering aspects as well as artifi- who can be trained to make use of the
obstacle in the way of a new technology - cial intelligence and computer science." resulting products then such links will
based future. And it is thought to be the prove of little use.
result of something deep in our culture. JAPANESE EXPERIENCE
The British are said to be inventive, These problems compare HILDA 2 and HILDA 3. These robots are the
highly specialised and do not give proper with the experience of Japan. result of work being done by Technology Ap-
recognition to practical abilities. This is The visit to Japan was plications Group but will it lead to a saleable
manifested by the ability of British scien- undertaken with the backing of product?
tists to make great advances in a wide the Department of Trade and
range of areas and find their efforts Industry and the British Robot
rewarded with status and awards. How- Association. It visited the '91
ever the people who put these ideas to International Symposium on
work in industry are given little recogni- Advanced Robot Technologies
tion, thus encouraging people to go into and exhibition of research and
research rather than industry. findings being held in Tokyo
At university engineers are put down by this year and visited a number
being called spannermen and having a of Japanese companies.
reputation for heavy drinking and playing The visitors found that in a
rugby. The future leaders of society are busy number of areas Japanese re-
taking social sciences, history or English. searchers were ahead of the UK.
Even within industry itself it is more often A spokesman for the DTI said
the accountants who reach the top posi- that they were at the stage of
tions rather than engineers or scientists. building advanced prototypes
These thoughts were brought to mind in areas such as nuclear en-
by two recent events, a colloquium on vironments, security and fire
Advanced Robotic Initiatives in the UK at fighting. Research is totally
the Institution of Electrical Engineers in government funded in Japan,
London and a fact finding mission to compared with an initial 100
Japan looking at its advanced robotic per cent for feasibility studies in
technology. the UK, decreasing through 50
per cent for the prototype stage
COLLOQUIUM to nil for further development.
Prof. John Gray, of the National Ad- However the major difference
vanced Robotics Research Centre at Sal- noted by others on the visit
ford University, chaired the colloquium. was not the funding and level
He said that what concerned him was not of research but the way that
the level of research being carried out in research was conducted and
this country, although like any scientist what happened to the results.
he would always like there to be more, It is felt that Japan is a
but the likelihood that the results would country where making things is
not be implemented properly. just as important as inventing

458 Everyday Electronics, Jolt' /99/

 LOW COST UHF RADIO SWITCHING
AS USED BY THE PROFESSIONAL SECURITY MARKET
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Everyday Electronics, July 1991 -159
 SPECIAL EVERYDAY ELECTRONICS BOOKS ELECTRONICS TEACH -IN No. 3 - EXPLORING
ELECTRONICS (published by Everyday Electronics)
Owen Bishop
Another EE value for money publication aimed at students of
electronics. The course is designed to explain the workings
of electronic components and circuits by involving the reader

16160fi staanc;CAC
in experimenting with them. The book does not contain
ERECTROCIIII masses of theory or formulae but straightforward explana-
tions and circuits to build and experiment with.
ITEACE1-1 TSACIMI-10 r4. Tenctimiln Exploring Electronics contains more than 25 useful
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is split into 28 easily digestible sections
EXPLORING ELICTROPIKS
88 pages (A4 size) rairmuci £2.45
ELE,TRONICS
ELECTRONICS TEACH -IN No.4
INTRODUCING DIGITAL ELECTRONICS (published
by Everyday Electronics)
Michael J. Cockcroft
Although this book is primarily a City & Guilds Introductory
level course (726/301), approximately 80% of the informa-
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
assessment centres, components required and information
on the course in general are given.
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
working circuits and logic units." This provides an excellent

ELECTRONICS TEACH -IN 88/89 -

INTRODUCING MICROPROCESSORS ELECTRONIC PROJECTS BOOK 1
=1=1
introduction to the book.
112 pages (A4 size) £2.95

Mike Tooley BA (published by Everyday Published by Everyday Electronics in association with EVERDAY ELECTRONICS DATA BOOK
Electronics) Magenta Electronics. Mike Tooley BA
A complete course that can lead successful readers to the Contains twenty of the best projects from previous issues of
EE each backed with a kit of components. The projects are: (published by EE in association with PC Publishing)
award of a City and Guilds Certificate in Introductory This book is an invaluable source of information of everyday
Microprocessors (726/303). The book contains every- Seashell Sea Synthesiser, EE Treasure Hunter, Mini Strobe.
Digital Capacitance Meter, Three Channel Sound to Light, relevance in the world of electronics. It contains not only
thing you need to know including full details on register- sections which deal with the essential theory of electronic
ing for assessment, etc. BBC 16K sideways Ram, Simple Short Wave Radio, Insula-
tion Tester, Stepper Motor interface, Eprom Eraser, 200MHz circuits, but it also deals with a wide range of practical
Sections cover Microcomputer Systems, Micro- electronic applications.
processors, Memories, Input/Output, Interfacing and Digital Frequency Meter, Infra Red Alarm EE Equaliser It is ideal for the hobbyist, student, technician and
Ioniser, Bat Detector, Acoustic Probe, Mainstester and Fuse en-
Programming. There are various practical assignments and gineer. The information is presented in the form of a basic
eight Data Pages covering the most popular microproces- Finder, Light Rider - (Lapel Badge, Disco Lights, Chaser
Light), Musical Doorbell, Function Generator, Tilt Alarm, electronic recipe book with numerous examples showing
sor chips. how theory can be put into practice using a range of
An excellent introduction to the subject even for those 10W Audio Amplifier, EE Buccaneer Induction Balance
Metal Detector, BBC Midi Interface, Variable Bench Power commonly available "industry standard" components and
who do not wish to take the City and Guilds assessment. devices.
80 pages (A4 size) Supply, Pet Scarer, Audio Signal Generator.
isTBMIMITM111:T313:1 £2.45 128 pages (A4 size) 211MMEEMEil A must for everyone involved in electronics'
£2.45 256 pages re7111=1:111071,1 £8.95

I'L;3t))01K
The books listed have been selected by Everyday Electronics
being of special interest to everyone involved in electronics and editorial staff as
computing. They
are supplied by mail order direct to your door. Full ordering details
the last book page. For another selection of books see next month's are given on
issue

ELECTRONIC TEST EQUIPMENT HANDBOOK

TESTING, THEORY AND REFERENCE its limitations. The simple add-ons described in chapter 2
Steve Money MICROELECTRONIC SYSTEMS
The principles of operation of the various types of test extended the capabilities of a multimeter to make it even N2 CHECKBOOK
instrument are explained in simple terms with a minimum more useful. The add-ons described include an active r.f. R. Veers
of mathematical analysis. The book covers analogue and probe, a high resistance probe. an a.c. sensitivity booster, The aim of this book
and a current tracer unit is to provide a foundation in
digital meters, bridges, oscilloscopes, signal generators, 84 pages microcomputer hardware, software and interfacing tech-
counters, timers and frequency measurement. The practi- erdercodeBP .5 £2.95 niques. Each topic is presented in a way that assumes only
cal uses of the instruments are also examined. an elementary knowledge of microelectronics systems and
Everything from Audio oscillators, through R, C & L THE ILLUSTRATED DICTIONARY OF logic functions. The book concentrates on 6502, Z80 and
measurements (and a whole lot more) to Waveform Gen- ELECTRONICS 4th EDITION 6800 microprocessors and contains 60 tested programs.
erators and testing Zeners. A truly comprehensive book for 160 worked problems and 250 further problems
Rufus P. Turner and Stan Gibilisco
the hobbyist, student. technician and engineer.
206 pages £8.95
With more than 27,000 terms used in electronics today.
256 pages rosimmugi £9.95
011111111811111110 this collection is THE most comprehensive dictionary
available. Including all practical electronics and computer
terms, it is as up-to-date as the latest advances in the field PRACTICAL DIGITAL ELECTRONICS
HOW TO TEST ALMOST EVERYTHING HANDBOOK
ELECTRONIC - 2nd EDITION itself! Tables and data on subjects most often consulted for
projects and experiments are included. Other conversion Mike Tooley (Published in association with
Jack Darr and Dalton T. Horn Everyday Electronics)
Describes electronic tests and measurements - how to tables include English/metric and metric/English con- The vast majority of modern electronic systems rely
make them with all kinds of test equipment, and how to versions for units of energy, power and volume, and
Fahrenheit/Celsius temperature conversion charts. heavily on the application of digital electronics, and the
interpret the results. New sections in this edition include Practical Digital Electronics Handbook aims to provide
logic probes, frequency counters, capacitance meters, and Setting this edition apart from other electronic dic- readers with a practically based introduction to this
more. (An American book.) tionaries is its emphasis on illustration. Featuring more
than complete definitions, this fourth edition includes over subject. The book will prove invaluable to anyone
190 pages
rellalEnateM £9.05 450 detailed drawings and diagrams. involved with the design, manufacture or servicing of
digital circuitry. as well as to those wishing to update
All entries are listed in alphabetical order. Abbreviations
and initials are listed in sequence with whole words. All their knowledge of modern digital devices and tech-
GETTING THE MOST FROM YOUR MULTIMETER niques. Contents: Introduction to integrated circuits;
R. A. Penfold terms of more than one word are treated as one word. (An
American book). basic logic gates; monostable and bistable devices;
This book is primarily aimed at beginners and those of 648 pages timers; microprocessors: memories; input and output
limited experience of electronics. Chapter 1 covers the
basics of analogue and digital multimeters, discussing the
1=11 MIL la E23.65 devices; interfaces; microprocessor buses. Appendix 1:
Data. Appendix 2: Digital test gear projects; tools and
relative merits and the limitations of the two types. In test equipment; regulated bench power supply; logic
Chapter 2 various methods of component checking are ELECTRONICS -A -MADE SIMPLE" BOOK
G. H. Olsen probe; logic pulsar; versatile pulse generator; digital
described, including tests for transistors, thyristors, resis- IC tester; current tracer; audio logic tracer; RS -232C
tors, capacitors and diodes. Circuit testing is covered in This book provides excellent background reading for our
breakout box; versatile digital counter/frequency meter.
Chapter 3, with subjects such as voltage, current and Introducing Digital Electronics series and will be of interest
to everyone studying electronics. The subject is simply ex- Appendix 3: The oscilloscope. Appendix 4: Suggested
continuity checks being discussed. reading. Appendix 5: Further study.
In the main little or no previous knowledge or experience plained and well illustrated and the book assumes only a 208 pages
is assumed. Using these simple component and circuit very basic knowledge of electricity. COMEMENISKI £6.95
330 pages £4.95
testing techniques the reader should be able to confidently 10=11111M II
tackle servicing of most electronic projects. ELECTRONICS -BUILD AND LEARN
96 pages R. A. Penfold
£2.95 PRACTICAL ELECTRONICS CALCULATIONS AND
FORMULAE The first chapter gives full constructional details of a cir-
F. A. Wilson, C.G.I.A., C.Eng., F.I.E.E.. F.I.E.R.E., F.B.I.M. cuit demonstrator unit that is used in subsequent chapters
MORE ADVANCED USES OF THE MULTIMETER to introduce common electronic components - resistors,
R. A. Penfold Bridges the gap between complicated technical theory,
and "cut -and -tried" methods which may bring success in capacitors, transformers, diodes, transistors, thyristors, fets
This book is primarily intended as a follow-up to BP239, design but leave the experimenter unfulfilled. A strong and op amps. Later chapters go on to describe how these
(see above), and should also be of value to anyone who practical bias - tedious and higher mathematics have been components are built up into useful circuits, oscillators,
already understands the basics of voltage testing and avoided where possible and many tables have been in- multivibrators, bistables and logic circuits.
simple component testing. By using the techniques des- cluded. At every stage in the book there are practical tests and
cribed in chapter 1 you can test and analyse the perfor- The book is divided into six basic sections: Units and experiments that you can carry out on the demonstrator
mance of a range of components with just a multimeter unit to investigate the points described and to help you
(plus a very few inexpensive components in some cases). Constants, Direct -current Circuits, Passive Components,
Alternating -current Circuits, Networks and Theorems. understand the principles involved. You will soon be able
Some useful quick check methods are also covered. Measurements. to go on to more complex circuits and tackle fault finding
While a multimeter is supremely versatile, it does have 256 pages logically in other circuits you build.
arde, BPS £3.95 120 pages alumnimaim £5.95

460
Everyday Electronics, July 199/
 MAKE MONEY FROM HOME RECORDING
AUDIO AND MUSIC
that are totally alien to the technician or keen amateur who Yamaha's frequency modulation, and sampling - and
Clive Brooks has previously worked with audio circuits. The principles then describes how the instruments are adjusted to
Now that you've spent a fortune on all that recording gear, and practices of digital audio owe little or nothing to the produce various types of sound - strings, brass, percus-
MIDI and all, wouldn't it be nice to get some of it back? traditional linear circuits of the past, and are much more sion, etc. The theoretical side of synthesis is treated in an
Well here's the book to show you how. comprehensible to today's computer engineer than the easy to understand way - the technical information
It's packed with money making ideas, any one of which older generation of audio engineers. being restricted to what you need to know to use your
will recoup the price of the book many times over. Whether This book is intended to bridge the gap of understand- instrument effectively.
you have a fully fledged recording studio at home, or just ing for the technician and enthusiast. The principles and 168 pages £6.95
a couple of stereo cassette recorders and a microphone. methods are explained, but the mathematical background
you'll be able to put the ideas in this book into practice and and theory is avoided, other than to state the end product.
make money.
105 pages £5.95
128 pages winerzalso £5.95 AUDIO
DaigiMEMBRII F. A. Wilson, C. G. I. A., C.Eng., F.I.E.E., F.I.E.R.E.,
F.B.I. M.
SYNTHESIZERS FOR MUSICIANS Analysis of the sound wave and an explanation of acousti-
INTRODUCTION TO DIGITAL AUDIO R. A. Penfold cal quantities prepare the way. These are followed by a
Ian Sinclair Modern synthesizers are extremely complex, but they study of the mechanism of hearing and examination of the
Digital recording methods have existed for many years and mostly work on principles that are not too difficult to various sounds we hear. A look at room acoustics with
have become familiar to the professional recording en- understand. If you want to go beyond using the factory a subsequent chapter on microphones and loudspeakers
gineer, but the compact disc (CD) was the first device to presets or the random poking of buttons, this is the book then sets the scene for the main chapter on audio systems
bring digital audio methods into the home. The next step is for you. - amplifiers, oscillators, disc and magnetic recording and
the appearance of digital audio tape (DAT) equipment. It covers the principles of modern syr thesis - linear electronic music.
All this development has involved methods and circuits arithmetic as used by Roland, phase distortion (Casio), 320 pages mommazugui £3.95

ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS FOR THE COMPUTER

CIRCUITS AND DESIGN
CONTROL OF MODEL RAILWAYS
R. A. Penfold
Home computers may easily be applied to the control
of model railways and really quite sophisticated control,
which needs only simple programming, is not too difficult
Electronic Rnmpito
to achieve. The main problem lies in interfacing the com- Circuits for the
puter to the layout, but fortunately it is not too difficult or Computer Handbook
expensive to build suitable interfaces, and this book shows Control of
you how. totrOA
The project consists of various types of controller, in- Model Railways
cluding a high quality pulse type, as well as circuits for P044
train position sensing, signal and electric points control
etc. The use of computers does not have to be restricted to
massive layouts. Something as simple as an oval of track
with a single siding can be given a new dimension by
adding computer control and much fun can be had from
these relatively simple set-ups
88 pages e t der code B P180 f2.95

REMOTE CONTROL HANDBOOK

Owen Bishop
Remote control systems lend themselves to a modular AUDIO IC CIRCUITS MANUAL unmodulated outputs, and the outputs may be of single or
approach. This makes it possible for a wide range of R. M. Marston multiple form.
systems, from the simplest to the most complex, to be A vast range of audio and audio -associated i.c.s. are Waveform generator circuits may be built using transis-
built up from a number of relatively simple modules. readi y available for use by amateur and professional tors, op -amps, standard digital ICs, or dedicated waveform
The author has tried to ensure that, as far as possible, design engineers and technicians. This manual is a guide or "function"' generator ICs.
the circuit modules in this book are compatible with to the most popular and useful of these devices, with The manual is divided into eleven chapters, and present
one another. They can be linked together in many dif- over 240 diagrams. It deals with i.cs. such as low over 300 practical circuits, diagrams and tables. The sub-
ferent configurations to produce remote control systems frequency linear amplifiers, dual pre -amplifiers, audio jects covered include: Basic principles; Sine wave gener-
tailored to switch a table lamp on and off, or to operate power amplifiers, charge coupled device delay lines, ators. Square wave generators; Pulse generator circuits;
an industrial robot, this book should provide the circuit bar -graph display drivers, and power supply regulators, "Timer IC" generator circuits; Triangle and sawtooth ger -
you require. and shows how to use these devices in circuits rang- erators; Multi -waveform generation; Waveform synthesizer
ing from simple signal conditioners and filters to com- ICs: Special waveform generators; Phaselocked loop ci -
IreTBffigalfitTalktil
=Min
226 pages £3.95
plex graphic equalizers, stereo amplif er systems, and cults. Miscellaneous "555" circuits.
echo/reverb delay line systems etc. 267 pages £12.95
COIL DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION MANUAL 168 pages DZIMEMMusi £12.95
B. B. Babani
A complete book for the home constructor on 'how to OPTOELECTRONICS CIRCUITS MANUAL
make" RF, IF, audio and power coils, chokes and trans- HOW TO DESIGN ELECTRONIC PROJECTS R. M. Marston
formers. Practically every possible type is discussed and R. A. Penfold A useful single -volume guide to the optoelectronics
calculations necessary are given and explained in detail. The aim of this book is to help the reader to put to- device user, specifically aimed at the practical design
Although this book is now rather old, with the exception of gether projects from standard circuit blocks with a mini- engineer, technician, and the experimenter, as well as the
torroids and pulse transformers little has changed in coil mum of trial and error, but without resorting to any ad- electronics student and amateur. It deals with the subject
design since it was written vanced mathematics. Hints on designing circuit blocks to in an easy -to -read, down-to-earth. and non -mathematical
96 pages £2.50 meet your special requirements are also provided. yet comprehensive manner, explaining the basic principles
126 pages eider code B P1 7 £2.26 and characteristics of the best known devices, and
presenting the reader with many practical applications acl
30SOLDERLESS BREADBOARD PROJECTS - over 200 circuits. Most of the i.c.s. and other devices used
BOOK 1 50 CIRCUITS USING GERMANIUM SILICON AND are inexpensive and readily available types, with univer-
R. A. Penfold ZENER DIODES sally recognised type numbers.
R. N. Soar 182 pages £12.95
Each project, which is designed to be built on a "Vero -
Contains 50 interesting and useful circuits and applica- LOMEMItenagli
bloc" breadboard, is presented in a similar fashion with a
brief circuit description, circuit diagram, component layout tions, covering many different branches of electronics,
diagram, components list and notes on construction and using one of the most simple and inexpensive of com- POPULAR ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS - BOOK 1
use where necessary. Whenever possible, the components ponents - the diode. Includes the use of germanium and POPULAR ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS - BOOK 2
used are common to several projects, hence with only a silicon signal diodes, silicon rectifier diodes and Zener R. A. Penfold
modest number of reasonably inexpensive components, it diodes, etc. Each book provides a wide range of designs for electronic
is possible to build in turn, every project shown. Recom- 64 pages Order code B £1.50 enthusiasts who are capable of producing working
mended by BICC-Vero. projects from just a circuit diagram without the aid of
160 pages £2.95 detailed construction information. Any special setting -up
UMMEMIMEMI KEY TECHNIQUES FOR CIRCUIT DESIGN procedures are described.
C. G. Loveday C.Eng MIER E BOOK 1 160 pages Or der code BP :0 £2..95
BOOK 2 - Deals with designing electronic circuits from scratch BOOK 2 160 pages Order code B P98 £2.95
All projects use CMOS i,c.s. but the items on component covering concepts such as target specifications, com-
identification etc., are not repeated from Book 1. ponent selection (passive, discretes and i.c.$), the design
160 pages
I=E1111 £2.25 cycle, derating and so on. Numerous design examples are
given and several reader exercises all with fully worked
solutions. The approach is essentially non -mathematical.
CMOS CIRCUITS MANUAL
R. M. Marston
Written for the professional engineer, student or en-
ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS HANDBOOK 128 pages MIMEISIMMI £6.95 thusiast. It describes the basic principles and characteris-
Michael Tooley BA tics of these devices and includes over 200 circuits.
This book aims to explode two popular misconceptions All the circuits have been designed, built and fully
concerning the design of electronic circuits: that only DESIGNING WITH LINEAR ICs evaluated by the author; all use inexpensive and interna-
those with many years of experience should undertake G. C. Loveday tionally available devices.
circuit design and that the process relies on an under- A book that deals with the design of the vital area of 187 pages MEMIUMEAMBI £12.95
standing of advanced mathematics. Provided one is not analog circuitry covering design with modern linear in-
too ambitious, neither of these popularly held beliefs is tegrated circuit devices. The first chapter introduces the
true. reader to important design techniques, test strategies, lay-
Specifically, this book aims to provide the reader with out, and protection and also includes a section on the use
a unique collection of practical working circuits to- of a typical CAD tool. There are separate chapters that
gether with supporting information so that circuits can cover in depth the use of op -amps, comparators and timers
be produced in the shortest possible time and without each with detailed design examples and reader exercises.
recourse to theoretical texts. A final chapter brings all the previous work together in a OPTOELECTRONICS
Furthermore, information has been included so that the number of complete design problems with fully worked CIRCUiTS MANUAL
circuits can readily be modified and extended by readers to solutions. The text is essentially non -mathematical and is
meet their own individual needs. Related circuits have supported by many diagrams
been grouped together and cross-referenced within the -180 pages re7rM7ZaMM1ii £8.95
text (and also in the index) so that readers are aware of
which circuits can be readily connected together to form
more complex systems. As far as possible, a common range TIMER/GENERATOR CIRCUITS MANUAL
of supply voltages, signal levels and impedances has been R. M. Marston
adopted. This manual is concerned mainly with waveform generator
As a bonus, ten test gear projects have been included. techniques and circuits. Waveform generators are used
These not only serve to illustrate the techniques described somewhere or other in most types of electronic equipment,
but also provide a range of test equipment which is useful and thus form one of the most widely used classes of
in its own right. circuit. They may be designed to produce outputs with
277 pages £16.95 sine, square, triangle, ramp, pulse, staircase, or a variety of
IMINEMBINESI other forms. The generators may produce modulated or

Everyday Electronics, July 1991 46 I

 HOW TO DESIGN AND MAKE YOUR OWN P.C. B s
PROJECT CONSTRUCTION
R. A. Penfold ELECTRONIC SCIENCE PROJECTS magazines and books. Also includes examples in the form
Deals with the simple methods of copying printed circuit 0. Bishop of simple projects.
board designs from magazines and books and covers These projects range in complexity from a simple colour 112 pages Laummacua f1.95
all aspects of simple p.c.b. construction including temperature meter to an infra -red laser. There are novelties
photographic methods and designing your own p.c.b.s such as an electronic clock regulated by a resonating
80 pages spring, and an oscilloscope with solid-state display. There TEST EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTION
Oder code BP121 f2.50 are scientific measuring instruments such as a pH meter R. A. Penfold
and an electro-cardiometer. All projects have a strong This book describes in detail how to construct some simple
HOW TO GET YOUR ELECTRONIC PROJECTS scientific flavour. The way they work, and how to build and inexpensive but extremely useful, pieces of test equip-
WORKING and use them are fully explained ment. Stripboard layouts are provided for all designs, to-
R. A. Penfold 144 pages MEMEEIGUara £2.95 gether with wiring diagrams where appropriate, plus notes
We have all built projects only to find that they did not on construction and use.
work correctly, or at all, when first switched on. The aim The following designs are included:- AF Generator,
of this book is to help the reader overcome just these BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO BUILDING ELECTRONICS Capacitance Meter. Test Bench Amplifier, AF Frequency
problems by indicating how and where to start looking for PROJECTS Meter, Audio Millivoltmeter, Analogue Probe. High Resis-
many of the common faults that can occur when building
R. A. Penfold tance Voltmeter, CMOS Probe, Transistor Tester, TTL
up projects. Shows the complete beginner how to tackle the practi- Probe. The designs are suitable for both newcomers and
cal side of electronics, so that he or she can confidently
96 pages ramming:am £2.50 build the electronic projects that are regularly featured in
more experienced hobbyists
104 pages a icier code BP 4 £2.95

DATA AND COMPONENT IDENTIFICATION CHART OF RADIO, ELECTRONIC, INTERNATIONAL TRANSISTOR EQUIVALENTS
SEMICONDUCTOR AND LOGIC SYMBOLS GUIDE
b LOGIC SYMBOLS M. H. Banani B.Sc.(Eng.) A. Michaels
RONIC,SEMICONDOCTOB Illustrates the common, and many of the not -so -common, Helps the reader to find possible substitutes for a
radio, electronic, semiconductor and logic symbols that popular selection of European. American and Japanese
are used in books, magazines and instruction manuals, transistors. Also shows material type polarity, manufac-
etc., in most countries throughout the world turer and use.
Chart rder code t P 7 f0.95 320 pages gerernmnri:11:11 f3.50

BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO RADIO - 9th EDITION

RADIO, TV, SATELLITE
this country on the subject. Includes many units and
Gordon J. King Although primarily a practical book with text closely
devices which have been designed and used by ac- supported by diagrams, some formulae which can be used
Radio signals, transmitters, receivers, antennas, com- tive enthusiasts, and often, considerable ingenuity and
ponents, valves and semiconductors, CB and amateur by straightforward substitution and some simple graphs
thought have gone into the development of such units to have also been included
radio. overcome individual problems. A practical and authorita-
266 pages samummaca £8.95 tive reference to this unusual aspect of electronics.
72 pages MINEMENiata 1E3.50
128 pages Larn=larialira £5.95
AN INTRODUCTION TO RADIO DXING NEWNES SHORTWAVE LISTENING
R. A. Penfold HANDBOOK
EXPERIMENTAL ANTENNA TOPICS Joe Pritchard G1 UQW
Anyone can switch on a short wave receiver and play with H. C. Wright
the controls until they pick up something, but to find a Part One covers the "science" side of the subject, going
Although nearly a century has passed since Marconi's first from a few simple electrical "first principles", through a
particular station, country or type of broadcast and to demonstration of radio communication. there is still re- brief treatment or radio transmission methods to simple
receive it as clearly as possible requires a little more skill search and experiment to be carried out in the field of
and knowledge. The object of this book is to help the receivers. The emphasis is on practical receiver designs
antenna design and behaviour. and how to build and modify them, with several circuits in
reader to do just that, which in ..,once is the fascinating The aim of the experimenter will be to make a the book
hobby of radio DXing measurement or confirm a principle, and this can be done
112 pages Part Two covers the use of sets, what can be heard,
p1711111417:11:1:141 £1.95 with relatively fragile, short -life apparatus. Because of this, the various bands, propagation, identification of stations,
devices described in this book make liberal use of sources of information, QSLing of stations and listening
cardboard. cooking foil, plastic bottles, cat food tins, etc. to amateurs. Some computer techniques, such as com-
A TV-DXERS HANDBOOK

=Iwo
These materials are. in general, cheap to obtain and easily puter morse decoding and radio teletype decoding are also
R. Bunney worked with simple tools, encouraging the trial -and -error covered.
Roger Bunney is probably one of the leading authorities in philosophy which leads to innovation and discovery 224 pages f14.95

