| VOLUME 12 No. 1 JANUARY 1976
CONSTRUCTIONAL PROJECTS
ROAD-ICE WARNING INDICATOR by A. M. Owen
A simple early warning device for monitoring driving conditions 22
IC50 GUITAR AMPLIFIER-2 by B. W. TerrelI & C. F. TerrelI
This concluding article deals with construction and testing 25
DIGITAL LOGIC CHECKER by D. Coles
A visual in-circuit pocket logic checker 52
AUDIO COMPRESSOR by S. Whitt
Obtain better recordings with this inexpensive unit 56
RANDOM TONE GENERATOR by W. 0. Ross
An electronic doorbell which can provide a variety of tunes at the press of the door switch 58
GENERAL FEATURES
INGENUITY UNLIMITED
Headlight Dimmer-Skin Resistance Indicator-Random Generator-Sawtooth Generator Sequencing Oscillator-Output Meter-Simple Lights Flasher-Temperature Sensing DeviceTime Switch-Voltage Controlled Zener-Lights-on Reminder-Voice Operated Fader Modifications-Dwell Meter Modifications 35
USING CMOS DIGITAL I.C.s-1 by D. B. Johnson-Davies & A. M. Marshall
An introductory course to operating principles, practical guidance and experimental circuits for this fast moving technology 44
SEMICONDUCTOR UPDATE by D. W. Coles 48
A review of interesting devices
NEWS AND COMMENT
EDITORIAL-Small Mercies 21
SPACEWATCH by Frank W. Hyde
Jodrell Bank-Black Holes and White Holes 31
BOOK REVIEWS
Selected new books we have received 32
MARKET PLACE
Interesting new products 42
INDUSTRY NOTEBOOK by Nexus
What's happening inside industry 55
NEWS BRIEFS
Viewdata Service-IERE Golden Jubilee 60,62
POINTS ARISING
Light Modulation Unit 62
PATENTS REVIEW
Tape Noise Reduction-Electrostatic Loudspeaker-Patent News 65
READOUT
A selection of readers' letters 66
Our February issue will be published on Friday, January 9, 1976 (for details of contents see page 49)
VOLUME 12 No. 2 FEBRUARY 1976
CONSTRUCTIONAL PROJECTS
PROGRAMMABLE WASH/WIPE CONTROLLER by 0. W. Lee
A car wiper delay unit with a difference 112
SOIL SATURATION METER 0. W. Lloyd
A simple electronic answer to green fingers 116
CAR/CARAVAN CLOCK by M. Fischer
A crystal controlled clock with some unusual extra facilities 130
OPTO COUPLED REV COUNTER by D. S. Bradbury
0-25,000 r.p.m. meter for aeromodellers 144
GENERAL FEATURES
USING CMOS DIGITAL l.C.s-2 by 0. B. Johnson-Davies & A. M. Marshall
The transmission gate; logic gates; part numbering systems; the quad analogue switch 123
SEMICONDUCTOR UPDATE by D. W. Coles
A look at some recently released devices 143
INGENUITY UNLIMITED
Surround Sound Matrix-White Noise Generator-Simple Touch Switch-Better Figures-Night Light-Car Theft Alarm-Audio Signalling-Cycle Lighting Control-Charger for NickelCadmium Cells-"Instant" Digital Stop Watch Conversion 150
NEWS AND COMMENT
EDITORIAL-Excommunication 111
SPACEWATCH by Frank W Hyde
Details from the Venus probe 120
NEWS BRIEFS
Calculators for the Blind-Sky Communications 126
MARKET PLACE
Some interesting new products 129
POST OFFICE RESEARCH CENTRE
