Hands On 1987 07

$2.50 U.S.
$2.95 CANADA
JULY
1987
84
INCLUDING
12- GE
THE MAGAZINE FOR THE ELECTRONICS ACTIVIST!
2 WEATHER PROJECTS YOU CAN BUILD!

Outdoor Dress Consultant
Know what to wear before you go out
Solid -State Barometer-
Forecast with a new module!
Also-
Rip -off Capacitance Alarm
How to Rescue Text Files
Op -Amps as Electronic
Building Blocks
Plus
Frig -Door Alarm
Playing Old 78s
Sound Activated Switches
dBASE Video Tape
and much, much more!

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NEW: NEW! Scanner Frequency Listings
The new Fox scanner frequency directories will help you find
all the action your scanner can listen to. These new listings
include police, fire, ambulances 8 rescue squads, local
Bearcat° 800XLT -MA
List price $499.95/CE price 5289.95 /SPECIAL
12-Band, 40 Channel No- crystal scanner
Turbo Scan
government, private police agencies, hospitals, emergency Priority control Search/Scan AC/DC
medical channels, news media, forestry radio service, rail- Bands: 29 -54, 118-174, 406-512, 806-912 MHz.
roads, weather stations, radio common carriers, AT&T mobile The Uniden 800XLT receives 40 channels in two banks.
telephone, utility companies, general mobile radio service,
marine radio service, taxi cab companies, tow truck com- Scans 15 channels per second. Size 91/4" x4'/2" x 12'/2."
Scanners
panies, trucking companies. business repeaters, business OTHER RADIOS AND ACCESSORIES
radio (simplex) federal government, funeral directors, vet- Panasonic RF-2600 -MA Shortwave receiver... 5179.95
erinarians, buses, aircraft, space satellites, amateur radio. RD55 -MA Uniden Visor mount Radar Detector
broadcasters and more. Fox frequency listings feature call $98.95
lejter cross reference as well as alphabetical listing by NEWS BC 70A LT-MA Bearcat 20 channel scanner... 5169.95
licensee name, police codes and signals. These Fox direc- BC 145XL -MA Bearcat 16 channel scanner
Communications Electronics; tories are 514.95 each plus$3.00 shipping. State of Alaska - BC 140-MA Bearcat 10 channel scanner
$98.95
$89.95
the world's largest distributor of radio RLO19.1; State of Arizona- RL025.1; Buffalo, NY/ Ene. PA-
RL009.2: Chicago, IL- RL014.1. Cincinnati/ Dayton. OH-
BC 2105W -MA Bearcat 20 channel scanner $169.95
BC -WA -MA Bearcat Weather Alert-
scanners, introduces new lower prices RL008.2; Cleveland, OH- RL017.1; Columbus, OH- RL003- $38.95
PC22 -MA Uniden remote mount CB transceiver... $99.95
2; Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX- RLO13.1 Denver/Colorado Springs,
to celebrate our 16th anniversary. :
CO- RL027.1. Detroit, MI/ Windsor, ON- RLOO8.2. Fort PC55-MA Uniden mobile mount CB transceiver ...$59.95
Wayne. IN/Lima, OH- RL001.1; Hawaii/Guam- RL015.1. NEWS R1080-MA Regency30 channelscanner ... $118.95
NEW! Regency/ TS2 -MA Indianapolis, IN- RL022.1; Kansas City. MO/ KS- RL011.2.
Long Island, NY- RL02O.1; Louisville /Lexington, KY- RL007-
NEW! R1090 -MA Regency 45 channel scanner ... $148.95
Allow 30-120 days for delivery alter receipt of NEWS INF1 -MA Regency Informant scanner $289.95
1; Milwaukee, WI /Waukegan, IL- RL021.1; Minneapolis /St.
order due to the high demand for this product. Paul, MN- RL010.2; Nevada/E. Central CA-RL028-1, Ok- UC102 -MA RegencyVHF2 ch. Watt transceiver... $124.95
1
List price $499.95/CE price $319.95 lahoma City/ Lawton, OK-RL005.2.Orlando /Daytona Beach, P/ 405 -MA Regency5 amp regulated power supply .. $69.95
12-Band, 75 Channel Crystallites AC/DC FL- RL012.1; Rochester/Syracuse. NY- RL020-1, San Diego, P1412 -MA Regency 12 amp reg. power supply... $164.95
Frequency range: 29- 54,118.175, 406-512,806-950 MHz. CA- RL018 -1: Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL- 81004.2; Toledo. MÁ549-MA Drop- inchargerfor HX12008 Hx1500... $84.95
The Regency TS2 scanner lets you monitor OH- RL002.3. Regional directories which cover police. fire MA518 -MA Wall charger for HX1500 scanner
ambulance & rescue squads. local government, forestry. $14.95
Military, Space Satellites, Government, Railroad. MA553 -MA Carrying case for HX1500 scanner $19.95
marine radio, mobile phone, aircraft and NOAA weather are
Justice Department, State Department, Fish 8 available for $19.95 each RD001.1 covers AL. AR, FL, GA. MA257 -MA C igarette lighter cord for H X 12/ 1500 519.95
Game, Immigration, Marine, Police and Fire Depart- LA, MS. NC. PR. SC. TN & VI. RD002.1 covers IL, IN, KY. MI. MA91 7 -MA Ni -Cad battery pack for HX1000 /1 200 $34.95
ments, Aeronautical AM band, Paramedics, Am- OH & WI. For an area not shown above call Fox at 800 -543- S MM X7000- MA Svc. man for M X7000 8 MX5000 519.95
ateur Radio, plus thousands of other radio fre- 7892 or in Ohio 800 -621 -2513. B -4 -MA 1.2 V AAA NI-Cad batteries (set of four) $9.95
quencies most scanners can't pick up. The Regency
TS2 features new 40 channel per second Turbo
Regency° HX1500 -MA B -8 -MA 1.2 V AA Ni -Cad batteries (set of eight).
. S17.95
FB -E -MA Frequency Directory for Eastern U.S.A. ...$14.95
Scan' so you wont miss any of the action. Model List price $369.95/CE price $218.95 FB-W -MA Frequency Directory for Western U.S.A. ... $14.95
TS1 -MA is a 35 channel version of this radio without 11 -Band, 55 Channel Handheld/Portable ASD-MA Air Scan Directory
Search Lockout Priority $14.95
the 800 MHz. band and costs only $239.95. Bank Select SRF -MA Survival Radio Frequency Directory $14.95
Sident liquid crystal display EAROM Memory TSG- MA "Top Secret" Registry of U.S. Govt. Freq. 514.95
Regency° Z60 -MA Direct Channel Access Feature Scan delay
Bands. 29 -54. 118.136 144 -174, 406 -420, 440-512 MHz
TIC -MA Techniques for Intercepting Comm $14.95
List price $299.95/CE price 5184.95 /SPECIAL The new handheld Regency HX1500 scanner is RRF -MA Railroad frequency directory $14.95
8-Band, B0 Channel No-crystal scanner fully keyboard programmable for the ultimate in EEC-MA Embassy& Espionage Communications... 514.95
Bands: 30 -50.88 -108. 118-136, 144 -174. 440-512 MHz, versatility. You can scan up to 55 channels at the CIE -MA Covert Intelhgenct. Elect. Eavesdropping ... $14.95
The Regency Z60 covers all the public service same time including the AM aircraft band. The LCD A60 -MA Magnet mount mobile scanner antenna.... $35.95
bands plus aircraft and FM music for a total of display is even sidelit for night use. Includes belt A70-MA Base station scanner antenna $35.95
eight bands. The Z60 also features an alarm clip, flexible antenna and earphone. Operates on 8 USAMM -MA Mag mount VHF /UHF ant. w/ 12' cable $39.95
clock and priority control as well as AC /DC 1.2 Volt rechargeable Ni-cad batteries (not included). USAK -MAx. hole mount VHF /UHF ant. w/ 17' cable_. $35.95
operation. Order today. Be sure to order batteries and battery charger from USATLM -MA Trunk lip mount VHF /UHF antenna $35.95
the accessory list in this ad. Add $300 shipping for all accessones ordered at the same 6me.
Regency° Z45 -MA Add $12.00 shipping per shortwave receiver
List price $259.95/CE price 5159.95 /SPECIAL Bearcat® 100XL-MA Add $7 00 shipping per scanner and $3 00 per antenna.
7 -Band, 45 Channel No-crystal scanner List price $349.95/CE price $178.95 /SPECIAL BUY WITH CONFIDENCE
Bands: 30-50, 118-136, 144 -174, 440 -512 MHz. 9-Band, 16 Channel Priority Scan Delay To get the fastest delivery from CE of any scanner,
The Regency Z45 is very similar to the Z60 model Search Limit Hold Lockout AC /DC send or phone your order directly to our Scanner
listed above however it does not have the commer- Frequency range: 30 -50, 118 -174, 406-512 MHz. Distribution Center' Michigan residents please add 4%
cial FM broadcast band. The Z45, now at a Included in our low CE price is a sturdy carrying case, sales tax or supply your tax I.D. number. Written pur-
special price from Communications Electronics. earphone, battery charger /AC adapter, six AA ni -cad chase orders are accepted from approved government
batteries and flexible antenna. Order your scanner now. agencies and most well rated firms at a 10% surcharge
Regency° RH250B -MA * * * SPECIAL SAVINGS COUPON * * * for net 10 billing. All sales are subject to availability,
List price $699.95/CE price 5329.95 /SPECIAL * ** FREE DURACELL' Batteries Included *** acceptance and verification. All sales on accessories
are final. Prices, terms and specifications are subject to
10 Channel 25 Watt Transceiver Priority * * * * Free local frequency directories * * * * change without notice. All prices are in U.S. dollars. Out
The Regency RH250B is a ten -channel VHF land Save even more with this special coupon. As long as of stock items will be placed on backorder automatically
mobile transceiver designed to cover any frequency your order is prepaid by money order, you'll get extra unless CE is instructed differently. A $5.00 additional
between 150 to 162 MHz. Since this radio is special pricing on items listed in this coupon. In addition, handling fee will be charged for all orders with a
synthesized, no expensive crystals are needed to if you order a Bearcat 50XL or Regency HX1500 scanner merchandise total under $50.00. Shipments are F.O. B.
store up to ten frequencies without battery backup. with this coupon, you'll get a free set of Duracell Ann Arbor, Michigan. No COD's. Most products that we
All radios come with CTCSS tone and scanning batteries which we recommend for best performance. If sell have a manufacturer's warranty. Free copies of
capabilities. A monitor and night/day switch is also you buy a Regency Z60 or Z45 scanner using this warranties on these products are available prior to
standard. This transceiver even has a priority func- coupon, you'll get a free Fox frequency directory worth purchase by writing to CE. Non -certified checks require
$14.95. This coupon must be included with your prepaid bank clearance. Not responsible for typographical errors.
tion. The RH250 makes an ideal radio for any police order. Credit cards and quantitydiscounts are excluded
or fire department volunteer because of its low cost Mail orders to: Communications Electron-
from this offer. Offer valid only on prepaid orders mailed ics' Box 1045, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106
and high performance. A 60 Watt VHF 150-162 directly to Communications Electronics Inc., P.O. Box
MHz. version called the RH800BMA is available 1045 - Dept. M3, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106.1045 U.S.A. Add $7.00 per scanner for R.P.S. /U. P.S.
for $439.95. A UHF 15 watt version of this radio U.S.A. Coupon expires July 31, 1987. Coupon may not ground shipping and handling in the continental
called the RU150B-MA is also available and covers be used in conjunction with any other offer from Com- U.S.A. For Canada, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Alaska,
450-482 MHz. but the cost is $439.95. munications Electronics Inc. Be sure to add shipping 8 or APO /FPO delivery, shipping charges are
handling fees listed in this ad (add $3.00 for shipping three times continental U.S. rates. If you have a
Bearcat° 50XL -MA free books or batteries).
RH25OB -M3 Regency 25 W. VHF Transceiver.
Discover, Visa or Master Card, you may call and
List price $199.95/CE price 5114.95 /SPECIAL $299.95 place a credit card order. Order toll -free in the
10 -Band, 10 Channel RH600B -M3 Regency 60 W. VHF Transceiver $388.95
Handheld scanner RU150B-M3 Regency 15 W. UHF Transceiver U.S. Dial800- USA -SCAN. In Canada, order toll-
Bands: 29.7.54, 136 -174, 406-512 MHz. $399.95
UC102 -M3 Regency W.VHF2 channel trans.
1
$119.95 free by calling 800- 221 -3475. FTCC Telex any-
The Uniden Bearcat 50XL is an economical, han& HX1500 -M3 Regency 55 channel scanner time, dial 825333. If you are outside the U.S.
$217.95
held scanner with 10 channels covering ten fre- Z80 -M3 Regency 60 channel scanner
quency bands. It features a keyboard lock switch to Z45 -M3 Regency 45 channel scanner
$158.95 or in Michigan dial 313-973-8888. Order today.
$148.95
prevent accidental entry and more. Also order the BC100XL -M3 Bearcat 16 channel scanner $177.95 Scanner Distribution Center' and CE logos are trade
new double-long life rechargeable battery pack BC80oXLT -M3 Bearcat 40 channel scanner $278.95 marks of Communications Electronics Inc.
t Bearcat is a registered trademark of Uniden Corporation.
part * BP55 for $29.95, a plug-in wall charger, part INF1 -M3 Regency Informant scanner
BC210XW-M3 Bearcat 20 channel scanner
$249.95
f Regency and Turbo Scan are registered trademarks of
* AD100 for $14.95, a carrying case part * VC001 BC5OXL -M3 Bearcat 10 channel scanner
$168.95
$113.95 Regency Electronics Inc. AD #050487 -MA/M3
for $14.95 and also order optional cigarette lighter RD55 -M3 Uniden Radar Detector
cable part * PS001 for $14.95.
$97 95 Copyright o 1987 Communications Electronics Inc.
* * * SPECIAL SAVINGS COUPON * * * For credit card
orders call
Regency
RNISo
1-800-USA-SCAN
lAt
//COMMUNICATIONS
ELECTRONICS INC.
Consumer Products Division
PO Box 1045:7 Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106.1045 U S A
MODEL TS-2 MODEL HX 1500 Cell BOO- USA -SCAN or outside U.S.A. 313.973.8888
CIRCLE 21 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD
INCLUDING
Gn.
anas Volume 4, No. 7
12 -PAGE
July 1987
Kas
CONSTRUCTION
32 Dressing Consultant -tell you what to wear by sensing weather conditions
38 Solid -State Barometer -make weather predictions with the aid of this
home -brew project
46 Rip Off Alarm -a super- sensitive electronic tattletale
65 Frig Door Alarm -helps save energy by reminding you to close the door Saxon on Scanners -page 25
FEATURES
18 Mr.Peepers...Pee3s Back -there's levity in electronics
61 Rescue Text Files -and save the expletives for another time
68 New Sound From Old Recordings-can be a captivating hobby
75 Electronics Fundamentals-op -amps as building blocks
Sound Sender-page 45
HANDS -ON REPORTS
45 Sound Sender -Flay your Walkman through an FM auto radio
63 DUoFone -Radio Shack's telephone /message recorder
67 dBASE Ill Plus -how to use a database managment program
95 Sound Activated Switches -do more than just turn on lights
SPECIAL COLUMNS
Rip Dtf Alarm -page 46
25 Saxon on Scanners -super convenience in a mobile scanner
27 Jensen on DX'ing -a direcct pipeline to the happenings
83 Circuit Circus -al electronic judge takes the guess work out of calling
really close races
86 Carr's Ham Shack -tune in resonance and lock out VSWR problems
88 Ellis on Antique Radio -new life for that old radio receiver
90 Friedman on Computers- mixing apples and grids
92 Wels' Think Tank-how do electronic circuits do their job
DEPARTMENTS
2 Editorial -Buy it. Build it.
Swear at it! But, enjoy it. Frig Dco Alarm --page 65
4 Letter Box -forum for your comments and questions

8 New Products Showcase-what's new in the marketplace
22 Bookshelf -a home shopping guide to electronic books
39 Free Information Card -anew-product information link
49 Gadget -the newsletter for grown -up kids
73 FactCards -you can't tell the players without a score card
Ellis on Antique Radio-page 68
'1
Carr's Ham Shack -page 86

L
Volume 4, No. 7
The Magazine for the Electronics Activist!
July 1987
Larry Steckler, EHF, CET
Editor-In -Chief & Publisher
Art Kleiman, editorial director
Julian S. Martin, KA2GUN, editor
Robert A. Young, associate editor
Herb Friedman, W2ZLF, associate editor
Buy it. Build it. Swear at it! John J. Yacono, associate editor
Brian C. Fenton, associate editor
Carl Laron, WB2SLR, associate editor
Iread an interesting clipping from the February 3, 1987 edition Byron G. Wels, K2AVB, associate editor
of the Los Angeles Times. The Times staff writer told of a parent M. Harvey Gernsback, contributing editor
pair who purchased a doll stroller that came in a flat shipping Teri Scaduto Wilson, editorial assistant
carton and displayed a drawing of the three -dimensional product Ruby M. Yee, production director
on one side. You all know what followed: The labor, the teeth Karen S. Tucker, production manager
grinding, and the minor cuts and scrapes that preceded the Robert A. W. Lowndes, editorial
associate
ultimate defeat! Eventually a consumer advocate will take up this Marcella Amoroso, production assistant
cause. Jacqueline R Cheeseboro, circulation director
Another story: purchased an IBM clone computer and or-
I
Arline R. Fishman, advertising director
chestrated it's composition. picked out the 150 -watt power
I
BUSINESS AND EDITORIAL OFFICES
supply, drives, loaded it with RAM, various boards, and added Gernsback Publications. Inc.
serial and parallel ports plus video outputs for TTL and color 500 -B Bi -County Boulevard
Farmingdale, NY 11735.
monitors. When went to pick up the parts, the obliging supplier
I
516 293-3000
assembled the computer and burned it in for 24 hours. Was I President: Larry Steckler
disappointed! wanted to be the one to assemble it and be the
I
Vice -president: Cathy Steckler
first to power it up! NATIONAL ADVERTISING SALES
Now, there is a message here. You and have a lot in common.
I
(For Advertising Inquiries Only)
Joe Shere MIDWEST /PACIFIC
We enjoy putting together things that others dread doing. There 1507 Bonnie Doone Terrace
is no challenge in the assembly of a modern computer. However, Corona Del Mar, CA 92625
as we put products and projects of this type together we become 714760 -8697
familiar with it's "guts." Should a fault develop or a modification Alan Berg EAST /SOUTHEAST
11 Manor Drive
be planned, we would leap into the innards of just about any
Marlboro. NJ 07746
electronic device, particularly when we are familiar with what we 212/603-9510
will see. When had to turbo -up my computer, approached the
I I
Larry Steckler, Publisher
modification with a small amount of fear. 500 -B Bi- County Boulevard
The next time purchase a major electronic or computerized
I Farmingdale. NY 11735
516- 293 -3000
item, rest assured that on a rainy Saturday afternoon will I
disassemble the major sub -assemblies and reassemble the Composition by Cover photography by
Mates Graphics Dan Muro
product. Should it ever fail later on, I'll be dipping my hands into
an old friend with the confidence of a well- trained surgeon.
ABC
We are a strange breed! Mhmembership
applied tor.
Hands -on Electronics, (ISSN 0743 -29681 Published monthly by

Gernsback Publications. Inc 500-B BI-County Boulevard. Farm-
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As a service to readers. Hands-on Electronics publishes available

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and scientific and technobglcal developments Because of possl-
Ole variances in the quality and condition of materials and work-
manship used by readers Hands -on Electronics disclaims any
responsibility for the safe and proper functioning of reader -bunt
nrolects based upon or from plans Of information published in this
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Increase your knowledge about all aspects of electronics
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e
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for electronic parts -.rrr Fdi/ir.n

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1987 ELECTRONICS BOOK CLUB Blue Ridge Summit. PA 17214
RESP -787
All books are hardcover editions unless number. are followed by a P for paperback

LJLJ
3
Getting a Charge tridge, which uses the SP0256, and can speechless CoCos out there, a hearty
certainly enjoyed the article "Econo-
I also produce music simultaneously with thank you for your research. (And to all
my NiCd Battery Charger" in your March speech. There are loader programs so else: be a pal and respond to your fellow
1987 issue. I'm a mechanical engineer, the operator can type in "Inglish" (some- hobbyists in need. It's a cold world with-
but my hobby is electronics, and must I times phonetic spellings are needed) out friends!)
say that the articles are written so that and the computer will say what's typed.
those not fully skilled in the art of elec- The next simplest thing to do would be Modernize Me
tronics can understand them. to get Radio Shack's TRS -80 Color For three years I've wanted to build a
When put the circuit together, made
I I Computer Reference Manual, catalog modem for my Apple II computer. read I
the following changes that other readers #26 -3193. That will give him the pinouts your magazine and hope to find some-
may wish to note: First, Fig. 1 denotes for the ROMpack cartridge port. With thing on modems in it. I'd be grateful if
Q4 as a 2N3909 transistor, while accord- that, and a 40- connector (0.10 -in. spac- you'd publish some articles on modem
ing to the parts list Q4 is 2N3904; used I ing) PC board, he could hook up some- theory, operation, and construction.
a 2N3904. It also shows R18 as 220 - thing like Fig. 1. The pins are numbered Some books or publication references
ohm, but in the parts list it is 22 -ohm rear to front with the odd numbers on the would help.
which is the value used. I top side and the even numbers on the enjoy your publication and hope
I
Secondly, Fig. 3 shows two R19's. bottom. (It should work. Owning a you'll continue the good work.
believe the vertical R19 should be R17. Speech /Sound Cartridge, didn't test it.)
I -B.E., Douglas, AK
Resistors R8 and R9 should be switched Finally, he could get in contact with
in Fig. 3. There should be no 09 in the "The Rainbow" magazine, which is a Frankly, we'd like to present an article
figure, it should be 04. The leads for CoCo-specific publication, and get the on modem construction, but as of yet we
transistor Q1 should be labeled ebc 7/84 -2/85 issues. There are a series of haven't received one. To help you get
reading from left to right, not cbe. articles on modifying the RS-DOS, started you may want to check out the
After completing the circuit with above which includes a parallel printer port, al- book An Introduction to Computer Corn -
corrections, the only problem had was I though that does entail opening the munications, by R.A. Penfold. It costs
when connected the 100,000 -ohm re-
I computer's case. $5.95 (plus $1.75 P &H) and is available
sistor and ammeter. The red LED stayed -R.R., Ft. Worth, TX from Electronic Technology Today, Inc.,
on, so, as the article mentions, checked
I P.O. Box 240, Massapequa Park, NY
the value of R4. After increasing it to Well, R. R. there are readers, hob- 11762-0240.
147,000 -ohm, the charger worked beau- byists, and friends, but you qualify as all If you do build that modem, write and
tifully. Thanks for a good article. three. We know that there are a lot of tell us about it. Who knows, maybe you,
-R.S., Copiague, NY CoCos out there and you've just given a yourself will be the one to write the
big hand to all of them. So, for all the (Contiued on page 6)
We're glad you got the project up and
running. The errors were caused by
faulty pin numbering occurring in Fig. 1. Vcc Fig. 1 -This design basically provides you
The pin marked pin 1 is really pin 14, pin with a home -made, speech ROMpack.
CONNECTOR
2 is pin 13, and so on. Thanks for the PINS
116
corrections. 39 A15 A U3
2 74C138
38 A1441- B DECODER CONNECTOR
Lend Me Your Decoders 18 RP/T1
3
C
VC C
A
PINS
I just read your reply in April's Hands- 4
G2A 9
on Electronics to R.M.T. of Winder, GA. =L G2B
After got over the shock of realizing that
I
6 E 6 G1 Y3
12 o
ALD A1 11-i DO 10
not everyone knows that the Coco A2 -D1 11
(alas!) doesn't have a parallel printer 7
U1 A3 1-6 02 12
port, got out the Archer Technical Data
I C SP0256 A4 15. 03 13
SPEECH
booklet on the SP0256 to see what ,3- 04
AS
3- 14
h
t20 PROCESSOR
could be done. A6
l-
05 15
First, the booklet states that the SER lo DO . 18
lYl 1A1 SBY Al 06 16
IN pin is an 8 -bit serial data input from an D1
16
1Y2 1A2
4 10.
11 - LRD 17
external speech ROM, so don't know I
U2
741S241
how well it will work with input from the BUS DRIVER
33
printer port. The simplest thing R.M.T.
can do is go down to his local Radio 10
Shack, and get the Speech /Sound Car-
4
Do You REALLY Want to Make More Money?
MAKE Yes it does take work and a few sacrifices to

climb up the electronics ladder to where the bigger
money is. But, if that's where you want to be, then
MONEY -
that's what you must do work harder at learning
and getting the right credentials, even if it takes a
few sacrifices. A B. S. degree and the knowledge
that rightly goes along with it can give you powerful
ladder -climbing equipment in your search for suc-
cess in electronics.
The accredited Grantham non -traditional B.S.
Degree Program is intended for mature, fully -
employed workers who want to upgrade their elec-
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IN ELECTRONICS
You say you're already trained in electronics
Put Professional Knowledge and a
but that you're not making enough money???
Well then, maybe you don't have an accredited COLLEGE DEGREE
bachelor's degree to prove that your education in your Electronics Career through
is up to snuffs Check out the Grantham Inde-
pendent -Study B. S. Degree Program. It could
make a dollars and sense difference in your
Independent Home Study
Study materials, carefully written by the Grantham
electronics career.
College staff for independent study at home, are
Grantham offers this program, complete but supplied by the College. Your technical questions
without laboratory, to electronics technicians related to these materials and the lesson tests are
whose objectives are to upgrade their level of promptly answered by the Grantham home -study
technical employment. Since the field of elec- teaching staff.
tronics is so enormous, opportunity for ad-
vancement is always present. Promotions and Recognition and Quality Assurance
natural turnover make desirable positions Grantham College of Engineering is accredited by
available to the man who is ready to move up. the Accrediting Commission of the National Home
Study Council, as a degree -granting institution.
Grantham College of Engineering
10570 Humbolt Street All lessons and other study materials, as well as com-
munications between the college and students, are in the
Los Alamitos, California, 90720 English language. However, we have students in many
foreign countries; about 80% of our students live in the
United States of America.
This booklet for

Grantham College of Engineering
FREE! FREE
Booklet
10570 Humbolt Street, Los Alamitos, CA 90720
Please mail me your free catalog which explains your
This free booklet CLIP
B.S. Degree independent -study program.
explains the COUPON
Grantham B.S. and mail in Name_
Degree Program. envelope or
offered by inde- paste on Address_ -
pendent study to
those who work
in electronics.
postal
card.
L
_ - State Zip
LETTERBOX saves a lot of fumbling with keys. The in all). They do so within, and external to,
key lock does remain available in case of their own line of products (sorry guys).
(Continued from page 4) power failure. They also can publish equivalence ta-
article that you have been looking for. You may wish to pass this along to bles without regard to pinout configura-
your readers, the ones with the broken or tion as long as a disclaimer appears in
Throw Away the Key lazy soldering irons, that is. the replacement guide.
The article entitled "Electronic Door -D.E.H., Douglas, AL
Lock," by Marty Knight, on Page 38 of
the February 1987 issue was well done Most of our readers are far from lazy, Bugged
and would help to produce a handy de- but often they don't have enough time to I have heard about a device that
vice. Although written of as an intrusion build all of their favorite projects, so it scares away bugs using sound waves,
alarm, it appears it could be adapted to good to know of an already-built unit. and want to know if any of your staff or
control an electric door latch, such as the readers have researched it. I would also
NUTONE Model DR -1 Door Release. Stuck with Pins like to know if it works, and if so, see an
That device is common to apartment We are hoping you could settle an ar- article on how to build it. Keep up the
houses where it allows tenants to re- gument for us. One of us thinks that good work.
lease the door remotely by pushing a pinouts on transistor packages may be -C.R.J.,B.C., MI
button in their apartments. different from manufacturer to manufac-
There is a sense of accomplishment turer, but within a manufacturer's line that
and pride in creating such a project and equivalent replacements will have the You're in luck! Our sister publication
making it work, but for those who simply same pinouts. The other thinks that pi- Radio Electronics ran an article on that
want results, there is a reasonably priced nouts can vary within a manufacturers very topic in May of 1985. If you are not
package available. A Digital Touch Code line but that they cannot publish equiv- an old RE subscriber, they have a reprint
Lock is available from Sears Roebuck & alents outside their line unless the pi- bookstore which you can order from by
Co. for $39.99 (Cat. 9B53716 Spring- nouts are identical. Which of us is using the order form in the back pages of
Summer 1986). Although intended for correct? this magazine. All 1985 Radio Elec-
24 -volt circuits, the unit will work well -D.M., Jamestown, VA tronics reprints (excluding January)
with the NUTONE device described cost $3.50 ea. (plus$1.50P&H). There is
above when connected to a 10 -volt door- In an effort to make electronics more a wealth of information in back issues,
bell transformer as used with the interesting (and confusing), the semi- which makes reproducing them a worth -
NUTONE door release. conductor manufacturers in their trans- while service.
We have had that arrangement on the infinite wisdom produce transistors of Down with the insects, up with man -
front door for many years and it sure every pinout configuration possible (six kind!
kePRO
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CABLE -TV
WELL MATCH OR BEAT ANYONE S

ADVERTISED RETAIL OR WHOLESALE PRICES!
SINGLE DEALER
ITEM UNIT 10 -UNIT
PRICE
PRICE
RCA 36 CHANNEL CONVERTER (CH. 3 OUTPUT ONLY) 29.95 18.00 ea.

PIONEER WIRELESS CONVERTER (OUR BEST BUY) 88.95 72.00 ea.
92.95 76.00 ea.
SCIENTIFIC LCC -58 WIRELESS CONVERTER

JERROLD 450 WIRELESS CONVERTER (CH. 3 OUTPUT ONLY) 105.95
109.95
90.00 ea.
58.00 ea.
SB ADD -ON UNIT
BRAND NEW
MINICODE (N -12)
-
UNIT FOR SCIENTIFIC ATLANTA Call for specifics
109.95 58.00 ea.
ATLANTA MINICODE (N -12) VARISYNC

MINICODE VARISYNC W /AUTO ON -OFF
119.95
179.95
62.00 ea
115.00 ea
M -35 B (CH. 3 OUTPUT ONLY) 139.95 70.00 ea.
M -35 B W /AUTO ON -OFF (CALL FOR AVAILABILITY) 199.95 125.00 ea.
UNITS MLD- 1200 -3 (CALL IF CH. 2 OUTPUT)

INTERFERENCE FILTERS CH. 3 -
109.95
24.95
29.95
58.00 ea.
14.00 ea.
18.00 ea.
JERROLD 400 OR 450 REMOTE CONTROLLER
ZENITH SSAVI CABLE READY (DEALER PRICE BASED ON 5 UNITS)
SPECIFY CHANNEL 2 or 3 OUTPUT
225.00
Other products available
185.00 ea.
Please Call -
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Quantity item Channel Each PRICE
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PRICES California Penal Code $593 -D forbids us
from shipping any cable descrambling unit
SUBTOTAL
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to anyone residing in the state of California
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FOR OUR RECORDS
DECLARATION OF AUTHORIZED USE -
I. the undersigned. do hereby declare under
penalty of perjury that all products purchased, now and in the future, will only be used on cable
TV systems with proper authorization from local officials or cable company officials in
accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.
Dated Signed
Pacific Cable Company, Inc.

73251,2 RESEDA BLVD., DEPT. H -7 RESEDA, CA 91335
No Collect Calls
(818) 716 -5914 (818) 716 -5140
IMPORTANT: WHEN CALLING FOR INFORMATION
Please have the make and model # of the equipment used in your area. Thank You
7
J ]II¡II1
IIJIL ei
Multi-Application Color Monitor 1-or additional information, contact The PTJ -4064R offers a 40 -in. (diago-
What good is a compatible computer Mitsubishi Electronics America, Inc.. nal) screen and features built -in MTS ster-
with an incompatible monitor'? Well, the Computer Peripherals Division, 991 eo reception capability. A 5- watt -per-
Diamond Scan can get along with almost Knox Street, Torrance, CA 90502; Tel. channel amplifier delivers sound through
any display board. The multi -application 213/515 -3993. two 61/2-in. speakers and has separate
color monitor is fully compatible with the bass, treble. and balance controls. Varia-
IBM MDA/CGA /EGA /PGC and Mono- Hybrid -Lens Projection TV ble audio- output jacks allow connection
chrome Hercules graphics boards. The
Want to watch sci -fi on a Starwars -type through an external hi -fi system and
monitor, designated as model AUM- provide volume control through the TV's
screen? Well, the model PTJ -4064R uses
137IA, has unique scanning circuitry remote control.
a computer-designed hybrid -lens system
which automatically locks onto any hori- A 155- channel cable -compatible tuner
along with liquid -cooled tubes and optical
zontal frequency from 15.6kHz to coupling to produce a sharp. bright pic- has programmable scan and Rapid Tune.
35.0kHz, and any vertical frequency from Other features include Color Pilot. three
ture while maintaining high contrast
45Hz to 75Hz. sets of audio /video inputs. two sets of
across the faceof the screen. The set uses
Where a range of different monitors audio /video outputs (including Program
a black matrix screen to further enhance
was once required to meet diverse ap-
the contrast.
Out), and dual VHF antenna.
plications, the Diamond Scan now ac- The PTJ -4064R carries a suggested re-
commodates them all-
including person- tail price of $2,700.
al computers, NC machines, medical For more information contact Pan-
equipment, home automation, sophisti- asonic Company, One Panasonic Way.
cated CAD systems, and NTSC (TV). Secaucus, NJ 07094.
Orbit Some Satellite Speakers

The Revox Piccolo -Bass system con-
sists of two slim -profile satellite speakers
plus subwoofer. The Piccolo -Bass sub -
woofer is engineered to radiate extremely -
low bass frequencies (48 Hz to 120 Hz ± 3
dB) and will blend with any decor. Mea-
suring I5%-in. x 14'/6x 145/x -in., the
subwoofer can be placed virtually any-
where in a room without affecting bass
.1-"monleasamp.-
reproduction. It can be used as a "cube
table" next to a side chair, sofa. or bed.
Design characteristics for the Diamond

Scan allow for a resolution of 800 x 560
pixels. In its CGA compatible mode, the
new I3 -in. color monitor has a resolution The hybrid -lens system consists of a
of 330 x 550; for EGA the resolution is single glass lens combined with as-
640 x 350; and in PGC operation its reso- pherical acrylic lenses. Besides being
lution is 640 x 480. Additionally, the Dia- more compact and lighter than traditional
mond Scan monitor can receive an NTSC six -element lens designs, the reduced
video signal for the video overlay feature. number of elements means a smaller
Other key features include a .31 dot number of surfaces in the optical path,
pitch, in -line gun with multi -step focus, which helps ensure color fidelity and ex-
low power consumption, super-high con- ceptional picture brightness. CIRCLE 74 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD
trast panel glass for improved visibility, A liquid cooling system increases
and a Diamond mate coating for max- brightness to 250 ft. /lamberts by allowing Complementing the subwoofer are the
imum glare reduction. the use of higher -power electron beams in Piccolo satellite speakers. Each mini -
The Diamond Scan, measuring 14%- the three seven -inch CRT bulbs. Liquid speaker. which measures just 81/4-in. x I
in. x I5 -in. x 121/2rin., carries a suggested ethylene glycol is used between the front x 31/4-in., incorporates a 413/6-in.
retail price of $889.00, the Diamond Scan faceplate of the tube and the other glass diameter midrange driver and `h -in.
is available immediately through local layer. The result is a bright. naturally col- dome -type speakers. Frequency response
distributors throughout North America. ored picture. (Coruinued on page /2)
SATELLITE ELECTRONICS
TRAINING FROM NRII
Now you can move into home satellite TV and
commercial satellite communications with NRI's latest
breakthrough in electronics training
With NRI training, you'll explore every aspect of satellite
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With today's satellite technology, a call to Paris is as clear and as
easy to make as a call next door ... executives use video conferencing
to "meet" without leaving their offices ... simultaneously, a billion
people witness a single event (a soccer game, an inauguration, a
benefit rock concert) ... and scientists explore the mysteries of outer
space without leaving their labs.
These amazing applications of satellite technology have opened
up exciting, new opportunities for the technician trained to install,
maintain, troubleshoot, and repair satellite communications
equipment.
Explosive opportunities in home satellite TV
In suburban backyards, alongside country farmhouses, and atop
commercial buildings, satellite TV systems are continuing to expand
all across the country.
Already there are over a million TVRO (Television Receive -Only)
systems in place in the U.S. alone, and experts predict that the future
of home satellite TV looks even brighter.
New jobs, new careers for the trained technician

By training with an actual TVRO system. you'll come to
As an NRI -trained technician, you can concentrate on understand, first -hand, the function and operation of a satellite earth
consumer -oriented TVRO equipment, or use your training to build a station. And once completed, your TVRO system will provide the
career servicing the satellite equipment that has become so vital in best television entertainment available-direct from the satellite to
commercial and military communications to transmit and receive your home.
voice, data, and video signals.
Train the uniquely successful NRI way
NRI brings satellite technology down to earth
NRI trains you thoroughly in basic electronics, communications,
It's hands-on training, at home ... designed around the latest
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and your digital multimeter, you perform critical experiments, tests,
and measurements. Then, using your NRI Antenna Applications and Built into your NRI training is the enormous experience of our
Design Lab, you assemble and test various types of antennas and development specialists and instructors, whose training skills and
matching sections. personal guidance are available to you on a one-to-one basis.
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earth station equipment, putting theory to practice as you assemble, Make your move into the future today!
install, and test the complete satellite antenna system included in Send for your FREE MI catalog
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WV/ .t For Career courses
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NEW PRODUCTS SHOWCASE Microphone Preamplifier
(Continued from page 8) If you make recordings on the fly, you
know you can't plug a mike preamp into
is 80 Hz to 22 kHz, ± 3 dB. They can he the nearest tree, so what can you do? You
wall- mounted for unobtrusive placement. get a portable like the Mic- PreEminence.
In addition to augmenting any stereo It is a self-powered mike preamp useful in
system, the new Revox subwoofer system any application where complex analog
can be added to the new stereo-television nel, minimum RMS into 8 ohms from 20 signals tax the capabilities of current mi-
receivers. The Piccolo -Bass system can Hz to 20 kHz with no more than 0.08% crophpne preamplifiers. Ultra -low distor-
also be used as rear speakers for the extra Total Harmonic Distortion. tion of the digital medium causes
surround -sound channel in "home the- The unit carries a suggested retail of distortion in analog electronics to be ap-
atre" applications, movie videotapes, and $200, from Denon America Inc., 27 Law parent, therefore creating a need for this
of course, videodiscs. Dr., Fairfield, NJ 07006. type of unit. Application examples in-
Enclosures for the compact subwoofer clude minimizing signal flow through a
and satellite speakers have a similar low - IBM PC's Read Apple Disks console and digital sampling.
resonance design used in large Revox IBM's that read Apple disks don't grow
speakers. Driver voice coils are manufac- on trees. But Matchpoint -PC, which al-
tured in Revox's own factories. Tweeter lows PC users to read from and write to
diaphragms use reinforced sandwich -type Apple DOS, ProDOS, SOS, and Apple
construction. A proprietary acoustic lens CP/M disks, is now available from Micro CIRCLE 77 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD
in front of the satellite speakers' dome Solutions, Inc. It further allows users to
tweeter disperses sound frequencies even- read from and write to NorthStar hard Designed to be the ultimate interface
ly. All woofers use a rigid, diecast chassis sector CP/M disks. between analog microphones and digital
for optimum performance, even at high The MatchPoint-PC package includes recorders, the unit operates as an in -and-
levels of amplitudes. the card, software disk, users guide, and a out transformerless, balanced preamp.
In common with larger Revox speaker free copy of the latest release of UniForm- Along with its exceptional specifications,
designs, the compact Piccolo subwoofer PC, version 2, designed to work with the phantom power, a useful signal indicator,
system exhibits low distortion. Satellite MatchPoint-PC card. The half-size card and a trim control are provided. Sug-
speaker harmonic distortion is 1% (HD 3 gested retail price is $795.00. For further
maximum, measured at a mean SPL of 91 information contact: Studio Tech-
dB and a distance of 6.6 feet) from 80 Hz nologies, Inc., 5520 West Touhy Avenue,
to 25 kHz. For the Piccolo -Bass, similarly Skokie, IL 60077; Tel. 312/676-9177.
measured, distortion is 3 %. The total sys-
tem has a power-handling capacity of 50- Portable CD Player
watts- per-channel; suggested amplifier Here's a CD player fier you Walkman
power (continuous sinewave) for the sub - fans. The SL-XP5 is an ultra -slim portable
woofer is 20-70 watts, and the nominal player, which features the new FFI laser
impedance is 4 ohms. pickup. The unit measures just 4.96 -
The 3 -piece Piccolo -Bass system car- in. x 4.96-in. x .90 -in.
ries a retail price of $650. Individual units The FFI fine -focus, single -beam, laser
are also available at $150 ea. for the mini - CIRCLE 7 6 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD pickup features a single -focus (combined
speakers, and $350 for the subwoofer. colminator focus) lens that replaces sever-
For further information contact Studer mounts in one of the PC's expansion slots, al separate lenses, creating a small, light-
Revox, 1425 Elm Hill Pike, Nashville, and includes connectors and cable to con- weight pickup.
TN 37210. nect it to the PC's floppy -disk drives. The
hoard installs in minutes by following the
Budget Tuner step -by-step instructions provided in the
Got big ears, but a small budget? Tune Users Guide. The MatchPoint -PC soft-
in to what Denon has to offer. Their ware consists of five easy-to -use com-
PMA-250 uses high -speed power tran- mands for use with Apple DOS, PmDOS,
sistors (fi- of 20 MHz) with high collector or SOS disks.
power (Pc of 60 watts), large five -way Uniform -PC makes the computer see
binding -posts for audiophile speaker ca- CP/M disks as PC DOS disks, so CP /M
ble, and a dual -concentric volume control disks can be used as though they are PC
for high stereo separation. Expensive DOS disks. When used with UniForm-
polypropylene, polyester film, and styrol PC, MatchPoint -PC also allows the use of CIRCLE 78 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD
capacitors have been selected for their Apple SoftCard and NorthStar CP/M
sonic quality. disks as though they were PC DOS disks. The digital accu -servo system has also
Internal signal routing follows Denon's The card plugs into an IBM -PC, XT, AT been improved to attain outstanding track-
"Simple is Best" philosophy for mini- (with 360K disk -drive option), or coming error detection, combining the fin-
mum degradation. For example, the CD patible. And with UniDOS users can even gerprint resistance of the one -beam
Direct mode bypasses the function selec- run 8 -bit CP/M programs on their PC's. systems and the scratch resistance of the
tor and tape monitor loop for the lowest MatchPoint -PC is available from deal- three -beam systems.
possible noise, distortion, and crosstalk. ers nationwide and retails for $195.00. To help avoid skipping due to jolts, a
Tone -control circuitry has been located in For the location of your nearest dealer, friction -free, four-wire suspension system
the power-amplifier section, an unusual contact Micro Solutions, Inc., 132 W. supports the focus lens using four special
design that further reduces noise. The Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb, IL 60115; Tel. metallic wires. That assembly is sup -
PMA-250 is rated at 25- watts -per -chan- 815/756 -3411. (Continued on page 14)
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CIRCLE 12 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD 13

NEW PRODUCTS SHOWCASE
(Continued from page 12) Wrapping:Unwrapping Tool Kits terminal software on disk or tape, and
Three -piece wrapping and three -piece also, the complete instructions. The
ported by the high -speed. linear-motor unwrapping tool kits may just be the thing MFJ -1282 (disk) and the MFJ -1283 (tape)
traverse mechanism. to wrap up your tool buying. The tools in are $19.95 each.
To help remove the unwanted harmon- the set were selected to handle the most Unlike machine -specific TNC's, you
ics of the D/A conversion process. a high - popular wire-wrap connections. never have to worry about your MFJ -1274
resolution digital filter is used. Double - Jonard Quick -wrap devices make uni- becoming obsolete because you change
oversampling shifts the undesirable digi- form. permanent and stable connections. computers or because packet -radio stan-
tal noise far above the audio spectrum. All tools are quality- engineered, preci-
That allows the analog filter section sion -made and designed for maximum
characteristics to be gradual. producing efficiency. The tools require no bits,
smooth. clear sound. A high -precision. sleeves or special knowledge for the user
Tchebyshev, active low-pass filter sweeps to operate.
away any remainine artifacts. The KU -350 wrapping kit contains a
The SL-XP5 features 18 -step, random - standard .073 x .750 -in. hole: a single CIRCLE 92 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD
access programmability. There is a repeat ended, .075 x .8 -in. hole; and a single
key to repeat a single track, the entire ended .071 x .625 hole wrapper. dards change. You can use any computer
disc, or program contents. A skip key is with an RS -232 serial port with an appro-
provided for movement forward or back- priate terminal program. If packet -radio
ward, and a two -speed search is accom- standards change, software updates will
panied by cueing sounds. be made available to buyers as TAPR re-
An LCD readout shows track in play, leases them.
elapsed playing time, remaining playing
Also, speeds in excess of 56K baud are
time, programmed track number, as well possible with a suitable external modem!
as battery check, repeat. and memory re-
You can also use the MFJ -1274 as an ex-
call. There is a headphone jack with a cellent but inexpensive digipeater to link
volume control, and a high -cut filter. A other packet stations.
soft carrying case is supplied with the unit It features AX.25 Level 2 Version 2
as standard equipment.
software, hardware HDLC for full duplex,
The SL-XP5 comes equipped with a true Data Carrier Detect for HF, multiple
rechargable battery pack. which provides CIRCLE 91 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD
connects, 256 EPROM, 16K RAM (ex-
up to five hours of continuous play on a The KW -360 unwrapping kit contains a pandable to 32K with an optional
single charge. An AC adaptor is also sup- double- ended, left handed, .052/.07 x EPROM), simple operation, socketed
plied. with a car battery adaptor being an 1.25 -in. hole; a double- ended, left and IC's, plus much more.
optional accessory. right handed, .07 x .75 -in. hole; and also You get an easy-to -read manual, a cable
The SL-XP5 is currently available at the a double- ended, .066 x .073 hole un- to connect your transceiver (you have to
suggested retail price of $300. For more wrapper. add a connector for your particular radio).
information contact Technics, One Pan- Both kits are handsomely fitted in dura- a connector for the TTL serial port and a
asonic Way. Secaucus, NJ 07094. ble leather -finished cases for maximum power supply for 117 -VAC operation (you
protection of tools. Kit model KW -350 can use 12 VDC for portable, remote, or
Compact VHS VCR price $42.00 -Kit model KU -360 price mobile operation).
Who says bigger is better? The Sam- $48.00. For further information and liter- The MFJ-1274 comes with a double
sung VR2410 VHS VCR has a compact ature. showing complete details and guarantee. If ordered directly from MFJ.
I5 -in. wide cabinet and features high - specifications on all tools, write: Jonard it may be returned within 30 days for a
quality circuitry for virtually noise -free Industries Corp., 134 Marbledale Road, prompt refund, less shipping. The
pictures. The VR2410 offers a 110 -chan- Tuckahoe, NY 10707. MFJ -1274 is also covered by MFJ's One
nel. cable- compatible, frequency -syn- Year Unconditional Guarantee. It's price
thesized tuner. 14 -day /4 -event program- Packet -Radio Controller is $169.95.
mable timer, three -speed record and If you're looking for packet radio solu- To order or for more information, con-
playback, convenient one -touch record- tions. don't pack it in, check out the tact MFJ Enterprises. Inc., P.O. Box 494,
ing, auto rewind, and a front- loading cas- MFJ -1274. The latest TAPR TNC -2 Mississippi State, MS 39762; Tel.
sette system. The 20- key /23- function clone, it works not only for VHF, but also 800/647-1800; or 601/323 -5869.
wireless remote features direct- access for HF. OSCAR, and other non -FM pack-
tuning. channel up and down, and picture et. Micro -Ohmmeter
search in all three speeds. The MFJ -1274 is modem selectable for If you need a low- resistance measuring
The VR2410 measures I5 -in. x 3%- both VHF and HF operation. with a preci- meter, but don't want to buy one with a
in. x 13 -in. It is available at the suggested sion 20- segment LED tuning indicator, a whole lot of high -tech, miscellaneous
retail price of $379.95. Contact: Samsung TTL serial port, and an easily replacea- functions, then read on.
Electronics America, 301 Mayhill Street. ble. lithium battery for memory back -up. The model 510, is a low -cost, 41/2- digit,
Saddle Brook, NJ 07662: Tel. 201/587- All you need to enjoy packet radio is an micro- ohmmeter designed to measure the
96(x). MFJ -1274, your rig, and any home com- resistance of switch and relay contacts,
puter with an RS -232 serial port and ter- transformer and motor windings. con-
minal program. nectors, or any other low-resistance de-
If you have a Commodore 64, 128, or vice. It has five ranges from 19.999 mil -
VIC -20, you can use MFJ's optional Star- liohms to 199.99 ohms, full scale, I
ter Pack to get on the air immediately. The micro -ohm resolution, and a basic ac-
CIRCLE 79 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD Starter Pack includes interfacing cable, curacy of 0.02%.
14
*QUALITY PARTS *DISCOUNT PRICES * FAST SHIPPING
f1LL ELECTRORICS CORP.