SERVICING PERSONAL COMPUTERS -

COMPUTING
The subjects covered include: PC overview, Memory machine code is assumed. Topics covered are:
2nd EDITION upgrades; Adding a hard disk drive; Adding a floppy disk
Mike Tooley BA assembly language and assemblers, the register set
drive: Display adaptors and monitors; Fitting a maths and memory, binary and hexadecimal numbering
The revised and enlarged second edition contains a new co -processor, Keyboards: Ports, Mice and digitisers:
chapter on the IBM PC, AT, TX and compatibles. It is es- systems, addressing modes and the instruction set,
Maintenance (including preventative maintenance) and and also mixing machine code with BASIC. Some
sential for anyone concerned with the maintenance of per- Repairs. and the increasingly popular subject of d.i.y. PCs. simple programming examples are given
sonal computer equipment or peripherals, whether profes- for
156 pages flier code B 217 £4.96 6502 -based home computers like the VIC-20,
sional service technician student or enthusiast ORIC-1/Atmos,
240 pages (Hard covertsill.131.1 Electron, BBC and also the
£25 Commodore 64.
AN INTRODUCTION TO PROGRAMMING THE BBC 112 pages order B P14/ £2.96
MODEL B MICRO
HOW TO EXPAND. MODERNISE AND REPAIR PCs R. A & J. W. Penfold
AND COMPATIBLES Written for readers wanting to learn more about program-
R. A. Penfold The PRE -BASIC BOOK
ming and how to make best use of the incredibly powerful F. A. Wilson, C.ENG., F.I.E.E.,
Not only are PC and compatible computers very expan- model B's versatile features. Most aspects of the BBC
dable, but before long most users actually wish to take F.I.E.R.E.. F.B.I.M.
Micro are covered. the omissions being where little could Another book on BASIC but with a difference. This
advantage of that expandability and start upgrading their usefully be added to the information provided by the one does not skip
PC systems. Some aspects of PC upgrading can be a bit through the whole of the
manufacturer's own manual. subject and thereby leave many would-be pro-
confusing, but this book provides advice and guidance on 144 pages code BP1 £1.95 grammers floundering but instead concentrates on
the popular forms of internal PC expansion, and should
help to make things reasonably straightforward and pain- introducing the technique by looking in depth at the
less Little knowledge of computing is assumed. The only most frequently used and more easily understood
AN INTRODUCTION TO 6502 MACHINE CODE computer instructions. For all new and potential micro
assumption is that you can operate, a standard PC of some
kind (PC, PC XT, PC AT, or a 80386 based PC).
R. A. & J. W. Penfold
No previous knowledge of microprocessors or
users.
192 pages =NM £2.95
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462
Everyday Electronics, July 1991
 REPORTING
Tony Smith G4FAI
NOVICE LICENCE COURSE STUDENT REQUIREMENTS Achievement in any field of amateur
As reported last month, RSGB courses Students need to have the Novice radio will be considered, such as an
in preparation for the new amateur radio Licence Student's Notebook, obtainable interest in d.i.y. construction; operating
Novice licence examination are now be- from the RSGB. A useful book of sample interests and skills, especially teamwork
coming available. They will cover the syl- examination questions is also available. in club contests; using the hobby to
labus in approximately 30 hours, with ex- Also needed is an approved audio fre- help the community, e.g., RAYNET, St
tra time to learn the Morse code when quency amplifier kit, with other com- John's Ambulance, the disabled and
required. Courses will comprise no more ponents, required to construct a basic housebound; encouragement of other
than four students and will have a strong radio receiver. Details will be provided by young people into the hobby through
practical emphasis. the instructor. presentations in schools and clubs; or
Examples of some of the subjects There is no course fee although the involvement in amateur radio as part of a
covered by individual sessions, and how volunteer instructor may ask for assis- school project.
they are approached, are as follows: tance with modest incidental expenses. The closing date for applications is
Demonstrating the main controls On successful completion of the course 31st July 1991. Candidates may enter
of a receiver on the h.f. bands: the RSGB will issue a Course Completion directly or be nominated by an adult.
Tuning through single sideband (SSB) Slip, and an optional completion certifi- Notes for entrants can be obtained from
signals, switching between upper and cate will be available for £2.50. The Secretary of the RSGB, address as
lower sidebands, band switching, func- Successful students may then apply to above.
tion of audio frequency and radio take the Novice Radio Amateurs Ex-
frequency gain controls, frequency in- amination (Subject No. 773), to be held AMATEUR RADIO AND THE GULF
dication - analogue or digital, separation at local City & Guilds examination cen- As this is being written, the Gulf War
of bands into different sections for tres four times a year. The examination fee has thankfully ended and stories are
different modes, and demonstration of is £8.95, plus a centre examination fee. beginning to emerge of activities by
the different types of signal to be heard. The C&G hope to publish results four radio amateurs which have assisted
Soldering: Safety precautions, tin- weeks after each examination. those affected by the hostilities. Soon
ning, function of flux, need for correct after the Iraqi invasion, for instance,
size bits, appearance of good joints. MORSE TEST when news from Kuwait was minimal,
Components: Identification of dif- For those seeking the Novice A a Russian amateur there sent a teletype
ferent types, colour codes, periodic ques- licence, which permits operation on (AMTOR) message, received by an
tioning during the course to confirm selected h.f. frequencies (as opposed to Australian station, describing condi-
familiarity. the v.h.f. only B licence which does not tions under the occupation which
Multimeters: Setting for major modes require a knowledge of Morse code), the received nationwide media coverage
of operation, difference between a.c. and final hurdle is the RSGB 5w.p.m. Morse in Australia. American and Israeli
d.c. voltage and current, importance of test which will become available in June amateurs sent and received messages
polarity, different scales on analogue in- or July this year. There are existing test on behalf of worried families after the
struments, importance of leaving the meter centres in most counties, etc, where Scud attacks on Israel, when telephone
switched off when not in use. Novice tests will be held every two lines to Israel were hopelessly jammed
months, while candidates prepared to by similar enquiries.
WORKSHEETS travel to adjacent areas will usually be Radio amateurs in the American
Linked with the individual sessions able to arrange a test within a few weeks. armed forces passed messages be-
are worksheets which provide detailed To help learners, the RSGB has a tween serving personnel and their
information for students working with Morse code training tape, Morse code - families at home and elsewhere, via US
the instructor or revising at home. Apart A Stage 1, using a well -tried system based stations, until a general radio
from the above, these include a simple which sends letters at 12w.p.m. while silence was imposed at the commence-
circuit/experiment to observe Ohm's law; leaving longer than usual spaces be- ment of hostilities. Many of these
codes and abbreviations used over the tween symbols and words to reduce the operations were on MARS frequencies,
air; how to make a contact over the overall speed to five words per minute. non -amateur frequencies permanently
air; log -keeping and QSL cards; power Full details on all aspects of the Novice allocated for relaying messages, and
of a circuit; propagation conditions on licence can be obtained from the Radio phone -patching, between military per-
the amateur bands; alternating current; Society of Great Britain, Lambda House, sonnel and their families worldwide.
tuned circuits; receiver and transmitter Cranborne Road, Potters Bar EN6 3J E. S.W.L. readers have no doubt heard the
block diagrams; harmonics; learning and phone patching, i.e., connection of
using Morse code; aerials; EMC (electro- YOUNG AMATEUR OF THE YEAR radio links into the public telephone
magnetic compatibility), i.e., avoiding in- The DTI's Communications
Radio system, which takes place regularly on
terference; power supplies; and more. Agency has announced its sponsorship the 20 metre amateur band.
The course covers basic radio theory for the 1991 Young Amateur of the Year Passing messages by radio amateurs
and practice in easily digestible "bites" Award as part of its continuing support on behalf of non -amateurs is permitted in
each lasting about 30 minutes; and a for Project YEAR. This is for the most some countries and not others, and in-
great deal of work has gone into meeting outstanding achievement by an amateur ternational links are permitted only by
the needs of the total beginner to the -radio enthusiast under the age of 18 formal agreement between the countries
hobby. As part of Project YEAR (Youth during the period 1st August 1990 to concerned. In the USA this facility is seen
into Electronics via Amateur Radio) the 31st July 1991. The winner will get a as a form of public service, and linking
new licence is clearly aimed at the young, cash prize of £250 and every entrant will agreements exist with Australia, Israel
but candidates of all ages can become receive a copy of the RSGB's amateur and many other countries. In the UK,
Novice operators and the course repre- radio log book. The winner and runners however, the radio regulations do not
sents an excellent way of learning about up will be invited to spend a day at the permit such "third party traffic" except in
the subject at "ground level". If any Agency's Radio Monitoring Station at certain defined situations so, unlike their
readers of EE enrol for one of the early Baldock, Herts. Additional prizes will be American colleagues, British forces in the
courses I shall be delighted to receive and donated by the radiocommunications Gulf were unable to send messages home
report their reactions to it. industry. via amateur radio.

Evericlat' Electronics. July 199/ 463

 Constructional Project

MODULAR DISC
LIGHTING SYSTEM
Part Three; MASTERLINK SYNCHRONIZER MODULE
CHRIS BOWES
Light up your party or, disco road Switch S2 is included to select the pulses
proceeding to the rest of the circuit between
show with these easy -build those produced by the internal clock pulse
generator and pulses generated by external
effects modules. sound activated modules, the signals from
which are commoned through the Master -
Tills MODULE is the first of the system 100mA fuse which is included to protect link connections appearing at SKI pin 7.
control modules, which do not, in the circuitry of the module in the event of a These pulses are fed via S2. diode D2 and
themselves, provide an output pat- fault arising within this module. resistor R7 to the base of transistor TR2.
tern to control a lighting display. The pur-
pose of this module is to synchronise any of
Capacitor Cl is a tantalum type, which is
used to decouple the logic circuits within ONE-SHOT
the other modules within the system, which
have been switched to Masterlink control,
the module. The red light emitting diode
(I.e.d.) D4 and it's associated series resistor
CIRCUIT
The third source of clock pulses is the
so all of the modules so selected are driven RI is used to provide an indication that "One -Shot", push -to -changeover switch,
in synchronism, see Fig. I.
power is available to the module. S3. Any switch of this type will produce
Essentially the Masterlink module con- a number of high speed pulses when
tains the pulse generating and auxiliary
function controls contained in most of the
CLOCK CIRCUIT operated because of the bouncing effect of
Clock pulses to drive the system are the switch contacts as they close.
other modules The outputs from the obtained from three sources. The most In order to overcome this problem and
Masterlink Module are buffered and made usual source being the clock pulse gener- to give a single shot output pulse for
available at the connection sockets so that ator which is made up of ICI, R3, VR1, R4 each operation of S3 it is connected to a
they can then be "bussed- to all of the and C2. This operates in an identical debouncing circuit, formed by R5, R6,
more complex modules in the system. manner to the generators in the rest of the IC2b and IC2c. When switch S3 is operated
CIRCUIT modules. it effectively shorts resistor R6 to OV this
changes the input state of pin 9 of IC2c.
DESCRIPTION This produces a Logic 0 state at the output
The full circuit diagram for the Master - MASTER lo E.
(pin 10).
link Module is shown in Fig. 2. The power MODULE
The same switch action removes the
to drive the module is obtained from the short to ground of resistor R5 and allows
power input connections on the 7 -pin DIN the input to pin 13 of IC2b to rise to a
sockets SKI /SK2. Logic state. The cross linking of IC2b
I
There are two such sockets, wired in and IC2c causes the output at Pin 11 to
parallel, on each Masterlink compatible remain in the Logic I state until the states
module so that the Masterlink connections at pins 8 and 12 are reversed.
can be easily bussed through a stack of OUTPUT
The one-shot pulse created at the output
system control and/or effects modules, ir- MCOULE
of IC2b is fed, via diode D3, to the junc-
respective of the order in which they may tion with resistor R7. Diodes D2 and D3
be arranged. These sockets also serve to form a simple OR gate which allows clock
buss the external pulse line, which enables pulses from S3 to be added to those from
any of the pattern generating modules in the remainder of the circuit without caus-
the system to be operated by pulse outputs Fig. 1. Using Master/ink to synchronize ing interference.
originating from any of the sound operated any number of effects modules. When the base of TR2 is energised, by the
modules. presence of the Logic 1 state at the junction
The 555 timer ICI is configured in the of D2, D3 with R7, the transistor conducts,
POWER SUPPLY astable mode and the frequency of the out-
put pulse produced at pin 3, is governed by
causing current to flow through the pull-up
The positive power supplies from each resistor R8. This causes the state at this
of the connected modules are combined, the values of R3, VR I, R4 and C2. As the point to change from Logic I to Logic 0.
through 1N4001 diodes installed in each of output pulse from pin 3 is predominantly This is inverted by IC2d and fed both to
the Masterlink compatible modules. The in the Logic I state this is connected to resistor R20 and transistor TR6, via another
positive power supply voltages appearing an inverter formed by IC2c, a two input inverter (IC5b), and also to pin 13 of the
on pin I of the DIN sockets and the com- NAND gate. Johnson counter IC3 and the indicator I.e.d.
mon 0 volt supplies appearing on pin 2 of This ensures that the positive going (D5). via its series resistor R9.
the DIN sockets. The latter connections pulses are of a relatively short duration
are commoned through the printed circuit This precaution is necessary because the ONE -IN -FIVE
board.
In order to avoid problems which might
other pulses in the system are also positive
going (switching from Logic 0 to Logic I
CIRCUIT
when activating the counter) and any long The 4017 decade counter IC3 is used to
be caused by an inadvertent reversal of the
duration Logic I state at the input to the provide a special output pulse, for use in
power supply polarities for any reason, Dl, certain modules, which occurs every fifth
another 1N4001 diode, is also included in counter will block any other pulse from
activating the counter. pulse of the Masterlink primary output
the positive power supply rail. FSI is a pulse. Pin 14 of IC3 is held in the Logic I

464
Everyday Electronics, July 1991
 state by its pull up resistor, RIO, and thus IC3 counts forward by
one step for each negative going pulse fed to pin 13.
This required pulse is obtained from pin 10 (04) of the 4017, and
the counter is reset to zero, with the unconnected output 00 being
forced to Logic 1 by the connection of output 05 (pin I) of the i.c.
to the MR (reset) input (pin 15). When output 04 goes to the Logic
I state the counter is reset to 0, counts up once more and hence

produces the required pulse on every fifth count.

The output from output 04 is inverted via IC5a and fed through
resistor RI2 to the base of transistor TR3, which is used to provide
a buffer output at pin 4 of the DIN sockets. As long as a Logic I
output is available at the output of IC5a, TR3 is made to conduct cm
in 7_
and effectively shorts out resistor RI3, causing a Logic 0 state to be -o
present at the output pin 4 of the DIN sockets.
This state is the normal one but when the required output pulse
is created as a Logic 1 state at pin 10 of IC3 it is inverted by IC5a
causing a Logic 0 state to exist at the input of the buffer circuit
comprising R12, TR3 and RI3. TR3 ceases to conduct and current
is no longer drawn through resistor R 13 which causes the out-
0
put at pin 4 of the DIN sockets (SK 1 /SK2) to rise to the Logic
I state. Transistor TR3, in common with the other output tran- uu
sistors TR4. TV and TR6. forms a simple output buffer which

COMPONENTS
M
cc0

'VV.' 0 101

Resistors
R1, R9, R11, R14,
\At )L
R15
R2
1k (5 off)
470
See
R3 5k6
R4
R5, R6, R8, R10,
3k TALK
Page
R13, R17,
R19, R21 10k (8 off)
R7, R12, R16,
R18, R20 82k (5 off)
All 0.25W 5% carbon film

Potentiometer
VR1 250k rotary, lin.

Capacitors
C1 21.0 tantalum, 25V
C2 47µ elect., 25V

Semiconductors
D1 1N4001 1A 50V rec. diode
D2, D3 1N4148 signal diode (2 off)
D4 Standard Red I.e.d.
D5 -D8 Standard Green I.e.d.s (4 off)
TR1 -TR6 ZTX300 npn silicon (6 off)
IC1 555 CMOS timer
IC2, IC5 4011 Quad 2 -input NAND gate (2 off)
IC3 4017 Johnson counter
IC4 4520 Dual binary counter
Lr,
U
Miscellaneous
Si, S2 S.P.D.T. min. toggle switch (2 off)
S3 S.P.D.T. pushbutton changeover switch
SK1 , SK2 7 -pin DIN chassis socket (2 off)
FS1 100mA 20mm fuse and p.c.b. fuse clips.
Aluminium instrument case (Maplin "Blue Case 233"), size
250mm x 150mm x 75mm; 8 -pin d.i.l. socket; 14 -pin d.i.l.
socket (2 off); 16 -pin d.i.l. socket (2 off); plastic knobs for VR1
and S3; p.c.b. stand-off pillars; connecting wire;, solder pins;
I.e.d. clips (5 sets); nuts and bolts for socket fittings; solder etc.
Printed circuit board available from EE PCB Service , code
EE752.