A look at some of the work being done at the new centre 142
BOOK REVIEWS
Selected books we have received 148
INDUSTRY NOTEBOOK by Nexus
What's happening inside industry 149
PATENTS REVIEW
Thought provoking ideas on file at the British Patent Office 159
READOUT
A selection of readers' letters 160
Our March issue will be published on Friday, February 13, 1916
(for details of contents see page 119)
VOLUME 12 No. 3 MARCH 1976
CONSTRUCTIONAL PROJECTS
SYNCHRONOME by A.Briar
An accented-beat metronome for duple, triple and quadruple rhythms 198
PEAK LEVEL INDICATOR by J. T. Tiernan
A useful recording accessory which gives a fast-acting indication of overload 203
TOTAL HARMONIC DISTORTION FILTER by R. A. Pen fold
Allows measurement of t.h.d. at 100Hz and 1kHz 216
CAR/CARAVAN CLOCK by M. Fischer
Mains conversion and circuits for controller and latch 225
GENERAL FEATURES
USING CMOS DIGITAL I.C.s-3 by D. B, Johnson-Davies & A. M. Marshall
Gate packages, driving circuits and latches 206
SEMICONDUCTOR UPDATE by D. W. Coles
A look at some recently released devices 224
INGENUITY UNLIMITED
TV Sound Adaptor-B.F.O.-Touch Switch-Stereo Preamplifier-Light Switch and Motor DriverLow Voltage Regulator-Car Fuse Monitor-Combination Lock-Autotone Mk 2 234
NEWS AND COMMENT
EDITORIAL-The Old Order Changeth - 197
SPACEWATCH by Frank W. Hyde
To Mars by Viking . 212
KIT REPORT
Construction and assessment of the Sinclair "Black Watch" 220
INDUSTRY NOTEBOOK by Nexus
What's happening inside industry 222
PRODUCT REVIEW
A review of the recently released Hewlett Packard 3476A/B Digital Multimeter 243
READOUT
A selection of readers' letters 244
SPECIAL P.E. PUBLICATION
SOUND DESIGN-Coming soon, details on page 215
Our April issue will be published on Friday, March 12, 1976 (for details of contents see page 223)
VOLUME 12 No. 4 APRIL 1976
CONSTRUCTIONAL PROJECTS
P.E. DIGI-PROBE by B, Cullen & P. W. Coles
A logic state monitor with 3-state indication 288
ADSR ENVELOPE SHAPER by P.R. Williams
An ADSR design which includes a VCA 293
D.C. MILLIVOLTMETER by H. T. Kitchen
Uses operational amplifier techniques to achieve good sensitivity and high input impedance 305
SHOOT by P. Adams Challenge your reaction time with this ingenious game 318
GENERAL FEATURES
USING CMOS DIGITAL l.C.s-4 by D.B. Johnson-Davies & A. M. Marshall 300
Linear applications and circuits for a tachometer and an oscilloscope trace doubler
TIME CONSTANTS by 0. Maynard
A look into this sometimes confusing subject 309
INGENUITY UNLIMITED
Electronic Flasher-Patch Board-Transistor Tester-Electronic Dice-Car Battery Condition Indicator-Frequency Changer-Relay Operation-BCD to 7-Segment Decoder-Tuning IndicatorCar Alarm-Sound to Light Modulator-7-Segment to BCD Encoder-Auxiliary Power SupplyThyristor Windscreen Wiper Delay 324
NEWS AND COMMENT
EDITORIAL-Order in The Ranks 287
SPACEWATCH by Frank W. Hyde
Helios 2-Target Saturn-The Sun-China 296
HOW INVENTIVE WERE YOU?