Three measurement modes are
provided. The continuous DC mode is
the receiver's 70 -MHz IF passband. The
3 -dB points in the direction of the pass -
RLL £LECTROR CORP. ig
ikfl
useful for making measurements on in- band can be set by tuning between 0.5 1 3rd TAILLIGHT
ductive components, and the switched MHz (shallow notch) and 1.5 MHz (deep Z
DC mode removes the effect of thermal notch). That allows optimum suppression high-tech
8P
voltages, the largest source of error in of the undesired interference and max- lamp assembly
Could be J
.
low- resistance measurements. A pulsed imum preservation of the IF bandwidth. COMPUTER GRADE used as a /
third auto
mode is provided for thermally sensitive That adjustability in both frequency and CAPACITORS tail light,emergency
devices such as fuses. The standard unit bandwidth is a useful feature since the 1,400 mfd 200 Vde warning light, or
special -effects lamp.
comes with 4- terminal, Kelvin test clips characteristics of microwave terrestrial in- 3- x 2' die. 52.00 Red reflective lens
6,400 mfd 60 Vde is 2 3/4" x 5 1/2"
and a parallel BCD interface. terference can vary depending upon the 4 /4 "xl 3 /6'd,a.52.50
1
is mounted on a
type of transmission and the traffic load 7,500 mfd 200 Vdc 4' high pedestal
5 3/4' 3' dia.54.00 3, with up -down swivel
on that system. The exact notch center adjustment. Includes
12,000 mid 40 Vdc
frequency can be adjusted within ± 3 a 1/4' x 2' die. $2.50
12v replaceable bulb.
CATS TLB $3.95 each.
MHz of the notch center frequency. 22,000 mdd 25 Vdc
4 3/4' x 2' die. 52.50 SP.S.T. TOGGLE
Case size is 15/x-in. x 2 -in. x 46,000 mfd 10 Vde SWITCH
and connectors of type F. BNC, or SMA 3' x 2 1/2' di. $2.50 ,- l.H:.:NG
72,000 mid 15 Vde
°
ton-of fl
are available options. 4' x 2' die. 57.00 `l ' RATED:
10 amp
MINI -PUSH BUTTON VI
S PS T momentary a 125 Vac.
normally open All plastic body
w- busnmg 354 each and toggle.
Red button 10 for 53.00 CATS STS-1
51.00 ea.
48 KEY ASSEMBLY 10 for 58.50
FOR COMPUTER OR 100 for 575.00
LARGE QUANTITIES
HOBBYIST
e 0 le TELEPHONE
glf%sr. ' COUPLING
' 0e{
CD r -_ ~
vri
NEW T KEYBOARDS Orgnaly
I TRANSFORMER
used On computers these Fey- Sbuco, TTPC -6 or Thad
boards contain 48 S P S T meth- TY,304 P
areCal switches Terminates to sob soc, c t to 600 ohms c t
CIRCLE 93 ON FREE INFORMAl ION CARD 15 on connector. Frame 4" o 9" P c beam mount
SI'
ash $1.2S each
CAT M KP -48 $3.50 3". 3'
CIRCLE 94 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD WALL TRANSFORMERS
The 5I0A also has the important ability
to assure that oxides and films on contacts TRANSFORMERS lzoeat
phmahes I41V
aren't punctured by limiting its open -cir- Suggested retail price is $169 and deliv- all plug 0xettly -
l
to vac
cuit voltage to 50 mV. For more critical ery is two weeks. For more information out t
4..t.7::, 5.1vats 150 m fl 00
applications, Model 510A/20 is available. contact Microwave Filter Company, Inc.,

That version limits its open -circuit voltage 6743 Kinne St., East Syracuse, NY 4
6
vDC
VAC ®SOO
a 70 ma.
ma.
$. 63 von
12
t2
v.C7
vAr
600 ma
200 ma
400 ma
$2 Do
$3 00
53.50 tamp $400
6VDCa 750 me. f450 12 V.CT
to 20 mV and is the same price as the 13057; Tel. 800/448 -1666. 12 v.CT amp 5495
:. amp
2
9 vOC@ 250 me. $2.50 :
v o0
12 v.CT
standard unit. 9 VDC 500 ma. $5.00 a wha ó5o ma
t 2.SVA0265ms. $3.00 m
.
Competing units with equivalent reso- Speed Radar Gun 6 vAC u II VA and
24
24
VCT
VCT
. 200
1 mp
12 S0
5445
85 1.26 VA 53.60
If you're a sportsman, radar can be used VAC
-
,r
, .,
lution and features sell for more than 24 VAC a ?soma. 63.00
24 VCT
VCT
. 2 amp
amp
S675
55.50
MULTI- VOLTAGE ® 500 ma. 24 3
for you as well as against you. The SR -300

.
twice the $895.00 price of the 510A. Op- 3.4' 7.15,1,'7,9 or 12 VDC SOSO 24 VCT 4 amp $11.00
tions available include a large selection of radar gun is a lightweight (less than 2
POLARITY SWITCH
clips, probes, and test fixtures, battery- pounds), compact (8 -in. x 33/4 -in. x 51/x- Les,gned to control an
operation, a limits- comparator with an in.), radar gun designed to measure the external coaxial relay on
speed of a projectile traveling between 15 a satellite TV system IDEAL FOR
RS -232 interface, and a current amplifier
'NE EXPERIMENTOR AS PARTS Heavy
to extend resolution down to as little as 10 and 200 mph with extreme accuracy. The chassis box containing a 5 Vdc relay.
nano-ohms. SR -300 is simple to use, and its all -alu- CA 358 op amp and other parts
For further information contact minium housing and heavy-duty compo- Catalog S RDPS 11.75 each 10 for 515.00
Cambridge Technology, Inc., 2464 Mas- nents are designed to provide maximum
NI -CAD CHARGER RECHARGEABLE
sachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA service life even when exposed to the most
.+i11 charge TESTER NI -CAD BATTERIES
02140; Tel. 617/876 -0891. severe use. -(ist every -- -101 mar e"."-
"'"`
- )
ze
Designed like police radar guns, the
Tunable Terrestrial Trap SR-300 is a convenient, precise way to
t
,tctery
,vailable.4
-cad
___-
fillgi iail AAA SIZE
M 512E
AA wansoldertab
1
1 25V 500nrAH$1.85
25v SOOVrAH $1.85
12V 1200mAH $3.50

$2.00
SIZE
measure the speed of baseballs. tennis
C
Live near an airport, Coast Guard sta- Cat UNCC -N 512.50 SUB-C SIZE $3.50
Solde, tab
balls. golf balls, etc. That makes the unit 1200mAH $3.50
S
D SIZE
tion, or a ham who keeps screwing up I 2V
your TV reception? Well, you may not be an excellent training aid for pitchers, ten- LIGHT ACTIVATED MOTION
able to trap them into admitting they're nis players, or golfers, where control and SENSOR
This device contains a 101f0Nq 000
the source of the trouble, but you can trap speed are critical to performance. suddenell which senses
out their interference. The tunable notch Whether you are a coach, avid sportsper- sudden changes in ambient
light. When an object or LLLf{{---,7
S
VVr
filter, Model 32I7LST, removes inter- son, or the parent of a child that wants to person passes within its
field of view (about 5') --11j-
ference at a receiver's IF section caused by train like a professional, this radar gun it beeps for several seconds then resets.
microwave terrestrial interference at ± 10 may be just for you. Could be used as a door annunciator or
modified to trigger other devices.
MHz from the transponder center fre- Power is provided by a rechargable bat- 5 1/2' X 4' X 1 ". Operates on 6 Vdc.
Requires 4 AA batteries (not included).
quencies. It is available for 60 MHz tery pack that allows from 4 hours of con- Catalog S LORD 55.75 per unit
(model 32I7LST -60) or 80 MHz tinuous operation to 5 days of intermittent
(32 I 7LST-80 ). use. The battery is housed in a small wa-
terproof pack. that can be worn on the
TOLL FREE ORDERS
800.826 -5432 VT ¡' wuñin ú."
The notch filter response is designed to IN CA 1800 -258 -6666) '" 510 .411,DÁ.,
be nonsymmetrical in order to preserve users belt, or carried in a jacket pocket. INFO 1213) 380 -8000 roaELGN ORDERS
NO COD'
ISCLI DE SUFFICIENT
FAX - (213) 389 -7073 WPM."

ELECTRONIC NEW PRODUCTS SHOWCASE
midrange driver. It features an edgewound
COMPONENTS voice coil and a new polypropylene for-
mulation, which combines extremely low
mass with very effective self-damping, re-
sulting in a remarkably dynamic and un-
colored sound.
Low frequencies are provided by two
10 -inch polypropylene woofers. For ex-
tended response otherwise not possible in
a relatively compact enclosure, the
crossover network includes an LC reso-
nant circuit.
The suggested retail is $425 ea., and
more information can be obtained directly
from Infinity Systems, Inc., 9409 Owens-
mouth Ave., Chatsworth, CA 91311.
Manufacturers of Quality
Electronic Components CIRCLE 66 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD TV-RF Signal Analyzer
Serrmg the Nal ton from and California You cable TV hardcore teats will ap-
BATTERY HOLDERS i CLIPS COILS The SR -300 with LED display in mph, preciate this signal analyzer from
CAPACITORS CONNECTORS FUSES or the SR -300K with kilometer readout, Sencore. The FS73 Channelizer Jr. is
JACKS KNOBS LAMPS PLUGS can be operated manually or automat- much more accurate then ever before
MICROPHONES POTENTIOMETERS ically. In the automatic mode, the unit thought possible, within I dB accuracy for
RELAYS RESISTORS SWITCHES displays the speed for 5 seconds and then each and every channel. Sencore reports
TRANSFOR MFRS SPEAK ERSLEDS resets. An audio tone lets the operator that the FS73 has a fully auto- ranging
SEMICONDUCTORS RF COILS
know that it is ready to lock onto a new meter, performs tests not found
OVER Io. 000 DIPEEILNI ITEMS IN STOCK.
Ca
target. That mode is ideal for use as a elsewhere, is fully portable, and meets or
training aid with the gun mounted on a exceeds FCC specifications.
MOUSER ELECTRONICS tripod. There is also a recall button that
2.101 HWY 287 NORTH MANSFIELD, TO 76063 allows the last speed to be displayed.
817.4813 4422
PHONE
Suggested retail price of the SR-300 is
$495.00, from Oregon Microwave, 6775
CIRCLE 16 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD S.W. 1I1th, Suite 204, Beaverton, OR -1
97005; Tel. 503/626 -6764.
0
ATTENTION! Towerful Speakers
Rapunzel never let her hair hang off 0
TR pNICs these high -tech babies before. A dual 10-
inch woofer, three -way system, the
a
ELEC RS6000 is a floor-standing model featur-

ing the new 2 -in., Polydome k midrange CIRCLE 62 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD
T N and Emit k high -frequency drivers.
The FS73 provides an all- channel, mi-

EARN YOUR croprocessor- controlled tuner for check-
ing every standard and cable -channel RF
B.S.E.E. level with FCC accuracy. One -touch fre-
quency offset allows the customer to se-
DEGREE lect either normal, HRC, or ICC carrier
shift. Simply dial in the channel, then
THROUGH HOME STUDY read the level on the fully auto -ranging
Our New and Highly Effective Advanced -Place meter. That method is used to measure the
ment Program for experienced Electronic Tech
nicians grants credit for previous Schooling and RF audio and FM sound through the same
Professional Experience, and can greatly re- input.
duce the time required to complete Program and The FS73 can analyze the audio /video
reach graduation. No residence schooling re-
quired for qualified Electronic Technicians
ratio. That test is automatically performed
Through this Special Program you can pull all of on any channel by setting the function
the loose ends of your electronics background
CIRCLE 63 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD knob to the A/V position. The customer
together and earn your B.S.E.E. Degree. Up-
compares his reading to the 13 -dB ratio
grade your status and pay to the Engineering
Level. Advance Rapidly! Many finish in 12 The new Emit k tweeter features a di- specified by the FCC.
months or less. Students and graduates in all 50 aphragm that weighs half as much as its The on- channel, automatic, signal -to-
States and throughout the World. Established predecessor, and is surrounded by rare noise ratio test eliminates time- consum-
Over 40 Years! Write for free Descriptive Lit
'rature.
-
neodymium magnets, the most powerful ing signal comparison and chart readings.
magnet known to man. The Emit k offers The test is performed on channel with ± 2
outstanding transient response and greater dB accuracy. The auto- ranging meter
COOK'S INSTITUTE extension of high frequencies (to 44 kHz). gives the result directly in decibel form,
OF ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING The second advanced component being saving calculation time.
347 RAYMOND ROAD introduced is the new 2 -in. Polydome k The FS73 provides an exclusive, auto-
thEZ É P.O. BOX 20345
JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI 39209
matic, and FCC -accurate hum level test. Called the AM -5 Acoustimass Speaker Our
Select the hum test position on the func-
tion knob and read the meter for the hum
level percentage on any channel that you
System. this new kind of loudspeaker
sounds right in any room and can be total-
ly hidden from view.
guaranteed
care to select.
The unit is portable and provides 31/2
hours of work on one charge. It also has
Smaller than a quart container of milk
and the weight of only a standard tele-
phone, each two -cube speaker array can
savings plan.
an auto on /off feature that turns the unit literally fit in the palm of a hand. Two of
off after 15 minutes of idle -battery opera- these arrays and an Acoustimass module
tion. The Channelizer Jr. is also (about the size of a typewriter) comprise
IEEE -488 Bus compatible. the entire system.
The price of the FS73 Channelizer Jr. is
$1,995. Available as optional accessories
are the PA24I power adapter ($48),
BY242 battery (2 required. $44 ea.). car-
rying case CC243 ($148), SS249 Cable -
izer ($298), and the 1B72 -IEEE 488 bus
interface ($625). Anyone interested in re-
ceiving more information or ordering the
FS73 should contact Sencore, Inc., 3200
Sencore Dr.. Sioux Falls, SD 57107; Tel.
605/339- 0100; or 800 /843 -3338.
Purge Surges
A power surge or static electricity can
play havoc with communications equip-
ment. The Black Box PowerControl Cen- CIRCLE 61 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD
ter will provide complete protection for up
to six pieces of equipment by taking the The AM -5 uses lour 21/2-in., wide -
edge off such voltage spikes. range drivers mounted in small. cube -
Equipped with UL-listed suppression shaped enclosures. Two cubes are con-
circuitry, this swivel- mounted device fits nected to form left and right channel
between the monitor and CPU. A static speakers. Each cube swivels a full 360 °,
discharge bar, located beneath the power to provide whatever balance of direct and
reflected sound is right for the listener and
the room.
Listeners can also hear stereo from vir-
tually any location in the room, because
of the even distribution of sound from the
cube arrays.
The key to the AM -5 system is the new
CIRCLE 71 ON FREE INFORM %TION CARD Acoustimass speaker technology. An
Acoustimass module weighs approx- Fluke70 Series Analog /Digital multi -
switches, is used by touching the bar be- imately 20 pounds. measures 8 x 12 x 20 meters are like money in the bank. Buy
fore equipment is powered up. A master inches, and is designed to reproduce all one, and you're guaranteed to save both time
control switch will turn on the computer the frequencies below those covered by and money.
monitor and one auxiliary device. A sec- the cube speaker arrays. Money, because you get longer battery life
ond switch overrides the master control
switch and will turn on the computer and
Mounted inside the Acoustimass mod-
ule are two special 6 -in. low- frequency
and longer warranty coverage
1 year or less on others.
-3 years vs.
monitor only. Four other switches will drivers that fire into two internal cham-
And time, because 70 Series meters are
turn on the printer and other assorted aux- bers. The front of each driver cone sends
easier to operate and have more automatic
iliary devices. sound into a ported chamber tuned to 90
Hz. The back of each driver cone fires into measurement features.
The control center retails for $169.50,
and for more information you can write to a second ported internal chamber tuned to So before buying any meter, look beyond the
Black Box, PO Box 12800, Pittsburgh, a frequency of 45 Hz. sticker price. And take a closer look at the new
PA 15241. The new technology produces low-fre- low- priced $79 Fluke 73, the $109 Fluke 75, and
quency energy not from the driver's cone the deluxe $145 Fluke 77. In the long run, they'll
Radical Loudspeaker (as with conventional woofers), but by cost less, and give higher performance, too.
Being an audiophile in a small apart- launching into the room the mass of air And that, you can bank on.
ment can be rough, unless you don't mind contained in each chamber's port. The For a free brochure, and your nearest distrib-
eating and sleeping on top of your speak- result is reduced cone motion and reduced
utor, call toll- free1- 800 -227-3800, ext. 229.
ers. An interesting solution is the AM -5 harmonic distortion at music's most de-
speaker system. Its technology, demanding lower octaves. Most important. FROM THE WORLD LEADER
veloped during research on the Acoustic the module can be placed anywhere in a IN DIGITAL MULTI METERS.
Wave Music System. is the basis of a room, even under furniture, while main-
compact three-piece loudspeaker config- taining proper balance, stereo image, and
uration that delivers the bass, power han- extraordinary bass performance.
dling, dynamic range, and spatial
accuracy of a much larger system.
The AM -5 is available at better audio
outlets throughout North America with a
FLUKE
©1985 Fluke

NEW PRODUCTS SHOWCASE
retail price of $699.
For further information contact Bose
IT'S
Corp. directly. The Mountain. Fra-
mingham, MA 01701. TIME TO
GET OUT
Cable Conscious
If you're
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know your sound system can only be as
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link 4 component interconnect, comes in.
OF THE
Designed exclusively for home audio sys-
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Open your eyes and see just
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Consumer Information
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A public service of this publication and the

Consumer Information Center of the
U.S. General Services Administration
18
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CIRCLE 64 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD Getting the Most from Your Printer
iswritten for use with home
computers, especially the BBC and
Topics covered include: scrambling/ Acorn Electron, Amstrad, Sinclair
descrambling techniques and basic Spectrum and OL, Commodore,
circuitry; the SSAVI system; advanced Memotech, MSX. and Enterprise
scrambling methods-satellite machines as well. It is also a useful
techniques; political, legal. and guide and printer for users of business
consumer aspects of scrambling; machines.
digitizing audio and video signals; It contains 96 pages and retails for
cable and satellite decoder circuitry; only $6.95 from Electronics
and also, the commercial satellite Technology Today, PO Box 240,
encryption systems. Massapequa. NY 11762.
Video Scrambling & Descrambling
for Satellite & Cable 7V, No. 22499, How to Use Special- Purpose IC's
is 256 pages and retails for $19.95. By Delton T. Horn
from Howard W. Sams & Co., Inc., If you've ever tried to find specific
Dept. R40, 4300 W. 62nd St., applications data on many of today's
Indianapolis, IN 46268; Tel. 800/428 - special- purpose integrated circuits,
SAMS you know there just hasn't been much
information out there; until now.
How to Use Special- Purpose IC's
Getting the Most from Your Printer gives you a comprehensive overview of
By J.W. Penfold all the newest and most useful of the
It is probably true that 80% of dot vast array of special- purpose IC's. It
matrix owners use no more than 20eí, covers practical uses for circuits
of the possible features offered by their ranging from voltage regulators to
printers. That is generally due to the CPU'S, from telephone IC's to
fact that most manuals supplied with multiplexers and demultiplexers, from
printers are not particularly "reader video IC's to stereo synthesizers, and
friendly" and take some considerable much, much more.
understanding. That's why a user- Taking a hands -on approach to IC
book to immediate practical use, discussion of printer setups and laser
thanks to clear, concise explanations of printers. It also describes how version
internal IC circuitry and the logical 4.2 of WordPerfect works.
arrangement of IC devices by type. For Designed for easy reference. the
example, all power-supply IC's have chapters are arranged according to
been grouped together as have LED themes. It contains over 75 practical
drivers, sensor IC's, signal generators, examples with screen illustrations .
radio and video IC's, digital IC's, and Topics covered include: the basics; all
. other IC families.
Up -to-date. and filled with practical
about printing ;introduction to
formatting; simple macros and file
management; taking control of the
insight into the use of IC devices. it is
or a sourcebook that belongs within easy page: working with multiple text
6 ri
reach of every hobbyist's and columns; and document assembly.
' experimenter's workbench.
CIRCLE 67 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD Containing 376 pages, the book l`'d Rook
sells for $16.95 from Tab Books. Inc., a
`~ w,aPt 'l
usage, Horn has avoided the Blue Ridge Summit, PA 17214; Tel. ..
temptation to become overly 717/794 -2191.

theoretical in his presentation. Instead, - lam-
he has provided easy-to- follow The Best Book of: Wordperfect
explanations, supported by generous By Vincent Alfieri
doses of drawings, diagrams, and it's strange to come across a
schematics. You'll discover how and document written about software used
why each special- purpose IC functions to write documents, but such CIRCLE 64 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD
and how it can be put to practical use. strangeness is commonplace in the
Focusing on everyday applications he search for perfection. The Best Book of- WordPerfect. No.
also provides a wealth of unusual Perfect for beginners, the book 46581, is 464 pages and retails for
applications-idea starters that will be offers clear and extensive coverage of $19.95. It's available through
especially appreciated by more- merge- printing; explores writing aids bookstores, or direct from Howard W.
advanced experimenters. such as automatic table of contents, Sams & Co. Inc., Dept. R40, 4300 W.
If you're a novice, you'll also be index generation, and user-defined 62nd St., Indianapolis, IN 46268; Tel.
able to put the information from the macros; and contains a thorough 800/428 -SAMS.
For other soldering For additional phono

equipment, see pages 137
and 138 in Catalog #15. gill cartridges, see page 85 in
Catalog #15.
a.
.pO
44
r °i
!'r Solderless Breadboard
The perfect
P breadboard for
circuit designing, testing
electronic devices and
17
Empire Cartridge
Tenma Compact DMM
This is a compact DMM with
glass epoxy PC boards,
shock -mounted display and a
tough thermoplastic case. Its
V. educational uses. All Empire cartridges are wide angle 31/2 digit LCD
guaranteed against defects in display makes for easy and
\
o
at' T Iii ., 1
material and workmanship
for a period of two years.
accurate reading from any
angle or lighting situation.
Tenma Soldering Station
r -%I
Àrai,1rÚ,
New improved stability circuit
design for more reliable * M C M s 156 Page Catalog #15
operation. The temperature is \e r' Is Filled With
adjustable from 300° F -790° F
(150°C-420°C).
Electronic Parts
.! *
í
I
t i.
FUJI
FR'' 90
I
Color Organ Kit
The three -channel color
organ gives a dramatic effect
by flashing three strings of
Call Toll Free
1 -800- 543 -4330
lights (each a different colori In Ohio 1- 800 -762 -4315
Fuji Cassettes to the sound of music. In Alaska & Hawaii 1- 800 -858 -1849 / ' - .-
All Fuji cassettes have a
special head cleaning leader For more kits,
which also features one - see page 53 in Catalog #15. M C M ELECTRONICS
second internal timing marks, 858E. CONGRESS PARK OR.
CENTERVILLE. OH 45459
and a specially engineered
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cassette shell for low friction
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23
BOOKSHELF
flow of execution; and special prolog measurement theory; voltmeters,
application techniques. ammeters, and ohmmeters; signal
Mastering Expert Systems with Mustering Expert Systems with sources; oscilloscopes; oscilloscope
Turbo Prolog Turbo Prolog, No. 22568, is 272 measurements; miscellaneous
By Carl Townsend pages and retails for $19.95. You can electronic instruments; circuits for
This hook details how to design buy your copy from Howard W. Sams electronic measurements; and
expert systems with Turbo Prolog & Co. Inc., Dept. R40, 4300 W. 62nd frequency-domain instruments.
using tutorial examples, numerous St., Indianapolis, IN 46268; Tel.
practical examples. and many program 800 /428 -SAMS.
listings.
Written for the intermediate to
advanced user, it provides all the Electronic Test Instruments:
design elements necessary to create an A User Sourcebook
expert system from concept to actual By Robert Witte
application. If you would like to go beyond the
Topics covered include: basics of how to operate test
fundamentals, introduction to expert equipment then this may possibly be
systems; using turbo prolog; using your guide. CIRCLE 64 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD
rules; using data bases: controlling the From simple meters to spectrum
analyzers, the manual offers practical
techniques and shortcuts that illustrate Electronic Test Instruments: A
how to use the latest digital User's Sourcebook, No. 22483, is 272
instruments necessary for pages and retails for $14.95. You can
understanding, designing, or order a copy from Howard W. Sams &
troubleshooting typical electronic Co. Inc., Dept. R40, 4300 W. 62nd
circuits and systems. St., Indianapolis, IN 46268; Tel.
This tutorial and reference book will 800 /428 -SAMS.
be a constant companion for the
hobbyist, experimenter, technician, or
ham radio operator. Modula -2 Primer
CIRCLE 64 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD Topics covered include: By Stan Kelly -Bottle
[sing a computer to help someone
learn about software is a natural, and
having a book to start you off is the
way to go for most. If that makes
sense to you, then read on.
This book highlights for the first -
time Modula user the important
features of the Modula -2 language-an
increasingly vital software-
development language.
It provides a tutorial approach to

Modula -2 and illustrates the
relationship between Pascal and
TPI offers equivalents MODEL SP100 Modula -2. Topics covered include:
to all makes of probes including SWITCHABLE X1 -X10 first steps; simple data types; program
modulars, at savings up to fifty percent. 100 MHz control structures; arrays and advanced
TPI probes compensate to all scopes. data types; regular and function
Slender, flexible cables are easier to handle procedures; records; files and I /O;
yet more durable because of their unique center dynamic data structures; and modules.
conductor. Performance is guaranteed.
FOR FAST RESPONSE CALL
TEST
PROBES,
Tpi Modula -2 Primer, No. 22560, is
472 pages and retails for $19.95, from
Howard W. Sams & Co. Inc., Dept.
800-368-5719 Your Probe Specialists R40, 4300 W. 62nd St., Indianapolis,
In Calif. 800-643-8382
COCINE U.S. SALES 8 STOCKING SOURCE IN 46268; Tel. 800/428 -SAMS.
P.O. Box 2113, LA JOLLA, CALIFORNIA 92038 (619) 459 -4197 (Continued on page 98)

By Marc Saxon
II_ ON SCANNERS
Here's a mobile scanner that offers convenience and affordability
[HERE'S A CLEVER IDEA THAT'S JUST IN
time for your motorized vacation. It's
called the Regency Informant (officially
it's the Model INF-I), a rather dramatic
innovation in VHF/UHF technology. In a
nutshell, it's a special mobile receiver that
is pre- programmed with key state and lo-
cal law enforcement frequencies for all of
the 50 states.
Regency Electronics, Inc., says that
"this is the world's first public informa-
tion radio, a unique concept in public -
service band receivers." (And they're
probably right.)
Unlike traditional scanners, the Infor-
mant doesn't need to be programmed by
the user; it can be operated by anyone
without a prior knowledge of scanning.
Designed for use in cars, trucks, and
RV's, the Informant eliminates the need to
look up frequencies and program them Fig. 1- Designed for use in cars, trucks, and RV's, the Regency
into the set as you move from state to state. Informant (Model INF -1) is a special mobile receiver that's pre -pro-
The user-friendly receiver is pre-programmed with key state, local, and national police VHF UHF frequencies
grammed with local, state, and national for all 50 states- eliminating the need to look up frequencies and
VHF/UHF police frequencies. With a sin- program them into the set as you travel from state to state.
gle touch, the unit scans the frequencies
of a particular state you are in.
Through Regency's new TurboScan
technology, the Informant scans merrily
along at a rate of 50- channels per sec-
ond -about four times faster than most
other modern scanners. Another impor-
tant feature is the unit's instant weather
function. When activated, it zeros -in on
ICJB d 8B.1C1 vb.
the active NOAA VHF weather channel in
any area and provides you with the latest
Damon)Y°192 weather information.
Other features include a digital display,
which shows the state and type of trans-
THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT TULIAN MARTIN mission (state police, county police, etc.)
OTHERNISE KNOWN AS "POLISH HAM' being monitored; a HIGHWAY /CITY switch
MEMBER OF THE PYTHIAN INTERNATIONAL C.B.I S.B. CLUB
that lets you select local or state -wide
A
frequencies; a top- mounted speaker, and a
IS
AFFIRMING THE DESIRE TO PROMOTE THE PRINCIPLES OF THE ORDER

HOLD button that keeps the receiver on a
FRIENDSHIP: CHARITY: B BENEVOLENCE THROUGH THE USE OF RA':
single frequency.
DATED ,21*'I9ó6 SIGNE , ¡A%,.7,f/Ii.
/ ., Equipped with its own telescoping an-
tenna, the Informant installs quickly; and
may be powered by wiring it into the vehi-
cle's electrical system, or through a ciga-
rette- lighter plug. The Informant has a
suggested retail price of $369.95.
For more information on the Informant,
This really jazzy membership certificate was issued to our esteemed contact Regency Electronics, Inc., 7707 c_
Editor. Julian S. Martin. GMA of New York by Knights of Pythias
c
itecords Street, Indianapolis, IN 46226.
International CB Club and displays his CB handle. Polish Ham.
For more information about this CB club write to Eric D. Fitzpatrick. Inasmuch as we receive quite a bit of
PSC. 6908 Nelson Ave.. South Burnaby. BC, Canada V5J -4C1. mail from CB'ers, I wanted to mention v
25
ARD -35 Digital Autorange Multifester
Portable 3v2Digit LCD.
Compact Size
Buzzer and Full Auto -
Polarity Operation AC. DC
SAXON ON SCANNERS eleven -year sunspot cycle is again giving
Volts 8 Current &
Resistance a boost to summertime 30- to 50 -MHz
Effective Overload and
Transient Protection on All
that here at Hands -on Electronics we DX reception, and things should be con-
UNDER Ranges received a really jazzy membership cer- stantly improving for the next few years.
Over-Range Indication on
$59.00 Each Range tificate from Knights of Pythias Interna- The peak is almost here!
DMR -45 41 Digit Multifester tional CB Club of South Burnaby, B.C., Put your scanner in the search /scan
Single 30 Position Rotary Canada. The certificate (see Fig. I) was mode and run through these frequencies
Switch with 5" High Contrast
LCD Auto -Overrange and issued to our esteemed Editor, Julian S. during daylight hours this month and see
DC Auto Polarity Diode
Test. Transistor HFE Test.
Martin, and displays his own CB handle, what catches you can snag. From 42 to 43
Audible Continuity Test. Data Polish Ham. MHz, there are a big batch of frequencies
Hold AC -DC Volts. AC -DC
Current, Resistance Dual used exclusively by state police agencies
Slope Integration A -D
Converter Systems
Here We Go Again around the nation-those stations are par-
UNDER $116.00
Also from western Canada comes dis- ticularly good DX bets. The State of Cal-
OM 3520 CF 35 ranges with professional
Oversize 314 digit display carrying case and ruggedized
turbing news about renewed calls for laws ifornia uses many frequencies in the 42 to
with 0.3% basic accuracy
Audible continuity test.
cabinet
3 capacity ranges from
relating to scanner use. This, in the wake 43 MHz range and their networks have
transistor HFE and diode test 2000 PFD - 20 UFD of the murder of a Vancouver police of- been reported from points around the
2 frequency ranges 20 KHz
and 200 KHz ficer by a gunman who had two scanners world when DX conditions are right.
5 DC volt ranges from 200 in his home. Certainly the murder of a
MV - 1000 volts
5 AC volt ranges from 200 policeman was a tragedy, however trying Not Laughing Up His Sleeve
MV - 750 volts
6 DC current ranges from
to single out scanner usage as a significant From the sunny climes of California
200 UA - 20 amps
5 AC current ranges from 2
contributory factor seems (to us) to be a comes a message from Roger deHaven.
MA - 20 AMPS rather fuzzy notion. The overwhelming Rog says that every once in a while Wash-
Resistance ranges from 200
ohm - 20 megohm number of scanner owners are law abiding ington -type VIP's pass through his city.
UNDER $85.00
citizens, including many off-duty law en- They're always surrounded by a cordon of
Available at your local distributor forcement officers. federal agents who seem to be wearing
Single A Dual Trace Scopes
Analog d Dgrtal Multimeters
The same logic that considers scanners hearing aids and talking into their sleeve
Power Supplies to be contributory to crime and seeks their cuffs. It didn't take Roger long to decide
High Voltage 8 Low Cap Probes
RF & Sine /Square Were Generators consequent control or elimination would that what appeared to be hearing aids were
Digital Capacity Meters also have to seek similar sanctions against part of a two-way communications sys-
EMCO ELECTRONICS cars, any and all weapons, flashlights. tem, with the microphones in a wrist-
PO. Box 327. Plainview. NY 11803 tools, and virtually anything else that watch arrangement.
Send for your free catalog could be used by a criminal. You can see The next time one of those parades
how illogical it is. Equipment doesn't came through his town, Rog was there
commit crimes, criminals do. with his handheld scanner programmed
for searching out UHF frequencies. He hit
Join the Club the jackpot when he discovered the two -
Put Your Electronic Many readers continually write to ask
about joining scanner-enthusiasts clubs.
way wristwatch radios operating on
407.825 and 407.875 MHz. We thank
Skills to Work Well, clubs come and go, and clubs are you, Roger, for passing that along to us.
in ROBOTICS NOW! regional and national. A scanner club that
was begun in California about 15 years What's That Hear?
I
BECOME A
ago, for instance, eventually grew to na- Walter L. Bacon, who monitors from
ROBOT VEHICLE
PILOT /TECH 1 tional importance and influence; but
about four or five years ago, it seemed to
go into a slow fade. These days it's still
Florida, says that he picks up activity on
166.175 MHz. The stations announce no
callsigns and the communications relate
Financial Ald around, but it's only a thin shadow of its to aeronautical matters. In addition, Walt
Placement Assistance former self -a pale echo of its earlier observes that since he discovered that fre-
years. Just one example of the vagaries of quency (by accident) two years ago, he
scanner club existence. has heard it being used in various areas of
Two contemporary clubs do, however, the nation. "Can you identify what this is
presently seem both vital and on the up- used for ?" asks Walter.
swing. They are the All Ohio Scanner We think so, it is a widely-used simplex
Club, PO Box 2496, Springfield, OH and repeater frequency used by the
HIGH PAY 45501; and SCAN, PO Box 414, Western Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
Springs, IL 60558. for various administrative and operations
HIGH TECH We recommend both of those organiza- purposes. The repeater input frequency,
EXCITING CAREERS tions as being worthy of your interest and just for the record, is 165.3375 MHz. The
membership. Contact them directly for in- FAA has many stations on 166.175 MHz
Electronic, Hydraulic & formation regarding membership. and readers in all areas might want to give
Robotic Skills Taught. a listen there.
Long Distance Listening Well, that's all the space that we have
Call or Write for Ivar O. Sorenson of Fergus Falls, MN, for this month, but we'll be looking for
FREE BROCHURE TODAY. writes to say that around 42 MHz he has you the next time around. Once again, we
Ask About Our recently been able to hear sporadic police invite you to send your photos, frequen-
Correspondence Course transmissions from stations that are appar- cies, questions, tips, and general scanner-
ently hundreds of miles away, maybe related information to Marc Saxon, Saxon
(713)690 -0405 more. This is the best time of year for that On Scanners, Hands -on Electronics,
UNDERWATER VEHICLE TRAINING CENTER
10046 Chickasaw, Houston, TX 77041
type of distant skip reception throughout 500 -B Bi-County Blvd. , Farmingdale,
the 30- to 50 -MHz VHF low band. The NY 11735.
By Don Jensen
ilL ON DX'ING
Dx'ers have a direct pipeline to the happenings
"THE LAST MAJOR EVENT OF AT-
mospheric flight. .. a technological tour de
force!" Such superlatives did not seem
excessive in describing the amazing flight
of the Voyager! For 9 days, 3 minutes, and
44 seconds just before Christmas, Dick
Rutan and Jeana Yaeger piloted their curi-
ous looking lightweight aircraft 25,012
miles around the world, non -stop and
without refueling.
While millions of TV viewers caught
the landing at California's Edwards Air
Force Base, shortwave listeners had a bet-
ter vantage point. U.S. and Canadian
DX'ers followed the record -breaking
flight-live and direct from the fragile
craft -for at least the final three days,
proving once again that the way to really
stay on top of breaking events is with
shortwave!
For example, was the press even aware
that as the aircraft began its final leg up the
Central American coast off Panama, an
unknown pirate transmitter cut in on the The framed certificates on the wall, Issued by a well -known North American
Mission -Control frequency to give the listener's club, attest to Ed Kusalik's track record of hearing and verifying
Voyager phony course information? shortwave broadcasters from around the world. The Coaldale, Alberta, Canada
Florida DX'er Terry Krueger heard the listener's receiver set-up Includes a Yaesu FRG7000, a Panasonic RF2800 and
a military surplus Collins -made R388 VRR -51J3.
real control station cut in to warn pilot
Rutan about the still unexplained, "un-
authorized," transmissions. based Mission Control and Voyager 1, as to me about it now," Rutan insisted.
With 7,000 pounds of fuel, more than Rutan identified his radio calls, on various "Don't talk about the fat lady singing
three times the weight of the flimsy plane frequencies -6,550, 8,822 or 13,312 until after she sings!"
itself. Rutan and Yaeger took off from kHz, in upper sideband mode. As Voyager neared home on December
California and headed out to sea. Beyond Here at DX Central. I began hearing 22, Mitch Sams of Wichita. Kansas,
Hawaii, they switched to satellite commu- Voyager at about 0430 UTC, December.
1 heard Voyager controllers tell the air-
nications with Mission Control in Hanger 21, on 8.822 kHz, USB. While not as craft's crew that they would switch com-
77 at the Mojave, CA, airport. strong as the California end of the radio munications to UHF frequencies for the
As Voyager dodged Typhoon Marge link. reception was at least 80 percent last leg of the trip back to Edwards AFB.
east of the Philippines and crossed the intelligible. That about ended things for North
Malaysian peninsula at 8,000 feet, they Seventy miles off the Brazilian coast, American SWL's beyond the normal
found that even with satellite relay, com- Rutan indicated, as he described the range of the ultra high- frequency commu-
munications with the home base was more frightening encounter a short time before nications. As Krueger commented to me
difficult than expected. Messages some- with a vicious tropical squall that nearly afterward, for DX listeners, it had been "a
times were garbled. The press back home ended the Voyager flight in disaster. lot of fun," a fascinating weekend for
recounted that at one point, after a third For hours, fascinated, I followed the those who know that when important
message repeat was asked by Mission flight homeward- shifting frequencies as things are happening, the shortwave
Control, a tired Rutan snapped, "Get a Rutan did to èstablish the best communi- bands are the place to be!
tape recorder!" cations with the Mojave center. I heard the
On the fifth day they crossed Africa and routine communications, the more se- Back to Basics
then headed out into the South Atlantic. rious problems with navigational satel- This month we conclude our brief re-
They were within range of shortwave. lites and engines, radio chats with family view of propagation, the natural phe-
Rutan told Mojave control, "I'm tired and members on the ground, and Rutan's su- nomenona that makes it possible for radio
want to go to bed in California- Vector perstitious request to Mission Control to waves to bounce back and forth between C
r-
me home!" avoid jinxing the craft by commenting on the Earth's surface and the ionized gassy
In the U.S. SWL's began receiving the how well the flight was going. belts circling its atmosphere. Thus, short-
communications between the California- "After its over we can...but don't talk (Continued on page 28)
27
JENSEN ON DX'ing
ABBREVIATIONS
(Continued from page 27)
DX long distance (over 1000
You Can Be wave transmissions -like a dribbled bas - miles)
ketball -can travel round the globe. DX'er listener to shortwave
One Of The But shortwave -reception conditions are broadcasts
not constant. They vary in daily, monthly, DX'ing listening to shortwave
20,000 Technicians broadcasts
seasonal, and even longer cycles. Last
EDT UTC +4 hours
Certified BY ISCET month we looked at the daily, day -night
FEBC Far Eastern Broadcasting
variations associated with the "reflec-
Co.
tive" ionized layers. In summary though, kHz kiloHertz ( x 1000 cycles)
The International Society Of Certified
look for shortwave signals on the lower - SW shortwave
Electronics Technicians offers permanent frequency bands when a path of darkness SWL shortwave listener
certification by administering the CET exists between your location and the sta- TV television
exam with the FCC recognized communi-
cations option for $20. A second exam tion. On higher SW frequencies, a daylight USB upper sideband
on FCC regulations for a $10 fee is re- path brings you the desired reception. UTC/GMT Universal Time Code/
quired for a Radiotelephone License. Greenwich Mean Time
Upon passing, technicians receive both a The Sun's activity greatly affects the
permanent Radiotelephone Operator Cer- critical ionospheric belts, so there are re- VHF very-high frequency
tificate and a CET Certificate issued by
ISCET. ception changes over roughly a month's
time. The Sun rotates on its axis approx- Radio Pakistan and All -India Radio.
imately every 27 days, showing a par- Look for this one signing on in English at
ticular part of its surface to Earth on a 1230 hours.
ISCET Offers License Renewal regular basis. Thus, reception affected by CANADA -11,945, Radio Canada In-
solar activity tends to repeat itself. If you ternational offers the very popular pro-
ISCET nas developed a program for regis- had particularly good or bad listening pe-
tration of those who currently hold a
gram "Shortwave Listeners' Digest"
valid Radiotelephone Operator License. riods, you may experience similar condi- every weekend, Saturday's on this fre-
By sending a completed application, a tions 27 days or so later. quency at 2130 hours; then three- and -a-
photocopy of your FCC License, and $10 Seasonally, too, there are changing re- half hours later at 0100, Sundays on
your license will be renewed with the
assurance of a recognized national tech- ception patterns. While it's true that there 5,960. Easy -going Ian McFarland is the
nicians association behind it. are alterations in the solar effect on the program's host -with -the -most, and you
ionosphere from summer to winter (it's may even hear yours truly with a segment
true), as a practical matter, you will proba- called Don on the first weekend of July,
For More Information Contact:
bly find better shortwave reception in the September, and every other month.
ISCET 2708 W. Barry. Ft. Worth, TX cold months because atmospheric GUAM -15,300, Adventist World Ra-
76109. 1817) 921. 9101
noise-static -is appreciably lower. dio -Asia should now be operating its new
Additionally, for trans -equatorial SW station, KSDA from Guam. The religious
signals coming from the southern hemi- voice recently completed installation of
sphere, look for particularly good recep- four 100- kilowatt transmitters. On that
tion around the equinox periods, the start frequency, try between 0000 and 0100
r-
of spring and fall. hours; or 0200 -0300 on 17,855.
Finally, there is the Sunspot cycle, URUGUAY-9,595, Radio Monte Carlo
roughly II years in length. The number in Montevideo is being heard reasonably
and intensity of solar surface eruptions well, at times, with all-Spanish program-
varies over the years, affecting shortwave ming during the evening hours around
MOVING? reception. The new cycle, just begun, 0130 to 0200. With relatively few sta-
promises improved reception, in general, tions -compared to, say, Brazil, Colum-
Don't miss a over the next four or five years. bia or Peru- Uruguay normally is not the
single copy of easiest South American country to hear
Down the Dial on shortwave.
Hands -on Elec-
tronics. Give us: ATTACH
This is the corner of the column re- KIRIBATI-14 ,802 , Radio Kiribati.
served for you. What are you hearing on Kiribati is one of those exotic Pacific loca-
LABEL shortwave? Drop a line, listing your most tions that DX geography trivia buffs love.
Six weeks' notice interesting SW loggings, with frequency, Until independence, in 1979, the 16 atolls
HERE
time and programming information. Send comprising this little country were called
Your old address your data- SWL'ing questions too, if you the Gilbert Islands. And the name doesn't
and zip code have them -to Jensen On DX'ing, even sound like you might imagine -the
Hands -on Electronics, 500 -B Bi-County last syllable being pronounced "bas."
Your new ad- Blvd., Farmingdale, NY 11735. Times ZAIRE -7,204, Radio Lubumbashi is a
dress and zip listed are in Universal Coordinated Time central African station that for some time
(UTC, which is equivalent to Greenwich was missing from the air but has again
code t_
Mean Time, or GMT; EDT +4 hours); been reported active. It probably is still a
frequencies are given in kilohertz (kHz). bit irregular, but look for it with a stringed
BULGARIA -11,720, Radio Sofia is instrument interval or tuning signal just
name (please print)
heard on this frequency between 0000 and prior to its sign on in French at 0400
0100 hours. hours.
address BANGLADESH -15,525, Radio "Credits: Ivan Grishin, Ontario; Robert Hill,
Bangladesh tends to be the forgotten MA; David Clark, Ontario; A.C. Knutson, WI;
city state zip code shortwave outlet of the Asian subconti- Clay Morgan, NM; Ontario DX Association,
nent, heard considerably less often than PO Box 161, Station A, Willowdale, Ontario,
Mall to: Hands -on Electronics
SUBSCRIPTION DEPT., P.O. BOX 338, the stations of its neighboring countries, M2N 5P0, Canada)
Mt. Morris, IL 81054 -9932
28
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A subsidiary of Zenith Electronics Corporation L

