THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL?

FOR RECREATIONAL ELECTRONICS

March 1991 $3.00 us
CANADA $4 OC
A Radar Detector

A Computer-Controlled Weather Station

An 8-Channel Audio/Video Switch

A PC-Controlled Semiconductor Tester

A 2-Meter Band Converter

C-EC Toftware Review

WorldRadioHistory
 INDUSTRIAL Q UALITY
SUPER DMZ KELVI Electronics
AT DISCOUNT PRICES
The Professionals' Choice
BREADBOARDSFOR LESS! PRO 400 SOLDERING EQUIPMENT
DURABLE - MADE OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY with 20MHz FREQUENCY COUNTER excellent tor WELLER
PLASTIC -DESIGNED TO WITHSTAND THOUSANDS COMPUTER, TV, VCR REPAIR and ENGINEERING.
MARKSMAN
Of INSERTION CYCLES ,eUittu\itfi
YOU CAN'T SOLDERING GUN
IL Nei GO WRONG! Model SP23
Featherweight 1-3/4 oz.. 25 watts for PC work. Ideal for
it ILsxa MONEY BACK reaching into those hard to get spots. Replaceable tip.
Stock No. YOUR COST 6+
GUARANTEE! 810002 $8.55 ea $7.95 ea
LOGIC TEST SOLDERING
,1-
• DIODE CHECK
aCONT1NUITY TESTER IRON HOLDER
• 5FREQUENCY RANGES Model PH60
DTRANSISTOR hFE TEST Soldering stand with base. sponge
For W6OP. WP25P. WP4OP, and irons with barrel diameters
• 5CAPACITANCE RANGES
Contact YOUR up to 15/32"
a LED TEST VERIFY Stock No. Description YOUR COST 6+
Fig. Stock No. Points COST
•20MHz FREI] courina 810041 PH60 Stand $13.78 ea $13.09 ea
A 680093 500 $ 4.25 ea 1:1 AC/DC VOLTAGE RANGES 810042 Replacement

$
680097 840 $ 5.95 ea • AC/DC CURRENT RANGES sponge $ 1.89 ea $ 1.80 ea
680098 1380 $11.75 ea CASE •
Vallchv
69 95 KESTER SOLDER
680099 1580 $15.75 ea Durable RESIN CORE SOLDERS 1LB. ROLL
Non-Corrosive Flux Resin Core
Back Stand Stock No. 990092
WIRE JUMPER KIT Stock No. Inch Dia. GA. Type YOUR COST
Use with Quick test sockets and bus strips PROTECTIVE CARRY CASE 580010 1/64" .025 23 63/37 $11.95 ea
Stock No. Description Points YOUR COST Stock No. 990094 $9.95 ea 580005 1/32" .031 21 60/40 $9.95 ea
580001 1/16" .062 16 60/40 $8.95 ea
330290 350 Rece Set $ 7.75 ea 30 DAY MONEY BACK GUARANTEE! 580011 3/32" .093 13 60/50 $11.75 ea

_
KELVIN 100
rrs A FLUKE Stock No.
990087 $23 "
WE STOCK
A COMPLETE LINE OF FUSES
Model YOUR COST Model YOUR COST AC/DC VOLTAGE FAST ACTING -SLO-BLO TYPE -PIGTAIL
73 $ 79. 83 $199. DC CURRENT
RESISTANCE
DIODE TEST
3AG FUSE BLOCK
75 $119. 85 $229. BATTERY TEST
LOW BATTERY Warning Black laminated phenolic. 1/2" wide
ACCURACY +1. 0.5% 17/8' long. For 1/4" x 11/4"
77 $149. 87 $269. long fuses. Solder lug connections.
Stock No. YOUR COST
KELVIN 150
Stock No.
380030 $ .45 ea
990090
AC/DC VOLTAGE
DC CURRENT
FUSE MOUNTING
RESISTANCE
DIODE & BATTERY TEST BLOCK
LOW BATTERY Warning Dual fuse block 2vex 1" long. Black
ACCURACY 05% bakelite base, For 1/4' x11/4' fuses
CONTINUITY TEST Mounting centers 5/8' (15.8mm).
TRANSISTOR CHECK YOU CAN'T Stock No. YOUR COST
• 5 Digit Multifunction Dual Display KELVIN 200
GO WRONG! 380010 $ .62 ea
• Selectable Reading Rates 8. Resolutions
Stock No. $ 39 95
30 DAY
al True RMS AC Voltage, AC Current 990091 FUSE POST
al .02% Basle DC Voltage Accuracy AC/DC VOLTAGE MONEY BACK TYPE HKP
DC Current to 10A al RS-232 Interface AC/DC CURRENT
RESISTANCE DIODE TEST
GUARANTEE! Bayonet type. 23/161. for 1/4" x11/4'
fuses. 15 Ampere 250V. Panel hole
IN Touch Hold, Relative & Min/Max LOW BATTERY Warning size 1/2" (12.7mm). Complete with
ACCURACY ./- 05% m c ntaionu.t.
Stock No. Model YOUR COST CONTINUITY TEST/BUZZER CARRYING CASE YOUR COST
TRANSISTOR CHECKER Stock No. 990093
710035 45 $579. CAPACITANCE CHECKER $4.95 ea 380001 $ .90 ea

LAPEL MICROPHONE KELVIN BRAND

TIMER -LM555 HI-SPEED, HI-QUALITY
Stock No. 850306

e
Stock No. 600021 PRINTED CIRCUIT ETCHANT
YOUR COST $2.95 ea Ready-to-use solution of ferric chides

20 ea. On loo+ oty) CADMIUM SELENIDE

printed circuit etchant in plastic container.
Stock No. SPECIAL BUY

PHOTO CELL 440017 $ 6.25 P

e'gaike
L.E.D. RED (in 100+ Oty) 450 ohms @ 2ft ,C minimum dark resistance 225 ohms KELVIN BRAND
Max voltage 170V peak Peaks at 6900 angstroms. HI-SPEED DRY
Stock No. 260020
No. 260017 YOUR COST $ .99 ea PRINTED CIRCUIT ETCHANT

6cea. SULPHIDE
Clean, safe. economical. indefinite shelf life.
4 the will make 2 gallons of recommended
20% etching solution.
PHOTO CELL Stock No. YOUR COST NEW PRICE
Transistors (in100+ Oty) 15K ohms @ 2It.. C minimum dark resistance 75 ohms 440026 $8.40 ea $7.00/ 4Ib bag
Max voltage 170V peak Peaks at 5500 angstroms
2N2222 18 9' ea. No. 260018 YOUR COST $ .99 ea KELVIN BRAND COPPER CLAD BOARD
ieoc
imeç
ka: FRI z
1/11
,6' Midi, unpunclif
,e on one

PN2222 .08 çe ea. SUB-MINIATURE

MOMENTARY 440002 4 1/2" x6" $1.55 ea
Project BUZZER PUSH SWITCH 440003
440015
5" x7 -
8 1/2 x12 1/2"
$2.40 ea
$4.90 ea
Silent action red push button molded housing
6-9V DC, 80 dB Requires 1/4 - panel hole. Overall length including solder lugs is 1"
Stock No. 680089 Rated 115 VAC. 1AMP ETCH RESIST INK PENS
Stock No. Color YOUR COST 100v
$1.59 ea $1.39/1o. ea. 990002 Red $ .35 ea $ .28 ea ===neeer
Black fett tip pen tor making must circuits directly on PC boards.

9V Battery Snap & Holder DC MOTOR Dees instantly for neat, easy application.
Can be removed with PC Board Stripping Solueon
15to 6VDC Stock No. Model Description YOUR COST
Snap .15 ea. .1 °ea/ oo+ Stock No YOUR COST 20v 440115 22-220 Draws 1/32" wide $1.48 ea
Holder .20 ea .10earloo+ 852211 $ 50 ea $ .45 ea 440116 22-222 Draws 1/64" wide $1.85 ea

FLRE KELVI
Call: 1(800) 645-9212
Electronics 1 (516) 349-7620
7 Fairchild Ave. Plainview, NY 11803 FAX: 1(516) 349-7830

WorldRadioHistory
 March 1991

CONTENTS Volume 1
Number 6

In our next issue:

EDITORIAL
Microphone amplifier
P-U converter 11 One Small Step for Electronics
MIDI programme changer
Dimmer for halogen lights
AUDIO & HI-FI
PC-controlled semiconductor
tester -Part 2 18 PROJECT: The Complete Preamplifier Pt. 2
Video D-A and A-D by T. Giffard
8-bit I/O interface for Atari ST 48 PROJECT: Headphone Amplifier
Computer-controlled from an idea by U. Habschied
weather station -Part 2
DESIGN IDEAS

28 8-Channel Audio/Video Switch

Headphone amplifier -p. 48
(Philips Components)
by J. Vinckier

Front cover ELECTROPHONICS

Compeseet hove Printer • Nell

This month we start a 11M-Tressistee

short series of articles 35 MIDI-to-CV Interface—Some Additional Notes

describing applications of
the multifunction GENERAL INTEREST
measurement card for PCs
published in our January 14 PROJECT: Computer-Controlled
and February 1991 issues. Weather Station Pt. 1
The articles should appeal eel Collector
by J. Ruffell
to many since they Slue [sitter
31 PROJECT: Electronic Exposure Timer
describe interfaces for welter hoe
by A. Ladwig
turning an IBM PC or
compatible into an 51 PROJECT: Central-Heating Controller Pt. 2 FI -Neto P2-lined Conca F3-Save FI -Load

independent weather by K. Browne

PC-controlled semiconductor
station for the amateur 61 REVIEW: PC-ECAP Circuit Simulator
by Jan Didden tester -p. 42
meteorologist. The
complete station will be
able to measure INTERMEDIATE PROJECT
temperature, relative
humidity, air pressure, 37 2-Meter Band Converter
wind direction and wind by J. Bareford
speed.
RADIO, TELEVISION & COMMUNICATIONS

58 PROJECT: Radar Detector

by M.R. Ebbell

TEST & MEASUREMENT

2-metre band converter -p. 37
24 Measurement Techniques Pt. 5
by F.P. Zantis
42 PROJECT: PC-Controlled Semiconductor
Tester Pt. 1
an ELY design

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

Electronics Scene 12, 13; Book Reviews 36; Advertisers'

Index 64; Readers Services 65; Terms of Business 66.

Copyright © 1991 Elektuur BV

ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA u publish

cd II HMS ayear al $28 per year. $50 for two years
by Audio Amateur Publications Inc.. 305 Union St
Peterborough NH 03458 USA Application to mail at
second class rates pending at Peterborough NH and
an additional mailing office
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to
Elektor Electronics USA Caller Bon 876 Peter Computer-controlled weather
borough NH 03458 0876 Return Postage Guaranteed
station -p. 14
WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
4
DEALER INQUIRIES INVITED
Now Available by Popular Demand!

BULLOCK ON BOXES
BY ROBERT M. BULLOCK III
with Robert White
Since 1980, readers of Speaker Builder magazine have
delighted in the scope and clarity of Bob Bullock's explana-
tions of vented-box loudspeaker systems. Now, for the first
time, these articles have been collected into a single in-
valuable volume: BULLOCK ON BOXES.
This book is an easy-to-read guide to designing and build-
ing vented-box systems based on Thiele/Small models.
And in addition to the background theory and descrip-
tions of the models, BULLOCK ON BOXES carefully
covers a host of related information drawn from nu-
merous resources. Computer modeling, as demon-
strated by the authors' BOXRESPONSE and BOX-
MODEL programs, is also explained in clear detail.
A professor of applied mathematics at Miami Univer-
BKAA8 1990, 81
2 "x 11"
/ $10.95
sity (Ohio) since 1966 and long-time hands-on speaker
buff, Dr. Bullock brings an unparalleled range of ex-
perience to the pages of BULLOCK ON BOXES. Fully
SPECIAL OFFER: For a limited time only, purchase
indexed and referenced, with glossary, bibliography, and
BULLOCK ON BOXES and receive your choice of software
more than 100 illustrations, BULLOCK ON BOXES is package below at $5 off the regular retail price. Order
apractical handbook and lasting reference indispensable BKAA8/S.*
to every serious speaker builder. Order yours today! 'Because of taxation requirements, software not available to residents of CT

CHAPTERS: •T/S Calculator Programs SOFTWARE PACKAGES AVAILABLE (Sale Prices Shown):
•Thiele, Small, and Vented (TI-58/59, HP-67/97) BOXRESPONSE $20
Loudspeaker Design • BOXRESPONSE: An Apple Apple (not Mac) #BOX1A5 Commodore #BOX1C5
• Determining Design Program for the Thiele/ IBM #BOX1B5 Comm. Cassette #BOX3CC
Parameters for Your Small Models BOXRESPONSE WITH GRAPHICS $45
Loudspeaker • Realizing BOXRESPONSE's IBM only #BOX2B5G
• Fine Points of Vented Potential BOXMODEL WITH GRAPHICS $45
Speaker Design • BOXMODEL: An Aid to IBM only #MOD3B5G
•Alternative Alignments Woofer System Design [NOTE: In general, BOXRESPONSE automatically generates alignments for
(incl. Fourth Order) •Correspondence & Updates agiven driver. BOXMODEL does not do this, but instead compares up to four
given alignments simultaneously. Both programs display various performance
aspects of passive-radiator or vented-box systems.]

E CK El MO CI MCNISA

E YES! Please send me BULLOCK ON

BOXES at $10.95 each! BKAA8 $

NAME
E SOFTWARE, TOO! Please send me
one BULLOCK ON BOXES at $10.95 BKAA8IS

STREET & NO. PLUS my choice of software package

at only $ ! BKAA8/S

CITY STATE ZIP

POSTAGE AND HANDLING (see below)

MCNISA EXP.

TOTAL ORDER $

OLD COLONY SOUND LAB

POSTAGE AND HANDLING:
PO Box 243, Dept. E91
Peterborough, NH 03458-0243 U.S.—Book only: $2.00 first book, 75gr each additional.
Book plus software: $2.75.
(603) 924-6371 /924-6526
Canada—Book only: $4.50 first book, 75n each additional.
FAX: (603) 924-9467
Book plus software: $5.25.
Answering machine for credit card orders only:
Other—Add 20% to order.
before 9:00 a.m., after 4:00 p.m. and weekends.
Have all information plus MCNISA available.
WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
 CIE Gives You The Training You Need to Succeed„.
At Your Own Pace.„& In Your Own Home!
Discover Your Career Potential In The
Fast-Growing Field Of High-Tech Electronics!

I fyou're anxious to get ahead ...and

build areal career...you owe it to
yourself to find out about the Cleveland
Practical Training...
At Your Own Pace.
Through CIE, you can train for your
Institute of Electronics! new career while you keep your pres-
CIE can help you discover your ent job. Each course allows agener-
career potential in the fast growing ous completion time, and there are
field of high-tech electronics. Acareer no limitations on how fast you can
that will challenge and excite you study. Should you already have some
every day... reward you with apowerful electronics experience, CIE offers
feeling of personal accomplishment... several courses which start at the
and deliver alevel of financial security intermediate level.
you may have only dreamed of before!
As the leading school in home-study "State-Of-The-Art"
electronics, CIE has helped over Facilities & Equipment.
150,000 students in the U.S.A. and In 1969, CIE pioneered the first elec-
over 70 foreign countries get started in tronics laboratory course, and in 1984,
this exciting field. To find out how CIE the first Microprocessor Laboratory.
could be helping you...read on.. then Today, no other home study school can
send for aCIE catalog TODAY! match CIE's state-of-the-art equipment.
A Growing Need For And all your laboratory equipment is
included in your tuition cost. There is
Trained Professionals!
no extra charge—it's yours to use while
The career opportunities shown here you study at home and on the job after
are only afew of the challenging, high- you complete your course!
paying careers you could enjoy as an
electronics technician. Earn Your Degree To
You could be the "brains" behind the Become A Professional
scenes of an exciting TV broadcast... In Electronics!
trouble-shoot life-saving medical equip- Every CIE course you take earns you
ment.. design exotic new aeronautics credit towards the completion of your
systems.. CIEs job-oriented programs Associate in Applied Science Degree, so
offer you the quickest possible path to you can work towards your degree in
the career of your dreams! And CIE also features stages. And CIE is the only school that awards you
Personal Training From A
military and union re-training, to build on what for fast study, which can save you thousands of
you already know.
Renowned Faculty.
dollars in obtaining the same electronics education
Unlike the impersonal approach of large class- found in four-year Bachelors Degree programs!
Dozens Of Fascinating room study, CIE offers you one-on-one instructional
Careers To Choose From! help 6days aweek, toll-free. Each CIE lesson is
Even if you aren't sure which career is best for authored by an independent specialist, backed by
you, CIE can get you started with core lessons
applicable to all areas of electronics. As you
CIE instructors who work directly with you to Send For Your
answer your questions and provide technical assis-
advance, CIE makes job opportunities available ovr ED tance when you need it. Catalog Today!
to you through the bimonthly school paper, o
The Electron. o

CIE World Headquarters

zI Cleveland Institute of Electronics, Inc.
o
1776 East 17th St., Cleveland, Ohio 44114
D YES! Please send me your independent study catalog (For your convenience,
CIE will have arepresentative contact you—there is no obligation.)

Print Name

e . ..., Address Apt

...5--- 'se see _..e
,....e.
zi>* -fie 64,-, 4. /
CityiStateilip

Cei ..
4,

.z-
357 e ,..<.2> .•
Age Are2 Code/Phme No
Check box for G.I. Bill bulletin on educational benefits: oVeteran oActive Duty

Mail This Coupon Today! AELO4

L

WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
 OLD COLONY'S
USER-FRIENDLY SOFTWARE
Speaker DesIgner TM
Release 1.2 by Stuart E. Bonney
Aloudspeaker system design aid and modeling tool for use with
BULLOCK & WHITE
both closed and vented systems over the frequency range from BOXRESPONSE L-Pad Program by Glenn Phillips: Appeared in Speaker
10 to 300Hz. Computes and displays system frequency response, Builder (2183, pp. 20-22). It is useful for padding down a
Model-based performance data for either closed-box or
power handling capabilities, and relative sound pressure level tweeter or midrange while still retaining the same load as
(SPL) outputs for each of 26 discrete frequencies over this range. vented-box loudspeakers with or without afirst- or sec-
the driver itself.
Includes one year support by the author when the user registers ond-order electrical high pass filter as an active equalizer
this Shareware product. Each $19.50 (SB 1/841. The program disk also contains seven additional Vent Computation by Glenn Phillips: Calculates the
IBM 51 / "380K DS/DD
4 SPD-1135 programs as follows: needed vent length for 1, 2or 4ports of the same diameter.
Input box volume in cubic feet and required tuning fre-
Air Core: This program was written as aquick way of eval-
Loudspeaker Modeling Program quency (fB), output is vent length and vent area for each
uating the resistance effects of different gauge wire on agiven
by Ralph Gonzalez ¡SB 1, 2, 3/87) case.
value inductor. The basis for the program is an article in
LMP produces afull-range frequency response prediction for
Speaker Builder (1183, pp. 13-14) by Max Knittel. The pro- Medium: 51
/4"SS/DD Disk. Price, $25.
multi-way loudspeakers, including the effect of the crossover,
driver rolloffs, interdriver time delay, "diffraction loss," etc. (In- gram asks for the inductor value in millihenries (mH) and Specify:
cludes author support.) Each $17.50 the gauge wire to be used. (NOTE: only gauges 16-38.)
BOXRESPONSE
Specify:
Apple il 51 / "SS/DD (DOS 3.3)
4 LMP-1A5 Series Notch: Developed to study the effects of notch filters Apple BOX-1A5
Apple Macintosh 31 / "SS/DD
2 LMP-2M3G in the schematics of some manufacturers. Enter the com- Commodore 64 (Disk) BOX-105
IBM PCIXTIAT 51 / "DS/DD
4 LMP-2B50 ponents of the network in whole numbers (i.e., 10 for 10µF Commodore 64 (Cassette) BOX-3CC
Commodore 64 51 / "DS/DD
4 LMP-1C5 and 1.5 for 1.5mH) and indicate whether you want one or IBM BOX-1B5
"Souped-Up" LMP provides professional-quality graphics and two octaves on either side of resonance. Output is frequency,
IBM Plus Graphics
afast, friendly, user interface. Remains compatible with LMP data phase angle and dB loss.
files and is available for IBM PC (CGA, EGA, VGA, or Hercules BOXRESPONSE BOX-2B5G $50
graphics) and Macintosh computers. The Macintosh version also pro- Stabilizer 1: Calculates the resistor-capacitor values needed
vides square wave analysis with audible output. to compensate for aknown voice coil inductance and driver
Each $49.50 (upgrade price: $39.50') DC resistance.
Specify:
IBM PCIXTIAT 51 / "DS/DD
4 LMP-3B5G
Optimum Box: Aquick program based on Thiele/Small to PASSIVE CROSSOVER
Apple Macintosh 31 / SS/DD
2 LMP-3M3G predict the proper vented box size, tuning and —3dB down This disk is aresult of Mr. Bullock's extensive research
•Orgnal LMP disk or sales recmpt must be included v4/ order point. It is based only on small signal parameters, therefore,
concerning first-, second-, third-, and fourth-order passive
it is only an estimate of the response at low power (i.e., limited
crossovers in Speaker Builder 1, 2& 3/85; $25
Driver Evaluation excursion).
Specify:
and Crossover Design Response Function: Calculates the small signal response
by G. R. Koonce (SB 5/88) PASSIVE CROSSOVER CAD
curve of agiven box/driver combination after inputting the
Disk 1evaluates the suitability of drivers for closed, vented and Apple PAS-1A5
free-air resonance of the driver (fs ), the overall "Q" of the
passive radiator enclosures, and allows detailed designs of vented Commodore 64 (Disk) PAS-105
driver (Q Ts ), the equivalent volume of air equal to the
boxes. IBM PAS-165
suspension ( VAS), the box tuning frequency (fB ), and the
Disk 2, in addition to driver evaluations, allows the design of
first-, second-, and third-order crossovers. SY,"IBM: 360K, DS/DD.
box volume (Va ). Output is the frequency and relative out- IBM Plus Graphics
Each $12.50 put at that frequency. CROSSOVER CAD PAS-2B5G $50
Specify:
Driver Evaluations DPI-1 B5
Crossover Design CRS-1135 pects to mount adriver combination on aflat baffle,
the summed response can be optimized to compen-
Active Filter Design
by Fernando Garcia Vlesca (SB 4188) sate for rearward displacement of awoofer's acoustic
Calculates component values for Butterworth filters in four con- center with respect to atweeter. CALSOD can model
figurations: High- and low-pass in second- and third-order . (In- Computer-Aided Loudspeaker up to seven drivers at atime in afour-way system giv-
cludes author support.) Each $17.50
System Optimization and Design ing the summed response and acoustic phase response
IBM 51 / "360K DS/DD
4 ACT-1B5
of the entire system.
by Witold Waldman
Two-Way Active Crossover Design The CALSOD program comes on asingle 360K
by Gary Galo (SB 5188) floppy, and requires one directory and two subdirec-
Performs the calculations for the eight two-way active crossover CALSOD is anew entry into the field of crossover net-
tories in installation, plus access to the DOS GRAF-
designs described by Bob Bullock using formulas exactly as given work optimizing software available for the IBM PC
in the articles; plus aprogram to calculate Vm .(Includes one
TABL file, which it uses for acouple of special sym-
desktop computer. It combines the transfer function
year user support.) Each $20 bols. The 133-page User Manual, provided on asec-
of an LC network with the acoustic transfer function
Specify: ond disk, is well written, adequately describes the
IBM 51 / "380K DS/DD
4 TWO-1B5 of the loudspeaker, by using some form of iterative
IBM 31 / "720K DS/DD TWO-183 various program functions, and contains an excellent
2
analysis. CALSOD creates, through the process of
tutorial example, which demonstrates the use of the
trial-and-error curve fitting, asuitable transfer func-
Stepped Volume Controls program.
by Joseph O'Connell ¡ TAA 4/88) tion model which it can then optimize. The program
These ready-to-run Mac programs come on a31 2 -inch SS/DD disk
/ is the subject of CALSOD author Witold Waldman's Specify:
initialized as a800K disk for compatibility with all machines. research paper "Simulation and Optimization of IBM 51
4 "380K DEMO .. ..CAL-2B6D
/ 5.00'
Also included are the Pascal source codes, should you wish to
Multiway Loudspeaker Systems Using aPersonal IBM 2x51
/ 360K DS/DD . CAL-2B6 $65.00
customize them for your own use. Program A. Precisely matches 4

the resistor values to the measured or estimated source and load Computer" which appeared in the Audio Engineer-
IBM 31/
2 720K DS/DD CAL-2B4 $67.50
impedances, yielding great accuracy. Your volume control can ing Society Journal for September 1988, pp. 651-663.
have 3to 99 positions. The program will ask you how many dB •Usable as credit toward later purchase of full CALSOD.
CALSOD differs considerably from other software
each step should be attenuated and has provisions for astandard
audio taper or any other taper you devise. Program B. Calculates since it models the entire loudspeaker output of a
the taper that will result with your actual resistor values, because multiway system, including the low-end response, NOTE: OLD COLONY SOFTWARE SHOWN ON
you are limited to standard values or with series and parallel com- and the summed responses of each system driver. THIS PAGE IS NOT RETURNABLE FOR REFUND
binations. It can also show the effects of different source and load OR CREDIT. ALSO, BECAUSE OF UNREASON-
impedances on the taper. Both programs (contained on the same The program performs alot of tricks. One of the ABLE TAXATION REQUIREMENTS BY THEIR
disk) allow you to save their output to atext file and include more spectacular of these allows the designer to spec- STATE, WE REGRETFULLY ARE UNABLE TO
author support via mail. Each $25 ify the location of the driver acoustic centers using SELL SOFTWARE TO RESIDENTS OF CONNEC-
Apple Macintosh 31h" SSIDD SVC-1 MS TICUT.
an XYZ coordinate system. Thus, if the designer ex-

POSTAGE & HANDLING: In US, please add $2.00 for first disk and 75e
each additional disk. In Canada, please add $4.50. Overseas, please include OLD COLONY SOUND LAB
20% of total order for shipping. PO Box 243, Dept. E91, Peterborough, New Hampshire 03458 USA
(603) 924-6371 /FAX: (603) 924-9467
DEALER INQUIRIES INVITED Answering machine for credit card orders only: 1603) 924-6371
CALL OR WRITE FOR YOUR FREE CATALOG! before 9:00 a.m., after 4:00 p.m. and weekends.
Have information plus MC/VISA available.

WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
 SESCOM INC. THE "FIRST CHOICE" FOR
PARTS DIVISION
2100 WARD DR.
HENDERSON, NV 89015 -9998 CONSTRUCTORS HARDWARE

RACk C IIASSiS Rub-ON LETTERS COMPONENT PARTS

MODEL #. DESCRIPTION PRICE $

MM"»,
TRANSISTORS
LT-1 CAPITAL LETTERS HELVETICA 14 pt. 3.95
PART NO. DESCRIPTION 1-9 10-99 100 +
LT-2 LOWER CASE LETTERS HELVETICA 14 pt 3.95 2N3904 NPN 1092 .12 .10 .08
LT-3 NUMBERS HELVETICA 14 pt. 3.95 2N3906 PNP TO92 .12 .10 .08
LT-4 CAPITAL LETTERS HELVETICA 10 pt. 3.95 2N2102 PNP 7039 .54
.80 .67
LT-5 LOWER CASE LETTERS HELVETICA 10 pt 3.95 2N4037 PNP TO39 .90 .75 .60
MODEL L DESCRIPTION (Width zDepth zHeight) PRICE LT-6 NUMBERS HELVETICA 10 pt. 3.95 PN2219A NPN 70237 .40 .34 .28
1RU5 19 x5 x1.75 in. (482.6 x127 x44.45mm) 28.00 LT-7 CAPITAL LETTERS HELVETICA 6pt. 3.95 PN2905A PNP TO237 .40 .34 .28
1RU7 19 x7x1.75 in (482.6 x177 x44.45mm) 30.00 LT-8 LOWER CASE LETTERS HELVETICA 6pt. 3.95
1RU10 19x 10x 1.75 in. (482.6 x254 x44.45mm) 32.00 LT-9 NUMBERS HELVETICA 6pt. 4.95
2RU5 19 x5x3.50 in. (482.6 x127 x88.9mm) 30.00 LT-10 DIAL MARKING (DOTS) 4.95 DIODES:
2RU7 19 x7x3.50 M. (482.6 x177.8 x88.9mm) 32.00 LT-11 DIAL MARKING (LINES) 3.95 PART NO. DESCRIPTION 1-9 10-99 100 +
2RU10 19 x10 x3.50 in. (482.6 x254 x88.9mm) 34.00 LT-12 WORDS (AUDIO) HELVETICA 10 pt. 3.95 1N34A GE DIODE .17 .15 .13
3RU5 19 x5x5.25 in. (482.6 x127 x133.35mm) 38.00 LT-12 WORDS (AUDIO) HELVETICA CAPS 6pt. 3.95 1N4001 SI DIODE .13 .11 .10
3RU7 19 x7x5.25 in. (482.6 x177.8 x133.35mm) 40.00 LT-12 WORDS (AUDIO) HELVETICA UPPER 1N4148 SI DIODE .09 .07 .06
3RU10 19 x10 x5.25 in. (482.6 x254 x133.35mm) 42.00 AND LOWER CASE 6pt. 3.95

The above rack chassis are made of .063 aluminum. LINEAR INTEGRATED CIRCUITS:
The front and rear panels are clear brushed anodized.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS PART NO. DESCRIPTION 1-9 10-99 100 +
All hardware is included. Assembly Required.
MINIMUM ORDER: The minimum order is $10.00. LF351N SINGLE OP-AMP .60 .54 .48
TERMS: Terms of payment on open accounts are NET 30 days LF353N DUAL OP-AMP 1.05 .95 .84
from date of Invoice.
META'. CAbiNETS C.O.D. ORDERS: Payment must be made in cash, money order
NE5534N SINGLE OP-AMP 1.28 1.15 1.02
NE5534AN LOW NOISE 1.80 1.62 1.44
or certified check. Acompany check will be accepted only if previ- SINGLE OP-AMP
ously approved by the factory.
NE5532N DUAL OP-AMP 1.85 1.67 148
OPEN ACCOUNTS: SESCOM. INC. extends credit to government
agencies and industrial accounts with agood published rating. Firms
mayapply loran open account by requesting acredit application from
the Accounts Receivable department. All orders are shipped C.O.D. ICSOCKETS:
until credit is approved. (Please allow 4to 6weeks to open anew PART NO. DESCRIPTION 1-9 10-99 100 +
account.) We accept Mastercard and Visa. SOC -8 8PIN TIN .11 .10 .09
PRICES: Catalog prices are NET, FOB destination shipped UPS SOC -14 14 PIN TIN .12 .11 .10
ground. UPS BLUE and RED LABEL service available at an additional SOC -16 16 PIN TIN .13 .12 .11
MODEL #. DESCRIPTION (Width xDepth zHeight) PRICE $ charge: UPS BLUE is $10.00 and UPS RED is $20.00. PR ICES ARE SOC -18 18 PIN TIN .15 .14 .13
MC-1A 4x3x2in. (101.6 x76.2 x50.8mm) 15.00 SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. Orders are invoiced at SOC-20 20 PIN TIN .19 .16 15
MC-2A 6x3x2in. (152.4 x76.2 x50.8mm) 17.00 prices in effect at the time of shipment unless specifically quoted oth-
MC-3A 8x3x2in. (203.2 x76.2 x50.8mm) 19.00 erwise. SESCOM, INC. shall add anyexisting or future Federal, State.
MC-4A 4x5x3in. (101.6 x127 x76.2mm) 17.00 or Local taxes that mayapply. We reserve the right to apply the above CARBON FILM RESISTORS:
MC-5A 6x5x3in. (152.4 x127 x76.2mm) 19.00 if your Tax Exemption Certificate is not on file with our office. PART NO. DESCRIPTION 1-9 10-99 100 +
MC-6A 8x 5x3in. (203.2 x127 x76.2mm) 21.00 SHORTAGE OR DAMAGE: All claims for shortage or shipment
CF +VALUE 5% 1/4W .05 .02 .01
MC-7A 4x7x4in. (101.6 x177.8 x101.6mm) error must be made within 10 days after receipt of the shipment. Our
19.00 ALL STANDARD VALUES 1.0 OHM THRU 1.0M OHM
liability is limited to the material value on the invoice.
MC-8A 6x7x4in. (152.4 x177.8 x101.6mm) 21.00
MERCHANDISE RETURN: Aprior written authorization from
MC-9A 8x7x4 in. (203.2 x177 8x101 6mm) 23.00
SESCOM. INC. must be issued before return of any material. Instruc-
tions for returning the material will accompany the authorization. POTENTIOMETERS:
The above cabinets are made of .063 aluminum.
Material that is returned without authorization or is over 90 days will PART NO. DESCRIPTION 1-9 10-99 100 +
The front and rear panels are clear brushed anodized.
carry arestocking fee of aminimum of 25% to amaximum 100%. 10KA 10K AUDIO TAPER 2.00 1.80 1.60
All hardware and rubber feet are included. Assembly Required.
Special order items will not be accepted for return.
SUBSTITUTIONS: We reserve the right to substitute higher
PUNCII kiTS ANd PUNCLIES quality (but identical part) at our option, unless you specify no sub- CONNECTORS:
stitution at the time of the order. PART NO. DESCRIPTION 1-9 10-99 100 +
Model I. Description Price XLR FCA 3PIN CABLE FEMALE 3.20 2.88 2.56
HP-2 XX TOOL KIT 129.75 XLR M CA 3PIN CABLE MALE 2.75 2.48 2.20
HP-4 BENCH MOUNT 15.00 SIIEET METAL PUNCIIES XLR FCH 3PIN CHASSIS FEMALE 3.60 3.24 2.88
PD-30 ROUND 1/16" 9.50 XLR M CH 3PIN CHASSIS MALE 2.60 2.40 2.08
PD-31 ROUND 5/64" 9.50 1/4 ST ve STERIO JACK .97 .87 .78
PD-32 ROUND 3/32" 9.50 MODEL HOLE SIZE PILOT HOLE PRICE $ 3.5 ST 3.5mm STERIO JACK .97 .87 .78
PD-33 ROUND 7/64" 9.50 PUNCH 1 3/8 ROUND 3/16" 8.95 RCA RCA PHONO JACK CHASSIS .65 .59 .52
PD-34 ROUND 1/8" 9.50 PUNCH 2 7/16" ROUND 7/16' 8.95
PD-35 ROUND 9/64" 9.50 PUNCH 3 1/2" ROUND 7/32' 8.95
PD-36 ROUND 5/32" 9.50 PUNCH 4 9/16' ROUND 7/32' 11.95 CAPACITORS: Axial Lead Electrolytic
PD-37 ROUND 11/64' 9.50
PUNCH 5 5/8" ROUND 7/32' 11.95 PART NO. DESCRIPTION 1-9 10-99 100 +
PD-38 ROUND 3/16' 9.50
Model I. Description Price PUNCH 6 11/16" ROUND 7/32' 11.95 AC 1/50 1uf -50V 38 .35 30
PD-39 ROUND 13/64' 9.50
HP-1 5JR TOOL KIT 49 00 PUNCH 7 3/4" ROUND 7/32' 11.95 AC 4.7/25 4.7uf -25V .39 .35 .30
PD-40 ROUND 7/32" 9.50
PD-41 ROUND 15/64' 9.50 PUNCH 8 13/16" ROUND 7/32' 11.95 AC 10/25 10uf -25V .39 .35 .30
HP-3 BENCH MOUNT 15 00
PD-42 ROUND 1/4" 9.50 PUNCH 9 7/8" ROUND 7/32" 11.95 AC 47/25 47u1- 25V .46 .42 .37
PD-1 ROUND 1/16" 600 PUNCH 10 1' ROUND 5/16' 12.95
PD-43 RONND 17/64" 9.50 AC 100/25 100uf -25V .69 .62 .55
PD-2 ROUND 5/64" 6.00 PD-44 ROUND 9/32 9.50 PUNCH 11 1-1/16' ROUND 5/16' 12.95 AC 220/35 220uf -35V .97 .87 .78
PD-3 ROUND 3/32' 6.00 PD-45 ROUND 19/64' 9.50 PUNCH 12 1-1/8' ROUND 5/16' 12.95 AC 470/35 470uf -35V 1.34 1.21 1.07
PD-46 ROUND 5/16" 9.50 PUNCH 13 1-3/16' ROUND 5/16' 12.95 AC 1000/35 1000uf -35V 2.22 2.00 1.78
PD-4 ROUND 7/64" 6.00
PD-47 ROUND 21/64' 9.50 PUNCH 14 1-1/4' ROUND 5/16' 13.95
PD-5 ROUND 1/8' 6.00 PD-48 ROUND 11/32' 9.50 PUNCH 15 1-3/8" ROUND 5/16" 13.95
PD-6 ROUND 9/64" 600 PD-49 ROUND 23/64' 9.50 PUNCH 16 1-1/2' ROUND 5/16' 15.95 CAPACITORS: Radial Lead Electrolytic
PD-7 ROUND 5/32' 6.00 PD-50 ROUND 3/8" 9.50 PUNCH 17 1-5/8" ROUND 5/16" 20.95 PART NO. DESCRIPTION 1-9 10-99 100 +
PD-51 ROUND 25/64' 9.50 PUNCH 18 1-3/4' ROUND 5/16' 23.95 RC 1/50 1uf -50V
PD-8 ROUND 11/64' 6.00 26 .24 .21
PD-52 ROUND 13/32' 9.50
PD-9 ROUND 3/16' 600 PUNCH 19 2-5/8' ROUND 1/2" 59.95 RC 4.7/25 4.7uf -25V .28 .26 .23
PD-53 ROUND 27/64' 9.50 PUNCH 20 11/16" SQUARE 1/2" 31 95 RC 10/25 10uf -25V .31 .28 .25
PD-10 ROUND 13/64' 6.00 PD-54 ROUND 7/16' 9.50
PUNCH 21 3/4' SQUARE 1/2" 35.95 RC 47/25 47uf -25V .39 .35 .28
PD-11 ROUND 7/32" 6.00 PD-55 ROUND 29/64" 9.50
PD-56 PUNCH 22 1" SQUARE 1/2" 45.95 RC 100/25 100uf -25V .41 .36 .33
ROUND 15/32" 9.50
PD-12 ROUND 15/64" 6.00 PD-57 PUNCH 23 21/32 x5/16" REC 1/2" 45.95 RC 220/35 220uf -35V .61 .55 .49
ROUND 31/64' 9.50
PD-13 ROUND 1/4" 6.00 PD-58 ROUND 1/2" 6.00 'PUNCH 24 •THURST RACES FOR PUNCHES RC 470/35 470uf -35V 99 .90 .80
PD-14 ROUND 17/64' 6.00 PD-59 ROUND 33/64" 6.00 (FOR EASIER PUNCHING) 1" thru 1-3/4" 995 RC 1000/35 1000uf -35V 127 1.15 1.02
PD-60 ROUND 17/32" 6.00
PD-15 ROUND 9/32 6.00
PD-61 SQUARE 1/8" 66.90 •UPS GROUND SHIPPING IS FREE WITHIN THE CONTINENTAL LIMITS OF THE USA •
PD-16 SQUARE 1/8" 66.90 PD-62 SQUARE 5/32' 66.90
PD-17 SQUARE 5/32" 66.90 PD-63 SQUARE 3/16" 66.90
MasterCard TOLL FREE ORDERING IN ALL 50 STATES AND CANADA
PD-18 SQUARE 3/16* 66 90 PD-64 REC. 1/8 x3/16" 83.10 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:
PD-65 REC. 1/8 x1/4" 83.10
PD-19 REC. 1/8 x3/16' 66.90 PD-66 REC. 1/8 x5/16" 83.10 SESCOM INC.- PARTS DIVISION, 2100 WARD DR., HENDERSON, NV 89015-9998
PD-20 REC. 1/8 x7/32' 66.90 PD-67 REC. 1/8 x3/8" 83.10
FOR ORDERS: 1-800-634-3457 •FAX: 1-702-565-4828 •REGULAR BUSINESS: 1-702-565-3400
PD-21 REC. 1/8 x15/64' 66.90 PD-68 REC. 1/8 x11/32 75.10
BUSINESS HOURS: 8:00 A.M. TO 4:00 P.M. PACIFIC TIME ,MONDAY THRU FRIDAY
WorldRadioHistory

ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991

 If you had to invent anew
language, where would you begin?
Back when high quality sound reproduction was what has become known as "subjective review-
anew idea and J. Gordon Holt was astaffer at ing" but also the language with which to do it.
High Fidelity magazine, manufacturers and jour- Today. the magazine he founded has become a
nalists alike depended on the simple technical
major force in audio quality judgments around the
quality tests which everyone accepted as the yard-
world. And almost all the vocabulary definitions
sticks for performance. As the industry grew.
are his work.
equipment got better. coMpetition fiercer, and
technical reviewing became more crucial to sales Seldom will you have the opportunity to purchase
managers. Before long. J. Gordon began to realize areference work backed by so much primary
that reviewing was becoming more and more ac- research and experience. Few reviewers have
commodating. and where the reviewers con- spent more time and energy in an honest search
tinued to rely on the standard tests, the measure- for adefined, factual account of what matters in
ment data began to look more and more alike. good sound reproduction techniques. In audio
equipment reviewing. J. Gordon Holt is not only
Finally, in frustration, Holt left Great Barrington
apioneer but amaster.
and headed for home in Pennsylvania where he
founded Stereophile magazine in the spare room THE AUDIO GLOSSARY is the first publication
of his mother's house. He became convinced that of not only avocabulary for sound description.
although equipment tests and measurements but also acomprehensive overview of over 1.900
were important. they no longer accounted for the audio terms: technical and subjective. Your copy
differences he could hear. Two devices could is waiting—at your favorite dealer—or order direct
easily measure the same and yet sound quite using the coupon below.
different.
Holt abhorred the tendency of the larger maga-
zines to depend almost entirely on measurements,
which he saw as asafe way to review without
disturbing the manufacturer with any bad news. DEALER
Not only that, he realized that not one of the US INQUIRIES
INVITED
audio publications was publishing reviews that
were critical of equipment. In fact, in some cases
they were ignoring some flaws.
However, if the reviewer wishes to review how
equipment sounds, he faces asevere problem.
Our sense of hearing has the smallest vocabulary
of any of our five senses. Thus, Gordon faced the
difficulty of describing sound differences with all
too few words with which to do it. He not only
had to invent the techniques and disciplines of

IIYES! Please send me The Audio Glossary!

TOTAL CK/MO enclosed MC 11 VISA

Softbound BKAA-71S @ $9.95

_Hardbound wl dust jacket BKAA-7/H @ $17.95 $_ NAME

_Autographed Limited Edition BKAA-7/L @ $30 $_ STREET 8. NO

Please add $2.00 shipping for first book. 75e each add'l STATE ZIP

TOTAL ORDER $ MCNISA EXP.

OLD COLONY SOUND LAB

PO Box 243, Dept. E91
Peterborough, NH 03458-0243 USA

(603) 924-6371 /924-6526 FAX: (603) 924-9467

Answering machine for credit card orders only: (603) 924-6371 before 9:00 a.m., after 4:00 p.m., and weekends.
Have information plus MC/VISA available.

•also available at your favorite audio dealer •

WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
 9

AMAZING
ELECTRONIC
PRODUCTS and KITS
100,000 VOLT STUN GUN INTIMIDATOR LASER LISTENER ELECTRO MAGNETIC LAUNCHER
Construct your own high energy Hi-tech space age listening device that allows you to This device clearly
personal protection unit. hear sounds from asource requiring no access. Data demonstrates the magnetic
•Intimidating effect up to 20 feet away shows how to use our LLR1 Laser Lite Detector and 3nd mechanical reaction
•Research into muscle building VRL2 Laser Lite Gun described on this sheet. CAUTION produced by the "Lorentz'
STG2K Kit & Plans ...$69.50 -this data is for educational science projects only. force. This is the basis of
STG20 Assembled tested $129.50 Check local and state laws before implementing. present research being done
Advanced science project. on rail and coil guns,
Miniature FM WIRELESS MIKE (3 Mi) LLIS1K Kit & Plans includes LLRINRL2 $199.50 weapons, or vehicle
Construct adevice that transmits launching. Great research
sound to your FM radio, over and controlled science fair
GIANT SOLAR CELL project. Propels object to considerable distance using a
considerable distances
Demonstrates free energy from the sun. Shows how to discharge of 160 joules. Caution required, unit operates
(up to 3miles)
make asolar battery capable of doing actual useful work. on 115VAC.
•Be aneighborhood disc jockey
•Includes Plans to aSolar Battery EML2K Kit & Plans $69.50
•Monitor children/invalids
SOH Giant Solar Cells e2amps & Plans $7.50 EML20 Assembled $99.50
•Build asecurity system
SOLM1 6" x1T' 14.5V Solar Cell & Motor $14.50
FMV1 Plans $6.00
FMV1K Kit & Plans $39.50

Invisible PAIN FIELD GENERATOR

Shirt pocket sized electronic

dal)))
device produces time varient
PLASMA FIRE SABER
complex shock waves of
intense directional accoustic Produces the spectacular effect that captured the
fantasy of millions of movie fans. Visible plasma field is
energy capable of warding off
5mw VISIBLE RED LASER DIODE SYSTEM controlled by grip pressure &adjusts saber length.
agressive animals, etc.
All new up to 5mw Highly Visible Red Laser utilizes Active energy field produces weird & bizarre effects
IP67 Plans $8 00
some of our unique circuit tricks that allows switchless Excellent for special effects. Available in photon
IP67K Kit & Plans $49 50
operation and non contact charging of the internal blue/neon red/phasor green/starfire purple
IP670 Assembled testesd $74.50
nicad batteries. Shirt pocket sized system proveds up PFS2 Plans $8.00
to 5mw output and includes collimating lens. Circuitry PFS2K Kit & Plans $49.50
SEE IN THE DARK VIEWING
is being featured on front cover of Radio Electronics PFS20 Assembled $69.50
Device uses invisible infra red illumination for seeing in
magazine November 1990. This laser is areal
total darkness. Excellent application of night vision,
performer
along with observing lasers and other IR sources.
VRL2 Plans $10.00 DECOR HI LITE NEON
Functional unit. Has many useful applications. VRL2K Kit & Plans (3mw diode) $158.50 26' display length. Available in choice of fire red,
•Excellent science fair project $249.50
VRL20 Assembled (3mw diode) phasor green, photon blue. Operates from 12VDC or
•Featured front cover "Radio Electronics"
115VAC. Produces abizarre strobing effect when light
August 1985 is in motion.
SD5 Plans 810.00 TABLETOP TESLA COIL DNE10 Assembled $49.50
SD5K Kit & Plans $299.50 •Spectacular and Fascinating
•Areal attention getter!
TELEPHONE TRANSMITTER (3 Mi) •Energy passes through windows!
Automatically transmits both sides of atelephone MUSICAL NEON DANCING PLASMA FIRE-
•Great for science projects, displays,
conversation to an FM radio. RHAPSODY IN LITE
stores advertising.
•Tunable frequency •Easy to build & use •Featured in Spring '84 Special Highly visible plasma length varies with the volume of
•Undetectable on phone •Up to 3mile range Projects by Radio Electronics sounds and music.
•Only transmits when phone is used Highly spectacular device produces visible audible bolts •Supplement to home stereo
VWPM7 Plans $5.00 of lightning appearing to flash into the air. Cause •Amusement for bars &entertainment areas
VWPM7K Kit & Plans $39.50 certain materials to burn from within and glow, lights •Attention getting for point of sales
•Available in fire red, proton blue or phasor green
bulbs without wires, produces induction fields, St. Elmo
AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE RECORDER DEVICE DPL1 Plans $8.00
fire corona. Clearly demonstrates high frequency, high
Automatically records both sides of atelephone voltages yet terminal may be touched by user during DPL1K Kit & Plans $59.50
conversation onto atape recorder. operation with ametal object. 115VAC operation only DPL10 Assembled $79.50
•Requires no power •Easy to use BTC3 Plans $10.00
•Sub miniature •Extends normal tape time BTC3K Kit & Plans $249.50
TAT3K Kit & Plans 814.50
-HARD TO FIND PARTS -
BTC30 Assembled $349.50
TAT30 Assembled $24.50 VG20 -High Voltage 20KV Avalanche Diode $3.50
VG4 -High Voltage Sub Mini 4KV Avalance Diode $1.50
.001/15KV -High Voltage .001 AT 15KV Capacitor $3.50
ELECTRIC MAN/ION RAY GUN WORLDS SMALLEST TESLA COIL
TUD1 -Special Tunnel Diode 8Plans for the Famous
Become an electric man! Construct anovel device that Produces 50 to 75,000 volts of Madini Olive Voice Transmitter $29.50
transforms your body into awalking power source. lightning-like discharges capable of 10K/25 -High Voltage 10KV 25MA 60HZ 115 AC
•Energize lights, objects and "other people." generating "plasma in ajar", Transformer $69.50
St. Elmo's Fire, Corona or being CO258 -High Voltage 50KV Mini Pulse Transformer $16.50
•Demonstrate feats of magic and mystery.
TO8 -High Voltage 8" High Toroidal Terminal S69.50
•Enhances "apparent" telekinetic motion. just an excellent conversation
Fans -Muffin Fans 115 VAC. 3x3" $6.50
EMA1K Kit & Plans $69.50 piece. Unit contains power control X10660 -15 WATT Laser Diode with Plans $19.50
10G3K Kit & Plans (Gun Configuration) $69.50 and discharge terminal. Excellent
lab or science project.
SEE IN THE DARK IMAGE BTC1 Plans $7.00 VISIBLE RED LASER DIODES
CONVERTER TUBES BTC1K Kit & Plans $49.50 670NM Toshiba all new full spec
Full Spec RCA 6032A BTC10 Assembled &tested 115 VAC V1301 3MW Laser Diode & Plans to Build aComplete
6032A & System Plans $99.50 powered unit, requires caution $69.50 System $74.50

ORDERS: MAIL YOUR ORDER, OR

INFORMATION UNLIMITED CALL TOLL FREE, 24 HRS, A DAY 1-800-221-1705
DEPT ELK1, BOX 716, AMHERST, N.H. 03031 OR FAX 24 HRS A DAY 1-603-672-5406
WE ACCEPT MC, VISA, COD, CHK. PLEASE AD $5.00 SHIPPING & HANDLING FREE CATALOG OF MANY MORE ITEMS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST.

WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
 10

MARK V ELECTRONICS, INC.

Since
ORDER IN CA 1-800-521-MARK 1985 FREE CATALOG & INFORMATION (213) 888-8988
ORDER OUTSIDE CA 1-800-423-FIVE FAX (213) 888-6868
Gives ou more selection on Electronic Kits Power Am lifiers, Test Instruments and Professional Products.
A indicates the level of difficulty in the assembling of our Products A Beginner AA Intermediate AAA Advanced * Fully Assembled

VIDEO/AUDIO SURROUND SOUND PROCESSOR 6OW +60W Stereo Power Amplifier (with Mic. input) Universal Audio/Video KARAOKE Mixer Pre-Amp.
SM-333 AAA* SM-302 AA* SM-888 *
It has inputs for VCR Video Disc and Compact Disc and can also be
the SM 302 si id), self -contained power amplifier Ills designed to be used lie SM 8881, smartly styled and hasa variety ol functions such as echo mode
used with FM tuners, tape decks and LP discs -in fact anything that ma awide variety 01 preamplifiers and tire exciting Mark Vsurround sound echo depth and agraphic equalizer loud various environmental and individual
can be connected to your pre-amplifier processor Assembly is greatly facilitated because all components mount tastes the graphic equalizer is very etlechve to create amore lively effect
it also has front panel control of dynamic noise reduction DNR • directly on the printed circuit board and interconnect wires are held lo a SM-888 Natures include two microphone lacks tor mixing ID (laser disk> and
surround level effect and time delay up to 50 milliseconds minimum An added benefit is that hum noise and distortion are also minimized VCR connection terminals built in phone pre-amp and tape recorder tacks and
Rear panel outputs for front and rear stereo Speaker amplifiers. The The SM-302 provides three input lack pairs One pair will accept a high all the tamales you need or live recording An integral signal amplifier allows
impedance microphone the two remaining pairs are for high level and low level sources with varying signal levels to be controlled tor best results Additional
unit may be purchased as akit or fully assembled ready to plug in
input sources these input lacks are selected by apanel mounted slide switch connections are provided tor CD (compact disci and FM tuner inputs
SPECIFICATIONS SPECIFICATIONS SPECIFICATIONS
Frequency response 20 Hz to
Frequency response 20Hz lo 20 Fequency Response 20Hz to 20KHr
201(112 •Total harmonic distor- KHz •Total harmonic distortion •THO‘001°.from 20 Hr to 20
tion Front channel 005% Rear

MM.
401°4 •Power output 60W per KHz •Input Sensitivity 3mv rms •
channel Less than 025°.• Input channel into 4ohm load •33W per Input impedance 47 k•AV (audio)
signal voltage 01to 35V •Out- channel into 8 ohm load •Input 303 mv at 47 K•AV hode01 direct
put Front channel 01to 35V • Sensitivity MK 10mv •Lo 380mv connection •FM tuner 300 mv at
Rear channel 66V•Delaytime 5 •H1640 mu-Signal to noise ratio 47 k• CD 300mv at 47 K• AUX 300
In 50 milliseconds • Input im Better than 70 db • Power mv a147 k•MIC 3mv al 600 ohms
pedance 47 it • Power consumption 100W •Dimension Complete kit: $67.00 Useable 300 ohms to 47 k •Line
requirmenis 100.120 VAC. 60 Complete Kit 565 00 360 mm x75 mm x200 mm output 0101 5vwith 300 my input Assembled 8 Tested: $225.00
Hz • Dimensions 14 2 Assembled 8 tened 575 00 Assembled & Tested $78.00
wide 482 -deep. 21-high Equalization 100 Hz •10 db 250 Hz •10 db 1KHz •10 db 3KHz 10 db 10
KHz •10 db •Echo delay time 62Io no Ms •Power Requirements 110/220
•TM OF NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR CORP
VAC 5060 Hz •Power consumption 28 W •Dimensions 17 Wx 2 12 Ho
;77 (3 432 mm 64 mm 200 mm
100W +100W NEW CLASS ADC STEREO PRE 300 W POWER AMPLIFIER (MONO) 80W +80W PURE OC STEREO MAIN POWIER AMPUFIER
AND MAIN AMPLIFIER TA-1500 AAA TA-3600 AAA TA-802 AA
The TA-1500 is afully integrated stereo amplifier including apreamplifier It The TA-3600 is an extremely high power amplifier specifically Modern circuit design utilizes full complementary power output
has inputs for magnetic phon0, tuner aun.
designed to reproduce the high dynamic range available on compact and differential cascade input stage. DC coupling provides superb
mic and tape in/out Controls include volume,
discs, transient response. A special output circuit guards against short
balance mic gain, bass, treble and mid-band
it has low noise, high stabil- circuits and overload operation.
tone controls and input selector It is also
possible to connect an external separate pre- ity low distortion, extended
amplifier Other features are tally comple- frequency range and high SPECIFICATIONS
mentary DC coupled circuitry with last acting ef Iiceincy in a compact
Power output 80 walls per channel
speaker protection relay Power supply com- package.Two of these units into 8 ohms Total harmonic distor-
ponents are included on the printed °mud with appropriate power tion Less than 005°4 at rated power
board and requires only the addition of an alermodulation distortion Less than
supplyand pre-amplifier are
external transformer. The Mark V model 005% al rated power Frequency re-
required for stereo repro-
001 is asuitable transformer Complete Kit $85 00 sponse DC to 200KHz .0dB 3dB .
duction.
SPECIFICATIONS Assembled & Tested $110 00 1watl Power requirements 30 VAC x
Power output 80 watts per channel into 8
Complete Kil: $73.70 SPECIFICATIONS Translormer $43 00
2. 6amp May use Mark V model
Assembled 8 Tested: $95.81 001 transtormer PC Board 8 1/2 x
ohms 100 wafts per channel into 4ohms • Power output 300 wins sine wave into 8ohms 540 watts music power into 8ohms Sot-I/O" Heat sink 5-1/8 x2.5/8 Complete Kit 045 94
Total harmonic distortion Less than 003% Frequency response Aux input 5to •Frequency response 10Hz lo 20 KHz •Total harmonic distortion Less than 005°4 Assembled 8 Tested 559 72
3' (Eachl
50 000 Hi•O 20E1 .2 dB •Frequency response Power amplifier section DC to 200 •Intermodulafion distortion Less than 005°4 •Sensitivity 1Vms al 47K •Power
KHz •Sensitivity Phono 25mV a 47 KAux 150 mV a 47 KMir 6mV e0 tO K requirements 60 lo 75 VDC at 8 amp • Dimensions 8 7/, 2
Output Tape 150 MV 4 47 KPreamp I Va 600 ohms •Power transformer 26 V 120W MOSFET POWER AMPLIFIER (MONO)
lo 32 VAC e2 4 6A(Mark VModel 0011 •PC Board Dimensions 10 5' x613 -x
225' •Heat sink 513' x263 x3' (Eacht Rack Mount Metal Cabinets TA-477 AA
Use rack mount cabinet LG 1921 or LG 1925
with aluminium panel are This amplifier is designed specifically for low TIM distortion. It
[1 PLEASE SEND ME ACOPY OF THE FREE CATALOG- 1 uses parallel MOSFET output transistors. This is avery popular
suitable for many projects kit because ol its superior sound reproducing ability and high
NAME and most of our kits. power reserve. BUILD TWO KITS FOR A PROFESSIONAL
STEREO AMP!

ADDRESS SPECIFICATIONS
t H D Less Than 0007% •
Power output 120 watts into
We provide transform- 8ohms •Frequency response
8Hz to 20KHz .0.0 4dB •Sen
ers for most of our Mark slimily 1V • Power require- 1
-
Vamplifier kits. ments 55 VDC a 3 amps
STATE ZIP May use Mark VModel 003 Complete Kit $613.00
Transformer Assembled 8 Tested 585.00
AINPURER3 KIT ASSEMIL •Free gift for any purchase before April.

MODEL DESCRIPTION
AIMCEUANEOUS KIT AMMO.
TA-28MK2 Digital Voice Memo •• $30 00 MODEL DESCRIPTION
TA-50A /13 Multi-Purpose Melody Generator • 12 84 $17 20 TV-239 3Channel Color Light Controller • . $65 00
TA-50C Multi-Purpose Melody Generator A 13 65 18 71 TV-25 Stereo Loudspeaker Protector • $14 85 2085
TA-120MK2 35W Class "A' Main Power Mono Amp •• 31 50 42 80 TY-35 FM Wireless Microphone • ..1125
TA-300 30W Multi-Purpose Single Channel Amp • 20 00 2900 TV-36 AC/DC Quartz Digital Clock • 19 00 26 20
SM-302 60W •60W Stereo Power Amplifier ima Mc inpul)••* 67 00 78 00 TY-38 Sound rTouch Control Switch • 12 00
TA-323A 30W X2Stereo Pre-main Amp • 31 50 4200 TV-41MK V lntared Remote Control Und (w/Case) •• • 2200 35 00
TA-377A Hi-Quality FET Stereo Pre-Amp ••• 59 95 75 00 TV-42 Bar /Dot Lwel Meter •• 24 15 33 81
TA-400 40W Solid State Mono Amp • 28.00 34 93 TV-43 3vx Digital Panel Meter • 29 00 3800
TA-477 120W Mostet Power Mono Amp AA 68 00 85 00 TV-45 20 Steps Bar /Dol Audio Level Display •• 38 45 46 14
TA-800MK2 120W •120W Iow Tim Pre-Main Stereo Power Amp AA 63.92 TV-47 Superior Electronic Roulette AA 19 46 27 24
TA-802 130W •80W DC Stereo Main Power Amp •• 45 94 59 72 SU -222 7Band H141 Graphic Equalizer • A • 26 80 3880
TA-820A 60W •60W OCL DC Pre-Main Stereo Amp •• 40 39 49 37 SU -328 4Channel Professional Color Light Controller* 145 00
TA. 1000A 100W Dynamic Class "e Main Power Mono Amp • • 59.69 80 58 SU -333 AuchoNideo Surround Sound Processor •••• 65 00 75 00
TA-1500 100W X2Class 'A' DC Stereo Pie-Main Amp •• • 73 70 95 81 SM-666 Dynamic Noise Reduction • .26 00 34 00
TA-2200 Pet Super Class "A" DC Pre-Amp AAA 47 70 58 24 SM-888 Universal AudioNideo KARAOKE Mixer Pre-Amp • 225.00
1A-2400A Electronic Echo & Reverberation Amp * 96 00 10 0000 80 VCapacitor l Suggested for TA-3600 TA.477 TA-1000A 8 TA-802) 2340
1A-2500 HO Pre-Amp w/10 band graphic equalizer * 68 80
TA.2800 HI.FET IC Pre-Amp w/3 way tone control AA
TA-3000 Stereo Simulator (For Mono TV or Any Mono Source) AA
4890 63 57 MM. CAIIIIIETS WITH ALUMINUM PANEL
2700 38 50
TA-3600 300W HO Hi -Fi Power Mono Amp AAA 8600 110 00 MODEL If xtie x 0' MATCHING PRICE
LG-1273 3' 12' 7' TA-2800, TA-377A, TA-2200 $22 85
POKIER 8UPPUES KIT MEIN. LG-1684 4- le r TA-323A. TA-377A, TA-2200 27 50
TR-10011 LG-1924 4- 19' 11 1/ TA-802, TA-820A. TA-1500,TA120MK 2, TA-800, TA-1000A
2 32 80
0.15V 28 Regulated DC Power Supply (W/CaSel* S69 50
LG-1925 5' 19' 11.• TA-477, TA-800M1(2, TA-1500, TA-10(10A. TA-3600 35 80
TR-355A 0-15V 5A Regulated DC Power Supply • S15 65 21 76
TR-355E1
LG-1983 21e 19' r TA-377A.. TA-2800, TA-2200, TA-120MK 2 29 25
0.30V 39 Regulated DC Power Supply • 1565 21 76
TR.503 0.50V 3A Regulated DC Power Supply •• 16 75 23 65
POW TRMNIFORSIBIS
INSTRUMENTS KIT ASSEMIL MODEL DESCRIPTION MATCHING PRICE
S84.43 001 28V 026A to 30V 0260 TA-800MK2. TA-802, TA-820A. TA-1000A. TA-1500 $27 00
3'4 Multi-Functional Led DPM iw/ABS plastic case/AA $34 50 543 00
S61-48 4. :Hi-Precision 0PM AAA 002 36V> 23A TR-503, TA-323A, TA-400, TA-300 22.00
3800 48 00
SM-489 4,,Hi-Precision 0PM lw/ABS plastic casel••• 003 40V ir 26A TA-477 28 00
41 20 52 00
SM-49 3/, Multi-Functional LCD DM P (w/Hold Functionla• 004 24V x26A TA-120 MK 2 22 00
3600 44 50
SM-100 I50MC Digital Frequency Counter••• 005 26V x23A TR-3559 16 00
79 00 90 00
FC-10000 IGHz Frequency Counter • 006 18V x25A TR.355A 15 50
179 00
007 538 x288 TA-3600 43 00
We accept map, Credit Cards Money Orders Checks anc1C O D Orders COD fee is S5 00 Minimum order GSM 00 •We ship by UPS ground insxte US imin $3 00i and shop try US mail Business & Showroom hours. (Pacific Time>
outside US Pleasecall our salesdepanmentfororders over 2It's orforegn orders •Allassembled units have a30days warranty •Ouality or Volume discount available upan request •Residents Mon. thru Fri. 9:30 am to 5 00 pm
of CA please add sales tar 675%) •AS merchandose are subtect to pox sale Prices are subject to change *OW prior notce We are not responsible for typograhcal errors Sat. 10:00 am to 5 00 pm

MARK V ELECTRONICS, INC. -8019 E. Slauson Ave, Montebello, CA 90640 Sura¡ fl

WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
ONE SMALL STEP FOR ELECTRONICS
The Military-Industrial complex has had increasingly bad press ever electronic. A trade magazine reports on this growing electronic con-
since Dwight D. Eisenhower coined the term in the early 1950s. This tent of almost all weapons. The Tomahawk Cruise missile, for ex-
General become President was certainly in aposition to pronounce ample, carries 1,270 individual parts to make up its guidance and
it amajor danger to this republic. If anything, President Eisenhower control systems. An F-16 fighter has over 17,000 electronic parts.
underestimated what the group might accomplish in the way of shap- The precision targeting of offensive efforts by the military and the
ing a nation's priorities and activities. effective defensive weaponry are the result of the Military-Industrial
And the reputation of that coalition has not improved in the last complex making more use of electronics. Efficiency is the primary
decade, despite the loving attention and billions of budget dollars lav- goal of these changes. But one unlooked for result is alowering of
ished on it during the Reagan years. Cost overruns, shoddy equip- civilian casualties when industrial and military targets are destroyed.
ment, substandard goods that failed in field trials, and dubious ethical There is some small hope that this "humane" bonus can be increased
behavior have all contributed to ageneral cynicism about the muni- by technology in future. Some pilots in the Gulf area are already able,
tions makers and the Pentagon. with computer simulation technology, to "practice" bombing runs
Warfare has become an industrial enterprise. As we have developed ahead of the actual attack, to make the result more precise, thus
manufacturing techniques, we have used such methods to enhance avoiding unintended casualties because of "mistakes." This trend will
our capability for killing one another. The rising level of carnage, doubtless continue. Missiles are already being designed with video
which began in earnest with the Civil War in the United States, es- cameras in their noses enabling acontroller to "fly" them to their
calated to ahorrifying level in World War Ion the European battle- targets accurately from behind the front lines.
fields and to world-wide levels of mass destruction in World War II. Gunships may eventually be flown by remote pilots on the ground,
The rising tide of revulsion which has arisen in all thoughtful people operating the machine's ability to drop bombs and fire missiles and
everywhere regarding our nuclear capabilities has caused many to cannon at targets visible through infra-red and conventional cameras.
take the position that war itself is not asane option. We all realize Such capabilities, however, are adecidedly mixed blessing. In the
that if nuclear war on aglobal scale breaks out, we will have destroyed hands of unscrupulous forces, the greater precision can add up to
ourselves and the planet as well. greater terror and greater loss of human life over the long term. The
In such an environment, the claim of some military people that a precise defensive capability of technology is probably the only humane
"limited war" was possible has been met with cynical disbelief. The bonus of any enduring value.
Korean and Vietnam "conflicts" bore the same old mass-destruction Nor can we say that this war will not become horrifyingly destruc-
killing machine hallmarks of previous modern wars of this century. tive when the land battles commence. Carpet bombing by B-52s, so
Given such agrim and increasingly horrifying prospect regarding reminiscent of the armageddon-like years in Vietnam, will undoubtedly
all wars and military operations of all descriptions, whether we are come to Kuwaiti deserts and Iraqi frontier fortifications. The targets
talking about Sharpeville, Tienamin Square, or Latvia, it may be naive will no longer be airfields, power plants, and munitions factories, but
to have anything positive to say about the Allied effort in the Per- human beings. War machinery still kills people and with increasing
sian Gulf to dislodge Iraqi forces from Kuwait. efficiency and larger and larger loss of human life.
However, after aweek of war in that troubled area, Ibelieve it is Since the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombs exploded over Japan in
worth remarking on the effect of electronics communications and 1945, many people have hoped that technological advances might move
control systems on the execution of this war. The "old" technology our ability to kill each other to such ahigh level that we might eventu-
of the SCUD missiles being used by the Iraqis for terrorist attacks ally see war as futile. Perhaps the day will come that electronics will
on the civilians of Israel and Saudi Arabia represents crude techniques mean that awar is fought like agiant video game with each side man-
left over from World War II. The Patriot anti-missile devices used euvering robotic weaponry until the side with the most advanced
to counteract many of the SCUDS are obviously part of anew breed technology emerges victorious. Such an obvious waste of intelligence
of weapon which feature much greater precision. and treasure seems ludicrous at best when considered as away to
Almost all the equipment being used by the Allied forces is highly solve our differing aspirations and goals. —E.T.D.

Published by Audio Amateur Publications, Inc. European Offices: INDIA SPAIN

Elektuur BV Elektor Electronics PVT Ltd Resistor Electronica Aplicada
Edttorlpubilsher Edward T. Dell, Jr. Postbus 75 Chhotani Building Calle Maudes 15 Entio C.
Editorial Offices: 6190 AB BEEK 52C, Proctor Road, Grant Road (E) 28003 MADRID
305 Union St., P.O. Box 876 The Netherlands BOMBAY 400 007 Editor: Agustin Gonzales Buelta
Peterborough, NH 03458-0876 USA Telephone: 011 31 4638 9444 Editor: Surendra lyer SWEDEN
Telex: 56617 (elekt nI) ISRAEL Electronic Press AB
Telephone: 603-924-9464 (National) FAX: 011 31 4637 0161 Elektorcal Box 5505
or +1 (603) 924-9464 (International) Managing Director: M.M.J. Landman P 0 Box 41096 14105 HUDDINGE
FAX: (603) 924-9467 (National) TEL AVIV 61410 Editor: Bill Cedrum
or +1 (603) 924-9467 (international) Overseas Editions: Publisher: M. Avraham UNITED KINGDOM
Advertising: Rally Dennis FRANCE NETHERLANDS Down House
Telephone: (603) 924-9750 Elektor sarl Elektuur BV Broomhill Road
FAX: (603) 924-9487 Les Trois Tilleuls Peter Treckpoelstraat 2-4 LONDON SW18 4J0
Subscriptions: Katharine Gadwah B.P. 59; 59850 NIEPPE. 6191 VK BEEK England UK
Elektor Electronics USA Editors: D.R.S. Meyer Editor: P.E.L. Kersemakers Editor/Publisher Len Seymour
Post Office Box 876, G.C.P. Raedersdorf PAKISTAN
Peterborough, New Hampsire 03458 GERMANY Electro-shop
Subscriptions to Elektor Electronics USA are Elektor Verlag GmbH 35 Naseem Plaza
available ONLY in the fifty United States, Susterfeld Strasse 25 Lasbella Chawk
Canada, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and 5100 AACHEN KARACHI 5
those Pacific territories administered by the Editor: E.J.A. Krempelsauer Editor: Zain Ahmed
United States of America. GREECE PORTUGAL
Elektor EPE Ferreira & Bento Lda.
Kariskaki 14 R.D. Estef-83-ni, 32-1° Printed in the United States of America.
16673 Voula—Athena 1000 LISBOA
Editor: E. Xanthoulis Editor: Jeremias Sequeira ISSN: 1051-5690

WorldRadioHistory ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991

ffm
ELECTRONICS SCENE I
INSTRUCTIONAL TECH SHOW
DEBUTS IN '91
A conference and exposition program has
been created for the rapidly expanding in-

I EASY-PC TOPS 5,000 WORLDWIDE

structional technology field. InTech '91,
will be held Sept. 5-7, 1991, at the Disney-
Shipments of Easy-PC, Number One land Convention Center in Anaheim, CA.
Systems' award winning PCB and sche- "The best way to meet America's educa-
matic CAD program, exceeded 5,000 copies tional and training needs in the 1990s, in cor-
in October. Design engineers from Australia porations, higher educational institutions,
to Zimbabwe are choosing Easy-PC because and government agencies, will be through
of its ease of use and Number One Systems' instructional technology," stated Carl Bernd-
free technical support service. ston, executive director of InTech. "With the

I ECONOMICAL 8-CHANNEL WIDE-

BAND UHF TWO-WAY MOBILE
The latest enhancement is the ability to
print layouts and schematic drawings on
emergence of powerful, cost-effective in-
struction methods, such as multimedia com-
Midland LMR has introduced aUHF two- Laserjet II printers and compatibles with ad- puting systems, distance learning networks,
way FM mobile radio, the model 70-1526. It justable scaling and resolution, selectable and computer simulation systems, technol-
is programmable for up to eight channels. The paper sizes, drill detail and solder resist, and ogy-based instruction will become primary
new PLL frequency-synthesized radio has ad- an automatic method of correcting printer for future generations," he said.
justable RF output power of 15-25W and cov- inaccuracies. InTech '91 will feature three days of work-
ers a frequency range of 406-430MHz or With its ability to create specialist draw- shops, conference sessions and product dem-
450-470MHz, at full rated specifications, ing symbols, Easy-PC can be used with ap- onstrations. Instructional technology prod-
without retuning. Tone-coded and digitally plications such as landscape gardening and ucts, services, and systems will focus on
coded squelch, programmable by channel at kitchen design, as well as with electronic en- computer-based training/computer assisted
random in any combination, are built in. Au- gineering. In addition to the library of more learning, interactive authoring, CD-ROM
dio output is 5W. than 400 7400 series logic symbols, the new and videodisc, computer simulation, and dis-
With a die-cast chassis and an optional Easy-PC Library disk set contains more than tance learning incorporating videoconferenc-
bracket support added to the standard under- 1,000 logic, microprocessor, and memory ing and teletraining.
dash mount, the 70526 meets MIL stand- symbols and the most popular PC Adapter Attendees are expected to include instruc-
ard 810C/D for shock and vibration. The and Eurocard board outlines. All the sche- tional technologists, training directors, hu-
radio is 2" x7" x87/
8". Options include prior- matic symbols are drawn in aconsistent for- man resource executives, CEOs, educators,
ity scanning of 40 channels per second, a mat, and all can be modified. MIS directors, researchers, and consultants.
slide-rail mounting kit, aDTMF decoder, and Easy-PC sells for $195 and Easy-PC Library For information on the conference pro-
a DTMF encoder microphone with ANI. for $75. For further information, contact gram, exhibiting, or registering for InTech
For more information, contact Midland Roger Wareham, Technical Director, Num- '91, contact Exposition Management Inc.,
LMR, Marketing Dept., 1690 N. Topping, ber One Systems Ltd., Harding Way, Som- 1601 Trapelo Rd., Waltham, MA 02154,
Kansas City, MO 64120, (800) 643-5263, ersham Rd., St. Ives, Huntingdon, Cambs, (800) 262-3378 or (617) 290-0400, FAX (617)
ext. 1690. PE17 4WR, England, (
+44 480) 61778. 290-0409.