A report from the judges of the Plessey/P.E. competition 299
SEMICONDUCTOR UPDATE by P. W. Coles
A look at some recently released devices 313
NEWS BRIEFS
Digital Watches-IBA Handbook-BS9000 314
MARKET PLACE
Interesting new products 322
STRICTLY INSTRUMENTAL by K. Lenton-Smith
Electronic music matters 323
PATENTS REVIEW
Thought provoking ideas on file at the British Patents Office 335
INDUSTRY NOTEBOOK by Nexus
What's happening inside industry 336
SPECIAL 8-PAGE SUPPLEMENT
SOUNDS EXTRAORDINARY
An account of the many different electronic effects used in music today 1-8
Our May issue will be published on Friday, April 9, 1976 (for details of special free piece of Veroboard and other contents, see page 315)
VOLUME 12 No. 5 MAY 1976
CONSTRUCTIONAL PROJECTS
DIGITAL FREQUENCYMETER by A. J. Buxton
Gives digital readout of frequency measurement of up to 500MHz 376
ADD-ON CAPACITANCE UNIT by R. W. Lawrence
Direct measurement of capacitance on your multimeter. Can be built on the free printed wiring board provided with this issue. 390
AUDIO COMPASS by M. Kenward
An off-course alarm for use on self-steered yachts and power craft. Allows ears to replace eyes when steering a compass course at night 394
COMPUTER VOICE byE. A. Parr
Generates those "Dalek-type voice effects 406
GENERAL FEATURES
USING CMOS DIGITAL l.C.s-5 by D.B. Johnson-Davies & A. M. Marshall
Electronic switches and oscillators 384
SEMICONDUCTOR UPDATE by P. W. Coles
A look at some recently released devices 404
HELLS, BELLS AND DECIBELS by D.Maynard
Ever get confused about dB's? This article helps clarify the subject 411
INGENUITY UNLIMITED
Multiple Octave Organ-Time Switch-Burglar Alarm-Frequency Divider-Indicator for Discotheque PFL System-Light-on Indicator-Courtesy Light Timer-Dual Fade for Slide Presentation-Low Voltage Indicator-Car Alarm-Recording Level Indicator-Touch Keyboard 413
NEWS AND COMMENT
EDITORIAL-Under-Sold? 375
NEWS BRIEFS
Summer School 382
BOOK REVIEWS
Selected books we have received 382
POINTS ARISING
How Inventive Competition-Digi-Probe-Opto-Coupled R.P.M. Meter 382
SPACEWATCH by Frank W. Hyde
Soviet Venus Probes-Powersat-Set Backs 383
MARKET PLACE
Interesting new products 410
INDUSTRY NOTEBOOK by Nexus
What's happening inside industry 412
PATENTS REVIEW
Latest patent information including price increase 424
* FREE WITH THIS ISSUE - PRINTED WIRING BOARD
Our June issue will be published on Friday, May 14, 1916 (for details of contents, see page 405)
VOLUME 12 No. 6 JUNE 1976
CONSTRUCTIONAL PROJECTS
RALLY MILOMETER by P. Leah
Designed to aid navigation and map reading on car rallies 484
AUDIO MILLIVOLTMETER by R. A. Penfold
An essential piece of test gear in the design of audio equipment 476
PROPORTIONAL RADIO CONTROL-1 by D. J. Whiteley
A 9-channel 27MHz system with options of proportional or switched control on each channel. This month the transmitter and coder 484
DIGITAL FREQUENCY METER-2 by A. J. Buxton
This final article deals with construction, a high impedance input buffer and a vhf. prescaler 499
GENERAL FEATURES
USING CMOS DIGITAL I.C.s-6 by D. B. Johnson-Davies & A. M. Marshall
Retriggerable monostables, digital filters and three-state output devices 470
SEMICONDUCTOR UPDATE by A. W. Coles
A look at some recently released devices 492
INGENUITY UNLIMITED
Digital Calendar-Electronic Doorbell-lrregular Waveform Production-Square Wave Generator 494
NEWS AND COMMENT
EDITORIAL-Rising to the Challenge-A Welcome Cut 483
NEWS BRIEFS
Quad Achievements-Night Attack Missile-New Exchange-Army on the Air 472-489
SPACEWATCH by Frank W. Hyde
Space Telescope-Space Traffic Jam?-Note for Posterity 475
READOUT
A reader's protest 499
INDUSTRY NOTEBOOK by Nexus