a
uild the... WcitJuly 1987
DRESSING
CONSULTANT
You'll always know what to wear

with this project as a guide
By Tom Fox
WHILE THIS PROJECT WAS ORIGINALLY DESIGNED WITH fer coefficient between the gas and sensor. Of course, wind
children in mind, it seems as if grown -ups enjoy it does not have a cooling effect if the air temperature is higher
nearly as much as the cute, but noisy, undersized angels. than the body or sensor temperature-in fact, in that case
Unlike a thermometer, (even a souped -up digital model) the wind will create a heating effect.
Dressing Consultant takes into consideration factors such as
wind, sunlight, and even rain, in addition to temperature, Voltage and Temperature
before it gives its judgment on the weather outside. Refer to the schematic in Fig. for the following discus-
1
One of the fun things about the project is its interface sion. The output voltage of the sensor U5 (an LM335 IC) is
between man and machine -it is amazingly down-to -Earth doubled by Ula and its associated circuitry. So now at 25°C
and can be a bit imaginative. On the front panel of the (77 °F), the output voltage of Ula will be 2 times 2.98 volts or
author's prototype are seven hand- painted illustrations along 5.96 volts. That output voltage (from pin I) is then fed into
with a one -word description. A small light bulb mounted four window comparators (Ulc through U3b) and two regular
behind each illustration serves as a "pointer" or indicator. voltage comparators (Ulb and U3c). Integrated circuits Ul,
Six of the illustrations represent (primarily through the U2. and U3 are LM324, quad op -amps that operate quite well
clothing shown in the picture) the temperature outside. For off a single 12 -volt supply. After the circuit is calibrated, the
instance, when it is stifling hot outside (say above 90 °F) the voltages at the five TP's (test points) should be the following:
light bulb behind a boy in swimming trunks holding a beach TPI = 6.12 volts, TP2 = 5.94 volts, TP3 = 5.8 volts,
ball lights up. The seventh illustration shows an umbrella. TP4 = 5.61 volts, and TP5 = 5.44 volts.
The light bulb behind the umbrella lights when it is raining. It is obvious from the circuit that the output of Ulb will be
Next to the picture, a descriptive word is also included. high (close to the supply voltage) when the voltage at its
While the author's prototype uses illustrations and words to noninverting input rises above 6.12 volts. The output of Ulb
represent the weather outside, the reader may wish to take a then turns on Ql, which causes current to flow through II (see
different approach. For instance, one may wish to use a Fig. 2)- Bingo! The light lights! Note that 6.12 volts corre-
descriptive phrase, or even a short, vivid poem instead of an sponds to a sensor voltage of 3.06 volts. That 3.06 volts
illustration. Or the reader may prefer photos to represent the corresponds to a temperature of 33 °C, which, of course. is
weather. (Black and white prints or color transparencies can 91.4 °F. In super-simple terms, the HOT light lights when the
be used.) temperature of the sensor rises above 91.4 °F. Similarly, when
Also, LED's may be used in place of light bulbs to indicate the sensor voltage drops below 2.72 volts (which causes the
the weather. The primary modification for doing so is to output voltage of Ula to drop below 5.44 volts) U3c switches
change the values of seven resistors. Details for the modifica- on. That causes QI0 to turn on, lighting the FRIGID light.
tion will be given later. Except for the circuit itself, the reader Notice that that happens at 30.2 °F. Be alert to the fact that
should feel free to modify the project to take advantage of the those temperatures correspond to the sensor temperature,
reader's on -hand materials and native talents. which is several degrees warmer than the air around it when
the wind is calm.
The Sensor
The LM335 is a temperature- sensor IC that is inexpensive Window Comparators
and easy to use. Its output voltage is not only exceptionally So far wé have discussed standard comparator circuits, i.e.
linear, but predictable as well. Basically, the LM335 func- the comparator turns on when the noninverting -input voltage
tions as a Zener diode whose Zener voltage is temperature exceeds the inverting input voltage. We will now discuss
dependent. Therefore, at 77 °F (which is 25 °C) the output window-comparators. Window comparators are used to de-
voltage is nominally 2.98 volts. A typical LM355 sensor will tect voltages between a low limit and a high limit. There are
be within .03 volts of this nominal value. Because of such many snazzy designs for window comparators. Some even
remarkable accuracy, the Dressing Consultant is calibrated only require a single op -amp! The type used here, however, is
with a digital voltmeter -no thermometer is required! the standard textbook variety that uses two op -amps.
Normally, the LM335 is operated with a reverse current To demonstrate its operation. let us look in detail at the
between 400 microamps and I mA. Current above I mA is not window- comparator consisting of Ulc and Uld. Here the
normally used because it causes significant internal heating. inverting input of Ulc is set at 6.06 volts. (Actually a few
Nonetheless. in this project the sensor is operated with a thousandths of a volt less than 6.06 volts due to R27. but that
reverse current just below its maximum rating of IO mA. That difference is not significant to our discussion.) Similarly, the
relatively large current results in moderate internal heating, noninverting input of Uld is set at 5.94 volts. Also notice that
which causes the sensor to "sense" or "feel" the weather the noninverting input Ulc and the inverting input of UId are
somewhat like a human body. connected. through 10,000 -ohm resistors, to the output of
A healthy human body has its center heated to a tem- Ula, whose voltage is twice that of the sensor's output. When
perature just under 100 °C. The heat.generated by the body the output of Ula is above 6.06 volts, U Ic is on but U Id is off.
warms a shallow layer of air immediately adjacent to the skin. When the output of Ula is below 5.94 volts, Ulc is off but
In turn, that layer of air serves as an insulator helping to keep Uld is on. When the output of Ula is between 5.94 volts and
the body warm. That is one reason why wind makes one feel 6.06 volts, both Ulc and Uld are off, causing both DI and D2
cooler-the wind blows away the layer of warm air, exposing to be cut off. That causes the base of Q2 to be near ground
the body almost directly to the outside air. (due to R17) and thus Q2 is shut -off. When Q2 is cut off, RI8
Similarly. an internally heated sensor has a shallow layer of turns on Q3, and 12 lights. So we can see that 11 the WARM
warm air surrounding it, acting as an insulator. Wind blows light, lights when the sensor temperature is between 75.2 °F
away that insulation and cools the sensor. An engineer would and 91.4 °F. The other window comparators operate similarly.
say that moving gas (air) increases the convection -heat trans- The heart of the rain -sensing circuit is National Semicon-
33
J ,/
fla
006
007
Fig. 3 -Use of
photographic technique of
a
fr
008 board preparation is
009 recommended for this
010 circuit board as it is quite
V 011 complex. Note that numbers
012 indicate the positions of the
013 test points.
A
1--R17`
-R34- 21 -J-
r b e
-R55-
ro"". R32
J
06 e
r-R20- 11 PLI
R53
1
---- l t''jce03 -1-0 06
02
-R 7----
---If - 05
10-R 10- r-R14-+ C4r.

-- -. R6
R57
f
R37-
1'
R16
-R4-
Û5
-
~--R2-~
-R27-
R36
-R28-+
c
D3
b e
I
lb-033-
0-- R8
04--
---
--
-R28-r.--R12--
---- -+
*--1330--4)
R9
r
J
R19-+
R 13
c b
D8
r-R36-
e
t D7
R 5
R52
R56
c
\. .
h e
R54
58
Fig. 4- Remove pin 11 from
T DV PL1 before trying to place it

D1
R15
J
c
05
b e
081e,
-R23
cb
-- e
--R22- R26
r
on the board. As you can
see. there's no hole for it.
1
TP1 TP4 TP3 09
I
C2
:
R5
Cr R50
CC
R48 R49 NÌCC
r 45
R43 R45 I R18
R44
R47
1
TP2
+,111111.11111..,. 1
there are two things to look out for: be sure to increase the can limit the project's usefulness. If you wish to leave the
current- limiting resistors (R52 -R58) from 51 ohms to 330 Dressing Consultant on continually, it must be powered off
ohms, and make sure the LED anodes are all connected to the the AC line. Since the power requirements are small ( + 12
+ 12 -volt output of the power supply. volts at less than 400 mA) and the supply doesn't have to be
exceptionally well regulated or filtered, one can use a rather
The Power Supply simple supply. For instance, a power supply consisting of a
It is possible to operate the project with batteries. Eight 12.6 -volt, IA transformer, a four 1N4001 diode rectifier,
"C" or "D" cells connected in series will power the Dressing 2000- 10,000 4LF filter capacitor, and a 12 -volt, IA, voltage
Consultant for many hours. However, with battery power, you regulator should be sufficient. Nonetheless, the author used a
must turn off the Dressing Consultant when not in use -that surplus Coleco multi -voltage power supply. The Coleco sup-
36
LEAVE 1/2"
EXCESS AT TIP
LM3352
CUT TEMPERATURE
LEAD SENSOR
PROTECTED
RED ( +1 SENSOR
LEAD BLACK I-1
CONNECT LEAD
TO PIN 1
OF PLI HEAT
SHRINKABLE
CAPSULE
OR
MELTABLE
SMALL INNER CORE
HEAT HEAT
SHRINKABLE SHRINKABLE
TUBING TUBING
OR
PUTTY LARGE'
HEAT
SHRINKABLE
TUBING
CABLE
The megalithic power supply shown for the dressing consultant

A B C
can be replaced by a basic power supply consisting of a
Fig.5-Since the temperature sensor is to be placed transformer, full -wave rectifier, regulator, and a capacitor.
outside, it must be thoroughly protected from the elements
(except temperature). The leads must be not only insulated,
but weather -proofed against corrosion. You may wish to use ect's external appearance. Many experimenters, especially
rubber silicon to totally seal the heat shrink tubing. ones building projects for the first time, will spend many
Fig. 6 -This foil pattern for the rain sensor is only an delightful hours carefully wiring and testing the circuit.
example. Any pattern of two leads with a gap small enough However, once they test it out and find that the circuit is
for a rain drop to traverse will be sufficient. working, their grin changes into a grimace and they throw the
ply will provide just about any voltage a hobbyist could hope project together, in any available box, as fast as they can.
tor: two + 12 volts, + 18 volts, + 5 volts, and -5 volts. It does Please, please take a little pride in your work and spend some
all that at hefty amperages too! Also, its steel chassis forms time and effort in making a good -looking project that will be
the basis for an easily constructed and handsome homemade enjoyed for many years.
cabinet. The author has used that supply for a number of Figure 7 shows how the author constructed his case. As
projects, including a homemade special- purpose computer, mentioned earlier, the author used the metal chassis of the
and it has performed well. See the Parts List for ordering Coleco power supply as the base of his case. The Dressing
information. Consultant's circuit board is mounted directly on that metal
chassis. For the sides, the author used two 11 x 51/2" oak
The Cabinet Panel boards. The oak boards are bolted to the metal chassis. With
We now come to the point which many new project the use of a table saw, two grooves, about 'A" deep, were cut in
builders become careless about -the cabinet and the proj- (Continued on page 98)
A B
COLECO
POWER SUPPLY
j_1/2
1-1/2
-I 1
11
1.1/4", 6 -32 SCREWS

SCREW INTO STARTER
o pp
.,,e 000 o0
0 e
POWER SUPPLY HOLES FOR
WOOD SCREWS
11
v V v v MAIN
CIRCUIT
BOARD
e 0r
38 DEEP
GROOVES
BACK PANEL
WITH LIGHTS
SLIPS INTO THESE GROOVES
Fig. 7 -Use of the Coleco power

FRONT PANEL supply may seem a bit much, but
WITH PICTURES
SLIPS INTO THESE GROOVES
helps provide the makings of a good
case. The main circuit board can be
SIDE VIEW TOP VIEW installed right on the provided chasis.
37
COVER STORY
LJ LJ
a
C;,
IL
RC
hand at
Try your
weather forecasting
with the aid of this
home -brew barometer
By Scott Weatherwax
TNE MOST MISTRUSTED INDIVIDUAL IN THE RADIO AND TELEVI- With zero pressure applied, one would expect zero volts to
sion media today is the weatherman. After all, even appear at the output of the sensor. But that is not the case.
with the aid of modern technology, he seems hard The output (for the SCX 15ANC) could be as high as ± 1
pressed to make an accurate prediction as to whether it will millivolt, which means that the circuit must compensate for
rain or the sun will shine in the very near future. Well, the "zero- point" offset error. The other error, span-defined
here's your chance to take matters into your own hands and as the full -scale output (F50) voltage minus the offset -can
return to the basics of weather forecasting, with the aid of also be as high as ±5% FSO (5 mV full -scale output) and
the Solid -State Barometer. will need to be compensated for in our circuit.
One of the basic ideas behind the barometer is its ability
to forecast-by sensing certain atmospheric conditions-the Digging Deeper
weather wherever you are located. Therefore, the Solid - Figure 3 shows a complete schematic diagram of the Solid -
State Barometer will be compact and lightweight so that it State Barometer, which can be broken down into two indi-
can be used at home or on the go (say, as a portable "back- vidual sections: the signal- conditioning circuitry and the dis-
packers" unit). play -all of which is powered from a single 9 -volt (transistor -
Figure 1 shows a block diagram of the four basic building radio type) battery.
blocks that make up the Solid -State Barometer -a pressure In the signal-conditioning circuit, amplifier Ula (I /4 of a
sensor, the power supply, signal conditioning, and the dis- L1014DN quad op -amp) is used to provide a regulated 5 -volt
play circuits -needed to achieve that goal. Although each power supply; therefore, the circuit's operation in unaffected
block is essential to the Barometer's operation, the heart of by power supply variations, noise, or ripple. Two other op-
the design is the pressure sensor. amps, U lc and U l d, are configured as an instrumentation
The pressure sensor -in this case the SCX 15ANC abso-
lute sensor (from Sensym, Inc., 1255 Reamwood Ave., Sun-
nyvale, CA 94809) -is a device that compares the applied PRESSURE
SENSOR
atmospheric (barometric) pressure to an on -board, sealed -
vacuum reference and gives a proportional voltage output. A
A pinout diagram of the SCX 15ANC (which can be operated

from power supplies up to 30 volts) is shown in Fig. 2A,
and its equivalent circuit is shown in Fig. 2B.
The SCXI5ANC (and all sensors for that matter) have POWER
DISPLAY
SUPPLY
two types of errors associated with them: offset and span.
Fig. 1 -The block diagram shows the four basic building blocks
that make up the Solid -State Barometer: a pressure sensor, the

power supply, signal conditioning, and the display circuits. SIGNAL
CONDITIONING
Although each block is essential to the circuit's operation,
the heart of the design is the pressure sensor.
SCR Circuits/
and: «t
40 tK: FactCard Replacement Guide
Here are SCR OVERVOLTAGE PROTECTION CIRCUIT SCR VARIABLE DC POWER SUPPLY CIRCUIT
your free Si
FactCards! K
SCR1
CI 06Y
R1 R1
Introducing Hands -On- 2.5K 5K A
Electronics FactCards. TO
117 GOSCRI
VAC
Each issue, Hands -On- 12 VDC CIRCUIT li C106D
POWER K
Electronics will present 3 SOURCE _ I
TO BE
PROTECTED
new FactCards, each deal-
ing with one of a variety of
electronics topics. Some
will deal with electronics
basics, some will deal with K1
12v
- cl OC LOAD
discrete components, some

will deal with IC's, and some
RELAY
Îo
r
will deal with circuits and
applications.
All will contain the type of
information electronics hob- 41 E FactCard 40106: Hex Schmitt Trigger
byists need, but sometimes
Features
must search to find. With Wide supply voltage range 3V to 15V
FactCards, you can find that High noise immunity 0.7 voo (typ)
114 113 112 Ill 110 19 8 Lower power fan out of 2
information in a hurry.
P
riporom TTL compatibility
Hysteresis
driving 74L
or 1 driving
74LS
0.4 Voo typ
0.2 Voo guaranteed
.1
w
Equivalent to MM54C14 MM74C14
Equivalent to MC14584B
II 12 3 14 15 16
Absolute Maximum Ratings
1
LOW POWER V1, Voo Supply Voltage - 0.5 to + 18V

VIN Input Voltage - 0.5 to Voo + 0.5V
Clip your
t1 ar RC
OSCILLATOR - 65 °C to +150'C
VT- Ts Storage Temperature Range
Po Package Dissipation 500 mW
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tZx RC n
VOD
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save them, VT IVDD-v1,) VIN Input Voltage o to V oV
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TA Operating Temperature Range - 55°C to +125 C
- 40°C to +85C
and start
4510: BCD Up /Down Counter
building 42 EK°" F actCard 4516: Binary Up /Down Counter
your Features
Wide supply voltage range
High noise immunity
3.0V to 15V
0.45 Voo (typ.)
fan out of 2 driving 74L
15 110 9 Low power TTL
FactCards
116
V00 CLOCK 03' 1 UP/ RE compatibility or driving 74LS
1
DOWN Parallel load "jam" inputs

PARALLEL Low quiescent power dissipation 0.25µW /package
INPUTS (typ.) (u Vcc = 5.0V
4510/4516
library W
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Motorola MC 14510, MC14516 second source
Absolute Maximum Ratings
today!
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VD() Supply Voltage - 0.5to + 18V
VIN Input Voltage - 0.5 to V00 + 0.5V
Is Storage Temperature Range -65°C to +150°C
Po Package Dissipation 500 mW
TL Lead Temperature (Soldering, 10 seconds) 260 °C
Output
Clock Reset Preset Carry UP/
Function
Enable In Down
X 1 X X X Reset lo zero Recommended Operating Conditions
X O 1 X X Set lo PI, P2,
Fos Trans. 0 0 0 1 Court up VD() Supply Voltage 3 to 15V
Pos. Trans 0 0 0 0 Count down VIN Input Voltage 0toV QV
.
T Operating Temperature Range - 55°C to +125°C

EI¢cti+onic°sn X 0 o 1 X No change -40°C to + 85°C
SCR Circuits/
40 ion FactCard Replacement Guide
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SCR REPLACEMENT GUIDE
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ideas in
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12
41 angel FactCard ' 1140106: Hex Schmitt Trigger months
Radio -Electronics
STATIC ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS will carry up -to -the
minute articles on:
hobby computers
CHARAC- solid -state technology
TERISTIC _1t (,X (RP (TYP) TV games Video
v
ou -, color TV stereo
ax
rrent.l
Device
ce
-- 0,10
5
10
0.02
0.02 pA
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Current
0.4
0.5
0,5
0,10
5
10
1
2.6
test equipment
radio
0,15 15 0.02 lot Min. 1.5 0,15 6.8 radar detectors
---
15
Mee Trigger -- 5 2.9 Output High 4.6 0,5 5 - 1 rnA industrial electronics
servicing
Voltage - 3.2
- 5.9 (Source)
- 10 V 2.5 0,5 5
VN Max TV- radio -stereo
8.8 Current -2.6
-
15 9.5 0,10
alive Trigger - 10
experimenter
VN Max
Voltage -- -- 5
10
1.9
3.9 V
la,., Min.
Output Voltage
13.5
-- 0,15
5
15
5
- 6.8
0
circuits
exceptional
ares Voltage -- --
15
5
5.8
0.9
Low -Level
Vac Max. -
10
15
10
15
0 construction
projects
Max
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10 2.3 Output Voltage - 0
V
15 3.5
V
High- Level,
Vilialiallikw
- 0
0
0
5
10
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5
10
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(,f1 V
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Current,
--
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0,5
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pA
Output Voltage -/
- 0,5 55, 0
-
10 0.04 Low -Level 0,10 10 0
loo Max
Output Low 0.4
0,15
0,5
15
5
0.04 VoL Max.
Output Voltage
-- 0,15 15 0
NEW IDEAS AND
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-- 5 5
1
INNOVATIONS IN
(Sink) Culent 0.5 0,10 10 2.6 High- Level, 0,10 10 10 ELECTRONICS
la Min 1.5 0,15 15 6.8 Vo,., Min 0,15
-- --
15 15
Output High 4.6 0,5 5 -1 mA Input Low 0.5,4.5 5 ; The newest ideas and
(Source) 2.5 0,5 -3.2 Voltage, 1,9 innovations in
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Current 9.5 0,10 10 - 2.6 VIL Max. 1.5,13.5 15 - electronics appear in
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EQUIVALENT CIRCUIT The ICM7106 will drive the 31/2 -digit (2000 count) LCD
2 based on 100 microvolts input per count. A warning must
be given with the A/D converter. Be sure to use the exact
components recommended, as using other values can cause
PIN OUT
various errors, which can be difficult to troubleshoot.
SENSYM Assembling the Barometer
TEMPERATURE OUTPUT +)
SCXISANC
PIN 1) 1
The Solid -State Barometer is built on a double -sided, printed -

PIN
PIN
2) Vg
3) OUTPUT 1 -) circuit board -a
full -size template of which is shown in Fig.
Op PIN
PIN
4) GROUNO
5) OUTPUT +)
4 for the true do- it- yourselfers, who would prefer to roll their
own. It is recommended that the Solid -State Barometer not
1
PIN 6) TEMPERATURE OUTPUT 1 1
123456 be built on breadboard-they have a tendency to create or

11 11 11 11 11 11 amplify temperature-induced errors. Therefore, your best
BOTTOM VIEW bet is to use perfboard or printed -circuit board (see Parts
List for supplier).
If you choose to go the printed-circuit route the best way
to reproduce the board is to use Lift -it film to remove the
Fig. 2-The pinout diagram for the SCX15ANC absolute pressure trace pattern from the page. The film can then be used with
sensor Is shown In A and its equivalent circuit is shown in B. a Positive Photo -resist, pre- sensitized, printed-circuit blank
amplifier, which boost the output of the pressure sensor. to etch your own board. The next step is to purchase the
The gain of the instrumentation amplifier is given by: components.
Try to stick with the components given in the Parts List
Vm/Vin =A =2(I +R1 /RT); or at least their equivalents. Using other parts may cause
where RI is 10,000 ohms, and RT is the sum of R8 and additional errors. If you do use different parts, be sure to
RIO. The value of RT determines the output gain and sets do a good cross match. Once you have obtained all the parts
the Solid -State Barometer to read in mbar, psi or any other (or the kit) assembly can begin.
unit of measurement. That also enables us to adjust out the Install all passive components -resistors, capacitors,
initial span error. Op -amp Ulb, in conjunction with jumpers, etc. -with the exception of resistors RT, according
potentiometer R4, provides the zero -offset adjustment. to the layout diagram shown in Fig. 5. Resistor RT (which
The output of the signal- conditioning circuit is fed to the is really a combination of R8 and R 10) set the gain of the
display circuitry-which consists of U2 (the heart of that circuit. (The value of resistance needed will be calculated
section), an ICM7106 A/D converter/display driver, and a and explained in short order.) Note: The 10,000-ohm fixed
31/2 -digit LCD. The output of the signal- conditioning block resistors are not discrete components, but instead are con-
is fed to the A/D converter (U2), which then interprets the tained within three resistor- network packages -the position
input signal to drive the LCD. of which are indicated by RN 1, RN2, and RN3 in the layout
diagram.
R13 DIS1
100K 2 18
36
3 19
R14 4 20
4.53K 32 5 21
OFFSET RT 6 22
R15 35
R5
23
100K Z R4 R7' R8
100K 26
8 17
10K: 10K 2K 40
9 14
1/4 LT1014DN R16, 100K
-I
39 10 15
R6 R9' 10K SPAN H^ 11 24
100K VV R10 38
U2 12 25
1/4 LT1014DN 10K 34 ICMl106 3 1/2 DIGIT
C6
C2-Z^ 13 26
LCD
8
Ul-c
10
R12
1MEG
100pF
1 T A/D
33 CONVERTER 14
15
13
10
DISPLAY
39
31
R11 V1A 16 29
30
0K 10K 17 39
C3
LT1004 1/4 LT1014DN 47 7g
18
19
9
3
C5
--
01
01 20 2
2.5V
I-
V1ti 2 22 32
ZFNER R17
23 39
4i 5 Z1 47K
1 R2'
10K
PRESSURE
SENSOR
24
25
11
27
b C4 2140
J. 22
16 12 8
DP1>
TO
DECIMAL DP2>
Fig. 3-The Solid -State Barometer's schematic diagram can be broken down POINT
into two major sections: the signal conditioning circuitry and the display-all CONNECTIONS
of which is powered from a single 9 -volt battery. DP3>
e-o 0-0
e.e-/f eetiee.
o
eoreceeMee.
\ o e o 0 0
~
0 0
I
le
2\1,
d iò
....è..f
c
o
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0000000
O O o e o 0000000 O
L 050005
0000000
0000000
0S00000
o o e 00
Fig. 4-A template of the Solid -State Barometer's double- sided, printed- circuit board is shown
here full -size for the true do- it- yourselfers, who would prefer to etch their own board.
R4
r -v-
l
Dis 3
Fig. 5- Install all passive

components- resistors, capacitors, C2 R5
jumper, etc. -with the exception R12
of RT. according to this layout C5
R6
diagram. Resistor RT (a combina-
tion of R8 and R10) sets the gain
of the circuit. ,
P11
c
I
I
C3 C4
L
e c e 041004110
o ee e e0000400
-J e 00000
*00000000000
Install a 14 -pin DIP socket for U 1 and a 40 -pin unit for on hand). Install U 1 and U2 in their respective sockets.
U2. Now we come to the Liquid -Crystal Display. Note that Now install DIS 1 in the header strips, making sure that
the display is positioned over U2. Install a 20-pin female the display is properly oriented. Take your time so as not
header on the left and right sides of U2, which will serve to bend the pins of the display. (Pin 1 is indicated by a dot
as a DIP socket for the display. Next place and solder the in Fig. 5.) Also, note that all the connections to the display
sensor at position Z1, clamping the unit to the board with have been made, except the decimal points. The reason for
screws and nuts (or self- tapping screws if you have them that is that some units do not require a decimal point (i.e.,
TABLE 1- CONVERSION RESISTOR VALUES PARTS LIST FOR THE SOLID-STATE BAROMETER
Actual Resistor Values

SEMICONDUCTORS
Unit Required Nominal
Gain Resistor Used D1- LT1004 2.5 -volt Zener diode
v/v (RTin Kt2) R8 (in Kt2) R10 (in Kf2) DIS1 -ST P1 -84 (Polytronix), ANP 0219P (Stanley), PCI
M176J (PCI), T- N11016 -4211 522 (Vikay), or similar 3'/2-
PSI 4.0 10.0 7.32 5.0 digit liquid -crystal display
mbar 2.7 28.5 27.4 5.0 U1- LT1014DN quad op -amp, integrated circuit
cm H2O 2.75 26.5 25.5 5.0
U2- ICM7106 31/2- digit, A/D converter, integrated cir-
cuit
in H2O* 2.17 117.6 113.0 10.0
CAPACITORS
C1 -1 -µR 16 -WVDC miniature electrolytic
mm Hg* 4.1 9.7 7.32 5.0
C2- O.1 -µF, ceramic disc
C3 0.47 -µF, ceramic disc
*For these two types of units jumper J1 must be included in
the Barometer design. In this design, 2.5 V will be supplied C4-0.22 -RF, ceramic disc
to the sensor so its full -scale output will be 18.8 mV. C5- 0.01-µF, ceramic disc
C6- 100 -pF, ceramic disc
RESISTORS
mbar) and if need be, it can be hard wired into the circuit R11-CSCO6A- 03- 103G642, 10,000 -
R1 -R4, R7, R9,
with little or no trouble.
ohm thick -film, resistor network
Most A/D handbooks show how to accomplish the decimal - R5, Re6, R13, R15, R16- 100,000 -ohm, 1/4 -watt, 5%
point connection using a resistor, capacitor, and about four
R8 -2000 -ohm (see text), 1/4 -watt, 5%
extra soldering points. Those components are not really nec- R10- 10,000 -ohm (see text), thumbwheel, trimmer
essary, because there's another way to assure that the deci-
potentiometer
mal point is lit: Simply connect the decimal points to an
R12 -1- Megohm, 1/4 -watt, 5%
LCD segment that's always displayed. For instance, if the
R14-4530 -ohm, 1/4 -watt, 5%
output is to be in psi, the decimal point connection should R17- 47,000 -ohm, 1/4 -watt, 5%
be tied to the lbc segment of the MSD (Most-Significant
Digit), since that segment will always be fired up under ADDITIONAL PARTS AND MATERIALS
normal conditions. Printed -circuit board or perfboard materials, enclosure,
single -pole, double -throw (power) switch, 9 -volt transistor -
Scaling the Output radio battery, snap -on battery connector, wire, solder,
At th N point, we are ready to scale the output to the particu- hardware, etc.
lar unit needed. When we talk about scaling the output, we
Note: The Solid -State Barometer's printed-circuit board
are really calculating the resistance of RT (the R8 /R 10 com-
and the SCX15ANC absolute p-essure sensor is avail-
bination shown in Fig. 3.), which allows us to control the
able from Sensym, 1255 Reamwood Ave., Sunnyvale,
gain of the instrumentation amplifier, thus controlling the
CA 94089 for $20.00. Please allow 6 to 8 weeks for
output to the display.
delivery.
But, before we get into the mathematics of how to calcu-
late the value of RT, lets discuss the units we want the output mercury. That might not give a precise- enough indication
to represent. By using a ICM7106 A/D converter, the output of a change in atmospheric pressure. On the other hand, if
is capable of displaying 199.9 millivolts or 1.999 volts full - the output is in psi or millibar (14.70 psi or 1013 millibar
scale. (For our application, we will be using 199.9 millivolts are everyday readings), a more -sensitive
as a full -scale reading and each count on the display will reading can be measured. But don't let that
then be 100 microvolts.) If our reading is in inches of mer- discourage you from using inHg or mmHg;
cury (inHg), a typical reading at sea level would be around just be aware that by using those or other
29.92 inHg. units of measurement, some sensitivity may
Using that scale however, we will only be able to see be lost due to the 31/2 -digit LCD.
changes in atmospheric pressure in the tenths of inches of
Fig. 6-To accomplish a two-point

calibration, we need to produce a
known pressure source by attaching a
36-inch length of 4 -inch
port A of the SCX15ANC sensor

maneuvering the open end of the
-
diameter clear, flexible tubing to
tubing until it's level with the

top of the sensor.
Fig. 7 -Now carefully pour a small

amount of water into the tubing so
that a column is made totaling about
six inches in length. Now move the
open end of the tubing so that it's
about 20 inches above the sensor.
To scale the output in psi, from the SCX 15ANC data sheet
we see that from a 12 -volt supply the output will be 90 -mV
full scale. Because the output of the SCX 15ANC span is
ratiomatic to the supply, (and remember now that we are
supplying 5 volts to the SCX 15ANC not 9) we find that our
full -scale output is 37.5 mV. The required full -scale output
span is 150 mV (for our A/D converter input) and so the
voltage gain needed is about 4.
Now solving our gain equation for RT, we find that RT is
equal to 100,000 ohms. Other values for different outputs
are given in Table 1. Given that, we now know the value
of all the components that are necessary to complete the
circuit. The authors prototype of the Solid -State Barometer was built
on plain -Jane perfboard. with self- adhering copper traces added
to the board to which the components are secured. But for ease
Final Adjustments of construction and less chance of error, its recommended that
Once the Barometer has been fully assembled, we only a printed- circuit board be used for the project.
need to correct the offset and span errors to assure that the
Barometer operates properly. To accomplish that, we'll use
a two -point calibration technique. The first point, the actual
barometric pressure, can be obtained from your local air- sensor, we have added 0.72 psi (there are 27.68 inHZO per
port. For the second point, let's assume that we have a known psi) to the barometric pressure. That 0.72 psi will be used
2 psi pressure reference. With two known points and some as our second pressure source. By using the mathematical
mathematics, we can eliminate the offset and span errors. model shown earlier, we can adjust out the span and offset
The output of the sensor for a known pressure is given by: errors of the circuit.
= (S x P) + Vos, If you don't want to attempt the two-point calibration,
Vow put the nominal -value fixed resistor in the circuit for RT,
where Voat is the output voltage in millivolts (mV); S is the and do not worry about the residual span error. Then simply
sensor's sensitivity in volts/psi: P is the applied pressure, adjust R4 so that your reading agrees with that at the airport.
and Vos is the offset error of the sensor. The sensitivity can Although not the best solution, that will generally suffice
be determined by two known pressures since it results in for weather prediction applications.
two equations with two unknown (Vos and S), as follows: With your Solid -State Barometer now complete and
At atmospheric pressure, calibrated correctly, put the unit in some kind of housing to
Vol = [S X (Pattu)] + Vos. protect the circuitry. Pac Tec makes many kinds of small
plastic boxes that are very useful, but any type will do the
with the additional pressure source: trick. The plastic box also allows your Solid -State Barom-
eter to be fully portable.
Vo2 = [S X + 2 psi)] + Vos.
(Palm
Since S does not change as a function of the applied pres- Interpreting Barometric Pressure
sure, The final requirement for making weather predictions using
Vo2 Vol = (2 psi X S),
the Barometer is knowing how to interpret the pressure read-
or ings. High pressure cells generally bring fair weather. The
temperature can be warm or cold, but will remain constant
S = V02 Vol (V /psi) /2. for relatively long periods of time. Low pressure cells, on
the other hand, generally bring cloudy weather, with rain
At this point, the offset voltage is known and the or snow depending upon the temperature.
potentiometer R4 can be adjusted to eliminate its contribution A steady barometer usually indicates unchanging weather
to the error. The remaining error is due to the span (gain).
That error can then be corrected by adjusting potentiometer
RT, until the digital readout agrees with the actual barometric
for one or two days. Any rapid barometric change in pressure-
meaning a 0.05 psi change over the span of a few hours
indicates that unstable weather is on its way.
-
pressure. In order to determine change over long periods of time, I
Unfortunately, very few of us have a known pressure source suggest that you interface the Solid -State Barometer with a
at our disposal; therefore, to accomplish a two -point calibra- computer. That would allow you to chart the changes in
tion, we need to produce a known pressure source. That can barometric pressure over a period of time and compare your
be done by attaching a piece of 1/4 clear, flexible tubing
(about 36 inches long) to port A of the SCX 15ANC sensor
maneuvering the open end of the tubing until it's level with
- readings with actual weather conditions (and, of course, the
predictions of your local weatherman). And if you really
want to get professional about it, break out the weather map
the top of the sensor as shown on Fig. 6. (you can find one in almost any newspaper) and chart the
Now carefully pour a small amount of water into the tubing course of changing weather conditions.
such that a column is made totaling about six inches in length. Well there you have it. Hopefully, you'll do better than
Now move the open end of the tubing so that it's about 20 the weatherman at predicting the weather. Even if your Solid -
inches above the sensor (as shown in Fig. 7). Be sure not State Barometer can't indicate the exact barometric pressure,
to let any water go into the sensor, as that may cause perma- remember you are only interested pressure change over a
nent damage to the sensor element. At 20 inches above the few hours. Good luck.
Sound
Sender
Mobile
Radio Adapter
A wireless way to play your Walkman through an FM auto radio
i 11. YOU USE A WALKMAN TAPE PLAYER, short, shielded cable leads to a con- Surface Mounting
it's probably because you prefer your tape ventional miniature phone plug: the kind SMD (Surface -Mounted Device) tech-
collection to what's available on radio. used by the stereo headphones that go nology is what makes it possible to cram
But what do you do when you're driving? with your Walkman. an entire transmitter and its filtering cir-
Unless your car, truck, or RV has an AM/ The only operating control is a small cuits into a housing not much larger than a
FM /cassette radio, you're probably stuck knurled wheel labeled Tune, and marked cigarette lighter. (Extra filtering is needed
with listening to commercials inter- with the frequency limits of 105 and 107 to keep the RF hash that's normally gener-
spersed with music and talk that you MHz. As you've probably surmised, in- ated by the vehicle's electrical system out
would rather not hear. Fact is, the way FM side the housing is a small monophonic of the transmitter.) As shown in the pho-
programming has deteriorated, it's not FM transmitter -actually a single -tran- tographs, the SMD components are so
any better than AM, it's just in stereo. sistor oscillator-that is automatically small they almost disappear into the traces
But if you use a Sound Sender Mobile turned on when the device is inserted into on the underside of the printed- circuit
Audio Adapter, instead of the endless the cigarette lighter's socket. The stereo board. For example, in the photo of the
commercials and the irritating chit -chat of from the Walkman is converted to a mono top of the PC -board showing the tuning
radio personalities, your FM auto radio signal before it modulates the RF os- coil you'll note that the coil and elec-
will play your Walkman. That's right, you cillator circuit. trolytic capacitors are conventional sizes.
pop a tape into the Walkman, and instead To listen to the Walkman through the But in the photo of the trace side, the
of wearing headphones, you hear the tape car radio, you simply tune it to a "dead small "blip" at the end of the pencil-no
from the FM radio. spot" between 105 and 107 MHz, and larger than the tip of the lead itself-is the
What's that? You say you haven't the then move the Stereo Sender's tuning SMD transistor used for the FM os-
ability or the technical know -how to re- knob until the cassette is heard clearly cillator. The other "blips," which are
wire your vehicle's electrical system just from the car radio's speaker(s). even smaller, are SMD capacitors and fil-
to play your Walkman through the car ra- The entire FM transmitter is assembled ter devices. The slightly larger rectangles
dio. Forget about wiring. The Sound on a small printed -circuit board. The tun- having what appear to be numerals
Sender simply plugs into the vehicle's ing is actually done by adjusting the slug printed on top are SMD resistors.
cigarette lighter and the Walkman-and of the oscillator tuning coil (indicated by
that's the whole installation in a con- the pencil in the photograph). When the How it Works
densed nutshell. transmitter is installed in its housing, a With all the RF filtering of the device's
small tuning shaft affixed to the tuning internal connections, you're probably
Transmitter in Disguise knob slides into the tuning slug. Small itching to know how the RF from the os-
The Sound Sender consists of a plastic projections on the tuning knob prevent it cillator ever makes it out of the Sound
housing that looks like an oversize ciga- from being adjusted much beyond the Sender ano past all the filters used in a car
rette lighter. From the back of the unit a range of 105 -107 MHz. radio that're specifically designed to re-
ject any kind of RF signal generated by
the vehicle's equipment, such as the alter-
nator, spark plugs. computer, etc. Figure
that any kind of RF on the primary elec-
trical circuit should be filtered before it
ever gets into the radio.
The truth of the matter is that the filter-
ing only reduced the hash below an inter-
ference- causing level. We have heard a
high -tech explanation (today, everything
(Continued on page 107)
The pencil points to the slug of the

oscillator's tuning coil. Adjusting
that slug through the tuning knob's
shaft sets the output frequency.
RIPS
LO
ON
fiere is a super
Of
LITHE STRUGGLE BETWEEN THE HONEST INDIVIDUAL TRYING placing his hand on the top of the fence, even if he is wearing
to keep his belongings and the evil individual looking for an gloves, will set the alarm off. With proper tuning, neither
easy way to take them from him, goes on and on. Finding a birds nor cats sitting or walking on the fence will have no
single alarm that will protect all your property by a single effect on the sensor because they are separated from the
method is impossible. One type of alarm available today Earth's grounding effects.
needs to be located in the protected area, and is only activated As an entrance alarm or door annunciator, a small -gauge
after the protected area is entered. Often, pets moving about wire strung around the door frame, connected to the sensor
the area or wind -blown drapes and curtains can trigger false lead, and tuned, will trigger the alarm each time a body walks
alarms. That type of alarm also gives the intruder as much through the door. Attached to the inside of the door knob, it
time as he needs to break into the home or office and reach the will trigger each time a hand even comes within a few inches
protected area. of the outside door knob.
Door and window switches give the intruder the choice of The unit can also protect large, ungrounded, metal filing
either breaking a window or cutting a hole in the glass so he cabinets, desks, safes. wall lockers, or tool boxes. One way
can reach in and short the switch or metal foil, thus entry can the unit was recently used was to alert a salesperson when
be made without setting off the alarm. Both of these types of small jewelry items were picked up from a display table. The
alarms give the fiend adequate time to break and enter. An table was prepared by putting a 2 x 8 ft. metal window screen
alarm unit that impedes them before they can even get close on the table top. The screen was then connected to the sensor
seems to be the best approach. Especially if you don't enjoy wire. The screen was then covered with a table cloth and the
cleaning up glass. small jewelry items were laid out for display on top of it. A
A perimeter alarm that can warn you before the area is even muted, single -tone door chime was used as the alarm and
approached is what is needed. One of the application modes plugged into the unit. After the unit was adjusted, the chime
of this unit is just such a perimeter alarm. A small -gauge sounded every time a piece of jewelry was picked off the
insulated wire up to a few hundred feet can be stapled along table, thus alerting the sales person. The builder will proba-
the top of a wooden fence. The sensor lead can then be bly find many other applications for this unit after using it.
connected to the wire and the unit adjusted. An intruder All it takes is a little creativity.
Cl
R1
220pF
SENSÓ
3 Tl 8
J
M
10052
D5
0K 1N4749 01
Fiq. -The current ratings
1
C3
220pF Q2 154001
D2
154001
10 160pF
of .he fuse, F1, switch S1, 253705
and relay K1, are dependent 2
on the current draw of the EARTH C5