I 1MHz TRIMDAC REPLACES EIGHT

POTENTIOMETERS
Analog Devices' DAC-8840 and DAC-8841
TrimDACsTm are 8-bit octal-multiplying dig-
ital-to-analog converters (DACs) designed to
replace mechanical potentiometers for auto-
matic microprocessor adjustments of AC and
DC voltage gain. Eight independent channels
of digitally programmable signai-level atten-
uation provide 256 values of unipoiar or bi-
polar gain (two- or four-quadrant multiplica-
tion) for DC-to-1MHz analog signal inputs.
Each buffered channel can provide a mini-
mum of 5mA of output drive current.
These converters accept 8-bit serial data in-
puts and differ primarily by their power sup-
ply requirements, multiplying capability, and
signal input voltage range. Operating from
+5V supplies and accepting bipolar +3V ref- single-supply (portable) low-power equip- begin at $9.95 in 100s. A MIL-STD-883B ver-
erence inputs, the DAC-8840 offers full four- ment. The device achieves its performance sion will be available in the second quarter
quadrant multiplication The DAC-8841 ac- with a low 95mW of dissipation. of 1991.
cepts unipolar 0-1.5V inputs and is designed Both converters are available in 0.3", 24- For more information, contact Walt Hein-
for two-quadrant multiplication with non- pin plastic and ceramic DIPs, and 24-lead zer, Analog Devices, Inc., 1500 Space Park
inverting gain of two. Its requirement of a SOICs. They operate over the industrial tem- Dr., Santa Clara, CA 95052-8020, (408) 562-
single 5V power supply makes it suitable for perature range from -40 to +85°C. Prices 7254.
WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
 el
I UNIVERSAL LAPTOP PCXI
EXPANSION CHASSIS
Rapid Systems has announced the PX1013,
ELECTRONICS SCENE
auniversal expansion chassis for laptop com-
puters that have at least one half-size expan-
ANALDG
sion slot. It allows you to expand the PC I/O
bus with 11 free slots. The expansion chassis I MONOLITHIC DUAL 8-BIT
A/D CONVERTER DEVICES
is based on the PCXI mechanical format,
which features cooling, modularity, an indus-
The AD9058 from Analog Devices is an 8-bit
analog-to-digital converter that can encode
AD9058
trialized passive backplane, and metal shield- two input signals—independently or simul-
ing around each card that plugs into the ex- taneously—at rates up to 50 megasamples per
pansion chassis. The chassis comes with an second. This single monolithic IC is housed
integrated PC bus expansion card set. One in a0.5", 44-pin surface-mount package.
card is integrated into aPCXI module and the In addition to DC, the device has minimum
other is ahalf-size card that plugs into the lap- AC performance specifications tested at 2.3 operation. Using the converter's +2V inter-
top expansion slot. The PX1013 also includes and 10.3MHz. Signal-to-noise ratio is 45 and nal reference, unipolar (0-2V) operation is

a200W power supply module. 44dB and the effective number of bits is 7.2 achieved; bipolar operation (+ 1V) can be

The chassis sells for $2,495. For more in- and 7.1, respectively. At either frequency, configured with external circuitry.

formation, contact Rapid Systems, Inc., 433 second-harmonic distortion is 48dBc and The AD9058 is available for commercial
N. 34th St., Seattle, WA 98103, (206) 547- third-harmonic distortion is 50dBc. (0-70°C) and military (-55 to +125°C)
8311, FAX (206) 548-0322. Switching specifications include a maxi- temperature ranges and package options in-
mum lOpS aperture uncertainty (jitter). Aper- clude hermetic 48-pin DIPs and 44-pin J-lead
ture delay between channels is less than packages. Its power dissipation is 770mW.
0.5nS (0.2nS is typical). Prices begin at $55 in 100s.
Analog input specifications include 175MHz For more information, contact Allen Hill,
full-power analog bandwidth and 10pF input Analog Devices, Inc., 7910 Triad Center Dr.,
capacitance. The AD9058's flexible analog in- Greensboro, NC 27409, (919) 668-9511.
put range is optimized for 2V peak-to-peak

ll ADVANCED PC GRAPHICS IC

I BILL TO PROTECT SPECTRUM Edsun Laboratories, Inc. and Analog

INTRODUCED IN HOUSE Devices, Inc. presented details of an agree-
Rep. Jim Cooper (D—Tennessee), amember ment for the development, manufacture, and
of the House Subcommittee on Telecommu- marketing of the advanced PC graphics ICs.
nications and Finance, introduced The Am- The new mixed-signal devices are pin-
ateur Radio Spectrum Protection Act of 1991 compatible replacements for the RAM-DAC

I BENCH DIGITAL MULTIMETER (HR 73). This bill would prevent the Ama- circuits on VGA cards, and can upgrade
WITH BRIGHT LED DISPLAY teur Radio Service's loss of radio spectrum. graphics capabilities of low-end PCs to those
A 3% Digit Bench DMM with 0.1% DC volt- It proposes that existing allocations of spec- of high-end workstations.
age accuracy, AC voltage response to 40kHz, trum not be diminished and provides for The alliance includes co-development
and a 0.5" bright LED display is available equivalent replacement of spectrum for any roles. Edsun conceived and patented the

from B&K Precision. The model 2831A reallocation after January 1, 1991. Continuous Edge Graphics (CEG) architec-

measures current to 20A, voltage to 1.2kV DC ture, logic, algorithms, and the software that
or lkV AC, and resistance to 20M“. It also drives the device. Analog Devices provided

I
includes adiode test function. its analog and digital logic, digital signal pro-
The 2831A features resolution to 0.1mV, AMATEUR RADIO VIDEO cessing (DSP), and manufacturing expertise.

0.1A, and 0.10 for precise readings. A con- ICOM released "More than Radios," an The combination of CEG and mixed-signal

tinuity-check feature sounds an audio tone amateur radio video created and produced technology in the single chip eliminates jag-
for resistances under 10fl. All functions are by Zman Productions. An exclusive premier ged screen image areas, and provides the
overload protected, with high-energy fusing showing for cast and crew, held on January photo-realistic colors and shading associated

on current ranges. A combination tilt han- 16, launched the video's national distribution with true color systems.
dle/bail adds to its convenience. Designed for to ham radio clubs and special events. The 28- Analog Devices also obtained the rights to
AC operation, the multimeter can be used minute tape, set in towns throughout Wash- integrate CEG technology into RAM-DACs

worldwide (110/220/240V AC, 50/60Hz). ington, is astory about real people with asim- targeted for the workstation market. The
Each unit is supplied with test leads, spare ple statement about amateur radio woven agreement calls for Analog Devices to pro-
fuses, and an instruction manual. Optional into the plot. One project goal was to involve vide manufacturing and testing of the part,

accessories include atest-probe assembly and as many amateur radio operators in front of and allows for each company to deliver pin-
demodulator, high-voltage, and temperature the camera as well as behind the scenes. compatible devices while serving as inde-

probes. A copy of the video tape can be obtained pendent worldwide sources for the new ICs.
The model 2831A sells for $295. For more by sending aletter on your club's stationery For more information, contact Analog De-

information or the name of the nearest dis- to Zman Productions, 8051 NE 143rd St., vices, One Technology Way, PO Box 9106,

tributor, contact BM( Precision, 6470 W. Cort- Bothell, WA 98011. A limited number are Norwood, MA 02062, or call (617) 329-4700,
land St., Chicago, IL 60635, (312) 889-1448. available. FAX (617) 326-8703.
WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
 14

COMPUTER-CONTROLLED
WEATHER STATION
PART 1: INDOOR/OUTDOOR
THERMOMETER

This is the first in ashort series of articles on applications

of the multifunction measurement card for PCs, described
in the previous two issues of this magazine. The
applications we have in mind should have awide appeal,
since they form the building blocks of a versatile weather
station with advanced features for the amateur
meteorologist. Fig. 1. This ready-made ABS enclosure
contains the electronic thermometer that
measures the outside temperature.

J. Ruffell
values produced by all sensors, and converts the trend of values measured over 24 hours
the data such that they may be stored on to be presented in the form of agraph, while

A LTHOUGH we know that a state-of-

the-art weather station is likely to score
disk. Thus, acomplete meteorological read-
ing may be performed without going out of
the current values are also shown graphi-
cally on the screen.
high on the list of popular electronic projects, doors — you may remain seated in front of In this first article we describe the sensors
it has taken us awhile to come up with one your PC and comfortably look at the used for measuring the temperature indoors
mainly for want of asuitable central control measured results presented graphically on and outside. For this purpose, most meteor-
unit. Fortunately, that has become available the monitor. ologists use mercury thermometers with a
recently in the form of aPC insertion card of- In the second mode of operation, the PC mechanical minimum/maximum tempera-
fering ahigh resolution voltmeter and afre- collects the meteorological data with the aid ture indication. By contrast, the electronic
quency/pulse meter. This card, the of a background (memory-resident) pro- version presented here uses asingle sensor
multifunction measurement card for PCs, gram, which allows aforeground task, such and software to record the minimum and
was described in two instalments in the pre- as word processing, to be carried out with- maximum temperatures. If desired, these
vious two issues of this magazine (Ref. 1). out the operator noticing that the PC is per- two parameters may be shown continuously
Provided that it is connected to the right forming a second task. The background on the PC screen.
types of interface and associated sensor, the program automatically scans all sensors, and
measurement card forms the ideal starting reads the measured values. Provision is
point for ahost of applications that require made for the user to determine (within
Temperature measurement
accurate processing and recording of anal- limits) the sampling interval. All readings Temperature measurement can be tricky if
ogue values. The PC used allows us to store and the times they were taken are collected the position of the sensor is not taken into ac-
measured values, such as temperature, in in afile and subsequently stored on afloppy count. It is not difficult to have two identical
memory or on disk for analysis at a later disk or ahard disk for use by astatistics or thermometers indicate different tempera-
stage. Few PC users will need to be informed graphics/statistics program later. The soft- tures by placing them in positions that are
that the results of such an analysis are perfect ware routines supplied with the main con- only marginally different. Meteorologists
as input data for a graphics presentation trol program for the weather station allow are aware of this and are forced, for obvious
package. rEsasons, to comply with certain conventions
The interfaces we have in mind for the as regards their daily measurements. For in-
measurement card turn an IBM PC or com- stance, temperature is measured at aheight
patible into an autonomous weather station, of 1.5 m above agrass lawn. To prevent di-
with sensors for temperature, relative hu- rect sunlight causing additional heating, the
midity, air pressure, wind direction and thermometer cabin is painted white, and has
wind speed. The first module, a dual in- adoor facing north. To prevent precipitation
door/outdoor thermometer, is described affecting the temperature readings, the cabin
here. usually has asloping side facing south.
Inside ameteorology cabin you will typi-
cally find anumber of mercury thermome-
Dedicated or in the
ters that indicate the maximum, minimum
background and current temperature. In most cases, a
mechanical recorder is used to produce a
The multifunction measurement card and temperature graph over aperiod of 24 hours.
the associated control programs allow the Since afully equipped cabin is probably
PC-controlled weather station to function in unaffordable for most amateur meteorolog-
one of two ways. In the first mode, ameas- ists, aless expensive, but reliable, alternative
urement is performed when the PC is is described here. The photograph in Fig. 1
switched on just to do that. During the meas- above shows the white, plastic enclosure
urement, the PC collects the measured used for the prototype of the thermometer.
WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
 COMPUTER-CONTROLLED WEATHER STATION (1)

If are you not so fortunate as to have a

garden with alawn, we recommend that you
fit the thermometer enclosure to the north-
side wall or facade of your house. Since the
north facing wall is heated less by sunlight
T.
OP77 than the south facing wall, this position is the
Cl R1 63
3
best compromise.
17
00nF 0A
RS

The circuit
8...15V

eg
1 C3 C4 C10 le
With the description of the electronics most
of you will feel that you are returning to fam-
‘c
;75,„'F
66

716V24F
BIM MUM

- iliar ground. Figure 2shows the circuit diag-

1
* 100nF * 100nF 100 nF

, ram of the interface for the two temperature

2 IC4

sensors. Remember, this interface is con-

775e
3OnF
nected to the multifunction measurement
Y T
R9 CS C9
Ca
M1M
M1M
mi»
MUM card for PCs.
100nF 100nF
-8...-15V 2
The dual temperature sensor measures
LM334Z
R10
the inside (indoor) and the outside (outdoor)
OP77
U, GND
4
6
temperatures simultaneously. The inside
1C3 temperature is measured with an REF-02,
REF-02
TEMP
the outside temperature with an LM334Z.
2_fl 3
The REF-02 (IC3) has two functions in the
*. 1
0 circuit. First, it provides areference voltage
900124 -Ill -11
of 5 V. This voltage, which is available on
pin 6of the stabilizer, is used for opamps IC2
and IC4. Pin 3(TEMP), of the REF-02 supplies
Fig. 2. Circuit diagram of the double electronic thermometer. The circuit is connected to a temperature-dependent direct voltage.
the voltmeter input of the multifunction measurement card for PCs. Since the REF-02 is fitted on aPCB that re-
mains indoors, the TEMP output may be used
The construction of the enclosure prevents slots in the enclosure enable allow afree air- for the indoor thermometer. The voltage at
precipitation and direct sunlight reaching flow around the sensor. Since the enclosure the TEMP output is 0.574 V at 0°C, and rises
the temperature sensor, which is inserted shown can be bought ready-made, it fairly at arate of exactly 2.1 mV per Kelvin. Unfor-
through ahole at the underside, and fitted easy to make a number of identical ther- tunately, the TEMP voltage can not be applied
centrally in the enclosure. The ventilation mometer boxes. direct to the ADC on the measurement card.

COMPONENTS LIST

l
itestators:
226(2 1°/0 R1
2k£11 1% R2
1OW R3
12Idr2 R4;R8
27k.Q4 1% 136;R10
2 1k1174 1% R6;R9
1 1ka5 R7
(1% resistors from E96 series)

Capacitors:
1 100nF SMA Cl
6 100nF C2;04,C5;C8;
C9;C10
1 22µF 16V axial C3

rii
2 47pf 25V radial C6;C7

041
1 R5 10
Semiconductors:
C3

2 . 0 1 0 2 ,r 1
1 LM334Z IC1
T-
01 R4 0
0
° °
0
1;J Ao. 2 OP77 1C2;104
3 01 R6 0 0 0 "E 1 REF-02
ICI
T+
io-v-oc 50110-0 (.0 Boe
•0 i3 0 cs
:2rut.' lo (ri:)
L
i) 0+
illsceilansous:
0 0 01 Rio 00 00 1 ABS enclosure; size approx.
0 t-
-I 01 119 101 0— V - 0
o 0 100x50x25 mm (e.g. Sopla EG410)
0g, 0/cn
a—
cr -+ '6' ° 0 R7 1 C7 1 printed circuit board 900124-3
LT
lie -
0iT
:e+ IS
: Ur° Of Re 0 0
Note: The sensor enclosure Shown tothe
photograph In. Fig. 1was
Mierij Meten •Tuinstraat 1-
Silt •,.Flolland. Telephone: +3

Fig. 3. Track layouts and component mounting plans of the two printed circuit boards
needed for the indoor/outdoor thermometers.
WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
 16
GENERAL INTEREST

unlikely to present any difficulty.

The outdoor sensor PCB is cut and filed
until it can be fitted into asmall plastic tube
of the type used for storing SMA compo- The control software mentioned in this
nents (see Fig. 4). The PCB area that has no article is available on a 51 4 -1
/
components on it is first filed to asize to fit 360 KByte MSDOS formatted flo
the tube. In view of the size of the plastic disk which may be order
tube, the output wires are best soldered di- our Readers Service. The
rect to the respective copper pads on the of the disk is ESS 1551.
PCB.
After inserting the completed PCB into
the tube, the wires are passed through small Control software
holes in the cap. Next, the cap is hermetically
sealed with a few drops of epoxy resin or As with the multifunction measurement
potting compound. The fitting of the tube at card, the hardware is not complete without
Fig. 4. The PCB with the LA11334Z on it must asuitable position in the centre of the ther- appropriate software. The control program
be cut to size to fit into the plastic tube. mometer enclosure is straightforward. written for the thermometer is supplied on a
51
/ -inch floppy disk, and runs on any PC XT
4
This problem is solved by asimple level con- or AT fitted with aHercules, EGA or VGA
verter in the form of an opamp, IC4. The con-
The PC connection
card (unfortunately, the program does not
vertor is designed such that the output The outputs of the complete interface circuit support CGA cards). The disk contains three
voltage of IC4 has arange of +2.5 V to —2.5 V are connected to analogue inputs 16 and 17 of programs: TADJUST.EXE for calibrating the
for the desired temperature range, while the the multifunction measurement card, while sensors, TLOGGER.EXE for data logging as
output voltage is 0.5 V at atemperature of ground is connected to the analogue ground abackground program, and TEMP.EXE, for
0°C. The gradient of the output voltage is set (on connector K3) of the measurement card. the graphics presentation of the measured
to 40 mV /°C, so that an effective tempera- Note the following components at the anal- values.
ture range of—SO °C to +75 °C is achieved (al- ogue multiplexer input (refer to the circuit The first thing to do is run TAD-
though we know that the projects carried in diagram of the measurement card): JUST.EXE. This program requires two tem-
this magazine are built and used around the - Resistor R6: 10 Id-2 perature measurements. The calibration of
globe, this seems a reasonably large tem- - Resistor R7: not fitted the outdoor thermometer is simple: immerse
perature range...). - Resistor Rs: 10 kû the sensor in melting ice, leave it there for a
The electronic temperature measurement - Resistor R9: not fitted couple of minutes, and enter the value 0°C
has aguaranteed resolution of 0.1 °C, which Capacitor C33: 100 riF in the relevant window on the screen. Next,
equals the resolution of mercury thermome- Capacitor C34: 100 nF place the sensor in free air. In the relevant
ters used by professional meteorologists. window on the screen, enter the temperature
The outside temperature is measured These values ensure the correct measure- read from amercury thermometer fitted at
with the aid of an LM334Z, atemperature- ment ranges. the same position as the sensor.
dependent current source. As usual with this The interface is powered by a simple Since the indoor temperature is
type of measurement 'in he field', the sensor symmetrical supply with an output voltage measured with an IC fitted on the interface
is a current source rather than a voltage between ±8 V and ±15 V. Since the current board, this sensor can not be calibrated with
source. The current drive eliminates the ef- consumption of the circuit is quite low (a few the aid of melting ice. Thus, acomparative
fects of length, diameter and temperature of milliamperes only), a pair of fixed voltage calibration is required against agood quality
the cable between the sensor and the input regulators, such as the 7910 and 7810, may be mercury thermometer. As with the outdoor
amplifier. If voltage drive were applied, used with the usual decoupling capacitors. thermometer, two temperatures are re-
these parameters would cause a voltage
drop that requires acomplex type of com-
pensation.
The sensor output current gradient is set
to 1µA/K. Since the current flows through a
2.1 ka resistor, R2, a voltage gradient of
2.1 mV/K is created, which equals that of the
indoor temperature sensor, IC3. Opamp IC2,
like IC4, converts the temperature-depend-
ent voltage into avalue within the range be-
tween —2.5 V and +2.5 V, required for the
ADC on the measurement card.
One thing that you will probably like
about the interface circuit is the total absence
of adjustment points or complex compensa-
tion circuits. This is by virtue of the control
software, which provides routines that take
care of the tracking and individual calibra-
tion of the two temperature sensors.

Construction
The two printed-circuit boards shown in
Fig. 3(one for the interface and one for the
outdoor sensor) must be separated before
they are populated. Start the construction
with the wire links on the interface board. Fig. 5. Completed and ready for use: the indoor/outdoor thermometer is the first module
Next, fit all the components — ajob that is in a computer-controlled weather station.
WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
 COMPUTER-CONTROLLED WEATHER STATION (1) 111

1901231. LOG *** Elektor Electronics ***

1991-01-02 7:57 f** Copyright (C) -> 1991 ***
Fl Load file
F2 Switch plot *** ESS: 155 (1, 2, 3, 4) ***
F9 Hardcopy
F10 Quit

Out Side temperature plot

INSIDE OUTSIDE
7

OC OC 61
50

40 40

30 30
3
20 20

10 10

-10 1--10 V V V V1V 4 4 4 I

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
-20 20 -) Hours

•
Tmp 20.8 'Imp 6.7 Current logfille ---> 1901231,106
Max 20.8 Max 6.7 Inside max: 12.0 Outside max: 7.6 degree Celsius
Min 0.8 Min 4.2 min: 12.0 min: 3.8
900124411-12

Fig. 6. Screendump produced by the thermometer program, TEMP.EXE, which can run on any PC XT or AT fitted with a Hercules, EGA or
VGA video card.

quired, which must be entered in the respec- mometer. A better, though slightly cumber- night. Since the program creates one log file
tive windows on the screen. The higher the some, way of creating alarger temperature every 24 hours, the file of the previous day is
temperature difference, the better. Since in difference is to take the interface circuit out closed after midnight. From then, the
most modern homes the daytime indoor of doors for ashort while. measured results are available for further
temperature will typically be about 5 °C This completes the calibration. The par- processing. After it is closed, every log file is
higher than the nighttime temperature, this ameters used are automatically stored in a automatically stored under aname that indi-
difference may be used to calibrate the ther- file called TADJUST.CFG. cates the measurement period, i.e.
Constructors who wish to use two remote Tyymmdd.LOG — until, of course, the disk
sensors may build these on two separate is full. You may want to use your own pro-
PCBs. These sensors can share the 5-V refer- grams to handle the collected data, and feed
ence voltage at terminal Ur, produced by a them into astatistics calculation or analysis
single REF-02. program at this stage to produce anice look-
The program TLOGGER.EXE is aback- ing presentation. Initially, however, you
ground utility to collect measured data pro- may want to use TEMP.EXE on the distribu-
duced by the sensors. The program is made tion disk for this purpose. The program
memory-resident by typing command shows a graph with the temperatures
measured from midnight onwards, as well
TLOGGER /I as the current indoor and outdoor tempera-
ture. To ensure optimum resolution under
(install), and removed from memory (unin- all circumstances, the vertical axis of the tem-
stalled) by typing command perature graph is autoranging. The horizon-
tal axis shows the 24 hour marks.
TLOGGER /U
Reference:
The interval between the instants at which 1. "Multifunction measurement card for
data is to be collected on hard disk or floppy PCs". Elektor Electronics January and Fe-
Fig. 7. Definitely a collector's item, this disk is set in the configuration file, TLOG- bruary 1991.
mechanical temperature recorder puts mod- GER.CFG. The default is 60 minutes. The last
ern electronics in an interesting perspective. update of the log file is always made at mid- Next time: arelative humidity sensor.
WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
 18

THE COMPLETE PREAMPLIFIER (2)

by T. Giffard

r ollowin gthe circuit description in our

.1. 'January 1991 issue, we will now focus
our attention on the practical construction
of the preamplifier. The busboard is shown
in Fig. 5and 6and the motherboard in Fig. 7
and 8.
The busboard contains all the components
shown in Fig. 2and the SOURCE SELECT and
RECORD SELECT switches. These switches are
fitted with extension spindles to enable them
to be controlled from the front panel.
The motherboard contains the compo-
nents shown in Fig. 3with the exception of
the controls, which are fitted on the front
panel. By virtue& its double-sided and through-
plated design, this board will be fairly easy
to populate.
Most of the work lies in preparing the en-
closure and connecting the controls to the
motherboard.

Choice of components Fig. 4. General view of the preamplifier.

The quality of any preamplifier depends to
alarge degree on the opamps used and the
type of capacitors-in the signal paths.
In the present design,- there is only one
capacitor in the signal path: at the output.
The board has space for two large parallel-
connected types (C 24-C 25 and C56-057 ).These
should preferably be MKP types, lat!_tgtse
valu-es they are fairly expenseconei-ehoce
_—
is MKT types.
"There are also some capacitors at the out- Fig. 5. Populated busboard.
put of the dynamic pick-up section, but their
values are fairly small so that MKP types PARTS LIST
here are not too dear.
Finally, the tone control circuit also con- Sensitivity Resistors:
tains acouple of capacitors which is virtu- dynamic PU 2.4 mV r.m.s. Ri,R3,R5,R7,139,RthRig,R21,R23,R25
ally unavoidable. Since this circuit in any line inputs 150 mV r.m.s. R27,R2g = See text (Pert 1)
case degrades the quality to some degree, Input impedance 47 kn
R2,R4,R6,R8,R10,R 12 ,R 20 ,R
-22R24,
,
the quality of the capacitors used in it is Output voltage
hardly of any consequence. nominal 1V r.m.s. R26 ,R28 ,R30 = 47 iç.Q
There is awide choice of suitable opamps. maximum 9.5 V r.m.s.
=loo
Ri5,R16,R33,R34 = 47 e/
The quality of the preamplifier is, however, Output impedance <100 12
not necessarily in direct proportion to the price Bandwidth Ri 7,Fii 8,R 35 ,R 36 =1niin
of the opamps chosen. It is rather amatter of dynamic PU 20 Hz-20 kHz ±3 dB
choosing the opamps on their merits and to line inputs 5Hz-1 MHz ± 0.5 dB
- Capacitors:
individual requirements. We shall look at (load = 10 ki2) Ci,C 3,C 5 C7 =47 nF, ceramic
each of them in turn. Signal/noise ratio C2,C4,CS,C8 47 µF, 25 V
In this position alow-noise type with dynamic PU >80 dB (linear)
small offset voltage is preferred. The Signetics line inputs >100 dB (linear)
Semiconductors:
5532 is a good and economical choice. A (inputs shorted)
slightly faster version is the 5535, while the Channel separation >100 dB (1 kHz) IC i =NE5532
SM2132 is even faster. National Semiconductor's >70 dB (20 kHz) IC 2 =AD172 (NE5532 -see text)
LM833 is, as far as its specification is con- (Z s°u =<600 s2)
cerned, almost identical to the 5532. More Cross-talke >100 dB (1 kHz) Miscellaneous:
expensive, but fast, is Analog Devices' AD712 >80 dB (20 kHz) Si,S 2 =2-pole, 6-position rotary
(which has the added advantage of PET in- Harmonic distortion <0.003% switch for PCB mounting
puts). Then there is the OP270 (a double OP27) (line in, U0 = 1V) (20 Hz-20 kHz) Ki --K 20 =3.5 mm audio chassis
or the OP249, which has ahigh slew rate and Intermod. distortion <0.005%
socket
PET inputs. In the Burr-Brown family there (line in, U, = 1V) (250 Hz/4 kHz, 4:1)
are the OPA2107 and OPA2604, both with FET PCB Type 890169-1

WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
 THE COMPLETE PREAMPLIFIER (21 19

Fig. 6. Printed-circuit busboard. Note that these drawings are reproduced here at 71% of true size.
WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
 20 1/10 1111 1

Fig. 7. Printed-circuit motherboard. Note that these drawings are reproduced here at 71% of true size.

WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
 THE COMPLETE PREAMPLIFIER [2] 111

inputs. An inexpensive but good choice is

the TL072, which has FET inputs but arather-
higher noise figure.
IC2. The same considerations as for ICI
apply, but in this position it is even more im-
portant to have atype with alow offset volt-
age, because all deviations between input and
output are amplified. In view of the switch-
ing clicks and level changes that occur when
adifferent input channel is selected, opamps
with FET inputs are preferred. Both condi-
tions are met by the AD712, OP249, OPA2107
and OPA2604. The least expensive choice is
the TL072 (but remember its noise figure).
IC3. In this, the mono count, position a
low-noise opamp is essential: the OP27, 5534A
and SSM2134 are suitable. The last two types
are not unity-gain stable, however, which
fii k
'*
makes it necessary to fit a22 pF capacitor
2: r 1 ,.4 It
:ir, eite,1
' between pins 5and 8at the underside of the
motherboard. FET inputs are not necessary.
i-
telet+1,1,”"verpitirtrilopellIftrelf,!ttl. Again, aTL072 may be used where econ-
omy is amust.
IC4 and IC5. The same considerations as
Fig. 8. Pcpulated motherboard.
for IC3 apply: remember the 22 pF capaci-
tors if a5534A or SSm2134 is used.
PARTS LIST £ 2,,C 61 = 319, 1%, MKT IC6 and IC7. Because very low noise in the
0,C 62=47 nF, %, MKT dynamic pick-up circuit is imperative, aLinear
Resistors: C31 ,C 63 = 120 nF, 1%, MKT Technology Type LT1028 would be ideally
R40, 134--P43, P44, R63 ,Rog ,P68 ,R69 ,Ree.P89 = C34 ,C 39 ,C36 ,C 70 ,C95 ,C 99 =10 !IF, 25 V, suitable in these positions, were it not for a
6k8 radial tendency to become unstable (for reasons
R42 = 31+3 we have not been able to ascertain) and,
C40,C72 =47 pF, polystyrene
R45 ,
R50 .R61 , R36 = 12 k
R70 ,R 55 , C41 ,C7 3 =100 pF. polystyrene
therefore, the same manufacturers' Type LT1115
R46 Re. R51 R71 ,
R72,R 76 = 1le is preferred. This type has virtually the same
I
042 ,C7 4 =100 µF 10 V, radial
R48, R73, R74 =2k2 specification as the 1028, but does not become
C,µ1,C4 6,C7 6,C 77= 150 nF
R50 ,13775 = 18 k unstable. A less expensive choice is the OP27,
C75,C91 =220 µF 25 V, radial
R62 ,R77.= 1k, 1% while the 5534A and SSM2134 would also
C54 ,C 89 = 2200 µF, 40 V, radial
R53 ,
Rra =5k62, 1% be suitable. These last two types require,
C100 ,C10- = 100 pF, 25 V. radial
R54,R7r,, = 10k apart from the 22 pF capacitor mentioned ear-
o2,C 103 = 150 pF, polystyrene
R55 ,R 5c=47 1'1 lier, achange of value to 100 kfl for presets
1:1 66 ,R 6/ =88k7, 1% P5 and P6.
Semicon djctor5:
IC8. In this, the headphone amplifier, po-
R67 ,Fit.2 = 7k5, 1% D1-11,D 1-D 9 = 1N4148
R55 ,R Ez
i= 154 S
2, 1%
sition, very low noise is aprime require-
-
D6,Di D,D = 1N4001
ment, and this is met by the Signetics Type
=47k5, 1% 13.1 = B8JC1500
5532 or 5535, an SSM2132, an LM833 or an
1362 ,R 6-
,= 1k
Ti,T 5 = BC550C
OP27. If the preamplifier will be required to
P65 ,R66, F190, R91 = V a 12,T 6 =BC560C
deliver regularly fairly large output volt-
R67 ,Rg•a,R 94 ,R99 ,
Ri 90 = l00 Q T3,T7 =BD139 ages, i.e, larger than the nominal 1V r.m.s.,
R93 =47 k T4,1 8 =E0140 atype with FET inputs should be used in
R95 =68 Q, 1/
2W Tg = BCE17 this position. The inputs of the 5532, for in-
F1 96 =2k7 IC3,1C4,105 =OF27 stance, are provided with protection diodes
R97 ,
Ras =4Q7 IC 6,1C 7 = LT 028CN8 that may cause small d.c. voltages at the line
P-
1= 10 klog. sterec potentiometer IC8 = Na532 output if the amplifier is overdriven.
R2 = 10 kbalance control IC9 =7615 IC11 and IC12. The prime reason for using
R3 = 22 k(or 25 k) potentiometer ICio = 79/5 a5534 in this position is its facility to pro-
P4 = Oklinear potertiomete• 2=NE5534 vide sufficient current to low impedances
P6,Pe = 10 kpreset potentiometer (<600 LI), but the SSM2134 is also suitable.
Miscellaneous: Most opamps with FET inputs do not perform
Capacitors: S3,S 4 - DPST miniature toggle switch well with such low impedances. If the load
Cio,C ,2,C20,C22,C33,037,C52,C54,CE5 ,C69• S6,S6 = OPCO miniature toggle switch on the preamplifier is never likely to be below
C79 ,C80 ,C 8i,C8 2,C96-C99 =47 nF ceramic S7 = SPST miniature toggle switch 2Id2, an AD711 or TL071 may also be used.
C11 ,C 13,C21 ,C23.C32 ,C36 ,C53 C55C64,C68, Rei,Re 2 = 12 V relay, 1CO conlact
C9z-C 95 =47 µF, 25 V, radial
Clem = 10 pf, 40 V, bipolar, radial
1off 6rim stereo audic socket Construction
2off heat sink for IC 9 and ICto
9,15,C16,C17,C35,C3e:C43,C4e4e,C49,C6,
. 7, 1off 3-Way CB-type terminal block It is better not to use IC sockets: we believe
C71 ,C75,C83,C86,Cv.Cgo = 100 nF 1off DPST mains press button switch that each extra point of contact, and this ap-
C 8,C50 = 1n8 1off fuse holder with 315 mA slaw fuse plies particularly to IC sockets, degrades the
Ci9,Csi = 1n2 1off strain relief sleeve quality of any audio circuit. Our preference
C24,C26,C66,C67 = 10 µF, MKP or MKT 1off mains transf. 2x15 V, 1A is to solder ICs on to the board, although we
C26,C27,C68,C69 = 18 nF, 1%, MKT 1off PCB Type 890168-2 admit that sockets enable the quick and easy
C29,C430 =5n6, 1%, MKT 1Io_frf2rrilliiirrigimm
-
exchanging of ICs to compare their perfor-
mance.
WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
 AUDIO & HI-FI

Jon lotc-cr
Iffin

WorldRadioHistory

Fig. 9. Wiring diagram.

ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991

 THE COMPLETE PREAMPLIFIER [2]

RECORD BASS PHONES

POWER SOURCE E//IRLE BALANCE VOLUME

SELECT SELECT
•
if / CO

o
, TUNER

e
...

:
TAPE •

• TAPE.2 •
•
• \ vwfo
OUT

MONO
MUM
Mr, WEST STEREO

890169F

Fig. 10. Front panel foil (available through our Readers services).

WRITING SPEED
(mrnis)
PAPER SPEED
irnrn ,$)
" I L L.7
CID 50 i0, -

100 500 2k 5k 10k 20k

1 111_11 III!
50 luu 200 500 2k 5k 10k 20k 40k

REVERB 1IME

890169

Fig. 11. Tone control characteristics.

