THE PRACTICAL MAGAZINE FOR PERSONAL &

Formerly 11M/ill MODERN December 1991 $2.95 1111111I ELECTRONICS (Canada $3.95)

Capture A d Enhance, m.P.4.apg VCDO

Build A Long -Distance Data Ko= Adding A Wireles9wAedio RC Out

C-10 Z cm70 Le) el0ODrsJ Cr JUTCP* Z I-' r) 70 CO * C_) s.0 0 x o

< 0-

-L`

Fly Air Combat With Chuck Yeager CO - o Pk - Experimenting With The Z8 0 DC DC Co co 1991 Cumulative Article Index 1-800-ITS-DHUT FOR FINE QUALITY PRODUCTS UPGRADE YOUR IBM, 1-800-487-3488 (U.S. & CANADA) IBM COMPATIBLE OR TANDY FOR LESS MONEY!

Wecarry over five thousand products - computers, peripherals, printers. If you don't see or can't find it call us, toll free!!

EX/HX HARD DRIVE SYSTEMS Our Hard Cards come prefo matted . pre -tested. in Tandy/IBM computers. They include Our Hard Drive systems have been preformatted and pretested in Tandy EX/Hx computers. disk management and disk cache speed-up software. Also comes wtih many other free Disk management as well as speed-up software programs such as games. utilities and many software programs such as games. utilities and many others) These Hard Cards are easy to others' By simply removing the Ex /Hx adaptor our drives will plug into any normal install and can go from one machine to another Install in minutes. just plug in and go, (Please computer. Order the flash drive today and spend hours with the free software. specify if you own a Tandy. IBM or IBM compatible.) DH FlashDrive 21 Meg 39 ms 285.00 8BIT 16 BIT DH FlashDrive 32 Meg 39 ms 325.00 OH Lightcard 21 Meg 39 ms.. . 229 00 DH Lightcard 21 Meg 29 ms .... 244.00 DH FlashDrive 42 Meg 28 ms 375.00 DH Lightcard 32 Meg 39 ms .... 245.00 DH Lightcard 32 Meg 39 ms .... 260.00 OH FlashDrive 50 Meg 28 ms 455.00 DH Lightcard 42 Meg 38 ms .... 280.00 DH Lightcard 42 Meg 28 ms .... 295.00 DH FlashDrive 68 Meg 22 ms 479.00 OH Lightcard 50 Meg 28 ms .... 329.00 DH Lightcard 50 Meg 28 ms .... 344.00 DH FlashOrive 85 Meg 28 ms 51500 DH Lightcard 68 Meg 22 ms .... 375.00 DH Lightcard 68 Meg 22 ms .... 390.00 MODEMS DH Lightcard 85 Meg 28 ms .... 425.00 DH Lightcard 85 Meg 28 ms .... 440.00 DH Lightcard 110 Meg 28 ms ... 685.00 DH Lightcard 110 Meg 28 ms ... 699.00 Our modems are Hays compatible. They come complete with communication software HARD DRIVES cable and everything you need to start communicating in minutes, 1200 BAUD Internal 52 00 Our Hard Drives are initialized. partitioned and formatted. Each drive is then tested for 2400 BAUD Internal 75 00 integrity. to ensure you get a first class product, Included with your drive you get disk 2400 BAUD External 115.00 management as well as speed caching software. Also included are many other programs 2400/48100 MNP 7 BAUD Modem 135.00 such as games, utilities and many many others. You will have hours and hours of enjoyment from your new hard drive and free software, FAX BOARDS Model Size Brand Speed Dimension BareXT/ Tandy 16 Bit Kit Comes complete with phone cord and software. Full five year warranty!, Kit Send FAX 4800 BAUD Int 95 00 ST225 21 M Seagate 48 ms 525 183 224 234 Send/Receive FAX, Plus Modem 9600 BAUD FAX/4800 Modem 135.00 ST125 21 M Seagate 28 ms 3.5 224 255 265 SPEED ENHANCEMENTS - KL320 21 M Kaiak 39 ms 3 5 144 196 206 ST238R 32 M Seagate 40 ms 52 193 237 257 Increase the speed of your computer by an overall 50% with this easy to install upgrade! ST138R 32 M Seagate 28 ms 35 226. 254 278 Installs in five minutes KL330 32 M Kalok 39 ms 3 5 163. 225 234. IBM XT or IBM XT Compatible 24 95 ST251 42 M Seagate 28 ms 525 237 286 295 Tandy 1000. 10130A. 1000 SX 24 95 ST151 42 M Seagate 24 ms 3 5 336 367 376 Tandy 1000 SL 1000 SL /2 34.94 SN2040 42 M Samsung 35 ms 35 197 257 267 Tandy 1000 EX, 1000 HX ...... 