Electronc Parro It Repeats Everything, You Say,, Without Training Regeivel Beeper Inéssages, And, Phóne Nurnbersrwith a Scanner',"
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,._... .-7 .'T .- - ` . 7, . :} THINK' FOR THEiSELVES; TIIY: MÁCH' EliTHAT . 8 ` . _ . ., . " F.,: . March 1997 l Jw.==== =] 111, .Build an ElectrOnc Parro It repeats everything, you say,, without training Regeivel beeper inéssages, and, phóne nurnbersrwith a scanner'," c ,ánd read them ot a -PC: , Mfat Call for A GERNSBACK Learn. how police use elec';n PUBLICATION ta recover stolen cars / Build an If B.\' B O C C N.x .x mx .x x: 3-DIGIT 9E5', kk95014ORY.654MR0031 MAR97 P34 :AC Line -Voltage u,ililitn::l,,,iW,.iaa LLGYO OARKWE_L Monitor 6,540 M'YRTLCW70D OR CUrEF'.TErIC7 CN 95014 Check the sáfety of'yóur,. $3.99 U. expensive gadgets $4,50 CA 1'. AmericanRadioHistory.Com NEW VERSION! FEATURES OF ELECTRONICS WORKBENCH VERSION 5 WHAT'S NEW Electronics Workbench Version 5 with analog, digital and H. , r 11 fiaY . mixed A/D SPICE simulation, a full suite of analyses and over nl,w1 1 - L.! r I. Il r. 4,000 devices. Still the standard for power and ease of use. GENERAL COMPONENTS Now ten times faster. Still the same low price. Join over 75,000 customers and find out why more engineers and hobbyists buy Electronics Workbench than any other SPICE simulator. You'll be working productively in 20 minutes, and creating better designs faster. We guarantee it! . I : _, ,.n-. R ..,,. 4 SA Ie RJ. ,... n+ 41 - x1 RicE! rd. e- II. 91w4111;1Lká6{ y sll.hl~silt 12 SIIMED ANALYSES . x:x . M .. orb ,: . I. x1 . I 11. in r . 1 em. ..ír.a, High -End Features TRUE MIXED ANALOG/DIGITAL YES FULLY INTERACTIVE SIMULATION YES VIRTUAL TEST INSTRUMENTS ANALOG ENGINE SPICE 3F5, 32 -BIT DIGITAL ENGINE NATIVE, .................. .. 32 -BIT GMIN STEPPING YES OW(ffFa¿ /I( TEMPERATURE CONTROL EACH DEVICE PRO SCHEMATIC EDITOR YES HIERARCHICAL CIRCUITS YES VIRTUAL INSTRUMENTS YES ON-SCREEN.GRAPHS YES ANALOG COMPONENTS OVER 100 DIGITAL COMPONENTS OVER 200 DEVICE MODELS OVER 4,000 MONEY -BACK GUARANTEE 30 -DAY TECHNICAL SUPPORT FREE Powerful Analyses DC OPERATING POINT YES AC FREQUENCY YES TRANSIENT YES FOURIER YES NOISE YES DISTORTION YES Electronics 30 -DAY MONEY -BACK GUARANTEE VERSION 5.0 FOR WINDOWS 95/NT/3.1. Upgrades from previous versions $79. Workbench® VERSION 5 INTERACTIVE IMAGE TECHNOLOGIES LTD., 908 Niagara Falls Boulevard, #068, -,)"1iL North Tonawanda, New York 141 20-2060/Telephone 416-977-5550 TRADEOARKS ARE PROPERLY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE INTERACTIVE HOLDERS. WEER 15 IN U.S. DOLLARS AND VALID ONLY IN THE 800-263-5552 UNITED STATES AND CANADA. ALL CALL ORDERS SUBJECT TO SIS SHIPPING AND MANDUNG CHARGE Fax: 416-977-1818 Internet: http://www.interactiv.com CompuServe:71333,3435/BBS:416.977-3540/E-mail:[email protected] CIRCLE 13 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD AmericanRadioHistory.Com MARCH 1997 Vol. 14, No. 3 o ar ectrouics A GERNSBACK PUBLICATION COVER STORY TINY MACHINES THAT THINK FOR THEMSELVES 39 Build an Alphanumeric Pager Decoder Poplar Electg This innovative device lets you view digital pager messages right Build a off the airwaves. Just connect the circuit to a scanner radio and Pager Decoder your computer, load up some special software, and you can be cer- Bold an Electronic Parrot tain your beeper is grabbing all the messages that it should-Alan torn uainIng `Receive Beepn messap. and phone D. Jones numbers with a scanner, and read them on a PC >.a CONSTRUCTION 'Cars - Call for Help No ce k io fewer eme.nn Bo11 Electronic Parrot PC Line -Voltage 45 Build an Monitor :Mü iAe,eeery eryw. Having a parrot repeat what you say can be a lot of fun, but teach- oMnwwa,h ing one to talk can also take a lot of time. With this easy -to -build Page 39 circuit you can have all the fun of an accurate mimic, in about an evening. Best of all, there's no cage to clean)-David Williams 52 Build an AC Line -Voltage Monitor Just how safe are your expensive electronic devices? Find out if the AC outlets in your home or workshop are producing "clean" elec- tricity with this inexpensive circuit-Marc Spiwak FEATURES 48 Cars That Can Call for Help Page 45 Learn how electronics can help roadside assistance get to you, even if you're lost. Also, find out what new technology makes it easy for police to get your stolen vehicle back-Bill Siuru g 1,}' 58 Intelligent Micromachines , d Microscopic motors and machines have been around for a few years; however, now they can think for themselves. Join us for a look at the marriage of microminiature processors and motors that ^-."