LAST MODIFIED:
Hello Folks,
Again welcome to the new style of Newsletter. Also of course welcome to our 63 new subscribers so far this month.
1. NEW FEATURES IN NEWSLETTER AND SITE
Most topics now contain a clickable " - make a comment?" section. Here you can quickly and without any expense let me know you views on any topic. Go ahead try it out now, no excuse not to:
- make a comment?
mailto:comment@electronics-tutorials.com?subject=My-Views
I introduced in the September issue a link at the end, and the same for this and future issues, for a "Printer friendly version" of this Newsletter. Please try it out and comment back to me. No clickable links though, oh that would be useless...
- make a comment?
mailto:comment@electronics-tutorials.com?subject=Printer-
Version
Another new feature introduced to the site is the Google search box up above. You can use Google to search this site (the default) or the WWW.
- make a comment?
mailto:comment@electronics-tutorials.com?subject=Google-Search
2. NEWS - Radio Station Bugs Bugs
An Austrian radio station (no not an Oz one) is said to provide music that bugs mosquitoes and drives them away. People simply set their radios to the station, and turn the volume up. Humans can't hear the noise, but mosquitoes find it quite irritating. The anti-mosquito sound is apparently an invention of John P. Hausman of the University of Massachusetts (I can't find him though!).
The repellent sound, which is said to work even at very low levels, can be sampled at http://www.energy.at/real/Gelsenton.rm - 1,005K - Real Player.
Hmmm... I seem to recollect a project along similar lines in an Oz electronics magazine about 25+ years ago, maybe not so new after all... A later project was a form of "electric chair for mice", yuk...
See:
http://www.ananova.com/News/story/sm_348303.html
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
3. WHAT IS A MOSQUITO REPELLER?
Following on from the item above I did some extensive searching with Google.
I learn't:
a) There are a lot of commercial sites selling them but
very few offering project information if you were so inclined.
b) Most claims were all pretty much along the same lines,
"Disguise yourself as a Dragonfly, and drive away Ants and Mosquitoes! Did
you know that the only mosquitoes that bite are pregnant females in search of
the mineral iron for their unborn? Our electronic repeller produces an
audible sound that simulates the wing beating sound of male mosquitoes and the
arch enemy of mosquitoes and ants - the Dragonfly!"
The original Oz project I recollect, worked on the principle of electronically simulating the wing beating sound (buzz) of male mosquitoes. Today you can of course actually record that, put it on a sound chip and presto. Perhaps that's what they do.
Why am I interested? If there are mosquitoes within 1,000 metres of me they will find me. Could it be my high levels of iron in the blood? Something to think about.
In the interests of balance (and science) here are just some of many anti- repeller sites.
See:
http://www.gi.alaska.edu/ScienceForum/ASF12/1205.html
http://ipmwww.ncsu.edu/insect_notes/Urban/repell.html
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_068.html
- make a comment?
mailto:comment@electronics-tutorials.com?subject=Mosquito-
Repeller
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
4. ZiLOG presents an online, interactive webcast: - "eZ80 Embedded Internet Design"
The eZ80 Webserver is a new-generation, high performance 8-bit microprocessor designed specifically for connectivity. This one hour technical presentation will include the following:
* Review of embedded webservers and TCP/IP
* Technical overview of eZ80 architecture and high-performance
features
* Insight into ZiLOG's embedded TCP/IP protocol suite and APIs
* Overview on how to build a simple webserver using eZ80
* Look into tools needed for embedded Internet design
See:
http://seminar.techonline.com/zilog22/
For those who missed the previous session on Embedded Internet,
please view the TechOnLine archive of "An Introduction to
Embedded Internet for Design Engineers" at:
http://seminar.techonline.com/zilog1/archive/
- make a comment?
mailto:comment@electronics-
tutorials.com?subject=ZiLOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
5. NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR
Overview:
This webcast will discuss how to create, optimize, and build a power supply online using National Semiconductor's innovative WEBENCH(TM) design environment. Learn how to execute electrical simulations using WebSIM, analyze heat dissipation on the PC board using WebTHERM, and receive a custom prototype kit via overnight carrier. Technical case studies will be explored, including boost topology, use of an external MOSFET vs integrated switcher, and the 3 output flyback topology. Cut your design and prototyping time from weeks to days!