29 95 MR535 42 M Mitsubichi 28 ms 525 256 307 318 PC Sprint Increases CLK SPD Tandy 1000. 1000A IBM XT IBM XT Compatible ... 7495 KL343 42 M Kalok 28 ms 3 5 234 N/A 254 EXPANDED MEMORY BOARDS CP3044 42 M Conner 28 ms 35 286 N/A 315 WD2044 42 M Western Digrta118 ms 1 0 294 N/A 325 These boards work in Tandy and XTs and include LIM 3 2 8 Bit. ST157R 48 M Seagate 28 ms 3.5 266 316 326 Board with OK 139 00 ST157A 48 M Seagate 28 ms 3.5 235. N/A 287. Board with 256K 175,00 PT1357R 48 M PTI 28 ms 3.5 257. 314. 334. Board with 512K 199 00 MK134A 68 M Toshiba 22 ms 3.5 307. 356. 375. Board with 1 MEG 215 00 ST1277R 62 M Seagate 28 ms 5.25 257. 304. 326. Board with 1.5 MEG 235.00 MR535R 65 M Mitsubichi 28 ms 5.25 285. 316. 327 Board with 2 MEG 285.00 MC8085 85 M Microscience 40 ms 5.25 326 387. 424. Board with 4 MEG 540.00 ST296N 85 M Seagate 28 ms 5.25 317 356. 385. ST1096N 85 M Seagate 28 ms 3.5 394. 455 486. FLOPPY DRIVE FOR TANDYS MX7080A 80 M Maxtor 19 ms 1.0 384. N/A 397. These floppy drives will install in minutes. Add a high density drive to your computer for ST1125N 111 M Seagate 19 ms 3.5 694 724. 754. less money! High density drives include controller card, cables. everything you need to make MK235 107 M Toshiba 22 ms 3.5 486. N/A 515. you start running' R3428A 107 M Rodime 18 ms 3.5 457 N/A 486 360K Internal Drive Kit 67.00 VGA ENHANCEMENT 720K Internal Drive Kit 70 00 1.2 Meg Internal Drive Kit 139.00 Ready for VGA Upgrade the Data Hut Way) Full replacement warranty, 1.44 Meg Internal Drive Kit 145.00 VGA Combo T 14, 28 DP. 640 x 480. 256 K, 8 Bit 386 00 360K Internal Kit for Ex/Hx 125/00 VGA Combo II- 14. 28 DP, 640 x 480. 512 K. 16 Bit 425 00 720K Internal Kit for Ex /Hx 125 00 VGA Combo III14. 28 DP. 1024 x 768, 512 K. 16 Bit 455 00 VGA Combo IV14. 28 DP. 1024 x 768, 1024 K, 16 Bit 515.00 MATH The speed will amaze you, Seagate Drives all Models Tandy 1000, 1000A Microscience Drives all Models CALL Tandy 1000SX. SL. SL /2 12805.1 Toshiba Drives all Models CALL Tandy 1000TL. TL /2. TL /3 140.00 Western Digital all Models CALL 80287-10 139.00 Kalok all Models CALL 80387SX-20 379.00 Maxtor Drives all Models CALL 80387-20 422 00 Conner Drives all Models CALL Rodime Drives all Models CALL SYSTEM MEMORY UPGRADES Micropolis Drives all Models CALL D 5X Upgrade Tandy EX or MX to 640 IDE Drives all Models CALL 174.00 CALL DH 10X Upgrade Tandy SX. EX or FIX from 384 to 640 42 00 Call our factory -trained sales and tech support staff, and let them help you find the best DH 20L Upgrade SL or SL /2 from 384 to 640 45 00 drive for your computer system DH 3TX Upgrade any TX from 640 to 768 29.00 DH 4TL Upgrade TL or TL /2. TL /3 from 64010 768 #6 North Court Street DH 5NL Upgrade 3000 NL to 640 DH 6RL Upgrade Tandy 1000 RL. 1000RLX from 640 to 1 Meg 29423901 Owingsville, KY 40360 DH 100 Upgrade Tandy 1000 or 1000A from 128 to 640 235.00 LOCAL 606-674-3916 D 120 Upgrade Tandy 1200 from 256 to 640 200.00 OH IBM Upgrade IBM PC/XT FRP 256 to 640 ...... DATA FAX 606-674-3917 CALL US FOR ANY OF YOUR RAM UPGRADE NEEDS. WE WON'T BEUNDERSOLD?2°0 8° TOLL FREE 1-800-487-3488 -HUT-HOURS: Mon. thru Sat. 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. E.S.T. r -r1 M WHY BUY FROM DATAHUT? No surcharge on credit cards. 30 Day Money -back Guarantee! 14 Month Warranty on all Products! High quality products and free technical support! Extended warranty available. Find a cheaper price & we'll beat it! WE WON'T BE UNDERSOLD! All Pricing & Availability subject to change without notice. C.O.D. & Purchase Orders Accepted! THE PARTS PLACE

