| |
VK3ABK > INFO 21.08.04 11:06l 74 Lines 3067 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 32738_VK3KAY
Read: GUEST
Subj: Electronics in Australia.
Path: DB0FHN<DB0RGB<OK0PPL<DB0RES<ON0AR<IK1ZNW<ZL2TZE<VK3KAY
Sent: 040821/0859Z @:VK3KAY.#WEV.VIC.AUS.OC #:32738 [Wendouree] $:32738_VK3KAY
From: VK3ABK@VK3KAY.#WEV.VIC.AUS.OC
To : INFO@WW
Hello all.
I don't know whether 'do-it-yourself' electronics is alive in other countries
but in my part of Australia, many Amateurs, and others, are still making
some of their equipment. Some is made for the pleasure or experience, as is
evident from the construction articles in magazines, and some, in my own
experience is made because it must be. Not otherwise available, or costing
too much. This applies to some UHF and microwave devices, satellite control
boxes and some special test and measuring equipment we use for Amateur Radio.
Here is a list of 'Projects To Build' in the August 'Silicon Chip' magazine.
'....New DC-X Generation 5 Loudspeaker System' (From a kit)
'Video Enhancer and Y/C Separator.' (From a list of parts or kit available)
'Balanced Microphone Preamplifier' (From a list of parts or kit available)
'Appliance Energy Meter, Pt.2' (Parts or kit again)
'Build a 3-State Logic Probe' (A repeat of an old favourite)
Then in Amateur Radio magazine for August, are several construction articles.
'A direct reading inductance meter for radio coils.' (By a VK Ham)
'A parallel wire dipole' (Construction details from a QST article)
'....40 metre two element beam' (Details sourced from RadComm magazine)
'An easy to build, dual-band collinear antenna' (QST again)
AR magazine features several Ham style technical/construction articles each
month with an emphasis on locally available parts.
In Australia, we have a good source of electronic and mechanical parts and
kits from a range of suppliers, both personal shopping and mail order.
Dick Smith Electronics, (still selling many items) and DSE PowerHouse.
Jaycar Electronics, (Many stores in all Australian states and New Zealand)
A free 300 page catalogue comes each year with 'Silicon Chip' magazine.
Altronics. (Based in Perth WA (Bob's Wild West) with mail order and agencies
in the Eastern States. A free 250 page catalogue also with 'Silicon Chip'.)
Electronics World. (In Melbourne, capitol of VK3)
Farnell Electronics. (In Sydney? VK2, maybe other cities.
Several other companies supply special components to trade or 'customers'.
We see 'Practical Electronics' UK, in book shops, but at A$12 it is not a
good buy, especially as the usual LSI devices are often strange to us.
Elektor (UK edition) also pricy, about A$12, and 'strange' parts.
I haven't seen 'Practical Wireless' UK lately Is this still available?
This may give some insight to the Australian electronics hobby scene, but
you could add Mecatronics, (robots etc.) Model Radio Control Aircraft, Trains
(my son!) Boats and Cars that are all well catered for inseparate magazines.
My personal opinion is that 'home construction' is still alive and well, and
there will continue to be a need for magazines that interest and educate any
one, young or old, who would rather build than buy. The catalogues mentioned
would give the impression that there is considerable interest, in Australia.
Some hope for us old-timers after all!
73. Dick. VK3ABK.
Read previous mail | Read next mail
| |