What's happening inside industry 510
PATENTS REVIEW
Thought provoking ideas on file at the British Patents Office 512
COMPETITION
How inventive are You? A LIST OF PRIZE WINNERS 490
Our July issue will be published on Friday, June II, 1976 (for details of contents, see page 493)
VOLUME 12 No. 7 JULY 1976
CONSTRUCTIONAL PROJECTS
CAR INTRUDER ALARM by J. Haggis
Sounds the horn intermittently if doors, boot or bonnet are opened 548
P.E. DIGISCOPE by R. W. Coles B. Cullen
A hand held, 1 MHz low voltage oscilloscope with an l.e.d. display 553
PROPORTIONAL RADIO CONTROL-2 by J. D. Whiteley
A 9-channel 27MHz system with options of proportional or switched control on each channel. This month the Receiver, Interface and Decoder 568
FLUORESCENT LIGHT INVERTER by A. J. Bassett
Allows large fluorescent tubes to be driven from a car battery without the need fora choke or starter 576
AUTO-STOP FOR MODEL RAILWAYS by E. A. Parr
A design to halt a model train at stations for a predetermined time 580
GENERAL FEATURES
SEMICONDUCTOR UPDATE by R. W. Coles
A look at some recently released devices 558
USING CMOS DIGITAL I.C.s-7 by D. B. Johnson-Davies & A. M. Marshall
The last in this series of basic CMOS digital devices 584
INGENUITY UNLIMITED Tacho Slave-Sound to Light System-Quiz Buzzer-Fuse Failure Warning-Electronic DiceDigital Model Control-Novel Memory 589
NEWS AND COMMENT
EDITORIAL-A Powerful Combination 547
NEWS BRIEFS
Cable Ship-Microprocessor Tutor 559
SPACEWATCH by Frank W. Hyde
Solar Energy-Satcom Launches 560
PARIS COMPONENTS SHOW by D. Gibson
News from the Continent 563
ALL ELECTRONICS SHOW by G. Godbold
A look at one of the new London Spring collections 567
INDUSTRY NOTEBOOK by Nexus
What's happening inside industry 579
PATENTS REVIEW
Extending patents-Why not a trademark?-Improved bass 583
POINTS ARISING
P.E. Digi-Probe-Digital Frequency Meter 594
Our August issue will be published on Friday, July 9, 1976
(for details of contents, see page 573)
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VOLUME 12 No. 8 AUGUST 1976
CONSTRUCTIONAL PROJECTS
GUITAR OVERDRIVE UNIT by J. D. Rogers
Get those overdriven amplifier sounds with this versatile effects unit 626
PROPORTIONAL RADIO CONTROL-3 by J. D. Whiteley
Details of the Servo Amplifier, Servo Drive and Relay Drive sections 630
POCKET TIMER by M. Plant
A portable interval timer with many applications 648
KARNAUGH MAP DISPLAY by C. Cartlidge
A logic laboratory accessory 652
P.E. DIGISCOPE-2 by R. W. Coles & B. Cullen
Remaining electronic circuitry of upper boarcd together with constructional details 58
GENERAL FEATURES
INGENUITY UNLIMITED
Pulse Generator-F.E.T. Voltmeter-Rise Time Speed-up-Touch Switch-Better DiáplayTouch Tuner-Logic Probe 644
SEMICONDUCTOR UPDATE by R. W. Coles
A look at some recently released devices 665
RELAXATION OSCILLATOR CIRCUITS by P. Yap
Some applications of the complementary astable multivibrator 669
NEWS AND COMMENT
EDITORIAL-Down To The Sea 625
SPACEWATCH by Frank W. Hyde
Jupiter's Tail-Laser Satellite-Soviet Telescope-Solar Energy 636
IEA-ELECTREX SHOW by G. Godbold
Some exhibits seen at Birmingham's N.E.C. 639
MULLARD RESEARCH LABORATORIES
A review of some current work 643
BOOK REVIEWS
Selected books we have received 647
STRICTLY INSTRUMENTAL by K. Lenton-Smith
Electronic music matters 657
MARKET PLACE Interesting new products 666
NEWS BRIEFS
British Amateur TV Club-Wireless Museum-British Amateur Electronics Club 670
INDUSTRY NOTEBOOK by Nexus
What's happening inside industry 673
PATENTS REVIEW
Thought provoking ideas on file at the British Patents Office 674
Our September issue will be published on Friday, August 13, 1976
(for details of contents, see page 651)
.