Special -Order Hotline. Your Radio Shack store can special -order over 10,000 items from our main warehouse-tubes, ICs, , transis- tors, diodes, crystals, styli, computer accessories- even SAMS® service manuals. Range -Doubler Multitester. With extra resolution on V/A ranges plus 50,000 ohms -per -volt DC sensi- tivity. 125mV and 25 µA ranges. Continuity sounder. Measures to 1000 VDC in 12 ranges, 1000 VAC in eight ranges, 10 amps DC in 10 ranges, 20 megs in four ranges. #22-214 39.95 Digital Logic Probe. So handy! LEDs and tone outputs reveal logic states instantly. Check opera- tion and pinpoint problems in all types of digital circuits-TTL, LS and CMOS, memory, microcom- puter and peripheral ICs. #22-303 16.95

. 27.0099 INFRARED SENSOR

(1)

or Continuous Omnidirectional (1) High -Speed 12VDC Motor. Up NEW! Infrared Sensor. For secu- (1) Pulsating (1) PC -Mount rity systems and electronics pro- Piezo Buzzer. 90 dB at 12VDC. Electret Mike Element. 20-15,000 to 15,200 RPM no load. About 2" 8 49 1 79 long. #273-255 2 99 jects requiring remote control. Use #273-068 Hz. #270-090 itto identify and locate near - (2) "DIng-Dong Chime". 80 dB (2) Transmitter Case. (2) Low -Voltage DC Motor. From 8 99 3 99 11/2 to 3VDC. About 1 /2" long. 8300 infrared radiation emanating from at 12VDC. #273-071 #270-293 RPM max. an LED or laser source. (3) PC -Mount Piezo. 78 dB. From (3) Battery Holder. 4 "AA", 9V - #273-223 990 #276-099 959 3 to 20VDC. #273-065 2 49 type snap. #270-383 1 29

Ocroltiduo

(1) 12VDC Brushless 3" Fan. Ball (1) NEW! QS -56 75 -Ohm TV/ Building Power Supplies. Ex- (1) 1/4 -Watt Carbon -Film Resis- bearings for long life. Low sound VCR/FM Connectors.For use plains how power supplies work, tors. 5%. #271-312, Set 100/7.95 level -34 dB. 27 CFM. with RG6QS Quad Shield cable. both regulated and unregulated. (2) I/4 -WattMetal -FilmResis- #273-243 14.95 #278-232 Pkg. of 2/999 Also includes plans and instruc- tors. 1%.#271-309, Set 50/2.99 (2) 12VDC Brushless Micro Fan. (2) Archer® Coax Cable. Four lay- tions on how to build five power (3) Color Code Pocket Guide. Rated 150 mA. 3.5 CFM airflow. ers of shielding for CAN. supplies-three linear and two Resistor, capacitor, inductor val- #273-244 17.95 #278-1317 310 Per Ft. switching. #276-5025 4 95 ues. #271-1210 790