See:
http://seminar2.techonline.com/~nsc/may1001/
- make a comment?
mailto:comment@electronics-tutorials.com?subject=National-
Semiconductor
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
6. CLUB NEWS!
A number of people took the trouble to write and suggest we put in some Club News.
Could be a robotics club. Could be an embedded controller, a model plane or model railway, a general interest electronics club or even ham radio club news. I'm happy to include it provided I don't get overwhelmed (unlikely). The only stipulation is it must obviously be electronics orientated. Electronic projects would be even better.
If I don't get some copy by email how can I include it? Make sure you (or a recommended friend from your club) put the http:// thingy in front of all links to make them clickable... you always do that?...
[Based on feedback so far]
No, I'm not suggesting the formation of a new club. I'm merely inviting
"existing" clubs to send me a few lines of interest to "promote" your club's
activities.
- make a comment?
mailto:comment@electronics-tutorials.com?subject=Club-News
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
7. NO ONE TOOK OUT ADVERTISING SPACE
Surprise, surprise... no one has taken out an advertisement. So...
Don't click on the graphic below just for the sake of it, that doesn't help anyone, those days are now long gone. I know you're loyal and sympathetic.
The discounted books, and a lot of these are, attract a 15% commission. If you go directly to Amazon and buy it, then that is what will Amazon pay us. If you get yourself distracted (as they hope) by looking at something similar and, then return to the original book recommendation, the rate drops back to 5%. Sneaky rules from Amazon! A crooked wheel I know but it's the only game in town.
So buy the book straight off and then come back to look at other things later.
BTW - everyone should see different books advertised. Reload this page and see what happens... I am clever...
If you have ever followed one or more of my recommendations and purchased a book were they value for money? Were you happy with your purchase? Was the book a useful recommendation?
Not interested in that particular book? Already have it? Consider clicking here to buy something else.
- make a comment?
mailto:comment@electronics-tutorials.com?subject=Amazon-Books
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
8. POINT OF GREAT INTEREST TO EVERYONE
If you see something other than an advertisement for Amazon books above
PLEASE go to View | Source in your browser, save the file and send me a
copy, your browser has probably been hi-jacked by insidious software.
Yep it's the latest in "Scumware". It's quite possibly sitting on your
'puter right now without either your knowledge or your informed consent. It is
the greatest invasion of internet privacy yet.
This insidious software now making the rounds, deletes any webmaster's
authorised advertising links and re-inserts other advertisements from
unauthorised and unapproved sites.
The webmaster has no control of the content presented and also loses
already meagre revenue opportunities. The webmaster of a childrens site could
be shocked to learn pornographic advertisements or worse are being
substituted. Surfers could think this is the official policy of the site. We
are losing our control... Ninety-nine plus percent of webmasters rigidly
adhere to ethical standards of conduct regarding content, behaviour, privacy
and other issues.
The same situation applies to a potential variety of unauthorised links
to keywords throughout pages. It's open piracy. Microsoft, under public
pressure, have "sort of" agreed to remove or disable it (Smart Tags) from
various products. Not so others...
I don't ever want anyone inserting links into my pages. This is
*MY* intellectual property. If it isn't up to standard then people will
vote with "a click of the mouse". If it is good enough for people to continue
perusing, then I don't want "slime parasites" feeding off my brain.
Understandable?...
What is "scumware"?
See:
Are you infected? If you use Internet Explorer you can test! Look
for "web surfers".
See:
- make a comment?
TOTALLY RABID RANT MODE=OFF
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
9. MY CURRENT WEATHER
If you're curious today, or just jealous See:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
10. FOCUS ON A SUBSCRIBER
Jim Crooke:
Dr. Jim Crooke in the "real world" is in fact a former municipal
politician and a Veterinarian who, in his own words is, "Healer of
Brachycephalics and other good looking creatures in Springfield, MO, U.S.A.,
FP #-108 and Semi-official veterinarian of the Flying Pig QRP Club". Jim goes
on to tell us more in his own words...