VOLUME 12 No. 9 SEPTEMBER 1976
CONSTRUCTIONAL PROJECTS
CROSS-HATCH GENERATOR by A. A. Birch
A self-contained instrument providing a uh.f. signal for TV fault finding and adjustment 708
RADIO CONTROL SYSTEM by J. D. Whiteley
Full constructional details for a multi-channel on/off system based on tone coding 716
GAS/SMOKE DETECTOR by M. D. Page
Invaluable fire alarm/smoke and gas detector for the house, boat or caravan 728
P.E. DIGISCOPE-3 by R. W. Coles & B. Cullen
Lower deck circuitry and constructional details 736
LIGHT-UP ALARM by M. Plant
Don't be a danger to yourself and others on the road: make sure you "light up" at the right time with this simple alarm 742
GENERAL FEATURES
SEMICONDUCTOR UPDATE by R. W. Coles
A look at some recently released devices 723
CITIZENS' BAND by Pat Hawker
The pros and cons of radio communications for the man in the street (and his family) 731
INGENUITY UNLIMITED
Heads/Tails Indicator-Square Wave Converter-Simple Servo-Sound-to-Light ConverterImproved Phaser Control-Light Pipe Controller-Sidelight Alarm-Rear Windscreen Wiper Controller-Seat-Belt Alarm-Car Cassette Power Supply 746
NEWS AND COMMENT
EDITORIAL-Tapping the Glass 707
SPACEWATCH by Frank W. Hyde
Space Seeds-Salyut Research 720
HEDA SHOW REPORT by G. C. Arnold
An impression of the Home Electronics section 724
PATENTS REVIEW
Thought provoking ideas on file at the British Patents Office 727
POINTS ARISING
Shoot-Digital Frequency Meter-P.E. Digi-Probe 730
NEWS BRIEFS
VAT Leaflet-Fog Bound-Microprocessor Symposium-Courses---Sonax Electronics - 733
INDUSTRY NOTEBOOK by Nexus
What's happening inside industry 734
Our October issue will be published on Friday, September 10, 1976
(for details of contents and special announcement, see page 735)
.
VOLUME 12 No. 10 OCTOBER 1976
CONSTRUCTIONAL PROJECTS
CINE/TAPE SYNCHRONISER by N. V. Davies
Keeping pictures and sound in step in your home movies 786
CASSETTE PLAYER POWER SUPPLY by H. T. Kitchen
Cut battery costs wifh this short-circuit proof mains operated unit 790
STEREO DIGITAL PPM by R. W. Lawrence
Light emitting diodes replace the conventional Peak Programme Meter movement in this novel design 808
P.E. DIGISCOPE-4 by R. W. Coles & B. Cullen
Final constructional details and power supply circuitry 818
GENERAL FEATURES
INTRODUCING WIRING PENS by B. Cullen
User impressions of two models of this new constructional aid 794
INGENUITY UNLIMITED
Telephone Bell Simulator-Simple Siren-Magnetic Cartridge Preamplifier-Two-channel Trace Multiplier-Staircase Generator-Heads & Tails-Digital Leaf-Guitar Presence BoosterDigital Frequency Meter-Logic Probe-TTL Touch Circuits-Digital Circuit TesterAnemometer 823
NEWS AND COMMENT
EDITORIAL-Good measure 785
SPACEWATCH by Frank W. Hyde
Mars The Friendly Planet 793
THE CLEAN ROOM
New UK plant for MOS production 798
INDUSTRY NOTEBOOK by Nexus
What's happening inside industry 800
MARKET PLACE
Interesting new products and a look at some new catalogues 803
PATENTS REVIEW
Thought provoking ideas on file at the British Patents Office 804
READOUT
A selection of readers' letters 807
NEWS BRIEFS
Marine Electronics Symposium-Tape Cassettes-Name Change for Novus - Amateur Convention-Courses 817,822
POINTS ARISING
Proportional Radio Control System-Sound to Light System 822
FREE WITH THIS ISSUE
COMPONENT WIRE BENDING GAUGE 792
SPECIAL P.E. OFFER