11111111W Willa 1111111111166,10 AL h (1) inismatmliarnansimasimauteitu MINNEUMULWilliV !IR',1.1411tPTIFT"r1W"

(1) Locking Stainless Steel For- NEW! 25 -Pin Female D -Sub Con- ceps. #64-1866 4 95 NEW! Archer® Experimenter's Plug -In Card. Great for experimenters. nector. Right-angle mounting, de- Build your own serial port card. PC/XT-compatible prototype card for bread- signed for Experimenter's PC/ (2) Nibbling Tool. Cuts up to 18- boarding digital/analog circuits. Plated through -holes with .100" centers, XT -Compatible Plug -In Card (at ga. steel. #64-823 10.95 power and ground bus grids, 8 -bit 31/62 plated -edge contacts, I/O mounting left) to provide standard 25 -pin (3) Desoldering Tool. area for 25 -pin d -sub connector (at right). input/output port. #64-2120 6 95 #276-1598 29.95 #276-1504 2 39

Since 1921 Radio Shack has been the place to obtain up-to-date electronic parts as well as quality tools, test equipment and accessories at low prices. SINCE 1921 Nearly 7000 locations to serve you-NOBODY COMPARES Radm /hack Prices apply at participating Radio Shack stores and dealers. Radio Shack is a division of AMERICA'STECHNOLOGY STORE'

CIRCLE NO. 90 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD Formerly wilaermomcs Volume 1, No. 9 December 1991

