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4 March 2015
08 Q&A
Reader Questions
Answered Here
Find out how to fix burn marks on LCD screens and
whether or not to go with CFLs or LEDs.
10 PICAXE Primer
Sharpening Your Tools of Creativity
USB-to-Serial Adapters Revisited.
Explore a hardware solution that allows you to use a
wide variety of relatively inexpensive USB-to-serial
adapter cables in PICAXE breadboard projects.
59 The Ham’s Wireless Workbench
Practical Technology from
the Ham World
Oscillators.
Every signal begins with an oscillator — which is a
key element in ham radio to generate, mix, and
extract the info from these signals. This time, see
how to make an audio oscillator, plus learn about
common RF types.
64 Open Communication
The Latest in Networking and
Wireless Technologies
New Short-Range Wireless Standards
Target Io T Applications.
Now, it is easier than
ever to connect devices
over the Internet with the
features available in
upgraded versions of
Bluetooth and ZigBee.
72 The Design Cycle
Advanced Techniques for
Design Engineers
A Blueprint for Embedded Wi-Fi.
Last month, we discovered that the Numbat Wi-Fi
module on the Moray development board can take
care of itself in the wild. However, you can’t Wi-Fi in
the woods if you have to be attached to the USB port
of a laptop. This month, we will replace the USB
cable, laptop, and terminal emulator with a simple
PIC microcontroller and some tricky CCS C code.
22 Build a Frequency Counter
Frequency counters have been around for years
as a standard piece of test equipment in both
commercial and hobby labs. If you need one
for your workshop, take a gander at the one
presented here.
■ By Jim Teixeira
30 A Cost-Effective Traffic Light Controller
This project spotlights how sometimes the good
old fashioned way is the most efficient when
constructing circuits.
■ By Alan Grambo
36 Beyond the Arduino
Ready to cut the apron strings and discover what it’s
like to work directly with a microcontroller? This
series will help you down that road less travelled.
■ By Andrew Retallack
46 Give Your Sound a Boost — Amplifier
Modules to Power Your Project’s Audio
Want to hear about a way to add sound to your
project? Then, check out this review on a selection
of low to mid power amplifier modules from
Parts Express.
■ By J. W. Koebel
54 A Look at the 23rd Annual
“Last” Chicago CoCoFEST!
So, what’s the big deal about a vintage computer
expo in this modern world of Windows, Androids,
and iPads? Not only does this event highlight the
TRS- 80 Color Computer, but it also showcases a
unique fusion of old and new technology.
■ By Salvador Garcia
Columns
06 DEVELOPING
PERSPECTIVES
Starting Out:
Avoiding EAD
07 READER FEEDBACK
18 NEW PRODUCTS
20 SHOWCASE
67 ELECTRO-NET
68 NV WEBSTORE
71 CLASSIFIEDS
78 TECH FORUM
81 AD INDEX Departments
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