141°
Approx cost
guidance only £19
plus case

Everyday Electronics, fah 1991 .465

 enables a large number of modules to be
driven by the Masterlink module.
A 4520 dual binary counter, IC4 is con-
nected to form a 256 stage binary counter.
The pulses generated by ICI are fed to the
CPIA input (pin 2) of 1C4 and, with the
CPOA input held at Logic 0, the counter
advances by one step with every pulse.
Output 03 (pin 6) of the first half of the
4520 counter is connected to the Enable B
C13113 input (pin 10) of the other half of
the counter, with it's Clock B (pin 9) in-
put similarly being held at Logic 0. This
counter thus advances at every sixteenth
transition of the input pulse to the first
half of 1C4.
Outputs 0,B and 03B of IC4 are taken
both to their indicator circuits, comprising
RI4 and D7 and RI5 and D8 respectively,
and to the inverters IC5c and IC5d. The
outputs of these two inverters are fed via
resistors to the bases of transistors TR4
and TR5.
Together with the pull up resistors R17
and R19, these transistors form output
buffers, in the same way as described
earlier. The buffered outputs of all of the
Masterlink signals are made available to all
compatible modules via pins 3, 4, 5 and 6
of the DIN sockets SKI, SK2.

SPRINT CIRCUIT
Transistor TR1 and resistor R2 are used
to provide a sprint or "Speed" facility.
When output 01B (pin 12) of the second
half of the 4520 counter (1C4) goes to the
Logic 1 state this voltage is made available,
via switch SI, through the base protection
resistor (R2) and to the base of TR I .
(above) Wiring to front panel com-
When the base voltage of the transistor ponents, completed board and (left)
rises above the emitter voltage the transis- imerwiring to the rear DIN sockets.
tor saturates and effectively shorts out the must be prepared by tinning before the
Speed control VRI. This causes the output cable is inserted into the appropriate holes
pulses from ICI to increase in frequency to on the board and then soldered into place.
that set by R3, R4 and C2 alone.

CONSTRUCTION TESTING
Once all the connections have been made
The Masterlink circuit is built on a the p.c.b. should firstly be carefully
single -sided printed circuit board (p.c.b.), checked for broken tracks, solder blobs
the full size copper foil pattern and com- and incorrectly placed components before
ponent layout of which is shown in Fig. 3. attempting to insert the i.c.s and test the
The foil pattern should be transferred to a unit. TO i.c.s should then be inserted into
suitable board which is then etched and the correct sockets, taking care to ensure
drilled in the usual way. (A ready -tinned that They are the correct way round.
and drilled board is available from the EE Irforder to test the Masterlink module it
PCB Service, code EE752). will be necessary to connect it, via a five -
After drilling the board the components pin DIN cable, to the Masterlink socket
can be inserted into the board and sol- space, is used since some of the modules are of a compatible module and connect that
dered in place. Although this process can very tightly packed into the specified case. module to an Output Module. As soon as
be carried out in any convenient order you Similarly the panel designs for all of the the Output Module is switched on I.e.d. D4
will find that it is easier to perform this task modules have been designed in a coor- on the Masterlink module should glow and
if the components are inserted in ascending dinated scheme so it is advisable to either D5 to D8 should illuminate in a sequence
order of size. follow the layouts given in the photographs such that D6 illuminates briefly after every
All the components of a particular size or to design your own coordinated scheme. fourth illumination of D5 whilst l.e.d.s D7
should be soldered into position before Whichever case is used it is most important and D8 are illuminated in a binary pattern
going onto a larger size of components. that they are properly "Earthed".
after a considerable number of illumina-
Care should be taken to ensure that all of
the polarity sensitive components are con- WIRING-UP tions of D5.
The Effects Module should be switched
nected into the circuit board with the Before commencing to install the case so that the Masterlink connection is ac-
correct polarity. mounted components it is recommended tivated (by setting the Masterlink switch to
The i.c.s are best accommodated in sock- that the case should be drilled and lettered. the down, or ON position) and the reverse
ets which are soldered in place along with The p.c.b. is best not wired up to the case and pattern controls should be switched to
the other components. The i.c.s should be mounted components until all the com- their AUTO positions. You should now
inserted as the last task before testing ponents, except for the i.c.s, have been in- see that the effects control functions now
out the unit. Care should also be taken serted and soldered. respond to that of the Masterlink.
with these components to ensure correct The connections between the p.c.b. and
polarity. the case mounted components are best IN USE
CASE made with flexible wires cut to a size which
allows the board to remain connected to
The Masterlink unit operates in the same
way as the effects modules, in so far that
All of the modules in this series have the control panel when removed for fault the pulse and other functions are controlled
been designed to fit into the case detailed in finding etc. There are a number of connec- by potentiometer VRI and the Auto -Sprint
the components list and you are advised to tions to be made and the use of as many circuitry which can be engaged via switch
ensure that the case specified, or a metal colours of wire as are available will reduce SI. The best method of connecting the unit
one with at least the minimum of internal the risk of confusion at this stage. The ends into a stack of effects modules is to "daisy

466
Evertdat' Electronics, Jult 1991
 S. -

chain" the inputs up and down the stack by The frequency of these pulses is selected They can, of course, be disconnected
using five -pin DIN leads plugged into the by the setting of VR I. with the "sprint" from the Masterlink module either by
Masterlink sockets. facility being engaged by the operation of selecting a permanent function on the
Each module, including the Masterlink switch SI . direction and pattern selectors or by
module, is equipped with two DIN sock- If the auto functions for direction turning the modules Masterlink switch to
zts so that they may be "daisy chained" by and/or pattern are selected on any module the off position. The Masterlink com-
simply plugging each module into the next where the Masterlink function has also patible modules are designed to be con-
module up or down in the stack. It does been selected then control of that function nected together in a stack by means of
not matter in which order any modules are will be passed to the outputs of the a simple seven -way cable which is ter-
stacked. equivalent functions on the Masterlink minated at each end in a cable mounting
When the Masterlink module is in use modules. This means, that in use, all 7 -pin DIN plug. These connectors are
any or all of the compatible module can of the Masterlink compatible modules connected pin to pin for all of the pins.
be switched on to Masterlink control in within the system can be made to pulse,
which case they will be pulsed by the out- change direction and change pattern at Next Month: Random Pattern
put pulses from the Masterlink module. the same time. Module.

<;4(- O 0 aoo O
0-
,

1". 6
000
1-*/*-4 000
I-
°A,16.4
I000
ki fi4 lid

L)
liP We lel IN UM

0-0
L
0 010

000iII1
0-0
0001
0 0 0 0 1 1:1

*4 1.4 k-4
CC

71
0:ka)=-
o

*4_ I..
I-

0 °4 1211.11

EE

40.4
Eta
}
O
1-1
la I I.
Fig. 3. Printed circuit board component layout and full size copper
foil master pattern. A lead is also taken directly from one side of
switch S2 to pin 7 of DIN socket SKi.
0

Everyday Electronics, July 1991 467

 PROJECT TITLE Order Code Cost
Mains Appliance Remote Control AUG'90

PCB SERVICE
Printed circuit boards for certain constructional projects are available from
the PCB Service, see list. These are fabricated in glass fibre, and are fully
Mains ON/OFF Decoder
(5 or more 697's ordered together f3.25 each)
Simple Metronome
Hand Tally SEP'90
697

698
£4.55

£3.94

Main Board (double -sided)

drilled and roller tinned. All prices include VAT and postage and packing. Display
Add £1 per board for overseas airmail. Remittances should be sent to The 699, 700 £10.95
PCB Service, Everyday Electronics, 6 Church Street, Wimborne, Alarm Bell Time -Out 701 £4.10
Dorset BH21 1JH. Cheques should be crossed and made payable to Mains Appliance Remote Control
sterling only).
Everyday Electronics (Payment in Temperature Controller (p.c.b. only) 702 £5.20
We do have some older boards in stock - please enquire. Ghost Walker OCT'90 703 £4.32
NOTE: While 95% of our boards are now held in stock and are dispatched Frequency Meter 704 £5.25
within seven days of receipt of order, please allow a maximum of 28 days Freq. Meter/Tachometer NOV '90 705 £3.98
for delivery -overseas readers allow extra if ordered by surface mail. EE Musketeer (TV/Video/Audio) 706 £5.78
Please check price and availability in the latest issue. Boards can only be
supplied on a payment with order basis. Colour Changing hristmas Lights DEC'90 707 £4.39
Microcontroller Light Sequencer 708/709 £10.90
PROJECT TITLE Order Code Cost Versatile Bench Power Supply Unit 710 £4.24
Video Wiper JUL'88 Teach -In '91, Part 1 -L200 Module 711 f3.93
612 f6.75
Dual Output Module 712 £4.13
Tea Tune -Alarm Thermostat AUG'88 609 £3.00
Time Switch LM723 Module 713 £4.21
614 £4.84
Suntan Timer 610 £3.07
Spatial Power Display JAN'91 714 £5.33
Car Alarm 615 Amstrad PCW Sound Generator 715 £5.03
£3.12
Teach -In '91, Part 2 -G.P. Transistor Amp 717 £3.7 -
EPROM Eraser OCT'88 620 £4.07 Dual Op.Amp Module 718 f3.3
Doorbell Delay NOV'88 616 £3.56 Intercom (Teach -In '91 Project 2) 719 £441
Infra -Red Object Counter Trans £9.28 622 £4.61 Analogic Test Probe 720 fs.24
Receiver as a 623 £3.23 MARC Phone -In FEB'91 721 L6.87
Display set 624 £3.05 £4.05
Teach -In '91 Part 3- TBA820M Amplifier 723
Downbeat Metronome DEC'88 629 £4.84 High Quality Power Amp 724 £4.93
Phasor 631 £5.64 Bench Amplifier (Teach -In '91 Project 3) £4.45
725
Continuity Tester FEB'89 619 £2.67 Gingernut 80m Receiver
Sound -to -Light Interface MAR '89 637 £6.24 R.F. section (726), Voltage Regulator (727) 726/7/P £3.06
Midi Pedal 639 £7.00 Audio Amplifier (728) per board
Midi Merge 640 £3.00 all 3 together £8.16
Audio Lead Tester 641 £5.77 Pocket Tone Dialler MAR 91 729 £4.36
Light Sentinel - Main Board APR'89 632 £9.20 Battery To Mains Inverter 73) £4.97
Remote Interface (4 boards) 633 £4.59 Simple Basic Alarm 731 £4.50
4 -Channel Auto -Fade Interface 642 £6.80 Car Code Lock (pair) /32a/b £4.69
Electron A/D Interface MAY'89 645 £4.84 Teach -In '91 Part 4- Sinusoidal Oscillator 733 £4.39
Spectrum EPROM Programmer JUN'89 8038 Oscillator ' 734 £4.15
628 £7.87
Bat Detector Waveform Generator (Teach -In '91 Project 4) 735 £4.72
647 £4.95
Programmable Pocket Timer Humidity Tester APR 91 716 £4.97
JUL'89 648 £3.82
Model Train Controller (double -sided) 736 £9.75
Electronic Spirit Level AUG'89 649 £3.85 737 £4.93
Electronic Die (Teach -In '91 Project 5)
Distance Recorder 651 £5.23 £4.35
Teach -In '91 Part 5 -Digital Counter Module 738
Xenon Beacon SEP'89 650 £4.13 jvj AY 91
Modular Disco Lighting System
Power Supplies- Fixed Voltage 654 £4.08 Switched Power Output Module 739 £5.91
Variable Voltage 655 £4.48 Digital LCD Thermostat -Control Board'g £5 for pair 740 £4.05
Music on Hold OCT'89 646 £3.85 -Power/Relay Board) 741 £3.76
Power Supplies - 25V 700mA 656 £4.35 Pulse Generator (Teach -In '91 Project6) 742 £4.97
30V 1A 657 £4.55 Teach -In '91 Part 6- Timer Module 743 £4.62
EE Seismograph - Control 658 £4.08 Digilogue Car Tachometer JUN'91 744 £5.63
Detector 659 £4.22 Modular Disco Lights- Simple Closer 745 £5.00
Lego/Logo & Spectrum 660 £6.49 Sweeper Module 746 £5.17
Wash Pro Automatic Light Control - PSU Board 747 £4.88
NOV'89 643 £3.83
Loti6 Board 748 £5.17
Biofeedback Monitor- Front End 661 £4.52 Radio Receiver (Teach -In '91 Project 7) 749 £4.57
Processor 662 £4.56 Teach -In '91 Part 7 - R.F. Amplifier Module 750 £4.23
Logo/Lego & Spectrum Interface 664 £5.60
Modular Disco Lights - Masterlink JULY'91 75 £6.3.
EEG Electrode Impedance Meter DEC'89 665 f3.98 Ultrasonic Proximity Meier
Biofeedback Signal Generator JAN'90 666 £4.08 Display Unit (753) &Sensor Unit (754) 753/754 £7.06
Quick Cap Tester FEB'90 668 Disco Lights (Teach -I' '91 Project 8)
£3.92
Weather Station PSU and Pre-ampffier 755 £4.54
Low, Mid, High Fiiter/Triac (set of 3 boards) 756 £11.00
Anemometer - Freq./Volt Board 670 £3.94 Teach -In '91 Part 8 -Solid State Switch Module 757 £4.24
Optional Display 669 £3.73
Wind Direction 673/674 £4.22
System Power Supply 675 £3.59 1
Prophet In -Car Ioniser 676 £3.18 EE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD SERVICE
EE Weather Station MAR'90 Order Code Project Quantity Price
Display Driver 672 & 678 £4.22
Display and Sensor 671 £4.47
Fermostat Mkt 677 £4.28 r-
Superhet Broadcast Receiver- I
01
Tuner/Amp 679/680 £4.22 I 01
Stereo Noise Generator APR'90 681 £4.24 Name
Digital Experimenter's Unit - Pulse Generator 682 £4.46 01
Power Supply 683 (3.66
Enlarger Timer 684 f4.28 Address
EE Weather Station
Rainfall/Sunlight Display 685 £4.27 I
DI
Rainfall Sen and Sunlight Sen r-1
686/687 £4.16
Amstrad Speech Synthesiser MAY'90 689 £4.68 I enclose payment of E (cheque/PO in E sterling only -o.
NSA payable to Everyday Electronics) Access (MasterCard) or Visa No.
80 Metre Direct Conversion Radio JUN '90 691 £4.95 Minimum order for credit cards f5
Mains Appliance Remote Control MI
Infra -Red Transmitter DI
692/693 £4.75 0
Mains Appliance Remote Control JUL'90 ml
Encoder Board A 694 £6.61 1