UPGRADING & 59Computer Viruses DEPARTMENTS ENHANCING By Hardin Brothers The ins and outs of computer viral 20PC Image Acquisition, Part 1 infections. 6Editorial By Tom Benford By Art Salsberg WINning Grabbing, digitizing and using REVIEWS images can be a snap. 8Letters 36Build a Data Transceiver 77Micro Express ME 386-40 System Desktop Computer By Duane M. Perkins By Ted Needleman 10 Project allows two computers What's Happening? Latest PC News. separated by long distances to 87Chuck Yeager's Air Combat transmit and receive data over By SF Sparrow cables at up to 9,600 baud. 12What's New! By Peter R. O'Dell APPLICATIONS A roundup of New Computer COLUMNS and Electronics Products. 31Aligning PC Floppy -Disk Drives 67Forrest M. Mims III By Roger C. Alford A Wireless Audio Output Port for 28Notebook Computer Prize How to keep your PC fiengy Your Computer. Drawing and 20 -Question drives working in top physical Reader Poll form. 71Joseph Desposito 40 -MHz DRAM Controller, Fast 45CyberBot: A Neural -Network 4M and 16M DRAMs, IC DRAM 841991 Cumulative Article Index Robot, Conclusion Cards, Supervisory Circuits and By Nick Goss Low -Power Transceivers. Details for building and using this 89Advertisers Index cybernetic device 74Stan Veit 52Experimenting With the Z8 Low -Cost, High -Speed Modems Are Here! Single -Chip Microcontroller ON THE COVER:Capturing By Jan Axelson images from a video camera for storage It may not be the latest 77Ted Needleman and enhancement work on a PC. microcomputer chip, but it has Micro Express Debuts a New 386 plenty of life in it to get specialized Machine Built Around AMD's jobs done. 40 -MHz Chip. Cover Photo: by Liz Benford P. 0. Box 280298 Dallas, Texas 75228 (214) 271-5546 MasterCard VISA B. 0. MICROFAX (214) 271-2462 FAN THE 625 NETWORK TEXT TO SPEECH BOARD Brand New from McLean Eng. Try The 1st Truly Low Cost LAN PC/XT COMPATIBLE. MAKE YOUR COMPUTER TALK! A Division of Zero Corp. Square 4-11/16" by 1.5" Connect 2 or 3 PCs, XTs, Thick 10" Wire Leads ATs C)4 $6995 120V - 60hz - .12 amps - 110CFM Uses serial ports and 5 wire Metal Housing - 5 Plastic Blades cable V ASSEMBLED 8 TESTED UL and CSA Approved . Runs at 115 K baud ADD $3.50 SHIPPING $5.95 ea. Runs in background, totally & HANDLING transparent BATTERY Share any device, any file, any time A VERY POWERFUL AND AMAZING SPEECH CARD. USES THE Brand New - '91 Date Code Needs only 14K of ram Rechargeable Sealed Battery GENERAL INSTRUMENTS SPO256-AL2 SPEECH CHIP AND THE CTS256A-AL2 TEXT TO SPEECH CONVERTER. 6 Volts @ 4 Amp/h Skeptical: We make believers! Measures: 4" Tall - 2-3/4" Wide THIS BOARD USES ONE SLOT ON THE MOTHERBOARD AND 1-3/4" Thick - A Steal at REQUIRES A COM SERIAL PORT. BOARD MAY ALSO BE USED IN A STAND ALONE ENVIRONMENT (EXTERNAL POWER SUPPLY) WITH $6.95 ea. or 4 for $2 5.5 0 SUPER BUYS ALMOST ANY COMPUTER THAT HAS A RS232 SERIAL PORT. TO DTMF USE THE BOARD IT IS ONLY NECESSARY TO SEND ENGLISH TEXT DISPLAY DEVICES TO THE RS232 INPUT ON THE BOARD. THE BOARD INCLUDES A tp SSI-202 Decoder 2.25 1500 TEXT BUFFER AND HANDSHAKE LINE TO ALLOW YOU 4MT07 By Futaba 8870 Decoder 2.25 TO SEND DATA TO THE BOARD: THE SAME AS YOU WOULD SEND 1 Vacuum Fluorescent Clock 5087 Generator 2.00 DATA TO AN RS232 SERIAL PRINTER. YOU CAN SET UP BATCH And Timer - 4 Digit Display 5089 Generator 2.10 FILES THAT WILL MAKE YOUR COMPUTER GREET YOU WITH 0 Easy to Read - Easy to Use. "GOOD MORNING MASTER," ETC. EVERY TIME YOl; TURN IT ON. .3" Character Height DEMONSTRATION SOFTWARE AND A LIBRARY BUILDING PRO- With Data 79C 2N4401 GRAM ARE INCLUDED ON A 5'< INCH PC/XT DISKETTE. FULL LTP 1157AE Super 2N3904 NPN DOCUMENTATION AND SCHEMATICS ARE ALSO INCLUDED. 1.2" 5x7 Matrix Displays Switching Transistor FOR INFORMATION ON A LOW COST SPEECH SYNTHESIZER rn 5x7 Array with x.y select. 