.01
alarm. An AC socket can be C8 C9 03
used in place of the lamp Q1 33 100T 154001 04
154001
shown to facilitate the use D6 253705
TIN 40 EXTERNAL
of any AC signaling device. K1 LAMP
Current -limiting resistor OR
RNE may be necessary for
1/N ALARM
T2
R3 (51513.
use with some neon bulbs. R4 DEVICE
100K
1K
C2 NEI Fl
EARTH 10365pF RNE
220pF
11
S1
C7
01T
117
VAC
46
3FF RETARDER ALARM
By W. Schopp
sensitive capacitive sensor alarm that can be used to spoil a burglar's night
How It Works
I unit i, constructed around a balanced -bridge circuit
-lic
using both capacitance and inductance (see Fig. II. The
bridge consists of capacitors C2 and C3, and the center -
tapped winding of TI. One end of the bridge is coupled to
ground by C4. while capacitance changes are introduced
through Cl. A small capacitance change unbalances the
bridge and produces an AC signal at the hase of QI. Tran-
sistors QI and Q2 are connected to form a modified -
Darlington amplifier. The collector load for Q2 is a separate
winding of TI that is connected out of phase with the incom-
PARTS LIST FOR THE RIPOFF RETARDER

SEMICONDUCTORS
D1-D4--1N4001 1A, 50PIV power diode
D5- 1N4749, 24 -Volt Zener diode
D6 -1N40, small -signal. germanium diode
O1- 03-
2N3705 NPN transistor (or equivalent such
as 2N2219)
CAPACITORS
Cl, C4. C6- 220 -pF ceramic disc
C2 -10- 365 -pF miniature AM -radio tuning type
C3 -10- 160 -pF trimmer
C5, C7- .01 -1.1F ceramic disc
C8 -33 -11F 35 -WVDC electrolytic
C9- 100 -µF. 35 -WVDC electrolytic
RESISTORS
(All resistors are Y4 -watt, 10% units unless otherwise
specified.)
R1- 100 -ohm, 1 2 watt
R2- 10.000 -ohm
R3- 100,000 -ohm
R4- 1000 -ohm
ADDITIONAL PARTS AND MATERIALS
Fl-Fuse (current rating determined by alarm device
used)
K1- 24 -VDC relay (current determined by the alarm Fig. 2 -This foil pattern is provided for you hardcore hob-
device used) byists who love to play with chemicals. 'hose less enthus-
NE1 -110 -volt neon indicator (with resistor) iastic can place the circuit on perfboard without worry.
PL1 -AC power plug and cord
S01-AC power socket ing AC signal. That produces a large. distorted signal each
S1 -SPST switch, (type unimportant) time the bridge is unbalanced.
T1 -Pulse transformer The distorted signal is taken from the bridge circuit by a
T2 -Power transformer; 117 -VAC primary; 24 -VAC third winding of transformer TI. That signal is then rectified
secondary by D6 and applied as a DC signal to the hase of Q3. The
Printed -circuit board or perfboard, aligator clip, wire, applied signal energizes the relay. K . as soon as the unbal-
solder, metal enclosure, etc. anced condition occurs. and the relay drops out as Noon as the
The transformer T1 can be purchased as part #6182 circuit balance is restored. Of course. for normal alarm use.
from Pulse Engineering, PO Box 12235. San Diego,
the relay should he made self latching so that the alarm
CA 92112. The 10- 365 -pF variable capacitor can be
condtion remains in effect until the system is reset.
purchased from Custom Components, Box 153, `c
Malverne, NY 11565, for $5 plus $1 shipping and An audible alarm. such as a bell or klaxon horn. can he
handling total order. operated from the relay. If a silent alarm is needed, a light
co
bulb can he used. v
47
Fig. 3 -The order of parts placed on the board is unimportant, however, check for proper polarity where necessary
before soldering. Note the extra traces for normally- closed operation as would be useful for burglar alarms.
Construction
The circuit is fairly simple and parts selection is not
critical. Almost any general -purpose NPN transistor will
operate in the circuit. One important detail is to make certain
that proper phasing of the transformer is observed for correct
operation of the circuit. Most transformers indicate the phase
relation of the windings by the little dot shown at one terminal
of a winding. It should also be noted that there are two
grounding points shown on the schematic. One is the power-
supply ground and the other is the chassis ground, which is an
actual connection to the metal enclosure or cabinet.
The transformer used was a small -pulse transformer with
the proper winding configuration, but any transformer that
has three windings with one of them center-tapped can be
made to work with proper tunning. A Stancore P8361 was
used successfully before it was decided to select another to
reduce the overall size of the unit. If that transformer is used,
the primary windings are not to be connected. The complete
circuit can be built on a small piece of perfboard or the circuit
can be laid out for printed -circuit board use (see Fig. 2).
tuning. It brings the usable range of the capacitance change
Operation within the range of the front -panel tuning capacitor. If you
Once the unit is constructed (see Fig. 3), clip the sensor wish to use a capacitor from your junk box in place of the one
lead to a metal object, such as a typewriter or lamp base. Set shown for C2, then adjust C3 to help set a suitable range for
the tuning capacitor on the front panel, C2, to the center of its the replacement capacitor.
travel. Adjust C3 to the point where the relay clicks on and Turn the front -panel mounted capacitor fully coun-
off. You can call C3 a range -adjusting capacitor or coarse terclockwise, or to its maximum capacitance value. Connect
the sensor lead to another metal object and advance C2
slowly clockwise until the relay clicks on. Back it off until the
relay just drops out and the unit is balanced. The closer that
this transition point is set, the more sensitive the circuit will
be. Be very careful not to be too close to the unit while
making that adjustment, since it can respond to a hand placed
within six inches of the protected object. With proper ap-
plication, this unit can really spoil a burglar's night, and
protect your own.
This top view reveals the socket for an external device such
as a lamp or chime. By switching the leads on the socket to
the unused traces, a normally -closed device can be used.
48
JULY 1987 THE NEWSLETTER FOR GROWN -UP KIDS VOLUME XII /NUMBER V
What's Inside... Pocket Power

PSION ORGANISER II (Model CM).
Video Game Verite: Distributed by: XEC Products, 13575
58th St. N., P.O. Box 123, Clearwater,
The Sega Master F I. 33520. Price: $199.95.
System 2
At the risk of offending the American
computer industry's pride and patriot-
Close Shaves: Braun's ism, it appears from a distance that
1 -2 -3, The Freedom Great Britain has done a better job of
integrating the computer into everyday
Blade 3 life than this country has. To put it
plainly, the British don't seem nearly as
Expandably Yours: New afraid of the computer as Americans
do.
Pioneer and Shure With all of our talk about "compu-
Amplifiers 4 ter literacy," there seem to be two
classes of users in the U.S. There are
the buffs and hackers, and those who,
A Personal Copier ?: on the job or elsewhere, can "use" the
Silver Reed's machines as long as the task is laid out
step -by -step.
Copy Pro 5 In contrast, Great Britain's citizens
seem very much at home with the com-
"Kldtronics ": 84th puter. This spring, for example, the
weekly Observer (founded 1791) an-
Annual Toy Fair 6 nounced a daily news service to be car-
ried by British Telecom's Videotext sys-
tem. The service isn't a pilot project or
an experiment; it already has some
70,000 subscribers and an estimated
400,000 users. The Observer news ser- the U.S. market.
vice, according to the announcement More than a hand -held calculator,
costs "the same as a three -minute local though less than a full- fledged PC (but
telephone call" for each daily report. not by much), the Psion II is compara-
Another example of British com- tively simple to operate, yet broac. in
puter adaptation is the Psion Organiser its applications. The unit's pre -pro-
II, designed and built in the U.K. and grammed menu includes clock and cal-
distributed here by XEC Products. endar functions, diary files, an alarm
Its predecessor, the Psion Organiser clock (capable of eight separate set-
(GADGET, June 1986, p. 5) sold more tings), a sophisticated data file with
than 40,000 units in its homeland. cross -reference capabilities and a pow-
With the Psion Organiser II, Britain erful calculator.
has actually done what only gets talked The system also contains a "power-
about in this country. In this case, the ful but easy to use programming Ian -
Engineered Smile: The Brits have designed a practical, effi- guage," dubbed OPL, which can be
Interplak 8 cient pocket computer which builds its stored in the built -in memory or in the
user's computer literacy instead of de- Organiser's unique Datapak expand-
manding a high level of skills to begin able memory. Finally, the Psion Organ-
The Jukebox's Return: with. GADGET's brief examination of iser II can supply "a status report at
Laser Video Music the new Organiser suggests that this is any time on the amount of data and
really a product unlike anything else on diary information stored in the ma-
System 12 (Continued on page 9)
49
Round Two
THE SEGA MASTER SYSTEM. Man-
ufactured by: Sega of America, Inc., 573
Forbes Blvd., South San Francisco, CA
94080. Price: $160.
The commercial resurrection of video

games potentially rates as one of the
more amazing comebacks in consumer
electronics. Admittedly, they're not (yet)
the obsession they became first time
around for both players and investors.
These electronic games most likely
have begun re- establishing themselves
thanks to the appearance of a new gener-
ation of consumers, too young to have
overdosed during the video game craze
at the end of the '70's.
Improved technology has also played
a role, with the new wave of video games
more complex, involving and, at their
best, ingenius than the noisy and
repetitive products of the first boom.
Certainly among the leaders in this
market comeback is Sega. The firm's
Sega Master System games are being
promoted as the "first -ever series of Each of the system's "combo car- who tested these two games preferred
three-dimensional games for the home," tridges," he reported, contains two Sega's 'Black Belt' to Nintendo's similar
with some 16 "new arcade -quality games, while the "Mega" cartridges 'Kung Fu.'" Further underscoring
games," on "Mega Cartridge and Sega contain only a single contest. These Sega's pursuit of variety, the Master
Card formats." games on Sega cards are slightly less System offers a second martial skills
Even out of the box, it's clear that complex than their cartridged counter- game, "Ninja," and, covering further
Sega is aiming for variety, and expand- parts, but they also carry a lower retail bases, a TV wrestling contest.
ability in its array of electronic contests tag ($30). During their big sleep, video games
and battles. Besides sixteen games re- Besides the supplied control pads, probably lost scores of potential cus-
leased so far, the Sega Master System of- Sega offers two optional controllers. tomers, and players, to competing forms
fers three different controllers. In our The Sports Pad ($60), which combines a of electronic (and other) entertainments.
tests, Sega's games were noticeably roller ball (Sega calls it, "the ultimate Getting them back, at least at first, won't
faster than earlier video systems, not ball controller ") and fire buttons for be hard. Our tester, a video game vet-
only in their on- screen aspects, but as "quick maneuvers" and "near- instan- eran, found the Sega System's speed and
controlled with any of the Sega options taneous reaction to movements by on- graphics praiseworthy and a definite im-
available. screen competitors." The optional provement over the earlier wave's stand-
The Master System itself includes two Light Phaser ($35) is a pistol -style con- ards in both areas.
control pads, which can be further modi- troller which figures in various inter- But whether Sega's variety-targeted
fied with a "mini" joystick, for use with active contests, aimed at the on- screen design can avoid the last video round's
games demanding steering skills, like video images. eventual over-exposure, over-saturation
"World Grand Prix." Our tester had Our Sega gamesman devised the ul- and over -kill would be hard to predict.
high praise for the games' graphics, timate one -on -one, between Sega and Getting the new players should be easy,
calling them "the most realistic" he's another active video game innovator, keeping them is the important challenge.
seen on a home system. Nintendo. According to him, "everyone -G.A. (research by Jordan Goldstein)
Publisher. Al Goldstein Editor. George Arthur Senior Editor. Gil Reavill New Products Editor. Christine Stevens Art Director.
Kevin Hein Associate Art Directors: D. Devins, C. Giordano, Rob Weisberg Production: Bill Mudie Administration: Bonnie
Keystone Reader Service: Kathryn Hartman Technical Consultants: Ken Schaffer, Bob Bishop Contributing Editors: Philip
Eisenberg, Alan Freedman, Jordan Ari Goldstein, Steve Gruberg, Aprile Guarino, John Kois, John Swenson, Ken Swisher,
Aaron C. Zimmerman.
GADGET is published by A.G. Consultants, Inc., 116 W. 14th Street, New York, NY 10011, (212) 989 -8001. Copyright ©1987 by
A.G. Consultants, Inc. GADGET is a registered trademark of A.G. Consultants, Inc. GADGET is published 12 times a year
and appears as an insert in Hands -On Electronics, published by Gernsback Publications, Inc., Farmingdale, NY 11735. For
information on subscriptions to Hands -On Electronics, please see the magazine's editorial page. Letters intended for GAD -
GET's editorial staff should be sent to the newsletter's address as shown here.
GADGET's sole commitment is to its readers. In order to avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest, GADGET does
not accept advertising nor does GADGET solicit gifts or other benefits from manufacturers and retailers who may be men-
tioned in reviews.
Pap. 2IGADGET JULY/1987
50
precision fussiness (the cutting foil,
coated with platinum, for example,
features hexagonal instead of round
holes) suggests that this instrument will
retain its cutting edge for many shaves
to come. In its class of electric razors,
the Braun 1 -2-3 is near the top in qual-
ity fabrication and well- thought-out
engineering and design.
According to one source, however,
only about 20 percent of American
males use a standard "dry" electric
razor. The rest of the market belongs
to the modern safety razor (safe, that
is, in comparison with the straight ra-
zors it replaced around 1900), espe-
cially the low -cost, throwaway models.
The Freedom Blade aims at capturing a
good portion of the "wet shave" mar-
ket and, given the buzz the product has
created among shaving consumers, it
might well succeed.
Not much different from a modern
safety razor in appearance, the Free-
dom Blade has a built -in motor which
vibrates the razor blade (it uses stand-
ard twin -blade, disposable cartridges),
causing it to "sever the hairs with
many tiny, rapid movements."
Despite its electrical components,
the Freedom Blade is used with lather
the System 1 -2 -3 Rechargeable Shaver, or cream and is fully immersible in
Little Shavers is a fairly typical electric razor in its
cutting head design. However, Braun
water. An overnight charge delivers
"approximately 15 shaves."
says the difference comes in the ultra - In our first use of it, we managed
SYSTEM 1 -2 -3 RECHARGEABLE precision with which the instrument is to cut ourselves-not the fault of the
SHAVER (model 3525). Manufactured engineered and fabricated. Freedom Blade, but rather the result of
by: Braun, Inc., 66 Broadway, Route "The Braun system," a sales bro- not realizing just how close this instru-
1, Lynnfleld, MA 01940. Price: $55. chure croons, "optimizes the interac- ment cuts. After that first session, get-
FREEDOM BLADE ELECTRIC tion between the micro -thin foil and ting the hang of this razor was no trou-
RAZOR. Manufactured by: Freedom oscillating ice hardened steel blades. ble at all.
Enterprises, Inc., P.O. Box 4987, Mon- Diamond cut stainless steel blades are However, tender skin might warrant
roe, LA 71211. Price: $39.95. perfectly synchronized with the foil use of a pre -shave conditioner in addi-
geometry to give the largest possible tion to the lather or cream usually
An encyclopedia entry says that razors active shaving area." used. Despite our experience, Freedom
represent "the earliest precision tools Striking in its design, the 1-2 -3 Sys- Blade's manufacturer maintains the
made by man." Despite a history dat- tem derives its name from its unique product "virtually eliminates skin irri-
ing back to the Egypt of 5,000 years three- position shaving head. Position tation as well as nicks and cuts com-
ago, improvements in shaving imple- one is for ordinary beard cutting. A monly caused by a conventional blade."
ments are still being claimed and new slight upward pressure on the razor's More impressively, Freedom Blade
products launched. At the same time, side moves the head into position two, backs the claim with a money -back
many are still using razors, the design "combination shaving, longer hairs in offer. "You will experience the closest,
of which dates back to the 19th century. awkward areas," as well as ordinary most comfortable shave imaginable,"
Given the subjectivity inherent in de- whiskers. Finally, position three fully promises a sales brochure, "or return
ciding what constitutes a close shave, extends the razor's built -in beard, it for a prompt and courteous refund."
and the endless variations in skin con- moustache and sideburn trimmer. Final judgments on razors and shav-
dition, beard condition and the like, As a rechargeable razor, the Braun ing methods are nearly impossible to
it's not surprising that so many differ- 1 -2 -3 fully "recharges in only one deliver, for reasons already outlined
ent styles of shaving tools coexist. The hour -3 minute cordless shave after 5 here. We were interested to note, for
persistence of "new developments" in minute recharging." Also included, an example, that Consumer Reports
the field reflects the continuing dissat- "automatic worldwide voltage adjust- hasn't done a comprehensive report on
isfaction of thousands with their shav- ment, 12 volt car /boat charging." It's shavers, of any kind, since 1979. Still,
ing experience, as does the periodic in- an altogether elegant shaving tool, if you're among those perpetually dis-
crease in the number of men wearing handsome, well -balanced, lightweight satisfied with your shaving tool, both
beards. and equipped with a mirrored carrying the Braun and the Freedom Blade
Germany's Braun has been in the case. merit your attention. In terms of inno-
razor business for decades. The com- In our tests, we found the 1 -2-3 vation, however, our nod goes to the
pany's recently introduced model 3525, shaved exceptionally close. Braun's Freedom Blade. -G.A.
JULY /1987 GADGET /Papa 3

1111E0 N. 141 11111131111111 IPY111011.
O a f ;: 7R
d pC20
Shure Video/HI -FI Expander

supplying reverbatory coloring. One
Dept. of ther combining input from many dif-
ferent sources (e.g., CDs, tape players, can also reproduce recent movies re-
phono, etc.) or "enhancing" that input corded in Dolby Surround, a method
Amplification in various ways. Control is the byword
here, and both units offer it to the con-
of sound encoding especially designed
for systems such as these.
PIONEER VSX -5000 AUDIO /VIDEO sumer in fairly commensurate ways. For ease of operation and supreme-
STEREO RECEIVER. Manufactured The AVC20 and VSX-5000 may be seen ly ergonomic- "user- friendly " -con-
by: Pioneer Electronics, 5000 Airport as switching houses for the increasingly trols, the Shure AVC20 seems to have
Plaza Drive, P.O. Box 1720, Long congested audio -visual railroad. the edge in the complicated business of
Beach, CA 90801 -1720. Price: $569.95. The surround -sound of these meta - choosing surround -sound effects. A
SHURE AVC20 VIDEO /HI -FI EX- amplifiers is similar but not quite iden- square LED indicator graphically illus-
PANDER. Manufactured by: Shure tical. Using a basic four -speaker ar- trates the exact configuration of the
Electronics, 222 Hartrey Avenue, rangement, two in front and two in sound, while next to it on the attractive
Evanston, IL 60202 -3696. Price: $599. back, they use various combinations to front panel is a square volume and bal-
achieve different effects. For watching ance control. It is fun and instructive
If one is to judge from industry market sporting events, all four speakers are to "walk" the sound around the room
reports, American consumers have re- kicked in for an ambient spaciousness using this four -way button.
cently taken a long, hard look at their difficult to obtain in a two- speaker set- The Pioneer's claim to dominance
home entertainment centers and found up. Concerts or music recordings de- rests primarily on its higher power out-
them wanting. They are turning to mand a more direct, "wall -of- sound" put: 70 watts per channel in surround
more sophisticated "umbrella" units approach, with the front speakers pro- mode, as opposed to Shure's 30 watts
to pull all the various audio -video com- viding the bulk and the back speakers (Continued on page 9)
ponents together. GADGET recently
conducted a head -on test of two such PERFECTION ATTAINED?
amplifiers, Shure's AVC20 "system ex-
pander" and Pioneer's VSX-5000. Stereo amplifiers have apparently minute that they form a poor basis
reached a level of perfection equal
Both units take as their centerpiece
stereo "surround- sound," a method of
delivering stereo sound from four
to the dreams of every stereo buff
sort of. The Consumer Union News
- for choosing one amplifier over an-
other. Certainly, there are still dif-
ferences between amps, but we are
speakers instead of two, with the re- Digest (Box 2029, Norwalk, CT unlikely to hear them."
sulting versatility exploited by adjust- 06852) reports that Stereo Review The main differences to be
ing speaker levels. For example, a has thrown up its hands at the pros- "heard" are the various claims made
"spatial" or "stadium" sound is ob- pect of quantifying any important on behalf of competing brands of
tained by delivering both direct stereo differences in the audio perfor- amplifier equipment.
from the front speakers and support mance of stereo amplifiers. Consumer Union's News Digest
from back speakers: "studio" or "con- The audio monthly approached a is a biweekly compendium of signi-
cert" sound is arrived at by relying pri- consultant about designing a test to ficant consumer news and informa-
marily on the front speakers. Effects bring out the elusive subtleties in tion, much breezier than its some-
such as these have been used in movie the performance of various amps. times ponderous parent publica-
theatres for years, complete with Dolby In its January issue, SR reported, tion, Consumer Reports magazine,
(which both products also feature). "the evidence would seem to sug- minus CR's exhaustive, scientific
Added to this basic surround -sound gest that distinctive amplifier evaluation of products. Subscrip-
capability are a host of sophisticated sounds, if they exist at all, are so tions are $48 a year.
technological innovations, aimed at ei-
Page 4/GADGET JULY/1987
52
The New "PC"
COPY PRO DESKTOP COPIER.
Manufactured by: Silver Reed Amer-
ica, Inc., 19600 S. Vermont Ave., Tor-
rance, CA 90502. Price: $449.95.
Some products seem impervious to the

much - heralded consumer electronics
revolution. Regardless of demand or
brand competition within the product
field, prices seem not to come down.
Such as been the case with modern -
.
day copiers. Although there are scores

of consumers who might be eager to
have a copier in a home office or work-
room, these remain among the priciest
of electronic office tools. Or they were
until recently.
Canon has aggressively marketed its
line of "personal copiers" (GADGET, copy the exact length (but not width) strongly on the copy tray. Those "heavy
January). Now, Japanese -owned Silver of an original. What this comes down objects" would include oversize books
Reed America has introduced its first to are guide marks scored into the sur- or bound volumes of publications. A
"personal desktop copier," the Copy face of the copy tray. In adjusting the law student, to take one example, try-
Pro. tray by hand, a user merely lines up the ing to copy pages out of a weighty law
The Silver Reed product seems an edge of the to -be- duplicated material book would find this copier less than
accommodation to the economic reali- with any of the three guide marks, then adequate.
ties of copier manufacturing. Designed lines up the selected mark with the unit Despite an instruction booklet refer-
for the "student, home and small of- chassis' "start position" mark. ence to "many years of service from
fice market," the Copy Pro weighs just Controls are basic. There's a power your Copy Pro," the device's light-
under 17 lbs. and can produce six 81/2" switch, a "copy intensity" dial and a weight construction gave GADGET's
by 11" copies per minute, or "one in "start" button. Included with the tester pause. Silver Reed offers a lim-
less than 10 seconds." As with the corn - Copy Pro is a "head cleaner," rather ited three -month labor and one -year
pany's hand -held Porta Copy (GAD- resembling a ballpoint pen. The "silver parts warranty. But it's hard to picture
GET, May), the Copy Pro uses thermal thermal head" is mounted above the this copier standing up to years of
copying technology (a heat transfer paper roll compartment, accessed via a heavy, or even moderate use. Long
process) in tandem with a charge -cou- release switch and a lift -up door. copy runs -multiple copies of a single
pled- device image scanner. Oddly, although there's an illustra- original -would not seem to be a spe-
The resulting duplicated images are tion in the user's manual showing the cialty of this particular unit. Each copy
clearly superior to what thermal copy head cleaner being used, there is no requires a press of the "start" button;
processes were capable of in their pre - reference to the maintenance tool (that there is no multiple copy control on the
Xerox heyday. This unit pretty much we could find) in the instructions' text. machine.
lives up to its "desktop" marketing Instead, the "If You Have Problems" For research work and the like, how-
designation. The device's measure- section merely says to "wipe the ther- ever, the Copy Pro produces a perfect-
ments are a compact 16" x 141/2" x mal head with a soft cloth or cotton ly acceptable duplicate. Photos and
41/2", although the user will need to swab to remove any dirt or dust" -this material printed over a non -white back-
clear an area longer than the Copy next to the illustration showing the ground can even be decently dupli-
Pro's chassis in order to accommodate head cleaner being wielded by a pair of cated, thanks to the unit's "copy inten-
the copy tray's forward and backward disembodied hands. sity" adjustment. The machine's re-
motion. Let's not forget why it was that of- movable copy tray cover, unfortu-
This component of the Copy Pro fice thermal copiers went the way of nately, is mostly a reminder of how
suggests how dollars have been shaved the wax cylinder dictation machine and frail the unit gives every indication of
off its retail price. It's no big deal, but the rolltop desk. The Copy Pro instruc- being.
the copy tray must be positioned by tions have a nine -point list of "don'ts" Even at nearly $450, the Copy Pro is
hand. There's no motor to move it under the heading "Storing Copies." cheaper than any of the standard office
back after completing a copy. Storage in any folders, etc., with copiers. The most important questions
The unit's thermal copying paper vinyl chloride in their composition will that might be asked by a potential
comes in rolls (98' long and retailing quickly fade thermal paper copies. buyer are: What am I going to use it
for $7.95) and can be loaded into the Likewise, "when pasting copies, avoid for? How many copies per week, or
machine in just seconds. Thermal using glue or tape containing solvents," month, will I be making? What kind of
paper, it should be noted, isn't at all and "do not write on copies with ink material do I wish to copy? Pages out
like Xerox paper or ordinary bond. It that contains solvents." But, most po- of hefty encyclopedias? The answers
has the shiny, smooth surface of the tential users aren't looking to make to these questions should determine
chemically treated material it is. copies for posterity. whether this is your "personal desktop
One touch Silver Reed seems espe- There's also a maintenance caution copier" or merely the newest entrant
cially proud of is "a built -in adjust- in the instructions telling users to avoid into the woefully underdeveloped con-
ment feature" which allows the user to placing "heavy objects" or pressing sumer copier market. -G.A.
JULY/1987 GADGET/Pago 5
Electronic
Childhood
After years of GADGET going to the
American International Toy Fair, the
84th edition of the event came to us, so
to speak. Not literally, but in terms of
the product trends evident at the an-
nual February toy industry showcase.
The trade magazine Toy & Hobby,
called it a "new age of electronics" in
playthings, reporting, "the toy market
is becoming saturated with hi -tech and
animated plush items." New York
magazine's coverage labeled the trend,
"kidtronics, audio and video products
that have been jazzed up and scaled
down for kids."
If last year's obsession was licensing
(GADGET, May 1986, p. 4), this year
the toy industry movers and mavens
were wrapped up in "high tech." Li-
censing and TV tie-ins weren't much
discussed during the fair's nine -day run
at New York's Toy Center, mainly be-
cause the practices have become stand-
PXL 2000 Camcorder
ard for toy manufacturers and market -
eers. Perhaps as much as 50 percent of transformation of the toy field. Its veloped, "reflecting a military theme."
toy sales are generated by or associated most disappointing aspect, at least as The Erector laser components fire
with licensing agreements and TV pro- reflected at the Toy Fair, was the lack - infrared beams at each other from a
motional programming. Luster uses this technology is being put claimed distance of 20 feet and "emit
The toy makers' wholesale adapta- to. Oddly enough in an industry depen- up to four distinct and well -amplified
tion of voice- recognition technology, dent on kids, the missing ingredient battlefield sounds."
"laser beams" and computer chips, too often is imagination. The smaller laser equipped set sells
most often used to animate some tradi- A primary example would be the for approximately $30, while the larger
tional plush animal suggests a research generable Erector Construction Set, (which has both the "LaserPlex Com-
and development effort staffed by a manufactured by Ideal, Inc. (The Toy bat Station" and the "LaserStrike"
combination of mad scientists, the Center North, 200 Fifth Ave., New vehicle with target) retails for around
Brothers Grimm and maybe a propo- York, NY 10010), itself now, "a subsi- $60.
nent of the Reagan "Star Wars" de- diary of View -Master Ideal Group, A "military theme" is the best Ideal
fense plan. Inc." Seeking to update the traditional could come up with for a construction
This proliferation of electronic, steel- girder building sets, "motorized toy like the Erector Set, and a tech-
audio and video products for the kids, laser modules capable of firing an in- nology like infrared beams?
hus far, is a not altogether joyful risible infrared beam" have been de- Quite possibly the most talked abou
Erector LaserStrike Vehicle and Target
Page 6/GADGET JULY /1987
54
new toy came from another old -line in-
dustry leader, Fisher Price (East Au-
rora, NY 14052). Called the PXL 2000,
it's "the first video camcorder system"
for kids. Aimed at tykes 8 years old
and up, what makes the PXL 2000 fas-
cinating is its technology.
It uses what's dubbed "pixelvision,"
in order to produce black -and -white
images on a standard audio cassette.
Playback requires no VCR; instead the
kid vid camera is hooked up to any TV
by attaching a cable supplied with the
PXL 2000. In its deluxe version (priced
at approximately $200), the system
includes a 41/2" black -and -white TV.
In its standard form ($150), the unit
comes equipped with TV hook -up ac-
cessories and an audio cassette.
Power is supplied by six "AA" bat-
teries. A 90- minute audio cassette will
yield an 11-minute video, 51/2 minutes
on each side. The image is said to be
comparable to the films produced by
the earliest of home movie outfits.
This is one toy we're pretty sure will
be purchased by kids of all ages, if only Video Art
because of its intriguing implications
for the future of grown -up video. pathic and unaided precognitive," of playthings is apparently a major fac-
Another video -related product was players try to predict which of four col- tor in boosting the cost of all but the
unveiled by LJN Toys, Ltd. (1107 ors the machine will display. If, as most simple of toys.
Broadway, New York, NY 10010). This Parker says, "...68 percent of the Maybe having taken a hint from the
one, VideoArt, hooked up to a TV or adult American population believes grown -up electronics industry in the
VCR makes possible the creation of they have some form of ESP," Percep- area of technology, toy manufacturers
"16 -color artwork on the television tron, at around $35, should do well. will also adopt the industry's practice
screen and then actually records it on a This, of course, is barely the tip of of gradually lowering prices as research
video cassette recorder." The system the toy iceberg and GADGET will be and development and start -up costs
includes video art software which taking an individual look at some of fade. That would be one welcome by-
transforms the screen into a coloring the new toys as the year continues. It's product of the coming of "kidtron-
book. Among cassettes available are unfortunate that the electronification ics."-G.A.
Disney characters, Spider -Man, and of
course LJN's own Photon and Thun-
dercats characters. The VideoArt sys-
tem retails for up to $100, while each
of the coloring book cassette programs
costs around $15.
Texas Instrument (Consumer Prod-
ucts, P.O. Box 655303, M.S. 8214,
Dallas, TX 75265) introduced spelling
and mathematical learning systems, for
children 5 to 12 and 6 to 11, respec-
tively, the Spelling B and Math Star.
Both are simple computer chip units
which utilize games, and contests to
teach basic skills. Math Star is priced
at $29.95, while the Spelling B (with
a vocabulary of over 250 words) is
$24.95.
One electronic toy with a nice sci-
fi flair is the game Perceptron from
Parker Brothers (500 Dunham Rd.,
Beverly, MA 01015). The company
might not like this being called a game.
According to the promotional litera-
ture, it is "an ESP tool," one which
will "help you develop effective deci-
sion- making abilities." In performing
three programs, "precognitive, tele- Math Star
JULY /1987 OADOETIPage 7

of engineering and design. tions, there seems little question that it
The Naked Tooth The Interplak's unique advantage is would outclean an ordinary or electric
in its powered brush head. Two rows toothbrush. Our publisher has used
INTERPLAK HOME PLAQUE RE- of five tapered bristle tufts, positioned one for nearly a year. Besides having
MOVAL INSTRUMENT. Manufac- to follow the gum line, are geared so purchased the first, non- interchange-
tured by: Dental Research Corp., 1726 that each tuft rotates in the opposite able model, his only negative observa-
Montreal Circle, #14, Tucker, GA direction of adjacent bristles and re- tion is the unit's tendency to heat up in
30084. Price: $99. verses direction 46 times each second. use to a rather uncomfortable degree.
The bristle tufts each rotate at the But as a tooth -cleaning apparatus, in
The toothbrush was supposedly devel- equivalent of 4,200 rpm, reversing di- his experience, the Interplak does a su-
oped in China during the 1400s. In the rection every 1.5 revolutions. perb job.
five centuries since, despite the electri- While we've gotten jaded regarding Even in the hand of a dental delin-
fication of toothbrushes a couple of electronic miniaturization, engineering quent, the Interplak would scrub more
decades ago, this basic dental hygienic all of this coordinated rotation and enamel and reach into more hard -to-
tool hasn't changed much. counter -rotation mechanism into the clean areas than a desultory brushing
Dental care has improved and floss, head of a toothbrush -and not coming with a stationary set of bristles. Sold
water pics and other at -home dental up with a finished product which with a recharging stand, dental mirror,
care tools have, if nothing else, in- weighs a few score pounds and roars instructions and hardware for mount-
creased awareness of the importance of like a power mower -has to be counted ing in the bathroom or elsewhere, the
preventive maintenance. But the brush as a real achievement. Interplak has been approved by the
itself, especially as it's wielded by most The precision involved in its design electrical safety- monitoring Underwrit-
of us, remains a weak link in the chain was responsible for a major drawback er's Laboratories and the U.S. Food
of dental protection. in the first Interplaks marketed. Each and Drug Administration.
That, anyway, was the viewpoint of instrument demanded its own custom Of course, even an Interplak won't
the American dentist who developed engineering. As a result, each user of do any good if it's not used on a regu-
the Interplak, a new instrument in the the Interplak required his or her own lar basis. But Dental Research Corp.
fight against tooth decay and gum dis- $99 unit, a substantial investment in figures that "compared with the typ-
orders. Provisionally approved for use dental hygiene for just about any family. ical one minute long manual tooth -
by the American Dental Association, The current, improved Interplak is brushing," its product produces 4,200
the Interplak has been the subject of equipped with two interchangeable revolutions in that minute, compared
studies at a number of dental schools. heads, with additional snap -on brush with about 160 random strokes. With
Although toothbrush -like, the Inter- heads available at $12.95 each. Dental this tool, that typical "one minute long
plak is to the standard, manual brush Research Corp., the manufacturer, is toothbrushing" just might be useful
what a Porsche is to a Volkswagen. responsible for service and each unit is time spent in dental protection, instead
Quite apart from its effectiveness as a backed by a one -year warranty. of the bane of dental -bill paying par -
dental tool, it's something of a marvel If this rather complex tool func- ents. -G. A.