News of a special soldering iron kit being offered in next month's issue 799
Our November issue will be published on Friday, October 8, 1976
(for details of contents, see page 817)
VOLUME 12 No. 11 NOVEMBER 1976
CONSTRUCTIONAL PROJECTS P.E. ORION TUNER-1 by D. S. Gibbs & I. M. Shaw Circuit details, specifications and components list for this high performance design 868 HAZARD WARNING FLASHER by C. J. Coke, A simple design suitable for fitting to any car 874 DISCOSTROBE by A. Briar A four-channel light show controller offering a choice of three effects 888 CINE/TAPE SYNCHRONISER-2 by N. V. Davies Construction and operation, plus interface details for various projector types 896 GENERAL FEATURES SEMICONDUCTOR UPDATE by A. W. Coles & B. Cullen A look at some recently released devices 883 INGENUITY UNLIMITED Accenting Metronome-Programmable Logic Generator-Touch Dimmer-l5Hz Flasher"PIp'' Tone Generator-Counter-Patch Panel-Phase Comparator-Traffic Light Controls-Signal injector/Tracer 902 NEWS AND COMMENT EDITORIAL-How to succeed 867 NEWS BRIEFS Transatlantic Microprocessor Link - 873 READOUT A selection of readers' letters 876 BRITISH MUSICAL INSTRUMENT TRADE FAIR by G. Godbold A look at some of the latest trends from the music industry 878 SPACEWATCH by Frank W. Hyde Return to the Moon-Drought and the Sun 880 INDUSTRY NOTEBOOK by Nexus What's happening inside industry 884 POINTS ARISING Cross-Hatch Generator-Digital Frequency Meter 887 BOOK REVIEWS Selected books we have received 887 VAT AND COMPONENTS The latest VAT information issued by H.M. Customs and Excise 914 SPECIAL P.E. OFFER A pre-release introductory soldering kit offer including the new Adcola safety approved iron. Exclusive to P.E. readers 877 Our December issue will be published on Friday, November 12, 1916
VOLUME 12 No. 12 DECEMBER 1976
CONSTRUCTIONAL PROJECTS
METAL PIPE OR WIRING LOCATOR by C. C. Whitehead
A simple safety aid for the D.l.Y. man 952
P.E. ORION TUNER-2 by D. S. Gibbs & I. M. Shaw
Construction, testing and final adjustments 956
GAMES MACHINE by D.Burn
A programmed random number generator - 969
BREAKDOWN TESTER by M. H. George Check
Zener diode and transistor breakdown voltages with this mains-driven unit 977
GENERAL FEATURES
GETTING TO GRIPS WITH MICROPROCESSORS by D. Brown
Understanding and using these new devices 963
SEMICONDUCTOR UPDATE by R. W. Coles
A look at some recently released devices 976
SOLID STATE TV CAMERAS by D. V. EddolIs
A survey of developments 980
INGENUITY UNLIMITED
Car Lamp Monitor-Simple Timer-Model Train Controller-LED. VU Meter-Quiz MonitorSimple Siren-Preset-to-One" Counter-Variable Chance Ratio Device-Voltmeter Impedance Multiplier-Tell Tale Alarm 987
NEWS AND COMMENT
EDITORIAL-A Disingenuous Few 951
SERT SYMPOSIUM "MICROPROCESSORS AT WORK"
An impression 965
SPACE WATCH by Frank W. Hyde
Space Shuttle-Mars-Soyuz 22 966
NEWS BRIEFS
TV Import Restrictions-Code of Practice-Overseas Symposium & Exhibition 984
MARKET PLACE
Interesting new products 985
STRICTLY INSTRUMENTAL by K. Lenton-Smith
Electronic music matters 986
INDUSTRY NOTEBOOK by Nexus
What's happening inside industry 993
PATENTS REVIEW
Thought-provoking ideas on file at the British Patents Office 994
INDEX FOR VOLUME 1,2
Our January issue will be on sale on Friday, December 10, 1976
(for details of contents see page 955)
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