40V -TO -92 - P.C. Leads SYSTEM FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED, PLEASE SEND FOR FREE rn This Red Orange Matrix Can Be 15/1.00 1000/20.00 PACKET T.M.1. Stacked Horizontally. Choice of STAND ALONE POWER SUPPLY Two Matrix Orientation -Cathode 80C32 FOR ABOVE 0 Column, Anode Row. Great For C-MOS By Matra - 12MHZ ADD 52.50 SHIPPING 8. HANDLING $1999 cc "Moving Message" Signs. 3.95 $1.19 Ea., 8/$6.95, 100/$75.00 STATIC RAM EPROM SPECIAL LM3507 2.65 O 74LS LM338K 4.95 2016-2KX8 200 n.s 1.00 We bought a large quantity of 16L8-15 TI -B -PAL 1.25 2101-1 - 256X4 500 n.s. .75 2708s, 2716s, 2532s,2732s, .65 27512s and S00.14LS114 .25LS241 .60 8088-2 3.25 21L02-1 350 n.s. 2764s,27128s, S01.14LS122 .35LS242 .65 R742 7.00 2102AL-4 L.P. 450 n.s. .49 27256s from a computer manu- S02.14LS123 .45LS243 .50 2111-1 256X4 500 n.s. 1.00 facturer who redesigned their S03.14LS1241.35LS244 .55 WIRE WRAP 2112A-2 2.50 boards. We removed them from 0 SO4 .14LS125 .30LS245 .55 2114L-3 1KX4 300 n.s. .45 sockets, erased andverified 0 S05.14LS126 .35LS251 .45 Dual Wrap - 2 Level 2125A-2 1KX1 70 n.s. 1.70 them, and now we offer the sav- S08 .14LS132 .35LS253 .40 14 Pin 10/2.50 100/20.00 2147 4KX1 1.95 ings to you. Complete satisfac- rn S09.14LS133 .25LS257 .35 16 Pin 10/2.50 100/20.00 6116P-4 1.00 tion guaranteed S10.14LS136 .28LS258 .45 20 Pin 10/3.50 100/30.00 1.20 Your Choice 6117 1.20 10/8.00 S11 .14LS138 .35 LS2591.00 1 40 2708 6264-15 2716 1.75 10/15.00 S12.20LS139 .35LS260 .40 SOCKETS 62256 32K X8 5.75 S13.25LS145 .75LS266 .30 Low Profile SOLDER TAIL 2532 2.00 10/17.50 c:) S14.30LS148 .35LS273 .75 14/1.00 2732 2.0010/17.50 6 Pin DYNAMIC RAM 2.25 10/20.00 Lu S15.20LS151 .35LS279 .30 8 Pin 13/1.00 2764 1.50 27128 3.20 10/27.50 S20.14LS153 .35LS280 .80 14 Pin 13/1.00 2108-4 8K X1 cc .70 27256 3.85 10/32.50 m S21.16LS154 .85LS283 .35 16 Pin 13/1.00 2118-4 16KX1-5Volt LS290 .70 4027-4KX1-250 n.s. 80 27512 5.10 10/45.00 S22.16LS155 .50 18 Pin 13/1.00 S26.14LS156 .42LS293 .50 4116-16KX1-25C n.s. .40 20 Pin 13/1.00 cc LS157 .30LS298 .65 75 S27.20 13/1.00 4116-16KX1-200 n.s. 8000/80000 S28.15LS158 .25 LS2991.00 22 Pin .90 24 Pin 8/1.00 4116 16KX1-150 n.s. 8031 2.95 13251 1.1U S30.14LS160 .25 LS3221.30 .49 or 9/3.50 1.75 rn LL. 28 Pin 7/1.00 4164 150 n.s. 80C32 123.95 8253-5 S32.16LS161 .35 LS323 2.25 1.10 1.80 40 Pin 7/1.00 4164 120 n.s. 8035 1.00 8254 S33.25 LS162 .45LS348 .75 4164-100 n.s 1.40 8039 1.00 8255 1.50 68 Pin PLCC .79 S37.24L$163 .36 LS3531.00 TMS4416-16KX4-150 n.s.2.75 8085 1.55 8255-5 1.75 84 Pin PLCC .89 S38.24 LS164 .45LS357 .80 4464-150 n.s 1.60 8086 1.55 8257 1.50 11.1 LS363 .75 BUY $10 S42.35LS165 .60 4464-120 n.s 1 75 8087 87.50 8259A 1.85 S51 LS166 .75LS364 .75 GET $1.00 - FREE CHOICE ci) .15 4464-100 n.s 1 95 8087-1 167.50 8259C-5 2.10 S54.20 LS169 .90LS365 .30 4464-80 n.s. 2.10 8087-2 127.50 8275 10.95 S55.20LS170 .45LS366 .28 6500/6800 2.25 41256 150 n.s. 1.25 or 9/9.95 8088 2.20 8279 S73.33LS173 .60LS367 .35 1.00 8088-2 3.25 8284 1.49 LS368 .30 6502 2.00 6821 41256 120 n.s. 1.40 S74.22 LS174 .35 6520 1.25 6845P 2.20 8155 2.25 8286 3.50 S75.25LS175 .35 LS373 .50 41256 100 n.s. 1.45 6522 2.70 6845S 2.20 8156 2.25 8287 2.49 S83.30LS181 1.25 LS374 .45 41256-80 n.s 1.65 3.50 6530 3.00 6850 1.75 8202A 8.00 8288 S85.45LS191 .45 LS375 .35 41256-60 n.s 2.30 8530 3.00 6532 4.25 6852 3.50 8212 1.25 S86.20LS192 .65 LS377 .75 1 Meg - 100 n.s. 4.90 8214 2.00 8741 7.00 6545 2.10 6860 3.95 S90.35LS193 .65 LS378 .80 1 Meg - 80 n.s. 5.20 8216 1.25 8742 7.00 3.00 S92.30 LS194 .40 LS390 .80 6551 2.40 68681 414256-80 n.s. 256 x 4 5.40 8224 1.25 8748 7.00 1.29 S93.25LS195 .52 LS393 .75 6800 1.40 68A09EP SIPPS & SIMMS AVAILABLE 8228 1.75 8749 7.00 S95.30LS196 .55 LS399 1.00 6802 2.50 68A40 4.00 8237-5 2.80 8755 7.00 S96.33LS197 .75 LS541 1.20 6803 3.00 68A54 3.00 THREE CHIP SET 8243 1.75 80286-8 PLCC 8.50 4.00 S107 .28LS221 .50 LS645 .75 6805 2.95 68809 . . P CIAL 8250 2.95 80287-8 125.00 LS646 .75 2.00 S109 .20LS240 .50 6809EP 2.75 68B10 113450, 1488, 1489 - $6.95 (16450)6.50 80287-10 135.00 S112 .25 LS670 .80 6809P 2.50 68B45 4.95 (16550) 13.00 V-20-10MHZ 6.50 S113 .25 25LS25691.50 6810 1.25 68854 4.00 16550, 1488, 1489 - $13.50