Populating the boards should not give board (Fig. 6) may be used as templates for
any difficulties. Fit solder pins ata!! input and drilling the required holes in the front and
output points: this will make the wiring later rear panels respectively.
on that much easier. On the motherboard Once the enclosure is ready, the boards and
solder awire bridge between Jand K and the various controls can be fitted. If Boums
between Land M if you do not intend to use potentiometers are used, make sure that these
the dynamic pick-up amplifier. Wire bridges have 6.3 mm spindles and not the usual 6mm
are also required between A and B and be- ones.
86-21
tween Eand F. Finally, the inter-wiring can be carried
Note that both voltage regulators need out. Take good care to insulate all mains-
an individual heat sink. voltage carrying parts. All signal wires should
Once the boards have been completed, they be screened, but their diameter should not ex-
can be fitted in the enclosure when this has ceed 5mm to prevent difficulties in solder-
been prepared. As shown in the wiring dia- ing them to the motherboard where they are
gram in Fig.9, the motherboard fits into the very close together.
left-hand side of the enclosure to enable the The wiring between bus- and mother-
extension spindles of the rotary switches to board should be carried out first, followed
just clear the heat sinks of the voltage regu- by that between the boards and the controls
lators. At the right-hand side there is space on the front panel and finally the power lines.
for the mains transformers. Although the screen of each and every
The layout of the front panel—see Fig. 10— signal line is connected to aseparate solder
determines the location of the busboard at the pin, only those at the volume and balance con-
back of the enclosure. Depending on the di- trols are actually connected to the earth line:
mensions of the enclosure, amains input those of all other screened cables are left un-
plug with integral fuse holder or amains connected.The enclosure earth is connected
cable entry with strain relief may be used. In to the mains earth and this is the only real
the last case, afuse holder must be fitted earth connection of the preamplifier.
within the enclosure, preferably near the The output socket of the headphone am-
transformer. plifier must be well insulated from the en-
Photocopies of the front panel foil (shown closure to avoid 'earth loops
in Fig. 10 at ascale of 3:4) and of the bus-
WorldRadioHistory

ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991

24

MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUES (5)

by F.P. Zantis

Audio-frequency technology is of particular interest to many

electronics enthusiasts since it seems to surround us in our
everyday life in the shape of television and broadcast receivers,
audio amplifiers, equalizers, and so on. To keep such apparatus
in tip-top condition, it is important to be able to test and
check it with suitable equipment.

Tfrequency
he first question that arises when audio- Apart from an oscilloscope or AF milli- Clearly, this will cause aserious error in the
(AF) equipment is to be checked voltmeter, afunction generator is required measurement. To obviate this, acompensat-
or tested is what test gear is suitable. For to provides sinusoidal and rectangular volt- ing capacitor is connected in parallel with
example, amultimeter is only suitable if it ages in the audio frequency range. the upper resistor of the divider. This solu-
is designed to work at frequencies between The input resistance of most AF milli- tion has adisadvantage, however, in that the
30 Hz and 16,000 Hz. Such instruments are voltmeters and oscilloscopes is of the order load presented by the measuring instrument
pretty expensive: aless expensive alternative of 1Ma The resistors of the input voltage to the measurand depends on the frequency,
is an audio-frequency millivoltmeter. Often, dividers in all test equipment intended for which is the reason for the limited frequency
such an instrument is not readily available, AF measurements are shunted by small ca- range of most instruments. The value of the
but an oscilloscope is, and this is perfectly pacitors of 1-500 pF. The reason for these be- input (i.e., compensating) capacitance is
suitable for audio-frequency measurements. comes clear from Fig. 32. Here, the lower therefore always clearly stated on all instru-
Even the simplest oscilloscope has an oper- resistor of the 1:10 divider is shunted by the ments intended for operation at audio or
ating range extending from DC to about parasitic capacitance, estimated at 100 pF, high frequencies. The smaller it is, the bet-
10 MHz. It should be noted, however, that contained in the wiring and circuit. At afre- ter (and more expensive) is the instrument.
an oscilloscope measures peak values, while quency of 16 kHz, this capacitance has a But here again, when the cause of the error
amultimeter or AF millivoltmeter measures reactance of some 100 k12, which reduces is known, its effect can be estimated fairly ac-
root-mean-square (r.m.s.) values. the lower branch of the divider to 50 ka curately. Also, it should be remembered that

33

34 35

probe measuring instrument

--1=1-
t
probe
probe tip
lead -CI--
o
e -11---%-
7

900113 -V-12

WorldRadioHistory

ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991

 MEASURINGTECHNIQUES [5] El

error-free measurements are not possible. peak-to-peak ±1%. The compensating ca- than the input voltage of the amplifier is
The capacitance of the screened cable of pacitor is adjusted until the waveform on measured. If R = Ri, the input voltage of
aprobe as shown in Fig. 33 also affects the the screen of the oscilloscope is truly rect- the amplifier is halved, and so, of course, is
measurement and it has therefore to be com- angular as shown at the centre of Fig. 36. its output signal. To be exact, Rg should be
pensated in asimilar manner. For this, a added to R. If the input resistance of the
variable trimmer as shown in Fig. 34 is nor- amplifier is very low, the test set-up shown
Measuring input and output
mally used. The probe is calibrated with the in Fig. 38 should be used.
aid of arectangular voltage. Such asignal resistance The output resistance of an amplifier may
consists of alarge number of sinusoidal volt- The input resistance, Ri, of an audio circuit be ascertained with the set-up shown in Fig. 39.
ages superimposed on each other. If one or may be measured with aset-up as shown in The unit under test, i.e., the amplifier, is
more of these sinusoidal voltages is attenu- Fig. 37 if it is appreciably larger than the in- driven, but not over-driven, by atone gen-
ated, the rectangular signal becomes rounded. ternal resistance, Rg,of the signal generator. erator. First, the open-circuit output volt-
Most oscilloscopes have an integral 1 kHz The output frequency of the generator is age, U1,is measured and then the output
rectangular-signal generator for this pur- 1kHz. A variable resistor, R,„ needs to be voltage, U2, across RL.From the values of
pose as shown in Fig. 35 (CAL). The fre- inserted between the generator and the am- these voltages the output resistance, /2 0,may
quency of this signal is often not very precise, plifier input. To keep the error introduced be calculated as follows
although its level is stabilized and stated in by the load presented by the measuring in-
the technical specification, for instance, 0.2 V strument small, the output voltage rather Ro=Rd [U1- 1/
2]/U21.

40
10

7
k(%) 6

5
4

0
0
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
U(V) -->

0.050.1 05 1 2 3 5 3 1
10 15 20
P(5 n; W)-->

900113 •V- 17

WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
 26 TEST & MEASUREMENT

Some older amplifiers may have aten- the output power is specified at adistortion power ratio or twenty times the common
dency to become unstable under open-cir- of 1%. If therefore the output power needs logarithm of the voltage or current ratio.
cuit conditions and then generate large spu- to be measured exactly, adistortion meter Thus, if two powers P1and P2 differ by ndeci-
rious signals that not only invalidate the must be used as shown in Fig. 41. The am- bels,
measurement, but may also damage the am- plifier, terminated into its nominal load RL,
plifier and the measuring instrument. It is is then driven till adistortion of 1% is indi- n=l 0logio[Pi/P2]
therefore advisable to monitor the wave- cated. The output power, Po, is then
form at the output with an oscilloscope. This and, if two voltages or currents differ by n
will also indicate if the amplifier is overdriven, Po=uo/RL. decibels,
which would also invalidate the test results.
The decibel scale n=201og 10 [U 1/U2]
Measuring output power or
The behaviour of audio components is often n=20logio[1 1/
/2]
The specification of the output power of an better observed on alogarithmic scale, which
amplifier is of practical use only if it in- is calibrated in bel, B, or atenth of this, the Low-frequency millivoltmeters and some
cludes the distortion, which is an indication decibel, dB. These are dimensionless units good-quality multimeters have adecibel
of the non-linearity of the amplifier. The expressing the ratio of two powers, currents, scale (see Fig. 43 —lowest scale) that enables
distortion increases rapidly when the ampli- voltages, or sound intensities. The decibel the ratio to be read directly. If, for instance,
fier is over-driven as shown in Fig. 40. Normally, is ten times the common logarithm of the the gain of an amplifier is to be measured,

42 44

filiz Aide

10 -8.67311
30 -5.29
100 -0.46962
300 0.0506
1000 0
3000 0.101
10000 0 200839
30000 0.7008
100000 -1 52182

46

frequency response of amplifier

1

o
gain in dB (OdB = amplification of 2.52)

9
10 30 100 300 1000 3000 10000 30000 100000

frequency in Hz (logarithmic scale)

1
4 >1
transmission range

900113 -V-21

WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
1
MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUES [5] ra

the amplifier is driven by a1 kHz signal at the results, tabulated in Fig. 44, afrequency The use of awobbulator gives an appre-
alevel at which it just is not over-driven. response curve as shown in Fig. 46 (relat- ciable saving in test time and the oscilloscope
An AF millivoltmeter is connected across ing to the amplifier in Fig. 45) may be drawn. always shows acomplete signal period, pro-
its input and the decibel scale read and noted. The frequency range of the amplifier is that vided the wobbulator is adjusted properly.
Then, the millivoltmeter is connected across between the two —3 dB points. The peak-to-peak value of the signal is eas-
its output and the decibel scale again read and This method of determining the frequency ily read from the screen.
noted. If the output is greater than the input, response requires no special or expensive The test becomes even more straightfor-
the difference between the two readings is the instruments, but it is very time-consuming. ward if the signal at the output of the unit
gain in dB; if the input is greater than the Far more convenient is the use of awobbu- under test is applied to the oscilloscope via
output, the difference is the attenuation in dB. lator, whose output is varied automatically apeak detector. The frequency response of
over apredetermined range of frequencies. the unit under test is then shown on the
In the example discussed above, the fre- screen of thge oscilloscope as acurve. Again,
Measuring frequency the screen shows the peak values of the sig-
quencies would be varied between 10 Hz and
response 30,000 Hz. Moreover, its scanning rate may nal, but these may be converted to r.m.s.
The circuit diagram of asmall audio ampli- be synchronized with the horizontal deflec- values with the aid of avoltage divider. The
fier is shown in Fig. 45. Its frequency re- tion of the oscilloscope to give astable trace test set-up is shown in Fig. 49, while Fig. 50
sponse may be determined in amanner sim- on the screen. Some wobbulators give an shows the result when aband-pass filter is
ilar to that used for measuring its gain: the additional sawtooth output to facilitate the measured in this. 3
test set-up is shown in Fig. 42. With a1kHz synchronization with the oscilloscope's hor-
signal input, the level is set to give an out- izontal time base. This sawtooth may also
put of 0dB. The decibel readings are noted be used in X-Y operation to deflect the hor-
when the frequency is changed to, say, 10 Hz, izontal trace. Figure 47 shows the screen image
30 Hz, 100 Hz,300 Hz,3000 Hz, 10,000Hz, during measurements on acable in this man-
and 30,000 Hz. The more frequencies are ner. The test set-up for this is shown in Fig. 48:
used, the more exact the test result will be. the frequency was varied from 10 Hz to
A voltmeter is used in parallel with the sig- 510 kHz; the horizontal scale was 50 kHz
nal generator to make sure that the input per division. The falling level of the signal
level to the amplifier remains the same. From at higher frequencies is quite evident.

47

WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
 DESIGN IDEAS
The contents of this article are based solely on infcrmation obtained from the
author and do not imply practical experience by Elektor Electronics.

8-CHANNEL AUDIO/VIDEO SWITCH

(PHILIPS COMPONENTS)

J. Vinckier

General description The IC provides two 3-state switches for a bidirectional I 2C bus. Sufficient sub-ad-
audio channels, and one 3-state switch for dressing is provided for the I 2C bus mode.
The TDA8440 from Philips Components is the video channel and avideo amplifier with The IC can also be controlled directly by d.c.
aversatile video/audio switch, intended to selectable gain (unity gain or 2times). switching signals. This option is worked out
be used in colour TV receivers equipped The TDA8440 can be used in conjunc- in the present application note.
with an auxiliary video/audio (SCART) tion with a microcontroller from the
input. MAB8400 family, and is then controlled via
Functional description
The block diagram of the TDA8440 is given
in Fig. 1. The IC incorporates three 3-state
switches with the following functions:
TDA 8440
one video switch with selectable gain
0,47 pF
(unity gain or 2times) for switching be-
0
+
tween an internal video signal (from the
AUDIO la 10 fÀF
12 TV's IC amplifier/demodulator) and an
AUDIO A OUT
AUXILIARY input signal;
0,47 MF
o II a
kit two electronic audio switches for two
AUDIO II a
sound channels (stereo or dual lan-
guage), for switching between internal
0.47 MF
audio sources and signals from the AU-
5 XILIARY VIDEO/AUDIO connector.
AUDIO lb 10
14 u
AUDIO B OUT
Each switch on board the TDA8440 allows
0.47 p.IF
aselection to be made between two input
7 'kfl
signals and a high-impedance 'off' state.
AUDIO 11 The 'off' state is necessary if more than one
13 TDA8440 is used.
100 nF

7511
VIDE() I

VIDEO OUT
100 nF
MAIN SPECIFICATIONS
1kfi

VIDEO U • Combined analogue and digital cir-

cuitry gives maximum flexibility In
channel switching
17 SDA • 3-state switches for all channels
12c
I
2 C BUS
OFF
BUS
18 SCL • Selectable gain for the video channel
RECEIVER
• Sub-addressing facility for I
2C bus

POWER • I
2C bus or non-I 2C bus mode (con-
ON
15
vp trolled by d.c. voltages)
RESET
• Slave receiver in the I
2C bus mode

910025 -14 • External OFF command

7180975

• System expansion possible up to

7devices (for 14 signal sources)
Fig. 1. Block diagram of the TDA8440 audio/video switch IC (illustraUcn reproduced by
• Static short-circuit resistant outputs
courtesy of Philips Components).
WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
 29
TDA8440 AUDIO/VIDEO SWITCH

The SDA and SCL pins can be connected - sources 1are selected if SDA = 12 V (ex- - video amplifier gain is 2times if SCL =
to the I2C bus, or to d.c. switching voltages. ternal source); 12 V (external source);
Inputs SO (pin 11), SI (pin 13) and S2 - sources 2are selected if SDA =0V (TV - video amplifier gain is unity if SCL =
(pin 6) are used for selection of sub-address- mode); 0V (TV mode).
ing or switching to the non-I 2C bus mode.
The non-I 2C bus mode is selected by
making SO, Si and S2 permanently logic
high (+12 V). In this mode, the sources (in-
ternal and external), and the gain of the 12V

video amplifier can be selected via the SDA VIDEO 1 1:1-09—IA 01

SOUrCe[
and SCL pins, by means of the switching AUDIO LI 1Q--119--iB Modu le H t
Mau
AUDIO RI tt--09--ie
voltage from the AUXILIARY VIDEO/AUDIO VIDEO 2 1:1--119--ID 1 I
source{
connector. The four available functions are
Auoio L2 La_e_i e 21
100n 100n 10011
2
AUDIO R2 tt-09—IF K
controlled as follows:
VIDEO
BC54913
750

47,
VIDEO 3 1:1-119—I A
901141.m u 16 HI
3 Module
AUDIO R3 1:k-119--ie
it AUDIO L

2 I BC549B
6600
SOU 41 VIDE0
AUDIO 1.4
D
le JI FA,
4
AUDIO R4 tk—Or—IF K

AUDIO R

BC549B
MI IE el le

VIDEO 5 1:k-09—IA G
»UM
5 e{ AUDIO L5 tk--09--I H
FL,tt_ 01.__IC Module tit

VIDEO 6 tc--09—ID 3
s°6urce{ AUDIO L6 IE JI

AUDIO R61:1-09.—IF K

VIDEO 7 IQ-119—I A GI
SOUrC
7 AODIO L7 1:1-1119-16 HI
AUDIO A7 Module

VIDEO 8 tt—III>—ID 4 I
0
8U7C
t AUDIO LB 1:1-09—IE

AUDIO R8 K

12V

16
10
G 09

08
9
=1 CD4069B

4
07
lo
AO 06
6
Al OS
3 A2 CD 04
15
63 40288 03
2
02
14
01
3
00

80 1N4148
44 101,

910025.12

Fig. 2. Circuit diagram of the basic Fig. 3. Four modules as shown in Fig. 2 and a BCD thumbwheel switch interface together
audio/video switching module. make a versatile eight-way electronic audio/video switch.

switch BCD CD4028 decoder outputs OFF OFF OFF OFF

SDA
posi Selection
tion 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4

0000000 0 0 1 1 1 1 —
o
o

0
o
o

1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 source 1
..--

1
o

o.,-
o

0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 source 2
o

2
o
o

0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 source 3
..-

3
.-
o

0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 sou rce 4
o
o

4
o

.--

0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 1 source 5
•.-

5
o
o

0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 source 6
o

6
..-

,-
o

7 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 1 0 source 7
-

•-•
.--
o

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 source 8
o
o

8
--

WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
30
DESIGN IDEAS

fered with the aid of emitter follower stages

that provide the appropriate source imped-
ance (75 s 2for the video output and about
-

600 Q for the audio outputs). The gain of the

video channel is set to two times here to
compensate the 6dB voltage attenuation in-
troduced by the series resistor at the video
output and the input resistance of the load.
Connectors for the inputs and outputs are
not specified here since they depend on the
practical use of the switching unit. BNC soc-
kets, phono sockets or SCART sockets may
be used as required. Likewise, the switcher
can be built to handle fewer or more than
eight AV channels as proposed here. A
simple AV switcher for two video and two
audio channels, for instance, requires only
one module controlled by amuch simpler
selection circuit than the BCD switch plus
the 4028.
One application of the AV switching unit
is the connection of avideo recorder, ahome
computer and aCD player to the SCART
input of the TV set, eliminating the need of
changing lots of cables any time adifferent
source is selected.
Finally, a'discrete' replacement for the
(expensive) BCD switch is given in Fig. 4.
The channel selection is effected by press-
ing the U (up) and D (down) keys. The num-
ber of the selected channel appears on a
Fig. 4. A possible substitute for the BCD thumbwheel switch in the circuit of Fig. 3. 7-segment LED display. •

If more than one TDA8440 device is used in gate to ensure the correct control of the OFF Reference:
the non-I 2C bus system, the OFF pin (pin 2) input of the relevant AV switching module. TDA8440 Development Data. Philips Com-
can be used to switch off the desired de- The channel selection of the 8-way switch- ponents.
vices. This can be done via the 12-V switch- ing unit is shown in the Table below Fig. 3.
ing voltage of the AUXILIARY VIDEO/AUDIO All channels are switched off by setting the
connector: thumbwheel switch to 0.
- all switches are in the high-Z (off) posi- The audio and video outputs of the four
tion if OFF = 12 V; modules are connected in parallel and buf-
- all switches are in the position selected
with SDA if OFF =0V.

Application circuits
The circuit shown in Fig. 2 is one of four
identical switching modules based on the
TDA8440. The two video inputs, A and D,
are terminated with 75-Q resistors, while the
two stereo audio inputs (pairs B-C and E-F)
are terminated with 10-kû resistors. The
audio signals are filtered with R-C networks
to suppress noise. The amplification of the
video switch is set to 2times here by the per-
manently high level at the SCL input. The
voltage at the SDA input determines the
source selection as discussed above.
The final 8-way audio/video switcher
(Fig. 3) contains four modules of the type
shown in Fig. 2. A thumbwheel switch with
BCD-coded outputs is used to select one of
eight AV channels. The LSB (least-signifi-
cant bit) of the BCD switch is connected to
the SDA inputs of the four modules.
The four 'module select' lines are cre-
ated with a CD4028 BCD-to-decimal
decoder. The eight decoded outputs of this Fig. 5. Prototype of the eight-way audio/video switch built on a small piece of Vero
IC are connected in pairs. Each of the four stripboard. In this versicn, the unit has the up/down keys and the 7-segment LED display
signals so obtained is inverted by aCD4069 shown in Fig. 4 to set and visualize the selected AV channel.

WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
 ELECTRONIC EXPOSURE TIMER
by A. Ladwig

Many amateur photographers spend adisproportionate amount of

their time in the dark-room. The exposure timer presented here
can cut down that time because the exposure is controlled
entirely electronically. That results not only in perfect prints
every time, but also in areduction in paper and chemicals used
and that is good for the environment and for your wallet.

T
he traditional way to determine the ex-
posure time for aphotographic print is
to use atest strip and expose the negative
for anumber of different periods. The strip
is then developed and ajudgment taken
which exposure time is the most nearly per-
fect one and that time is taken to print the neg-
ative(s). Clearly, this technique wastes time,
paper and chemicals. With the timer* de-
scribed here, this technique becomes athing
of the past. It also ensures that the setting of
the diaphragm in the enlarger does not af-
fect the exposure meter.
The procedure with the timer is simplic-
ity itself: the negative or slide is placed in
the enlarger, the wanted size of the print is
determined, the enlarger is focused, the pho-
tographic paper is placed on the easel and cov-
ered with asheet of glass, and the start but-
ton on the timer is pressed. The electronics
in the timer will ensure perfect exposure.

Principle of operation
Two methods are commonly in use to assess
the correct exposure time for prints. The spot
Fig. 1. The timer in use in atypical dark-room.
measurement is used for determining the
exposure for acertain part of the photograph.
This is of particular interest if the photo has The design
sharp contrasts, such as somebody standing The twelve light-sensitive cells are contained
in the shade against avery bright background. in aman-made fibre paper easel as shown in
The second method is the integrated mea- Fig. 2. Each of the cells consists of aphoto-
surement in which the entire photograph is transistor Type BPW40. The easel consists of
used to determine the correct exposure time. asheet of transparent perspex (US: lucite) into
This is done by diffusing the light falling on which 12 holes are drilled. The cells must
to the paper with the aid of some frosted not protrude through the sheet (since the
glass and measuring the light intensity. paper would then not lie flat and cause the
The two methods may be combined by con- photo to be distorted). The diameter of the
centrating the integrated measurement on the holes should preferably be larger at the paper
light falling on the centre of the photograph, side than at the underside.
and this is the one used in the present timer. Since experience shows that most photos
The light is measured at twelve different are printed in 130x180 mm (5x7 in.) format,
points spread across the paper. The diffuser the prototype easel has been made in that
is the paper on which the print will appear. format, too, but you may, of course, decide
This method of measurement is made possi- on other dimensions.
ble by placing the light-sensitive cells of the Tests with the prototype to verify that the
exposure meter not above the paper as is principle is sound resulted in output voltages
usual, but underneath it. The only proviso at five of the cells (P 1—P5)as shown in Table 1.
of the method is, therefore, that the paper is The tests were made with the negative in the
translucent, which it normally is. enlarger first not illuminated for 1second and
then exposed to maximum illumination for
32 seconds. The diaphragm of the enlarger
was stopped down by two f-numbers. The Fig. 2. Layout of the perspex (lucite) easel that
voltages were measured with adigital volt- houses the twelve photocells.
WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
El GENERAL INTEREST

490 mV U nt
UT1 —4-
1T12 Integrator comparator control
495 mV
491 mV enlarger
488 mV
'750 mV stop/start
900041 •12

meter with Ri= 10 Mil

It is clear that the cell at the centre of the Fig. 3. Block diagram of the exposure timer.
easel (P3)receives more light than those at
the edges. Furthermore, the tolerances of the
phototransistors proved to be small enough 12x620x10-3 =7.44 V.
to be of no consequence to the operation. From these results, it would appear that the
The block diagram in Fig. 3shows how the reference voltage for the timer should be
output voltages of the phototransistors are about 7.4 V. To make calibration possible, SIB OrS.
processed. First, they are summed and the the level chosen in the prototype is 9V.
Ri,R3,R5,R7, 9/ 11, 1 15 ,R17,R19,
total voltage, Ur,is fed to atime-voltage in-
R21,R23 = 1 MQ
tegrator. The output of the integrator, ihnt,
The circuit
is proportional to the luminous flux radi- R2,R4,R6,R8,R10,R12,R14,R16,R18,R2
ated on to the easel. The output is then com- The circuit diagram of the timer is given in OR22,R24,R27 = 10 MQ
pared with areference voltage, Ur:when Fig. 4. The twelve phototransistors are con-
R25 = 470 ki'/
these two potentials are equal, the exposure nected as emitter followers whose emitters
is correct. Since the sensitivity of different are connected to the summing circuit via R26 = 820 k0
printing paper varies, the integrator is pro- 10 Ma resistors. The phototransistors are R28 = 6 M8
vided with acontrol with which the integra- shown in groups of four to coincide with the
R2g = 22 kr2
tion constant can be altered. This enables the way they are to be fitted on three separate
timer to be calibrated according to the pho- PCBs (see Fig. 5). This enables the construc- R30,R32,R33 = 100 kQ
tographic paper used. tor to experiment at an early stage with the R31 = 330 ku
At the moment Uinr =Ur,the lamp of the mechanical layout of the exposure timer. R3,4 = 10 ki2
enlarger is switched off and the photo is Opamp IC I sums the output voltages of
ready for chemical processing. Arrangements Pi = 2M5
phototransistors Ti-Ti 2and inverts the result.
may be made to switch on the dark-room light- This inversion is necessary because integra-
ing at the same time; this is, however, not tor IC 2 ,which follows IC I,also inverts its Capacitors:
advisable when colour photographs are being input.
C1-Cg,C 12= 100 nF
processed as that should take place in the dark. Integration constant RC is obtained from
During exposure, the light in the dark-room R28, Pr, and C6. Preset Pi enables the con- = 100 1,LF, 25 V
must be switched off, since diffused light stant to be varied so that calibration to allow C14 ,C 15 = 100 µF, 25 V, radial
will adversely affect the exposure measure- for the various types of paper is possible. If
ment and, consequently, the quality of the the range of the preset is not sufficient for a
print. As stated earlier (see also Table 1), the certain type of paper, the value of C6 may Semiconductors:
photocells provide amaximum output of be altered accordingly. When the exposure IC 1,1C 2 = LF356
490-750 mV at an exposure time of 1sand a time is too long, halving the value of C6 re- IC 3 = LM741
minimum potential of 16-19 mV at an expo- sults in one stop down; when it is too short,
sure time of 32 s. The output voltage, Ui ,of IC 4 = 4013
ff r doubling the value of C6 results in one stop
the integrator at which the print is exposed up. IC 5 = 7812
optimally is calculated from: The integrator is followed by IC 3,which IC 6 = 7912
li compares the output of the integrator with a
1 Ti -T 12 = BPW40
U. 1) = U dt reference voltage, U„ derived from poten-
int RC t t tial divider R30-R31 .As soon as the integra- 113 = BS170
o
tor voltage becomes larger than the refer- 114 = BC547B
where ti-to= t exp, the exposure time. From ence voltage, the level at the output of IC 3goes
Di,D 2 = 1N4148
this, it follows that high and bistable (flip-flop) IC.4,is reset. This
causes output Q to go high, which results in -D 6 = 1N4001
1
Ut
int ()= (U t -U t ) transistor T13 being switched on. The inte-
RC t t
grating capacitor, C6, is then completely dis- Iscellaneous:
1
charged and the timer is ready for use. At
RC Uttexp K1 = 5-way DIN plug, 180°
the same time, output Qof IC i agoes low, which
At the longest exposure time, the aver- causes transistor 114 to switch off, so that relay K2 = 5-way DIN socket for PCB, 180°
age output voltage of the photocells is 19 mV. Rei is deenergized. The timer is then switched S1 = push-button switch, 1make
The output of the integrator is then off and the light in the dark-room comes on
32x12x19x10-3=7.3 V. S2 = miniature switch, 1make
again (if wanted).
At the shortest exposure time used in the Since the enlarger is required to be on Rei = relay, 12 V, for PCB mounting
design stages, the average output of the pho- permanently during focusing and some other Tri = mains transformer, 2x9 V, 2.8 A
tocells is 620 mV. At 1s, the shortest period operations, switch S2 has been added to by-
PCB Type 900041
possible on the timer, the output of the inte- pass the electronics.
grator is Start switch Si passes aclock pulse to .110•0.50.7,1M3

WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
 ELECTRONIC EXPOSURE TIMER m
clock pulse although the D input is then still
bistable (flip-flop) IC 4a ,which starts the en- when S1is pressed. The integrator commences
tire measuring cycle. Since the D input of operation and the enlarger is switched on. low (because the time constant on that input
the bistable is connected permanently to the When the supply is switched on, network is much longer). This ensures that after power-
positive supply line, the Q output goes high R33-C9 ensures that the bistable receives a on the enlarger is switched off and the dark-

Fig. 4. Circuit diagram of the electronic exposure timer.

WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
 34 GENERAL INTEREST

room lights are on. chemicals to lessen the likelihood of any mains supply for the dark-room lights and
From Fig. 4it is seen that the circuit con- mishaps. the enlarger may be taken from the 3-way
sists of two sections that are interconnected The power supply for the timer is fairly terminal blocks.
by alength of 4-way cable and two five-pin simple. The alternating voltage at the sec-
DIN plugs. This arrangement makes it pos- ondary winding of the mains transformer is
sible for some of the components, such as
Construction
rectified (full wave) by D3—D6and smoothed
the mains transformer, relay, mains entry to by Ci4 and C15. A negative and apositive volt- The five printed-circuit boards for the entire
be fitted away from the working area, which age are then supplied via alength of 4-way timer are shown in Fig. 5. Since these are de-
then only needs to house the control box of cable to the voltage regulators, IC 5 and IC 6, livered as one, they need to be separated
the timer. An additional advantage is that in the control box. These regulators provide with afret saw (US: jig saw) before being
mains-carrying parts are well away from the supply voltages of +12 V and —12 V. The populated.

Fig. 5. The printed-circuit board for the electronic exposure timer consists of five parts.

WorldRadioHistory
ELEkl OR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
 ELECTRONIC EXPOSURE TIMER

mounted on the front panel of the enclosure

that contains the motherboard.
It also possible to fit the motherboard un-
derneath the easel. Two different types of DIN
connector must then be used for connecting
, Weir "er riglr ?'r
.
1 1
,21'
the board to the power supply and to the
1.1 111 switches and potentiometer which are then
housed in asmall, separate box.
If at all possible, fit the power supply
board in aman-made fibre enclosure with
moulded mains plug. If wanted, the dark-
Fig. 6. Construction of the perspex (lucite) easel. It is important that the upper surface is smooth to room light(s) can be switched from this unit
ensure that the paper lies perfectly flat. via aseparate cable. The enclosure should
be fitted with ahole through which the DIN
The three prints housing the phototran- 3-way cable. plug for the power lines can be passed.
sistors must be mounted on to the perspex It is advisable to start by placing the re- Once the boards have been completed
(US: lucite) easel as shown in Fig. 6. The per- quired wire bridges on the motherboard and and fitted in the enclosures, P1 must be ad-
spex sheet must be thick enough to take in then mount the other components. The reg- justed with the aid of anumber of test expo-
the bodies of the phototransistors. After the ulators do not need aheat sink and may sures. The setting so found needs to be altered
▪ three PCBs have been interconnected, they therefore be fitted directly on to the board. only if photographic paper with adifferent
are linked to the motherboard by alength of Potentiometer P1 and switches S1 and S2 are sensitivity is used in the future.

MIDI-TO-CV INTERFACE
Some additional notes

A lthough the MIDI-to-CV interface was synthesizer handbook to ascertain which of i.e., normally between 36 and 97 or five
described fully in our February 1991 these signals you need. octaves from low C.
issue, it was though that some additional notes The gate LED lights when acorrect gate • Does the gate LED light correctly, but
might prove useful to anumber of readers. signal is applied. This diode can also be used the connected equipment does not func-
to check whether the interface is function- tion? This is almost certainly afailure of
ing correctly, even when this is not (yet) the cable connecting the interface to the
MIDI connections
connected to asynthesizer. synthesizer.
The MIDI-IN socket, l6 (next to the mains • If the scale of the interface does not cor-
input plug) must be connected via asuitable respond exactly with that of the synthe-
Setting the MIDI channels
MIDI cable to the MIDI output of your MIDI sizer, shown by the increasing detuning
keyboard, synthesizer, or other equipment. The MIDI channels are set with the aid of away from the reference point, acorrec-
The MIDI input signal appears unchanged the 4-pole DIP switches, SW 1—SW4,on the tion can be made with potentiometer P1.
at the MIDI OUT socket (MIDI through func- interface board. The settings and associated
tion). The name of that socket may seem some- channels are shown in Fig. 3. The settings
what confusing ('through' function at 'out'), should be carried out before the equipment
but that is because the interface isprinci- is switched on (if they are made while the
pally intended to output the data in changed equipment is switched on, the channel will BM-4 1
format (e.g., filtered). Other equipment may not change).
be connected to the MIDI OUT socket, but
this must be controlled by the same data as Faultfinding check list
the present interface.
If the interface does not work (correctly) check
the following.
Connection to CV/gate
• Is the power supply correct? The LED
The connection to amonophonic synthe- should light briefly on power on and then
sizer is via the two 6.3 mm connectors marked go out again. Are the power lines re-
"CV OUT" and "GATE OUT". The 1V/oc- versed?
tave tone control voltage is available at the • Are the connections to the MIDI trans-
CV socket. The 0V reference point (i.e., the mitter and synthesizer in order? These
MIDI code for 0V control voltage) is nor- include the earth connections!
mally 36, which is equivalent to low C on a • Has the correct MIDI channel be set on the
standard five-octave keyboard. interface? Does the gate LED light when
The 0-5 V gate voltage is available at the controlling MIDI equipment sends data
the gate socket. Depending on the type of syn- on the set MIDI channel? Does the MIDI
thesizer, this is apositive gate signal, i.e, +5 sender transmit on the correct channel?
V when akey is depressed and 0 V when For security's sake, check the MIDI cable
the key is released, or anegative gate sig- and whether the MIDI sender operates cor-
nal, i.e., 0V when akey is depressed and rectly.
+5 V when the key is released. Consult your • Do the sent tones lie in the correct range,
WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
 36

THE NEW HEAT TRANSFER

By Eugene F. Adiutori NEW BOOKS In spite of the word "digital" in the title—
Ind most systems are, of course, digital—
436 pages tnalog systems are also covered in detail. Ex-
Price $29.95 ized tables. Design techniques of specialized amples are used throughout the book, while
This is the second edition of this fascinating passive low-pass filters are illustrated; these each chapter closes with anumber of prob-
work; the first edition was published in Eng- include designing for inequal termination lems (for which no answers are provided).
lish in 1974 and in Russian in 1977. It is ded- and compensating for the effects of compo- Appendices are not given at the end of the
icated to "all who stand up for freedom" — nent dissipation. book, but rather at the end of the relevant
particularly freedom of thought. A separate chapter covers the design of net- chapter—unorthodox but useful.
The main thrust of the book is anew heat works whose properties are best described Apart from the geometry of satellites, the
transfer science that abandons the concept in the time domain. All pass delay and am- book covers earth stations, satellite links,
of the "heat transfer coefficient" and replaces plitude equalizers are discussed in detail. frequency-division multiple access, time-
it with the concept of "thermal behavior." Since the successful design of filters is de- division multiple access, speech interpola-
The particular advantage of the new heat pendent on the proper selection and man- tion, satellite packet communications, digital
transfer is it greatly simplifies the solution ufacture of inductors, the design of magnetic modulation, carrier and symbol timing syn-
of problems involving non-linear behavior. components and the selection of these and chronization, and satellite spread spectrum
The book also presents anew electrical sci- coil winding techniques for optimum char- communications.
ence that abandons Ohm's law and the con- acteristics over the operating frequency range Ihave no doubt Digital Satellite Communi-
cept of "resistance" and replaces the latter are discussed in depth. cations will become, and remain, acherished
with the concept of "electrical behavior." Although the design of digital filters is in- reference book of many for quite some time.
The particular advantage of the new elec- troduced, this topic is not treated in the detail McGraw-Hill Publishing
trical science is it deals with linear and non- this reviewer would have liked. Fortunately, Princeton Rd.
linear devices in the same simple way, that a37-page appendix adds much design infor- Hightstown, NJ 08520
is, it replaces Ohm's law science and non- mation missing from the relevant chapter,
Ohm's law science with one logical and sim- while a second appendix discusses digital HANDBOOK OF
ple science. The application of both new filter design using the TMS320 family of NUMERICAL CALCULATIONS
sciences is demonstrated in numerous prac- digital signal processing products. IN ENGINEERING
tical problems solved in the text. As before, the book is well indexed and By Jan J. Tuma, Ph.D
The New Heat Transfer is afascinating book should remain the reference handbook for ISBN 0-07-065446-8
that should be read by all interested in sci- filter design specialists. At the same time, it 406 pages
ence and particularly by those interested in should continue to serve as a self-study Price $53 (hardcover)
new thoughts in science. handbook for engineers and technicians and Since nobody can possibly memorize (and
Ventuno Press as asupplementary textbook for technical recall) all the formulas connected with sci-
6792 Timberwood Dr. college and university students in electrical/ ence and technology, we all rely on refer-
West Chester, OH 45069 electronic engineering and communications. ence books. The new handbook by Jan Tuma
is one of the most useful Ihave come across
McGraw-Hill Publishing for along time. In one volume it contains
ELECTRONIC FILTER DESIGN Princeton Rd. all the major numerical methods used in pre-
HANDBOOK ¡Second Editionl Hightstown, NJ 08520 paring micro, mini, and mainframe compu-
¡LC, Active and Digital Filters ter programs for engineering and sciences.
By Arthur B. Williams and Fred J. Taylor The work was written to serve as aprofes-
ISBN 0-07-070434-1 DIGITAL SATELLITE sional, user-oriented, desktop reference book
672 pages—illustrated COMMUNICATIONS for engineers, architects, and scientists.
Price $62.95 (hardcover) By Dr. Tri T. Ha Handbook of Numerical Calculations in En-
The second edition of the handbook on filter ISBN 007-025-3897 gineering is acompanion to the author's well-
design has not only been revised to include 574 pages known Engineering Mathematics Handbook.
new filter configurations and more tabulated Price $59.50 (hardcover) A detailed "browse" (more is not possible)
material, but also has been expanded to in- Digital Satellite Communications, aimed at failed to show any deficiencies within the in-
clude several new chapters on digital filters. practicing engineers and advanced students tended framework.
It now inlcudes design techniques for LC, in satellite systems, communications, and re- Apart from 16 chapters on numerical
active, and digital filters in one text. Some lated areas, is, perhaps, the professional ref- calculations, algebraic and transcendental
of these techniques will be hard, if not im- erence book on the subject. Although Dr. Ha equations, special functions, Fourier approx-
possible, to find in other books. says the book addresses fundamental prin- imations, and partial differential equations,
After an introduction to modern network ciples of satellite communications in which to name some at random, the book contains
theory and adiscussion of the tradeoffs be- the mathematics have been kept to amini- useful appendices of numerical tables, a
tween active and passive filter implementa- mum, Ifound it afairly complete treatment glossary of symbols, and detailed references
tions, the mathematical properties of stan- of the subject and the mathematics not too and bibliography.
dard filter response types are covered. These difficult. This is no doubt awork that will find its
include Butterworth, Chebyshev, Bessel, The book starts with useful lists of acro- way not only to the desk of many ascientist
linear phase with equiripple error, transi- nyms (many of which cannot easily be found and engineer, but also to the library of most
tional, synchronously tuned, and constant elsewhere) and symbols used. The geometry universities and technical colleges.
delay with Chebyshev stopband. of artificial satellites in space is covered in McGraw-Hill Publishing
The design of passive and active low-pass great detail with plenty of clear drawings Princeton Rd.
filters is discussed with the use of normal- and mathematical treatment. Hightstown, NJ 08520
WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
 INTERMEDIATE PROJECT
A series of protects for the not-so-experiencec constructor. Although each article will
describe in detail the operation, use, construction and, where relevant, the underlying
theory cf the project, constructors will, none the less, reqLire an elementary
knowledge of electronic engineering. Each project in he series will oe based or

2-METRE BAND CONVERTER

This month we tackle ahigh-frequency project by venturing out into

the exciting world of VHF radio amateur communication. Build this
converter if you have ageneral coverage SW receiver and would like
to listen to licensed radio amateurs working in the popular 2-metre
VHF band (144-146 MHz).