"I'm an Army brat, born in Germany and raised all over. My interest in
ham radio began as a diversion by my parents to keep me from building a wooden
rowboat in 5th grade. They took me to a co-worker of my father's that had a
shack in the basement of his Cleveland house and it was fantastic."
"All those old boat anchors that glowed and could talk to the world! No
more rowboat for me. I had the interest but no Elmer. When Dad went to
Vietnam, we moved to Missouri where my mother bought me a Hallicrafters S-40.
After he got back, we had the good fortune to move to Silicon Valley and I was
able to get in the Jr. High Ham Radio Class where I got my novice in 1969.
Several moves later, upgrading to Advanced and 3 different callsigns, I ended
up going to veterinary school and became somewhat inactive except for the
occasional schedule with my brother also somewhat inactive."
"After our 4th child came along, we needed to remodel the house a bit for
her bedroom and I decided to rebuild the shack again. I decided to finally
upgrade to Extra and passed the written right before the FCC announced
restructuring. Wanting to prove something to me only, I finally passed the 20
WPM code test a week before The Change! I had always been somewhat
interested in QRP work, even had an Argonaut in college along with the old
Swan. I discovered the group on QRP-L and joined that. My oldest son had a
report on Australia that I needed an expert answer on so I asked the only
Ozzie I knew. He had the answers we needed (as usual). I found another group
of QRPers, the Flying Pigs, that really have a good time and don't take things
too seriously. I have several rigs now and the best antenna I can have in
town."
"CW is my preferred mode even though I'm not that good at it. The neat
thing about CW is you can have a QSO going and the spouse and kids don't know
what you're saying! Ham radio is a lot of fun and enough of a challenge to
keep anyone from becoming bored. Homebrewing is as easy as it has ever been
and information is available from lots of sources, even down under! Thanks
for all the effort Ian has done for us!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
11. HUMOUR AND INSPIRATION (by ever
popular demand) -
Now earlier we spoke of Mosquitoes which are referred to in "Oztraya" or,
Australia for the purists, as "Mozzies". Talking of "Mozzies" reminded me of
an old "yarn" (tall story, lies) about bullock teams. Bullocks are enormous
sized bulls, huge beasts, who have been socially neutered and placed in
harness as a working team. They were very common the century before last and
even last century for that matter. I remember them well as a kid, perhaps
twelve bullocks in a team pulling a dray loaded with enormous bails of wool.
That is the background for this memory of a childhood yarn...
"Fang" Collins, so named because he had neither teeth nor dentures, was a
bullock driver (bullocky) of some repute. In common with all bullockies he
could swear something fearsome, this was the art of controlling his wayward
team. Back in those days Fang was hauling River Gums, ginormous trees which
had been felled by the timber cutters, to the saw mill.
This particular summer evening, at dusk, Fang unharnessed his team and to
be able to locate them more easily as they grazed and watered at the river's
edge, tied bells around each bullocks neck.
Making camp, Fang set up a you beaut campfire with plenty of smoke to
drive the feral mozzies away and sleep in peace.
Next morning Fang set out looking for his team, nary a sound from the cow
bells, not a flicker... Fang started looking for hoof marks, he found them
down by the river and every so often a cow bell... not a bullock in sight...
just a trail of bells...
Finally around a bend in the river he saw a huge red gum log. Sitting on
this log was a row of reasonable sized mosquitoes, picking their teeth with
bullock horns...
If you want more of those yarns from my childhood memory or just plain
made up today...
AND
I don't ever make fun of people suffering misfortune. However I
frequently receive "begging email" of a dubious nature. In that light I just
had to share this with you...
"My name is Billy Evans. I am a very sick little boy. My mother is typing
this for me, because I can't.
She is crying. The reason she is so sad is because I'm so sick. I was born
without a body. It doesn't hurt, except when I try to breathe.
The doctors gave me an artificial body. It is a burlap bag filled with
leaves. The doctors said that was the best they could do on account of us
having no money or insurance. I would like to have a body transplant, but we
need more money.