56
PSION ORGANISER II Bessel functions, polynomial equa- magazine, Your Computer, in just six
(Cont. from p. I) tions, quadratics, Eigenvalues as well months last year, Psion leapfrogged
as standard statistical calculations, cor- over other computer firms to become
relation coefficients, and more) and the world's largest producer, by unit
chine and on Datapaks and the quan- the Concise Oxford Spelling Checker. volume, of hand -held computers.
tity of internal memory still free." All This Datapak allows a user to "type in Besides the model CM, the Psion
of this is served up in a package weigh- the first three or four letters to define Organiser 11 is also available as the
ing 10 oz. and easily palm- sized. the word," with the Checker display- model XP ($249.95). With a larger
Its memory capacity is a feature ing "the correct spelling on the second memory, this unit's additional capabil-
which marks the Psion // as something line of the screen." ities include use with a bar code and
special. Credited with 24 Bytes of Further expanding its utility, the magnetic card reader and 'the ability to
ROM and 8K Bytes RAM, the model Organiser II can interface with other use Psion's 128K Datapaks.
CM can carry up to 160 Kilobytes at computers, printers and models via an While we'll leave it to the buffs and
any one time, while the heftier model optional RS232 Link communications hackers to really explore this marvel-
XP can handle a whopping 304 Kilo- cable (available for $99.95). Records ous device in depth, GADGET was
bytes. The key to this impressive and files can be transferred from the most impressed by the Psion's clear
capacity is the Organiser's "Datapak" Organiser to another computer, or potential. Here is a computer designed
system. from the computer to the Organiser. In to conform to human thinking, instead
Similar to a desk -top computer's Great Britain, it also links up with the of demanding that the user learn to
floppy disks in their function, each country's "electronic mail" service. think like an electronic machine. if
Datapak is a thumb -sized unit which Prices for optional data and pro- you're thinking about taking the PC
slides into a slot in the back of the gram packs vary. An 8K Datapak re- plunge, the Psion Organiser merits
Organiser. Two units can be inserted at tails for $29.95, with the 64K pack careful attention as a possible alterna-
a time, yielding up to 64 KBytes per priced at $139.95. The programs de- tive, particularly if you're new to the
pack. Besides providing mass storage scribed above (financial, math and wonderful, and sometimes wacky,
of data, these Datapaks can carry spe- spelling checker) each sell for $49.95. world of computers.
cial programs, including three pro- The Psion Organiser 11's versatility We'd also like to see American
vided (as options) by Psion- Finance (and popularity) is suggested by the manufacturers and designers learning
Pack (financial calculations, an ex- British publication of a 226 -page book, something from their trans -Atlantic
pense log and bank account record - Using and Programming the Psion Or- counterparts. In the age -old contest be-
keeping, including a monthly state- ganiser 11, independent of the Psion tween man and machine, Psion is obvi-
ment), Math Pack (capable of solving company. According to the British ously rooting for the humans. -G.A.
AMPLIFIERS
(Cont. from p. 4)
per channel. However, since anyone
venturing into this heady stratosphere
of consumer gadgetry will no doubt 11.
link either of the control amps in ques-
tion with other power amps, pure
power primacy seems beside the point.
We are left with other deciding factors,
such as remote capability, design and
optional features.
..
Both the Shure and the Pioneer units
come equipped with remote control, ..
O
but the latter packs many more options
into its standard -size infrared unit.
Basically, the Pioneer remote is de-
signed to operate a whole battery of
audio-visual components, as long as Pioneer Audio /Video Stereo Receiver
they are manufactured by Pioneer or lacks, a split- screen comparison be- several of its less- utilized controls be-
compatible. A whole-system remote tween the enhanced image and the un- hind an attractive glass panel.
with an impressive array of 40 buttons, treated one, so the viewer may com- In these realms of electronic excel-
it nonetheless might strike all but the pare quality. The Pioneer VSX-5000 lence, it is moot to say one product is
most fervent audiophile as a trifle over- also has various channel -search capa- superior to another, and better perhaps
complicated. The Shure remote offers bilties that the Shure unit does not, to suggest ideal matchings of consumer
dramatically reduced capability, but it. such as preset scanning to complement with hardware. For an audio -visual ma-
does so in an immediately graspable direct access tuning. niac, especially one with several Pio-
format. For looks, design and overall "feel," neer units already at his command, the
Both units also offer a video-en- the Shure unit comes out slightly 1/SX-5000 will pull together the system
hancer system, a picture input treat- ahead. The controls are simply larger and provide the user with a single uni-
ment which has a varying effect on and easier to operate than Pioneer's fied remote. For the more casual
actually improving the image: on some trademark buttons. Both amplifiers buyer, one who simply wants to knit
older movies it works, but on some it are black, with the imposing front of various threads of his system together,
suffers from "white- out." In addition, the Pioneer set off with a large, lighted the Shure AVC20 is highly recom- c_
the Pioneer offers something the Shure C
control window, and the Shure placing mended.-C.R.
JULY/1987 GADGET/Page 9
57
The video game revival, apparently, has become official. After main-
taining a low profile for a couple of years, the industry is bouncing back
with new games and new concepts. VCR Enterprises, Inc. (115 Issaquena
Ave., Clarksdale, MS 38614) has introduced an NBA VCR Basketball
Game, licensed by the National Basketball Association and making use
of NBA game footage in the video cassettes included with the product.
VCR Basketball is played on a board, with part of the action taking
place on the screen. Players work with cards, dice, playing pieces and "a
tiny basketball and miniature hoop provided for making foul shots." As
the manufacturer sees it, this is a traditional board game, enhanced by
the audio and visual excitement provided by the VCR. Price: $44.
Microwave cookery is firmly established, with any doubts raised by its

generation of microwaves long ago overcome in the marketplace. How-
ever, just in case you're inclined to err on the side of caution, Brook -
stone (127 Vose Farm Rd., Peterborough, NH 03458) offers a Micro-
wave Meter. The device measures "dangerous leaks that can go unde-
NBA VCR Basketball Game tected." A user passes it around the oven. A green light means safety,
red means call a service representative. The meter features solid -state
construction and needs no batteries. Price: $19.95.
Among the video image enhancement devices introduced at the Winter

Consumer Electronics Show by Sony Corp. of America (Sony Dr., Park -
ridge, NJ 07656) is an XV -C700 Video Multicolor Corrector. The unit
Sony Video Multicolor Corrector offers a color bar generator, white balance and color /hue adjustment
and "a choice of 15 wipe patterns and a background color generator for
creating titles." It can also convert 35mm negatives or slides to video
with the use of a film /video adapter and has audio mixing capabilities
for "producing sound effects." A joystick -style controller is used for
continuous correction of white balance in order to promote consistent
image quality. Price: $700.
While it's been part of broadcast football games for years, "instant
replay" has just made its appearance in the world of electronic calcula-
tors. Technico (989 6th Ave., 7th Fl., New York, NY 10018) has intro-
duced a non-printing Desktop Calculator (model PL -941) with a feature
dubbed "instant replay." The unit allows the user to replay each step
of a calculation. Each time the calculator's "instant replay" key is
Technico "Instant Replay" Calculator punched, "the previous entry appears on the eight -digit display." The
entire calculation can be reviewed, step -by-step, for up to 32 separate
entries. The PL-941 also has a continuous memory, "so once the calcula-
tion is entered into the memory, the total will remain there until can-
celled, even if the calculator is turned off." Technico plans to introduce
this feature later this year in credit -card, foldable, vertical and larger
desktop models. The battery- operated PL -941 performs all standard
functions as well as mark -up calculations. Price: $12.95.
The past several years have seen an explosion in home security equip-
ment. Besides widespread demand, technological change has made it
possible to sell once exotic security technology at an affordable price.
Health Zenith (St. Joseph, MI 49085) offers a Motion Sensor Light
Control (SL -5200) which uses "passive infrared technology to turn on
lights by sensing the heat of objects in motion." The control has a
"detection field of 60 feet in length through a 100 degree arc," covering
a total of 2,000 square feet. Its refractive lens, housed in a weather-tight
case, "detects downward as well as out." The user can adjust both sen-
sitivity and the time period during which the lights stay on. Heath
Zenith suggest use in "those large areas around driveways, sidewalks
and patios for convenience, safety and security." There's an optional
Motion Sensor Light Control mount available for $10 for use with the SL -5200. Price: $79.95.
Page 10/GADGET JULY /1987
58
No Johnny- come-lately to the telephone answering machine market,
when Code -A -Phone Corp. (16216 S.E. 130th, Clackamas, OR 97228)
says it's introducing its "lowest -ever priced TAD" ( "telephone answer-
ing device "), the statement actually means something. The model 900
Telephone Answering Machine features variable-length announcement,
voice- activated message length, last message automatic stop, message
"backspace," memo recording and an LED display of number of mess-
ages received. All this and "one- button control" in a cream with bur-
gundy accents package. There's also a power failure security capability
which enables the model 900 to "remember the user's outgoing greeting
and saves messages for later review" despite any power outage. Aimed
at residential users, the model 900 is especially designed (and priced) for
"young people." Price: $79.95.
It's not often you find the "relaxation of Swedish massage," com-
bined with the "invigoration of Japanese Shiatsu" in one "high -tech Cods -A -Phone Answering Machine
designer chair." If you've been looking for that elusive cross -cultural
combination, the Fuji Massage Chair claims to be the answer. Dis-
tributed in this country by Kinsei Shiatsu, Inc. (551 W. 189th St., Suite
R, Gardena, CA 90248), the device offers "five essential" massage func-
tions- kneading, tapping, rolling, kneading -rolling and, as you might
have guessed, tapping-rolling. The reclining armchair has two control
panels, one for timing and one to select the various massage combos the
Fuji is capable of. Extended use time is 30 minutes and power is sup-
plied (at 120 volts) by an ordinary wall outlet. Price: $1,495.
For campers, boat owners and RV fans, summer's the time for fun,
but it's also the time for high temperatures, which means this D.C.
Table Fan should find a ready market. Offered by the energy -efficient
Free Market Catalog (1001 Connecticut Ave., N.W., Suite 638, Washing-
ton, DC 20036), this 8" oscillating fan runs on 12 -volt direct current,
drawing 15 watts on low and 24 watts on high speed. It also carries a Fuji Massaga Chair
one -year warranty. Price (including shipping charges): $31.
We can't help but wonder how this product is doing in the Washing-
ton, DC market. From Silver Reed (19600 S. Vermont Ave., Torrance,
CA 90502), it's the Snippet Personal Shredder (DS210). Designed to rest
atop a standard office wastebasket, the little Snippet (8.5 lbs., 11.5"
wide, 7.2" deep and 3.6" tall) "devours confidential notes, memos and
other sensitive papers, turning them into 'curly -Q' shreds even the great-
est detective couldn't piece back together(!)" That certainly goes to the
heart of the device's uses. The Snippet's curly strips are only 0.16" wide
and its "powerful motor shreds almost any size document," while the
unit itself is "only slightly larger than a telephone." Price: $199.95. Snippet Personal Shredder
Carrying chests that can keep food cool, or warm, aren't new, but
their design has improved in recent years. Remington Products, Inc.
(60 Main St., P.O. Box 1101, Bridgeport, CT 06601 -9967) offers a 7 -lb.
combo chest which can cool foods as low as 36 degrees Fahrenheit and
warm them up to 185 degrees F. The Kool Made Cooling/Warming
Chest measures 12" high by 131/2" long by 93" wide. The unit's top
has four recessed holders for beverages. The Kool Made plugs into your
car's cigarette lighter or anywhere 12 -volt power is available. Price:
$79.99.
Another radio aimed at the youngster market is offered by Fun De-

signs (P.O. Box 2837, 30 Tremont St., Duxbury, MA 02332) under the
name Teddy Tunes. It's a floating radio in either AM or FM, featuring a
bear who looks suspiciously like Smokey, perhaps a close relative? The
Teddy Tunes speaker is mounted in the bear's belly and he floats on a
yellow, red or blue raft. Its radio, of course, is waterproof. Price: AM- C-
C
$24.99; AM /FM- $34.99. Teddy Tunas Floating Radio
JULY/1987 GADGETIPegs 11
59
The computer modem has reached a high level of development, but it
still operates via phone lines which sometimes can allow interference with
transmissions. Electronic Specialists, Inc. (171 S. Main St., Natick, MA
01760) has introduced a Phone Line RH Suppressor to guard against this
problem. Designed to protect against RFI interference emanating from
area TV or radio stations, the units are also effective against police, taxi
and CB interference as well as natural RFI "from lightning and other
spheric discharges." The item is available with a "wide variety of con-
nectors to accommodate all installations." Price: $30.
Radio -equipped pillows have been around for years. Advantages are
always claimed and drawbacks are just as often apparent. The Safe &
Sound FM Stereo Pillow (SS -5) is fairly typical. Marketed by Shoreline
International Electronics, Inc. (P.O. Box 6392, Hamden, CT 06517), its
awkwardly oblong shape is complemented by clumsy access to the built -
in radio's controls. Improbably, Shoreline suggests the bulky pillow can
Phone Line RFI Suppressor be worn around the neck like a scarf. Power is supplied by four 1.9 volt
batteries or an optional AC adapter. As for the Safe & Sound's use on
the beach, instructions warn "do not use near water. The stereo pillow is
not waterproof or a floatation device and may present a shock hazard."
These wired pillows may have their partisans, but they are unlikely to re-
place Walkman -stype personal stereo systems or even non -electronic pil-
lows. Price: $39.95.
One of the more publicized spin -off products of the early days of the
U.S. space program was the Fisher Space Pen. Not developed by NASA,
it was enthusiastically adopted by American, and eventually Soviet,
space explorers after its development by entrepreneur and inventor, Paul
Fisher. Two decades later, the Fisher Pen Co. (743 Circle Ave., Forest
Park, IL 60130) has come up with an attention -grabbing update of its
product, the Atocha Stowaway Space Pen. Named for a Spanish galleon
which sank in 1622, each of these pens "contains gold or silver from the
Atocha." Like all Fisher Space Pens, these write "at any angle, even up-
side down. .. under water, over grease, in blazing heat," and the pens
"won't dry out in 100 years." Price: $25 -$50; Collectors Series -$300-
$1,500.
The old- fashioned mechanical- electrical jukebox has always been one
of our favorite gadgets, even in its commercial decline. A company in
New England, Laser Video Music, Inc. (60 Aberdeen Ave., Cambridge,
MA 02138) has developed a new, electronic -age twist on this old war-
horse which just might bring it into the 21st century. Called the Laser
Video Music Entertainment System, this offspring of the Wurlitzer and
the Capehart plays laser video discs (45 video titles per unit, some three
hours of program material) as well as six minutes of commercials each
hour, which doesn't sound like an improvement to us. The units contain
a modem that connects them to a mainframe computer at Laser Video
Music's headquarters. The home computer keeps track of when the unit
is turned on, which songs are played, revenue (at 50 cents a selection)
and even if it needs repairs or service. Available only on a commercial -
use, lease basis, the Laser Video Music Entertainment System is a juke-
Laser Video Music System box with a difference. Price: Not available.
Coming in future issues of GADGET newsletter

Microwave Generation -These "space age" ovens have gone from exotic
accessory to everyday necessity. We use a moderately priced Toshiba to investi-
gate the latest generation.
Perils of Personal TV- Casio's cube color tube, the TV -6000 shows promise
even as the same brand's TV2000 stumbles and falls on the slippery path of LCD
technology.
Close Tech, The Story Continues -With Its featherweight Titanium- coated
shaving foil, Panasonic's cordless shaver delivers a superior electric shave.
iron Deficient? -The Swiss -engineered Elnapress Is supposed to be superior
to ordinary electric irons. GADGET smooths out some wrinkles to discover why.
60
A BASIC program can save many hours worth of input!
ONO MATTER HOW CAREFUL I AM ABOUT MAKING BACKUPS, SOONER Once I found a portion of the file, 1 moved on toward the
or later I lose some text that took a considerable amount of center of the diskette, looking for more of the file. More of
time to input. That is a fairly serious disaster for a working the file was located at 10,10, so I scanned 10,11 through
writer, and there are ways to prevent the problem. I still 10,14. The sector at 10,14 was about half full, but I couldn't
don't have an answer for a failure to make backups, but use it. That's because TEXT SAVE is designed to use only full
floppy disk accidents can steal a backup in an instant. If it sectors, and replace the last two bytes with an end -of-file
is important enough (eight or ten pages lost, perhaps), I marker. That makes the program much easier to write and
might spend several hours with a floppy-disk zap utility and faster to run than if it had to locate the true end of the file.
rebuild the diskette enough to salvage the critical text. Since In other words, I saved all of track 10 text except about 31
I'm a hacker, that is fairly routine for me. (Before I learned words. Back to the search!
how to do it, I used to cry a lot!) There is now a better and Since I found part of the file, I saved 10,1 through 10,9
faster way, and you don't have to be a hacker to take advan- as SAVE1 and 10,10 through 10,13 as SAVE2. I then found
tage of it. 18 sectors on each of tracks 11, 12 and 13, and the beginning
of the file at 10,10 through 10,18. Each data block was saved
The TEXTSAVE Utility as I found it; I wound up with a track/sector and file list that
The Color Computer stores data in blocks of 2,304 bytes is shown in Table 1.
(nine sectors), or about 450 words of text. Most software The files in Table are BASIC data files and must be
1
needs a directory to find that data and keep it organized, so loaded using the commands used by your particular word -
if a directory gets garbaged up, you lose it all. However, if processor software. TEXT SAVE generates files of the form
the individual track and sector markers are intact, TEXT SAVE XXXXXX/DAT; using ELITE *WORD the file name must
(a BASIC program) can read these sectors and save most of be given in full, followed by "; ", that is, XXXXXX/DAT;.
the data. Normally, sectors only get damaged by dirt, scratches, After saving those nine segments, I printed each of them to
fingerprints, heat, and magnets, so they usually are okay. see if I had found all the text. That meant having to arrange
Remember two things about RSDOS: it puts the directory the segments in the correct order, making a mostly complete
in the center of the diskette (track 17) and then it places files text. I then loaded SAVE9 (the beginning text) and appended
on either side of the directory, working outward as it stores the others in the correct order. The segments fit like this:
data. Since the lower tracks are easier to read, they are filled SAVE9 + SAVES + SAVE6 + SAVE7 +SAVE8 + SAVE3
first. + SAVE4 + SAVE1 + SAVE2.
I now had the.reclaimed file in correct order, and it con-
How TEXT SOME H%rks tained about 97% of the original text. However, all the embed-
No matter what error messages your word processor gives ded file formatting characters were clumps of meaningless
you, when trying to read a diskette, TEXT SAVE can probably characters, and a three -character string (" , ") appeared numer-
read most of the sectors. Each sector is displayed on the ous times throughout the document. That little string is an
screen as it is read, and up to nine sectors can be scanned artifact of how the software handles strings longer than 255
in one pass. So, you read the diskette, one sector at a time, characters. Both ELITE *WORD and TELEWRITER have
looking for the data you are after. It isn't as time -consuming a problem with long text strings; ELITE *WORD uses ( ", ")
as it sounds; although there are 603 sectors, there are only to "splice" 255- character strings together in diskette files.
67 data blocks. If your file is undamaged, it will start in the TABLE 1- RESCUED TEXT FILES
first sector of a block. In case of possible damage, check
more than one sector in a block when searching for your file. Number of File
1 If the first sector of a block is blank, the whole block should Track/Sector Sectors Name
be.
Follow me through a typical session. Since the files are 10, 1 -9 9 SAVE 1
4 SAVE 2
stored beginning near the center and working out, I read 10,10 -18
9 SAVE 3
11, 1 -9
tracks in a search pattern to find the lowest track with data. 11, 10 -18 9 SAVE 4
I started with track 8, sector 1 (8,1). That one was empty, 12, 1 -9 9 SAVE 5
as was 9,1 and 9,10, but on 10,1 I found nine sectors used 12, 10 -18 9 SAVE 6
(10,1 through 10,9). That was part of the text I sought, near 13, 1 -9 9 SAVE 7
13, 10 -18 9 SAVE 8
the end of the file. If 8,1 had been used I would have tried 14, 10 -18 9 SAVE 9
6,1 or 4,1 until I found a blank sector, then searched forward
from there.
61
Some other anomalies appear in the file: (13 13), ("Cr") and counter which is displayed just above the sector contents; it
(Cr"). TExr SAVE replaces the last two characters in a sector increments as you read more sectors. You will see the sector
with two STR$(13) (carriage return) characters and (13 13) contents in one of five styles. A blank display indicates a
is how ELITE *WORD reads them into its text buffer. The never -used sector, and dots with random alphanumeric char-
other two groups appear to be how some of the formatting acters is probably left -over trash. A segment of text will be
commands are handled by TEXT SAVE. clearly readable, while graphics characters mixed with
The bottom line is that I spent about two hours to locate alphanumerics is a BASIC program. A BASIC program saved
and save 3600 characters of text and do some global replace in ASCII mode will resemble a text file.
operations. For example, I replaced ( ", ") with (), ( "cr ") At the bottom of the display you will be prompted:
with ( *) and (cr *) with ( * *). By searching for " * ", I located
the problem areas quickly. After comparing the recovered "MORE ?" Press ENTER to read the next sector,
text with my notes and outline of the original file, 1 could "P" to print on the printer,
determine which characters and/or words were wiped out "N" to choose a new track/sector combination,
by the funny characters and replace them. I also had to replace and "W" to write to diskette.
the embedded printer-control characters and do a test print- Entering "N" brings up the track/sector prompt. Pressing
out to locate other damage. That sure beats about six hours (ENTER) repeatedly will scroll through the diskette sector
to rebuild a diskette, before beginning to repair the file itself! by sector until you stop. (Remember, there are only 18 sec-
tors per track, so if you try to do more in one pass you will
TABLE 2 -TExr SAVE UTILITY get an error message.)
Be sure to examine each sector as it is displayed, to be
5 CLEAR 10000:POKE 150,18 sure you are still finding data from the correct file. You can
10 DIM BS(50):DIM T$(50)
15 INPUT "DRIVE ";D write 18 sectors or less to the new diskette on a single pass.
20 INPUT "TRACK,SECTOR ";T,S Entering either "P" or "W" brings up "HOW MANY SEC-
25 PRINT "TRACK ";T;" ;" SECTOR ;S;
30 DSKI$ D,T,S,A$,S$
TORS?". You can request no more than the maximum number
35 B$(X)= A$:T$(X)= S$:X =X +1 read up to that point, or you will get an error; that many
40 PRINT "X = ";X :PRINT A$;S$ sectors will be printed on the printer or written to diskette.
45 INPUT "MORE ";Y$
50 IF Y$ =' "'THEN S =S +1: G 0 T 030
If "W" is chosen, you will be prompted for a file name and
55 IF Y$= "P "THEN65 drive number; the /DAT extension is furnished automatically.
60 IF Y$= "N "THEN80 The file will be opened, written, and closed, and you will
65 INPUT "HOW MANY SECTORS ";X
70 X= X -1:IF Y$= "W "THENR5 be prompted for the next pass. Entering "D" allows you to
75 FOR Y =OTOX :PRINT#- 2,B$(Y),T$(Y):NEXTY read from another drive, while (ENTER) allows a new choice
80 X= O:GOT020 of track and sector, and any other key exits the program. If
85 INPUT "FILE NAME ";FS:INPUT "ORINE NUMBER ";DR$
90 FO$ =F$+ ".OAT :" +ORS you are working on a single -disk system, be sure to keep the
95 OPEN "0 ", #1,FO$ diskette swaps under control.
100 WRITE #1,B$(Y),T$(Y)
105 Y =Y +1:IF Y THEN100
110 IF Y =X THEN120 Floppy Disk Hints
115 CLOSE 1:0010135 Do you get too many floppy disk errors? Review the follow-
120 A =LEN (TS(X)):A =A -2:u$ LEFT$(TS(X),A)
125 Z$=STR$(13):U$ =U$ +Z$ +Z$ ing checklist to discover what you are doing wrong:
130 W RITE #1,BS(X),U$:CLOSE 1 1. Never touch any part of the plastic media.
135 X =0: INPUT "ANOTHER FILE ";Y$
140 IF Y$= m'THEN20
2. Keep the diskette in the sleeve when not in use.
145 IF Y$= "D "THEN15 3. Keep diskettes cool-never leave them in your car,
150 CLOSE 1:STOP or on the computer.
4. Never lay diskettes with paper clips, tools, or mag-
Depending on what kind of floppy disk accident happened, nets. (Tools are often magnetized, and paper clips
I could have lost more text from the file. In fact, one or two
small (one sector or less) files were lost entirely from the
diskette. The time savings may not seem like much, but
are often stored in magnetized holders.)
5. Don't stack diskettes near a computer or monitor
the computer chassis contain transformers which
-
consider redoing all the writing a second time. It's tough to can erase data.
digest a meal the second time. 6. Always use VERIFYON before getting into COPY
or DSKINI sessions.
How to Run TEXTSAVE 7. If you suspect magnetic exposure of a diskette, save
First things first -copy the BASIC program of TEXTSAVE all the data you can, then use a bulk eraser on the
given in Table 2. Proof you inputting very carefully against diskette. Activate the eraser next to the diskette and
the BASIC program in the table. keep it on while slowly moving the diskette at least
TEXTSAVE will run on a single -disk system, but is easier 18- inches away.
with two disks. With a single -disk system, swap diskettes 8. Never use a diskette notcher to use both sides of a
before answering the first prompt. Always use a freshly for- diskette in a single sided drive. The sleeve lining
matted diskette to save recovered files. Start with "RUN is "fuzzy" to catch dust; the diskette turns backward
TEXTSAVE (ENTER)" and swap diskettes if necessary. when flipped and, trapped dirt particles can be released
You will be prompted for source -diskette parameters, drive onto the diskettes surface.
number, then track and sector.
The program responds by displaying track and sector informa- Remember the TEXTSAVE utility if you lose data; saving
tion followed by "X -1" on the next line. The X is a sector that one file made it worthwhile for me!
Radio-
Shack Now you can have a multi -function
telephone for a fraction of what
DUoPHONE plain -Jane units with add -ons cost
DIN THE CLASSIC FILM INVASION OF THE devices (microprocessors and memory For example, at home, if you're work-
Body Snatchers, beings from another IC's), and building an answering machine ing in the basement or outside, giving the
planet gradually gain control of the Earth with them would have been expensive, baby a bath, or you're involved with any
by infiltrating the minds and bodies of because of the circuit complexity in- other activity that precludes your answer-
individual human beings. The trick is volved, and because of the prices of some ing the phone, you could press a button
that, from the outside, those who have components-especially memory. and record a message stating that you're
been taken over are indistinguishable However, in the last few years, many tied up at the moment and to please call
from those who haven't. special- purpose IC's have become avail- back at 4 PM. At the office (assuming you
A similar phenomenon is happening able, and memory prices have fallen dras- have individual phone lines run to each
every day-right now, in fact. However, tically. The dedicated IC's perform the desk), if you stepped out for a few min-
the "invaders" are not beings from an- functions of dozens of discrete IC's, so utes, you could leave a message to call
other planet, but little chunks of plastic - design and debugging are simpler (and back shortly. Or a business could leave a
coated silicon, otherwise known as LSI less expensive) than before. In addition, message stating "We're not open now;
(large -scale integration) IC's. They take a fewer IC's mean smaller manufacturing please call between 9 AM and 5 PM,
multitude of forms-microprocessors, costs and greater reliability, both of which Monday through Friday."
memories, television and radio sub-sys- increase savings for the consumer. Last,
tems, and many more-and they're being often the dedicated IC's are so powerful Features
used in more and more equipment all the that functions previously only dreamt of Packaged in an attractive two -tone
time. And often it's as hard to recognize a can now be included with no extra cost. (beige and brown) slim plastic case, the
piece of equipment that has been "invad- The net result is that it's now possible to TAD-I05 measures 2 x 4 -1/2 x 81/2 inches
ed" by one of those chunks of silicon as a build and sell multi-function telephones and has a standard 12 -key keypad-which
body that has been snatched! But only for a fraction of what plain -Jane units with includes the digits 0-9, and the * and #
until you use it -then the difference be- add-ons cost just a few years ago. keys. In addition, aligned in a row above
comes apparent. the main keypad are three pushbuttons:
One of the latest victims is the tele- What's Out There BATT TEST, MESSAGE TEST, and REDIAL.
phone. Sure, smart phones with memory For example, we recently took a look at The TAD -I05 is powered by a small nine-
dialing have been around for years. And, Radio Shack's DUoFONE TAD -105 (cat- volt, wall -plug transformer; a nine -volt
with the addition of an electro- mechan- alog No. 43 -386). The TAD-105 can do battery retains the stored message should
ical answering machine, those smart pulse and tone dialing, and last -number power go off. If the low battery LED lights
phones could play a message to a caller re-dial. Its real claim to fame, however, is when the BATT TEST button is pressed, the
and then record his response. The prob- its ability to record a message (as long as battery should be replaced. The unit will
lem is that the electro- mechanical answer- ten seconds) for playback only. It packs all function with a weak battery, or none at
ing machine is expensive, unreliable, dif- those functions into a case about the same all, but the message will not be retained if
ficult to service, and therefore, expensive size and shape as a standard wall -mount power goes off.
to service. So for years designers have telephone (see photos). The TAD -I05 may The MESSAGE TEST button plays the re-
been looking for ways to eliminate the be mounted on a wall or set on a desk; it corded message through the handset so
mechanical components (relays, sole- looks attractive in either location. you can hear what you've recorded. If you
noids, motors, etc.) and replace them Why would you want a telephone with a don't like your message-simply record
with silicon. playback -only message system? There are over it. You'll never need a tape demag-
many occasions when it's not important to netizer! The REDIAL button re-dials the
The Problem record a message, but when it would be last number called.
For a long time, the problem was that nice to at least let a caller know that you'll A switch on the upper right corner of
co
available LSI IC's were general -purpose be back soon. the front panel allows you to select be-
63
Looking into the open back of the unit, note that most of the The DUoFONE's handset is almost completely void of anything
electronics are located on a single circuit board, which is -in
electronic fact, other than the speaker, it contains
connected to the keypad by a thin ribbon cable. The circular only a modular jack and some connecting wire.
object below and slightly left of the keypad is the microphone.
tween phone and answer modes. In the done with solid -state chips. In fact, the computers. We were unable to obtain
former, the TAD -105 functions as a nor- only electro- mechanical components are much information about speech syn-
mal telephone; in the latter, it waits for two the microphone, the speaker, and the thesizer U7, but a block pinout diagram
or three rings and then plays your pre- piezo-electric buzzer (see photos). for the chip is shown in Fig. 2. Basically
recorded message. Most functions are accomplished by the way it works is that when pin 39 (wit)
The last front -panel button is the REC- special IC's: dialing (U2), ringing (U1), goes low, the circuit begins analyzing the
ORD button, which when pressed, lights and answering (U6 and U7). However, signal present at pin 22 (ADO. It stores that
an LED; then, by speaking into the handsome functions are accomplished by dis- signal in the attached RAM, U6.
set's microphone, your message is record- crete components: the microphone and The RAM has 256K bits of storage,
ed. The recording time is always ten speaker amplifiers, for example, are built which are accessible I bit at a time in
seconds; so a five -second message would using transistors and other components. serial fashion. How could those bits be
be followed by five seconds of back- In addition, not shown are the mis- used to digitize (convert to digital form)
ground noise. cellaneous logic gates and counters that ten seconds of speech? A normal tele-
On the right side of the unit are two integrate the sub -sections. phone line has a bandwidth of 3000 Hz. In
slide switches: RINGER and PULSE/TONE. The innovative part of the circuit, of other words, intelligible speech occurs in
The latter allows you to choose pulse or course, is composed of U7 and U6-the frequencies under 3000 Hz. To capture a
tone dialing; the former allows you to set speech -synthesizer and the 256K x 1 3000 -Hz signal with reasonable fidelity,
the volume level of the electronic ringer RAM IC's, respectively. The RAM is a we must digitize it at a rate twice the
(off, low, or high). 41256, which is used in many personal (Continued on page 104)
On the bottom of the case is a connector
for a standard handset coil -cord con-
(un
nector; on top is a jack for connecting the T666B (U6)
TMM41256
TAD -105 to the phone line, and another SPEECH
256K RAM
SYNTHESIZER
for the nine -volt transformer. The back
side of the case has screw -head slots for
wall mounting; screws are provided, as
are complete mounting instructions. A (U2)
TO
sticker is affixed to the back side; the TELEPHONE LINE vNtslzloc
TELEPHONE O
sticker contains FCC registration infor- INTERFACE PULSE.?ONE
LINE
DIALER
mation, etc., and a notice that the phone
was "Custom manufactured in Korea for
Radio Shack."
There's not much to installing and oper- 2 3
(U1)
ating the TAD -105. The owner's manual KA2410 4 5 6
includes clear instructions and numerous RINGER
diagrams to aid both installation and oper- 7 8 s
ation. Even a schematic is included. In PIEZOELECTRIC 0

addition, all connecting cords are in- BUZZER
cluded with the unit.
Q KEYPAD
How It Works SPEAKER MICROPHONE

A block diagram of the circuit is shown Fig. -The DUoFONE TAD -105 contains no tape cartridges or driving mechanisms:
1
in Fig. 1. As you can see, there are no tape it's all done with solid -state IC's. In fact, the only electro- mechanical
cartridges or driving mechanisms; it's all components are the microphone. the speaker. and the piezo -electric buzzer.
64
Build a
FRIG -DOOR
ALARM
If you've got overeaters or absent- minded
youngsters in the house, this project will
stop them from wasting energy cold!
By Adolph A. Mangieri
['FRIG-DOOR ALARM SOUNDS OFF WHEN THE FREEZER OR moment, causing UI to begin timing. At that instant, the
refrigerator door is left ajar. A time delay built into the circuit output voltage at pin 3 of UI goes high. Piezo buzzer BZI
lets you access the frig contents without sounding the alarm, does not sound because the voltage at pin 3 is very close to
but don't daily too long. The battery- operated alarm can also V«.
be used as an intruder alarm on any door to a room. closet, or Initially discharged. timing capacitor Cl begins to charge
cabinet. through timing resistors RI and R2. When the voltage across
After finding the door of my upright freezer partly ajar for Cl reaches two- thirds of Vcc (in about a minute), U1 times out
more times than I care to tolerate, I decided that I needed a and the voltage at pin 3 falls low. That applies a voltage across
door alarm now wisely included in some refrigerators. A buzzer BZI, causing it to sound until switch SI is opened by
properly installed upright freezer or refrigerator is tilted back- closing the door. If switch S3 is closed, the timing resistance
ward slightly so that the door swings itself shut. As a result, consists of only resistor R2. resulting in a very small delay
one tends to let the door close itself-especially when both before the alarm sounds
hands are busy. However, the door shelves may sometimes
strike a parcel inside leaving the door ajar. Construction
Do you know what happens when a freezer door remains Figure 2 shows the Frig -Door Alarm installed in a small
ajar by half an inch overnight? Most, if not all, of the food on plastic case. For rapid construction. the circuit was as-
the door shelves is defrosted and must be used. Some food sembled on a perforated circuit board, but you can lay out and
inside is partly defrosted raising the question of whether it is etch a PC board to hold the parts if you wish. The perfboard is
safe to refreeze it. Worse still, an incredible amount of frost supported on the buzzer, which is sandwiched between the
forms on the inside the freezer. All that, plus the electricity board and the panel. Drill a half-inch hole in the panel to
wasted, amounts to an expensive headache. expose the opening on ùe buzzer.
You can purchase a simple battery-operated door alarm. Switch SI consists of a reed switch with terminals, and a
which sounds immediately when the door is open or ajar. separate magnet, both in their own housing. I installed the
What you really need is an alarm with a time delay so that you reed switch on the right side of the case for a freezer door that
can remove or place food in the freezer without disturbing the has a handle on the left side. Install the reed switch on the
entire household -especially late at night. plastic case using two 6 -32 machine screws, which will also
carry the switch connections into thz case. Use a metal clip to
About the Circuit hold the battery in the case.
Referring to the schematic diagram of the Frig -Door Alarm
S2
in Fig. I, switch SI is a magnetically operated reed switch
that opens when the magnet is engaged. Switch S2 is the ON/
OFF (arm/disarm) switch. Switch S3 is opened to provide a
time delay before sounding if desired. Integrated circuit UI is
a 555 timer wired to begin the delay countdown when power
is applied.
Let us assume that switch S2 is closed, switch S3 is open,
and switch SI is open when the door is closed. When the door
is opened, switch SI closes and applies power to the circuit.
Capacitor C2 holds trigger input, pin 2 of UI, low for a brief
Fig.1- Several reed switches can be paralleled to the one

shown on the Frig -Door Alarm in case you want to keep tabs
on both your refrigerator and freezer doors.
circuit wiring, paying close attention to the polarity of buzzer
BZI. The circuit will not trigger if capacitor C2 is open. With
the alarm sounding, move the magnet slowly towards switch
SI and the alarm should cease when the magnet is about a
quarter of an inch from the reed.
Installation
Secure the Frig -Door Alarm to the freezer door using 2-
sided adhesive -tape strips. Do not drill holes in the freezer
especially in the compartment because you may damage a
wire or thermal bulb element, not to mention yourself. For a
larger mounting surface, the magnet can be glued with epoxy
to a small flat plate, which in turn is secured to the door edge
with 2-sided tape.
Turn S2 and S3 on to sound the alarm. Slowly slide the
alarm case with the reed switch towards the magnet until the
The metal clip acting as the battery holder was made by the
author, but any that fits in the case will do the job.
Connect short wires to switches S2 and S3 before you

install the circuit in the case. Wire the switches to the circuit
board. Connect the battery snap connector and buzzer, pay-
ing close attention to their polarity. A wiring error can cause
circuit damage.
The time delay depends on the size of resistor Rl. The
delay is about one minute. Doubling RI doubles the delay. I
used a 200,000 -ohm resistor, but you can use larger values if
you prefer a longer time delay. of oN
To check circuit operation, turn S3 on for minimum delay.
Place the magnet against the reed switch and turn S2 on.
Removing the magnet should sound the alarm. Repeat the test
but with S3 turned off for delayed activation to check the one- The Frig -door Alarm is shown here mounted on a left -side hinged
minute (or longer) delay. door of a freezer. Do not drill holes in the refrigerator or
in any way break the metal outer shell of the unit or door.
If the alarm does not sound during either test, check the Instead, use a water-proof glue or double-sided foam tape. The
unit's reed switch can be mounted on either side of the box, so
decide where the alarm will be used before mounting the switch.
PARTS LIST FOR THE FRIG -DOOR ALARM
CAPACITORS alarm ceases. Using the switch specified in the Parts List, you
C1- 220 -11F, 25 -WVDC electrolytic should have about a one -quarter-inch gap between the magnet
C2- 10 -p,F, 25 -WVDC electrolytic and reed switch. Now, try opening and closing the door very
C3 0.01 -11F ceramic disc slowly. Move the case a bit closer if needed to stop the alarm.
RESISTORS Strive for as much gap as possible between the magnet and
(All resistors are 1/4 -watt, 5% units.) switch sections. That minimizes the hysteresis effect typical
R1- 200,000 -ohm of the magnet- actuated switch.
82- 1200-ohm To protect a second door on the appliance, install another
R3- 220,000 -ohm magnet switch on the second door and connect it in parallel
ADDITIONAL PARTS AND MATERIALS with switch SI.
B1-9 -volt, alkaline, transistor -radio battery The Frig -Door Alarm can be used on an entrance or
BZ1 -Piezo buzzer (Radio Shack 273 -060 or interior door. Install the magnet on the door at about eye level
equivalent.) and install the alarm unit on the door jamb. Position the
S1 -Door switch (Radio Shack 49-512 or equivalent; magnet about one-eighth of an inch from the face of the reed
see text.) switch. Set switch S3 to delay and enter and close the door
S2, S3- Miniature single -pole, single -throw slide switch within a minute to avoid sounding. Turn switch S2 off to
U1 -555 timer, integrated circuit disarm the alarm when leaving the door open.
Small case, perfboard, battery connector, battery clip, 2- It's best to use a 9 -volt alkaline battery, but you can use a
sided tape, flea clips (for use with perfboard), wire, sol- zinc -carbon battery. Check the battery from time to time by
der, etc. closing S3 for no time delay and opening the door. Replace
the battery if the sound is weak or trails off.
66
M icrotrek
dBASE III PLUS
Learning System
video cassette and thorough
A
manual tames programmer's
fears and reduces learning time
to mere hours!
LOOKING AT SOME OF TODAY'S FANCY AUTOMOBILES, IT'S HARD but integrated systems created to help you design your data-
to believe that they're descended from the crotchety, finicky base, maintain it, and print reports. But even they are not
models of yesteryear. And so it is with personal computer enough, especially for persons who haven't the time, the
software. In the early days (about ten years ago) keyboards inebriation, or the ability to master a fairly complex com-
and monitors were luxuries -and applications programs (word puter application.
processors, spreadsheets, and database managers) were crude, There is a way, however, to become proficient in dBASE
if not non -existent. Of course,some of those programs im- Il PLUS, without earning a degree in computer science. The
proved, but not to a level where neophytes could literally MicroTrek Corporation (119 West 22nd Street, New York,
dive into the program and produce excellent results almost NY 10011) has created a group of interactive video tapes
immediately. that teach a number of popular programs, including MS DOS,
But that's all changed. And one product that's a living Lotus 1 -2 -3, Multimate, and, as you've probably guessed,
embodiment of the evolutionary process that microcomputer dBASE III PLUS.
software has gone through is marketed by Ashton-Tate, one The course consists of three parts: a videotape (in VHS,
of the big three (also including Microsoft and Lotus Devel- Beta, and 3 /4inch formats), a workbook, and a special data
opment Corporation) of microcomputer software. It's called disk with sample databases and programs. The video tape
dBASE III PLUS, and it's a database manager -a program itself runs about 2 -I /2 hours; MicroTrek recommends that
that allows you to keep files of related information (names you spend a total of about six hours on the course.
and address, inventories, accounting information, etc.). Early It is not designed for raw PC beginners; it assumes you
versions of the program ran on CP/M computers; the current have knowledge of basic DOS operations, including disks,
version runs on the IBM -PC. subdirectories, etc. Assuming you can format and copy disks,
dBASE III PLUS is a powerful program; over the years, you should have no trouble with the material presented.
the major enhancements to it have been in the area of making The course and the workbook are broken up into three
it easier to use. In fact, the program includes several separate parts: Introductory Concepts, Navigation, and How To. Sec-
tion starts with some basic information
1
about what a database is (files, records,

and fields), and why it's useful. In fact, a
beginner will start to plot different con-
cepts related to his profession, hobby inter-
ests, and home that can be applied to valid
dBASE use.
(Continued on page 97)
Here is an IBM -clone, desk -top PC

with the dBASE Ill PLUS manuals,
six floppies (left), the MicroTrek
manual, and video cassette (right)
waiting for the reviewer to get started.
J
67
BLUE
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(Wato.-.ticon)
Blanche Ring
-.h . ..tr.
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Got Rings on My Fingers
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ayp
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Fos Trot 14124-

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Orchestra
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By Marc Ellis
Contributing Editor
NEW SOUNDS From

MAYBE IT WAS AT A GARAGE SALE OR CHURCH RUM - an audio message into America's living rooms.
mage. Or perhaps it was in grandma's attic. You Out there on old 78's, still waiting to be discovered, is a
were looking for something else, but you unexpec- treasure-trove of political speeches, vaudeville acts: popular,
tedly came upon a collection of 78 records. Not being able to classical, and religious music. You'll find material reflecting
resist opening one of the dusty old albums. you started leafing the customs and culture of the turn of the century, two world
through the clumsy "pages." wars, the jazz and swing eras, and a little bit of post World -
The colorful labels-some familiar, some strange -dis- War IL Interested in playing some of those records? Here's
played the names of artists and selections spanning a 50 -year how to get started.
segment of recorded history. In no particular order, you
turned up a Sousa march. a Rudy Vallee hit, a big -band' Getting the Sound Off the Records
instrumental, the title song from a Crosby and Hope road First of all, forget your living room record player. If it's a
picture. and arias by Tetrazzini and Caruso. Intending to general- purpose unit at least a few years old, it probably does
spend just a moment or two. you kept turning pages. reading have 78 speed. But don't be tempted to use that equipment.
labels and smiling-completely losing track of time. Its stylus will be ground to fit the grooves of current long -
Most of us have had an experience like that at one time or playing records (0.7 mil radius). Such a stylus will bottom out
another. But those that succumb to the lure of the old discs in the much coarser grooves of a 78 record, rattling around
and take a few home to play on the family hi -fi are generally and picking up more surface noise than program material.
disappointed. Depending on age and condition. the venera- What type of stylus does it take to play a 78 properly?
ble tracks exhibit a variety of acoustical defects that are There's no simple answer to that question, though -as we'll
offensive to the modern ear. Roominess, muddiness, see -there is a practical one. In the early days of 78 record-
harshness. and various degrees of the ever-present surface ing. groove design was not standardized. Every manufacturer
noise-to name some of the major problems. designed his own record -cutting equipment and the geometry
If that has happened to you. don't assume that your record of the groove was a matter of individual choice. But it didn't
finds are unplayable and relegate them to the attic for another matter because (hi -fi fans, are you ready for this?) record -
decade or two. With just a little bit of effort and resour- playing systems were designed to rather quickly grind the
cefulness. you can extract some remarkably good sounds fine tip of the playback stylus (or needle, as it was called) to fit
from the worn old grooves. It's a rewarding process that can the shape of the groove. Tone -arm pressures were measured
be carried out with a minimum of expense, and might well in pounds rather than grams. and the shellac material forming
become the tical point of a very absorbing hobby activity. the record contained an abrasive filler to facilitate the grind-
The 78 era (roughly 1898-1948) encompassed some of the ing process. Needless to say, the needles (which were com-
remarkable and fascinating decades of our century. And prior monly made of steel. thorn, or fiber) quickly wore out. And,
to the introduction of radio broadcasting in the 1920's. those in fact. you were supposed to discard each needle after a few
discs were the only form of mass media capable of bringing playings. Your ears would tell you when.
68
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The reproduction of vintage recordings can develop into a captivating hobby
OLD RECORDS
Starting in the mid 1920's, when the record industry was transparent quality and extended tonal range. Those car-
converting from acoustical (mechanical) methods of cutting tridges work just as well today, and have more than what it
records to electrical recording, groove geometry became takes to bring out the best sound in your vintage 78's.
standardized. That made it possible tier styli to be pre- shaped The G.E. cartridges were available in both single -and
to fit the grooves of all manufacturers and ground to a stan- dual -stylus models. The dual -stylus version was commonly
dard radius (about 3 mils). Over the years, cartridges were supplied with a I -mil stylus for LP records and a 3 -mil stylus
designed to require less and less stylus pressure. As a result, for 78's. Through an unusual turnover feature, the spring -
the pre- shaped styli could be made of harder, longer -lasting loaded armature holding the styli could be turned to place
materials without running the risk of tearing up the record either the I -mil or the 3 -mil stylus in playing position. Since
grooves. Osmium metal came into use as a stylus material, as many hi -fi fans of that era still wanted to accommodate 78
did diamond and sapphire. The stylus no longer had to be records, the dual -stylus model was very popular.
changed frequently -but would last for multiple playings. You might be able to acquire such a cartridge from a friend
Your ears told you so! who was into hi -fi in the 1950's and maintains a well -stocked
junkbox. If your present record player has a 78 speed and
Back to the Future interchangeable cartridge shells, you could conceivably set
Once you set yourself up with a reproducing system that
uses a 3 -mil stylus, you'll be able to play most post -acoustical
up a shell with the G.E. cartridge bridged across both stereo
channels. However, the G.E. unit tracks at 6 -8 grams
considerably heavier than your modern cartridge. So you'll
-
(about post 1925) 78's with reasonable assurance that you're
doing the best possible job of extracting the sound from the
grooves. Since there was no groove standard prior to that
period, your results will be unpredictable on the earlier
records. But I've listened to many acoustical pressings with
such a stylus and the results have been quite acceptable.
Where can you find a 3 -mil stylus today? I thought you'd
never ask! You can still purchase such a stylus for the General
Electric variable -reluctance cartridge (RPX series). That car-
tridge appeared on the market around the time that long -
playing records were introduced. It was one of the first that
could reproduce the sound fidelity built into those records. Its
frequency response is essentially flat from 30 to 15,000 Hz-
which was a vast improvement on the crystal cartridges in The G.E. RPX Series variable -reluctance cartridge is shown
general use at the time. Most people who first heard one with its dual -stylus armature partly turned for better
played through a good amplifier were bowled over by the visibility. Its replacement armature is at the right.
Once you've located your player and cartridge, picking up
a stylus set for it is as easy as visiting your neighborhood
Radio Shack store. The Radio Shack stock number is PO.1
and, while the item probably won't be in stock at the store, it
can be readily ordered for you through Radio Shack's stylus/
cartridge hot line. The styli (a 3 -mil for playing 78's and a I-
mil for playing mono LP's) come already mounted on an
armature which, following the included instructions, is very
easy to install in place of the old armature already on your
cartridge. Both of the Garrard players mentioned, by the way,
Later model G.E. cartridge as found mounted in Garrard RC -88, have removable cartridge shells -which makes the installa-
bearing the designation VRII. takes the same tion procedure much more convenient.
replacement armature as original cartridge. After everything is installed on the tone arm, get out your
stylus -pressure gauge and make sure that the pressure is set
have to tape weights onto the 6.E. 's shell (coins are good) to between 6 and 8 grams. When you've done that, the player is
achieve the required pressure without disturbing the adjust- ready to spin your 78's. By the way, don't hesitate to play your
ment on your pickup arm old mono LP's on that setup (using the l -mil stylus, of
My own preference is to leave the living -room record course). The stylus fits the record grooves better than the one
player alone and set up another unit strictly for playing old installed on your stereo player, and you may notice a pleasant
records. As a matter of fact, if you can't locate a G.E. improvement in reproduction.
cartridge in a friend's junkbox, your best way of obtaining
one is probably to purchase an entire record player from the A Question of Equalization
early hi -fi era. Keep your eyes open at flea markets and If you should now hook up your newly-refurbished record
rummage sales, and eventually you'll come across a fine old player to your hi -fi amplifier, most of your old mono LP's
mid- I950's player. The Garrard RC -88 record changer was should sound just fine (though some may require a little
very common, as was a Garrard manual turntable called the 4 tweaking of the tone controls). But reproduction of 78's will
SP (4- speed). Those units almost always have a G.E. varia-
ble- reluctance cartridge installed, and you shouldn't have to
pay more than a few dollars for either unit. Well -made though
they are, neither has much value for playing modem records.
If you find a 4 SP, let me save you the trouble of figuring out
how to turn it on! It's done by gently, but firmly, moving the
tonearm to the right until you hear a click. That starts the
turntable, which cuts off automatically when the stylus hits
the run -out grooves at the end of the record. With the 4 SP,
you should also remove the turntable and check the rubber
bushings that isolate the motor platform from the turntable
base. If they're dried out, your tone arm will pick up a lot of
turntable rumble -but you can easily improvise sponge -rub-
ber or foam replacements. The RC -88 is not afflicted with
that problem, because it's mounted on springs. But try to find
a unit that includes the accessory short spindle for using the
changer in automatic -turntable mode. It can be a nuisance to
thread records up and down the long record-changer spindle
if you're playing them one at a time. And, unless you're The Garrard RC -88 changer, with a short spindle accessory for
careful, the practice is very likely to enlarge the spindle holes automatic turntable mode is installed. Longer spindle for
record changer mode is displayed on turntable mat.
in the center of your records.
still be disappointing. They'll generally have a very thin
sound, and some of the more recent electrically- recorded
discs will have a greatly accentuated (boomy) base. The
problem is not entirely due to the primitive recording and
manufacturing techniques used to produce the discs. There is
sound quality in the old grooves that is not getting to your
speakers, and the reason lies in the equalization of your
playback amplifier.
Prior to the introduction of magnetic cartridges to the
general public well over thirty years ago, the term equaliza-
tion (as applied to sound reproduction) was familiar only to
recording engineers. But by the early 1950's, every serious
hi -fi enthusiast was thoroughly familiar with the concept.
Today, none but the most technically- minded hi -fi nuts (and,
The Garrard 4 SP automatic turntable. To turn it on, the tonearm of course, the sound engineers) worry about sound equaliza-
is simply moved to the right until a click is heard. tion. So if we want to play 78's correctly, we must return once
70
and vocalists could be left in their traditional positions.
Recording equalization was handled by use of sound attenua-
tion and boosting circuits; sound balance by multiple. indi-
vidually-controlled microphones.
Matching Playback and Record Equalizations