J. Bareford

M OST multimode SW receivers have a pending on the country you live in). The because of the ready availability of transcei-
frequency range of about 150 kHz to present 2-metre converter allows you to vers, the small antenna size, and the low
30 MHz, and are capable of receiving CW, listen to radio amateurs working with SSB power required to cover considerable distan-
SSB, AM and FM signals. The 10-metre radio (single-sideband) and CW (morse) in the ces, even when going 'mobile'. All in all, if
amateur band between 28 MHz and about lower part of the 2-m band, as well as to you are abeginning electronics enthusiast,
29.6 MHz is located just above the CB band 'local' FM (frequency modulation) traffic listening to local radio amateurs might well
(27 MHz) towards the top of the receiver's and repeater stations in the frequency range prove useful to learn alot about electronics,
frequency range (the actual frequency as- between 145.0 and 146.0 MHz. The 2-metre as most radio amateurs are keen and helpful
signment of the 10-m band may differ de- band is very popular among radio amateurs experimenters. In and around large cities
you can expect alot of traffic in the 2-m band,
with dominant repeater activity in the upper
section of the band between 145.600 MHz
and 145.875 MHz. At the low side of the
band, just above 144 MHz, there is long-dis-
tance (DX) traffic in CW and SSB. Here, it
pays to have adirectional aerial to pick up
signals from distances up to 300 km and
more under favourable propagation condi-
tions.

The basics
What we want to do is convert the frequency
range from 144 MHz to 146 MHz down to
28 MHz to 30 MHz (see Fig. 1). Once this has
been achieved, ageneral coverage receiver
tuned to the 10-m band can be used to re-
ceive all signals of all types of modulation
used (CW, SSB, FM and possibly AM).
The frequency conversion of the 2-MHz
wide band is effected with the aid of alocal
oscillator operating at 116 MHz, as shown in
the block diagram in Fig. 2. The arithmetic
behind this conversion is simple: the output
frequency of the converter equals the dif-
ference between the input frequency and the
local oscillator frequency. Thus, for the low
end of the band:
WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
38
INTERMEDIATE PROJECT

144 MHz -116 MHz =28 MHz

while for the high end of the band:

146 MHz -116 MHz =30 MHz

Note that in principle the required output

frequency may also be obtained with alocal
oscillator operating at 172 MHz. A fre-
quency of 116 MHz is used here, however,
since this can be generated with astandard
quartz crystal.
As shown in Fig. 2, the antenna signal is
amplified before it is applied to aband-pass
filter. Next, it is mixed ('heterodyned') with Fig. 1. The converter described here sits between a 2-metre antenna and the input of a
the 116 MHz local oscillator signal. The multimode SW receiver tuned to the 10-m band
mixer consists of atransistor, T2. The output
signal of the mixer is the intermediate fre-
quency, 28 MHz - 30 MHz, obtained from
subtractive mixing. A band-pass filter
formed by L6 couples the output signal of the
converter to the input of the general cover-
age receiver.
The band-pass filter ahead of the mixer is
needed to suppress signals at the so-called
image frequency. In the present converter,
these signals occur between 86 MHz and
88 MHz, since these two frequencies result
in intermediate frequencies of 30 MHz and
28 MHz respectively when mixed with
116 MHz. Since part of the image frequency
band falls in the VHF broadcast band, afilter
is amust to prevent signals in the 2-m band
being blocked out by alocal radio station!

Practical circuit Fig. 2. Block diagram of the 2-metre converter.

The circuit diagram in Fig. 2shows anum-
ber of dashed lines, which indicate RF
screening plates that serve to keep inter-
ference between the sub-sections of the cir-
cuit to a minimum. As shown, these
screening plates are connected to ground.
The antenna signal is coupled to the con-
verter via alow-impedance tap on inductor
Li. Tuned circuit Ci -Li forms a bandfilter
tuned to the 2-m band. At the same time, the
L-C tuned circuit provides the necessary im-
pedance conversion between the low imped-
ance of the aerial cable (50-75 II) and the
high impedance (several mega-ohms) of the
gate-1 (G1) terminal of dual-gate MOSFET
Ti. This conversion is usually called imped-
ance transforming or matching.
To reduce the risk of oscillation, the out-
put signal of the amplifier based on Ti is con-
nected capacitively to alow-impedance tap
on inductor L3. The bandpass filter needed to
suppress the image band is formed by L3, C5,
L4 and C6. As you can see from the circuit di-
agram, the coupling between amplifier Ti
and mixer T2 is inductive (no, we have not
forgotten a coupling capacitor between L3
and L4). Both L3 and L4 are tuned to about
145 MHz by trimmer capacitors.
The mixer is formed by a second dual-
gate MOSFET, T2. Conventionally, the RF
signal is applied to gate 1, and the local oscil-
lator signal to gate 2. The difference fre-
quency is filtered out at the drain of T2 by
transformer L6. The output winding of L6 Fig. 3. Circuit diagram of the 2-metre converter. Note that only three transistors are used.
WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
 39
2-METRE BAND CONVERTER

COMPONENTS LIST

Resist ars:
1 331.52
C'. •
0 • 1 6814a
2 470i1
Rê
Fi3;R6
1 56S-
à R4

0
e• r• 11 t *ea.,•• • 1 471•Si RE

•• L
1 100(2 R7
• (n o
\*1 09 • 00 • 0 •••• Capad ors:
3 7pF -
simmer Cl ;C5;C6
1 1nF coffin capacitor C2
3 1017 ceramic C:3;C7;C9
1 82 Do= Cz
1 12)F Ca
1 20 .
DF trimmer C-0
1 8pF2 C- 1
1 12 C-2
1 22CriF ceramic 013

Inductors:
1 OptiH22 axial choke L5
The offer inductors are home made; see
text. Fequired materials:
1-mm dia. silver-plated we
0.2-mm dia. enamelled copper wire
IeN «OMB 0.•••)• •••••. e3»»°°451;1 1 7l S inductor assembly riNeosid)
I
e, 0 agarill. po it 0 dille
0 i ce 00 00
Semicanductors:

°%I. 0in e ai
2 BF 381
1 BF494
TI ;T2
T3

o o 0

a
o
Miscellaneous:
o 1 quartz crystal 116MHz X1
ee) 0 o 5t--iovertone
tin-plated metal sheet
1 printed circuit board

Fig. 4. Track layouts (mirror images) and component overlay of the double-sided printed
circuit board for the converter.
ating at fifth overtone, i.e., the fundamental
has arelatively low impedance to enable the short length of 50-il coax cable fitted with frequency of Xi is 23.2 MHz. Circuit L5-Cio is
input of the SW receiver to be matched cor- suitable RF plugs. tuned to 116 MHz and serves to suppress
rectly. The output of the converter is con- The local oscillator based on T3 is quartz- any spurious output signals produced by the
nected to the input of the SW receiver via a controlled with a116-MHz crystal, Xi, oper- oscillator.

Fig. 5. Cut a small slot in the PCB to en Fig. 6. The RF parts used in this project. The coffin-type leadless ceramic capacitor, C2,
able the coffin-type capacitor to be seated. is the second device on the left in the top row.
WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
40
INTERMEDIATE PROJECT

Fig. 7. Illustrating the mounting of dual-

gate MOSFET Ti and capacitor C2.

Building the converter

The circuit is best built on the double-sided
printed-circuit board shown in Fig. 4. This
board is available ready-made and helps you
to go round the pitfalls of RF circuit con-
struction. Before you fit any component on
the board, cut the slot for capacitor C2 as
shown in Fig. 5. C2 is aso-called coffin-type
leadless ceramic capacitor (quite amouthful
for abasically simple and small component).
The slot is carefully cut and filed until the
'shoulders' of the capacitor rest on the com-
ponent side of the PCB. One side of the capa- Fig. 8. A 6-r-m dia. drill bit is used to wind to the truee 145-MHz inductors in the converter

Fig. 9. These photographs illustrate the construction of te 2-m ccnverter. Noce the screening plates on the PCB.
WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
 41
2-METRE BAND CONVERTER

copper tracks. The drawing in Fig. 7 illus-

trates the way in which Ti is fitted. Note that
the source terminal is bent down before the
transistor is inserted in the PCB hole. Next,
the terminal is pushed flat on the ground
plane at the component side of the board.
Also note that the type number of Ti is
legible from the component side of the
board. The other FET, T2, is simpler to fit as
all four terminals are soldered at the track
side of the PCB. Note however that the de-
vice is turned such that its type number is
legible from the track side of the PCB. The
photographs in Fig. 9 further illustrate the
construction of the converter.

Fig. 10. Construction of the 145-MHz in-

Adjustment
ductors in the circuit.
To begin with, the tuned circuit in the local
citor is soldered to the same track as the G2 oscillator must be set to 116 MHz to force the
terminal of Ti (at the track side of the board; crystal to operate at its fifth overtone. To per-
see Fig. 7), and the other side to ground form this adjustment without the help of
formed by the copper surface at the compo- specialist test gear, place asimple portable
nent side of the board. Be careful not to break FM radio near the converter board, and tune
or overheat the coffin capacitor, as it is arela- the radio to 94.6 MHz. In most cases, this will
tively brittle component. mean that the local oscillator in the FM radio
Next, cut the screening plates to size, not- operates at 94.6+10.7=105.3 MHz. If necess-
ing their length from the dashed lines on the ary, check this with asecond receiver. The
PCB overlay. The height of the screens is image frequency of the FM radio is
about 15 mm. Position the screens vertically 105.3+10.7=116 MHz. Provided its image re-
on to the board, and solder them over the full jection is bad enough, the radio will happily
length with amedium-power iron. Do not go receive a sufficiently strong signal at
for the easy way out by fixing the screens at 116 MHz. Solder ashort length of thin, solid
afew positions only — to be effective, they wire to the drain of T2, and wind this around
must be soldered over the full length. the whip antenna of the FM radio. Switch the
The next step in the construction is the fit- converter on, and adjust trimmer Cio until
ting of the resistors. Note that two of these, the FM receiver is silenced by the 116 MHz
Ri and R2, are mounted vertically, and that signal. Peak Cui for minimum noise (if
one terminal of Ri must be soldered at both necessary make the coupling at the antenna
sides of the PCB to effect athrough-contact. alittle looser). Next, remove the wire from
Proceed with the capacitors. With the ex- Fig. 12. Construction and assembly of the the drain of T2.
ception of C4 and C12, all capacitors have one IF output transformer, L6. Connect a50-cm long wire to the input of
terminal soldered at both sides of the PCB. the converter, and the SW receiver to the out-
Miniature ceramic capacitors must be used The construction of the IF output trans- put. Tune the receiver to 29.0 MHz, and
where appropriate. In all cases, the capaci- former, L6, is slightly more complex as it re- check that its output noise in SSB mode in-
tors must be fitted as close as possible to the quires an inductor assembly Type 7K1S from creases when the converter is switched on.
PCB. Neosid. Constructional details are however Next, peak L6, then C6, C5 and Ci for maxi-
Except for Ls, the inductors in this project apparent from the drawing in Fig. 12. Al- mum noise. If you are lucky, the wire at the
are home-made. Start with Li, L3 and L4, though it is shown in the drawing, the small converter input will be sufficient to pick up
which consist of eight turns of 1-mm dia. sil- rim that divides the former into two equal local 2-m signals, and you may start to listen
ver-plated wire. A drill bit is used to give lengths must be cut off carefully with the aid to radio amateurs by tuning the SW receiver
these inductors an internal diameter of 6mm of asharp hobby knife. Inspect the windings between 28 MHz and 30 MHz. For serious
(see Fig. 8). The taps on Li and L3 are made and check the continuity at the base pins of DXing however you will soon find that adi-
as shown in Fig. 10. the inductor. Next, carefully fit the cup core rectional antenna is amust.
Inductor L2 is the simplest to make, since and the screening can before you fit the in-
it consists of four turns of 0.2 mm dia. ena- ductor on to the PCB and subsequently
melled copper wire through aferrite bead. solder the five base pins and the two pins at
The construction is illustrated in Fig. 11. the sides of the screening can.
One terminal of the quartz crystal must
be soldered to ground, while the device must
be fitted as close as possible to the PCB sur-
face. Unless you have a solder bit small
enough to insert between the crystal body
and the PCB, you will have to bend one ter-
minal close to the crystal body, and solder it
flat on to the ground plane of the PCB.
The last parts fitted on to the PCB are the
semiconductors. Transistor T3 is fitted first in
the normal manner. The MOSFETs, Ti and
T2, require special attention. The PCB has 5-
mm holes to accept these 4-pin transistors,
Fig. 11. Construction of choke L2. whose terminals are soldered direct to the
WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
 42

PC-CONTROLLED
SEMICONDUCTOR TESTER PC-TT 90
PART 1: INTRODUCTION AND BASIC FEATURES

This versatile, PC-controlled, test instrument, designed and

marketed as akit by ELV, puts you in aposition to view, on your PC
monitor, the curves that describe the main electrical characteristics
of transistors, LEDs, zener diodes, triacs and thyristors. These
curves, like no other test on these devices, provide adefinitive
good/faulty indication and in addition can help you decide whether
or not adiscrete semiconductor is suitable for aparticular
application.

DISCRETE semiconductors, and in par-

ticular transistors, form an important
component group in today's electronics
scene. The PC-TT90 was developed by ELV
to test discrete semiconductors with the aid
of an IBM PC-XT /AT or compatible com-
puter. The design of the tester follows the
lines of the IC tester (Ref. 1), of which large
numbers have been built.
Apart from bipolar n-p-n and p-n-p
transistors, the tester is also simple to use
with FETs, diodes, LEDs, zener diodes, triacs
and thyristors. A complete test run takes less
than asecond to complete, and produces a
plotted characteristic composed of up to ten
individual curves.
The complete circuit of the PC-TT90 is
built on asingle card, which is inserted in a
free slot in the PC. The three coloured wires
that leave the card at the rear are connected
to the device to be tested. The actual connec-
tion is made by three crocodile clips.
The easy-to-use control software for the
tester allows comprehensive tests to be per-
formed on all previously mentioned types of
discrete semiconductor. The results of the Fig. 1. Screen photograph of a transistor characteristic measured and plotted by the
tests are pretty conclusive. In the case of PC-TT90.
transistors, for instance, the so-called output
characteristic is measured and presented on function of the collector-emitter voltage, lice used sub-group of the larger class of transis-
the screen as ten individually plotted curves. (on the X axis), with 10 values of the base tors. Disregarding apossible sub-classifica-
The test procedure is completely automatic. current, 1B, as parameters. The resultant tion according to power, the group of FETs
All you have to do is connect the transistor, screen is shown in Fig. 1. may be divided into no fewer than six basic
select n-p-n or p-n-p, set the maximum col- Before discussing the operation of the types. Similarly with diodes: here, we only
lector current, and start the test. After ase- PC-TT90, an understanding is required of mention afew special types such as capacit-
cond or so, the output characteristic and the the basic electrical properties and behaviour ance diodes, Schottky diodes, switching
co-ordinate system appear on the screen. All of the components we want to test. Hence the diodes, PIN diodes, tunnel diodes, field-ef-
further settings, such as the selection of the following sections cover some fundamentals fect diodes, four-layer diodes, and fast re-
optimum measurement range, the required of discrete semiconductors. covery diodes. Adding the photoelectric and
base currents, the scale factors in the co-ordi- wave devices we may mention the photo-
nate system, etc., are performed automat- diode, the laser diode and the light-emitting
ically, ensuring that the device under test can
The group
diode. Also in common use these days, and
not be damaged by overloading or in any Discrete semiconductors come in many testable with the PC-TI'90, are the large
other manner. shapes and sizes, and with a plethora of classes of thyristors and triacs.
With transistors, for instance, the collec- functions. Field-effect transistors (FETs), for Unfortunately, it is beyond the scope of
tor current, ICE (on the Yaxis) is plotted as a instance, now form an important and widely this article to discuss the basic characteristics
WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
 43
PC-CONTROLLED SEMICONDUCTOR TESTER PC-TT 90

the collector lead to test diodes. The yellow

(base) lead is not used in this case. The diode
is connected in the conductive direction (red
clip to the anode, and blue clip to the catho-
de). Next, the maximum current is set, and
the measurement started. The computer
plots the characteristic of the diode, taking
into account the set maximum forward cur-
rent.

Zener diodes
The so-called avalanche effect causes the
reverse current to rise rapidly when the
maximum reverse voltage is exceeded. This
property of almost any semiconductor ele-
Fig. 2. Basic d.c. conditions of a diode. ment is exploited in the zener diode, with the Fig. 4. Basic d.c. conditions of a zener
aid of acurrent limiting resistor. To avoid ex- diode.
cessive local heating and subsequent de-
struction of the device, the reverse current is
distributed equally on the semiconductor
'max
crystal. In general, azener diode is operated
in its safe electrical area as long as the power
dissipation caused by the reverse current
does not exceed the maximum permissible
Ur max -uz
'forward' power dissipation. The reverse
DOAK voltage at which the current rises suddenly Up UAK
is called the zener voltage, Liz.
Circuit section 'a' in Fig. 4shows azener
909518 -12 diode connected in forward, i.e., conductive,
direction. The electrical behaviour of azener
Fig. 3. Voltage-current characteristic of a diode in this configuration is almost identi-
typical small-signal diode. cal to that of a normal diode. The reverse
connection, illustrated in the circuit 'b' in 909518 -14
of all currently available discrete semicon- Fig. 4, is the more common for azener diode.
ductors. Therefore, we will concentrate only When the voltage applied via series resistor Fig. 5. Voltage-current characteristic of a
on the most frequently used types. Rsis sufficiently high, the zener voltage can zener diode.
be measured across the diode. The typical
vs-I characteristic of azener diode is shown Hence, this setting may have to be changed
Diodes
in Fig. 5. In the forward direction, zener dio- (on the computer) before connecting the ze-
Diodes are devices that pass acurrent flow- des can be tested just as ordinary diodes, as ner diode. As arule of thumb, the maximum
ing in one direction without significant described earlier. permissible reverse current is roughly the
losses, and block current that flows in the The zener voltage, Uz, may be determi- maximum permissible power dissipation di-
reverse direction. As you are probably ned by connecting the zener diode in the re- vided by the zener voltage. After starting the
aware, this property allows adiode, in con- verse direction, i.e., just as they are normally measurement cycle, the stabilization curve
junction with areservoir capacitor, to turn an used. It should be noted, however, that the of the zener diode is plotted and displayed
alternating voltage into adirect voltage. maximum reverse current may be much on the screen.
The diagram in Fig. 2shows the two basic smaller than the maximum forward current. The PC-TT90 does not require aresistor
direct-voltage operating conditions of adio-
de. The left-hand drawing, Fig. 2a, shows the
diode in its conductive state, i.e., passing a
forward current. This current causes afor- IC
(mA)
ward voltage drop, Up, across the device.
Typically, at about one tenth of the maxi- 50 18 =100jA

mum permissible forward current, LID lies 45 18 - 9CuA

between 0.2 V and 0.4 V with germanium
40 18 - BOJA
diodes, and 0.5 V to 0.8 V with silicon dio-
des. 35 18 = 7ŒA

The right-hand part of Fig. 2, marked 'b', 30 18 = 60uA

shows the same diode, connected to arever-
25 18 = 50.1A
se voltage. In the permissible voltage range,
the reverse, or leakage, current of small-sig- 20 18 - 4CuA

nal diodes lies in the µA range with germani- 15 I8 - 30uA

um types, and in the nA range with silicon
10 ID - 20uA
types. When the permissible reverse voltage
is exceeded, the resultant leakage current 18 = 10uA
can rise to values of the order of the forward
current. For most diodes, this leads to de- 0 5 10 15 20 UcE (V)
struction of the device. The curve in Fig. 3
909518-15
shows the relation between the voltage and
the current of atypical small-signal diode. Fig. 6. Typical transistor characteristic. The graph shows the colllector current, /c, as a
The PC-TT90 uses only the emitter and function the collector-emitter voltage, UcE, with the base current, /B, as a parameter.
WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
 44
TEST AND MEASUREMENT

her value (here, 20 µA), and the process is re-

peated to produce the second curve. After
having computed all ten curves, the compu-
ter plots them in agraph as shown in Figs. 1
and 6. One advantage of the use of acompu-
ter here is that each curve needs to be measu-
red only once. Hence, the process is
completed fairly quickly, and thus prevents
damage to the transistor, which inevitably
heats up as aresult of its own dissipation. In
practice, even power transistors do not need
aheat-sink when connected to the PC-TT90.

Field-effect transistors
A FET is a type of transistor that can be
driven, virtually without power, via an elec-
tric field. In this respect, FETs behave very
Fig. 7. Basic test circuits of n-p-n transistors (left) and p-n-p transistors (right). much like thermionic valves, and the simi-
larity of these two component types is fre-
to be connected in series with the zener dio- values only with small voltages. quently noted in electronics textbooks.
de. In fact, such aresistor would cause an un- The basic circuits of the n-p-n and the p- The category of FETs falls into six basic
wanted off-set in the stabilization curve. n-p transistor are given in Fig. 7. The left- types, whose circuit symbols are brought to-
Thus, the zener diode to be tested is connec- hand circuit shows an n-p-n transistor in gether in Fig. 8. The gate, G, is the input elec-
ted direct between the red and the blue test common-emitter configuration. Series resis- trode that allows the current flow between
lead. tor R5 sends aconstant current into the base. the drain and the source to be controlled. The
The resultant collector current, which flows gate voltage, UGS, exists between the gate
through Rc, is the product of the base current and the source. The input resistance of aFET
Transistors
and the current gain factor, hFE ,of the trans- is typically very high, with values between
When we speak of atransistor, we usually istor. The collector and base current are ad- 10%. 1and 10' 3û for junction FETs, and 10' 311
have abipolar type in mind. In most cases, ded when they leave the transistor via the and 10 15 12 for MOSFETs.
special types such as the FET are referred to emitter terminal. Analogous to the division into n-p-n and
by their group name, i.e., not by the term Typical current gain factors of small-sig- p-n-p classes of transistor, FETs come in n-
transistor. nal transistors lie in the range between 100 channel and p-channel versions. Figure 9
Transistors are semiconductors with and 1,000, and those of power transistors be- shows the basic operation of an n-channel
three terminals. They are used mainly to tween 10 and 50. Hence, the base current is FET (left-hand circuit) and that of ap-chan-
switch and amplify electrical signals. Silicon usually small with respect to the collector nel FET (right-hand drawing). Both types of
transistors have now almost completely su- current, and may be neglected. So, for all FET conduct at UGS = 0V, and are therefore
perseded germanium types that marked the practical purposes, the collector current called depletion devices.
beginning of the semiconductor era. Both si- equals the emitter current. The circuit with the n-channel FET shown
licon and germanium transistors are availa- The curves in Fig. 6are obtained by sen- in Fig. 9is taken as an example here to ex-
ble in n-p-n and p-n-p versions. ding aconstant current into the base of the plain the basic operation. A typical example
The outstanding feature of the bipolar transistor under test, and increasing the col- of an n-channel depletion FET is the well-
transistor is its ability to act as acurrent am- lector-emitter voltage from 0V to the maxi- known BF245. Similar to abipolar transistor,
plifier. A base current, I B, is internally mul- mum value (here, 20 V) within a certain the drain current (the 'FET' equivalent of the
tiplied by the amplification factor, and gives period (here, 100 ms). As the voltage is in- collector current) is virtually constant for va-
rise to a collector current, k. The current creased, the collector current is measured to lues of the drain-source voltage, UDS, be-
gain, 4 E,is thus defined as the ratio of the enable the PC to compute the first curve. tween 5V and the maximum value. Since the
collector current to the base current (see also Next, the base current is set to the next hig- gate forms avery high resistance, it is volt-
Ref. 2).
As an example, Fig. 6shows the output
characteristic of atypical small-signal n-p-n
transistor. The collector-emitter voltage, UCE, FET
is given on the horizontal axis in the range
between 0V and 20 V. The vertical axis indi-
Junction FET MOSFET
cates the collector current, k.
The ten curves describe the relation be- n -channel p -channel
tween these two voltages, with 10 base cur-
rents, /13, as parameters. The first curve ( IB= o o DepletionEnhancement
MOSFET
10 µA) shows that acollector current of 5mA MOSFET
flows when UCE increases from about 2.5 V
G G
to 20 V. It is seen that the collector current S S
n -channel p -channel n -channel p -channel
drops rapidly to virtually nought when UCF = _
is made smaller than about 1V. D D 0 0 j 13 D
The magnitude of the collector current ri-
0--I c.---J . c--I,_
1—. 0 i
ses with the base current. In fact, the collector s G' s G -
G S G S 5 s G S
current appears to settle at acertain multiple 0

of the base current. Hence, aconstant base

Depletion FETsEnhancement
current causes a collector current that re- FETs
mains virtually constant within afairly large
909518 -17
range of LICE (roughly between 5 V and
20 V). The collector current drops to small Fig. 8. Overview of field-effect transistors.
WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
 45
PC-CONTROLLED SEMICONDUCTOR TESTER PC-TT 90

OV

- -0. 5V

6- -1. OV

4- -1. 5V

2— UGS --2. OV
Fig. 9. Basic d.c. circuits of an n-channel
FET (left) and a p-channel FET (right). -2. 5V

age-driven rather than current-driven like O Up 5 10 15 Ups (V) 909518 -19

the base of abipolar transistor. Hence, the
voltage applied to the gate determines the Fig. 10. Current-voltage transfer of a typical n-channel junction FET.
drain current. A gate voltage of 0V causes
full conduction in adepletion FET. The drain some types of bipolar transistor, power depletion FET/ depletion MOSFET', follo-
current may be reduced by making the gate MOSFETs are capable of switching high vol- wed by the maximum drain-source current.
negative with respect to the source, as illus- tages at high currents. Their drive charac- The screen then indicates how the three wi-
trated by the transfer characteristics in teristics, however, are fundamentally res of the tester are to be connected to the
Fig. 10. different and correspond to those of enhan- FET (red = drain; blue = source; yellow =
P-channel FETs are driven by apositive cement MOSFETs. N-channel power MOS- gate). All further settings are provided auto-
gate voltage. As shown in Fig. 9, the source FETs are driven by apositive gate voltage, matically by the PC-IT90, which takes into
is connected to the positive supply voltage, when the drain is positive with respect to the account that FETs are driven with acontrol
and the drain is, therefore, negative with res- source. Depending on the mode of opera- voltage, not acontrol current.
pect to the source. tion, the gate voltage lies between 0V and If you do not know which type of FET
MOSFETs are also available as depletion 20 V. The relevant transfer characteristics are you are testing, select menu option 7, 'un-
types. In general, their extremely high input shown in Fig. 11. known FET'. After you have entered the
resistance is achieved by athin isolation lay- The number of n-channel FETs is greater maximum permissible drain-source current,
er of SiO2,which separates the gate from the than p-channel FETs, the reason being that the screen again indicates the connection of
drain-source channel. The electrical charac- electrons (in an n-channel) have a greater the test leads to the FET terminals. The yel-
teristics of depletion MOSFETs are largely si- mobility than holes (in ap-channel). This gi- low lead is connected to the gate. When the
milar to those of normal depletion FETs, ves n-channel FETs a higher gain than p- drain and the source are identified, the red
discussed above. Depletion MOSFETs are ty- channel FETs. Also, in the case of power wire goes to the drain, and the blue wire to
pically used for high-frequency and digital MOSFETs with an identical chip area and re- the source. The connections of the drain and
circuits. verse voltage specification, the 'on' resistan- the source are reversed in the case of p-chan-
Enhancement-mode MOSFETs, or en- ce of the drain-source channel in ap-channel nel FETs. If you do not know the n- or p-
hancement MOSFETs, require avoltage to be type is roughly two times that of an n-chan- channel classification, or the drain and
applied to the gate before conduction can oc- nel type. Furthermore, the p-channel versi- source pinning, simply connect the drain
cur, i.e., they are off when UGs = 0 V. The n- ons require a more complex production and source in either way. The gate, however,
channel enhancement MOSFET does not process, which shifts the price-performance must be connected correctly at all times.
draw drain current until UGs exceeds acer- ratio in favour of the n-channel types. When the test cycle is started, the PC-
tain threshold, when the drain is positive Returning to the transistor tester, the test- TT90 limits the drain current to the smallest
with respect to the source. This characteristic ing of any FET is started by selecting the re- value of 10 inA, and attempts to find acohe-
is reversed with p-channel types, i.e., the levant menu option, e.g., 'n-channel rent transfer characteristic by varying the
drain must be negative with respect to the
source, while anegative gate-source voltage
must be applied for the FET to conduct.
It should be noted that there are also FETs
which seem to fall between the depletion
and enhancement-mode classes. These devi-
ces are marked by adrain current of about
half the maximum value when UGs = 0 V, al-
lowing the gate voltage to be made positive
or negative with respect to the source.
Some MOSFETs have afourth terminal,
which is connected to the substrate. In most
cases, the electrical function of this electrode
is similar to that of the gate, although it must
be noted that the substrate connection has
only one isolation layer between it and the
drain-source channel. The connection is usu-
ally indicated by the letter S(for substrate) or
B(bulk).
The power MOSFET is asemiconductor
from the class of enhancement-mode devices
that will be discussed in detail below. Like Fig. 11. Current-voltage transfer characteristic of a typical n-channel power MOSFET.
WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
 46
TEST AND MEASUREMENT

PP-TT90 allows unknown FET types to be

tested and classified. After the first test run,
the complete transfer characteristic is mea-
sured, up to the maximum drain current spe-
cified by the user.