Mommy doesn't work because she said nobody hires crying people.
I said, "Don't cry, Mommy," and she hugged my burlap bag. Mommy
always gives me hugs, even though she's allergic to burlap and it makes her
sneeze and chafes her real bad.
I hope you will help me. You can help me if you forward this email to
everyone you know.
Forward it to people you don't know, too.
Dr. Johansen said that for every person you forward this email to, Bill Gates
of M$ will team up with AOL (AOL$) and send a nickel to NASA.
With that funding, NASA will collect prayers from school children all over
the world and have the astronauts take them up into space so that the angels
can hear them better. Then they will come back to earth and go to the Pope,
and he will take up a collection in church and send all the money to the
doctors.
The doctors could help me get better then. Maybe one day I will be able to
play baseball.
Right now I can only be the third base.
Every time you forward this letter, the astronauts can take more prayers to
the angels and my dream will be closer to coming true. Please help me.
Mommy is so sad, and I want a body. I don't want my leaves to rot before I
turn 10.
If you don't forward this email, that's okay. Mommy says you're a mean and
heartless b*****d who doesn't care about a poor little boy with only a head.
She says that if you don't stew in the raw pit of your own guilt-ridden
stomach, she hopes you die a long slow, horrible death and then burn forever
in hell.
What kind of cruel person are you that you can't take five g-damn' minutes to
forward this to all your friends so that they can feel guilt and shame about
ignoring a poor, bodiless nine-year-old boy?
Please help me. I try to be happy, but it's hard.
I wish I had a kitty. I wish I could hold a kitty. I wish I could hold a
kitty that wouldn't chew on me and try to bury its ****'s in the leaves of my
burlap body. I wish that very much.
Thank You, Billy "Smiles" Evans"
P.S. YOU CAN SEND MONEY TO THE PERSON WHO SENT YOU THIS BECAUSE THAT
PERSON IS VERY TRUSTWORTHY.
Thanks to FP, John Sielke, W2AGN. Just gotta love that call sign!.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
12. NOW ONCE AGAIN FOR EVERYBODY
Be on good terms with yourself, feel smug for the rest of this week. Go here
and kindly DO something constructive for us all.
These fine folks did! - updated
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
IF YOU ENJOY RECEIVING THIS NEWSLETTER
Tell a friend to subscribe, tell a news group or a discussion group, tell the
world! Write to your favourite magazine! Email costs absolutely nothing,
well very little anyway.
Please feel free to forward this newsletter in its entirety to other
interested people. Please do.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A PERSONAL RECOMMENDATION - Affiliated
Ian Purdie, VK2TIP of www.electronics-tutorials.com personally uses and
recommends - Web Wizards - this is where my main site lives in the U.S.A.:
See Robert Marlbrough, Jr. for Hosting, Design, eCommerce,
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Archives of previous Newsletters:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
13. FINALLY -
YOUR PERSONAL SUBSCRIPTION RECORD
This was included in your email notification.
To UNSUBSCRIBE simply click and send: PLEASE include the email address used in your notification.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
14. FEEDBACK, FLAMES!
Heaps of thanks to those who take the time and trouble
mailto:feedback@electronics-tutorials.com?subject=Feedback!
That's all folks
72/73's and oink
Ian Purdie Budgewoi N.S.W. Australia - Co-ords S33º14', E151º34' Please send me your valuable comments and suggestions!
Tell your friends, tell a news group, tell the world!
the author Ian C. Purdie, VK2TIP of www.electronics-
tutorials.com asserts the moral right to
be identified as the author of this web site and all contents herein.
Copyright © 2000 - 2001, all rights reserved. See copying and links.
These electronic tutorials are provided for individual private use and the
author assumes no liability whatsoever for the application, use, misuse, of
any of these projects or electronics tutorials that may result in the direct
or indirect damage or loss that comes from these projects or tutorials. All
materials are provided for free private and public use.
Copyright © 2001, all rights reserved. URL -
www.electronics-tutorials.com/newsletter/september-mid-2001.htm
Updated 11th September, 2001
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Good value, nice bloke.
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