Encoder Board B 695 £4.78

The Tester 696 £4.15
Signature Card Ex. Date
L _Please supply name and addess of card -holder if different from the address shown j
468 Everyday Electronics, July 1991
 A DOT MATRIX UPGRADE OR BUILD
YOUR OWN IBM COMPATIBLE
PRINTER .,4

FOR ONLY
£19.95?
Yes! have obtained the remaining
I

production line parts for the amazing :i -

AMBER 4000 PRINTER and can supply .,' P. V .)

them to you as a kit complete with 401.

assembly instructions. A few small parts . t

-
will have to be supplied from your own
spares box, but all the major items MOTHERBOARDS KEYBOARDS
including the case are included. Send me a CPU
286 12
RAM
OK
I./ SPEED
16Mhz
PRICE
£89
(ENHANCED 102 KEY)
IBM COMPATIBLE £39
SAE for full details. 28616
386.SX
OK
OK
20Mhz
18Mhz
E129
E275
AMSTRAD 1640,1512
PS2 - COMPAG
£59
£75
386.25 OK 33Mhz E485
This superb 40 column printer boasts 38633 64K ca ;he 54Mhz E850 FLOPPY DRIVES
many features and can be driven from both GRAPHIC CARDS 360K
1.2M 55 25 25
55
f 59
VGA 256K 16 BIT £75 720K 35 £55
parallel and serial signals. The SAE will tell SUPER VG A 512K 16 BIT f95 ' 44 35 £59

all, or send a cheque for £22.95 (inc. £3 ADD IN CARDS HARD DISK DRIVES
FLOPPY HARD DIE K CONTROLLER (1 11 E59 ST 225 20MB 68MS 525" Half Height £145
P&P) for immediate dispatch. I0 CARD FOR XT. AT E28 ST 251 40MB 28MS 5.25" Half Height
IDE Hard Disk 40MB 28MS 3.5 -Half Height
. . ft 85
f165
I only have 1 50 kits so to avoid disappointment BOOKS Dual drive cable set £10
Budd your own 80286IBM Comp -Pilgrim £16.30 Write, Phone or Fax for a FREE Catalogue
contact me now at: PC Uprade Book. Neigh £11.95

CHIPLINK
All prIces exclude WIT) Carnage.. cost)

MANY OTHER PERIPHERALS AVAILABLE

10 Hardys Field, Kingsclere PAN R I X 93 KENTMERE APPROACH
LEEDS LS141JW
Newbury Berks. RG15 8EU ELECTRONICS
TEL' (0532) 650214/(0532) 658993
FAX: (0532) 323937
VISA
OPEN FROM lOarr, 6pn, MON SAT

ESSENTIAL
TK FOR KITS
Building your own PC XT or AT?
READING FOR Upgrading an existing PC?
Want to know what makes
DISCO SEQUENCER SINGLE CHANNEL INFRA PC HARDWARE them tick?
"mt.' mtw,
RED REMOTE CONTROL
ENTHUSIASTS YOU NEED
Summary of contents:
The book contains a wealth of information about PC hardware and
gives practical advice for PC builders and upgraders. Written in a light-
hearted style. it is suitable reading for beginners but includes information
for the more experienced too.
Four channels (up to 1kW achi to There are eight chapters: the first is a brief introduction. The second
driv Rop lights,. Pin -spot Ic A simple yet highly infra nsa chapter gives a potted history of the PC range, and details some of the
(Rsistivisrinductiv loads) with 30 rmot control kit with multitude of us" characteristics of each model. Chapter three will be of particular interest
diffrnt y-ctchIng squscs. n the hon. or cr Operates from 9 - 15V
Vriabis .peed nid strounc crng dc or 2401/ 0 nd switch.. 30 relay to those who are undecided about which type of PC to build. It gives the
frguncy AND built in audio input.idisi
for mobile or permnent displays.
on and off itrntly 00 time this
pros and cons of all the usual combinations of cases. boards and display
trnsmIttim Is oprtd at rang. up to
Complet KIT (less box) 2 Oft (61m). Responds only to to types.
X6141 626.96 tranmIttr treguncy. Orot for lights, TV,
Don't forgt our other value for money larm controls etc. The fourth chapter is where the real work of assembling the parts is
DISCO KITS 06134
DLII000 6 - channI SO programme
611.96 described. It includes many practical tips not published elsewhere. If the
quncisr 645.96 Suitable transmitter complete with box beast won't go when you have built it you need to read chapter 51
DL3000 3 -channel sound to light 621.96 (9V PP3 bettry rquird)
XK124 High paws, strobe with audio 06136 19.96
If you already have a PC. but it has failed in some way, chapter six may
Input 617.96 help, whereas chapter seven deals with upgrades to existing machines.
0K139 4 -chorine) sequencer 114.60 For more ohannls us our popula Software is briefly discussed in chapter eight and there are Appendices
MK12/MK19 IR transmitter recehters
M K9 - rimy keyboard 63.35 with useful data. The book has 112 pages and is in paperback format.
MK10 16 -way keyboard 29.75
SEND 91111 SAE for our latest KIT MK12 16 ChannI A.M., 621.95
LIST which InCluds details on A4K111 IR Tranernittr range 600 19.75 f-
or exciting kits such s
Programmbl Lock, Voice
Please serd me (qty)
PARK GATE
Record/Playback. Touch Dimmers,
Temperature Controller, etc.
PC -DIY books at £7.95 each inc. P&P
PUBLISHING
SUPER - SENSITIVE MICROBUG A cheque/PO for £ is enclosed
Only 46x26si1Imm, including built-in mic. 63-10011140
Itndrd FM radio). Rang approx. 300m depending
on trraln. Powrd by 90 PP3 (7mA). Id1 for Park Gate Farm
surveillancis, baby alarm, etc. Name
X6129 E7.25
Stoke Wake
Address Blandford Forum
TK ELECTRONICS ORDERING INFORMATION. F,c INCLUDE
13 Boston Road VAT but pleas ado E1.26 P&P AUK Ovrs .
Dorset
London,W7 3SJ Customers: clivid total ordr by 1.176 then add
P6P: Europa 23.60. Iswhr 610. Send
PO/chquis/krISA /MASTERCARD No. with order
DT11 OHA
Tel: 081 -567 8910 9)90 NO. 520314002. Local Authority and
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Men- Fri 0.30 rn - 6 pen. Shop Hours Postcode Please allow 21 days for
Too..- Thurs. 10 Cl, - 6 pm grit 10 Orn - I
delivery.
A- L

Everyday Electronics, full. /99/ 4(-9

 LA I I D 250V AC CAPACITORS
ELECTRONICS
If you want your advertisements to be seen by the largest readership at the most economical price our
250V ac class x mains rated capacitors for power
regulation and lamp dimming. 0.1uF 0.30; 0.22uF
£0.40; 0.47uF £0.70; 1uF £1.10; 1.5uF £1.45; 2uF
£1.70: 2.2uF 3uF £2.95; 3.3uF £3.20.
Chemllumlnescent 4" light sticks - fascinating
classified and semi -display pages offer the best value. The prepaid rate for semi -display space is £8 ( + VAT) chemical light source: red, blue or green £1 .10 each
per single column centimetre (minimum 2.5cm). The prepaid rate for classified adverts is 30p ( + VAT) per Advanced BASIC Scientific Subroutines - Macmil-
word (minimum 12 words). lan Book of maths, statistical and engineering sub-
routines written in BASIC - 0.50; optional IBM 5.25 -
NEW VHF MICROTRANSMITTER KIT N. R. BARDWELL LTD (EE) disk - £25.00.
All prices include VAT, P&P £1 per order
Tuneable 80-1 35MHz. 500 metre range. sensitive 200 Signal diodes 1N4148 E 1 00
electret microphone, high quality PCB.
SPECIAL OFFER complete kit ONLY £5.95
75 Rectifier Diodes 1N4001
75 Rectifier Diodes 1N4003
50 Rectifier Diodes 1N4007
Ct 00
Ct 00
C 1 00
Lilco Ltd
Assembled and ready to use £9.95 post free. 56 Rectifier Diodes 1N5401 C1.00 23 Mlddlewood Park, Livingston EH54 8AZ
Access/Visa orders telephone 021 411 1821 10 NE555 Timer i.c.s 0I.00
S A E for details of this and °the, kits Cheques 'P 0 s payable to 5 741 Op Amp i.c.s 01.00
QUANTEK ELECTRONICS LTD 8
8
C10601 400V 6 amp thyristors
BFY51 Transistors
01.00
£1.00 BURGLAR ALARM
Kits Dept. (EE), 45a Station Road 30 BC478 Transistors 01.00 Better to be Alarmed. than terrified Thandar's famous
Northfield, Birmingham B31 3TE 30 MPSA92 Transistors 01.00
25 Asstd. high brightness I e.d.s 01.00 'Minder' Burglar Alarm System. Superior microwave prin-
50 Axial I.e.d.s (Diode package) wide angle red OM ciple. Supplied as three units. complete with interconnection
50 Rectangular red I.e.d.s f 1. 00 cables. clips, door contacts and fixings
20 Miniature axial 1.e.d.s super bright red 01.00 Control Unit - Houses microwave radar unit. range up to 15

.... SERVICE
24 Miniature red I.e.d.s 3mm dia £1.00 metres adjustable by sensitivity control. Three position key
12 Asstd seven segment displays 01.00 operated facia switch - off - test - armed. 30 second exit and
4 .43" Com. anode seven segment displays 01.00 entry delay.
100 22NF 100V radial film capacitors 01.00
MANUALS
Indoor alarm - Electronic swept freq. siren. 104dB output.
100 33NF 50V radial film capacitors £1.00 Outdoor alarm - Electronic swept freq. siren. 98dB output.
200 Asstd. disc ceramic capacitors C1.00 Housed in a tamper -proof heavy duty metal case.
80 4U7 16V Radial electrolytics 01.00
75 4U7 63V Radial electrolytics 01.00 £46.00 + £4.00 P&P
Available for most Video 80 10UF 16V Radial electrolytics C1.00
Cheques, POs to
50 IOUF 50y Radial electrolytics 01.00
Recorders, Colour & Mono 80 22UF 25V Radial electrolytics C1.00
Televisions, Cameras, Test 60 33UF 16V Radial electrolytics
80 47UF 16V Radial electrolytics
01.00 S. WOODHEAD
01.00 9 ST. LUKES TERRACE, CLECK H EATON BD I 9 GAB
50 47UF 50V Radial electrolytics 01.00
Equipment, Amateur Radio, 50 IOOUF 25V Radial electrolytics £1.00
50 220UF I6V Radial electrolytics C1.00
Vintage Valve Wireless, Any 60 470UF 10V Radial electrolytics C1.00
40 1000UF 10V Radial electrolytics C1.00
Audio, Music Systems, 30 Asstd IF transformers 01.00
48 Asstd. coil formers. 01.00 ELECTRONICS FOR THE HOBBYIST is a 90
Computers, Kitchen 100 Asstd. RF chokes 01.00
minute video -cassette using computer -graphic
30 Asstd. dil sockets up to 40 pin £1.00
Appliances, etc. 30 Assorted sockeUconnsiedge-dil-sit-etc 01 .00 simulations to enable the hobbyist or student to
20 1 inch Glass reed switches 01.00 understand the way in which common electronic
Equipment from the 1930's to the 10
20
4P 3W MBB min. rotary switches
Min SP/CO slide switches
0100
0100 components work and is available directly from
present. 20
1
Magnetic ear pips plus lead 8 plug
Peltier effect heat pump
01.00
£1.95
us at only £19.95 inc. P&P.
10 watt Stereo amplifier. 4 controls plus data. £2.95 Other titles available. S.A.E. for list. Allow 14 days
Over 100,000 models stocked, 1

1 10mm Flashing I.e.d. red 00.75 for delivery. Send Cheques/P.O. payable to:
lOmm Ultra bright I.e.d. red 300 MCD.
originals & photostats. 1

Prices include VAT, postage £1 00. Stamp for Lists

CO 60
On -Line Video Marketing (Dept EV-2)
288 Abbeydale Road, Sheffield S7 1FL The Cottage, Tredown Farm, Bradstone,
FREE Catalogue Repair & Data Guides Milton Abbot, Tavistock, Devon PL19 OOT
with all orders Phone (0742) 552886. Fax (0742) 500689
Quantity 100-499
MAURITRON TECHNICAL AA IHP7) 500mAH
1-99
£0.99 C0.77 + VAT
Special offers for unusual sizes
AA 500mAH solder tags only while stocks last. Please
SERVICES (EE) AA 700mAH high capacity
£1.55
1.95
£0.95 + VAT
f1.20+ VAT check availability before ordering.
8 Cherry Tree Road, Chinnor, C (HP11), 1.2AH £2.20 £1.69 + VAT Quantity
F cell 7AH 32 x 87mm with flat top
1-99
C3.95
100-499
£2.80 + VAT
C 2AH with solder tags
Oxfordshire OX940Y £3.60 £2.25 + VAT
Cellular telephone battery
Tel: (0844) 51694 D (HP2) 1.2AH
4AH with solder tags
£2.60
£4.95
£1.96+ VAT
03.59+ VAT
42mm long x 16mm dia
Stick 04 171 x 16 dia with 150mm
1.45 £0.95 + VAT

Fax: (0844) 52554 PP3 8.4V 110mAH £4.95 C3.85 + VAT

red 8 black leads
4 cell battery 94 x 25mm 4.8V
C5.95
C3.50
£4.00 + VAT
£2.30+ VAT
Sub C with solder tags 1.2AH £2.50 C1.70 + VAT
RCS VARIABLE VOLTAGE D.C. BENCH POWER SUPPLY 1/2 AA with solder tags C1.55 0.17 + VAT All 1 to 99 prices include VAT
to 74 voits up to , amp 1 to 20 volts up to I amp 1 to 16 volts up to t ' t
1 '
AAA (HP16) 180mAH £1.75 £1 15 + VAT Please add 95p postage & packing per order