Thyristors
Figure 12 shows the circuit symbol of athyr-
istor. Thyristor is the original name of the
solid-state equivalent of the thyratron valve,
but is now more commonly called silicon-
controlled rectifier (SCR). A version of the
SCR for switching a.c. is the triac, which is
discussed further on.
The anode-cathode (A-K) junction of a
thyristor is normally blocked, so that series
Fig. 12. Basic connection of a thyristor. resistor Rs does not pass current (see Fig. 12). Fig. 15. Circuit symbol and basic connec
When apositive voltage, UGK, of about 1V is fions of a triac.
applied to the gate terminal (G), the gate-cat-
hode junction becomes conductive, and pas-
ses a current. This gate current is usually
denoted by the term triggering current, /GT,
and is not dependent on the anode voltage or IA
the anode currents. When I GT exceeds acer- + IGT = -
ImA
tain value (the trigger threshold) the thyris-
tor is triggered ('fired'), and the 'IG T =2 mA
anode-cathode junction conducts. Current
will keep flowing through this junction even
when the gate current is removed. The cur-
rent is interrupted, however, when it drops
below acertain level, the holding current, IH.
The equivalent circuit of athyristor, ba-
sed on transistors, is shown in Fig. 13. In
principle, a reverse-biased thyristor blocks
current just as adiode.
Fig. 13. Transistor-based equivalent of a Apart from the maximum reverse volt- i a.—
thyristor. age, which is usually fairly high and therefo- 1V UAK
re not achievable with the PC-TT90, the main
909518-25
specifications of a thyristor are the /A-UAK
characteristic (Fig. 14) and the triggering Fig. 16. Typical transfer characteristic of a
current, I GT . triac.
The red test terminal of the PC-11'90 is
connected to the anode of the thyristor, the gate and the cathode. Contrary to athyristor,
yellow lead to the gate, and the blue lead to however, atriac can also be triggered with a
the cathode. The instrument automatically negative gate voltage, both when the anode
and gradually raises UAKto the maximum is positive with respect to the cathode, and
value before going back to nought and in- vice versa. This characteristic allows athyris-
creasing the triggering current by one step. tor to be used as aswitch for alternating cur-
When the thyristor triggers, the relevant rent, controlled by triggering pulses that
characteristic is computed, and the trigge- may occur in all four quadrants.
ring current indicated on the screen. Since Most triacs require arelatively small trig-
this current represents the minimum value gering current when the anode and the gate
of 'CT, the indication should be increased for voltage have the same polarity with respect
practical purposes to ensure reliable trigge- to the cathode. More triggering current is ge-
ring under all 'real' working conditions of nerally needed when the gate voltage is po-
the device. In most cases, it is best to use ava- sitive, and the anode voltage negative. Thus,
lue of 2to 5times the minimum, as long as when direct-voltage triggering pulses are
the maximum permissible triggering current used with atriac in an alternating voltage
Fig. 14. Typical voltage-current charac is not exceeded. circuit, the triggering voltage must be nega-
teristic of a thyristor. tive with respect to the cathode to enable the
Triacs triac to be fired with arelatively small cur-
control voltage between +5 V and —5 V. As rent.
soon as aclear indication is available about A triac consists basically of two thyristors The main characteristics of atriac are its
the operation of the device under test, the connected in anti-parallel, sharing a com- transfer characteristic, i.e., the current-volt-
complete transfer characteristic is computed mon control input. The circuit symbol is age response of the anode-cathode channel,
and subsequently displayed on the screen, shown in Fig. 15. and the gate current at which the device is
along with the type classification of the FET. When asmall voltage is applied between triggered. Figure 16 shows atypical transfer
When this is not successful, the PC prompts the anode (+) and the cathode (—), the triac, characteristic.
you to swap the drain and source connec- like the thyristor, can be triggered with apo- The red test lead is connected to the ano-
tion, and start anew test. sitive gate current. A further similarity is that de, the yellow test lead to the gate, and the
The trial-and-error test performed by the the triggering voltage exists between the blue test lead to the cathode of the triac. The
WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
 47
PC-CONTROLLED SEMICONDUCTOR TESTER PC-TT 90

PC-1T90 raises the supply voltage slowly and aCR. The program loads and is ready
while increasing the gate current in small for use after afew seconds. The screen shows p ekit of parti
steps. When the triac triggers, the /A-UAK amenu bar that allows you to enter certain trolled semiconductor tester is avail-
characteristic is measured, and the required maximum values for the device to be tested. able from the designers' exclusive
triggering current indicated. Next, the test These values will be reverted to in the de- worldwide distributors:
procedure is repeated with reversed polarity scription of the test procedure.
of the triggering current. The I A-UAK charac- The installation on ahard disk is equally ELV France
teristic is not measured, however, since it simple. Type B.P. 40
does not depend on the polarity of the trig- F-57480 Sierck-les-Bains
INSTALL <CR> FRANCE
gering current. Once the triac is triggered,
the required (reverse) triggering current is
Telephone: +33 828372
measured and indicated. from the A: prompt, and answer the ques-
The characteristics of atriac may be test- tions regarding the language and the name
ed as explained with reversed anode and cat- of the subdirectory on the hard disk. If you
hode polarity also, simply by swapping the are satisfied with the defaults offered by the
red and the blue test leads. In all cases, the installation program, asubdirectory called
monitor of the PC shows the main charac- 'ELV' is created on the hard disk, and sub- maximum collector current at abase current
teristics of the device under test. The main sequently used to hold DOSBATCH and all of 6mA.
electrical properties measured allow you to other ELV programs. When the installation In principle, the following maximum va-
classify the device, if it is an unknown type, is complete, DOSBATCH appears on the lues of the base current are available, each
or, if it is aknown type, to check whether it screen. As described above, the transistor with asubdivision factor of 10:
is functional or not. tester is run by typing '1' and acarriage re- 10, 20, 50, 100, 200,500 µA
turn. 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 mA.
this means that the smallest current range of-
Working with the PC-1190 fers the values 1µA, 2µA, 3µA, and so on,
Practical use
As already mentioned, the PC-TT90 is The actual use of the program is straightfor- up to and including 10 µA. Similarly, the
simple to use because the component tests ward, and is largely self-explanatory. Fig- next higher range starts at 2µA, and ends at
are performed virtually automatically, ure 17 shows the main menu. Items and 20 µA.
under the control of a computer program. options presented on the screen are selected The plotted characteristic is static, i.e., it
Before we can use the PC-1T90, however, the in the usual way by pressing the arrow keys remains on the screen until the space bar is
instrument must be installed on the PC. and the return key, or, if applicable, by typ- pressed again to run anew test on the same
ing the selection number. The maximum de- or another component. A minimum interval
Hardware installation vice current (for transistors, 10, 20, 50, 100, of 4smust be allowed between subsequent
The complete instrument is accommodated 200,500 or 1000 mA) is selected in this way. tests, while care should be taken to avoid
on asingle printed-circuit board that is in- The lower half of the screen indicates the overheating of power semiconductors. If ne-
serted in afree bus extension slot in your PC. function of the three test leads. For an n-p-n cessary, allow alonger pause, say, 10 s, be-
The PC-TT90 may be used in PC-XT as well transistor, for instance, the leads are con- tween tests on these devices.
as PC-AT computers, and compatibles. It nected as follows: When another semiconductor type is to
will be clear that an AT-type computer with be tested, or when different parameters are
ahard disk has certain advantages here. blue: emitter required, press the ESC (escape) key to re-
The three test leads, each of alength of yellow: base turn to the main menu. Finally, on-line help
about 1m, are fed out of the rear of the PC, red: collector is available and may be called up by pressing
and the small crocodile clips at the ends are function key Fl. To exit the transistór tester
located such that they are easily connected to In most cases, the red lead is positive with re- program, simply press ESC twice.
the devices to be tested. spect to the blue lead, while the yellow lead
carries acontrol voltage, and can be at posi- Storing measured characteristics
Software installation tive or negative potentials depending on the Hard copy of the computed characteristics
The user software consists of a number of reference. may be obtained on amatrix printer set to
files, and is supplied on a 51 4 -inch, 360-
/ After connecting the device to be tested, 'Epson' mode. Press the F2 key to use this
KByte diskette. The programs on this disk start the actual test by pressing the space bar. feature.
automatically identify the video adapter in The previously discussed transfer charac- The curves and the associated co-ordina-
the PC, and are suitable for Hercules, EGA, teristics are computed and plotted in aco-or- te system may also be written to afile. To use
and VGA systems. dinate system with automatically adapted this option, press F3, enter the file name, fol-
The control software for the PC-1T90 scale factors. In the case of transistors, the ap- lowed by a <CR>. Files stored in this way
may be run under the control of ashell called propriate base currents are also set automat- may be retrieved later by pressing F4 and en-
ELV-DOSBATCH. This shell, or user-interfa- ically, depending on the maximum collector tering the file name.
ce, offers menus and single-letter commands current. The maximum base current is set at
that take you off the DOS level, affording a 10% of the maximum collector current, while I/O base address
less cumbersome way to work with the PC. the maximum collector-emitter voltage is li- The default I/O address setting of the PC-
The software installation is straightfor- mited to 20 V. If smaller values are required TT90 card is 300H. If you require adifferent
ward. To begin with, insert the diskette for these parameters, call up asubmenu by address, load the program with the com-
supplied with the kit into drive A:. Make A: pressing the <CR> key instead of the space mand
the current drive. If you do not have ahard bar. Next, enter the values you require, and
disk, or do not want to use it for the PC-1790, run the test by pressing the space bar. TRTEST [address] <CR>
type In the case of transistors, the transfer
characteristic consists of a maximum of where [address] is a hexadecimal number.
DOSBATCH 10 curves. Depending on the electrical beha- This address must match that set in hard-
viour of the transistor under test (TUT), fe- ware on the card. More information on this
followed by acarriage return (CR). The shell wer curves may appear. For instance, only setting is available in the 'README' do-
is loaded, and the main menu appears on the six curves appear when the smallest mea- cumentation file.
screen after afew seconds. The transistor tes- ningful collector current is caused by abase
ter is loaded from this menu by typing '1' current of 1 mA, and the TUT draws its Continued next month
WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
 48

HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER
WITH DIGITAL VOLUME CONTROL

from an idea by U. Habsehied

It is often socially not acceptable to turn up the volume of your

amplifier, receiver or television set. In such cases a pair of
headphones is the perfect medium for listening to your favourite
record, tape or television programme. Also, headphones have a
decided advantage over loudspeakers: their quality/price ratio is
at least five times better

Monnally, headphone amplifiers consist

of asimple purpose-designed output
stage. The one presented here is rather more
sophisticated: it is not just agood-quality
miniature stereo amplifier, but also offers a
volume control that uses digital switches. Just
two push-button switches enable the loud-
ness to be set in 16 discrete steps. It also has
two switch-selectable inputs. The design is
based partly on that of the "All solid-state
preamplifier" we published just over ayear
ago*. It is therefore particularly suitable for
use with that unit, but may also be used in
conjunction with other preamplifiers or in-
tegrated amplifiers without any problem. It
may also be constructed in astand-alone
box with its own power supply.

The circuit
The circuit diagram shows the input selec-
tors, step attenuators and amplifier stages
for both stereo channels. The other compo-
nents serve to control the input stages and
the step attenuators. are in series with the fairly high input resis- used. This arrangement ensures that an out-
At the top left are the four input sockets, tance of the opamp, they introduce virtually put voltage of up to 8.5 V r.m.s. is available
K1—K4.A logic level provided by electronic no distortion. with adistortion of not greater than 0.01%.
switches IC b—IC i d enables switching be- The logic combination at inputs A—D of The bandwidth is 400 kHz.
tween the tape and line inputs: asort of tape the multiplexer determines which of its in- Any offset compensation for the opamp
monitor switch as it were. puts is connected its output (pin 1). has been omitted purposely. The offset volt-
The switching signal is provided by push- The output stage consists of an opamp with age at the output varies by acouple of mil-
button switches S and S2 via an R-S bistable two separate output transistors, T3 and T4 livolts, which is caused by the relatively
(flip-flop), IC2,--IC2b. This stage retains the for the left-hand channel. These transistors high bias current of the 5534 that flows
last selected position and at the same time are driven by the output of IC 7 via quies- through the feedback resistors. Compensation
prevents chaos if S1and S2 were pressed si- cent-current diodes D1—D 3.The quiescent- would, therefore, be largely ineffectual.
multaneously. Network RI-C 1 ensures that current circuit also contains current sources The output of the amplifier is protected
it is always set to position "line" when the T1—R 32 and T2-R33. These sources provide by two parallel-connected resistors of 12011
supply is switched on. sufficient current for the output transistors to give an output resistance of 60 S2. This
The input signal is also applied to apo- even in high-drive conditions, so that the value has been chosen to ensure that the
tential divider connected across the inputs distortion is kept low right up to the maxi- power delivered to the headphones remains
of a16-channel multiplexer. The divider for mum drive level. about the same, irrespective of whether alow-
the left-hand channel consists of resistors The output stage is aclass A type operat- or high-impedance type is used. If it is felt
R14-R29, and that for the right-hand chan- ing with aquiescent current of 50 mA. Negative that this arrangement does not provide opti-
nel of R38-R53. The junctions of the succes- feedback takes place via R30 and R31. The mum sound quality, the value of the resis-
sive resistors are connected to the 16 inputs stage uses no capacitors so that no loss of qual- tors may be altered to personal taste. Bear
of IC 5 (IC6). The common output of the mul- ity is caused by such components. in mind, however, that the values depend to
tiplexer is connected to the non-inverting input The output stage operates from ahigher alarge extent on the impedance characteris-
of opamp IC7 (IC8). supply, ±15 V, to ensure agood dynamic range tic of the headphones.
Since the FET switches on board the 4067 even if fairly insensitive headphones are The control stage for the multiplexers
WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
 Fig. 1. Circuit diagram of the headphone amplifier. 8V

17
K1 15V

EMI
C7
12 1=1
IC5

Ten 1
'
)ur TT
3648
IC1 Rn

IC6
BF256A
lo 25V

3
IC1c 8V R27 2661
K2 932

(De-
IC1a ICld
8V
COM 815
16
Rn 1696

13
014
17 t1
25 1647 h BD139
IX

1610 h
013 834
19 02 1N4148
012

0
K3 IC5 20
031 R36
° 023
21
IC1b 3 X1 825 668 1205! I
-

23
" R37
2
11 23
IC9 61951 1201
14
15V 8V X7
4 1N4148
" D 4067 86 3 4645/
4 IC7
X5 03 1N4148
5
X4 we 34811 4
6
X3
R19
NE5534
X
8 V®
8
R18 BD140
1961

BF256A
917 14751 co
033

if 100p
11051
IC2a Rn
25V

1915
82115 15V

UNE 0- TAPES
-
245/9
15V 7908 8V R14

IC2b K5
IC10
;41 o Jr
2

053
4664
8V
R52 3648 15V

8V
S3 T
VOLUME 111
8V
8V 951 2661 C9

R50 I COp
1:111 1k96
R4 CCM 25V BF256A
16
015
if 856
h
1006
17

1°1°1°1°
2 014 1647
IC3a

BO U13CO
18
C2 C3 • 013

E
5 9 10 19

A 010
812 Rn 1610
10031 30033 C6 20
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991

0 A
3 BD139
947
if 21

0
OCB
12 82511 958
IC3d
ic4
10
X9
22
8V 12 11
X
23 046
61951 060
14 2

H:11.411dINV 3N0HdCIVAH
13 120
X 668

CLK
4029 co,
o 4067 x 3
961
46451
if 3 4
T-R4

12011
IC3c if 15
8 12 5 059
IC2d
10 1N4148
EMI if 6
6
IC2c 5 7 IC8
10 1410 913 26111 2 1N4148
06
6
if 33 e
IC3b 1961 NE5534

MIM R41
5
7
1475/
BD140
00700n 8V
IC1 =4066 9310
11011
BF256A
IC2, IC3 =4093
8V C10
R57
IC4 =4029
82115
IC5, IC6 =4067 100p
25V
*see lend
910043 -11 15V

WorldRadioHistory
 50 AUDIO & H1-1,1

consists of the circuit based on IC3, IC4,and

(partly) IC 2.This section also contains two
push-button switches, S3 and S4, to provide,
respectively, an increase or areduction in
the volume. Each of the switches operates Step she
an oscillator, IC 3a and IC 3b respectively. 2.5 dB 3.0 dB 4.0 dB 5.0 dB
When either of these switches is kept pressed,
the volume is increased or reduced in pre-
defined steps (see Table 1). Resistors value in Cl
The oscillators are followed by an R-S
bistable (flip-flop), IC 3,and IC3 d,that ar-
ranges for counter IC4 to count up or down R2
9,R53 4640 3650 4220 11000
depending on which of the switches is pressed. R28, R52 3480 2610 2670 6190
The signal generated by IC3 a or IC3b is
also applied via gates IC 2,and IC2 d to the R2
7,R51 2610 1820 1690 3480
clock input (pin 5) of IC4.Circuit IC2d en- R26,R50 1960 1270 1050 1960
sures that when the highest or lowest vol-
ume is reached the counter is disabled. R25: R49 1470 909 681 1100
The counter may also be preset to agiven R24: R48 1100 649 422 619
position with the aid of the DIP switches
contained in S6. Whenever the amplifier is R23, R47 825 464 267 348
switched on afterwards, the counter auto- R22 ,R46 619 332 169 196
matically assumes the preset position. The
position is read via R9 and C6. Push-button R21, R45 464 232 105 110
switch S5 enables the preset position to be R20, R44 348 162 68.1 61.9
selected during operation.
The power supply has been kept simple, R19: R43 261 115 42.2 34.8
since normally the present unit will be inte- R18: L12. 196 82.5 26.7 19.6
grated into an existing amplifier, which al-
most certainly has aregulated ±15 V supply R17: R4I 147 56.2 16.9 11.0
available. All that is necessary to obtain a R16, R. 110 40.2 10.5 6.19
+8 V and -8 V supply for the circuit other
than the output stages, therefore, is the ad- R15 ,R39 82.5 28.7 6.81 3.48
dition of regulators IC9 and IC Io. R14 ,R38 249 69.8 11.5 4.42

Some practical points

Rome 25.01d2
No printed circuit has been designed for the
amplifier, but its construction on aproto-
type board should not present undue diffi-
culties.
The electronic input switches cause very
slight distortion. If the switching between line
and tape is not required, it is therefore ad-
visable to omit IC I and its associated con-
trol circuitry to reduce the distortion. This
P-C-B ARTWORK MADE EASY
may also be achieved by using Texas Instruments Create and Revise PCB's in a Flash
TypeTLC4066 LinCMOS input switches in-
stead of the standard 4066 types. Note that *HERCULES, CGA, EGA, VGA
the TLC4066 ICs require 6V instead of 8V *HELP SCREENS
voltage regulators. *ADVANCED FEATURES
The values of the resistors in the voltage *EXTREMELY USER FRIENDLY
dividers as shown in the circuit diagram re- *AUTO GROUND PLANES
sult in 2.5 dB steps in volume. This gives an *DOT- MATRIX, LASER and PLOTTER ART
overall volume range of 40 dB. If steps of *CREATE YOUR OWN FILMS with 1XART
different magnitude are required, the values *1YR. FREE UPGRADES
of the resistors must be altered as shown in *LIBRARIES
the examples in Table 1.
Although the BD139 and BD140 output REQUIREMENTS: IBM PC or Compatible, 384 K RAM
transistors get pretty warm during normal op- DOS 3.0 or later. IBM compatible printers.
eration, they do not need aheat sink. If, nev-
ertheless, you are worried by their tempera- PCBoards - layout program 99.00
ture, there is, of course, no harm in using a (PCBoards HP or HI PEN PLOTTER DRIVER 49.00)
heat sink. PCRoute -auto-router 99.00
Circuit IC 7 may be aType NE5534 or a SuperCAD - schematic pgm. 99.00
Type OP37. Of these two, the OP37 is the Demo Pkg. -(indudes all 3programs) 10.00
slightly better, but it is also much dearer. Call or write for more information
PCBoards
2110 14th Ave. South, Birmingham, AL 35205
1-800-733-PCBS/ (205)933-1122
*Elektor Electronics, December 1989 and
January 1990.
WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
 CENTRAL HEATING CONTROLLER

PART 2: CONTROL SOFTWARE, CONSTRUCTION AND

PROGRAMMING

K. Browne

Table 3
continued from the February 1991 issue
Codes written to the LCD instruction register

Control software
Table 4shows how the available RAM mem-
ory has been allocated in the control system.
The first 64 bytes are allocated to system 1 Clear display and home cursor
0 0 0 0 0 0 0
variables such as the current time, the date,
etc., and the state of the system. 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 ' Home cursor and return shift
The largest slice of RAM memory is allo- 0 0 0 0 0 1 i s Entry mode set
cated to the user program store. This is
0 0 0 0 1 m c b Display on/off
where the instructions you input, e.g., 'heat-
ing ON Monday at 10.30' is stored. There is 0 0 0 1 0 d ' * Shift cursor position
sufficient storage capacity for up to 255 pro- 0 0 0 1 1 d ' • Shift entire display
gram steps.
• Function set (used once to in-
The final 64 bytes of the RAM memory 0 0 1 z 1 0 '
itialize)
are used for the Z80 stack.
The flowchart shown in Fig. 7provides Set the user defined character
0 1 a a a a a a
RAM area
an overall view of how the program works.
The first section deals with initializing the 1 a a a a a a a Set the display RAM address
system from acold start, i.e., the first time the
CH controller is powered up. Since the sys- Notes
tem has abattery backup, the initialization
Bit has no effect
would only take place again if the battery
a Address in character generator (range 00 to 3F hex)
were removed and the system powered
Address in display RAM (range 00 to 4F hex)
down. After initialization, the program en-
ters the main program loop. b Cursor character flashes (0 =no flash; 1=flash)
A separate section of the flowchart shows c Cursor (0 =off; 1=on)
the timekeeping interrupt sequence. The d direction (0 =left; 1=right)
CPU is diverted from the main program loop i Increase or decrease address (0 =decrease; 1=increase)
to the interrupt subroutine every 20 millisec- m Display mode (0 =off; 1=on)
onds by the 50 Hz synchronizing signal. As
s Shift display on entry (0 =no shift; 1=shift)
already noted in part 1of this artide, this sig-
z Set number of data bits (0 =4bits; 1=8bits)
nal is derived from the mains supply fre-
quency. After completing the interrupt
Codes read from the LCD instruction register
subroutine, the CPU returns to where it left
off in the main program loop.
Each box in the flowchart represents at
least one small subroutine in the timeswitch
program. Note, however, that the flowchart
is by no means complete, as there are over 80 a a ,a a a a a Read busy flag and address
separate subroutines in the heating control-
ler program. Notes
Unfortunately, it is beyond the scope of a current address in either character generator or display RAM, depending on
this article to give afull insight into the pro- previously set instruction
gratruning techniques of the Z80 micropro- f busy flag (1 =busy; 0=ready)
cessor. Much has been written on this
subject, however, and two useful references
are given at the end of this article. Moreover,
the Z80 has been with us for many years
now, and has been used in many projects 3000 —303F 64 System variables
carried in this magazine. 1536 User program store (256 items)
3040 —363F
To illustrate the basic steps in programm-
ing the present unit, three examples are 3640 —37BF 384 spare
given of subroutines used in the heating con- 37C0 —37FF 64 stack (32 items)
troller program. All subroutines below are
written in assembler format. Table 4. RAM memory allocation.
WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
El GENERAL INTEREST

Example 1: zero RAM routine

C
This routine is used as part of the initializa-
tion of the system, to set all 2,048 bytes of START Interrupt )
every 50 ms
RAM memory to zero.

LD HL, #3000 load the HL regis-

ter pair with the TEST SYSTEM
±

first RAM address Initialàesystern

(see Table 1)
LD BC, #0800 load the BC regis-
ter pair with 2048
(count value) InitialIze
Display
loop: LD A, #0 load A register with
zero
LD (HL), A load the RAM ad-
dress pointed to by
HL with the contents Display (C)
Message
of A (zero)
INC HL increase the HL
register pair by one
DEC BC decrease the BC
register pair ANY KEY
PRESSED
LD A,B load A register with NO

contents of B YES
Cha 11 ge
Day
OR C 'OR' the contents of
A register with C START OF MAIN
PROGRAM LOOP
and leave result in A
(i.e., check if both B
and C are zero)
JR NZ, loop jump if the result of ANY KEY YES Action on

the check is not zero, PRESSED

Type of Key
Pressed

to apoint called
NO
'loop' (i.e., test Zero
Flag)
RET finish subroutine
and return NO
Change
Year V
Example 2: display acharacter
YES
This routine is used extensively in the con-
4
troller program to display acharacter pat-
tern on the LC display. On entry to this Delete
Check Program
Marked
routine, the A register contains avalid dis- Program
Store for any
Matching Time
play code.
4
CALL busy call the 'busy' sub-
routine (see below)
Update
LD (#9001),A load the LCD data Display

register with con-

tents of A register
(see Table 2)

C
RET finish subroutine Return lo

and return Main Program

910022 -H-17

Example 3: the busy subroutine

This routine checks that the LC display is Fig. 7. Flowchart of the control program. The interrupt servicing routine is shown separ-
ready to receive an instruction. The program ately to the right.
will wait until the display module is ready.
POP AF restore the AF Construction and adjustment
busy: PUSH AF start here with registers
saving AF registers RET finish subroutine Main PCB assembly
on the stack and return to the The assembly of the main PCB is fairly
wait: LD A,(#9002) load 'A' with con- character display straightforward. First, fit the 14 wire links as
tents of LCD in- routine shown on the component overlay. It is essen-
struction register tial that these links are fitted first, and
(see Tables 2and 3b) The mnemonic listing for the timeswitch checked, because some of them go beneath
BIT 7,A test bit 7of the A program runs to over 15,000 characters in ICs, and it would be difficult to make
register (the busy bit) 1,400 lines of assembler text. The final object changes later. The components can then be
JR NZ, wait jump back to 'wait' code produced by the assembler has just fitted on to the PCB, starting with the smaller
if bit 7was not zero over 2,900 bytes of Z80 instructions and data. ones such as the resistors and diodes. IC soc-
(i.e., wait until the is given in Fig. 8. Details on ordering acopy kets should be used for all the integrated cir-
LC display is ready of the hexdump listing of the control pro- cuits, but at this stage, do not fit the ICs into
for data gram are given at the end of this article. the sockets. Lengths of stranded wire should
WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
 CENTRAL HEATING CONTROLLER (2) El

COMPONENTS LIST

MAIN ONTRDLLEF. PCE e•

esistors:
I 11d1 R1
4 47k0 R2;RS;F&13 1 1
271(12 R3
2 1Ckil R4;R' 4
1 see text R6
1 2210 R7
2 1K12 R9;R12
1 3C012 R10
1 27,0k12 R13
2 41.1'27 R15;R16
1 4k11 preset H P13

Semiconductors:
6 1N4001 D1-D4;D12;D13
7 1N914 05;D7-711;014
BZY88C9 06
TIL111 IC1
1 78M05 IC2
1 74H014 IC3
1 Ze4C00A IC4
1 rC64 105
1 5,16 IC6
1 74HC373 IC7
1 4011 IC8
1 7555 109
3 ECl08 T132;13

Capacitors:
1 1DnF ceramic Cl
1 220µF 25V rad 1
, C2
3 1)OnF ce•amic C3;C
1 1-IF ceramic 04
1 22pF 25V radial 05
1 270pF ceramic Ce

M ercellaneous:
1 2MHz quartz crystal
1 250mA 20-mm Lise
2 fuse clip
1 40-way IC socket
1 28-way IC socket
1 24-way IC socket
1 20-way IC socket
2 14-way IC socket
1 6-way IC sockel
1 case type AB13 (Maplin LF14 11
1 nains transforrrer 12V @ 250 nA
2 niniatur€ mains relay (Mapl nYX97F)
1 12-way 2A c,orr ectipl strip
1 battery (see tee.)

Fig. 8. Author's design of the main controller printed circuit board.

be soldered to the various connection points IC3, IC8 and IC9 into their respective sockets.
as shown. Reconnect the power and check for the fol- Display PCB assembly
At this stage it is advisable to do anum- lowing pulses using either alogic probe or Fit all the components, except the LEDs, to
ber of preliminary checks. First, carefully an oscilloscope. the display PCB as shown in Fig. 9. Start
check the PCB for short-circuits and dry - Pin 6of IC4 socket: a2-MHz clock pulse; with the resistors, diodes and transistors.
joints, as any faults, particularly on the ad- Pin 17 of IC4 socket: 50 Hz very short Next, fit the key switches, complete with the
dress and data lines of the CPU are difficult duration pulses. caps, ensuring the correct orientation. The
to trace, and could prove fatal to the CPU. pins of the switches should be pushed
Connect up the transformer, or an AC bench The next step is to disconnect the AC power through the PCB only far enough to enable
supply, to the circuit. Check the 5V and 12V supply and connect instead a9-V DC supply them to be soldered. You may find it easier
supplies. Also check that a 5-V supply is to the points 3and 4on the main PCB (+Ve to solder only two diagonally opposite pins
present at all the IC sockets. Refer to the cir- to point 3). Next, check the presence of 50 Hz at first. Once the switch alignment is satisfac-
cuit diagrams to locate the supply terminals. very short duration pulses to pin 17 of the tory, the remaining pins may be soldered.
Disconnect the power, then insert ICI, socket for IC4. Mount the LCD display unit to the PCB
WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
54
GENERAL INTEREST

The eorrtrol unit is programmed by way of the six cent cil Kees. Eaci require the switchirg to take place every, weeli at the same time select
kee has a nereber of diffe -ent functions, dependent on •fe nenu 'repeat. Selecting 'once °rile' will cause the program to cancel iself
1.3Ve11 on the d splay module. The basic key Unctions aie as follows:
3. automatically after executon. The fnal pressing cf the ENTEF key
will return the display to the normal tine dieplal mede. A switch ng
Ar -ow keys operation has now been programmed.
Tisse eeys are used to step through the varios cptiois shown on
te cisplay macula— When setting the time, the keys increase or Displaying the switching programs
decrease the ctisplayed time, one count at a time. If e eey is held To display the switching programs, press the DISLAY PROGRAM
pressed for ncre than two seconds, the displayed tine s raeidle (ENTER) key to enter the ("splay program made. The display will t7e
arlearœd or e-ercled until the key is released. show part of the first program stored. Js ng the ar -ow keys, the disp ay
can be scrolled lett or riget to read tee various pwameters ot the
EWER key program. To select the lex: program, press the ENTER key. Once the
The 'enter' key is used to confirm a selectidn. last prcgram has been displayed, the irdicaticn w II revert to the
normal time cisplae.
DELETE key
This kee is used to cancel a selection. Deleting a piogram
To delete a program. first display it as explained above. Press the
HEATIMG/HOT WATER key CANCEL key The display will then elicw ENT te Delete'. Press the
These keys are esei to manually change the slat. scl the he a-ing anc ENTER key to delete the program, or press the CANCEL key aga nto
hot water outpu. -evert to the program display mode.

Initia power-up Jsing manual ovEy.ds

When power ie •-st connected to the control unit, it perm rn 3 var ous A facility exists to ma iLally switch the sestern on or oil with the ad of
sell checks. 'eese checks we satisfactory, the dispiae shows a :he HEATING and HOT WATER keys. Each press o' a key charges
contiruously scrclling copyright message. It is any at th spcint in the die status of the appropriate output in the sequence shown below. A
preeram that en lee can be made to the calibrate mode by Dressing the LED indication is e'en of tie current state of the outputs.
HEATIe.G key
Aesuning that ca ib -ation of the system has been completed 3recess- Assuming the output soff: LED not it.
fu lyas described earlier in tie :ext, there should be no -un ier need Press an override key the output selected changes to on;
to enter the calit -ate mode. LED flashes.
If any key other Man the HEATING key is pressed when the copyright
message is showing, the display will show the cLrrent erne. Initially. In this s' ate the output will De turned off aLtornatica le when the next
this time is sel to 00:00 Monday 1st January 1990. programmed oft time is reac -ted.
II is probably a çood idea at this stage to fit the standby bee e-y. This
wi Ipreserve the 'irre, and any programs you may enter if the power Assumirg the output is on: LEE flashing.
is aecdentally d Eccnnected. Press an over -ide key: the pu:put selected changes to
'permanent one is on.
Seting the time ard date
To se: the system :ime and date, first press the TIME SET (down In this state tee output will gnore any voerarns, an remain perm a-
arrow) key to enter -he time sett ng mode. The display wie change to rently on.
the hours and rr awe indicaeon with the hours shown Detween two
arrow symbols 'hese arrows indicate the part of the diselay whici is Assuming that the oetput is
be rg ecited al tie moment, i.e., the hours. Press eitier of the ardw Permanently on: LED on.
keys to change the hours display to the current 'itne. Note :1-ai holcing Press ar override key: the output selected changes :o off;
the anon key p-essed for flore than two secoids will cause the LED not It.
display to advance rapidly.
When the correct heurs indication is shown on the dieplae, press the Ii this state the output eell respond to programmed-controls as no rmel.
ENTER key. Tt-is Nie confirm the hours setting, and move the indicat-
ing arrows on -he display to The minutes indication. Set the minutes Eystem nhibtt
tc te ecrrect tre se again using the ARROW keys. Press the ENTEF P further facile,/ exists to suspend all switching operatic ns for apelted
key. of time. This facility cou d be useful fcr eistance, when on holicae or
Carry on setting he DAY, MCNT1-1 and YEAR in the same way, using &ring the summer when :he system .s not reeuired to operate.
the arrow keys te select the ehcice, and the ENTER key o conf rm Although programs in the system are stil retailed, leey are ignoed
the choice. After tee YEAR has been set, and the ENTER kee pressed, until the iehibit is cancelled. A LED indication is given when the system
the display will reeerl to the normal time display. Note teat it is possiole is inhibited.
to sat a non-exereet date, i.e., 30th of February. The sea:em will To inhibi: the systen, press tie PROGRAM SET (cancel) key The
autornatieally CY11-3C7 this at midnight, howeeer making The rExt day d splay will show 'Set a Prog -arne Use either of the- arrow keys to
the first of March. clange tee display te 'set irhibit'. Press the ENTER key. The inh bit
LED will ight and the die pia/ will reve -tto tie normal time display
Displaying the seconds -ro cancel the inhibie press the PROGFAM SET (cancel) key The
To clanç,e the display mode fion- the norma time and date display to d splay will show set a prcgram'. Use either of the arrow keys te
lours, n-mutes and seconds, press the DISPLAY SECONCS cup change the incecation to Ineibit Cancel'. Press the ENTER key The
arrow) key. To sl,nceronize the seconds, press the ENTER key. The irhibit is now cancelled. — he display returns -.o tie correal time dispae
secones count w :be zeroed to the nearest mi -ru. To reteri to the aid all the programmed switching operatiors are re-e'abled.
lornal dsplay mode, again parse the DISPLAY SECONDS key.
System errors
'rcgranaming a switching operation Tie only error possible is 'Memory Full' which will occir if you attern
=rpm the normal iisplay time mode, press the PROGRAM SET (can- to insert more than 255 programs in the system.
eel) key to enter :he progran mode. The display eel' E.1-101/4 -Set a ii this error occers, the display will continue to show the error until the
prag -am' Press tie ENTER key to select this opticn. The display will ENTER key is pressed. The display will then revert to t7e normal titre
then cf-ange to seiow either `C heating' or Hot Water. Use either of indication mode.
the arrow keys lc select the cption you wish tc program. Agam use
the ENTER key tc confirm your choice. Next, set the 'switch oi time, Power failure
and the 'switch eft' time, confirming your choice wilh the ENTER key. h a mains power failure Dccdre, the cc-nt -01 un tis no longer able to
— hen, again using the arrow keys, select the day(3) wher sae:chi -1g control the heaeng system. However by using the standby battery, tie
is to tate place. The choice is between awe stile day, every day, ex. rrent tine and all the stered programs are preeervec .n the memo -y.
weekdays (i.e., Monday to Friday) or weekend (i.e., Saturday aid Oice the power is res'cred, tee control eit will resto -e the correct
Surday). Again cc le an your choice with the ENTER key. status to the control outputs, and contrcl of the cent -al eeating system
'epee. fyou wMI resume.
WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
 CENTRAL HEATING CONTROLLER (2)

COMPONENTS LIST

1)18PLAY

Resistors:
3 22k.(1 R20;R21;R22
1kS22 R23—R26
10kII preset H P20

Semiconduct Drs:
6 1N914 020—D25
3 BC108 20;T21 ;T22
yellow LE:. 5mm 020;D21
1 red LED EMin D22
green LEE 5mm ID23

Miscellaneous:
1 EA-D160 -5AR LCD module (Epson UK;
STC part ro. 029662B)
6 click-effec' push-but:on S20—S2
4 black key cap (Map! nFFE8V)
2 white key cap (Mapl n=F49C)
4 LED clip 5 m -n

with four small nuts and bolts, using 1 2 -in

/
spacers between the module and the PCB.
Connect the LCD module to the PCB with
the aid of short lengths of tinned copper
wire. Note that the LCD module is aCMOS
device, and precautions should be taken to
prevent damage caused by static electricity.
Before handling the LCD module, discharge
yourself to an earth point, and use an ear-
thed soldering iron bit. Once the display is
wired to the PCB, treat the whole PCB with
the same care
Finally, wire the display PCB to the main
PCB with stranded wire as shown in Fig. 11.
Then check the wiring and soldering very
carefully.

Testing and adjustment

At this stage in the assembly, further testing
is advisable. In order to do this, the remain-
ing ICs should be inserted into their respec-
tive sockets on the main PCB.
Fig. 9. Author's design of the display printed circuit board. Connect up the power, and check the
LCD module for the display message:
—(C) 1990....
If the display remains blank, or shows blank
squares, adjust the contrast with P20 until the
displayed message is clear. The usual setting
for P2o is close to the minimum. Should,
however, the display show random patterns,
[ 1 MAIN PCB
2 ALUMINIUM STRIP 2mm or remain totally blank, regardless of the
APROX. 20mm WIDE contrast adjustment, switch off and check
3 CONNECTION STRIP
4 CASE (LOWER HALF)
both PCBs for short circuits, dry joints, etc.
The data and address lines are particularly
suspect at this point

Standby timing adjustment

Rff-
miTIruruxr\n, If all is well so far, the standby timing circuit
may be adjusted. The heating control system
software helps you at this paint by providing
acalibration routine.
Connect a9-V supply to points 3and 4on
the main PCB (+Ve to point 3). Ensure that
the copyright message is scrolling across the
display. Next, press the HEATING switch,
Fig. 10. Internal construction of the central heating controller. SW24. The the display will change to
WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
56
GENERAL INTEREST

Calibrate -000
Adjust preset P13 until the digits show as
near as possible aconstant zero. The arrows
next to the number indicate if an increase or
decrease in resistance is required. Allow the
circuit to settle for afew seconds between
each adjustment.
Once you are satisfied with the adjust-
ment of P13, disconnect the power. The cali-
bration of the timing circuit is now complete.

Standby battery circuit

A suitable standby battery should be se-
lected for the control unit. The type selected
must be able to supply 50 mA whilst main-
taining at least 7V. The author used an 8.4 V
PP3 style nickel-cadmium battery (Maplin
HW31J), which gave astandby capacity of
2hours.
In order to find the correct value of resis-
tor R6 for the type of battery chosen, connect
a10 k11 preset or potentiometer and an am-
meter in place of R6 on the circuit board.
Connect the power and adjust the preset
until the recommended trickle charge cur-
rent flows. Replace the preset with astand-
ard resistor of approximately the set value.