For many years. no special playback equalization was
needed to compensate for the recording equalization. Not
even when crystal cartridges and vacuum -tube amplifiers
replaced the early acoustical pickups -with great increase in
sound fidelity. As it happened, the natural playback charac-
teristics of the crystal cartridge (which tended to emphasize
lows and suppress highs) neatly balanced out the high -fre-
quency boost and low-frequency attenuation introduced dur-
ing the record mastering process.
After your new styli are installed, be sure that you set stylus
pressure at between six and eight grams.
But with the advent of the magnetic cartridge -whose
response did not favor lows or highs, but was naturally flat
attention had to be paid to playback equalization. Especially
-
again to the 1950's and reacquaint ourselves with some of the because the availability of improved amplifying and re-
early technology. producing equipment was beginning to produce a generation
During the cutting of a master recording, the volume of of very discriminating listeners. By the late 1940's, when hi -fi
high -frequency sounds (those above 1000 Hz) is boosted. enthusiasts were beginning to play the new 33'A-speed LP
That emphasized signal is then capable of overriding needle
scratch and other undesirable noises found at the high end of
the audio spectrum. Conversely, the volume of low- frequency SELECTOR
sounds (below 1000 Hz) is retarded. That's done to limit the
wide swing of the record cutter at the frequencies -which
would otherwise make it necessary to have wide spaces
between record grooves-reducing playing time. The overall
process is called equalization.
In early acoustical recordings, the equalization was done
mechanically by careful placement of instruments and vo-
calists in relation to the recording horn. Higher-frequency
sound sources (and those too weak to be picked up easily by
the crude recording system) could be placed closer to the
horn: lower -frequency sources (and those that were too over-
bearing) could be placed farther away. That kind of sound
manipulation was not particularly noticeable to the listener, The input selector on this mid- 19`0's hi -fi amplifier includes
because of the very limited reproduction capabilities of the four magnetic cartridge equalization positions.
playback equipment.
Later, when electronic (or elelcfrical, as it was first called) records on magnetic cartridges, the better playback ampli-
recording replaced acoustical techniques. the instruments fiers were beginning to include equalization controls. The
controls were rotary switches directing resistance and/or ca-
pacitance networks designed to tailor the playback charac-
teristics of the amplifier.
Several positions were provided, so that playback equaliza-
tion corresponding to the recording equalizations used by
various major record manufacturers could be selected. In
other words, each equalization setting custom -tailored the
characteristics of the low -frequency boost and high- frequen-
cy attenuation provided by the amplifier to complement those
of the low- frequency attenuation and high -frequency boost
used in the cutting of the record. The result was that the
listener heard a reasonably flat reproduction of the original
program material, with neither the low- or high -frequency
areas of the sound spectrum either favored or attenuated.
But back then, there was no standardization of equalization
curves; each manufacturer worked out his own. At one time.
there may have been thirty or more different curves in use.
The average amplifier could provide just a few of the most
common settings (typically, AES, NARTB, RCA, DECCA).
Accompanying literature usually guided the listener to the
Top '.iew of shell with cartridge installed shows tab that
indica'es which stylus is in playing position. closest equalization setting available for the desired record.
+20 _ recordings. Should your amplifier have a setting that
+15 `. REPLAY matches, you'll get a much more precise reproduction than
EQUALIZATION possible with a modern amp having RIAA equalization. But
+10 /
JW L
+5 es. to get good results from 78's, you can do better than using
m 0 fixed equalization settings followed by tweaking with the
., _5, RECORDED
tone controls.
RESPONSE
-10 FLAT OVERALL
-15 RESPONSE
-20
20 50 100 200 500 1000 2K 5K 10K 20K
FREQUENCY IN HERTZ
Fig. -Shown here is the RIAA recording and playback

1
equalization curve that was adopted as the standard in 1953.

Prior to that year. the curves were not standardized. and
as a result, many variations were in use.
Any discrepancies could be made up by judicious manipula-

tion of the tone controls.
All of that confusion came to an end when, in 1953, the
record manufacturers agreed on a common standard-known
as the RIAA (Record Industry Association of America)
equalization. In the years since then, equalization controls
slowly disappeared form hi -fi amplifiers and preamps. And
Radio Shack #32 -1115 5 -band mona equalizer. Even a simple
today, they are very rare indeed. RIAA equalization is built unit such as this unit will be amazincly effective in adding
into the circuitry, and that's that. richness and depth to your old audic tracks.
But the RIAA equalization is wrong for most 78's, except
for a relatively few discs mastered during the last few years of Enter the Graphic Equalizer
78 manufacture. That's why, even with the proper stylus and a We had to go hack to the early days of hi -fi to find a good
good magnetic cartridge, you won't get proper reproduction way of getting the sound off 78 record grooves -but present -
on modern amplifiers. The recording and playback charac- day technology offers the best method of obtaining the proper
teristics are too different. and the difference between them is playback equalization. What I'm talking about is the graphic
too great to be compensated for through manipulation of the equalizer. Widely available today from many different
amplifier tone controls. sources, and at very reasonable prices, that versatile method
The most obvious way of dealing with the problem (acquir- of sound control will allow you to massage the sound from
ing a vintage amplifier having an equalization control) isn't your 78 records and make it surprisingly listenable.
necessarily the most effective. The difficulty is that a great Even a simple 5 -band equalizer, used in conjunction with
variety of different equalization curves were used in making an amplifier having only the standard RIAA equalization,
the early 78's, and the characteristics of many of them will make it possible for you to extract amazing tonal quality
weren't exactly common knowledge. Equalization controls from your vintage discs. With the more sophisticated 10- or
were put on amplifiers mainly with the more predictable 12 -band units, you can even begin to improve on the original
requirements of LP playback in mind. recording process-eliminating disturbing resonances or se-
If you have many pre-1953 mono LP's in your collection, lectively boosting thin sounds to greater audibility.
those settings will be very helpful to you. The proper equal- I've had great success with an inexpensive 5 -band mono
ization will often be found on the jackets or labels of such frequency equalizer (cat. #32 -1115) that was closed out by
Radio Shack about a year ago. Some stores may still have
remaining stock available at attractive prices. Since that unit
was designed for use with public- address systems, it has a
mike-level input and output in addition to the line -level input
and output normally available on a graphic equalizer.
The mike output makes a good impedance match with the
G.E. magnetic cartridges and the gain characteristic of the
equalizer (which is adjustable) is such that it can be used as
an independent phono preamp. In that case, the line output is
plugged into the amplifier AUX or TUNER input -bypassing
the amplifier's internal phono preamplifier stage and what-
ever equalization it might have. Alternatively, the mike -level
output of the graphic equalizer can be wired to the PHONO
(magnetic) input of the amplifier, thus superimposing the
equalization supplied by the graphic unit on that obtained
from the amplifier's internal preamp.
Using the first method, I get a better idea of how I'm
massaging the sound because the settings shown on the
Equalization chart for late 1950's Pilot amplifier. By this control panel of the graphic equalizer represent the actual
time. the RIAA standard was well established. and being playback equalization. On the other hand. the second method
recommended for most records. (Continued on page 102)
72
Electronic
Fundamentals By Louis E. Frenzel. Jr.
Operational amplifiers are

basic building blocks.
OPERATIONAL AMPLIFIERS ARE CONSIDERED BASIC BUILD- amplifier equalized for a magnetic phono pickup.
ing blocks because often they can be used to assemble elec- Notice that both equalized and unequalized op-amps have
tronic circuits much in the same manner that a child would been used in the circuit. That's the nice part about building
use by blocks to construct a building, a train, a car, or a blocks; within reason, everything usually fits together even if'
rocket ship. the building blocks are actually different kinds of circuits.
A child would make his creation by piling one block on Our lesson on op -amps uses the programmed instruction
another. By using operational amplifiers- usually called op- format, whereby the information is presented to you in
amps -you can build electronic circuits the same way; by "chunks" called frames. You will read the information in
piling one electronic building block on another. For example, each frame and then immediately answer a question based on
if you needed 60 dB of gain for an audio amplifier having a the material by filling in a question blank(s) with appropriate
magnetic phono input you could go through the hassle of words or figures. The answer to each question is given in
designing a single amplifier to do the job. Alternately, you parentheses at the beginning of the next frame in sequence.
might reach on the shelf and select three op -amp building As you progress through the lesson use a sheet of paper to
.
blocks: one having 20 dB gain and equalized for a magnetic keep the frame immediately below the one you are reading
phono pickup, the other two being "flat" amplifiers with 20 covered so that you won't accidentally see the correct answer.
dB gain. The easiest way to do that is to slide the paper down until it
Most likely, the output of one op -amp could simply be just touches the line separating the frames.
connected to the input of another op-amp without need for We hope you enjoy learning about electronics through
matching networks of any kind. You'd connect all three programmed instruction. Please write and let us know how
building blocks in cascade (series) and end up with a 60 dB you like it. Start now with frame 1.
OPERATIONAL AMPLIFIERS
Direct coupling
L The operational amplifier, or op -amp, is one of the most High input impedance
versatile and widely used amplifiers. Operational amplifiers Low output impedance
come by their name because they were originally used in Differential inputs
analog computers, Instruments, and control systems to per-
form mathematical "operations" on electrical signals. Oper- Let's consider each in more detail.
ational amplifiers are still used in such applications, but their All op -amps have very high gain. Ideally, infinite gain
usefulness extends well beyond that. They often replace more would be perfect, but impractical. A simple op -amp may
conventional amplifiers, and their great circuit flexibility have a gain of 1000, but more commonly the gain is tens or
permits them to be used as a basic building block for special hundreds of thousands. The higher the gain, the better. You
amplifiers, oscillators, and a variety of signal processing and will hear this gain referred to as open -loop gain. Open -loop
generating circuits. Low cost integrated- circuit op -amps are gain is the gain of the op -amp without feedback.
found in virtually every conceivable type of electronics equip- A typical op -amp gain is:
ment.
a. 500
Operational amplifiers are more commonly called b. 100,000
c. 2,000,000
2. (op -amps) Op -amps are complex multi- transistor cir-

c
r-
3. (b. 100,000) Integrated -circuit op-amps as a component
cuits that have the following characteristics: do not have feedback. Feedback is the process of applying
os
Very high gain some output voltage back to the input. Most op -amps are
75
connected into circuits that use external components to E = 100,000( .000007 - .00(8)05)
provide feedback. The feedback invariably modifies some of E = 100,000(.000002 )
the op -amp's characteristics, including gain and output im- E = .2 volts
pedance. When feedback is used, the circuit is said to be a
As you can see, the op -amp is indeed performing mathe-
closed loop.
matical operations. The differential input performs subtrac-
The gain of an op -amp without feedback is called tion while the gain multiplies the signal by a constant.
gain. Figure I shows the symbol used to represent an op -amp. It
has two inputs and an output. The inputs are labeled with a +
and a -. The + input is called the non -inverting input. A DC
4. (open loop) Op -amps are also direct- coupled circuits.
signal applied there will produce a signal of the same polarity
There are no internal capacitors or transformers in the coup-
at the output. An AC input signal at the + input will be in
ling path to block DC. Therefore, they can amplify DC as
phase with the output.
well as AC signals.
An op -amp has an input of 3 microvolts DC and a gain of INVERTING
200,000. The output vc !tage is volts DC. INPUT
OUTPUT
o
5. (.6) Output is the input multiplied by the gain, or oNON INVERTING
.000003 x 200,000 = .6 volts. The DC signal was amplified INPUT
by the direct- coupled op -amp. 1 -This is the conventional schematic

Fig.
Op-amps also have a high input impedance (Z;). High, of symbol used to indicate a two -input op -amp.
course, is a relative term. In op-amp technology, high means
more than 100.000 ohms. Op -amps having bipolar transistors
The -
input is called the inverting input. A DC signal
at the input have input impedances in the range of 100,000
applied there will have its polarity reversed. An AC input
ohms to 2 megohms. Input impedances of several megohms
signal will produce an output that is 180° out of phase with the
are obtained with op -amps using field effect transistors
input (it is inverted).
(FET's) at the input. In practice, the higher the input imped- A DC signal applied to the - input will produce an output
ance, the better the op -amp. whose is
High input impedance is obtained by using
transistors at the in- 9. (polarity, reversed) A + DC input will produce a - DC
put. output and vice versa.
An AC input applied to the + input creates an output that is:
6. (field effect) A high quality op -amp also has very low
output impedance (Z0). While an ideal zero-ohm output a. in phase
impedance is not achievable, in practice the open loop output b. 180° out of phase
impedance is usually in the range of 50 to 300 ohms. But with
feedback, Z
will be less than I ohm in most instances. The 10. (a. in phase) Op -amps are rarely used in the basic
almost zero output impedance permits the op -amp to be a configuration shown in Fig. I. instead, external components
near ideal voltage source, thereby having the power to drive such as resistors and capacitors are connected to the op -amp
heavy loads. to modify its characteristics, improve its performance, or
With feedback, Z is typically less than
customize its function. Most of the external connections
provide negative feedback. Feedback is an electronic tech-
ohm(s).
nique whereby some of the output of a circuit is fed back to
the input. Negative feedback means that the input and outputs
7. (one) Another characteristic of op -amps is differential have opposite phases or polarities. It is negative feedback that
input, which means that the amplifier has two inputs and that gives an op -amp circuit its operational characteristics.
the output is the mathematical difference between the two
multiplied by the gain. If the inputs are E1 and E2 and the gain Most op -amp circuitsfeed some output back to the input. This
is A. then the output E is:
is called
E = A(E, - E1)
11. (feedback) Feedback where the output and input are out
The op -amp algebraically subtracts E1 from E,, then multi- of phase is said to be
plies the difference by the gain, A.
Differential input allow op -amps to work with balanced
12. (negative) Feedback where the output and input polar-
(ungrounded) signals, and have great flexibility in processing
signals. ities and phases are the same is said to be positive. Positive
feedback is used to produce oscillation, as you will see later.
/ ¡E = 5 microvolts DC, and E, = 7 microvolts DC, and the The most common way of providing negative feedback in
,>,'ain i.s 100,000, the output is volts. an op -amp circuit is to connect a resistor (Rd from the output
back to the inverting input, as shown in Fg. 2. An input
resistor, R1, accepts the input. The + input is grounded. The
8. (.2) Here is the solution:
resulting amplifier is an inverter whose gain is a function of
E = A(E, - E1) the feedback and input resistors. In fact, the gain (A) of the
76
expresses the output in terms of the inputs.
E = -1R,JR1(E,) + R,JR2(E,) + R,JR3(E1)1
o As you can see, each input is multiplied by a gain of

E, - AAA-
0
where R; is the associated input resistor. All the inputs are
added and the sum inverted.
Rt
E x E Here is an example:
R
A R,
R, =10K E, =3
R
RI =1K E, =4
Fig. 2 -An op -amp inverter circuit with finite voltage gain. R2 =2K
R3 = 5K
circuit is simply the ratio of R, to E = -110K /IK(3) + I0K/2K(4) + I0K/5K( -6)1
- R,/R, E
The minus sign indicates inversion.
A =
E
E
=- = -110(3) + 5(4) + 2(-6)1
(30 +20 -12)
= -38
Negative feedback makes the circuit's gain dependent
upon only the external component values. Summing circuits are often used when two or more AC
signals must be linearly mixed. An example is the mixing of
The gain of the circuit in Fig. 2 is
audio from several microphones and musical instruments.
A summing op -amp has R1 = 100K, RI and R2 = 20K, E, =
13. (-R,1R,) If R, = 10,000 ohms and R; = 20011 ohms, -9 and E, = 15. = E volts.
the gain A is -10000/2000 = -5. Any input voltage will be
multiplied by 5 and inverted. A 1.3 volt sinewave applied to
the input will produce an output of 1.3 x 5 = 6.5 volts that N 16. ( -30) The solution is:
180° out of phase with the input.
E = =-(100K/20K( -9) + 100K/20K(15))
An op -amp inverter has R1 = 270,000 ohms, R. = 30,000 E = -[5(-9) + 5(15)1
ohms, and the input voltage is -.8 volts DC. The output E1, = -( -45 + 75)
voltage is volts. E0 = -30
The above example brings up an important point. The
14. (7.2) The gain is 270,000/30,000 = 9. The output is example says that the output will be -30 volts. In practice,
-9( -.8) = 7.2. that is not usually possible. Most IC op -amps operate from
The op -amp inverter is one of the most widely used op- two power supply voltages, usually + 15 and -15, or some-
amp circuits. It has an input impedance that is approximately times + 12 and -12 volts. They are sometimes indicated on
equal to the value of the input resistor, R,. The reason for that schematic diagrams as shown in Fig. 4. The supply voltages
is that the negative feedback makes the - input appear as set the output voltage swing limits, and the output cannot
though it is at ground potential. It isn't actually ground or exceed those levels. In the example above, the output would
zero volts because there has to be a small input voltage for the not be -30 volts. It would be -15, the limit of the negative
op -amp to amplify. But the voltage is so low as to be prac- supply. Of course, that is a mathematically incorrect output.
tically zero compared to the input and output. The - input is +15V
called the summing junction in this circuit and is said to be a
virtual ground.
An inverter op -amp has RI- = 120,000 ohms and R. = 15,000
ohms. The input voltage is 0.75. The input impedance (Z1) is
ohms.
15. (15,000) The input impedance is approximately R,. 15V
A popular variation of the inverter is the summing circuit Fig. 4 -These are the typical power- supply
shown in Hg. 3. Notice that three inputs are used. The circuit voltage connections for an op -amp.
performs an algebraic addition of the three input voltages El,
,
E, and E.. The output voltage, E is the inverted sum of the
inputs: each multiplied by a gain factor. The formula below
For that reason, the inputs, gains, or both must be scaled
down to keep the output within the power supply's voltage
range.
Common DC supply voltages for 1C op -amps are
and volts.
17. ( +15, -15) It is possible, of course, to design op -amps

with higher supply voltages and output -swing limits. Op-
amps used in some big analog computers can swing in excess C-
C
of + 100 and -100 volts. In most cases, it is possible to reduce <
E0 = - (E (R,;R1) +E2(R,/R2) +E3(R,/R311 the signal levels so you can work in the available output
m
Fig. 3 -An op-amp used as a voltage- summing amplifier. range. V
77
An IC op -amp inverter operates from + 151-15 volt supplies RI
(± 15 volts). The gain is 10 and the input voltage is a sinewave

with an amplitude of 4 volts peak -to -peak (4V p -p). Draw the
output waveform.
18. (See Fig. 5) The output is a sinewave with its peaks

clipped. An amplifier with a gain of IO would produce a 40- E = (1 + RI /R1)E,
volt peak -to -peak output. But the supply voltage(s) limit the
swing to + 15/ -15 or 30 volts p -p. Therefore, clipping or Fig. 7 -This is a non -inverting op -amp having voltage gain.
distortion occurs.
Another very popular op -amp circuit is the voltage-fol-
lower shown in Fig. 6. There are no feedback or input compo-
nents. The output is tied directly back to the inverting input, 21. (2) Most op -amps have a differential input. When
thereby giving 100% negative feedback. The input is applied signals are applied to both inputs the output is the difference
to the non -inverting input. The circuit is the op -amp version between the two. Resistors can be connected to the op -amp to
set the gains of the inputs. A typical arrangement is shown in
Fig. 8. If all resistors are made equal in value, the output (E)
R2
R1
40V P-P
R1=R3
R2 = R4
E. _ (E2 E11 x (R2 /R1)

Fig. 5-
Excessive sinewave signal input voltage and or
Fig.8-A differential amplifier algerbraicly sums the two
op -amp voltage gain will produce a clipped sinewave.
input signals and provides voltage amplification.
is the difference between the signals on inputs E, and E,:
E
E0
= Ei E = E, - E,
OUTPUT
INPUT You can add gain to the circuit by making R2 and R4
Fig. 6-An op-amp unity gain voltage follower is greater than RI and R3. Actually, RI = R3 and R2 = R4.
an unusually simple circuit to assemble. Under those conditions, the output is:
of an emitter-follower. The circuit has a very high input E = R2 /R1(E, El)
impedance and an extremely low output impedance. The gain
is I-
called "unity gain"-and no inversion takes place. If R2 = R4 = 27K, and R1 = R3 = 3K, and E, = 7
volts, and E, = 3 volts, the output is:
Therefore, the output is equal to the input.
A 3volt input is applied to an op -amp voltage follower. The E = 27K/3K(3 7)
output is volts.
E = 9( -4) _ 13 volts
1f RI = R2 = R3 = R4 = 10K, and El = E, = 2.5 volts,
19. ( -3) The value of voltage -follower is its ability to
a
then E= volts.
isolate or buffer one circuit from another. The input imped-
ance of many megohms represents a negligible load on 22. (0) If the inputs to a differential amplifier are equal, the
almost any circuit. The low output impedance lets the circuit output should be zero. In practice, that is basically true, but
drive heavy loads. Essentially. the voltage -follower is a power because of circuit imbalances and component differences and
amplifier; it is used where two circuits must be coupled with imperfections, the output will not be exactly zero. The
minimum loading effects. quality of a differential amplifier is usually determined by
how close its output is to zero with both inputs equal. That is
The gain of a voltagefollower is
usually expressed as the CMRR (Common -Mode Rejection
Ratio). CMRR is a measure of the ability of an op -amp to
20. ( + I or unity) Sometimes a non -inverting amplifier cancel or reject signals that are present at both inputs. For
with gain is required. That combination of qualities can be example, a common problem with high gain, high input -
obtained with the circuit shown in Fig. 7. The circuit is impedance circuits is the pickup of stray 60 -Hz powerline
similar to a standard inverter, but the input resistor (Ri) is signals. Such signals will, of course, occur simultaneously at
grounded and the input signal is applied to the non -inverting both inputs. If the amplifier's CMRR is good, the 60 -Hz
(+ ) input. The gain of this circuit is: + R11Ri. If R,- = 100K
1 signals will be cancelled. Little or no 60 Hz will appear in the
and R, = 40K, the gain is I + 100K/40K = l + 2.5 = 3.5. output.
The gain of a non -inverting amplifier where R1 = R. = 10K is A measure of a differential amplifier's ability to reject equal
78
d. Easy to cascade
signals at its inputs is called e. Easy to tune (frequency and Q adjustable)
Cut -off or center frequency is determined by the
and values.
23. (common mode rejection ratio) A popular application
for op -amps is active filters. Traditionally, filters are con-
structed of resistor-capacitor (RC) or inductor-capacitor (LC) 25. (R, C) Another widely used op -amp circuit is the
networks. RC circuits have very high attenuation and gradual integrator shown in Fig. 10, which performs mathematical
selectivity. LC filters have much less loss and greater selec- integration. The inverter configuration is used with an input
tivity, but inductors are larger and more expensive, especially resistor (R) and a feedback capacitor (C). The output is the
at audio and powerline frequencies. Op-amps eliminate both inverted integral of the input. For example, if the input is a
the loss and expense problems. By using RC networks as sinewave, the output is a cosine wave, as shown in Figure I IA.
input and feedback elements, an active filter with good selec- The integral of sine is -cosine, but the op -amp inverts this to
tivity having a gain (rather than a loss) can be constructed. + cosine. If the input is a cosine wave, the output is an
Low pass, high pass, band pass and notch filters can be easily inverted sinewave, as shown in Fig. 11B. The integral of
built by using an op -amp
circuit having an op -amp as the main
A frequency- selective
element combined with RC networks is called a(n)
24. (active filter) Figure 9 shows three popular active filter

configurations. A is a low-pass filter, B is a high -pass filter, C
Fig. 10-An op-amp voltage integrator. It will
integrate input -voltage waveforms.
SINE COSINE
INPUT OUTPUT (INTEGRAL)
Vif
A
LOW PASS FILTER (LPF)
/// ,-/
+COSINE
A OUTPUT (INVERTED INTEGRAL)
o 1(
INPUT COSINE SINE
k SAI
INPUT OUTPUT (INTEGRAL)
.
INPUT
= B =
HIGH PASS FILTER (HPF)
B
IL
-SINE
.
OUTPUT (INVERTED NTEGRAL)
\\
/
Fig.11 -This is the relationship between an integrator's

inputs and outputs with sine- and cosine waves.
C cosine is sine, but the op -amp inverts this to -sine. Keep in

BAND PASS FILTER (BPF) mind that sinewaves and cosine waves have the same frequen-
Fig. 9-These three op -amp circuits are commonly used
cy and shape, but they are shifted in phase by 90 °. The cosine
as active, frequency- selective filters.
wave leads the sinewave by 90 °.
is a band -pass filter. Numerous other configurations are pos- The feedback element in an integrator is a
sible. Simply by selecting the right R and C values, the cut-
off frequency (or center frequency on the BPF), gain, and Q
(bandwidth of BPF) can be set. Such filters are highly desir-
able as they offer the following benefits. 26. (capacitor)
With a sinewave input, the output of an op -amp integrator is
c
a. Small size/low weight <
b. Low cost With a cosine input, the output is
.
CO
c. Have gain
79
An integrator circuit has thefollowing characteristics: R = 1
27. (cosine, -sine) Integrators are also used with DC and megohm, C = .01 p.F, E. = -2 volts. The circuit integrates
squarewave inputs. With a fixed DC input, the integrator for 0.3 second. The output is volts.
generates a linear voltage ramp, as shown in Fig. 12. Assum-
ing the feedback capacitor is initially discharged, when
29. (6) Here's how to make the computation:
switch SI is moved from A to B a positive voltage from power
supply E (in this instance a battery) is applied to the input and E = -(E;)(t)(I /RC)
E0 = -(- .2)(.3)(1/1,000,000 x .00000001)
E = -(- .2)(.3)(100)
E = 6 volts
B
The ramp-generating capability of the op -amp can be used
EI to create a triangular wave made up of alternate positive- and
negative -going ramps. That is done by applying a squarewave
to the input. The input and output waveforms are shown in
Fig. 13. When The squarewave is positive, the output is a
POINT WHERE SWITCH
negative ramp. When the squarewave switches to negative,
MOVED FROM A TO B. the output ramp goes positive.
+E
EI
0
TIME
INPUT
0
o.
E.
-15V
[1
Fig. 12- Integrating

a DC step-voltage will generate
a linear ramp within the power supply confines.
the capacitor begins charging in a negative direction due to

the inversion. The output voltage increases linearly and its
value at any time t after SI is moved to B can be computed
with the formula:
E = -Ei(t)(1 /RC)
where E, is the DC input voltage, t is the time that the circuit
integrates the input, and R and C are the resistor and capacitor
values. Let's assume R = 100K, C = 1µF and Ei = volt. If 1
Fig.13- Integrating a squarewave can
we let the circuit integrate the input for one half second, the produces a triangular or sawtooth wave.
output voltage at the end of the time period will be:
Integrators are frequently used in wave- shaping circuits
E1,= -(I)(.5)(1/100,000 x .000001)
where linear ramps and triangular waves are needed. Later,
E = -(I)(.5)(10) we will show several generator circuits that use integrators.
En = -5
To produce a triangle output wave, an integrator must have a
One half second after switching SI from A to B, the output
voltage will linearly ramp to -5 volts. input.
To produce a positive-going output ramp, an integrator must

have a voltage input.
30. (squarewave) One of the most useful op -amp circuits is
the comparator shown in Fig. 14. When connected as a
comparator the op -amp is used open loop, that is, without
28. ( -DC) As long as the DC input is applied, the capacitor feedback. The comparator does what its name implies: it
will charge and the output will rise. If the circuit in Fig. 12 compares two input signals. One signal, called the reference
were allowed to continue integrating the input for IO seconds, -
(Ercr), is applied to the input. It is often a fixed DC voltage.
the output would rise to: The signal which is compared to the reference E, is applied to
the + input. The op -amp is used in its differential configura-
E = -(1)(10)(10)
E = -100 volts Ei
Of course, you know that that cannot happen because the op-
amp's output is limited by the supply voltage. Therefore, with
a ± I5-volt power supply(s), the output would simply rise to
about -15 volts after 1.5 seconds and remain there. When Er,
choosing values for R and C or integration time t, the output E A E E ,r l
voltage limitation should be taken into consideration. Fig. 14 -A very basic op -amp comparator circuit.
80
Ei >End
tion, where the output is a function of the difference between
the inputs, in this case V. = A0(E1 -Eref), where A. is the +4.1V
(BINARY 1)
very high open loop gain. The output will indicate when the E
input signal E1 is higher or lower than the reference Eref. For 4.1V
ZENER
example, if E; is greater than Eref the output will be approx- -0.1v
DIODE
(BINARY 0)
imately the value of the positive supply voltage, usually + 15
volts. If E; is less than Eref, then the output will be approx- E, <Er e
imately the negative supply voltage, usually -15 volts. The Fig. 16-A comparator output can be con-
difference between E, and is amplified by the very high verted to standard digital logic levels.
open loop gain. Even very small differences will produce an
output high enough to force the op -amp to swing to either of volts respectively. One way to do that is shown in Fi.g. 16.
its two limits. When the op -amp output is -15, the Zener diode conducts in
the forward-bias direction. Therefore, the drop across the
1f the output is -15 volts, then is greater diode is about -0.7 volts, which is near enough to zero volts
than that we can call it binary O. When the op -amp output is + 15
volts, the Zener conducts in the reverse direction and the
31. (Era, E;) Figure 15 shows some input and output voltage across it is its Zener-breakdown voltage, + 4.7 volts,
waveforms that will better illustrate the operation of a com- a value close enough to +5 volts to be a binary I.
parator. The reference is a fixed DC level, as is often the case. Refer to Fig. 17. The reference input is
volts. Draw the output if the input is a sine wave.
33. (zero, See Fig. 18) In Fig. 17, the reference is ground or
POINT WHERE zero volts. Therefore, the output will switch from -0.7 to
Ei -Eei +4.7, or +4.7 to -0.7 when E1 = O. That will happen when
Ei - -
the sinewave input varies from + to or to + . The circuit,
therefore, converts a sinewave into a squarewave as shown in
Fig. 18.
Another way to connect an op -amp as a comparator is
shown in Fig. 19. The + input is grounded and two input
resistors are used in a summing configuration to accept the
+15v
SINE WAVE
E0 E
-15V
Fig. 17 -This op -amp comparator's input

Ffg. 15-These are the switching wave- voltage is a sinewave.
forms In an op-amp comparator.
The input is a positive ramp. Note the output voltage. With E1

E
less than Eref the output is -15 volts. When E, rises to the
value of Eref the output switches to + 15 volts. As you can
see, the switching point where E. changes sharply from -15
to + 15 volts occurs approximately where E; = Eref. Because
of op -amp imperfections, switching will not occur exactly at
+4.7V--
E; = Eref, but they will usually be within a few millivolts of
one another, or within microvolts if the op -amp is "very
good." 0
0.1V
The output switches when the input is approximately Fig. 18 -These are the input and output
the reference. waveforms of a comparator with Era, O.
32. (equal to) As shown in Fig. 14, the E1 and Eref can be
reversed. With such a configuration the comparator inverts. If
E1 > Eref, the output will be -15 volts. If E, < Eref, the output
E ref
will be + 15 volts.
The output of the comparator is a two -state or binary
signal. As a result, it can be used as a logic signal in digital
circuits. But since most digital circuits use binary levels of 0 Fig. 19-An alternate comparator circuit. The polarity
and +5 volts we must convert the -15/ -5 volts to 0 and +5 of Ei and Efer must be opposite.
input and reference signals. A Zener diode is used as the output sinewave voltage constant and prevents clipping distor-
feedback element, and as a result it will produce outputs of tion. A negative temperature coefficient thermistor for R2
-0.7 and +4.7 volts, the same as for the circuit in Fig. 17. can also be used to provide regulation of the output ampli-
The only special requirement of the circuit in Fig. 19 is that tude.
the polarity of E; and Era be opposite one another. Other-
In the Wein- bridge oscillator, some form of
wise, the circuit switches from binary 0 to or Ito 0 when E1
1
is required to keep the output voltage
= Erci.
constant.
Il'E; = +2 and Er,,t = -3, E = +16 volts.
37. (AGC) Another way to generate sinewaves is to use an
integrator circuit, as shown in Fig. 21. The circuit is called a
34. ( +4.7) With Era greater than E;, the input to the op- quadrature oscillator. Quadrature refers to two sinewaves 90°
amp is negative ( -3 + 2 = -I). Since the op -amp inverts, this out of phase. The circuit produces both sine and cosine
forces the output toward the + 15 volt limit, but the Zener waves. (Recall that the integral of sine is -cosine and the
clamps the output to +4.7 volts. integral of cosine is sine.) Also, op-amp integrators invert.
Go to Frame 35.
35. Op-amps make excellent building blocks for a wide

variety of signal sources: everything from simple oscillators
to sophisticated function generators. An example is the sine-
wave Wien- bridge oscillator shown in Ag. 20. It produces a
R1 R2
COSINE SINE
OUTPUT OUTPUT
Fig. 21 -A quadrature oscillator can be
made with op -amp integrators.
Op -amp Al generates a cosine wave that is integrated by A2

to produce a sinewave. The inverter, A3, shifts the sinewave
t=1/6.28xRxC by 180° to provide the -sine input to Al to produce the cosine
Fig. 20-This op -amp Wein- bridge oscill- wave. That represents positive, or in -phase feedback, so the
ator circuit generates a sinewave output. circuit oscillates. The values of R and C set the frequency.
Potentiometers R1 and R2 are used to set amplitudes. In
sinewave output at a frequency (f) determined by the values of practice, some kind of AGC is used to stabilize the output
R and C. More specifically: amplitude.
f = I/6.28RC A sinewave generator using op -amp integrators is called a
If R = 5K and C = .01 µF, then:

f = 1/6.28(5000)(.00000001)
f = 1/6.28 x .00005
38. (quadrature oscillator) Op -amps can also be used to
generate square and triangular waves. A squarewave relaxa-
f = 1/.000314
tion oscillator is shown in Fig. 22. In that circuit, the op -amp
f = 3184.7 Hz
is actually used as a comparator. Some of the output is fed
The RC network produces the correct phase and amplitude back to the + input by way of the voltage divider created by
of positive feedback at 3184.7 Hz to support oscillation. RI RI and R2. The feedback is the reference input. The reference
and R2 provide negative feedback and set the circuit gain. voltage is compared to the voltage on the - input which varies
as C charges or discharges through R3. Assume that the
Oscillation is caused by
output is initially +15 volts. The voltage at the + input is
about one half, or + 7.5 volts. C charges toward + 15 volts.
When the voltage on C equals the voltage on the + input, the
36. (positive feedback) RI in Ag. 20 is usually a light bulb comparator's output switches to -15 volts. Then C begins to
with a positive temperature coefficient: Its resistance in- discharge and then charge toward -15 volts. When the charge
creases if the current through it increases. If the output on C equals the - voltage on the + input, the output again
voltage increases, the current in RI increases, thereby in- switches. The cycle repeats over and over at a frequency that
creasing the resistance of RI. The result is that the gain is depends upon the values of RI, R2, R3, and C. Zener diodes
decreased, which compensates for the original output in- can be used to set the output to any desired level, as de-
crease. That simple AGC (Automatic Gain Control) keeps the scribed. (Continued on page 97)
82
By Charles D. Rakes
°MR
Electronic judges take the guesswork out of calling close races
ONCE UPON A TIME LANG AGO, WHEN S3 time, and drawing several circuits, I begin
the transistor was still just a pup in the +12V to fully appreciate the depth of the prob-
solid -state kennel, the world- famous lem -and at the same time the animosity
r9
SI
electronic genius, professor U.P. Falloff, toward the good professor.
()
made the statement that any problem -no
matter how impossible it might seem
could be solved with the magic of elec-
- SCR2
In the circuits for this month's Circus,
you'll see the results of that labor, which
will be known as the Pinewood Derby
tronics. Well as a matter of fact, I didn't
15K n
2N5082
SCR1
E
K'
R3
15K
Memorandum files.
hear the statement first hand, but I am
2N5082
reasonably sure that it happened just that Dual -Car Darby
way, because everyone that comes to me The first workable solution to the prob-
with a problem to solve electronically can lem can be seen in the basic circuit shown
remember it well. in Fig. I . That circuit can be used to deter-
A good friend, who works with the Cub mine the winner in a two-car race.
Scouts, came to me not long ago with a 'No normally -open switches, SI and
problem that cried for an electronic solu- S2, are connected to the gates of two low -
tion. Each year the Cub's get together Fig. 1 -The Dual -Car Derby uses two
power SCR's, each having an LED con-
with their hand -made wooden race cars normally -open switches (S1 and S2) nected to its anode lead to indicate which
and hold gravity-powered races. In some connected to the gates of two low -power one turns on first. The first switch to close
of the races the cars run in pairs: but in SCR's. each having an LED connected to fires the SCR to which it is connected,
others, four cars race on a four-lane track. Its anode lead to determine the winner lighting the LED in its anode circuit. The
The problem is that even when there are In a two -car race. voltage at the cathodes of the SCR's rises
only two contestants, in a close race, it's to approximately 80% of the supply volt-
difficult to determine which car came in seemed simple enough and I would get age when either one is turned on. Since
first. And with four cars in the heat, sec- started on it soon-after all, it was for a both SCR's share the same cathode re-
ond, third, and fourth place are even more good cause. Besides, what could be so sistor (R5), the other SCR's gate to cath-
difficult to call. It's easy to see why volun- difficult about determining the outcome ode voltage is negative; and even if its gate
teer race Judges might be hard to find. of a simple car race? After scratching switch is closed, its bias remains nega-
Naturally, I told my friend that the job around on the surface of the problem for a tive, preventing its turning on. S3 (a nor-
S2 S3
N.O.
s1
LEDI LED2 LED3 LED4 LED5 LED? LED8 LEO

N
R1 R3
N AS R7
Noi
R9 R13 R15 \ R17
15K ? A 15K 15K 15K 15K 15K 15K 15K
SCR1 SCR2 SCR3 SCR4 SCR5 SCR7 SCRB SCR9C
-7 G
R2
15K
t j1K
sR19 R4
15K
R20 1K
R6
15K
R21
1K
R8
15K
R10
15K
t R22
1K
R12
15K
S R23
1K
1114
15K
R24
1K
R16
15K
R18
15K
r
NOTE
ALL SCR's 11 -9) ARE 2N5062
Fig. 2 -Note that with the Three -Car

Derby, the component count (of the two -car circuit) increases dramatically
requiring nine SCR's to do the lob of telling who comes in first, second and third.
- r{
C
83
SECTION "A" SECTION "B" SECTION "C"
SCR1A SCR1B SCR1C

A 2N5082 A2N6082
S1
2115082
R4A S2 C] R4B S3
1K 1K GJr
Vr G
RBA
2.7 K BUSS
LED1A
"A"
R8B
2.7K
'ir
BUSS "B"
LED1B
O ABC
2.7K BUSS "C"
R1A *R2A R3A *R1B *R28 R38 R1C R2C

1K 1K 1K 1K 1K
1K 1K 1K
R5A SABA R7A R5B 6B R7B R5C R6C

47052 47052 47052 47052 4R1052 47052 a7os2 47052
1E03A LENA LEO2C

LEMBO LED4BO
ifO
LE03C
ir ffO //\ rr rr
ÆR98 R11B R9C R 1C R12C

A 2.7K A 2.7K A A 72.7K A 2.7K A 2.7K
SCR2A SCR4A SCR4B
SCR28 SCR38 SCR2C SCR3C
2115082
I
2N5082 2N5082 2N5082 2N5082 2N5082

I
2N5062
G G. G G
tR13B
i
R13A G
2.7K 72.7K
R9A
2.7K
R10A2.7K
R12A
.7K
R14AS
2.7K í R108
2.7K
R12B
2.7K
R14Bt
2.7K
sR10C
72.7C
R12C
2.7K
Q1A 02A Q3A Q1B Q2B Q3B an