TERMS: (Unless specified elsewhere) Add $3.25 postage, we pay balance. Orders over $50.00 add 85¢ for insurance. No C.O.D. Texas Res. add V.% Tax. 90 Day Money Back Guarantee on all items. All items subject to prior sale. Prices subject to change without notice. Foreign order- USfunds only. We cannot ship to Mexico or Puerto Rico. Countries other than Canada, add $9.00 shipping and handling.

CIRCLE NO. 1040N FREE INFORMATION CARD Editorial EDITORIAL STAFF Art Salsberg Editor -in -Chief WiNning Alexander W. Burawa Managing Editor Dorothy Kehrwieder Production Manager Microsoft Windows 3.0 has had an As a result, a high percentage of Emily Kreutz Production enormous impact upon PC comput- Windows 3.0 owners use only non -- Elizabeth Ryan ing since its introduction in May Windows applications at this time. Art Director 1990. With some 4 -million copies Yes, some of 3.0's built-in programs Barbara Terzo shipped, millions of PC users have are used,especially the Solitaire Assistant Art Director now tasted working with a graphical game, but a great many Windows Susan Reale user interface (GUI) and a mouse owners employ the new environment Artist pointing device. users mostly for its memory -management Pat Le Blanc Florence V. Martin have enjoyed this from the onset, of facilities. With the new DOS 5.0's Phototypographers course, in a faster, better form than ability here, at least in the upper Hal Keith the new Windows offers, although memory area, even this attribute is Illustrator initially without color provisions, diluted a bit. The upshot is that I be- Bruce Morgan lieve that a high percentage of Win- Photographer not to mention much higher relative Bud Aaron, Roger C. Alford, Jan Axelson, cost and verylimitedexpansion dows 3.0 software is hardly used Tom Benford, Hardin Brothers, TJ Byers, provisions. at all! Joe Desposito, Nick Goss, John McCormick, Most Windows 3.0 owners, how- Nevertheless, Windows 3.0 has Martin Meyer, Forrest Mims III, Ted Needleman, Peter R. O'Dell, SF Sparrow ever, haven't yet truly savored this been a shot in the arm for the person- Contributing Editors new operating environment for a va- al -computer industry. Without BUSINESS STAFF riety of reasons. Firstly, it took some doubt, more 386 machines have been sold as a result of it, along with more Richard A. Ross time for third -party applications pro- Publisher grams for Windows 3.0 to reach criti- memory boards and chips, more Art Salsberg cal mass. Although there are plenty mouse devices, et al. The software in- Associate Publisher of such programs marketed now, at dustry, too, is enjoying the sales op- Dorothy Kehrwieder this writing, WordPerfect for Win- portunity presented by revamping General Manager dows has not yet been released; Ven- their programs for operating under Frank V. Fuzia tura Publisher for Windows has just the Windows environment.It's a Catherine Ross been introduced; and so on. shot in the arm for many of them. It Circulation Director Furthermore, Windows 3.0 has also allows some software companies Melissa Kehrwieder some serious shortcomings, especial- to encroach on sales territory held by Carol Minervini ly how slow it runs. Additionally, its leaders in specific applications areas. Data Processing File Manager is simply too basic and I have no doubts that, come Win- Denise Pyne Customer Service unrecoverableapplicationserrors dows 3.1 and IBM's OS/2 (likely to pop up too often. be quite a marketing battle), and the ADVERTISING SALES Added to this is the heavy burden wearing down of PC users through Eric Teitelbaum of Windows 3.0 memory require- ballyhoo and the like, that GUIs will Margaret Milanese ments, dictating more RAM and take over in time. With easier train- (516) 681-2922 higher -capacity hard drives for many ing for new programs, the attractive- FAX: (516) 681-2926 users, not to mention the desirability ness of desktop publishing and the promise of multi -media, it's a sure Karen Nauth of using at least a 386SX machine. Sales Assistant Top this off with added expenditures winner down the line. for new Windows application pro-