Final assembly
The box suggested for the project is alow-
cost aluminium type (size approx. 150 x100
x50 mm) from Maplin (order code LF14Q).
The top of the box should be removed and
cut as shown in Fig. 13. The base of the box
should also be drilled to mount the main
PCB and the transformer. Check the assem-
bly of all parts of the box, then disassemble it
before painting. The author used four or five
coats of white cellulose spray paint of the
type used to touch up cars. Allow the paint
to dry for at least 24 hours before applying
the 'Letraset' panel markings as shown. En-
sure the letters are well rubbed down, then
apply two coats of clear cellulose lacquer as
used on 'metallic paint' cars. Allow these last
Fig. 11. Interconnection diagram for the two printed-circuit boards. two coats to dry for afurther 24 hours.
Complete the inter-PCB wiring as shown
in Fig. 11. Fit the transformer and the main
PCB in the case, and secure them with small
12 VAC supply nuts and bolts as shown. It is recommended
to use 1 / -inch spacers to support the PCB.
4
2 12 VAC supply 18 Data D1
The mains cable should enter the case
3 Battery + 19 Data 04 through asmall hole in the rear panel, and be
4 Battery — 20 Data D2 fitted with arubber grommet.
A length of 2-mm thick aluminium strip
5 21 Data D3
Relay1 should be bent as shown in Fig. 10. Mount
6 Hot water control 22 Ground this just above the main circuit board to sup-
7 23 KEY (key enab;e) port a12-way strip of connectors.
Next, fit the four LED clips to the top
8 24 É (display enable)
Relay 2 panel, and push the LEDs into place, ensur-
9 Heating control 25 LED20 ing that the leads align with the relevant PCB
26 LED21 holes. Do not, however, fit the securing col-
10
lars. Glue athin piece of perspex sheet to the
11 +5V supply 27 LED27 inside of the panel to form aprotective win-
12 Address Al 28 +12V supply dow for the LC display.
Position the PCB behind the top panel,
13 Data D7 29 Mains (Live)
feeding the LED leads through the appropri-
14 Address AO 30 Mains (neutral) ate holes in the PCB at the same time. Secure
15 Data 06 31 Mains (earth) the PCB with the aid of four small nuts and
bolts with the appropriate spacers as re-
16 Data DO 32
quired, so that the display module is pressed
WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
 CENTRAL HEATING CONTROLLER (2)

against the perspex window. Finally, solder

the four LEDs into position, to complete the
assembly.
103
o
Typical central heating
0 06
system
A typical central heating system is shown in
Fig. 13. Individual control of the hot water
and heating system is only possible if asuit-
able motorized valve is fitted in the system.
Where such avalve is not fitted however, it
• o V VV V is still possible to use the heating controller
described here. The separate hot water con-
trol function is then ignored.

References:
The following reference material has been
used in the preparation of this project:
93
98
4
4 •
104
910022 -II -19
1. Data sheets: Epson EA-D LCD modules
(Epson UK Ltd., 081 902 8892); Z80 CPU
(Maplin Electronics, 0702 552911).
Fig. 12. Construction details of the front panel. 2. Z80 programming: Machine language pro-
gramming made simple for your Sinclair (Mel-
bourne House Publishers).

Note:
Hot
Water
Photocopies of the control program hex-
Cylinder
Cylinder Radia o s
dump listing may be obtained free of charge
Thermostat
from our service department (p. 65). Readers
should send aself-addressed, stamped envel-
Motorised
ope. Canadian readers should send a self-
Valve
addressed envelope and two International
Reply Coupons (ICRs), which may be ob-
Heating
Control tained from the post office. Write to Old Col-
Unit ony Sound Lab, PO Box 243, Peterborough,
Room NH 03458-0243, Attn: Heating Hex.
Thermostat
018 Plumbing

Electrical Wiring

Boiler

910022 -II -22

Fig. 13. Typical central heating system.

LCD

o Power on

4
o Inhibit

o
, Enter Cancel

Hot water

Disp Time Disp Prog

o Heating

sec set prog set

9100224.20

Fig. 14. Suggested front panel design (see also the introductory photograph in part 1).
WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
 58

RADAR DETECTOR
Radar signals are used in nautical navigation systems for vessel
positioning and distance readings where visibility is restricted.
Unfortunately, radar equipment is pretty expensive, so that many
owners of small yachts have to make do without an 'electronic eye'.
With the aid of the detector presented here these ship owners can,
however, implement a basic warning and positioning system by
making use of radar signals from other ships.

M. R. Ebbe II

R ADAR installations make it possible to

survey large areas with the aid of elec-
tromagnetic waves. Not surprisingly, most
radar equipment is produced for the avio-
nics, military and nautical industries. Since a
radar system includes atransmitter, its activ-
ity can always be detected. Most radars emit
apulsating RF signal at afrequency between
2GHz and 12 GHz, and receive their own
signals, which are reflected by objects within
the covered area. The relative strength and
the delay of the reflections are measured and
used to determine the distance and the size
of the object. This system allows the area
around the radar installation to be mapped
and surveyed.
For non-professional applications, such
as pleasure craft, radar is often too expens-
ive. Consequently, most pleasure craft can
not sail when there is heavy rain or fog.
The radar detector presented here is a
low-cost way of using the radar signals of
professional craft to prevent collisions, and
provide a basic way of ship positioning
where visibility is restricted. A LED indica-
tor starts to flash, and an audible warning is
given, when aradar system is detected with-
in the receive range of the detector. To the Fig. 1. Prototype of the radar detector, seen from the solder side of the PCB.
navigator, these signals are asign that an-
other ship is approaching. The detector is di- allowed to use certain sections of the 23 cm The effective range of anautical radar de-
rectional, that is, it can be aimed at the radar and 24 cm bands (L-band), they are forced to pends on the transmit power and the height
source for an approximate distance and po- share them, on a secondary basis, with of the antenna. Table 2lists the most import-
sition reading. powerful radar transmitters used for auto- ant characteristics of currently used radar
matic aircraft identification systems in- systems. It should be noted that the transmit
stalled near military airports. Since the radio powers are peak pulse values, not continu-
Frequency bands
amateur service has a secondary status in ous levels. The radar transmitter is pulsed to
Since the peak pulse power emitted by a these sections of the band, the interference enable distances to be measured (when the
radar transmitter is of the order of kilowatts, caused by such radar stations has to be put transmitter is off, the receiver is on to detect
a relatively simple receiver can be used to up with. the reflected signal). The transmitter pulse
detect the pulsating RF signals. Parts of the Radar systems for nautical applications rate determines the maximum distance that
frequency bands listed in Table 1have been usually work in the X band or the Sband. can be measured. The longer the pulse spac-
reserved for radar systems. It should be More precisely, in the X band the section ing, the longer the signal will have to travel
noted that certain frequencies may be shared from 8.5 GHz to 10.68 GHz is assigned to to cause areflection that can be measured re-
with other services, such as radio and TV radar, while in the Sband two sections are liably. Because of the pulsating operation,
microwave links, satellites, mobile services used: 2.3 GHz to 2.5 GHz, and 2.7 GHz to the continuous power rating of most radars
and radio amateurs. The primary or second- 3.7 GHz. is only afraction of the peak pulse power.
ary services in aparticular band are deter- Although designed to detect X band sig- In practice, the range of aradar system
mined at alocal (often national) level by the nals, the present circuit will also work with S depends on anumber of factors, including
relevant telecommunication authorities. For band radar systems, so that it is suitable for the transmit power, the directivity of the an-
example, although radio amateurs are all conventional nautical radars. tenna, the propagation characteristics of the
WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
 59
RADAR DETECTOR

Fig. 2. Circuit diagram of the radar detector.

band used, and atmospheric conditions. The much longer because of capacitor Cs. The A further opamp, 10d, is used to convert
frequencies used for radar are so high that output of the opamp goes low when aradar the short pulses into a signal with a fixed
the propagation of the signals is largely simi- signal is received. Components R9 and D4 pulse length of 1 ms. The output of this
lar to that of light. This means that amicro- limit the output signal of IC1c to a value of monostable multivibrator is applied to two
wave radar can not, in principle, see objects 3.3 V. sub-circuits. Opamp I0b amplifies the pul-
over the horizon. In practice, however, dif-
fraction, scattering and partial reflection in
some atmospheric layers give aradar system
arange that extends just over the horizon.

Band designation Nominal frequency range Specific radiolocation

Circuit description (radar) bands
The circuit diagram of the radar detector is (ITU Assignments
given in Fig. 2. Although the circuit is de- for Region 2)
signed to receive very high frequencies, it is VHF 30 — 300 MHz 138 — 144 MHz
relatively simple. The only RF parts in the
UHF 300 — 1000 MHz 420 — 450 MHz
circuit are adetector diode Type 1N23 and a
rudimentary type of antenna which is con- 1— 2 GHz 1,215 — 1,400 MHz
structed with the aid of the diode fitting. To S 2— 4 GHz 2,300 — 2,500 MHz
achieve maximum sensitivity, a small for- 2,700 — 3,700 MHz
ward current is sent through the 1N23. This
4 — 8 GHz 5,250 — 5,925 MHz
current is supplied by transistor Ti. The
diode current rises considerably when an RF X 8-12 GHz 8.5 — 10.68 GHz
pulse is received on the antenna. The resul- Ku 12 — 18 GHz 13.4 — 14.0 GHz
tant current pulse causes Ti to conduct har- 18 — 27 GHz 24.05 — 24.25 GHz
der and supply a voltage pulse at its
Ka 27 — 40 GHz 33.4 — 36.0 GHz
collector. In this way, the pulsating SHF
radar signal is converted into apulse train V 40 — 75 GHz 59 — 64 GHz
that can be processed by low-frequency cir- 75 — 110 GHz 76 — 81 GHz
cuitry. The pulse rate and duration depend 92 — 100 GHz
on the radar system received by the detector.
110 — 300 GHz 126 — 142 GHz
In general, the pulse rate will lie between
400 Hz and 4kHz. 144 — 149 GHz
The large changes in the collector current 231 — 235 GHz
of Ti cause the voltage at the +input of 238 — 248 GHz
opamp IC1c to drop considerably. The volt-
age at the inverting input remains stable
WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
60
RADIO AND TELEVISION

-1111111MP
Table 2
--1111111.F

ilr eel type

arnw 1.11 h
(eiDgrees)
Aribenna height
(metres)
Power
(kW)
REnge
(naut mites)

rive rtrans xxl 4 2.5

yadit 4
trawler •)0 6 3
coaste r 1.5'
container/bulk vessel
(X-band)
container/bulk iessel
(S-band)

ses supplied by ICict, and drives a small The supply voltage of the detection diode is kets as spare items). It should be noted that
loudspeaker. The output signal of 'Cm is reduced to about 8V by D2 and R21, with ca- there exist anumber of equivalent or near-
also fed to asingle-phase rectifier that con- pacitors Cii and C3 providing additional fil- equivalent types of the 1N23, all of which
sists of R14, R15, C10 and 137. Capacitor Cio is tering, and C4 and C6 ensuring the required can be expected to work in the circuit. One
charged via Ri4 and 137 as long as the output RF decoupling of the power supply. near equivalent, the DC1504 from NEC, is
of ICia supplies positive pulses. The capad- shown in the photograph of the prototype,
tor can only be discharged via Ris. Since Ri s Fig. 1.
has amuch higher value than R14, C2 can not
Construction
The antenna of the radar detector consists
be discharged completely until the pulse As shown in the photograph of the proto- of a15-mm dia. plate soldered to the anode
train from ICki has ceased. When C2 is kept type, the detection diode is mounted cen- connector as shown in Fig. 2. A short piece of
charged, the inverting input of ICIa is at a trally at the track side of a round wire connects the antenna to CI-R2 on the
higher voltage than the non-inverting input. printed-circuit board. The crucial part in the printed-circuit board. Although apurpose-
Consequently, the LED in optocoupler IC2 circuit, the 1N23, is a point-contact diode designed PCB is shown in Figs. 2and 3, the
lights, and causes an oscillator based on the with art extremely low stray inductance. The circuit should also work without problems
transistor in IC2 to operate. The generated device, which is probably familiar to those of when constructed on apiece of veroboard or
AF signal is fed to the loudspeaker via resis- you who have 'microwave' experience, has a stripboard.
tor R17. At the same time, LED Dio lights. white ceramic body and gold-plated termi- The completed circuit board and the at-
Switch Si allows the loudspeaker to pro- nals. Since the device is easily damaged by tached detector diode must be fitted in amet-
duce tither the detected pulses or the con- overheating, it must never be soldered. Al- al enclosure with asmall hole drilled in the
tinuous warning signal. The same switch is ways secure the diode with the appropriate front cover. The hole is drilled at aposition
also used to switch the detector on and off. fixing sockets, which can be salvaged from facing the antenna fixed to the detector
The battery voltage is filtered with the aid surplus SHF military equipment such as the diode. The hole gives the radar detector adi-
of R20 and Cii. Diode 139 limits the circuit famous APX-6 transponder (a visit to an rectivity of about 25°.
supply voltage to about 13 V and prevents electronics surplus shop will probably se- Depending on the mode selected with Si,
the circuit being damaged by overvoltage. cure the 1N23 and the associated fixing soc- the loudspeaker produces either the rattle of
the received radar, or an intermittent alarm
sound with pauses of about 1.5 s. As already
noted, the frequency of the received radar
pulses depends on the system used. In prac-
tice, you can expect almost any frequency be-
tween 400 Hz and 4 kHz. The sound is
probably produced as short bursts because
radar antenna rotates. Usually, the antenna
has aspeed of 22 rotations per minute, which
results is bursts with arepeat rate of 3sec-
onds. You can tell the presence of more than
one ship equipped with radar when the de-
tector produces bursts with a repeat rate
shorter than 3seconds. To determine the ap-
proximate position of aradar source, hold
the detector in your hand and slowly turn it
horizontally, sweeping the horizon.

Fig. 3. Component side view of the radar detector PCB. A six-way terminal block is used
to connect the supply, switch Si, the LED and the loudspeaker.
WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
 61

PC-ECAP:
CIRCUIT SIMULATION
Reviewed by Jan Didden

you can specify dozens of parameters, in-

T
RADITIONALLY, circuit design has the 1960s people began looking to computers
been not only ascience but also an art. to assist in the design process. The program cluding physical properties of the transistor
Amateurs and professionals alike start acir- that is the basis of almost all current circuit chip. (PSpice comes with alibrary of thou-
cuit with arough idea, calculate component simulators was developed at the University sands of pre-defined components.)
values, and choose devices from data books. of California at Berkely and was called SPICE You also tell the program which node is the
A prototype is built and tested. Seldom is it (simulation program with integrated circuit input and the type of input signal (which can
correct the first time. So, the designer recal- emphasis). This was apowerful R&D tool. be the wildest waveforms you can imagine)
culates, makes changes, re-tests, substitutes An engineer could describe acircuit to the and what kind of data you wish as output.
devices, and continues this process until he computer (using, in those days, a stack of PSpice takes this list, constructs amathemat-
has aworking product. punched cards). The program would then ical matrix of the circuit, and calculates the
Sometimes experienced designers get very print alist of output values for the circuit ac- output.
close the first time and know that, say, acal- cording to the specified input values. A full-blown system can calculate fre-
culated resistor value must be increased by With the advent of the PC, circuit simula- quency response (amplitude, phase, and
20% to be right. This is the "art" part. It gets tors have evolved from ascience tool for the group delay), DC transfer curve, transient re-
more difficult if you must build 100 units of happy few to another piece of engineering sponse, distortion, waveform Fourier trans-
your design. For instance, you might be faced software, within reach of almost anyone. forms, the voltage/current/power associated
with spreads in transistor HFE from 100 to with acomponent, noise signal levels, and
500. The one in your prototype might be a quiescent bias point. It can even calculate all
The state of the art this at different operating temperatures.
500HFE unit. Will the circuit be within spec
with a 100HFE unit? Modern spice-based programs are unbeliev- Options include Probe, to display wave-
Selecting transistors is expensive. You ably powerful. A widely used commercial forms and spectra graphically, aMonte Carlo
would have to build several prototypes, with version called PSpice is marketed by Micro- statistical analysis that uses component tol-
worst-case combinations, and make sure all sim Corp. To simulate acircuit with PSpice, erances you can specify to find those worst-
of them meet the specifications. But finding you draw aschematic diagram and number case combinations. An option called Parts lets
the worst-case combination for aparticular the interconnection nodes. you build acomponent model from (limited)
spec. can be amajor project in itself. These Next, you create atext file that contains data-book information and measurements.
problems were particularly important for the each component's description and connec- Also, the program requires amathematical
design of early integrated circuits, when en- tion node numbers. For asimple resistor the coprocessor in your PC. Not really within the
gineers faced large spreads in IC production value in ohms describes it, but you can also amateur's reach. But there is an inexpensive
processes. specify parasitic capacitance and inductance. limited capacity student version. ,
Therefore, it is no surprise that as early as For complicated components, like MOSFETs, PSpice is so powerful it takes time and ex-

TABLE 1

CIRCUIT ELEMENTS SUPPORTED BY PC-ECAP

Resistors: RXXXX N1 N2 value

N1 and N2 are the two element nodes. Value is the resistance in ohms. Example: R1 12 loon.

Capacitors: CXXXX N1 N2 value

N1 and N2 are the two element nodes. Value is the capacitance in farads. Example: COSC 2 3 22pF.

Inductors: LXXXX N1 N2 value

N1 and N2 are the two element nodes. Value is the inductor value in henries. Example: L3 7 0 10mH.

Transformers: TXXXX +Pri -Pri +Sec -Sec

N +Pri and - Pri are the nodes for the primary. +Sec and -Sec are the nodes for the secondary. N is the turns
ratio between primary and secondary. The plus and minus signs denote the phasing of the windings. Example: Fig. 1. Example 4 circuit diagram.
Ti 3 0 4 5 10 turns.

Bipolar Transistors (NPN and PNP): BXXXX NB NE NC Beta Rbe

NB, NE, and NC are the b, e, and cnodes. Beta is the transistor current gain. Rbe is the equivalent b-e resistance
TABLE 2
(in ohms) used in the Hybrid-Pi transistor model. Example: B1 90 11 100 1,2500.

Field Effect Transistors (JFETs and MOSFETs): FXXXX NG NS ND gm EXAMPLES CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION FILE
NG, NS, and ND are the gate, source, and drain nodes, respectively. Gm is the FET transconductance in millihours
(amps/volt). Example: F2 3 4 0 2,000gmhos. ;Example4.dat—Single stage transistor amplifier
made with ;a2N3904 transistor modeled using PC-
Operational Amplifiers: OXXXX N + N - NO gain rout
ECAP's "Model Maker"
N +, N - ,and NO are the non-inverting input, inverting input, and output nodes, respectively. The op amp output
is referenced to ground (node 0). Gain is the open-loop gain of the op amp. Rout is the open-loop output resistance
R1 12 270
for the op amp. Example: 011 2 2 100k 75 (yes, this is a unity-gain buffer).
R2 2 0 1.2k
Transconductance Amplifiers: GXXXX N + N - NO + NO - gm R3 2 3 8.2k
N + and N - are the non-inverting input and inverting input. NO + and NO - are the non-inverting output and R4 3 0 470
the inverting output. Note that these outputs are floating. In other words, the actual output is not from either output BMOD 2 0 3 100 250 From here to end
to ground, but is developed between the outputs. Either output (but not both) may be tied to ground if a single. CCB 3 2 4E-12 created by the Model
ended output is desired. Gm is the amplifier transconductance in millihours (amps/volt). The transconductance CPI 2 0 2.08207E-10 Maker
amplifier may be used in its own right or to perform avoltage-to-current conversion, sometimes useful when simulating P 13 1K 100MEG LOG
other devices. Example: GXXXX 12 3 0 100mmhos.

WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
 62

Opemp model

Trenecond
stage
out in G- 2m4/V

1
Cl

R2 3
R3 RS

C1 5 22 97k
C2 out

R5 R7 2
lk

Flg. 2. Basic RIAA preamp (TAA 2190, Fig. 6b,

gnd
p. 20).
RIAA network

R3

perience to use it adequately. But lately these 297.7k

types of programs have begun to appear in R4

---,VV.— 6

the shareware circuit, which makes them at- 2"

C3

tractive to amateurs and professionals. 9266pF

C2 33B3pF

Share what?
Fig. 3. Circuit model for Fig. 2.
For those unfamiliar with the term shareware:
the shareware concept lets you legally copy
aprogram and give it to others. You may not knows only AC, and for AC apower supply 20pF to get the same —3dB point on the bench
charge anything for it, except for copying and is transparent (or should be). as calculated by PC-ECAP (around 500kHz).
distributing (no more than $5 or $6). After Now for the transistor. PC-ECAP has a The calculated phase shift at the —3dB point
you have examined the program and decided clever feature to model transistors. When you was given as 135 °, which is correct. But I
to use it, you are expected to register with edit acircuit file, pressing F2 brings up the wanted to test the program with amore com-
the author and pay the license fee. You are "model maker." You must specify the node plex circuit of known properties, which I
considered using it if you would miss it if you numbers for b, e, and c, the collector current found (where else) in Audio Amateur.
did not have it. and current gain that goes with it, the gain-
Distribution takes place mostly through bandwidth product, and Ccb (the internal
shareware dealers, 2bulletin boards, and us- feedback capacitor from collector to base). The RIAA connection
ers. Shareware programs have low marketing Model maker then puts in the lines you see Iturned to Reg Williamson's article in TAA
costs, which is reflected in low-end prices. in Table 2. The last line instructs PC-ECAP 2/90 (p. 18) on the RIAA curve to get abench-
PC-ECAP costs $69 to register. This also gives to plot the output signal at node 3and the in- mark. Ibuilt acircuit file for his Fig. 6b, which
you aright to technical support and update put at 1, starting at lkHz up to 100MHz on is shown in my Fig. 2. PC-ECAP includes a
notes. The updates cost anominal fee. For alog scale. model for an ideal op amp, but the manual
$10 more you get aprinted manual instead The proof of the pudding is the eating: I also gives amethod to make amore realistic
of the manual on the disk. built this circuit and measured 27.6dB mid- op amp model. This consists of atranscon-
Note that alot of trust is involved. If nobody band gain on the real thing, while PC-ECAP ductance input stage followed by ahigh-gain
paid, no new or improved shareware would calculated 27.73dB. Close. Iguessed on the amp, with afirst-order rolloff.
be produced. Ccb (10pF) for the transistor Iused, but I The circuit model is shown in Fig. 3. Those
changed the model maker specification to who followed the discussions in TAA on op
PC-ECAP amps will recognize the basic setup. The in-
put transconductance stage G1 converts the
PC-ECAP calculates the frequency response input differential voltage to an output cur-
(amplitude and phase) for agiven circuit. A TABLE 3
rent, which in turn is converted by the load
;circuit file for Fig. 3.
user friendly program, it uses apoint-and- resistor R1 to an input voltage for the voltage
;ref: Fig. 6b, TAA 2/90, p. 20
shoot technique to select and edit the circuit gain stage 01. Capacitor C1rolls the gain
;RIAA network
to be simulated and the various presentation r3 3 5 297.672k stage off from approximately 80Hz for a5pF
options. Its simple but adequate built-in r4 3 6 24k value. This stage is specified as having again
editor generates atext file that describes the c3 5 6 9866.25p
c2 3 6 3383.488p
of 1,000 at DC. Total DC gain is thus:
circuit to be simulated (more on these circuit
files later). On-line help is also available. ;output aftenuator
r8 2 5 29.97k
0.2mA/V x500k x1,000 = 100,000 or 100dB
The output data can be graphs (frequency r7 20 1k
versus amplitude or phase, but not both in with afrequency response rolling off as men-
;gain setting resistor
the same graph), atabular data list of output r5 30 1000.861 tioned above: acheap 741-type op amp. The
values, or aprintout of each. The components ;uA741 macro model resulting circuit file is shown in Table 3.
PC-ECAP knows about are listed in Table 1. ; +In -In +out -out gm In his article, Reg Williamson provided a
The program can handle circuits with up to gl 1 3 0 4 .2M
small Basic program to calculate the RIAA
;input transcond. stage
40 nodes and an unlimited number of com- rl 4 0 500k components and the required gain versus fre-
ponents. It can best be explained by discuss- ;IN converter impedance quency. The circuit as specified has a30.97x
ing acouple of typical uses. ; +in -in out Gain Rout gain. For comparison purposes, Iadded an
01 0 4 5 1000 1
Figure 1 shows the circuit's program as output attenuator to the model to get back
;ideal op amp gain voltage stage
example4 and Table 2describes the elements. cl 4 5 5p to Reg's OdB level at lkHz.
Note the resistors with their connection ;internal rolloff capacitor (see text)
Table 4shows part of PC-ECAP's results for
p 12 10 100k
nodes and values. The node numbers for c1= 5pF. Table 5shows selected values for
;plot command
ground and V„ are the same. PC-ECAP two values of c1compared to Mr. William-
WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
 63

20

o -15

-20 -90

10 -135
10 Hz 16.1 Hz 215 Hz IKHz 1.61 KHz 21.5 kHz 100 KHz 10 Hz 46.4 Hz 215 Hz 1&Hz 1.61 1.11t 21.5 100

MAGNITUDE vs. FREQUENCY PHASE vs. FREQUENCY

Fig. 4a. Simulation plot for Fig. 3(c1 = 100pF) showing magnitude Fig. 4b. Simulation plot for Fig. 3 (el = 100pF) showing phase ver-
versus frequency. sus frequency.

son's calculations. The model with the wider make you aseasoned expert. The paradox is
TABLE 4 bandwidth (c 1 = 5pF) is very close to the that to get results that will correspond rea-
PART OF SIMULATION RESULTS
FOR FIG. 3 (cl = 5pF)
theoretical values for audio frequencies. In sonably well to the real world, you must
the case of c1= 100pF, the deltas are higher know what you are doing. It is like abank
Magnitude Phase and increase earlier. The open-loop gain of loan: you can make creative use of it only if
Frequency (dB) (deg.)
this model rolls off already from 4Hz. The you do not actually need it.
251.19 6.43 -58.12 high DC gain cannot be maintained at higher In the above example on the RIAA preamp,
292.86 5.43 -57.05 frequencies. if you find deviations from the benchmark,
341.46 4.50 -55.65
Iam puzzled, though, by the high delta you are still back to your own knowledge and
398.11 3.63 -54.04
464.16 2.84 -52.36
above 5.4kHz in the c1= 5pF case. It is not insight. Mostly you do not have benchmarks
541.17 2.14 -50.76 clear whether this is acharacteristic of the (that is why you use asimulator in the first
630.96 1.50 -49.37 circuit or an inaccuracy in the model. place). Choosing the values for the op amp
735.64 .93 -48.33
model carelessly gives unrealistic results.
857.70 .40 -47.76
1,000.00 -.10 -47.72 You should be able to recognize such acon-
1,165.91 -.61 -48.25
Yes, but ... dition. Good planning is necessary.
1,359.36 - 1.13 -49.33
As you can see, the program generates clear Before Iput together the complete RIAA
1,584.89 - 1.70 -50.91
1,847.85 -2.33 -52.92 and useful graphs. Also, the data tables can circuit, Iran simulations on both the bare op
2,154.43 -3.03 -55.22 be sent to adisk file and be processed by other amp and the combination transconductance
2,511.89 -3.82 -57.70 graphing or presentation software. There are, amp/op amp. This gave me confidence that
2,928.64 -4.69 -60.22
3,414.55 -5.64 -62.66 however, afew remarks Imust make. the model was reasonably accurate.
3,981.07 -6.66 -64.92 It is not possible to save the graphs and Another area where you can be misled is
4,641.59 -7.75 -66.93 overlay them on graphs from other simula- component values. For instance, you can
5,411.70 -8.89 -68.64
tion runs. This makes it much harder to com- multiply all resistors in the RIAA network by
6,309.57 - 10.07 -70.01
7,356.42 - 11.27 -71.03 pare results. The rather coarse scale marks 1,000 and divide all capacitor values by 1,000
8,576.96 - 12.51 -71.67 do not help too much either. You cannot set and get the same results. But it would behave
10,000.00 - 13.75 -71.94
this scaling yourself. What would help alot very differently in apractical realization (read
11,659.10 - 15.00 -71.82
13,593.60 - 16.25 -71.32 here is acursor that can be moved along the the discussion on "reasonable values" by Reg
15,848.90 - 17.49 -70.41 curve with readout of the x- and y-values. Williamson in his article).
18,478.50 - 18.72 -69.11 Note that these are things to make repeated With care and ahealthy dose of distrust,
21,544.30 - 19.92 -67.39
25,118.90 -21.09 -65.24
use much easier and more efficient. The pro- acircuit simulator is an excellent design and
29,286.40 -22.22 -62.69 gram itself works fine. learning tool. Despite its limitation, PC-ECAP
34,145.50 -23.29 -59.73 is no exception. And for aprice not much
39,810.70 -24.29 -56.39
higher than agood soldering iron.
46,415.90 -25.22 -52.74 The map is not the world
54,117.00 -26.05 -48.85
63,095.70 -26.78 -44.81 It is clear that programs like PC-ECAP can
73,564.20 -27.41 -40.73 REFERENCES
be very useful. You can verify adesign idea
85,769.60 -27.95 -36.72
100,000.00 -28.39 -32.88 and zero in on aparticular result without hav- 1. Spice, Guide to Circuit Simulation and
116,591.00 -28.74 -29.29 ing aload of components in stock. But like Analysis Using PSpice, Prentice-Hall, ISBN
all powerful tools, acircuit simulator does not 0-13-834607-0 (book only). Order #834614
(book plus disk) includes astudent version
of PSpice, limited to five nodes and ten tran-
TABLE 5 sistors. This is avaluable book for anyone in-
terested in analog circuit simulation.
SIMULATION RESULTS OF ECAP vs. WILLIAMSON'S CALCULATIONS
2. PC-ECAP: The Public (Software) Li-
SHOWING GAIN IN DECIBELS brary, PO Box 35705, Houston, TX 77235-
5705, (713)-524-6394. Probably the world's
Freq. (Hz) Williamson ECAP (c1 = 5pF) ECAP (cl = 100pF)
delta delta
largest shareware distributor, with thousands
10 + 19.75 + 19.48 -0.27 + 19.47 -0.28 of programs.
22 + 19.19 + 18.92 -0.27 +18.87 -0.32
100 + 13.09 + 12.84 -0.27 +12.56 -0.53
1,000 +00.00 -00.10 -0.10 -00.69 -0.69
10,000 - 13.73 - 13.75 -0.02 - 15.20 - 1.47
22,000 -20.26 - 19.92 +0.34 -21.42 - 1.16
54,000 -28.23 -26.05 + 1.82 -27.63 +0.60
100,000 -33.56 -28.39 +5.17 -30.17 +3.39

WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
64

CLASSIFIEDS

TUBE AUDIO ENTHUSIASTS. Northern California club

FOR SALE meets every other month. For next meeting announce-
ment send a self-addressed, stamped #10 envelope to
Tim Eding, PO Box 611662. San Jose, CA 95161. INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

McIntosh MC2205 Power Amplifier 200W/ch with Cabinet, WANT TO START OR JOIN CLUB IN CENTRAL IL-
$900. NAD 2200PE Power Amp 100W/ch, $275. Roger LINOIS (Peoria, Bloomington, Champaign, Kankakee
Daniels Rt 5 Box 612, La Grange, TX 78945. (409) area). Speaker building and audio in general. Trade info All Electronics 70
247-4260 before 9pm CST and parts. (815) 657-8488 evenings or weekends.
Antique Electronic Supply 69
WASHINGTON AREA AUDIO SOCIETY Meetings are
held every two weeks, on Fridays from 1900 hrs. to 2130 Audio Amateur Publications

TRADE
hrs. at the Charles Barrett Elementary School in the city
of Alexandria, Va. Prospective members are welcome but Audio Amateur 67
must register in advance in order to be admitted to the
meetings. No exceptions please. If interested please call CIE 5
WE SELL MORE HIGH PERFORMANCE SPEAKER Horace Vignale, (703) 578-4929.
Information Unlimited 9
KITS than anyone in the US Complete line of raw drivers,
crossover components, etc. Free catalog. AUDIO CON- Kelvin Electronics CV II
CEPTS, INC. 901 S. 4th St., La Crosse, WI 54601, (800)
346-9183. T7/91 Madisound Speaker Components 70

YOUR 50 WORDS Mark V Electronics 10

in our private classifieds

WANTED
The Meadowlake Corporation 70

ARE FREE Morel Acoustics USA CV Ill

Wanted (cheap—for personal use): dbx 3BX (4BX?); OVER 50: Send money Old Colony Sound Laboratory
Commodore 64 or 128, Atari, Apple II, Macintosh com-
(20 cents/word) Audio Glossary/Holt 8
puters. Angel Rivera, 1845 52nd Street #32, Brooklyn,
NY 11204. (718)837-3202. Books 66

Bullock on Boxes 4

CLUBS
PIEDMONT AUDIO SOCIETY. Starting an audio club Fundamentals of Musical Acoustics 68
in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area of North Carolina.
Interested in designing, building, and modifying speakers "Save Your Invoice" Sale 68
and electronics (solid state and tube). Beginners and old
Software 6
AUDIOPHILES IN THE DAYTON/SPRINGFIELD, hands both welcome. Kevin Carter, 9009 Langwood
OHIO AREA: We are forming an audio club. Please con- Drive, Raleigh, NC 27612, (919) 870-5528. 0ptoelect ronics CV IV
tact me if you're interested in construction, modifications,
SOUTHEASTERN MICHIGAN WOOFER AND
testing, recording or just plain listening to music. Ken PacComm Systems 69
TWEETER MARCHING SOCIETY (SMWTMS). Detroit
Beers, 1756 Hilt Rd., Yellow Springs, OH 45387, (513)
area audio construction club. Meetings every two months
767-1457. PC Boards 50
featuring serious lectures, design analyses, digital audio,
LONDON LIVE D.I.Y. HI FI CIRCLE has formed in Lon- A B listening tests, equipment clinics, recording studio The R.F. Connection 70
don, England. We meet quarterly, with an open agenda visits, and audio fun. The club journal is LC, The SMWTMS
of anything to do with any aspect of audio design and Network. Corresponding member's subscription availble. Sescom 7
construction. For information contact Dick Bowman, 081 Call (313) 477- 6502 (days) or write David Carlstrom,
520 6334. SMWTMS, PO Box 721464, Berkley, MI 48072-0464.

CLASSIFIED ORDER FORM

PLEASE FILL OUT IN CLEAR BLOCK LETTERS OR TYPE. PLEASE SPELL OUT ENTIRE WORD.