-".... ,f could result in some amazing applications-Douglas Page Page 58 POPULAR ELECTRONICS (ISSN 1042-170-X) Published monthly by Gernsback Publications, Inc. 500 81 -County Boulevard. Farmingdale, NY 11735. Periodicals postage paid at Farmingdale, NY and at additional mailing offices. One-year, twelve issues, subscription role U.S. and possessions $21.95, Canada $28.84 (includes G.S.T. Canadian Goods and Services Tax Registration No. R125166280), all other countries $29.45. Subscription orders payable in U.S. funds only, International Postal Money Order or chéck drawn on a U.S. bank. U.S. single copy price $3.50. Copyr'ght 1996 by Gernsback Publications, Inc -All rights reserved. Hands-on Electronics and Gizmo trademarks ore registered in U.S. and Canada by Gernsbock Publications, Inc. Popular Electronics trademark is registered in U.S. and Canada by Electronics Technology Today, Inc and is licensed to Gernsback Publications, Inc. Printed in U.S.A. Postmaster: Please send address changes to Popular Electronics, Subscription Dept., P.O. Box 338, Mount Morris, IL 61054.9932 e A stamped self-addressed envelope must accompany all submitted manuscripts and/or artwork or photographs if their return is desired should they be rejected. We disclaim any responsibility for the loss or damage of manuscripts and/or artwork or photographs while in our possession or otherwise. As á service to readers, Popular Electronics publishes available plains or information relating fo newsworthy products, techniques, and scientific and techno- logical developments. Because of possible variances in the quality and condition of materials and workmanship used: by readers, Popular Electronics dis- claims any responsibility for the safe and proper functioning of readér-built projects based upon or from plans or information published in this magazine. 1 AmericanRadioHistory.Com MARCH 1 9 9 7 Perlar Etctronics PRODUCT REVIEWS .Larry Steckler, EHF,CET, editor-in -chief and publisher EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT 24 Gizmo Dan Karagiannis, editor Nintendo 64 and Sony PlayStation videogame systems, Samsung Teri Scaduto, assistant editor GXTV Model GXE1395 videogame TV, Sony ICF-SW1000T Evelyn Rose, editorial assistant Shortwave Receiver, Royal FL95 PC Organizer, and much more Joseph J. Carr, K4IPV, contributing editor Marc Ellis, contributing editor COLUMNS Jeffrey K. Holtzman, contributing editor Don Jensen, contributing editor 12 'Multimedia Watch Charles D. Rakes, contributing The Best PC Speakers in the World?-Marc Spiwak editor Marc Saxon, contributing editor Marc Spiwak, contributing editor 20 Net Watch John Yacono, contributing editor Extra! Extra!-Dan Karagiannis PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT Ruby M. Yee, production director 63 Scanner Scene Ken Coren, Entering the Information Age-Marc Saxon desktop production director Liso Baynon, desktop production Kathy Campbell, 64 Antique Radio production assistant Back to the Star Roamer-Marc Ellis ART DEPARTMENT Andre Duzant, art director 67 Ham Radio Russell C. Truelson, illustrator Bands You've Never Used-Joseph J. Carr CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT Jacqueline P. Cheeseboro, 69 Computer Bits circulation director Theresa Lombardo, Your Own Greatest Hits-Web Style-Jeff Holtzman circulation assistant Michele Torrillo, 71 DX Listening POPULAR ELECTRONICS bookstore Antarctica's Broadcaster-Don Jensen BUSINESS AND EDITORIAL OFFICES Gernsback Publications, Inc. 73 Circuit Circus 500 Bi-County Blvd. Farmingdale, 11735 Power Up-Charles D. Rakes NY 1.516-293.3000 FAX:1.516-293-3115 Web: http://www.gernsback.com 76 Think Tank President: Lorry Steckler Doorbell Circuits-John Yacono SUBSCRIPTION CUSTOMER SERVICE/ ORDER ENTRY DEPARTMENTS 1-800-827-0383 7:30 AM - 8:30 PM EST Advertising Sales Offices 4 Editorial listed on page 114 6 Letters Composition by Mates Graphics Cover Illustration by Michael Linley 8 New Products A5 ABC AUDITED 10 Electronics Library Since some of the equipment and circuit- 81 ry described in POPULAR ELECTRONICS Popular Electronics Market Center may relate to or be covered by U.S. patents. POPULAR ELECTRONICS dis- 114 Advertiser's Index claims any liability for the infringement of such patents by the making, using, or selling of such equipment or circuitry, 114A Free Information Card and suggests that anyone interested in such projects consult a patent attorney. , 2 AmericanRadioHistory.Com Trax /raker A Virtual Environment For Growing Printed Circuit Boards WE "Finally, a low cost, easy to use, professional quality, PCB design tool" TraxMaker is a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) layout program that supports multiple layers along with full auto placement of components and autorouting of tracks. TraxMaker makes good design practice easy, according to user definable "Design Rules". It has a familiar, easy to learn Windows interface. TraxMaker is a truly cost effective package which is sure to handle your most demanding PCB design tasks. TraxMaker can be used as a standalone product or with compatible schematic capture products. 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