J PG Electronics
amps d c Fully stabilised Twin panel meters for instant voltage and cur-
ler., readings Overload protection
Fully variable inc.
Operates from £42VAT
240V a c
Compact Unit + Post f 2 276-278 Chatsworth Road, Chesterfield S40 2BH
Size 9. S'y .3in
NEW MODEL. Up to 38volts d c at 6 amps 10 amps peak Fully variable
Access & Visa orders tel: (0246) 211202
Two panel meters Sue 14% a 11 a 4'5,n tee Inc VAT Carr ES
TECHNICAL INFO SERVICES (EE) KIPS, PLANS, LTC for surveillance. protection
RADIO COMPONENT SPECIALISTS Imigm 76 Church St., Larithall, Lanarkshire ML9 1HE (sonic, H V), "007" gear. Send 2 x 22p stamps for list.
337 WHITEHORSE ROAD, CROYDON Tel 0698884585 Mon -Fri 5-5. Other times 0698883334 for last quotes
WORLDS LARGEST COLLECTION SERVICE MANUALS -Most unob-
ACE(EE), 53 Woodland Way, Burntwood. Staffs.
WU SURREY, U.K. Tel: 081-6841665 tainable elsewhere. Prices range from only C4.50 -large s a.e any G.CS.E. ELECTRONICS KITS at pocket money prices.
quotation. no obligation to buy.
List. Large SAE. Delivery 7days Callers welcome. Closed Wednesday
WORLD'S SOLE Suppliers of TV S Video Repair manuals. etc. From
S.A.E. for FREE catalogue. SIR -KIT ELECTRONICS,
TV TECHNIC. also such publishers as Heinemann. Newnan,. N Tech- 70 Oxford Road. Clacton C015 3TE.
nic. Thorn etc. Every published service sheet in stock. supplied tull FREE MEMBERSHIP and introductory pack of com-
size. not bits 8 pieces CTV's or any combination 03.50 plus Lsae.
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS any other single item [2.50 plus Lsae. Complete Circuit Sets for most ponents worth over £10. Send £1.50 P&P to. National
Video recorders only (7set (no service sheets made). Component Club. Higher Ansford, Castle Cary, Some-
EVERYTHING FOR YOUR NEXT PROJECT LSAE for OUOTATIONS plus GIANT CATALOGUE -NEWSLETTERS -
BARGAINS -FREE S/Sht as available rset BA7 7JG.
Comprehensive TV Repair Manual C9.50 Complete Radio Service PROTOTYPE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARDS one offs
THE BIGGEST DISPLAY IN THE SOUTH and Repair Course 0.50 Complete Repair 8 Service Manuals -
Mono TV 012.50; CTV [17; Video £19.50. Complete Repair Data with and quantities, for details send s.a.e. to B.M.A. Circuits,
IS AT circuit -Mono TV £8.50; CTV 012.98 Video E10.50.
£3.00 plus LSAE BRINGS THE ONLY COMPREHENSIVE SER-
38 Poynings Drive, Sussex BN3 8GR, or phone Brighton
VICE SHEETS 8 MANUALS. CATALOGUES FREE CHASSIS 720203.
FRASER ELECTRONICS GUIDE and C4.00 OF VOUCHERS TRANSMITTER CIRCUIT DIAGRAMS. F.M.
Medium, Shortwave, C.B. - Full instructions. Minimum
FM Transmitter Kits also a Telephone Bug Detector Kit
42 ELM GROVE * SOUTHSEA * Ready built FM transmitter £6.50 including P&P seventeen circuits. Cheques/P.02s £4.25 to: D. Davies, 33
HANTS These are commercial kits. Gwaelodygarth. Merthyr Tydfil CF47 8YU.
We also stock a selection of Scanning receivers so BRAND NEW unused i.c.s. 74LS00, 74LS02, 74LSI0,
Telephone f or latest stock or ask for a free catalogue
= Telephone 0705-815584 111 74LS27, 74LS37, uA74IC, 10p. 74LSI 57. 74LS374, 20p.
HOTLINE ELECTRONICS 4116 16K DRAM, LM386 amp. 50p. AY -3-8910/12, £2.
SP0256, £3. M108B single chip organ, £4. P/P £1. G.
97 LEIGH RD, ATHERTON, GT MANCHESTER
Steen, 9 Buckingham Road, Tuebrook, Liverpool L13
NSA
Tel: (0942) 891140
t).#4) Mail Order Only
8AY.
ELECTRONIC ORGAN drawbars. strings, pianos,
Cooke International CAPACITORS
defective amplifiers, hundreds i.c.s., Leslie speakers inc.
12in. £60 ono. Smith 0803 858542 (Devon).
DO YOU WANT USED SCOPES, SIGNAL MIXED RESISTORS 12 values 600 total £5.00, excel-
GENERATORS, POWER SUPPLIES, Philips 47uF 25V radial 8p lent hobby value. Send chequeiPO to C.E.S.. 64 Central
POWER METERS, DVM's, OSCILLATORS, Siemens 4700uF 100V 105 x 50mm £3 Avenue, Canvey Island, Essex SS8 9QR.
ATTENUATORS, TEST EQUIPMENT Siemens 10000uF 100V 105 x 64mm £3 COMPONENTS SALE. Rs, Ds, C, Leds. Wire and
Contact: Cooke International, Unit 4, DISCOUNTS FOR QUANTITY Audio Products. Send SAE for free list to C.E.S., 64
Fordingbridge Site, Main Road, Barnham, OTHER ITEMS IN STOCK Central Avenue, Canvey Island, Essex SS8 9QR.
Bognor Regis, West Sussex P022 0EB 191N RACK MOUNT project cases, also consoles,
Tel: 0243 545111 - Fax: 0243 542457
TDJ ELECTRICAL LTD cabinets, blanking panels, pre -machined socket panels
Wide range of items available. Send S.A.E. for lists 0942 270344 (XLR, jacks, etc). All sizes (1U. 2U, etc). Installation racks
and flight cases up to 30U. Call (0253)300690.

470 Everi'clav Electronics, July 1991

'MAKE
YOUR INTERESTS PAY! Carbon Film resistors %W 5% E24 series 0.51 R to 1 OMO
100 off per value -75p. even hundreds per value totalling 1 000
Metal Film resistors %W lOR to 1 MO 5% El 2 series - 2p. 1% E24 series
1p
f 8.00p
3p
Over the past 100 years more than 9 million students throughout the world have found
it worth their while! An ICS home -study course can help you get a better job, make more Mixed metal/carbon film resistors %W E24 series 1 R0 to 10M0 1%p
money and have more fun out of life! ICS has over 90 years experience In home -study 1 watt mixed meta'/Carbon Film 5%El 2 series 4R7 to 10 Megohms 5p
courses and is the largest correspondence school in the world. YOU learn at your Own Linear Carbon pre-sets 100mW and %W 100R to 4M7 E6 series 7p
pate, when and where you want under the guidance of expert 'personal' tutors. Find out Miniature polyster capacitors 250V working for vertical mounting
how we can help YOU. Post or phone today for your NM INFORMATION PACK cn the 015. 022, 033..047, .068-4p. 0.1 - 5p. 0.12, 0.15, 0.22 - 6p. 0.47 - 8p 0.68 -8p.1.0 - 12p
course of your choice. (Tick one box onlytl Mylar (polyester) capacitors 100V working E12 series vertical mounting
1000p to 8200p -3p..01 to .068 - 4p. 0.1 - 5p. 0.12, 0.15, 0.22 - 6p. 0.47/50V - 8p
Submin ceramic plate capacitors 100V wkg vertical mountings. E12 series
Electronics
0 ,Tii2Free%Ang 0 2% 1.8pf to 47pf - 3p. 2% 56pf to 330pf - 4p. 10%390p -4700p
Disc/plate ceramics 50V El 2 series 1 PO to 1000P, E6 Series 1500P to 47000P
4p
2p
Basic Electronic
Engineering (City 8 Guilds)
I-1 Refrigeration &
I -I Air Conditioning 0 Polystyrene capacitors 63V working E12 series long axial wires
1 Opt to 820pf - 4p. 1000pf to 10,000pf - 5p. 12,000pf 6p
Eiectrial Engineering 0 Car Mechanics 0 741 Op Amp - 20p. 555 Timer
cmos 4001 - 20p. 4011 - 22p. 4017
22p
40p
Electrical Contracting/ 1--1 Computer ALUMINIUM ELECTROLYTICS (Mfds/Volts)
Installation LI Programming 1/50, 2.2/50, 4.7.'50, 10/25, 10/50 5p
OM/GCE/SCE over 40 examination subjects to choose from 22/16, 22/25. 22/50, 47/16, 47/25, 47/50 6p
100/16,100/257p:100/50 12p: 100/100 14p
I Name Address 220/16 8p; 220/25. 220/50 10p; 470/16.470'25
1000/25 25p; 1000/35. 2200/25 35p; 4700/25
11 p
70p
Submin, tantalum bead electrolyics (Mfds/Volts)
International Correspondence Schools Dept ECS 71 3171314 High Street Sutton Surrey 91111PR 0.1/35, 0.22/35,0.47/35, 1.0/35, 3.3/16.4.7/16 14p
Telephone 081 643 9568 or 041.221 2926124 hours) 2.2/35, 4.7/25, 4.7/35, 6.8/1615p; 10/16, 22/6 20p
NM =I in in 1M 33/10, 47/6, 22/16 30p; 47/10 35p; 47/16 60p; 47/35 80p
VOLTAGE REGULATORS
1 A + or - 5V, 8V, 12V, 15V, 18V & 24V - 55p. 100mA. 5.8. 12, 15, V + 30p
DIODES (piv/amps)
75/25mA 1N414.8 2p. 800/1A 1 N4006 4%p. 400/3A 1 N5404 14p. 115/15mA 0A91 .. 8p
100/1A 1 N4002 3%p. 1000/1A 1 N4007 5p. 60/1 5A SIMI 5p. 100/1A bridge 25p
5.25 Disk Drives. 80 TV. DOD .. E34.00 each 10p
5 25 Disks. DSDD. 48tpi boxes of 10 63.00. box 400/1 A 1 N4004 4p. 1250/1A BY 127 10p. 30/15A 0A47
40W PSU 56 3.75A 12V 1 5A -120 0 4A cased with on off switch 610 00 each Zener diodes E24 series 3V3 to 33V 400mW - 8p. 1 watt 12p
Apricot Disk drive PSU. E10.00 each Battery snaps for PP3 - 6p for PP9 12p
Bare switch mode PSU 5V 2 5A. 12V 2A -120 0 1A E7.00 each LE.D.'s 3mm. & 5mm. Red, Green, Yellow - 10p. Grommets 3mm - 2p. 5mm 2p
SV at 6A PSU E4.80 each Red flashing L.E.D.'s require 9-12V supply only 50p
56 at 104 PSU E&40 each 10p
68000CPU5 Idle first orders get 10M8z chips, E3.50 each
Mains indicator neons with 220k resistor
E2.00 each 20mm fuses 10CmA to 5A. 0. blow 5p.A/surge 8p. Holders, chassis, mounting 6p
8086 CPU Chips
f 7 .00
. .

280A CPU. CTC P10 01 20 each DMA 2 00 E4.50 4114 High speed pc drill 0.8,1.0, 1.3, 1.5, 2.0mm - 30p. Machines 12V dc
41728 EPROMS (Ex equipment E1.20 each or E5.005 HELPING HANDS 6 ball joints and 2 croc clips to hold awkward jobs El 50p
27128 EPROMS E2.50 each AA/HP7 Nicad rechargeable cells 90p each. Universal charger unit £6.50p
27C256-25 EPROMS E3.50 each Glass reed switches with single pole make contacts - 8p. Magnets 12p
256K Byte DRAM MoPules, removed from equipme,i E&00 each 70p
6116 2K Byte SRAM E1.10 each
0.1" Stripboard 2%" x 1" 9 rows 25 holes - 25p. 3. x 2%" 24 rows 37 holes
6264-12 BK Byte SRAM E3.80 each Jack plugs 2.5 & 3.5m 12p
62256-12 8K Byte SRAM E5.00 each Sockets Panel Mtg. 2.5 & 3.5m 12p
65256 32K Byte rams. E4.00 each TRANSISTORS
8K Byte NV ram crops E3 00 each E10.00 four BC107/8/9 - 12p. BC547/8/9 - 8p. BC557/8/9 - 8p. BC182, 182L, BC183, 183L
20 pin Oil low prof Ile IC sockets 60.50/10 E4.00 100 BC184, 184L, BC212, 212L - 10p.
24 pin dil low prof Ile IC sockets 60.55/10 E4.60 100
40 pin Oa low profile IC sockets 60.60/10 E5O0100 BC327, 337, 337L - 12p. BC727, 737 - 12p. BD135/6/7/8/9 - 25p. BCY70 - 15p.
Circuit tester finds faults in TTL 8 CMOS logic Circuits. Inc leads E8.00 BFY50/51 /52 - 20p.
Smoke detectors, small size £7.00 each BFX88 - 15p, 2N3055 - 50p, TIP31, 32 - 30p, TIP41, 42 - 40p. BU208A - E1.20, BF195, 197 -
Smoke detectors. large with escape light and pause feature E13.00 each 12p
Prices include postage. AGO 500 OILS VAT) to orders below £5.00 All items new unle55stated 17.5% VAT 00 all All prices are inclusive of VAT. Postage 30p (free over £5). Lists Free.
prices Send an SAE for our latest list or for more info

Dept EE, 374 Milton Road, Cambridge C84 1SU

0223 424602 or 0831 430496 (Please note mail order only)
THE CR SUPPLY CO
127 Chesterfield Rd Sheffield S8 OR N
Tel: 0742 '771 Returnposting
SHERWOOD ELECT-R(000C COM cof_ wieNTS -