2 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40

41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50

Private For Sale D Private Wanted E Trade If Trade please indicate # of insertions.
Private ads are on a one time insertion basis. Must be resubmitted for renewal. Ads cannot be taken over the phone.
Definition of aword: A series of letters with aspace before and after. Please remember to include your name, address and telephone
number when making calculations. In order for Private For Sale and Want ads to be free you must be acurrent subscriber. Ten dollar
minimum charge for charge card orders and Trade ads.
Any words over 50, 20(C per word; Trade ads please charge at 70C D Check/Money Order enclosed
per word and indicate number of insertions. Deduct 10% for a6x
contract; deduct 15% for a11x (year) contract in Elektor Electronics
USA. Payment must accompany first ad. NAME

Please charge to my MasterCardNisa: COMPANY

CARD NUMBER EXP. DATE STREET ADDRESS

SIGNATURE CITY STATE ZIP

Mail or FAX (603) 924-9467; Elektor Electronics USA, PO Box 876, Peterborough, NH 03458-0876
WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
 65

011DER FORM
MOM« OfAlet 41001$
READERS SERVICES OLD COLONY SOUR LAO 1683) 112443/1, ii244$28
Man le lItasetudeg inclihse heifers I arit,
All orders, except for subscriptions, should be PETER1101100181 MI 0345t me tom 9244,
47. 24 »Mrs
sent to Old Colony Sound Lab: by mail to PO '
Box 243, Peterborough NH 03458-0243; Visa/ CUSTOMER ADDRESS SHIPPING ADDRESS IF DIFFERENT
MasterCard charge orders by FAX to (603)
924-9467 (24 hours) or by voice 8-4 weekdays NAME NAME
to (603) 924-6526 or 6371. Please use the form
opposite for all orders. All prices are postpaid STREET 8. NO COMPANY
to customers in the fifty states except for books.
Please add $2.00 for the first book and 75e CITY STATE ZIP STREET 8NO
for each additional book ordered. Cana-
dians, please add $4.50 US for the first MAGIC NUMBER (FROM SUBSCRIPTION LABEL) CITY STATE ZIP
book, and 75e for each additional one. Out-
side North America, please add 20%. Cana- PAYMENT METHOD FOR CHARGE CARD ORDERS UNDER $10, PLEASE ADD $2.
dians may expect Canadian duty charges on
shipments of any items except books and El CHECK E MONEY ORDER E MASTERCARD L VISA
subscriptions.
SUBSCRIPTIONS CARD NUMBER EXPIRES /

Subscriptions can be provided anywhere in the

AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE DAYTIME PHONE
United States and its territories as well as
Canada by sending mail subscriptions to Elektor
Electronics USA, PO Box 876, Peterborough NH Qty. Part Number and Description Price Total
03458-0876. Visa/MasterCard orders may be
telephoned directly to (603) 924-9464 between
8 and 4 on business days and to our machine
recorders at other hours and on weekends.
Orders may be FAXed at any time to (603) 924-
9467. Subscription rates: $28 per year (11 issues);
$50, 2years (2-year rate not available in Cana-
da). Student Rate to full-time, registered stu-
dents, $15 per year (photocopy of student ID
required).
LETTERS
Letters commenting on articles appearing in
Elektor Electronics USA or concerning amatter
of general interest in any field of electronics
should be addressed to the Editor. Publication
is at the discretion of the Editor and all letters
will be subject to prior editing and/or shorten-
ing for publication.
PAST ISSUES
Previous issues of editions published elsewhere
CALL OR WRITE FOR YOUR FREE OLD COLONY CATALOG!
are not available from Old Colony. Back issues
of the British Elektor from July/August 1987 on- SUBTOTAL
ward are available from Worldwide Subscription Please supply the following: For PCBs, front panel foils, EPROMs, and cas-
Service Ltd., Unit 4, Gibbs Reed Farm, Pashley settes, state the part number and description; for books, state the full title; for SHIPPING
Road, Ticehurst TN5 7HE, England, United
photocopies of articles, state full name of the article and month and year of
Kingdom. Single copies are $4.50 surface mail,
$7.50 airmail. publication. Please use block capitals. TOTAL
PAST ARTICLES
Photocopies of articles from the British Elektor Budget sweep/ 900040-F 20.00 5/90 Four-sensor 5921 20.00 6/90 Four-monitor driver for PC's 904067 10.50
from January 1979 onward are available from Old function sunshine recorder SMT prototyping board 904035 7.00
Colony Sound Lab for $5 each (multi-part articles: generator (1 x 27128)
10/90 SEPTEMBER 1990
$5 per part); $6 in Canada. Indexes are available. High current 900078-F 28.00 2/91 FP-controlled 5941 26.00
Send astamped (505), self-addressed business- Infrared remote control 904085/86 3.50
hFE tester telephone
size envelope to Old Colony, at the address 400W lab 900082-F 35.00 10-11/90 exchange OCTOBER 1990
above, for EACH YEAR desired. Acomplete set power supply (1 x 27128) P-cont rol led telephone 900081 36.00
of indexes for 1979-90 is available for $7.50 Milliohmmeter 910004-F 28.00 12/90 MIDI-to-CV interface 5981 26.00 2/91 exchange
postpaid. Also available postpaid: 8751 programmer 7061 70.50 11/90 Medium power audio 900098 18.00
Digital model train (13 parts) $15.00 EPROMS/PALS/MICROCONTROLLERS (1 x 8751) amplifier
TECHNICAL QUERIES PROJECT No. Price Issue S-VHS/CVBS-to-RGB 900055 24.50
DISKETTES
converter
Although we are always prepared to assist
Intelligent time 553 20.00 2/88 PROJECT No. Price Issue
readers in solving difficulties they may ex- NOVEMBER 1990
standard
perience with projects that have appeared in Digital model train 109 11.50 2-5,7/89- 400W lab power supply 900082 22.00
(1 x 2764)
Elektor Electronics USA, we regret that these 4/90 Active mini subwoofer 900122-1 12.00
I/O extension 561 17.50 6-7/88
cannot, under any circumstances, be dealt with Logic analyzer for 111 20.00 10/89 Medium power audio 900098 18.00
for IBM
by telephone or FAX. Atari ST (b/w only) amplifier
(1 x PAL 16L8)
COMPONENTS Computer-controlled 113 20.00 10/89 Programmer for 8751 900100 14.00
Centronics 562 17.50 10/88
interface Teletext decoder PT100 thermometer 900106 10.00
Components for projects appearing in Elektor
for slide fader Plotter driver 117 11.50 5-6/88
Electronics USA are usually available from ap- DECEMBER 1990
(1 x PAL 16R4) FAX interface, IBM 119 14.00 6/90
propriate advertisers in this magazine. If you Active mini subwoofer 900122-2 10.50
FP-controlled radio 564 20.00 7-9/89 PCs
have difficulty finding parts, please send aself- Milliohmmeter 910004 10.00
synthesizer RAM extension for 123 10.00 7/89
addressed postcard listing the parts you desire Phase check for 900114-1/2 16.00
(1 x 27C64) BBC-B
and we will attempt to locate a source. If dif- audio systems
EPROM simulator 129 11.50 12/89
ficulties in the supply of components are en- Portable MIDI 567 20.00 11/88 Signal suppressor for 904024 7.50
RS-232 splitter 1411 11.50 4/90
visaged, asource will normally be advised in the keyboard all solid-state preamp
Centronics 1421 11.50 5/90
article. (1 x 2764) Audio input selector 904039 12.50
ADC/DAC
Pitch control for 568 20.00 12/88 Search time monitor 904052 8.00
BOOKS Transistor 1431 13.00 5/90
CD players
The following Elektor books are currently avail- characteristic plot- JANUARY 1991
(1 x 2764)
able from Old Colony Sound: ting (Atari ST b/w) Logic analyzer (1) 900094-4 18.00
MIDI control unit 570 20.00 6-7/90
301 Circuits $12.50 ROM-copy for BASIC 1441 13.00 9/90 bus board
(1 x 27C64)
302 Circuits $12.50 Multifunction 1461 13.00 2/91 SWR meter 900013 6.00
Digital model train 572 20.00 2-5,7/89-
303 Circuits $15.95 measurement card
(1 x 2764) 4(90
Data Sheet Book 2 $16.50 for PCs FEBRUARY 1991
Darkroom clock 583 18.50 2/90
Databook 3 $17.95 8751 programmer 1471 13.00 11/90 Logic analyzer (2)
(1 x 27128) 900094-2 31.50
Microprocessor Data Book $17.90 PT100 thermometer 1481 13.00 11/90 RAM board
Slave indication 700 30.00 3/88 900094-3 8.50
PC-controlled 1551 13.00 3/91 probe board
SHELF BOXES unit for I.T.S. 48.00
weather station (1) Multifunction measure- 900124-1
Blue heavy-duty Elektor vinyl shelf box (1 x8748H) ment card for PCs
(holds 6 issues) $6.00 EPROM emulator 701 30.00 12/89 PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARDS High current hFE tester 900078 11 00
(1 x8748H)
FRONT PANEL FOILS PROJECT No. Price
Microcontroller- 702 95.00 5,6,9/88 MARCH 1991
PROJECT No. Price Issue driven power JULY-AUGUST 1990 The complete preamplifier
$ supply Compact 10A power 900045 23.00 input board 890169-1 44.40
Video mixer 873104-F 33.00 1-4/90 (1 x 8751) supply main board 890169-2 67.00
The complete 890169-F 15.00 3/91 Autonomous I/O 704 95.00 12/88 Intermediate projects UPBS-1 4.00 Electronic exposure 900041 18.50
preamplifier controller Mini FM transmitter 896118 8.50 timer
All solid-state 890170-F1 33.50 12/89 (1 x8751) Sound demodulator for 900057 7.50 PC-controlled 900124-3 7.50
preamplifier 890170-F2 18.50 1/90 Video mixer 5861 20.00 1-4/90 satellite-TV receivers weather station (1)
LF/HF signal 890183-F 18.50 12/89 (1 x 2764) Audio power indicator 904004 7.50 2m band converter 900006-1 850
tracer
0 meter 900031-F 23.00 4/90 SUPER **SAVE YOUR w¡eoicefr SALE-.SaEgEe edge 1/ .
WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
66

TERMS OF BUSINESS
PRICING next day or second day). UPS requires astreet ad- liability in excess of the original cost or replacement
Prices, except as noted, include shipping in the con- dress. If you cannot receive UPS delivery, please in- of the material if originally defective or damaged in
tinental USA. The minimum order is $10. A $2 ser- clude an extra $2 for insured service via Parcel Post. transit.
vice charge will be added to orders of less than $10. We cannot accept responsibility for safety or delivery
Prices are subject to change as our costs change. WE of uninsured Parcel Post shipments. Absolutely no PATENTS
RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE PRICE CHANGES COD shipments. Patent protection may exist in respect of circuits,
WITHOUT NOTICE. devices, components, and so on described in our
BOOKS, RECORDINGS, CDs, and SOFTWARE books or magazines. Elektor Electronics USA does not
ORDERING The shipping/handling charge for the US is $2.00, plus accept responsibility or liability for failing to iden-
Please use the ORDER FORM provided and include 75t each additional item. In Canada, please add $4.50 tify such patent or other protection.
part number, quantity and price. Please print clearly for the first item, 754 each additional. No returns.
and include your Magic Number if you are a sub- According to the Connecticut Dept. of Revenue Ser- COPYRIGHT
scriber. Please include aZIP code in your address. vices, Regulation #27, Section 12-426-27, in order to All drawings, photographs, articles, printed circuit
The ORDER FORM is designed to help us quickly sell software to residents of Connecticut, we must boards, EPROMs, software, and cassettes published
and accurately process your order. We reserve the register with the department as well as collect taxes in our books or magazines (other than in third-party
right to refuse mail orders not made using the ORDER for the state from the purchaser. We regret to inform advertisements) are copyright and may not be repro-
FORM or orders under the $10 minimum. our customers that we will not sell software to anyone duced or transmitted in any form or by any means,
from Connecticut, as it will prove to be too costly and including photocopying and recording, in whole or
TELEPHONE ORDERS
burdensome. in part, without the prior permission of Elektor Elec-
Telephone orders are welcome between the hours of
9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. EST, Monday-Friday. Orders OVERSEAS ORDERS tronics USA in writing. Such written permission must
for parts are to be made on the ORDER FORM pro- also be obtained before any part of these publications
For orders to be shipped outside North America, add
vided. Payment for telephone orders is by MCNISA 20% to the total order to cover shipping. is stored in aretrieval system of any nature.
only. Our TELEPHONE ORDER NUMBER IS (603) Notwithstanding the above, printed circuit boards
RETURNS may be produced for private and personal use without
924-6371 or 924-6526. Our answering machine for
If you wish to return all or part of an order for any prior permission.
MC/VISA orders during non-business hours is 1603)
924-6371. FAX: (603) 924-9467 (24 hours). reason, please call or write first. If we are in error,
correction will be made promptly, without charge. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
PAYMENT If the error is not ours, adjustment will be made Elektor Electronics USA shall not be liable in contract,
All remittances MUST BE IN US FUNDS DRAWN at our discretion. We will send you a return au- tort, or otherwise, for any loss or damage suffered
ON A US BANK. Payment for telephone orders must thorization label. A restocking fee of 20% will be by the purchaser whatsoever or howsoever arising
be made by MasterCard or VISA. Mail order payment charged on returns. Merchandise considered not fit out of, or in connection with, the supply of goods or
may be made by MC/VISA, money order, cashier's for resale will be returned without credit or refund. services by Elektor Electronics USA other than to sup-
check or personal check. If payment is made by per- A $2 fee will be charged on exchanges. All returns ply goods as described, or at the option of Elektor Elec-
sonal check, allow up to 2weeks for clearance before must be made within 30 days of invoice date. tronics USA, to refund the purchaser any money paid
order is shipped. Should check be returned for any Books, software, CDs, and recordings are not eligi- in respect of the goods.
reason, there will be a $10 charge. ble for return or refund.
LAW
SHIPPING WARRANTY Any question relating to the supply of goods and ser-
Unless noted, freight is prepaid by Old Colony. We warrant that all items sold conform to the qual- vices by Elektor Electronics USA or its subsidiaries
All orders shipped USPS first class mail or by UPS. ity and specifications set forth. We make no represen- shall be determined in all respects by the laws of the
Allow two to three weeks for delivery. Please inquire tations. We accept no responsibility whatever for fur- United States of America and/or the State of New
about appropriate funds for special handling (UPS ther use by the customer. We accept no monetary Hampshire.

BOOKS FROM ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA

301 CIRCUITS The final part of the book deals with anumber of computer chips, such as memory
This book follows the theme of the first in this series, 300 Circuits (now out of print). devices (including programming information for these) and I/O circuits. This section
It contains over 300 assorted circuits first published in the 1979, 1980, 1981 summer also includes data on a number of non-digital discrete and integrated devices, such
issues of Elektor Electronics. as op amps, as well as on some microprocessor peripherals (e.g., the 6522 VIA, the
The circuits range from the simple to the more complex and are described and ex- 6580 ACIA, and the 8355A PPI).
plained in straightforward language. The book is a comprehensive source of ideas ISBN 0-905705-27-0
and construction projects for anyone interested in electronics. BKAA14 Price $18.50
ISBN 0-905705-12-2
BKAA11 Price $12.50 DATABOOK 3: PERIPHERAL CHIPS
This book lists the most important design data of peripheral chips whose type numbers
302 CIRCUITS and functions relate them unambiguously to amicroprocessor in the same family. All
The popularity of this book is shown by its having been reprinted no fewer than three listed devices form part of families based on widely used microprocessors or microcon-
times. It offers a selection of the most interesting articles from the 1982, 1983, 1984 trollers. Their most evident application will therefore be in conjunction with the
summer issues of Elektor Electronics. aqfflciated microprocessor. This should, however, not be taken to mean that a
In it you will find circuits for audio and video; car, cycle, and motorcycle; home and peripheral cannot be used in another application. Far from it, as witness the familiar
garden; receivers and aerials; hobbies and games; measuring and testing; oscillators type MC146818A real-time clock and the type mcee45 cathode-ray tube controller.
and generators; current sources and power supplies; microcomputers and music elec- It deserves aplace on the bookshelf of anyone concerned with the design, maintenance
tronics; and a miscellany of other interesting subjects. and servicing of microprocessor-controlled electronic equipment.
ISBN 0-905705-25-4 ISBN 0-905705-30-0
BKAA12 Price $12.50 EIKA.A15 Price $17.95

303 CIRCUITS MICROPROCESSOR DATA BOOK

Like its predecessors, 303 CIRCUITS offers a comprehensive collection of practical This book has come about because of aneed by Elektor Electronics engineers, techni-
ideas, concepts, and developments in the gamut of electronics. Unlike its predecessors, cians, and editorial staff of a ready reference work on the most important
the book is arranged in 11 subject sections to make it easier for the reader to find microprocessors. This implies that it does not only contain information on the latest
that long-sought circuit. devices, such as the transputer, but also on older, well-established types, such as
In well over 300 pages, the book offers 32 Audio and Hi-Fi projects; 14 circuits for the Z80 and the 6800.
Car and Bicycles; 43 Computer & Microprocessor circuits; 11 Electrophonic projects; A general description, hardware block schematic, software structure, DC character-
24 HF and VHF circuits; 16 circuits for a number of hobbies and pastimes; 54 proj- istics, and instruction sets are given for over 70 microprocessors. To prevent the book
ects for Home and Garden; 29 Power Supply circuits; 29 circuits for Test and Measure- from becoming unwieldy (and to keep costs down), timing diagrams and AC character-
ment equipment; nine TV and Video projects; as well as 42 Design Ideas. istics have, however, been omitted. The detailed information on all manufacturers men-
ISBN 0-905705-82-2 tioned will, however, enable any additional information to be obtained quite readily.
BKAA13 Price $15.90 Included in the book are, among others, the 68000 series; the 6502 family; the Z80,
8080, and 8085; Intel's 8086, 80186, 80188, 80286, and 80386; the NS32)00( series,
DATA SHEET BOOK 2 and the INMOS transputers.
Like its predecessor (now out of print), this book offers concise, relevant, and rapidly ISBN 0-905705-28-9
accessible information, which is both practical (e.g., the pin-out of a device) and BKAA18 Price $17.90
informative.
The book contains data on integrated circuits as well as on discrete transistors and
diodes. Moreover, it gives an introduction to fast (HCMOS) devices and a review of BKAAL1 BKAA11, BKAA12, BKAA13: all 3for $35 (Save $5.95!)
the new symbolic logic as hid down in British Standard E3S3939:Section 21 (IEC Stand- SPECIALS! BKAA7J2 BKAA14, BKAA15, BKAA16: all 3for $45 (Save $7.351)
ard 617-12). BKAAVS Complete Elektor library: all 6for $70 (Save $23.25!)

These books are all available direct from Elektor Electronics USA through the Readers Services, from a number of bookshops and electronics retailers in the US and Canada,
and from selected bookshops throughout the world. Special prices are those of EEUSA only.

WorldRadioHistory

ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991

 !!!
Sure, high tech audio has its share of mystery, hype
and mystique. But all that clears up when you ven-
ture with us behind the front panel. At first, you may
be satisfied to just look around, and check things out
with the schematic. Very soon, you'll begin to
understand what that mumbo jumbo is all about.
Then whenever you like, you can start improving

Start reading
your system's performance in ways that mass pro-
duction doesn't allow.
If that sounds overly optimistic, read that first
quote again. It's from a reader who had never

Audio Amateur an
opened the back of a set,
never read a schematic or
plugged in a soldering

Ou soon be iron— before subscribing to Audio Amateur. And

there are thousands more like her who've been

turning garden variety preamps into something
really special by replacing the power supply,
9
upgrading the components, or actually improving

s'y rt ng us letters
the circuit design.
•t And this is only a fraction of what
Audio Amateur has been doing for
thousands of readers during the
past twenty years.

just like these

We've done it in part by publishing authoritative
articles about audio technology by people who have
improved their own systems. Most often, they're non-
audio engineers who recognize that there are better
ways to reproduce sound than commercial products
allow. We also publish original designs as good or
"I never realized that an absolute novice like
better than those on the market—and always at far
me could really get into the electronics of my
lower cost. We always tell you where to find the
music system and make changes that would
parts you need. Not surprising, there are specialist
improve the sound so dramatically."
suppliers who offer kits based on the articles.
Gayle Farris, Denver, CO 80216
But it's not all "work." You'll meet the who's who
in audio. You'll enjoy the lively exchange of ideas in
"I scratch-built the last PAS with certain
our reader letters. Audio Aids is a forum where
modifications...a much more stiffly regulated
readers share their tricks and ideas. Booktalk has
heater circuit, and one cathode follower
reviews of old and new audio books. And you'll learn
tube function in the RIAA stage... and it
about all that's really unusual among the new. Our
sounds great."
free classified ads for subscribers and audio clubs
Zoltan Gal, Gyor Hungary
provide a great meeting ground.
All this will lead you to hours of hands-on pleasure
The servo article (by Brian Clark) is now my pet
and listening with a satisfaction you had never ex-
project, and I'm trying to apply it to my PA Audio IV
perienced before. But that's not all. You'll find that
H preamp...it would allow me to eliminate three
new venture so engrossing you'll wonder what
100uF aluminum electrolytics from the signal path."
happened to all that stress.
S. F. Lataros, Nazareth, PA 18064
It's easy to get started. Just have your Mastercard
or VISA handy when you call us at (603) 924-9464,
any working day between 9 and 4. Or use the
coupon. There's nothing dated about Audio Amateur,
so your subscription starts with the first issue of this
year. And they'll arrive in about six weeks.

fr"

Send me Audio Amateur

Post Office Box 576, Dept. E91, Peterborough, NH 03458-0576
one year for $20. Li two years for $35
0 I'm enclosing acheck/money order. H Use my credit card
Iunderstand that my subscription will start with the first issue
published in 1991 and each year's subscription will end with the

AudioAmateur
last issue of that year. Canada: please add $4 per year postage

NAME

STREET & NO

THE JOURNAL FOR AUDIOPHILE CRAFTS CITY STATE ZIP

MC/VISA EXP

WorldRadioHistory

ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991

68

"Recommended for music lovers and audiophiles who want to know more about
the physics of musical sounds."—Stereo Review

FUNDAMENTALS OF MUSICAL ACOUSTICS

by Arthur H. Benade
Fundamentals of Musical Acoustics is a landmark book in its field, hailed for its
astonishingly clear, delightfully readable statement of everything of acoustical im-
portance to music-making. Though directed primarily to the music student who is
taking an acoustics course, it is must reading for all musicians, music lovers and
audiophiles eager to expand their musical horizons.
This book deals extensively with the fundamental modes of sound production and
with the special sound-producing properties of musical instruments in common use
today—as well as the human voice. It further explores the critical roles played by
the room and by the hearer's auditory apparatus. The basis of scales and harmony
and the craft of instrument-making are also discussed in this masterly text, which
includes numerous illustrations, bibliographical information, and a stimulating sec-

t
or,
tion of "Examples, Experiments, and Questions" at the end of each chapter. 1990, 608pp., 61
4 "x91
/ 4 "... BKD-5
/ $15.95

obON y

0„441.
3e,
YES!
co Please send me NAME

BKD-5 @ $15.95 STREET & NO

SOUe OLD COLONY
Postage
SOUND LAB CITY STATE ZIP

TOTAL
PO Box 243, Dept. E91
MCNISA EXP
Peterborough, NH 03458 POSTAGE &HANDLING: In US, please add $2.00 for first book
and 75 , each additional book. In Canada, please add $4.50
24 Hours: Tel. (603) 924-6371 for first book, 75« each additional. Overseas, please include 2014
0 MC E VISA CKNO

FAX (603) 924-9467 of total order for shipping.

Announcing Old Colony Sound Lab's

SUPER "SAVE YOUR INVOICE" SALE!

That's right! When you order from Old Colony from now through June, be sure to save
the invoice which comes with your shipment! It's worth cash! In July or August, you
may subtract 10% of the invoice's bottom line from any order of double or greater
value—in addition to any other discount which may apply!

For example, if you placed an order for $50 worth of products now, in July or August
you would be eligible for a $5 credit (10% of your earlier order) on any order of $10
or more (double or greater the amount of your credit)! Plus any other discount!

BUT PLEASE REMEMBER:

YOU MUST SUBMIT YOUR ACTUAL PREVIOUS INVOICE WITH YOUR
NEW JULY OR AUGUST ORDER, SO BE SURE TO SAVE IT!

SEE OUR ADS ELSEWHERE IN THIS ISSUE

AND ORDER TODAY!
START YOUR SUMMER SAVINGS NOW!

WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
 •Advanced Technology

PacComm • Enduring Value

NandiPacket
PORTABLE PACKET\
CONTROLLER

vteo
Current Software Today and Tomorrow

Only 1.3" X 2.6" X 4.5"

All Metal Case User Serviceable Parts

Open Squelch DCD Large 0.5 AH Battery Builtin

NOW YOU CAN HAVE YOUR PACKET... AND TRAVEL TOO!

* "Open Squelch" DCD circuitry for faster, more reliable per-
formance * Compact size * Attaches to your belt, handie-
talkie or handheld computer * Rugged construction with superb
NOW
ONLY $2295. 5
RF shielding (no birdies in your radio) * Standard battery pack
provides over 12 hours of operation * Advanced Personal Mail For complete ,do & specificabons
Box & KISS mode included * 32 k-bytes of RAM * Complete Call (813)874-2980 To Order, Call
with belt clip, cables, battery pack & charger, comprehensive Toll Fr.»: 1-800-223-3511
manual * 30 day money-back /One year warranty parts & labor Malor Credit Cards Accepted'

PacComm • 3652 West Cypress Street • Tampa. Florida 33607

Please send CI HandiPacket El More Information D FREE Catalog
Name Call

Address Phil

State Zip Card# Exp. Date

MONEY BACK GUARANTEE! Add $4.00 shipping/handling per order. FL residents add 6% sales tax.
Mayor Credit Card give number, expiration and signature. FAX: 813-872-8696

TUBES •PARTS •SUPPLIES

YOUR COMPLETE SOURCE
TUBES: SUPPLIES:
3000 audio, receiving and indus- Chemicals, test equipment, wire,
trial types in stock, including early batteries, tools, etc.
and foreign types. Discount
prices! LITERATURE:
Extensive offering of literature and
CAPACITORS: books on antique radios, hi-fi,
High voltage electrolytic and mylar communications equipment,
capacitors for tube circuits. tube data, and circuit diagrams.

TRANSFORMERS: PARTS:
Hard-to-find power transformers, Resistors, lamps, tube sockets,
audio transformers, and filter potentiometers, grill cloth, knobs,
chokes for tube equipment. vibrators and more.

"Write or call for our 28 page wholesale catalog"

ANTIQUE ELECTRONIC SUPPLY

6221 S. Maple Avenue, Tempe, AZ 85283, Phone (602) 820-5411, FAX (602) 820-4643

WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
 70

Courteous Service • Discount Prices • Fast Shipping

In 1988, Madisound Speaker Components processed
20,000 orders e e
VIFA DYNAUDIO PERFECT LAY
P.O. Box 567 eVan Nuys, CA 91408
FOCAL MB QUART SIDEWINDER
PHILIPS AUDAX ELECTROVOICE 11 New *"FLASH UNITS FLASHER LED'S
EUROPA PEERLESS SLEDGEHAMMER This NEW compact Rubicon CE
flash unit comes from
MOREL SOLEN a
‘‘ I/ 210 Mfd 330 Volt
Vo
photoflash capacitor.
-,_
aU.S. manufacturer
KEF ETON of cameras. Unit ifr„..-- 0.79' dia. X 1.1' high.
operates on 3Vdc i'l 1, These are new capacitors
e-_-,,
Doesn't your hobby deserve these fine product lines? and measures
, -«'
that have been prepped with 1.4'
2 VT X 11/4". blackand red wire leads soldered
Ideal for use as astrobe, to the terminals.
warning light or attention CATI PPC-210 $1.25 each
MADISOUND SPEAKER COMPONENTS getter. Complete with instruction on how to wire. 10 for $11.00 • 100 for $100.00
CATI FSH-1 $3.75 each 10 for $35.00 Large quantities available.
8608 University Green
Box 4283, Madison, WI 53711 INSTRUMENT POWER SUPPLIES
Phone (608) 831-3433 FAX: (608) 831-3771 ENCLOSURES
5Vdc 3AMP
High quality nxilded ACDC Electronics
ABS instrument 85N3-1 New ,
enclosures. Integrated prepped power
PC board standoffs supply with wir es : -1
and two sets of vertical and connectors soldered to he Inputs and
mounting slots for outputs. Open frame style. 4.94 - X 4.03' X
front and rear sub panels. All enclosures are 2". Input: 115 Vac. UL and CSA listed. Reg-
6" wide X 6 Ur deep. Cháce of three hts. ulated. CAT* PS-53 $10.00 each
Includes non-skid rubber feet and hardware.
Available in ivory, black, and blue. 12 Vdc 5AMP
Panel AL CATI ACDC Electronics 8 12N5 or equiv.
2 1/4' CATI MB-A $7.50 ea 10 /$65.00 Input: 100-240 Vac (wired for 115 Vac)
25/8' CAD, MB-B $7.75 ea 10 /$67.50 Output: 12 Vdc @ 5amps. Open frame
3' CATI MB-C $8.00 ea 10 /$70.00 style. T X43/4" X 3" high. Regulated.
CATI PS-125 $37.50 each
THE R.F. CONNECTION Please specify color.

213 North Frederick Ave. #11 HEAVY-DUTY NICKEL 24 Vdc 2.4 AMP
Power-One Inc. 8HC-24-2.4
Gaithersburg, MD 20877 CADMIUM "C" BATTERY Input: 115/230 Vac (wired for 115 Vac)
ORDERS 1-800-783-2666 Output: 24 Vdc @ 2.4 arrps. Open frame
Yuasa 1800C Special purchase of new, style. 5.62 X 4.87' X 2.50' CSA listed.
INFO 301-840-5477 FAX 301-869-3680 rechargeable
CAD, PS-2424 $30.00 each
nickel-cad batteries. at
THIS LIST REPRESENTS ONLY A
1.2 volts, 1800 mAH. 6 Volt 1Amp/Hour
FRACTION OF OUR HUGE INVENTORY" PRICE REDUCED ON 10 OR MORE. ECHARGEABLE BATTER
"Specialist in RF Connectors and Coax" CAT/ HDNCB-C
Part No. DeecrIptIon Price 10 pieces for $42.50 ($4.25 each) JAPAN STORAGE
PL-259/USA UHF Male Phenolic, USA made $ 70 100 pieces for $375.00 ($3.75 each) BATTERY CO.
PL-259/ST UHF Male Silver Teflon USA 1.50 Ponalactl PE6V1
UG-21D/U N Male RG-8. 213,214 Delta 125
OPTO SENSOR 6Volt 1Ah rechargeable ,---......
,
UO.21» N Male RG-8. 213, 214. Kings SOO
seated leadj -acid (gell cell).
9913/PIN N Male Pin for 9913. 9086, 8214 TRW8OPB 822SD
2' X 1.635' X 2" high.
Fits UG-21 D/U & UG-21 B/UNS 1.50 Reflective scanner module.
UG-210/9913 N Male for RG-13 with 9913 Pin 3.95 Batteries are prepped with 5' black and
U-shaped device with 4 leads .
UG-2113/9913 N Male for RG-13 with 9913 Pin 575
each side (8 total). 0.09' gap. u,
,-,
red leads terminated with 2pin connector.
UG-146A/11 N Male to SO-239. Teflon USA 6.00 Ideal for rechargeable reserve power.
UG-8.35/U N Female to PL-259, Teflon USA 6.00
CAT8 OSU-10 758 each
CATrt GC-61 $4.75 each •10 tor $42.50
PRICES DO NOT INCLUDE SHIPPING
PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE Experimentors Delight
VISA. MASTERCARD, ADD 4,/o
UPS C.O.D. ADD $3.50 PER ORDER ATARI 5200 VIDEO GAME CONTROLLERS
Atari video game controllers returned to the
dealer because of various defects.
None of them work properly, but they
have lots of great parts. A RF video
7 .,.... ,. . _ _. .i. .t, ..
-... •- 4-.4 • . ,
modulator,eight 16K dynamic RAMs
in sockets, microprocessors and D-A -r-No..._,I.• ..•L.••... ...,..1.
converters in sockets, two voltage -t-- - ;
-17.7- - = ..-•' ""'-••• ->
regulators on aheavy-duty heatsink and lots
of other ICs, capacitors, resistors, connectors and other corrponents. Does not include the
power transformer or controls (joysticks). CAT/ A-5200 $7.50 each •2for $13.50
SOLD AS-IS For Parts Only. No returns accepted.

TOLL FREE ORDER LINES

MAKE CIRCUIT BOARDS THE NEW, EASY WAY 1-800_826_5432
CHARGE ORDERS to Visa, MasterCard or Discover

TERMS: Minimum wrier siaoaShipping and handling for the 48 continental U.S.A. $3.50
per order. All others including Al( HL PR or Canada must pay full shipping. All onieis
delivered in CALIFORNIA must include state sales tax (6 %, 6 12%, 7%) .
Quantities Limited. NO C. 00. Prtes abject to change without notice.
Call Toll Free, or clip this coupon
WITH TEC-200 FILM FREE 60 Page Catalog containing over 4,000 ITEMS
JUST 3 EASY STEPS: ALL ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
• Copy circuit on TEC-200 film using any • Iron film on to copper clad board
plain paper copier or laser printer • Peel off film and etch
P.O. Box 567. Van Nuys, CA •91408
SATISFACTION GUARANTEED
convenient 81/2 x 11 size
5-Sheets for $3.95 10-Sheets only $5.95
add $1.25 postage NY res, add sales tax Ailik•••

The MEADOWLAKE Corp.

Dept B, P.O. Box 497, Northport, NY 11768 Cl)'
MOO
Stale ZIP

WorldRadioHistory
ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS USA MARCH 1991
 Specificado
The MDM 85 is a mid range 75mm
soft dome unit of extremely high
MOM 85 (with enclosure) Variations to specification for MOM 85NE
standard, both from a design and
(without enclosure)

fidelity technical viewpoint. Overall Dimensions 0 -160mm x 113mm

Nominal Power Handfing Din 300W Overall Dimensions 0- 160mm 60mm
It incorporates the renowned Morel Transient Power 10ms 1500W Frequency Response 250-5000 Hz

!range double magnet and Hexatech voice

coil techniques, and results in a unit
Voice Coil Diameter 75mm (3")
Hexatech Aluminium
Resonant Frequency
Rmec
170 Hz
39.33
Voice Coil Former Aluminium Ores 0.19
of above average sensitivity with
Frequency Response 300-5000 Hz Qes 1.81
extremely low distortion and high Resonant Frequency 250 Hz OIT 0.17
power handling capability. Sensitivity 92 dB (1W/1M) Vas 0.7 litre
Nominal Impedance 8 ohms Nett Weight 1.05 kg
With an output level of 96dB Harmonic Distortion
distortion in the area of 400-800Hz is for 96 dB SPI <1%
Intermodulation Distortion
slightly over 1% falling to 0.01 5%
for 96 dB SPI <0.25%
from 1Khz.
Voice Coil Inductance @ 1 Khz 0.2mh
Air Gap Width 1.C5mm
There are two different types Air Gap Height 3.0mm
available, one wilh a rear enclosure Voice Coil Height 6.0mm
and one without IMDM 85NE). Flux Density 1.0T
The type with the rear enclosure can Force Factor (BXL) 4.6 WB/M
be fitted into a cabinet as an integral Rdc 5.2 ohms
Rmec 37.90
unit.
Qms 0.29
Qes 2.66
morel (U.K.) ltd. The MOM 85NE without the rear (VT 0.20
11 Foxtail Road, enclosure can only be fitted into a Vas 0.33 litre
Nacton Rd. (Ransomes) system having a separate housing to Moving Mass including Air Load 7.0 grams
Industrial Estate, enclose the unit. A volume of 0.7 Effective Dome Area 63.50 cm' 0 -88mm
litre is recommerded for this housing, Dome Material Chemically Treated Fabric
Ipswich, IP3 9RT
which is essentizI to prevent inter- Nett Weight 1.25 kg
England
Tel: (0473) 719212 reaction with the bass unit Specifications given are as after 24 hours of running.
Telex:987601 Morel G. compressions and expansions. This
housing must be filled full with
0,00040,10 PaintawaYr 10pe 30813 F,03- 20 Hz w 83mm /8«,
damping materia, such as fibreglass
Yuman 0001

morel or rock wool.

UMW— «Ca
i
-M -1
_ _

acoustics us 2.83V .10

— ---, -

The Thiele small parameters are given 0 0111

414 Harvard Street r .
for both types under specifications. rUETKE—
Brookline, MA 02146 tN
The contribution of this unit to a "_ __ _
clematis -—
ANRO
ECTC
Tel: (617) 277-6663
suitably designed system will be 30»

FAX: (617) 277-2415 14IC. 88,8

evident in the clarity and detail giver,
4138___
in the 500-5000fiz region. —
; _ ..
23.10 _ 4 30
- _ - +_-_-..,
• le _
'
- -----'. -
r
0- 0 40 2-11
--- - --,
-
— -

OLO00
13 IV 03 40
-0P 110 1.00, Fa, Sr..10 byil Zus Len* 60 dB atueeizi

Morel operate apolicy of COntunuOuS product design improvement. consequenlv specifications are .,object to alteration without prior notice

WorldRadioHistory
 3000
Top of the Line Universal
HandiCounterTM.
OFF
THE BENCH
$375.

AND
RUNNING •
When OPTOELECTRONICS took fre-
quency counters off the bench we
created a whole new dimension -
2600 Frequency Finding.
Super Sensitive RF Our Handi-Countersl' , make
Frequency Finder, 2210A Frequency Finding a reality by
$325. Full Range allowing you to pick-up radio
Pocket transmitters at the maximum
Size LED. possible distance.
$239. Monitoring Enthusiast, Security
Specialists, Broadcast and Design
Engineers, Two Way and Amateur
Radio Operators and Service Techni-
cians have all made the move.
Shouldn't you?

1300H/A
Low Cost Ultra
Sensitive (HF,
UHF, VHF).
8030
$179.
Bench Portable (Fits in an attaché
case) with ALL the Handi-CounterTM
Features plus More. $579.

Model
Range
Low
High
Display
8Digit LED
Display
W Digit LCD
Signal
Strength
Bargraph
Universal
Counter
TCXO
Option
• •
•
•

8030 10Hz
24GHz
• • ± 1ppm
add S125
Toll Free Order Line:
3000 10Hz
24GHz
± 2ppm
add S80
1-800-327-5912
2600 1MHz ± 2ppm In Florida call (305)771-2050
FAX (305)771-2052
24GHz add S80

2210A 10Hz ± 5ppm

24GHz add $75 5821 NE 14th Avenue •Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33°334
Visa, MC, COD, Cash, M.O. aceei::;tiéti, Personal
1300H/A 1MHz ± 5ppm
13GHz add S75 Check allow 3weeks. 5% Shipping, Handling,
(Maximum $10) U.S. & Canada. 15% outside
Sensitivity. <1 to <10mV typical. NiCads 8( AC Charger/Adapter Included. Carry
Case, Antennas and Probes extra One year parts 8,. labor warranty on all products continental U.S.A.

WorldRadioHistory