2N222I 2112222 2N2222 L 2N2222 2N2222 2N2222 2N2222 2N2222
*R 15A RIBA R17 A I
R158 R18B R17B R15C R16C
15K 15K 15K I
. 15K 15K 15K 15K 715K
I
TO TO TO i TO TO TO TO TO
BUSS BUSS BUSS BUSS BUSS BUSS BUSS BUSS
Fig. 3-Seven more SCR's are needed to make the circuit work with a fourth track-with one SCR added to each of the three existing
mally- closed switch) resets the circuit when S4 closes. In other words, the first input circuit for the fourth lane. The cir-
after one of the SCR's has fired. switch to close turns on its three SCR's, cuit, even for the four tracks, is really not
Simple enough? With two cars, two sending a negative bias to one SCR in that bad; but I knew that my friend was
SCR's tells who's on first. But. when the each of the other two remaining circuits. going to ask an embarrassing question.
arrival of more than two contestants are to The maximum number of LED's that ei- Why three lights for first place, and only
be determined, the circuit grows a bit (as ther of the remaining circuits can turn on one for third place? 1Rvo for second place
shown in Fig. 2). is two. is OK, but why can't you make a simple
If the second car comes in on lane circuit change to make one LED light for
Three-car Derby three, making contact with S4, SCR7 first place. two for second, and three for
Note that with three cars in the running. turns on LED7 and SCR9 turns on LED9, third place? I could already see the waste
the component count increases dramat-
ically- requiring nine SCR's to do the
job of telling who is on first.
but SCRS is biased off. so only two LED's
light to indicate the second -place con-
testant. The third car activates S3 to turn
basket filling up with reject circuits, but
right is right-and it is for a good cause
so it's onward electronic soldier.
-
As an example. say that the car in lane on SCRS. which in turn. lights LED5. If we could get only one SCR to turn on
one comes in first-switching S2 on, and But, at the same time, SCR4 and SCR6 for the first race car through the gate. and
momentarily turning on SCRI. SCR2.
and SCR3. All three of the LED's
LEDI. LED2. and LED3-would light to
- are both applied with a reverse -bias volt-
age. which keeps them from turning on.
So only one LED lights for third place.
somehow keep the other SCR's in the
some group from lighting. the number of
LED's lit would match the sequence. Of
indicate that S2 closed first in the se- course, a signal must be sent to the other
quence. SCR4 shares it's cathode resistor Four -way Derby three circuits with logic information to
with SCRI; therefore. SCRI is reverse - Seen more SCR's are needed to make preset each circuit for the next sequence.
biased and can not turn on when S3 the circuit work with a fourth track -with The circuit in Fig. 3 handles the job
rn
closes. SCR8 shares its cathode resistor one SCR added to each of the three exist- quite well. The circuit's operation, when
with SCR2. so it can not be turned on ing circuits, and four in the additional broken down into four separate (but
84
PARTS LIST FOR THE
RESET
SECTION "0" S5 .Tr, +y DUAL-CAR DERBY
SCR 14 LED1, LED2-Jumbo light- emitting
A
R4C S qO 2 N 5062
R40 diode
1K
RBD v 1K SCR1, SCR2-2N5062 (or similar)
/f 2.7K
MN 1 10®
rr .8 -A, 100 -PIV silicon -controlled
LEO rectifier
LED1C BUSS "D" R1 R4- 15,000 -ohm, 1/4-watt, 5%
resistor
R5 -1000 -ohm, 1/4-watt, 5% resistor
R3C R1D S 420 R30
S1, S2- Single -pole, single -throw
1K 1K 1K 1K
toggle switch
S3- Normally-closed pushbutton
switch
R7C R5D RED R7D
47052 410C2 47052 47052
PARTS LIST FOR THE
LE THREE -CAR DERBY
LED4C( LED20 LE04DO
ff // LED1 LED9 -Jumbo light- emitting
diode
SCR1 SCR9-2N5062 (or similar)
.8 -A, 100 -PIV silicon -controlled
rectifier
R1R18- 15,000 -ohm, 1/4-watt, 5%
resistor
A A A A
R19 R24- 1000 -ohm, '/4 -watt, 5%
SCR4C SCR20 SCR3D SCR4D resistor
2N5062 2 N 5062 2N5062 2N5062 S1- Normally -closed pushbutton
G R9D G R 11D G
R13D G switch
2.7 K 2.7 K 72.7K S2 S4- Single -pole, single -throw
toggle switch
R12D R110}
R14Cs R10D2.7K 2.7K 2.7K
2.7K 41
PARTS LIST FOR THE
FOUR -CAR DERBY
03C 030 LED1 LED4 -Jumbo light- emitting

2N2222 2142222 2N2222 2142222 diode
R11C
7.15K
SR10D
Z15K
13120
15K
R 140
15K
SCR1A SCR4D- 2N5062 (or
similar) .8 -A, 100 -PIV silicon -
controlled rectifier
TO
BUSS
TO
BUSS
TO
BUSS
TO
BUSS
R1AR4D-1000-ohm, 1/4-watt 5%
resistor
circuits, and four in the additional circuit for the fourth lane.
R5A R7D- 470 -ohm, 1/4 -watt, 5%
resistor
R8A R14D -2700 -ohm, 1/4-watt, 5%
equal) sub-circuits (each affecting the ground potential, keeping LED2A from resistor
others), is really quite simple. Note that lighting. The same is true for LED3A and R15AR170- 15,000 -ohm, 1/4-watt,
each circuit is identical to the others, and LED4A, which are kept off by SCR3A 5% resistor
is identified by the letter "A" for lane I, and SCR4A. Only LEDI is turned on and Q1AQ3D- 2N2222, 2N3904 (or
"B" for lane 2, and so on. it will always be on when SCRIA is on.
similar) general -purpose NPN
SI through S4 are the input switches The second race car to cross the finish transistor
that trigger each of the SCR circuits as the line toggles S2, turning on SCRIB in sec- S1 S4- Single -pole, single throw
contestants cross the finish line. If SI is tion "B," thereby causing LEDIB to toggle switch
operated by the first race car to pass the light. Q3B (its base connected to the "A" S5- Normally -closed pushbutton
finish line, SCRIA will be turned on. The buss) is already on, keeping SCR2B from switch
voltage at the "A" buss will rise to about turning on. LEDIB is allowed to light so
90%% of the supply voltage, and remain as that now two LED's are lit in section "B." SCR4C to turn on- thereby keeping
such until the circuit is reset via S5. The bases of transistors Q2B and Q3B are LED4C from lighting. That results in
The base inputs of QIA. Q2A, and connected to busses "C" and "D," hut three LED's being on to indicate third
Q3A are connected to the "B," "C," and both are still off. And SCR3B and SCR4B place. When the fourth car activates S4.
"D" busses, respectively,-such that are triggered on, keeping LED3B and SCRID turns on. lighting LEDI D. all of
when the "A" is activated, the "B," LED4B from lighting. Two lights are now the transistors are biased on from the other
"C, "and "D" busses are at a zero poten- on for second place. three busses, and none of the three SCR's
tial, as none of the other SCR's are on. If the third car triggers S3, SCRIC is can turn on. All four of the LED's light up
The gates of SCR2A, SCR3A, and triggered into conduction, lighting indicating fourth place.
SCR4A are tied through two resistors to LEDIC, LED2C and LED3C. QIC and Well there you have it. And even if you
the "A" bus and are turned on when Q2C inputs from busses "A" and "B are don't own a race track, playing with any c
SCRIA is triggered. SCR2A clamps the biased on to allow LED2C and LED3C to of the circuits can be a ball. So have fun
voltage at the junction of RIA and R5A to light. Only transistor Q4C is off, allowing until next time we meet at the Circus. io
m
85
By Joseph J. Carr, K4IPV
ON H IL M RADIO
Tune in resonance and lock out VSWR problems
OTHERE AKL A NUMBER OF MYTHS THAT
are widely held among radio communica-
tions hobbyists. And amateur radio is no
less infested with some of those myths
than are the others (CB, for example).
Twenty-five years ago, I worked in a CB
shop in Virginia, and kept hearing one old
saw over and over again -you can "...cut
your coax to reduce the VSWR to 1" (ac-
tually, they meant 1:1 but routinely called
it 1). Naturally, hoards of CB'ers have cut
the coax feed -line length and watched the
VSWR drop to 1:1; making it extremely
difficult (if not impossible) to dispel that
misconception.
Actually what we're dealing with is
characteristic of the transmission line,
which at a certain length, makes the 4
VSWR appear to be I:I. (We will address
that issue in a future column.) Having
done time in both the CB and amateur
worlds, and "Elmered" (coached) more
than a few CB'ers studying for amateur Fig. -The SA-2550 mast -mounted, antenna tuner's output -terminal eyelets connect
1
licenses, I have to admit that the cut -the- to the antenna radiators. The control box is located inside the communications shack
coax hoax seems to have cut across all (for use by the operator) and is connected to the tuner through the transmission line.
lines of hobby communications (sorry, For more detailed information Circle No. 81 on Free Information Card.
fellows, but that's my observation).
In reality, the only proper way to reduce mitter, and to heck with the actual antenna manner. But if, for any reason, your an-
the VSWR to 1:1 is to tune the antenna to mismatch on the roof. The tuner also tenna or transmission line will not pass
resonance. For a center -fed, half-wave- serves to reduce harmonics 'further, there- DC, then a separate control cable between
length dipole, or a bottom -fed, quarter- by, helping to prevent TVI. the two boxes can be used. Because either
wavelength vertical, the proper way to res- The best form of antenna tuner is one scenario is possible, the SA-2550 is made
onate the antenna is to adjust its length to that both reduces the VSWR for the bene- more flexible.
the correct point. The formulas in the fit of the transmitter, and also resonates
books and magazines only give approxi- the antenna. That form of tuner is installed
mate lengths -the actual antenna length between the coaxial cable and the feed- A Closer Look
is found from experimentation on the par- point of the antenna. To the best of my Figure 2 reveals the internal circuitry of
ticular antenna once it's installed. And knowledge, the new Heath SA-2550 is the the SA -2550. The circuit has a large,
that includes commercial antennas. only tuner on the market that really does high -voltage, 500 -pF variable capacitor
On certain CB mobile antennas, for ex- the trick. driven by a small (but high torque) low-
ample, the trick is to raise or lower the voltage DC motor. The two large eyelet
radiator, while watching the VSWR A Look at the Tuner terminals (on either side of the tuners
meter. On amateur antennas, similar tun- Figure I shows the SA -2550 mast - housing) are used to connect the antenna
ing procedures are used. Another ploy mounted, antenna tuner and its control radiators to the box. The use of that capac-
used by amateurs (including myself) is to box. The large black box is mounted on itor in horizontal and vertical antennas is
connect an antenna -matching unit (tuner) the antenna mast, and its output terminals shown in Fig. 3.
at the output of the transmitter. For my connect to the antenna radiators. The con- At resonance, the feedpoint impedance
Kenwood TS -430, I tse a Heath trol box sits inside the shack (for use by of an antenna is all resistive, and it has no
SA-2060A to tune -out the VSWR pre- the operator) and is connected to the mast- reactance (inductive or capacitive). As the
sented by my Hustler 4BTV and 75 -feet mounted black box through the transmis- operating frequency departs from reso-
of coax. sion line. If your antenna does not use DC nance, however, the reactive components
The TS-430 is a solid -state rig that has blocking capacitors, tuning capacitors or exhibit a rise in reactance, depending
finals that are not terribly tolerant of other means for blocking DC, the control upon the nature of the deviation. For ex-
VSWR, and will shut down with a high voltage to the tuner can be routed through ample, an antenna that is too long exhibits
VSWR. The purpose of the antenna tuner the coaxial cable. an inductive reactance.
is to reduce the VSWR seen by the trans- Most antennas are designed in that Similarly, an antenna that is too short
86
L1
l7
Fig. 3 -The
use of the tuning capacitor
along with the inductance of the wire
radiator (L) act as an LC network, in
horizontal (A) and vertical antennas (B).
Fig.2 -The mast -mounted portion of the SA -2550, is nothing more At resonance, the feedpoint impedance
than a large. high -voltage. 500 -pF variable capacitor driven by of an antenna is all resistive, but as the
a small (but high torque) low-voltage DC motor. operating frequency departs from
resonance. the reactive components ex-
exhibits acapacitive reactance. For that the capacitor to tune out the resulting in- hibit a rise in reactance, becoming more
type of antenna we insert
a loading coil to ductive reactance. inductive or capacitive, depending upon
provide inductance to cancel the antenna the nature of the frequency deviation.
capacitance. That's the usual case for am- Exploring the Possibilities
ateur and CB mobile antennas, and some The tuner makes possible an antenna 4A shows an inverted -V with radiators
vertical antennas operated on 80- meters. that can be set to resonate over the entire that are about I5- percent longer than nor-
In the case of the SA-2550 tuner, we make amateur band and not just at a single mal inverted -V's. The tuner is mounted at
the antenna radiator (LI and L2) in Fig. 3 point. Two different antenna set -ups using the top end of a mast, and the radiators
longer than is normally necessary, and use the SA-2550 are shown in Fig. 4. Figure connected to the tuner eyelet connections
(on either side of the tuner housing).
TUNER In the case of Fig. 4B, we see a vertical
antenna. Once again, the length is IO to
I5- percent longer than most quarter wave-
length verticals. One eyelet terminal is
connected to the radiator, while the other
WIRE is connected to the ground, or system of
WIRE radials (or both, if that is how you prefer to
build the antenna).
Figure 4C shows the proper method for
connecting the antenna wire to the eyelet
terminals. The conductor is passed
through the eyelet with sufficient length to
INSULATOR wrap back around the wire 5 to IO times,
and then to the solder lug. Although some
people don't bother to solder the multi -
turn section of wire, I prefer to and recom-
GUY ON ROPE
mend that you do also. The purpose is not
GROUND strength, but rather keeping the electrical
A
RADIATOR WASHER
connection's integrity once unfavorable
weather conditions set in.
Building the SA-2550 is a one -evening
ANTENNA TUNER NUT EYELET project if you are a veteran kit builder, and
SOLDER you make it a long evening. Otherwise,
rate this Heathkit as a weekender. Hope-
fully, there will be no problems in assem-
1111/.01.1ll bling the kit. Although I am wildly
enthusiastic about the kit, there were a
couple of aggravating problems.
#14 ANTENNA WIRE First, as is true in many new products, a
piece was missing. In my kit (which was a
GROUND very early production model), a long me-
SOLDER LUG
OR tal rod used in the capacitor was missing.
RADIALS c
A quick call to Heath brought the missing
Fig. 4 -The SA -2550 tuner makes possible an antenna that can be set to part within three working days. I recom-
resonate over the entire amateur band, whether an inverted -V type (A) mend that you inventory the parts c_
C
arrangement or a vertical antenna (B) is used. The tuner is mounted provided to find shortages before assem- r-
at the top end of a mast. and the radiators connected to the tuner bly begins (that rule is not just for this kit,
eyelet connections on either side of the tuner housing (C). (Continued on page 104) a
c73
V
87
By Marc Ellis
ON ANTIQUE RADIO
Breathe some new life into that old -time radio receiver
SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, IT OCCURRED time, the only way to get one was to buy
to me that it would be fun to include an on- out an existing licensee.
going series of radio receiver restoration I have no idea whether that's true, but
projects as part of this column. I thought I'd welcome comments or additional in-
I'd occasionally pick a radio that needed formation about the set and its history.
some work, restore it over a period of (Write me at the address shown at the end
time, and make regular progress reports to of this column and I'll share your informa-
you readers. Such projects would help tion with your fellow readers in a future
newcomers to the hobby get a real feel for issue.)
what it takes to put an old set back into
service. A Look at the Set
At the same time, the projects would One thing is for sure, though. Looking
give old timers a detailed look at some Here's how the little Echophone looked at the Echophone Commercial set (see
sets that they might not have run across right after acquisition. Except for its photos), there's a strong resemblance be-
before. And if I should come up against a being encrusted with grime. it's really tween it and the classic Hallicrafters econ-
in pretty good shape.
problem that I can't handle, maybe some omy shortwave unit of the mid 1940's-
of you old timers can help out! almost seemed affordable. But, alas, I the famous S -38. Although the S -38's
Ihaven't gotten the idea off the ground was never able to acquire one -that is, at cabinet is representative of the best indus-
until now because the development of least not until my fateful meeting with the trial design of its time and the Echophone
other topics in the column hasn't left present specimen at a hamfest just a few is strictly utilitarian in appearance, there
much room for new material. In addition, weeks ago. are more similarities than differences.
I hadn't yet picked out a set to start off The guy who sold the set to me was a Both are essentially standard house-
some as yet untouched, some partly com-

-
with. Like most collectors. I have several
potential projects around at all times
former Hallicrafters employee. He told
me that the Hallicrafters Company had
purchased The Echophone Company in
hold, broadcast receivers of transfor-
merless (AC /DC) design with shortwave
coils added to allow it to also cover the
pleted: but none seemed exactly right for order to acquire rights to some key. RCA - standard HF spectrum (1.8 to 30 MHz).
the kickoff. circuit licenses owned by Echophone. Though the frequency ranges are com-
Those licenses, he said, covered circuitry pressed into a very small amount of dial
Resurrecting Old Radios that was essential to the production of an travel, a band -spread control helped
Recently though, at a local hamlcst, I economical and stable receiver, local -os- provide a reasonable amount of station
picked up a little charmer of a set that I cillator stage. Since RCA had no inten- separation.
thought would make a very- interesting tion of issuing additional licenses at that Like the S -38, the Echophone is built
restoration case history. And now that
we've put the topic of electrolytic capaci-
tors to bed, at least for a while, I have
room to start something new. So meet the
Echophone Commercial, a receiver for
the serious -but economy- minded-
shortwave listener of the early 1940's.
As I write these lines, I haven't even
plugged in the set yet. so I've no idea of
how much work (if any) it will take to
breathe new life into that Echophone set.
So let's find out together! One thing that
appeals to me about the Echophone is that
I can remember it from 1940's-radio mag-
azine ads, which I'd drooled over as a kid.
To my juvenile eye. it looked like a
really powerful high -tech job with its
snappy crackle -finished metal cabinet,
business -like dial, and multiple controls.
It was obviously "light- years" (or so it
seemed) more advanced than the short-
wave- equipped family radio I'd resorted
to for my SWL activities. And with a The under -chassis wiring of the EC -1 appears to be intact, showing
price tag of about twenty-five dollars, it no clear signs of crude repairs or modifications.
SPEAKER MAIN TUNING
12 KB PLUG CAPACITOR
with the same frequency range covered in
25% less dial travel. But I'm quite sure
that the early SWL'er using that set was
very grateful to have the BAND-SPREAD
control. The set's tuning range was allo-
cated to the three bands: position I gave a
range of from .55 to 2.1 MHz: position 2,
from 2. I to 8.0 MHz, and position 3 from
8.0 to 31.0 MHz.
As purchased at the hamfest, my Echo -
phone looked intact and in reasonably
good cosmetic condition. And though the
cabinet was covered with dirt and grime,
beneath it all, the paint and silk- screened
lettering seemed to be in fairly decent
condition. Fortunately, the celluloid dial
window is also in good condition except
for one relatively unobtrusive crack.
That's a lucky break because. even if a
replacement could be found, the present
window is held in place by a riveted
frame-and would be very difficult to re-
place.
The radio's cardboard protective back
cover is broken and useless-but I have
the major pieces. They'll serve as a pat-
tern for the fabrication of a new back,
having the same arrangement of ventilat-
1ST 12Sk 1N 12507 OUTPUT 12J5 35Z5 35L6
ing holes. The cutting of those holes
7
IF If TRANSFORMER
Looking into the EC -1 from the top, we see the tuning capacitor, surrounded might be a little tedious, but it is possible.
by tubes, IF transformers, and lots of dirt and grime!
Digging Deeper
Both the top (which contains the speak-
er) and bottom of the Echophone's cabinet
are easily removable, to gain access to all
of the set's major components. My first
official act in the restoration process was
to remove those two panels, so that I could
check for any obviously damaged or
missing parts and find a model number,
allowing me to locate the set's schematic
diagram and other data.
The inside looks as nice as the outside.
Though there's plenty of dirt and grime to
be removed, all major parts are in place
and appear to be the real stuff (original);
there are no signs of clumsy repairs or
other types of butchery.
Since I could not find a model number.
I pulled the tubes and listed their types so
that they could be checked against my
Rider Manual index. Only one Echo -
phone listed in the manual had a tube
complement matching that of my set -the
Model EC -I. That model (found in Rider
Volume 14, along with its layout and other
specifications) match my set perfectly.
MAIN TUNING 2PLATE There's little doubt that the receiver now
ROTOR BAND SPREAD ROTOR sitting on my workbench is the Model
This close -Lp of the Echophone EC -1's tuning capacitor shows the main tuning EC -I. (By the way, Rider Volume 14 came
rotor and a special, 2 -plate rotor that is used for band -spreading, which out in 1944, which obviously pegs the
allows for n-.ore accurate tuning over a broad frequency range. EC-1 as having been introduced at some
prior date.)
into a heavy-metal case, having the fol- range (including broadcast and HF short- A look at the schematic diagram reveals
lowing from -panel controls: MAIN TUN- wave) is covered in just three bands (com- a basic 5 -tube circuit (see photos) that was
ING, BAND -SPREAD, PHONES /SPEAKERS, pared with the S -38's four). typical of the inexpensive AC /DC house- L
C
OFF /VOLUME, CODE /VOICE, BAND Since separating stations on the S -38 is hold, broadcast receiver in common use r-
SWITCH, and STANDBY. On the Echo - difficult enough, can't imagine what it
I during the 194O's. There's a 12K8 os-
phone, the entire .55- to 30-MHz tuning would have been like on the Echophone- (Continued on page 108)
89
By Herb Friedman
ON COMPUTERS
Mixing Apples and Grid;
ALTHOUGH THE IBM- COMPATIBLE COM- of business, which means IBM-compati- a transparent interpreter between the disk
puter is virtually the national standard for ble? The first thing IBM -compatible users controller and the floppy disk drives. It is
business and what is called "serious" ap- discover is that like apples and oranges, installed in any slot that can be reached by
plications (whatever "serious" might Apples and IBMs don't mix: their pro- the disk drives' connecting cable, whose
mean), in actual fact there are two national grams and files can't be interchanged. connector is moved from the controller to
standards. Whereas the IBM -compatible At least that's the way it used to was (as the MatchPoint. A supplied adapter cable
computer is virtually the standard of refer- the great baseball manager Casey Stengel is installed between the MatchPoint and
ence for business applications, the Apple would put it). Finally, there is now a con- the disk controller. So what we have,
II family of computers remains the stan- venient and moderately-priced way to more or less, is a daisy chain, wherein the
dard for education -atleast at the ele- read AppleDOS and ProDOS /SOS, and disk controller feeds the MatchPoint,
mentary and high school levels. Quite even Apple CP /M files on your IBM -com- which in turn feeds the floppy disk drives.
possibly, Apple is the educational stan- patible computer.
dard because they were there ' fustest with The device that makes it all possible is a It Works This Way
the mostest." Whatever, a goodly number software- hardware package called Match- When the computer is running under
of educational systems use Apples. Point, from Microsolutions, DeKalb, IL PC /MS -DOS the MatchPoint is invisible;
But what happens when the school sys- 60115. As shown in the photograph, the as if it never existed. When you want to
tem decides to upgrade to IBM- compati- hardware is a half-slot size adapter (card) read Apple disks you run the supplied
bles, or the teachers decide their personal that resembles a conventional IBM disk - MPOINT software, which sets up the
computers must be within the mainstream controller adapter, and in fact, it serves as MatchPoint so the B: drive will read and
write Apple- format disks. (It won't read
half-stepped "protected" disks.) Also, if
i
you want to read Apple files that were
made in CP /M you must also run the disk -
iiNt
2:;.
interchange software called UniForm
(which is supplied with the adapter).
én` a ..... , But keep in mind that even though you
-
can exchange disk files between formats,

4...... ,
C4.43
' :aaj
.
f
.
r%=
:
:1'.'
........
,
with one exception (which we'll get to
shortly), you cannot run binary programs.
The exchange is effective only with AS-
CII text files, or BASIC programs saved in
II. _.....:
,aaaitr ASCII format. Even then, the BASIC

x t
ú
--ìiiii
s%
:' s.='" - . program must use no commands or func-
rs'k` ` + `' a L. ...

tions that are not common to both Apple
and IBM. Of course, if the BASIC listing
is in ASCII it's easy enough to edit the
as e'ai It, -.' s: :."`. program so it will run on either computer
_ _, ,
.
8` ,.s::i
. TCt. (»N
. -
-
system. (I can hear you educators cheer-
ing.)
MPOINT sets up the software so that
the B: drive can recognize both PC/MS-
DOS and Apple commands. With
MPOINT running, the B: drive responds
to PC/MS -DOS commands. But if the
MPOINT Apple commands ACOPY,
ADEL, ADIR, AINIT, or ATYPE are en-
tered, the B: drive automatically shifts
gears and runs in the Apple mode. The
Apple commands are self-explanatory ex-
cept for AINIT, which is the same as FOR-
MAT; it formats an Apple disk in the B:
drive.
How does it work? Flawlessly. We have
The MatchPoint adapter is a half -size card that takes up one slot. It connects between been using it to read Apple text files sent
the disk controller and the floppy drives and is transparent to PC'MS -DOS. in by the authors of our projects (you can
also be an author), and haven't had a hitch
yet. When you don't need it you don't
even know it's there-it's transparent.
When you do need it, it works as if Apple -
compatibility was built into PC /MS -DOS.
The exception to the rule that you can't
run a binary program is CP /M that ori-
ginated as Apple CP /M from a Softcard or
a similar conversion device. You can run
the program on the IBM if the IBM is
running a CP/M emulator program (there
are several in the marketplace).
A Sea of Grids
Our next award- winner this month is
the IBM -compatible software Grid De-
signer, from The Channelmark Corp.,
2929 Campus Drive., San Mateo, CA
94403. Grid Designer is another of those
programs that after the first time you use it
THU FRI
you won't know how you ever got along TMU FRI SAT SUN MON RUE WED
HON UE N D
without it. SIRO
Surprisingly, the program isn't the

"kitchen sink" kind of software that's be-
coming increasingly common, where
every possible function is included to jus- SPECIAL TEST
NO.
tify a higher price. Grid Designer costs
under $50 (you must write to Chan -
nelmark to determine the most recent
price), and all it does is print grids and
similar forms. Usually, if you have need WED. MITE BOWLING
M,ntl LPDu
for a special kind of grid paper you use the
program to print a single copy and then
run off a batch of additional copies on a NAME MDCP 3 A 5 B 7 IS TOTAL
I i 7
photocopier.
I L L L L L L L 1 I I
The program is supplied with more

than 200 styles of grids, which includes 2
L. L L L L L L
L I I
24 varieties of standard quadrille paper, 12

accountant's formats, quadratic coordi-
3 L L U L L L L L I "
nate paper in six scales, three kinds of 9 L L L L L L L L I I
ruled paper, and staff paper for musicians.

For programmers there is a CRT program-
5
L L L L L L L L I J
mer's chart, FORTRAN and COBOL ' L L L L L L L L I J J
charts, and a flowchart. For general or

family use, there's an inventory sheet, a 7 L L L L L L L L I
I
telephone message log, and bowling, ° L L L L L L L L I I
baseball, bridge, and 9 -hole golf score-

cards. But even more important, there's a ' L L L L L L L L I I
"design your own mode" that lets you I' L L L L L L L L J I

design virtually any kind of grid or chart
you can think of. II
L L L L L L L L J I
Whether you design your own or use

one of the "stock" grids, one or two lines
IS L L L L L L L L I I I
of text can be printed at the top and/or These are just a few of Grid Designer's more than 200 stock grids
bottom of the grid; positioned either left, The user can also design, and save to disk, his own custom grid designs.
center, or right.
A few sample grids that illustrate Grid
Designer's versatility are shown. Some, even illustrations of the available grids. The program is easy-to -use and glitch -
such as the Inventory of Parts and the The "manual" is supplied as a disk file free. Unfortunately, it comes on a pro-
bowling league scoresheet, are "stock" that you must print out before you use the tected disk that cannot be copied, al-
templates provided with the program. The program. (You could read it off the though it does allow five hard disk installs
Special Test form peaking out from be- screen, but it' ;s really confusing to fol- on the same computer. But you can buy a
hind the bowling scoresheet was custom low.) If you want samples of the grids single backup copy for $5. (I really hate
designed. Notice how the two -line head- you'll also have to print them out yourself, protected software.) The program will
ings specifically identify the function of although their description in the menu is work with the most -popular matrix
the various forms and grids. quite good, and in most instances you'll printers, but if you have a not- too -com-
`C
Typical of the new breed of low-cost have a very accurate idea of how the grid mon printer, or if you have any doubts r-
software the packaging is "plain pipe will look without having to bother making whatsoever, check with Channelmark be-
rack ;" don't expect a fancy manual or
(1)
a test print. fore you purchase the software. co
91
By Byron G. Wels
APII ,U THINK TANK

How does a circuit do what it's supposed to do?
DI' ASKED WHAT I THOUGH WAS THE 3 -12V
most interesting part of electronics hobby-

ing, by far the answer would have to be
picking up a schematic diagram and fol-
lowing the circuit's flow of operation
figuring out what each sub- circuit does
- STROBE
R1
4.7 K
and its effect on the section that follows.

Sound kind of weird? Not really. As any SACTIVE
DISABLED
D1 1
1N914
electronics hobbyist knows. when you 6
OUTPUT 1
build some device from a magazine article INPUT

or kit, there is no warranty covering the kit R2
TR 555
or circuit's operation upon completion. 10K
R3
(Now do you understand my logic'?) That DIS Vc 10K
132
means that you (and only you) are respon- GND THRESHOLD
1N914
sible for repairs, which includes purchas-
ing replacement parts, installing them, OUTPUT 2
and checking to make sure that the circuit

works properly. And there is just no way
around it; you can's repair what you don't
Fig. 1 -The 555 timer can be applied in functions that do not necessarily involve
understand. timing. The Scmitt trigger. shown here. is typical of them. It is used to connect the
And that brings me to the purpose of two comparator inputs together and use them as a common signal input.
this column: To educate, as well as enter-
tain. You'll note that along with each cir- The necessary components to accomplish
.28V
cuit presented. there is a brief description that are shown with dotted lines. With that
(we can't cover everything) of the circuit's control in place, the upper potential will
operation included for your benefit. So, as be the equal of that at pin 5, while the
you read these pages. remember that if lower threshold will be one -half that volt-
you can understand the simple circuits age.
that are shown here, you'll be prepared to You can select from a wide variety of
tackle the more complicated ones. (Com- 555 family types; and the CMOS versions
plicated circuits are really a combination (7555, 7556) will present a very-high in-
of several simple sub -circuits, whose put impedance, as well as a rail -to-rail
basic functions never change.) output swing. And if you find that signal
peaks are greater than V + or less than
S- c- h- m -i -t -t ground, add the components labelled R2,
C.C., of Bloomfield. NJ asks that we Dl, and D2. If that doesn't happen, those
settle two arguments for him. It seems components can be left out.
that his friend says that the Schmitt in And you win. It's Schmitt, C.C.
Schmitt trigger is spelled Schmidt, while Fig. 2 -To drive an incandescent lamp,
C.C. says it's Schmitt. He also wants to Lamp Driver the schematic shows the use of 322 3905
know if you can use a 555 timer in a "k there such a thing as an incandes- timers in the collector- output mode of
Schmitt trigger application. cent -lamp driver ?" asks R. W., of operation. Refer to the text for a
We'll deal with the last question first. Phoenix, AZ. more -detailed explanation.
Take a look at Fig. I, C.C. The two com- Turn your attention to Fig. 2, R.W.
parator terminals (pins 2 and 6) of the 555 With logic circuits, it's often desirable to mode driving a 28 -volt, 40 -mA lamp. The
oscillator/timer are connected together drive higher- current loads, such as supply voltage is compatible with the
and used as a common signal input. When LED's. incandescent lamps, or relays. In- lamp rating.
the input crosses Ys V + the output falls candescent lamps can present their own In the example shown, a 28 -volt supply
low and remains in that state until the special problems. is used, but any lamp rated at 50-mA or
input drops to A V +, at which time the Because of the nonlinear resistance/ less can he used in the circuit.
output reverts to a high state. Because of voltage characteristics of incandescent
the internal feedback of the 555. the out- lamps. turn -on current surges can be a lot Time Delay
put change of state is fast, and indepen- higher than the steady-state value for a E.B. of Austin, TX, asks if we can
dent of the input rate of change. given unit. Such surges can blow a driver provide a schematic diagram for a time -
Now if you desire to add a threshold or even the lamp. In Fig. 2, the 322 and delayed relay.
control, the toggle point can be varied. 3905 timers are seen in the emitter-output Sure thing, E.B., check out Fig. 3. The
Within given circuit parameters, the
control circuitry remains essentially the
+28V
same. The LDR that was used in this cir-
I
cuit is the VT-10L from Vactec, Inc.

K1
(2423 Northline Ind. Blvd.. Maryland
D1
1N4003 Heights. MO 63043).
Power Alarm
"I want to add a fairly unusual feature
to my new power supply." writes K.G. , of
Davenport. IA. "I'd like some warning,
say five minutes worth, that the fuse is
going to blow. " Now that one threw us for
awhile, until he went on to explain. "Just
kidding. But seriously. is there a way to
connect a power-failure alarm that will
indicate audibly that there's been a drop-
Fig. 3 -The time -out periods determined by the formula Ri x Tom. out?" Well, I've heard some weird re-
The relay used is a Potter and Brumfield 24 -volt DC coil rated at 40 quests, but that one almost took the cake!
mA with contacts to suit. Well, K.G., look at Fig. 5. It uses a 555
3905 timer is operated as a two -terminal Dark Detector as an oscillator biased off by the presence
switch, which after the time delay, trig- "I'm doing some important experi- of line -based DC voltage. When the line
gers the relay. The timer and its associated ments for a school science project, and voltage fails, the bias is removed, and the
components are to the left, the load is to while I don't want to reveal too much of tone will be heard in the speaker.
the right. Notice that the collector (pin 6) what I'm experimenting with, I do need RI and DI provide the DC bias that
and V + pins of the timer are connected an alarm to notify me when a lamp burns charges capacitor C, to over :Y. -volt, there-
together, forcing the total timer current out. Can you help?" That's what C.J., of by holding the timer output low. Diode Dl
through the load. Groton, CT wrote. provides DC bias to the timer-supply pin
The basis for operation of the circuit is Sure thing, C.J. -take a gander at Fig. and, optionally, charges a rechargeable
that the standby current of the timer be- 4. That circuit ought to do the trick for battery through the dotted -line connection
fore time -out is low. In fact, it has to be you. We're using a cadmium -sulphide of RcH across D2. And, when the line
lower than the minimum actuation current LDR (light -dependent resistor) to sense power fails, DC is furnished to the timer
of the relay to avoid premature closure of the absence of light and to operate a small through D2.
the relay contacts. When power is applied, speaker. LDRI enables the alarm when
the timer starts to time out and during the light falls below 2 footcandles. Tilt!
timing interval, its output appears as a It's interesting to note that there are "Remember the old pinball machines
high impedance to the relay, so the relay basic essentials to any type of an alarm with their tilt switches ?," writes S.R. of
remains open. circuit. You have a trigger or detection Ft. Lauderdale, FL. "I'd like to work that
When the timing interval is completed. device, control circuitry, and the noise- sort of system into an electronic -alarm
the output stage of the timer conducts and maker itself. With essentially the same circuit, but if I recall correctly, they were
a large current flows through the relay control circuitry, you can easily vary the electro- mechanical. Is there something
coil, making the contacts close. The relay trigger or detection device, and also select more electronic I can use ?"
stays closed until power is recycled. That from a variety of output or indicating de- Sure, S.R. Look at Fig. 6. That circuit
two-terminal timed switch can be used to vices, such as bells, horns, lights, what- uses a simple glass -encapsulated mercury
drive other loads if current thresholds are ever. switch as the triggering device. And after
kept compatible with the 322 and 3905 SUPPLY BUS
the unit to which it is attached has been
characteristics.
+9v
fl -9V1 stabilized once again, simply press mo-
o mentary- contact switch S2 to reset the cir-
R1 01 cuit. 02
100K 1N914 1N914
R
R2
100K
1
4 8 R3
#1MEG B1
R V+ 1005! R1 +9V
6 3
TH VM
LDR1
PHOTOCELL
- TR L555
OUT
SPKR 1
100K 4
R,
IMEG
6
TH
R
8
V+
OUT
3
R3
10012
VT-10L OR EQUIV. TR 555

Ti ONO
D3
1000pF 1
119914 7 vc SPKR1
DIS
GND
C,
T1000pF
11
^ C1
0.01
Fig. 4 -This circuit enables you to - 4

know when a lamp goes out for any
reason including a burn -out or a fuse
blow. It uses a Cadmium Sulphide Fig.5-If you want to reduce the standby current drain,
photocell as the detecting device, simply substitute the 555 timer shown here for a low -
sounds a tone in a small loudspeaker current version, such as the TCL555 or 7555. They're
to notify you of what happened. physically and electrically interchangeable.
V the input signal. and has no significant
o
shunting effect on the input. In actual
Fig. 6- Really an alarm circuit, this practice, the input impedance of the am-
schematic shows how to use a 555 timer plifier is determined by stray input capaci-
and a small glass -encapsulated
R', tances and the frequency of the input
S2
:100K
R2 mercury switch to indicate "tilt."
RESET 100K: signal. Since most of that will be at the
IF!
input lead, be sure to use shielded cable to
reduce the strays.
OUTPUT The circuit works well at almost any
S1 NO
MERCURY
SWITCH
- 555
(GOES HIGH
ON TILT)
voltage from 9 to 30 volts and consumes
about 2mA.
Quadraphonic Sound
I recently heard a quadraphonic stereo
C1
o.l
system and fell in love. Then I checked
megohms), at audio frequencies and a low out some of the prices and got a divorce.
output impedance of only a few ohms. It Isn't there a less- expensive way to go than
features unity gain up to about 4 MHz, to invest all of my life savings ?-S.L.,
and noise and distortion levels so small Lubbock, TX
that they can be ignored. BIFET devices A quad system can really be expensive,
The tilt switch is actually a mercury also provide excellent noise and distortion of course. But there is a way that's worth
switch that's mounted such that it is nor- performance. looking into. Admittedly, it's a quasi -
mally open, which allows the timer output
to stay low, as established by CI on start-
The inverting () input of Ul is con-
nected directly to the output so the circuit
quadraphonic system, but the sound en-
hancement, using just two additional
up. has unity gain between the non -inverting speakers and the circuit in Fig. 2 is really
When SI is disturbed, causing its con- ( + ) input to the output. The non- invert- worthwhile. You might also want to try
tacts to be bridged by the mercury pool, ing input is biased via R3 to half the sup- this in your car as well.
the 555 latch is set to a high output level ply potential by the voltage divider L.H.
where it will stay even if the switch is
R.H.
formed by resistors RI and R2. Naturally, REAR REAR
returned to its starting position. The high the output voltage is also nominally half
output can be used to enable an alarm of the supply voltage. That provides the cir-
the visual or aural type. cuit with a large signal -handling capacity.
Capacitors C2 and C3 provide input
Buffer Needed and output DC blocking respectively. Be-
Hey Byron, maybe you can help me. cause of the shunting effect of RI , R2, and
I've got an amplifier, and when try to add 1 R3, the input impedance of the circuit
additional loading, all my audio goes would be reduced to about 15 megohms if
down in the mud. What am I doing you didn't include bootstrapping capaci-
wrong ? -J.T., San Fernando, CA tor CI, which couples the output signal
Nothing, J.T. Nothing except loading voltage -which is the same as the input Fig. 8 -With this quasi -quadraphonic
down the amplifier. What you need is a -to
signal the junction of the three re- sound system, the amplifiers audio
output is fed to the front-channel
high -impedance buffer, like that shown in sistors. So any change in the voltage at the
loudspeakers. The rear speakers are
Fig. 1. between the amplifier and the add- input is matched by a similar change at the fed the difference between the front-
ed load. That circuit, by way of Ul -an junction of the three resistors. channel (left and right) signals.
LF35I BIFET op-amp, which is easily The input signal doesn't change the
replaced by any JFET type, such as the voltage across R3 and doesn't cause any The output from the amplifier is fed in
TLO8ICP- provides very-high input a current to flow through that resistor. So the normal way to what are called the front
impedance (typically one million R3 seems to have an infinite impedance to (left and right) speakers. A portion of the
audio signal enroute to the front speakers
is diverted to the rear speakers. The rear
tR1
10MEG speakers are fed the difference between
the signals of the front channels. That's
3N because signals appearing at the two front
Rivv
10 MEG channels cause similar variations in the
4 voltage across the rear speakers, which
Cl
tend to largely or totally cancel each other
.
47 out in the rear-channel audio.
The signals that appear in only one
_C2 channel cause a voltage to be developed
`01 across the rear speakers in the normal way.
So the general level of volume from the
SR2
'10 MEG rear is somewhat less than that from the
INPUT front or main speakers.
You'll also find ambience signals pres-
i ent. They are not picked up directly by the
microphones, but are picked up after they
Fig.7 -This buffer amplifier (using an LF351 BIFET op -amp), have bounced off a wall or ceiling. Repro-
with its high input impedance and low output impedance at duction of those signals usually imparts a
audio frequencies, features unity gain up to about 4MHz and more- spacious sound to the music and
low noise and distortion levels. The circuit can be powered
by a 9- to 30 -volt power supply and consumes only about 2mA. provides very-realistic effects.
cJUND-
:
CTI VAT
MP
WITCHES
Clap your hands for this electronic genie and it will light
your way, or scare an intruder clear into the next county.
By Bobby -Lee Terwilliger
T WAS JUST THE KIND OF NIGHT THE whistle, a click, or a bang. For example, if is a substitute for a conventional toggle -
cartoon character Snoopy likes to you place a Sound -Activated Switch over type wall switch, which it closely resem-
write about: dark and stormy. Behind the cellar steps, you don't have to worry bles: Toggle down is off: toggle up is on.
the curtain of rain, a dark shadow edged about making your way down in the But there is also a position between the
its way to the back door of a darkened darkness if your hands are full. A simple two, and that is the sound-activated mode,
home. The rattle of the doorknob could whistle will cause the Sound -Activated which will automatically turn on the room
hardly be heard over the sound of the Switch to turn on the lights. Or, you could light when it hears an unusual noise.
rain -when suddenly, the house lit up like have a sound switch installed in a ground Built into the toggle -type Sound -Acti-
a Christmas tree. Darkened rooms glowed floor room so that the sounds made by a vated Switch are controls for both sen-
with light, outdoor floodlights turned burglar attempting entry into the home sitivity and time -delay (how long the light
night into day, and the dark shadow fled would cause the lights to go on. remains on), and a small LED that is used
over the fence. Within minutes the lights as the sensitivity indicator.
turned off. Yet there was no one at home to Three Kinds of Sensors Under typical ambient -noise condi-
turn the lights on or off: The dark shadow There are six different types of Sound - tions, the sensitivity control is adjusted
had itself triggered several Intermatic Activated Switches; we chose to look at until the LED blinks when the device
Sound -Activated Lamp Switches: noise - the three models -shown in the pho- senses the sound level the user wants to
sensitive devices that control the electric tographs-that we thought had the most serve as the trigger. Sounds of lesser vol-
supply to lamps, buzzers, or whatever you appeal for the average home. Model X320 ume, which do not cause the LED to light,
want. won't trigger the device, while any sound
The Intermatic Sound -activated that does light the LED will trigger the
Switches are basically compact amplifiers light(s).
having a self-contained microphone, a Once the light turns on, it will remain
sensitivity control, an LED sensitivity-ad- on for the period established by the time -
justment indicator, a time delay, and a delay adjustment, assuming that there's
semiconductor switch. The device is nor- no other unusual noise. If the noise con-
mally off. When the microphone senses tinues or repeats while the light is on, it
an unusual sound, it turns the electronic will remain on and not start to time out
switch on, which in turn, provides a 117 - until the high -level noise ceases.
volt power-line output to light a lamp. The unit on the left replaces a con- Another version of the Sound -Acti-
When the sound stops, the switch remains ventional toggle -type wall switch. vated Switch is the model SX530B Plug -
on until the delay times out; at which time It can be operated like a conventional in Security Lamp Switch: that plugs into a
the device resets itself to the off con- toggle switch or sound activated. The conventional electric outlet and contains
dition. center unit is the Sound -Activated its own controlled socket, to which a con-
The triggering sound can be any medi- Socket, and on the right is the port- ventional table or floor lamp is connected
able, Plug -in Security Lamp Switch.
c
um- to high- frequency, semi -impulse Unlike the toggle-type audio light, the
noise that exceeds the ambient (back- portable model has a fixed time -delay. (Z)
ground) noise level. It can be a clap, a CIRCLE 77 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD (Continued on next page) v
CO
95
SOUND -ACTIVATED The socket is turned on only when a Go ahead
LAMP SWITCHES sound is detected. As with the Security
Lamp Switch, the light remains on for a
predetermined time (about 30 seconds)
and run it.
and then turns off.
Like the other sound -activated switch-
es, the socket version has a sensitivity
control and an LED sensitivity indicator.
(The time -delay is fixed.)
Testing 1...2...3
We tried all three versions. While they
work successfully once adjusted, getting
them adjusted can be tiresome, because the
The pencil points to the microphone light is triggered each time the sensitivity
that's built into the toggle -type control is moved: Then you must wait for
switch. The two screws allow the the time -delay to turn off the light so that
user to set the sensitivity and you can check the adjustment.
time -delay adjustments. There's also the problem of intermittent
noise triggering. A car sounding its horn
The third model is the X740 Sound - in the street triggered the socket model,
Activated Socket, which is primarily in- which had been installed in a backyard. Maybe there's a car
tended for use outdoors as part of a home's Normally, that isn't a problem, since it coming and maybe there
security system, although it can also be gives your home a lived-in appearance; isn't. Fortunately, most peo-
used indoors, perhaps to turn on a com- but, the uncommon ambient-noise level ple figure the risk isn't
mon table or floor lamp. (It becomes an must be considered when making the sen- worth the chance.
integral part of the lamp). As shown in the sitivity adjustment. But oddly enough, it
photographs, the socket resembles a pho- There is also the problem of household
doesn't work that way with
the warning signs of a
to- detector, a gadget containing a pho- pets (if you have any). If they are in the heart attack. Most people
tocell that automatically turns on a same room as a Sound -Activated Switch, ignore the signals. Or
the ordinary noises they create will trigger chalk it up to indigestion.
the switch. Or wait to see what hap-
pens next.
Every year 350,000 heart
attack victims die before
they reach the hospital.
But you don't have to be
one of them.
If you feel an uncomfort-
able pressure, fullness,
squeezing or pain in the
center of your chest that
lasts for two minutes or
longer, you may be having
a heart attack. In some
Here's how the Sound -Activated Socket
cases, the sensation may
spread to the shoulders,
looks when equipped with a floodlight. neck or arms -and be ac-
ready for installation in a fixture. companied by sweating,
The pencil points to the LED trigger - dizziness, fainting, nausea
floodlamp when darkness falls (the sun level indicator on the plug -in lamp or shortness of breath.
goes down). But unlike a conventional switch. Note the integral power out- The important thing is to
photo- detector, the X740 Sound -Acti- let, and the sensitivity adjustment. get help. Either by calling
vated Socket is sensitive to, and con- the local emergency medi-
trolled by sound. A built -in light sensor But there's a flip side to the coin. Since cal service (EMS) or by
only holds off the light during daylight; it a Sound -Activated Switch will trigger on asking someone to drive
does not turn on the light at night. almost any kind of noise, if the toggle - you to a hospital emergen-
type unit is installed in a dark area -such
cy room.
If you ignore the signs of a
as near the basement steps or the entrance
heart attack, you'll have no
to a long hallway-the light can be turned one to blame.
on before you enter the dangerous area by Not even yourself.
simply whistling, clapping your hands, or
speaking the magic words: Lights on, ses-
ame (or even just open sesame). Imagine
WERE FIGHTING FOR
not having to elbow the light switch on as
you approach the stairs carrying an YOUR LIFE
armload of packages.
Sound -Activated Lamp Switches are
available from local hardware and lighting
American Heart
The Sound -Activated Socket has a photo- stores. For additional information write to Association
cell (under the word AUDIOLITE). Intermatic, Inc., Intermatic Plaza, Spring
which holds off operation during daylight. Grove, IL 60081.
96
LEARNING dBASE III PLUS worked with other database managers or earlier versions of
(Continued from page 67) dBASE (as we had), the pace seems slow at times, but easier
than trying to absorb the thick set of manuals Ashton -Tate
Section II covers installation and basic functions -the As- provides. The tape would be useful in an educational setting,
sistant (the menu system), the various screen areas, and with or without the workbook, as long as each student or
basic keys. That is where the "meat and potatoes" of dBASE trainee had hands -on access to a PC. The price is rather steep
III PLUS begins. for individual use ($495), but it would be quickly recouped
Section III shows you how to set up a working database in any medium- to large-size organization.
by walking you through a step -by -step example. Section III The young lady who narrated the video program brought
also shows you how to sort and index information and print some humor to this reviewer's viewer. As she stressed points
reports. Last, several appendices include more detailed informa- in her delivery, her eyebrows rose and disappeared under
tion, including handy tips, command references, sample pro- her bangs. After a few chuckles, it was all business. Also,
grams, etc. quality shielded cables between the television set and video-
The meat of the course is contained in Section III, the tape player prevented the RF hash produced by the computer
How To section. As you create and manipulate the sample from herringboning the TV picture. That was not the case
database, you try many features, mostly using the "Assistant," when we originally setup using a frayed cable at first try.
the menu- driven user interface. But occasionally you're shown There are cheaper database managers, but if you need a
how to drop into the command mode, wherein the menus solid, proven performer, dBASE III PLUS is worthy of con-
are bypassed, and you type your commands directly. The sideration. And if you're responsible for educating yourself
workbook serves to reinforce, amplify, and restate what you or others in how to use the program, the MicroTrek Inter-
learn from the videotape; it also contains quizzes (with answers) active Video Training Course is recommended. For more
following each lesson, and additional exercises. In addition, information on the MicroTrek Interactive Video Training
the tape has built -in pauses points during which you can go Course circle No. 82 on the Free Information Card. Like-
through the workbook exercises at your own speed. wise, Ashton Tate would like to send you information on
If you've never worked with a database program before, dBASE!!! PLUS when you circle No. 83 on the Free Informa-
the MicroTrek tape serves as a good introduction. If you've tion Card.
SQUARE WAVE OUTPUT