45 Rutland Street Mansfield, Notts Nq± P 4AP A t.

SPi 12 x 5mm Red Leds SP29 3 0 Cmos 4013
SP2 12 4 5mm Green Leds SP31 4 x Cmos 4071
SP3
SPE
SP7
SP8
12 x 5mm Yellow Leds
12 x 3mm Red Leds
12 x 3mm Green Leds
10 x 3mm Yellow Leds 1 SPECIAL -
SP36
SP37
SP38
SP39
20 x 10uf/25V radial .naps.
15 x 100uf/35V radial caps
20 x 47uf/25V radial caps.
12 x 47uf/16V radial cap):
ilZ9,9/C_Electronics
SP10 75 x 1N4148 diodes SP40 15 x BC237 transistors
SP11 25 x 1544001 diodes i OFFER .
: SP42 200 x Mixed C.Film resistors IBM Type PSU +12V, +5V,
SP12 25 6 1N4002 diodes SP44 12 x 5mm Leds-4 ea Red. Gm.. Tel 40 watts output (see picture).
SP13 25 x Radial elect. caps. Choose any SP45 20 x 1N4000 series diodes
SP18 15 x 8C182 transistors 2 packs SP46 15 0 400mW zener diodes Ideal for home built x.t.s etc.
SP19 15 x BC183 transistors FREE SP47 5 x Min. push button switches £10.99 + £2.00 p&p
SP20 15 x BC184 transistors SP48 12 x Axial elect. caps
SP21 15 x BC212 transistors with every 10 SP102 15 x 8 pin OIL sockets
SP22 15 x BC214 transistors £1 packs SP103 12 x 14 pin OIL sockets Stepper Motor T30' (Dia. 33mm)
SP23 15 x BC549 transistors purchased SP104 12 x 16 pin OIL sockets
SP24 5 x Cmos 4001 SP105 5 x 74LS00 £4.99 10 for £30.00
SP25 5 x 555 timers SP107 15 x Mixed presets C.C. 7 segment displays, Red 0.5"
SP26 5 x 741 Op -amps SP121 8 x Rect. Red Leds 5 x 2mm 85p 10 for E7.00
SP28 5 x Cmos 4011 SP122 8 x Rect. Green Leds 5 x 2mm
L.E.D. Clock Module, 12/24hrs
Other items stocked -Boxes, Buzzers, Catalogue available - price El facility, c/w Data (mains
Connectors, Irons, PCB equipment, Meters. Contains vouchers redeemable against 12 Volt Relays DPDT transformer not supplied)
Relays, Switches, Tools, etc. orders. Many new lines in stock.
75p 5 for £3.00 £2.99
Cheques or P.O. to 12 Volt Relays 4PDT 12 Volt Solemods,
NO VAT
SHERWOOD ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS Please add El P&P to orders under E20. 00 95p 5 for £4.00 (Dim 20mm x 20mm)
3U Sub -frame racks (flat pack) 95p 10 for £8.00
quantity discount 10A Thermal Cutout Rocker
COMPONENTS WE CAN SUPPLY A VAST RANGE OF SPARES Ior'in £7.99 + £2.00 p&p switches £1.00
makes of TV. Video. Computer & Audio Equipment WRITE 2N3055 10 for £4.99 Ferrite rings 23mm Dia. 3 for £1.00
For TV * Video (Encl s a e please) or PHONE
FOR A 'PRICE & AVAILABILITY' 2N3819 10 for £3.00 12 Volt fans, Dia. 60mm £7.99
Audio * Computes on your requirements. 0452 26883 3-16V Piezo Sounders ..2 for £1.00 12 Volt fans, Dia. 90mm £7.99
VIDEO BELT KITS
MANUFACTURERS ORIGINAL SPARES Encapsulated Piezo transducer .50p One Zone Alarm Panel with
AMSTRAD VCR4600/4700/5200 £319
FERGUSON 8900 to 8922 C2.79 AMSTRAD ATARI 100 mixed Tent Caps (values from entry/exi: delay. P.A. built
FISHER VBS3500 C249 PEGA1A (PC1640) YM2149F Sound (ST)
JVC MR3300/3330/3660 E2.79 40010G Array.
C32 72
C20.63 C014806 CPU (XE/L)
010.02
C11.40
0.1µ-68µf) £4.99 into a standard light switch.
SANYO VTC6500 E2 49 N50 IC Protector. CI 02 ROM Basic (XE/L) C4.49 Mercury tilt switch .99p 5 for £4.00 C/W Data £8.99
TV SERVICE MANUALS CPC464 Serv. Manual E8 49 THERMISTOR (ST-PSU) 01 .34
AMSTRAD CTV1460 08.95 SINCLAIR COMMODORE 8 Digit L.C.D. (Carrier not Philips 9"Colour Monitor (no
BINATONE 01/9771
SINCLAIR MICROVISION.
.06.99
C699
AY38912 ES 74 6510 CPU £10 .03 supplied) ....£2.99 5 for £10.00 postage, collect from shop),
ULA6C001E C16 77 6526 CIA. 01111
SEMICONDUCTORS ULA7K010,10056 £17.99 6561 VIC C14.02 Pulse transformer 1:1 + 1 Scart Socket, (R.G.B. comp.
HA12006 C5.91 UPC1378H 02.45 ZX830210I- / £10.75 6569 VIC C2399
TBA530 C1.14 2SC3156 E4.59 ZX8401 E7 94 8501 CPU C10.80
50p 10 for E4.00 video input) £110.00 S/H
TBA810P 0140 2501426 C5.03 Spec 1- 2 ROM £16.99 8520 Amiga .01122
TDA1001B
TEA2000
£2.86
C4.49
ZTX213
ZT0650/1
00 .28
00.47
Spec. 48K ROM
Spec 48K Speaker C1 49
08.63 8565 VIC
8701 Clk Gen
02396
C6.90
ALL PRICES VAT INCLUSIVE
OTHER ITEMS Spec. 48K Membrane ...E4.50 901225 ROM (Char l C655
UNIROSS KB68PF Fast Charger for /1286 Membrane E7.99 901226 ROM (Basic) C9 21 ALL POSTAGE & PACKING £1 00 (unless shown otherwise)
AAA AA (also PP3)'S offer' 05.49 + /128K Bubble Mat Et 10 906114-01 PLA £6 73
750 Co -ax cable (Bn/Wh) per/m C0.23 + /128K Reset Switch E1 05 251641-02 PLA £398
4 core telephone cable perm
Plug-in TONE RINGER
C0.15
08.90
28 way Edge Conn.
OL Membrane .
£3 49
17.95
C16 User Guide
C64 Ctser Guide
£537
03.37 13 Clarence Arcade Shop Hours:
This is lust a small sample of stock. Stamford Street Mon -Sat: 9.30 am -6.00 pm
MARAPET (EEG)
Catalogue 50p. Chq /Stamps/3xIRC's.
MAIL ORDER ONLY. Please add 95p (UK)
1 HORNBEAM MEWS Ashton Under Lyne (closed Tues. morning)
P&P but not VAT. All items subject to
availability - Prices can change wallow
notice. GLOUCESTER GL2 OUE Lancashire OL6 7PT Telephone 061 -343 2782

Everyday Electronics, July 1991 471

 ADVERTISERS (cOUR PERSONAL
OMNI ELECTRONICS INDEX EAVESDROPPER!
AUTONA
174 Dalkeith Road, Edinburgh EH16 5DX '031 667 2611 459
N R. BARDWELL 470
BK ELECTRONICS Cover (iii) Amazingly powerful
micro transmitter
A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE WITH BLB ELECTRONICS
BULL ELECTRICAL
459
Cover (ii)
Perlormance upgrades
possible
(Instructions in English'
SERVICE SECOND TO NONE CAMBRIDGE COMP. SCIENCE
CHIPLINK
471
469
OAPANTEE
CIRKIT DISTRIBUTION 445 i YEAR
OUR MUCH EXPANDED, BETTER CRICKLEWOOD ELECTRONICS 412
CR SUPPLY COMPANY 471
ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE ELECTRONIZE DESIGN 414
3 MILE RANGE
E.P. ELECTRONICS 459
COSTS 0.50 - INCLUDES GESTRONIC ,, 472 EASY TO USE:
GREENWELD ELECTRONICS 415 Utilize any FM set (car
VOUCHERS TO USE HART ELECTRONIC KITS 445
radio. stereo. etc) for
reception. Just adjust
HIGH -Q -ELECTRONICS 459 transmitter frequency to unoccupied area on your existing FM
AGAINST FUTURE HOBBYKIT 410 radio UNOBTRUSIVE: No wires no connections, nu external
aerial. fits in anywhere PRACTICAL: Compact, light with up
ICS 471
PURCHASES. TO RECEIVE JAYTEE ELECTRONIC SERVS 414
to 250 hours continuous operation on a standard 9 volt battery
(not supplied) HANDY AND EFFECTIVE: For surveillance of
JPG ELECTRONICS 470 children businesses. garages, suspect or hostile individuals
A COPY PLEASE SEND KNOWLES & ASSOCIATES
lawbreakers, etc Your own D.I.Y. broadcasting station.
428
Don't wail to try out this model (Best value for money In the range)
YOUR REMITTANCE LONDON ELECTRONICS
Over 30.000 sold to date.
COLLEGE 452 Supplied to professionals. detectives. guard services, etc.
ers. as.
WITH THE VOUCHER BELOW. LYS ELECTRONIC COMP 428
fa**
ORDER FORM
r Please send me a copy of the 1990/91 OMNI catalogue. 1
MAGENTA ELECTRONICS
MAPLIN ELECTRONICS
MARAPET
416/7/8
Cover (iv)
Satisfied or money back within 10 days
/44, a
44/4; ifre4:t
Payment of £1.50 enclosed 471 I Send to. GES TRONIC B P 99 (EVE)
MARCO TRADING 453 13442 Marseille Caini
nt Cedex France NA k*.41
NAME MAURITRON TECH SERV'S 470
NUMBER ONE SYSTEMS 425
Please mail me in plain wrapper dick choice)
I ADDRESS OMNI ELECTRONICS 472 Micro -Transmitter X007. Indicate quantity
PANRIX ELECTRONICS 469 (unit price C 29) 11 12 13 1 4= I
PARK GATE PUBLISHING 469
I enclose a cheque or postal order
PROCOM ELECTRONICS 471 (add C 2 for postage and packing)
RADIO &IV COMPONENTS 413
COD (add C 5 for postage and packulgl
LTELEPHONE RICH ELECTRONICS
SHERWOOD ELEC. COMP
414
471 NAME _ _ CHRIST IANNAME _

STEWART OF READING 412 I ADDRESS

in Open: Monday -Friday 9.00-6.00
Sunday 9.00-5.00
VA SUMA DESIGNS
TK ELECTRONICS
TYPESETTING BUREAU
412
469
472 111 TOWN EVE 7/91

Typefit
THE TYPESETTING BUREAU LTD
6 Church Street, Wimborne
Dorset BH211JH
Tel: (0202) 882299
Fax: (0202) 841692
Modem: (0202) 882270
DX: 45314 Wimborne
PC page make-up software and typesetter output bureau Datalinx: TYPBUR

££££ SAVING TOP QUALITY DTP PROGRAM

Now anyone can use their PC to produce professional HPII or HPIII compatible laser printers (this output
quality typesetting for just £185 (plus VAT). The is not suitable for use as artwork). Even for small
Typesetting Bureau's "Typefit" WYSIWYG on screen users who only produce the odd leaflet or price list
page make-up software gives access to over 200 fonts Typefit can snake sure the presentation is totally
(all from ipt to 1,000pt) plus output at 2,000 d.p.i., for professional,
just £3.30 (or less) per foot of 12inch wide bromide. For our information pack and font chart give us a
At these prices anyone can afford professional ring or send in the coupon.
quality for every job. The Bureau operates on a 24 hour We provide the expensive output equipment
turnaround and is now fully on stream with modem, and typefaces, you SAVE on typesetting costs
Datalinx and 3'1 or 5(4 disks. Typefit has already proved
Please send me more information on Typefit
popular with many small companies and four national
magazines (including Everyday Electronics) are presently
using it to produce every issue. Name
The system is based on software that normally retails
at £1,200 (without fonts), it has been modified for bureau Address -
use and is thus available to everyone at this low price.
Typefit is designed to run on IBM PCs and compatibles
having at least 640K of RAM and 20M of hard disc.
Proofing of output can be achieved on any dot Post Code
matrix printer or, with a laser driver (£30 extra), on
Tel EE

472
Everyday Electronics, July 1991
 POWER AMPLIFIER MODULES -TURNTABLES -DIMMERS - PRICES INCLUDE V.A.T.* PROMPT DELIVERIES FRIENDLY SERVICE
LOUDSPEAKERS -19 INCH STEREO RACK AMPLIFIERS LARGE S.A.E., 30p STAMPED FOR CURRENT LIST.
OMP POWER AMPLIFIER MODULES Supplied ready built and tested. MP VARISPEED TURNTABLE CHASSIS.
OMP POWER AMPLIFIER MODULES Now enjoy a world-wide reputation for quality, Tenability and
performance at a realistic price. Four models available to suit the needs of the professional and hobby market. i.e.. Industry, * MANUAL ARM * STEEL CHASSIS * ELECTRONIC SPEED CON-
TROL 33 & 45 * VARI PITCH CONTROL * HIGH TORQUE SERVO
Leisure, Instrumental and Hi-Fi etc. When companng prices, NOTE all models include Toroidal power supply, Integral heat sink.
DRIVEN DCMOTOR * TRANSITSCRENS * 12 DIE CAST PLATTER *
Glass fibre P CB.. and Drive owls to power compatible Vu meter. Open and short circuit proof. NEON STROBE * CALIBRATED BAL WEIGHT * REMOVABLE HEAD
THOUSANDS OF MODULES PURCHASED BY PROFESSIONAL USERS SHELL * '4'CARTRIDGE FIXINGS * CUE LEVER * POWER 220.240V
50 60Hz * 390 x 305mm * SUPPLIED WITH MOUNTING CUT-OUT
OMP100 Mk 11 Bi-Polar Output power 110 watts TEMPLATE

R.M.S. into 4 ohms, Frequency Response 15Hz - PRICE £59.99 + £3.50 P&P.
30KHz -3dB, T.H.D. 0.01%, S.N.R. -118dB, Sens. for OPTIONAL MAGNETIC CARTRIDGES
Max. output 500mV at 10K, Size 355 x 115x65mm. STANTON AL500 GOLDRING G850
PRICE £33.99 + £3.00 P&P. PRICE £16.99 + 500 P&P PRICE £6.99 + 50o P&P
NEW SERIES II MOS-FET MODULES OMP MOS-FET POWER AMPLIFIERS, THOUSANDS PURCHASED
OMP/MF 100 Mos-Fet Output power 110 watts R.M.S. HIGH POWER TWO CHANNEL 19 INCH RACK BY PROFESSIONAL USERS
into 4 ohms, Frequency Response 1Hz - 100KHz
-3dB, Damping Factor, >300, Slew Rate 45V/uS,
T.H.D. Typical 0.002%, Input Sensitivity 500mV, S.N.R.
-125dB. Size 300 x 123 x 60mm.
PRICE £39.99 + £3.00 P&P.

OMP/MF200 Mos-Fet Output power 200 watts R.M.S.

into 4 ohms, Frequency Response 1Hz - 100KHz
- 3dB, Damping Factor >300, Slew Rate 50V/uS,
T.H.D. Typical 0.001%, Input Sensitivity 500mV, S.N.R.
-130dB. Size 300 x 155 x 100mm.
PRICE £62.99 + £3.50 P&P.
NEW MXF SERIES OF POWER AMPLIFIERS
OMP/MF300 Mos-Fet Output power 300 watts R.M.S
THREE MODELS:- MXF200 (100w + 100W)
into 4 ohms, Frequency Response 1Hz - 100KHz MXF400 (200w + 200w) MXF600 (300w + 300w)
-3dB, Damping Factor >300, Slew Rate 60V/uS. All power ratings R.M.S. into 4 ohms.
T.H.D. Typical 0.0008%, Input Sensitivity 500mV, FEATURES: * Independent power supplies with two Toroidal Transformers * Twin L.E.D. Vu meters * Rotary
S.N.R. -130dB. Size 330 x 175 x 100mm. indended level controls * Illuminated on off switch * XLR connectors * Standard 775mV inputs * Open and short
PRICE £79.99 + £4.50 P&P. circuit proof * Latest Mos-Fets for stress free power delivery into virtually any load * High slew rate * Very low
distortion * Aluminium cases * MXF600 Fan Cooled with D.C. Loudspeaker and Thermal Protection.
NOTE- MOSTET MODULES ARE AVAILABLE IN TWO VERSIONS, STANDARD - INPUT SENS, 50OrnV BAND WIDTH 100KHz.
PEC (PROFESSIONAL EQUIPMENT COMPATABLE) - INPUT SENS, 775mV. BAND WIDTH 50KHz. ORDER STANDARD OR PEC USED THE WORLD OVER IN CLUBS, PUBS, CINEMAS, DISCOS ETC.
SIZES:- MXF 200 W19" x H31/2" (2U x1311"
Vu METER Compatible with our four amplifiers detailed above. A very accurate visual MXF 400 W19" x H51/2" (3U x D12"
display employing 11 L.E.D. diodes (7 green, 4 red) plus an additional on/off indicator. MXF 600 W19" x H51/4" (3U x D13"
Sophisticated logic control circuits for very fast nse and decay times. Tough moulded plastic
case, with tinted acrylic front. Size 84 x 27 x 45mm.
MXF200 £171.35
PRICE £8.50 + 50p P&P. PRICES: MXF400 £228.85
MXF600 £322.00
SECURICOR DELIVERY £12.00 EACH
LOUDSPEAKERS
OMP LINNET LOUDSPEAKERS IN CAR STEREO
ciiLARGE SELECTION OF SPECIALIST LOUDSPEAKERS BOOSTER AMPLIFIER
AVAILABLE, INCLUDING CABINET FITTINGS, SPEAKER THE VERY BEST IN QUALITY AND VALUE
GRILLES, CROSS-OVERS AND HIGH POWER, HIGH FRE-
QUENCY BULLETS AND HORNS, LARGE S.A.E. (30p MADE ESPECIALLY TO SUIT
TODAY'S NEED FOR COM-
STAMPED) FOR COMPLETE LIST. PACTNESS WITH HIGH OUTPUT
SOUND LEVELS, FINISHED IN
McKENZIE:- INSTRUMENTS. P.A DISCO. ETC. HARDWEARING BLACK VYNIDE
ALL McKENZIE UNITS 8 OHMS IMPEDENCE WITH PROTECTIVE CORNERS,
GRILLE AND CARRYING HANDLE.
r 100 WATT C8100GPM GEN. PURPOSE, LEAD GUITAR, EXCELLENT MID.. DISCO. INCORPORATES IT DRIVER PLUS
RES. FREQ, 80Hz. FRED, RESP, TO 14KHz. SENS, 90dB. PRICE £29.30 + £2.00 P&P HIGH FREQ. HORN FOR FULL TWO SUPERB HIGH
10" 100 WATT C10100GP GUITAR, VOICE, ORGAN. KEYBOARD. DISCO. EXCELLENT MID. FREQ. RANGE: 45Hz-2OKHz BOTH POWER CAR STEREO
RES, FRED, 70Hz. FRED, RESP, TO 6KHz. SENS, 100dB. PRICE £35.58 + £2.50 P&P MODELS 8 OHM. SIZE H18" x W15"
10' 200 WATT C10200GP GUITAR, KEYBOARD, DISCO, EXCELLENT HIGH POWER MID. x D12" BOOSTER AMPLIFIERS
RES, FRED, 45Hz. FRED, RESP, TO 7KHz, SENS, 103dB. PRICE £48.67 + £2.50 P&P 150 'WATTS (75+75) INTO 4 OHMS
12" 100 WATT C12100GP HIGH POWER GEN, PURPOSE, LEAD GUITAR, DISCO. CHOICE OF TWO MODELS 300 WATTS (150+150) INTO 4 OHMS
RES, FRED, 45Hz, FREQ, RESP, TO 7KHz. SENS, 98dB. PRICE £37.59 + £3.50 P8 P FEATURES -
a HIGH & LOW INPUT IMPEDANCES
17 100 WATT C12100TC TWIN CONE) HIGH POWER WIDE RESPONSE, PA., VOICE, DISCO POWER RATINGS QUOTED IN WATTS RMS FOR EACH CABINET
* HIGH & LOW INPUT SENSITIVITIES
RES, FREQ, 45Hz. FREQ, RESP, TO 14KHz. SENS, 100dB. PRICE £38.58 + £3.50 P&P * VARIABLE INPUT GAIN CONTROL
IT 200 WATT C12200B HIGH POWER BASS, KEYBOARDS, DISCO, P.A. OMP 12-100 (100W 100dB) PRICE £159.99 PER PAIR SHORT CIRCUIT OUTPUT
RES, FRED, 40Hz. FRED, RESP, TO 7KHz. SENS, 100dB. PRICE £65.79 + £3.50 P&P PROTECTION
12" 300 WATT C12300GP HIGH POWER BASS LEAD GUITAR, KEYBOARDS, DISCO, ETC. OMP 12-200 (200W 102dB) PRICE £209.99 PER PAIR * POWER REQUIREMENT 12V D.0
RES. FREQ. 45Hz. FRED, RESP, TO 5KHz. SENS, 100dB. PRICE £87.51 + £3.50 P&P PRICES: 150 WATT £43.00
19' 100 WATT C15100BS BASS GUITAR, LOW FREQUENCY, P.A., DISCO. SECURICOR DEL.:- £12.00 PER PAIR 308 WATT £95.00 + £3.00 PEP EACH
RES, FREQ, 40Hz, FREQ. RESP, TO 5KHz. SENS, 98dB PRICE £55.05 + £4.00 P&P
15" 200 WATT C15200BS VERY HIGH POWER BASS. PIEZO ELECTRIC TWEETERS -MOTOROLA
RES, FRED, 40Hz, FREQ, RESP, TO 4KHz. SENS, 99dB PRICE £75.10 + £4.00 P&P PIEZO ELECTRIC TWEETERS - MOTOROLA
15" 250 WATT C15250BS VERY HIGH POWER BASS. Join the Piezo revolution. The low dynamic mass (no voice coil) of a Piezo tweeter produces an improved transient
RES, FREQ, 40Hz. FREQ. RESP, TO 4KHz. SENS, 99dB PRICE £82.54 + £4.50 P&P
response with a lower distortion level than ordinary dynamic tweeters. As a crossover Is not required these units can
15" 400 WATT C154008S VERY HIGH POWER, LOW FREQUENCY BASS. be added to existing speaker systems of up to 100 watts (more if 2 put in series). FREE EXPLANATORY LEAFLETS
RES, FREQ, 40Hz. FRED, RESP, TO 4KHz. SENS, 102dB. PRICE £96.47 + £4.50 P&P
18" 400 WATT C18404BS EXTREMELY HIGH POWER, LOW FREQUENCY BASS. SUPPLIED WITH EACH TWEETER.
TYPE 'A' (KSN2036A) 3" round with protective wire
RES FRED, 27Hz. FRED. RESP, TO 3KHz. SENS.99dB. PRICE £172.06 + £5.00 P&P mesh, ideal for bookshelf and medium sized Hi-fi
EARBENDERS:- HI-FI, STUDIO, IN -CAR, ETC. speakers. Price £4.90 each + 50p P&P.
ALL EARBENDER UNITS 8 OHMS (Except El38-50 EB10-50 which are dual impedence tapped 0, 46 8 ohm I TYPE 'B' (KSN1005A) 31/2" super horn. For general
BASS, SINGLE CONE, HIGH COMPLIANCE, ROLLED FOAM SURROUND TYPE
purpose speakers, disco and P.A. systems etc. Price
8" 50 WATT EBB -50 DUAL IMPEDENCE, TAPPED 4/8 OHM BASS, HI-FI, IN -CAR. TYPE £5.99 each + 50p P&P.
RES, FRED, 40Hz, FRED, RESP, TO 7KHz. SENS, 97dB TYPE 'C' (KSN6016A) 2" x 5" wide dispersion horn. For
PRICE £8.90 +£2.00 P&P
10" 50 WATT E810-50 DUAL IMPEDENCE, TAPPED 48 OHM BASS. HI-FI, IN -CAR. quality Hi-fi systems and quafity discos etc. Price £6.99
RES, FRED, 40HZ. FREQ, RESP, TO 5KHz. SENS, 99dB PRICE £12.00 + £2.50 P&P each + 50p P&P.
10" 100 WATT EB10-100 BASS, HI-FI, STUDIO. TYPE 'D' (KSN1025A) 2"x6" wide dispersion horn.
RES, FRED, 35Hz. FREQ, RESP, TO 3KHz. SENS, 96dB PRICE £27.76 + £3.50 P&P TYPE TYPE E Upper frequency response retained extending down to
12" 60 WATT EB12-60 BASS, HI-FI, STUDIO. mid range (2KHz). Suitable for high quality Hi-fi systems
RES, FR EQ, 28Hz. FREQ, RESP, TO 3KHz. SENS, 92dB. PRICE £21.00 + £3.00 P&P and quaky discos. Price £9.99 each + 50p P&P.
12" 100 WATT EB12-100 BASS, STUDIO, HI-FI, EXCELLENT DISCO. TYPE 'E' (KSN1038A) 33/4" horn tweeter with attractive
RES, FRED. 26Hz. FREQ, RESP, TO 3KHz. SENS, 9306. PRICE £38.75 + £3.50 P&P silver finish trim. Suitable tor Hi-fi monitor systems etc.
FULL RANGE TWIN CONE, HIGH COMPLIANCE, ROLLED SURROUND Price £5.99 each + 50p PEP.
51/2" 60 WATT EB5-60TC (TWIN CONE) HI-FI, MULTI -ARRAY DISCO ETC. TYPED' LEVEL CONTROL Combines on a recessed mounting
RES, FREQ. 63Hz. FRED, RESP, TO 20KHz. SENS, 92d8 PRICE £9.99 + £1.50 P&P plate, level control and cabinet input jack socket.
6W 60 WATT E136-60TC (TWIN CONE) HI-FI, MULTI -ARRAY DISCO ETC
RES, FRED, 38Hz. FRED, RESP, TO 20KHz. SENS, 94dB. ...PRICE £10.99 + £1.50 P&P 85 x 85mm. Price £3.99 + 50p P&P.
r 60 WATT EB8-60TC (TWIN CONE) MULTI -ARRAY DISCO ETC.
RES, FRED, 40Hz. FREQ, RESP, TO 18KHz SENS, 89dB. PRICE £12.99 + £1.50 P&P STEREO DISCO MIXER
10" 60 WATT EB10-60TC (TWIN CONE) HI-FI, MULTI -ARRAY DISCO ETC.
RES, FRED, 35Hz. FREQ, RESP, TO 12KHz. SENS, 86dB.... PRICE £16.49 + £2.00 P&P STEREO DISCO MIXER with 2 x 5 band L& R
graphic equalisers and twin 10 segment L.E.D.
TRANSMITTER HOBBY KITS Vu Meters. Many outstanding features 5 Inputs
with individual faders providing a useful com-
PROVEN TRANSMITTER DESIGNS INCLUDING GLASS FIBRE bination of the following: -
PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD AND HIGH QUALITY COMPONENTS
COMPLETE WITH CIRCUIT AND INSTRUCTIONS
3 Turntables (Mag). 3 Mics. 4 Line including CD
plus Mic with talk over switch Headphone Moni-
I I 014
4MP 410
tor. Pan Pot L. 8 R. Master Output controls.
3W FM TRANSMITTER 80-108MHz, VARICAP CONTROLLED PROFESSIONAL PER- Output 775mV. Size 360x 280 x9Omm. Supply 410 41,
FORMANCE, RANGE UP TO 3 MILES, SIZE 38 x 123mm, SUPPLY 12V (4 0.5AMP, 220-240v.
PRICE £14.49 + £1.00 PAP 3 watt FM Price £134.99 - £4.00 P&P
FM MICRO TRANSMITTER (BUG) 100-108MHz VARICAP TUNED COMPLETE WITH Transmitter

B. K. ELECTRONICS
VERY SENS FET MIC, RANGE 100300m, SIZE 56 x 46mm, SUPPLY 9V BATT. PRICE
£8.62+ £1.00 P&P
Dept EE
POSTAL CHARGES PER ORDER C1.00 MINIMUM. OFFICIAL ORDERS WELCOME FROM OMNI/MAR°
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...set your sights on a better sound!
Experience a new sensation. An experience that sound! You don't settle for second best with television picture quality, DIGITAL STEREO TV
opens up a whole new spectrum of sound. why settle for second best in television sound quality? Nicam sound is
SOUND FROM YOUR 1-11-F1
the new high quality digital stereo sound system, pioneered by BBC, The complete Kit contains all the components
Put yourself on stage at the Albert Hall, surrounded by a great ITV and TV/video manufacturers. In fact so good is Nicam it is required to build the unit. However you will also
orchestra. Imagine the sound you will hear, every nuance, every note; comparable to the superb sound reproduction of the compact disc, need: a power supply. 12V at 600mA regulated
or travel up the Nile with an intrepid explorer, a journey not only full of when played through your existing hi-fi arrangement. If your television e.g. YZ21X at E9.95; a co -ax Y adaptor e.g.
breathtaking beauty and colour, but rich in the sounds of another FS23A at E1.20; a co -ax lead to connect to your
hasn't got a built-in Nicam decoder, you will need the Maplin Nicam
TV or video; RW36P 2m long at £1.36, JW39N 5m
continent; or capture the hidden gasps of 100,000 hardened fans at Tuner System. Ultimately almost all of your favourite programmes will long at 11.98, or JW4OT 10m long at £2.95; a
Wembly for the F.A. Cup Final, when the ball skims the crossbar with be broadcast in superb hi-fi quality stereo -sound. Without a Maplin phono lead to connect to your hi-fi e.g. RW50E at
the last kick of the match; follow with your ears as well as your eyes, Nicam Tuner you won't be able to capture every sound to its full. £1 .06 or a SCART Peritel lead JW36P at E5.95.
dodging the bullets, as your favourite hero battles out of yet another Nicam hi -ti stereo. Catch your breath, open your eyes, and pin An intra-red remote control kit is also available
LP2OW at E29.95.
tight corner, it's just like being in a cinema! back your ears! It's what your hi-fi system was made for ... It's what
Complete kit LP19V only £1 49.95 incl. VAT - £1
Nicam hi-fi stereo will turn your living -room into a living room of your ears are made for! mail-order handling charge.

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For a friendly welcome and the very best of service why not visit our
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shops in Birmingham, Brighton, Bristol, Leeds, London (Edgware and

Hammersmith). Manchester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Nottingham,
Reading, Southampton and Southend-on-Sea.
Subject to availability. Prices subject to change. Digital stereo sound companion for your TV set.