ELECTRONIC FUNDAMENTALS
R3
TRIANGLE WAVE OUTPUT
Fig. 23 -A function generator produces

square- and triangle - output waveforms.
;1 function generator produces and

output waves.
Fig. 22 -Arelaxation oscillator produces
a squarewave voltage at the output.
40. (square, triangular) By using wave shaping or filtering
circuits, a sinewave can be generated from the triangular
A squarewave op-amp generator i.s called a wave. Thus the function generator can produce the three most
commonly used types of output signals over a wide frequency
range. A commercial test instrument called afunction gener-
39. (relaxation oscillator) One of the most popular op -amp ator uses a similar circuit to provide those features.
oscillators is called a function generator. It produces both
square and triangular wave outputs. Figure 23 shows a typical Please Write
circuit. Op-amp Al is an integrator while A2 is connected as We have come to the end of our course in Electronic
a comparator with its reference set to ground, or zero volts. Fundamentals. We hope it has given you a firm grasp on what
Al integrates the DC output of A2 until its output equals zero, electronics is all about, but hope isn't the same thing as really
at which point the comparator output switches. The inte- knowing. We would like to know your thoughts on both the
grator then switches directions and generates a ramp in the course and on our method of programmed instruction.
opposite direction again until its output equals zero. The Whether you find them good, bad, or indifferent, please write
result is square and triangular waves such as those previously and tell us how you feel about them.
shown in Fig. 13. By switch -selecting various values for C, cr-
and by making the squarewave output level of the comparator In the next issue of Hands -on Electronics, author Louis
variable, the output frequency can be varied over an ex- Frenzel will start a new series of articles. The kick -off piece
tremely wide range. will be on static RAM's. Watch for it! V
97
BOOKSHELF and IC op -amps in microprocessors. universities, and can be enjoyed by
(Continued from page 24) Topics covered include: the ideal technicians and hobbyists.
op-amp; IC electronics; monolithic op- Topics covered include: transistor
Understanding IC Operational amp circuitry; the integrated- circuit and MOSFET circuits; analog circuits;
Amplifiers-3rd Edition op-amp; linear and nonlinear digital circuits; LED's, laser diodes,
By Roger Melen and Harry Garland applications; op -amp systems; and and optoelectronics; radio control;
Want the lowdown on op -amps? In specialized operational amplifiers. sensors and sensing systems; and
this text the op -amp is discussed in Understanding IC Operational circuit assembly tips.
detail for the electronics hobbyist and Amplifiers, Third Edition, No. 22484,
technician. New, expanded, and is 224 pages and retails for $12.95.
updated applications include material You'll find it in bookstores, electronics
on computer-aided design techniques distributors, or you can get it from
R40, 4300 W. 62nd St., Indianapolis,
lh+dKStvmina K IN 46268; Tel. 800 /428 -SAMS.
op..atbnd
Amp/Mrs
Forrest Mims' Circuit Scrapbook II
By Forrest Mims
If you're a Mims fan, then this CIRCLE 64 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD
r
scrapbook may be a great addition to
your collection. It is an exciting
compilation of nearly 70 projects.
Each column explores a specific
area of electronics, but assumes no
prior knowledge. The book is a tutorial
for students in technical schools and
Forrest Mims' Circuit Scrapbook II.
No. 22552, is 272 pages and retails for
$19.95. To purchase a copy contact
R40, 4300 W. 62nd St., Indianapolis,
IN 46268; Tel. 800 /428 -SAMS.
DRESSING CONSULTANT positive lead to TP2 and adjust R39 for a reading of 5.94
(Continued from page 37) volts. Likewise, adjust R40 so TP3 is at 5.8 volts, R4l is at
5.61 volts, and R42 so TP5 is at 5.44 volts. Note that those
each oak board. Two pieces of Vs" plexiglass or similar voltages correspond to cutoff temperatures of 91.4 °F, 75.2 °F,
material were slipped into those grooves. 62.6 °F, 45.5 °F and 30.2 °F, respectively. If you prefer other
The front sheet of plexiglass has seven illustrations painted cutoff temperatures, R38 through R42 must be set differently.
on it. Each picture characterizes the particular weather condi- (Note that every .02 volts corresponds to 1.8 °F. Thus, 5.46
tions outside. In addition to the illustration, a one -word volts corresponds to 32 °F and 6.10 volts to 89.6°F)
description of the weather is also included. If you use an
acrylic paint, as the author did, be sure to also use acrylic Using the Dressing Consultant
varnish. Follow directions on the bottle. (Model paint, such Both sensors must be mounted outside; at least a foot away
as Testor's, is more durable than acrylic, but somewhat from the building. Do not place the temperature sensor where
harder to work with.) An additional protective coating or it will receive intense direct sunlight -filtered sunlight is
plastic film is also recommended. recommended. Obviously, the rain sensor should not be
The other sheet was spray painted black and slips into the located at a place protected from rain, e.g. under eaves or
groove located about 1" behind the front panel. That sheet trees.
holds the seven light bulbs -the bulbs slip into grommets Note that the Dressing Consultant uses a heated tem-
mounted in the plastic sheet. Table gives a brief description
1 perature sensor. Because of that, the unit should either be left
of the conditions associated with each light, Il through 17. on continually or turned on for at least a minute before it is
The sensor's reference temperature and respective test point "consulted" for its sage -like advice. Stay warm and enjoy.
voltage is also included.
For the top of the cabinet the author used a 10 x 10V" oak TABLE 1
board. Four wood screws are used to fasten the TEMPERATURE ELECTRICAL CORRESPONDENCES
top board to the two side boards. DESCRIPTION LIGHT CONDITIONS
The preceding description of the case and
HOT I1 OVER 91.4°F (33 °C) TP1 AT 6.12 volts
front panel are merely suggestions. The read-
er may come up with a simpler and better WARM 12 BETWEEN 75.2 °F (24°C) AND 91.4°F (33°C)
TP1 AT 6.12 volts; TP2 AT 5.94 volts
looking design.
PLEASANT 13 BETWEEN 62.6 °F (17°C) AND 75.2°F (24°C)
TP2 AT 5.94 volts; TP3 AT 5.80 volts
Calibration BETWEEN 45.5 °F (7.5°C) AND 62.6°F (17°C)
COOL 14
A digital voltmeter is recommended for TP3 AT 5.80 volts; TP4 AT 5.61 volts
calibration, although a good quality analog CHILLY 15 BETWEEN 30.2 °F ( -1 °C) AND 45.5°F (7.5 °C)
voltmeter will suffice. Turn on the power and TP4 AT 5.61 volts; TP5 AT 5.44 volts
connect the heat sensor. Connect the negative FRIGID 16 BELOW 30.2°F ( -1 °C) TP5 AT 5.44 volts
(usually black) lead of the voltmeter to circuit RAIN 17 HIGH HUMIDITY
ground. Referring to Fig. 4, connect the volt- NOTE: The temperature is the temperature of the internally heated sensor. When the
meter's positive lead to TPI. Adjust R38 for a wind is calm the sensor is several degrees warmer than the air. Under windy conditions
reading of 6.12 volts. Similarly, connect the the sensor temperature is nearly the same as that of the air.
98
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L
101
NEW SOUNDS FROM OLD RECORDS
(Continued from ¡mix 72)
offers more sound control because the internal preamp does

most of the work of shaping the required equalization. That
means that greater departures from "normal" can be made
through use of the graphic unit.
There's a nice advantage in being able to insert the graphic
equalizer between the phono pickup and the amplifier input
(either method above). You can then make a tape recording of
your equalization playback using the amplifier's TAPE OUT
jack while listening to the equalized sound through the ampli-
fier's speaker output. This mid- 1950's hi -fi amplifier (Pilot AA -920B) was acquired
Equalizers having only line -level input and output have to for the sole purpose of playing back vintage recordings.
be connected between the amplifier's TAPE OUT jack and the
line input of your tape recorder. That means (I) that the RIAA 10,000 Hz (amount depends on individual recording). That
equalization from the phono preamp is always superimposed gets rid of boominess and cuts down the sound of record
on the equalization from the graphic unit (similar to the first scratch. The three midrange controls receive varying
method mentioned above) and (2) that the sound from the amounts of boost to overcome the usual thin reproduction and
speaker connected to the amplifier is not equalized and add transparency and depth.
therefore cannot be used to monitor the results of your sound To get a graphic equalizer having more bands (which will
shaping. You'll have to use the monitor function of your tape allow you to do even more sophisticated sound- shaping),
recorder instead. you'll probably have to buy a stereo unit -which will have
Some of the more-modern amplifiers have provisions for
delivering a line -level signal to an equalizer for processing
then accepting the line -level equalizer output ahead of the
- two sets of frequency controls -one for each channel. You'll
only need one of those for your work with vintage recordings.
Rather than adapt the living room stereo amplifier for that
TAPE OUT jacks. That eliminates the second difficulty. You essentially mono job, I've acquired a mid- 1950's hi -fi unit for
could also get around it by purchasing an outboard phono vintage record playback. Those old amplifiers are available
preamplifier. Intended to provide magnetic-cartridge inputs reasonably priced (I picked mine up for three bucks at a
for amplifiers lacking them, such preamps are available inex- church rummage) and can prevent you from having to rear-
pensively from Radio Shack or other electronics parts dis- range the wiring on the back of the family set. Such rewiring
tributors. Connect the output of your magnetic cartridge to can be difficult and frustrating when (as mine is) your set is
the preamp's line input; wire the preamp's line output to the built into a cabinet or bookcase.
amplifier's AUX or TUNER input. Having a separate amplifier and record player for your 78
The Radio Shack #32 -1115 graphic equalizer provides work also allows you to confine your experimental wiring
boosts or cuts up to 12 dB in frequency bands centered on 60, hookups and stacks of discs to the basement or utility room.
240, 1,000, 3,500, and 10,000 Hz. When using it to modify That will make the family a whole lot more tolerant should
existing RIAA equalization, I generally make cuts at 60 and your work with old recordings turn into a full -time hobby!
NEW IDEAS is packed with 42 practical cir- WANT TO EXPAND your knowledge of elec-
cuits for the Electronics Experimenter and Prot- tronics? Build gadgets that only you can have on
$aso ect Builder. In addition to the headlight alarm,

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your block? Acquire a library of projects? NEW
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coil project that can generate 25,000 -volts AC building a project that will have others praising
and draw one -inch sparks. Other interesting what it can do and admiring you for building it
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102
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'Phis ber EVERY ISSUE OF Hands -on Electronics
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IF YOU'RE THE KIND OF READER that articles to suit every taste. In addition, feature
doesn't want to wait, you can order your next articles on electronics fundamentals, test equip-
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Electronics is crammed full of electronic proj- course, Hands -on Electronics will continue to
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103
RADIO SHACK DUoFONE side of the case (see photos); a rechargea-
(Continued from page 64) ble type (that is trickle- charged) would
make the phone maintenance -free. The
I2I2Imk 12 12 IAIw Iti =
D D D D
D D m
u,
D< z D Dco;
I ..4P
o o DmWI
1,04..1c°4'1
RECORD button has no interlock, electrical
or mechanical, so it's easy to press it and
accidentally wipe out your message.
O C
In addition, it would be great to have
45
1
CA$1 256K ten or more dialing memories and the
2
CAS2 TEST
44
43
ability to record messages -in electronic
3
N.C. XOUT memory, of course. In fact, by using a
42
4
CÁS3 X IN
41
microprocessor and 16 megabytes of
5
CAS4 EOS
40
memory, you could record 64 ten -second
6
7
EXT RD
39
messages...but those are wish -list items,
M1 WR
8 38 not faults.
16668 N.C.
9
M2
37 All in all, the TAD -105 is a heck of a
VSS1 EE
10 36 phone-especially when you consider
VSS2 NC
11 07
35 that it costs only $49.95. Visit your local
CSREF
12 D6
34 Radio Shack for a demonstration or more
uREF
13
MIC OUT 05
33 information.
14 32
C2 D4
15 31
03
Cl HAM RADIO
NC = NO CONNECTION
ÿ ÿ
T
Ó D
N c 2 CO
óóo
f"1
? ñlC o 0
n 3 0.0? (Continued from page 87)
but all kits by all manufacturers).
II4ImI6I
Itil<^'IAI?,Ig IImIteI6 The second problem was in trying to
Fig. 2- Unlike mechanical telephone- answering machines, the TAD-105 uses a speech - make the capacitor fit together. The
synthesizer, controlled by a 41256 256K 1 RAM IC -which is used in computers. SA-2550, like the other Heath amateur-
radio antenna tuners, requires that you
desired bandwidth (in this case, 6000 build the tuning capacitor from bits and
times per second). So, in order to capture pieces. You'll receive a bag of stator
ten seconds of speech, we need about plates, a bag of rotor plates, and a couple
60,000 samples. of bags of spacers and other bits of hard-
Dividing 256,000 by 60,000 gives ware. There is a lengthy assembly pro-
about four-so each sample can be repre- cedure for the capacitor.
sented by four bits in the RAM IC. Four I have built four Heath antenna tuners,
bits can be combined in sixteen different and all used the same type roll -your -own
ways, so each sample can have one of capacitors. While the idea of assembling a
sixteen different voltages. That's not variable capacitor may seem frightening
really very many; high -fidelity digital re- to an inexperienced builder, it is actually
cordings are often made with sixteen or relatively easy. I've never had any prob-
eighteen bits for each sample. Sixteen bits lem with the capacitors in the first three
yield 65,536 different voltage levels, and tuners. But in the SA-2550, I had a dick-
eighteen bits, 262,144 levels. ens of a time making it work. The problem
If we settled for a bandwidth of, say, 2.5 was that the spaces between plates were
kHz, we could get five bits of resolution, The inlet on the rear of the unit allows
not even, either between any two plates or
which would yield 32 different voltages. easy wall mounting. A compartment is from plate -to -plate over the length of the
The trade -off is that, although each sam- provided on the back of the base unit for a capacitor.
ple would be a more accurate representa- 9 -volt battery -aback -up power source. After a lot of spritzing and fussing, the
tion of the voltage at that instant, higher capacitor finally went together (my kids
frequencies would be lost, or would ap- transmitted by the microphone. The war- may have learned a couple of new words
pear as noise. Six bits would give a max- bling "ring" tone is not unpleasant, un- that my wife doesn't appreciate). I believe
imum frequency of about 2.2 kHz, seven like that of some of the inexpensive that Heath needs to look at either the toler-
bits, 1.9 kHz, and eight bits, 1.6 kHz. electronic phones. ancing of the capacitor parts, or the in-
Radio Shack's literature does not spec- We do have a few "nits" to pick. For structions to determine whether that's a
ify the sample rate used, nor the number one, you can't set the number of rings real problem, or whether or Joe's hands
of bits per sample. But the preceding after which the phone will play the pre- ain't what they use to be.
analysis shows how the circuit works, and recorded message. And the PHONE/AN- It should be pointed out, however, that
the kind of performance various values SWER switch could work better. It would only ordinary mechanical skills normally
would give. be nice if, in the answer-only mode, it associated with all forms of electronic kit
would answer all the time after a user - construction are needed to assemble the
Our Impressions settable number of rings; in the other capacitor-the only added ingredient is a
However many bits are used, fidelity of mode, it would only answer if the user little more patience than is required to
the recorded message is surprisingly hadn't picked up the handset after a preset assemble similar capacitors on earlier
good -it's as good as most low- to medi- number of rings. That way, every caller model Heath Kit tuners. The earlier ca-
um -cost magnetic - tape -based answering would get some response. A blinking pacitors went together exactly as shown in
machines. The TAD -105 has a good LED when in answer mode would help the Heath assembly manuals.
"feel," unlike many inexpensive modern you remember to put the unit back in If you want to build either a vertical or
phones. The handset is light, but not too phone mode. inverted-V antenna that can be tuned to
light, and sound reproduction through the The back -up battery is a standard nine- resonance across an entire HF amateur
handset speaker is good, as is the sound volt type, which is installed in the under- band, then I recommend the SA -2550.
104
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HANDS -ON MARKETPLACE
FOR SALE 500 parts $12.00. Mixed resistors, capacitors, di- LINEAR parts- Transistors: MRF454 $15,
odes, inductors, etc. Good stuff. No junk. 5 free MRF455 $12, MRF477 $11, MRF492 $16.75.
LASERS: Surplus parts, and units, the source for power transistors with each $24.00 order We pay MRF421 $22.50, SRF2072 $13, SRF3662 $25,
laser surplus!" Free catalog, MEREDITH INSTRU- shipping in U.S.A. Add $2.00 if C.O.D. BARGAIN 3800 $18.75, 2SC2290 $19.75. 2SC2879 $25.
MENTS. P.O. Box 1724, Glendale, AZ 85311. CITY, P.O. Box 121H, Glen Miss. 38846. Tubes: 6KD6 $10.50. 6LQ6 $9.75. 6LF6 $9.75,
8950 $16.75. Best prices on Palomar Road Noise
Mics, Ranger AR3300. New 16 page catalog listing
radio amplifier tricks -channel modification. PLL-
Sliders, peaking for range, hard -to -find linear
CLASSIFIED AD ORDER FORM parts -mail $1.00 to: RFPC, Box 700, San Marcos,
CA 92069. For same day parts shipment, call (619)
744 -0728.
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TUBES 59 cents. Year guarantee. Free catalog.
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Diego, CA 92105.
PLEASE INDICATE in which category of classified advertising you wish your ad to appear. For CABLE -TV converters. Scientific Atlanta. Jerrold.
special headings, there is a surcharge of $10.00. Oak, Zenith, Hamlin. Many others. "New" VIDEO
( ) Plans Kits ( ) Business Opportunities ( ) For Sale HOPPER "The copy killer ". Visa, M C & Amex ac-
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(
Upton Circle. Bloomington, MN 55431.
OSCILLOSCOPES and test equipment. Tektronix,
Special Category: $10.00 H.P. Fluke, etc. Free catalog. CAL-SCOPE, 1030
W. Maude Ave. #505. Sunnyvale, CA 94086 (408)
PLEASE PRINT EACH WORD SEPARATELY, IN BLOCK LETTERS. 730 -4573.
(No refunds or credits for typesetting errors can be made unless you clearly print or type your TUBES -over 2000 types. including early and hard -
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charges for special ads. Minimum: 15 words. tions. Send $2.00 for 20 page catalog to ANTIQUE
ELECTRONIC SUPPLY, 688 -C West First Street.
Tempe, AZ 85281.
1 2 3 4 5 OLD radio tubes. Send $1.00 for lists. Refundable.

DIERS, 4276 North 50, Milwaukee, WI. 53216.
IS it true you can buy jeeps for $44 through the U.S.
10
government? Get the facts today! Call
6 7 8 9 1- 312 -742 -1142 Ext. 7173.
NIGHT vision equipment, lasers, computer parts

and surplus electronic equipment. 68 page picture
11 12 13 14 15 ($21.00) catalogue $1.00. MESHNA, INC., Nahant, MA
01908.
16 ($22.40) 17 ($23.80) 18 ($25.20) 19 ($26.60) 20 ($28.00)

SATELLITE TV
59 degree brand name LNA's! LNB's! Ku -Band
23 ($32.20) 24 ($33.60) 25 ($35.00) LNB's! Discount pricing! Catalog $1.00 (Refunda-
21 ($29.40) 22 ($20.80)
ble): LNA -H1, 201 E Southern, Suite 100, Tempe AZ
85282.
26 ($36.40) 27 ($37.80) 28 ($39.20) 29 ($40.60) 30 ($42.00)

PLANS/KITS
BUILD this five-digit panel meter and square wave
31 ($43.40) 32 ($44.80) 33 ($46.20) 34 ($47.60) 35 ($49.00) generator including an ohms, capacitance and fre-
quency meter. Detailed instructions $2.50. BAG-
NALL ELECTRONICS. 179 May, Fairfield. CT
We accept MasterCard and Visa for payment of orders. If you wish to use your credit card to pay for your ad fill 06430
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CRYSTAL radio sets, plans. parts, kits. Catalog
$1.00. MIDCO. 660 North Dixie Highway Hol-
lywood, FL 33020.
Card Number Expiration Date STRANGE stuff. Plans, kits, items. Build satellite
dish $69.00. Descramblers. bugs, adult toys. Infor-
mational photo package $3.00. refundable. DIRIJO
CORPORATION, Box 212 -H, Lowell, NC 28098.
PRINT NAME SIGNATURE COLOR computer, security devices. Temperature,
sound, intrusion alarm. Plugs into cassette and
joystick sockets. Plans, programs cost $10.00.
IF YOU USE A BOX NUMBER YOU MUST INCLUDE YOUR PERMANENT ADDRESS AND PHONE BROWN'S. 119 Skyline Drive, R.H., Granbury, TX
NUMBER FOR OUR FILES. ADS SUBMITTED WITHOUT THIS INFORMATION WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. 76048
CLASSIFIED COMMERCIAL RATE: (far firms or individuals offering commercial products or services) SATTELITE DISH PACKAGE make your own dish
$1.40 per word prepaid (no charge for ZIP code)... MINIMUM 15 WORDS. 5 discount for same ad in 6 with inexpensive and easily available basic mate-
issues within one year: 10% discount for 12 issues within one year if prepaid. NON -COMMERCIAL RATE: rials. Solid construction, less than 17 hours labour.
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SCREEN BEHIND ENTIRE AD: add 25% premium to total price. TINT SCREEN BEHIND ENTIRE AD tario L1A 3Z2 Canada.
PLUS ALL BOLD FACE AD: add 45% premium to total price. EXPANDED TYPE AD: $1.85 per word
prepaid. All other items same as for STANDARD COMMERCIAL RATE. TINT SCREEN BEHIND ENTIRE UPGRADE kit for line zappers $19.95. Stops nega-
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TYPE AD PLUS ALL BOLD FACE AD: add 45% premium to total price DISPLAY ADS: 2' 4
1 "- board. Complete kits avaiable. C &C SPECIALTIES,
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+ 1432 Heim, Orange. CA 92665. (714) 998 -6866.
discounts are available ALL COPY SUBJECT TO PUBLISHERS APPROVAL. ADVERTISEMENTS
USING P.O. BOX ADDRESS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED UNTIL ADVERTISER SUPPLIES PUBLISHER
AMPLIFIER plans -Totally new technology. Quiet-
er. freer from distortion, easier to construct audio
WITH PERMANENT ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER. Hands -on Electronics is published monthly.
therefore copy to be in our hands for Aug 87. 4 19. Sept. 87, 5 19, Oct. 87, 6 19. amplifiers. Plans, all wattages, $15. AMPLIFIERS
UNLIMITED, Rt 2, Box 139, Highmore. SD 57345.
106
EXPANDABLE digital panel meter -Modular con-
struction allows the basic DMS to take on the ap- SOUND SENDER
pearance and function of many devices by simply
attaching standard, custom or do- it- yourself add -on
modules. The Basic DMS as shown in Aug. '86
Modern Electronics $31.95 (kit); Tachometer add -on is high -tech, nothing is simple) of how the
module (Oct. '86 ME) $29.95. Add 2.501381-leach.
Other kits available. Free brochure. Call (404)
Sound Sender gets around all the RF filter-
979 -5900. BALLCO INC., 148 South Clayton St., ing, but quite frankly we're not ready to
Suite 131, Lawrenceville, GA 30245. buy the explanation provided at this time.
CATALOG: Hobby circuits, licensed/unlicensed More likely, we think it works this way:
broadcasting, transmitters, antennas, books, The oscillator puts out a strong RF sig-
scramblers, bugging devices, science projects,
more! PANAXIS, Box 130 -H07, Paradise, CA. nal of several volts. By the time it gets past
95967. its own internal filtering used to keep the
auto's own hash out of the modulation, the
desired RF has been knocked down to a
WANTED few milliwatts, which is fed into the car's
INVENTORS! AIM wants ideas. inventions, new electrical system through the cigarette
products. improvements on existing products. We
present ideas to manufacturers. Confidentiality lighter's wiring.
guranteed. Call toll free 1- 800-225 -5800 for informa- SOME OF THE The RF flows to the radio where the
tion kit. spark plate (a capacitor), and possibly an
GREATEST THINGS RF choke, squash the RF down to just a
DO-IT-YOURSELF TV REPAIR
NEW...Repair any TV...easy Retired serviceman
reveals secrets Write. RESEARCH. Rt. 3. Box
IN AMERICA
NEVER CHANGE.
few microvolts, which literally float
around the internal wiring of the radio
the wires now function as a transmitting
-
601BH, Colville, WA 99114 antenna. Since an auto radio needs just a
few microvolts (typically between 3- and
CABLE EQUIPMENT 10-11V) for good FM reception, the few
CABLEL -TV Secrets- the outlaw publication the

microvolts from the Sound Sender that got
cable companies tried to ban. HBO. Movie Channel, past the filtering is enough to provide de-
Showtime, descramblers, converters, etc. Sup- cent FM reception.
pliers list included, $8.95. CABLE FACTS, Box 711 -
H, Pastaskala, OH 43062.
JERROLD equipment including new Jerrold Tri- Testing, 1...2...3
Mode and Drzin systems, Hamlin, SB -3, N -12, Mini - Surprise, surprise! We tried the Sound
code, Zenith, Z -Tac and more. All products enable Sender in two different makes of car and
you to pick up most cable stations. Best prices warn I,-._!
around! For information. send $1.00 plus S.A. S.E. or the Sound Sender worked just as claimed.
call (312) 658 -8643. SWENSENS ELECTRONICS, The signal was received with a signal -to-
518 North Harrison St., Suite C. Algonquin, IL
60102. No Illinois orders accepted!
Now paying 10.94%. noise ratio comparable to what we got
from moderate -level FM stations: per-
U.S. Savings Bonds now fectly satisfactory. The tuning held -re-
pay like money market accounts!
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
CASH in on Army surplus sales. Buy directly from
At the current rate 10.94% -you
could double your money in less
- quiring no adjustment -from a start-up
temperature of 26 °F to 87 °F with the heat-
government. No middlemen Book $4.50. Shipping er going full blast. Somewhere along the
and handling included. Cheque or money order. than seven years. Just hold Bonds
way, we had to trim the tuning once fir
NATIONAL SUPPLY, Box 370, PortHope Ontario for five years and you get the new
L1A3Z2 Canada higher variable rates. Plus, you best sound, but we also have to do that
get a guaranteed return. That's with conventional FM listening.
the kind of change anyone can Since the Sound Sender has no auto-
BEST JOBS /HIGHEST PAY
NEW easy method. Guaranteed Free report re-
veals secrets, tells how. NOVA SYSTEMS. 6901 -B
North Lamar, Austin, TX 78752.
appreciate.
But some of the best
things about Bonds haven't
matic volume control, it has to he "ear-
balled." First, you tune a conventional
not hard -rock -FM station and note its
-
changed. Savings Bonds are still volume level. Then you tune in the Sound
as safe as ever. They're still Sender and adjust the volume control of
exempt from state and local in- the Walkman until its signal sounds a
CELLULAR PHONES come taxes. And since Bonds shade weaker than the regular station: the
WIRING up Cellular phones 20 pages. Most cost as little as $25, they're as
brands covered. Bonus, making briefcase phones. result is Walkman sound having minimum
All for $6.95 plus $1.50 ship hdlg to: EVERGREEN affordable as ever. What's more, distortion.
RESOURCES, 1321 -N S.E. Everett Mall Way, #273. Bonds remain a great way to About the only complaints you're like-
Everett. WA 98204.
keep our country strong. ly to have are that the Walkman is heard in
You can purchase Bonds mono, and its frequency response isn't
car our of almost anywhere. At neighbor-

hood banks, savings and loans
and credit unions. Or easier still,
right through the Payroll Savings
hi tì; it's just about what you'd get from an
AM station. Of course, you can boost the
THE DARK. Plan where you work.

For vour free booklet, write:
The Consumer Information Catalog will 50 (215A,''' U.S. Savings Bonds
enlighten you with over 200 federal Division, Washington, DC 20226.
consumer-oriented publications Many are free
and all are helpful Get your free copy by US SAVINGS BONDS
writing Paying Better Than Ever "
Consumer Information Center \ .,ri.dkc rata a ,t,hr Bond. ,ur, I,. I ,,n
SMD components are so small you can
and after I I 1,14.: and held at least 5 years. barely see them. The small "blip" at
Dept. TD, Pueblo, Colorado 81009 Bonds putt based before I I $2 earn variable
I
rate. whin held beyond lib i l '$7. Bonds held the end of the pencil isn't a dirt speck
les', than S years earn lower interest.
U S General Services Administration on the picture, it's a transistor.
A publit service of this publication.
107
highs somewhat through the radio's tone
control(s), or the equalizer found on some
portable tape players. But even not too hi a
fi is better than nose.
The Sound Sender will fit all vehicles
except late -model Ford LTD's and
Thuderbirds (which is a funny claim be-
cause our test unit performed the same in a
late model LTD as it did in a Plymouth,
although the LTD was equipped with a
Radio Shack AM /FM radio). The device
is list priced at $29.95, but has been pur-
chased in auto -accessory stores for
$19.95. For information see your local
auto -accessory dealer or write to Hartzell
Mfg. Inc., 2516 Wabash Ave., St. Paul.
MN 55114, or circle No. 80 on the Read-
er's Free Information Card. The pencil points to a small, knurled knob that sets the output frequency. Its
the only control on the unit, all else is controlled by the radio and tape deck.
former, to make working on the radio a lot operated from a I17 -volt input. provides
ELLIS ON ANTIQUE RADIO
safer. The transformer effectively insu- 69-, 78 -, 100 -, 122- and 147 -volt open-
lates the set from the AC line. circuit secondary voltages. rated at a hefty
cillator /mixer, 12SK7 IF amplifier, 12SQ7 The other reason for delaying the test 1- ampere.
detector /amplifier, 35L6 output amplifier, flight is the filth encrusting much of the The transformers are all used units, and
and 35Z5 rectifier. The only obvious fea- set's innards. Even if the EC -1 were to the one supplied to me had a defective tap
tures that mark the set as a communica- take off on the first try, its operation would switch, but was otherwise fine. By next
tions receiver (albeit, a very rudimentary probably be noisy and erratic until the dirt month. I should have it wired into a con-
one) are one extra tube -a 12J5 that's and corrosion is removed -especially
from the tuning capacitor (see photos),
trol console that will really promote the
process of set start-up and testing.
used as a BFO (beat- frequency os-
cillator) -and the band -switched coil - volume control and control switches. And If you have any information to share on
sets in the RF and circuits. It's truly a no- right now, because of the grime covering the Echophone EC-1 please write to me C/
frills receiver. Once running, it should be the inside of the celluloid window, it's O Hands -on Electronics, Gernsback
interesting to see how it performs. even a chore to read the tuning dial. Publications, Inc., 500 -B Bi- County
The next step, then, in bringing the Boulevard. Farmingdale, NY 11735.
Plan of Attack EC -1 back to life will be further disassem-
Having liwnd out that much, I was bly followed by deep cleaning. Tune in
really tempted to plug in the set and give it next month for more details!
a try. But I gave up on that idea for a ADVERTISING INDEX
couple of reasons. First of all, I thought I The Fair Radio Transformer HANDS -ON ELECTRONICS magazine
should take my own advice and try to In a previous column, I reported on a does not assume any responsibility for
preserve the electrolytic capacitors by ap- surplus isolation transformer being of- errors that may appear in the index below.
plying a lower-than- normal line voltage
when first turning on the set. I'm not set
up to do that conveniently yet, but am
fered by Fair Radio Sales, 1016 E. Eureka
St., Lima, OH 45802, The transformer
part number P- 126J875, listed in catalog
- Free Information No.
8 AMC Sales
Page
22
building up a little control console for the WS -86 at $7.95, plus shipping -comes
purpose of using a Fair Radio Sales trans- with a switch-tapped primary that, when -
9
11
All Electronics
Amazing Devices
C.I.E
15
22
21
50 21 Communications Electronics CV2
.
AO 60 10 Cooks Institute 16
AliATEUR
-
6
12 Digi -Key 13
Electronic Tech. Today .. CV3, 101
Electronics Book Club 3
7 Emco 26
-13 Fluke Manufacturing

Grantham Col. of Engineering
17
... 5
Q.0
-14
18
Heath
ISCET
Kepro Circuit Systems
31
28
6
IS MCM Electronics 23
^:!.) 3 3 BAND
--
16 Mouser
NRI
Pacific Cable
16
11
17 Test Probes 18
aaaaaaaaaaaaanaaaaaaaaaiaaa aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa 19 Trio Kenwood CV4
20 UVTC 26
U 10 20 :0 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
ANDSPREAD SCALE
Here's a good look at the Echophone's tuning dial. Set was removed from BUY BONDS
cabinet so camera wouldn't have to look through a grimy celluloid window.
108
r .11
Electronics Paperback Books

EVERY BOOK IN THIS AD $6 OR LESS!
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BP125 -25 SIMPLE AMATEUR BAND ANTENNAS 55.00. All are inexpensive BP33- ELECTRONIC
t CALCULATOR USERS HANDBOOK $5.75. Invaluable
to build. yet perform well Diodes beams mangle and even a mini rhombic book for all calculator owners Tells how to get the most out of your calculator
BP128-20 PROGRAMS FOR THE ZX SPECTRUM AND 16K ZX82
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Included with each program is a flow chart and a description of what happens
BP36 -50 CIRCUITS USING GERMANIUM, SILICON 8 ZENER DI-
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Notes for converting programs for use on other computers are also included
BP37-50 PROJECTS USING RELAYS, SCR'S & TRIACS $5.00. Build pri-
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208 -PRACTICAL STEREO & QUADROPHONY HANDBOOK $3.00. A refer-
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BP99- MINI-MATRIX BOARD PROJECTS $5.00. Here are 20 useful circuits
that can be built on a mini-matrix board that is just 24 holes by ten copper -foil strips. BP127 -HOW TO DESIGN ELECTRONIC PROJECTS $5.75. Helps the reader
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games programs BP122 -AUDIO AMPLIFIER CONSTRUCTION.....$5.75. Construction details for
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BP117- PRACTICAL ELECTRONIC BUILDING BLOCKS-Book 1 $5.75.
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BP126-BASIC E. PASCAL IN PARALLEL $4.95. Takes these two program- BP49- POPULAR ELECTRONIC PROJECTS S5.50. Radio. audio. household
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225-A PRACTICAL INTRODUCTION TO DIGITAL IC'S
$4.95. Mainly con-
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BP170- INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER PERIPHERALS $5.95. Shows how

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BP59- SECOND BOOK OF CMOS IC PROJECTS $5.00. More circuits show -
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227-BEGINNERS GUIDE TO BUILDING ELECTRONIC PROJECTS
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123 -FIRST BOOK OF PRACTICAL ELECTRONIC PROJECTS
$3.75. Prot-
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BP24 -52 PROJECTS USING IC 741 55.25. Lots of projects built around this
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BP110-HOW TO GET YOUR ELECTRONIC PROJECTS WORKING

BP94- ELECTRONIC PROJECTS FOR CARS AND BOATS $5.00. Fifteen
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How to find and solve the common problems that can occur when building projects
r
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20 f.,22rawn
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pacesetter in Amateur radio
Hear itAll! SELECTIVITY SOL NOTCH

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Versatile programmable scanning.

R -5000
High performance receiver
with center -stop tuning.
Choice of either high or low
impedance antenna connections.
THE high performance receiver is Kenwood non -volatile operating
here from the leader in communica- system. Lithium battery backs up
tions technology -the Kenwood memories; all functions remain intact
R -5000. This all -band. all mode even after lithium cell expires.
receiver has superior interference Power supply built -in. Optional
reduction circuits, and has been DCK -2 allows DC operation.
designed with the highest perform- Selectable AGC, RF attenuator,
ance standards in mind. Listen record and headphone jacks. dual
to foreign music. news, and com- 24 -hour clocks with timer, muting
mentary. Tune in local police. fire. terminals.
aircraft. weather, and other public
service channels with the VC -20
VHF converter. All this excitement )JO mem.. cha. .els. Store mode, Optional Accessories:
and more is yours with a Kenwood frequency, antenna selection. VC -20 VHF converter for 108 -174 MHz
R -5000 receiver! Voice synthesizer option. operation YK -88A -1 6 kHz AM filter
Computer control option. YK -88S 2.4 kHz SSB filter YK -88SN 1.8
Lovers 100 kHz -30 MHz in 30 kHz narrow SSB filter YK -88C 500 Hz CW
bands, with additional coverage Extremely stable, dual digital
filter YK -88CN 270 Hz narrow filter
from 108 -174 MHz (with VC -20 VFOs. Accurate to ±10 ppm over a
DCK -2 DC power cable HS -5. HS -6,
converter installed). wide temperature range. HS -7 headphones MB -430 mobile bracket
Superior dynamic range. Exclusive Kenwood's superb interference SP -430 external speaker VS -1 voice
Kenwood DynaMix" system ensures reduction. Optional filters further synthesizer IF- 232C/IC-10 computer
an honest 102 dB dynamic range. enhance selectivity. Dual noise interface.
(14 MHz, 500 Hz bandwidth, 50 kHz blankers built -in.
Direct keyboard frequency entry. More information on the R -5000 and
spacing.) R -2000 is available from Authorized
R -2000 150 kHz -30 MHz in 30 bands

Kenwood Dealers.
All modes Digital VFOs tune in 50 Hz.
500 Hz. or 5 kHz steps 10 memory channels
Programmable scarping Dual 24 -hour digital
clocks, with timer 3 built -in IF filters (CW filter
optional) All mode squelch. noise blanker, RF
KENWOOD
attenuator. AGC switch, S meter 100/120/ TRIO -KENWOOD COMMUNICATIONS
220/240 VAC operation Record. phone jacks West Walnut Street
1111
Muting terminals VC-10 optional VH F Compton. California 90220
converter (118 -174 MHz)
Specifications and prices are subject to change w. r'o .r w obI,ga on
rbr-e

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