Offices: 76 North Broadway, Hicksville, NY 11801. Tele- grams, and you'll understand why phone: (516) 681-2922. FAX (516) 681-2926. Computer - lots of 3.0 owners have been reluc- Craft ils,V MSS s1172,is published monthly by CQ Communications, Inc. Subscription prices (payable in tant to go all the way. US Dollars only): Domestic-one year $18.97, two years $36.00, three years $53.00; Canada/Mexico-one year $21.00, two years $40.00, three years $59.00; Foreign- one year $23.00, two years $44.00, three years $65.00. Foreign Air Mail-one year $76.00, two years $150.00, three years $224.00. U.S. Government Agencies: Subscriptions to Computer - Craft are available to agencies of the United States gi,v- ernment, including military services, only on a cash with order basis. Requests for quotations, bids, contracts, etc. will be refused and will not be returned or processed. Entire contents copyright 1991 by CQ Communications, Inc. ComputerCraft or CQ Communications Inc. as- sumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts. Al- low six weeks for delivery of first issue and for change of address. Printed in the United States of America. Postmaster: Please send change of address notice to ComputerCraft, 76 North Broadway, Hicksville, NY 11801. from the Staff of ComputerCraft.

6 / COMPUTERCRAFT / December 1991 Say You Saw It In Computercraft TO ORDER (800) 531-5369 FAX (512) 344-2985 TO ORDER (800) 531-5369 FAX(512) 344-2985 TO ORDER (800) 531-5369 FAX1 (512) 344-2985 AltexElectronics,Inc, TO ORDER CALL 1(800) 531-5369 VISA mcoe,cora oscoo _ J fch"lire2;"` Mail Order Dept., 11342 IH-35 North, San Antonio, TX 78233 - (512) 637-3200; Hours 7am-7pm M -F, 10-2pm Sat. FAX (512) 344-2985 TERMS: For C.O.D. orders add $3.30. Minimum $25. For orders under $99 add $3.00 handling charge plus FRT. For orders over $99, actual FRT chargesapply. P.O.'s accepted from approved accounts. Texas residents add 8 1/4% sales tax. All returns require RMA# and must be returned in original condition. Subject to 15% restocking fee. Pricesand product descriptions subject to change. CALL FOR CURRENT PRICING. We are not responsible for typographical errors.

MOTHER BOARDS DISK CONTROLLER BOARDS RELISYS COMPUTER CASES -9101eemmemir MONITORS

Part# Description Each Parl# Description Each IFC-16 2 Floppy Controller $25 RM9503 Monochrome PS/2 $149 Board XT/AT 1800 x 350, 400, 480) IFC-14 2 Floppy Controller $13 RE9514 Super VGA (1024 x 768) $359 NM= Board PC/XT Unlimited Colors IFC-15 Disk I/O Board Serial, $25 LASER MONITORS Part# Description Each Parallel, Clock, Game PC/XT Part# Description Each D11 -XT Turbo 10 MHz Mini XT $69 IFC-24 Fixed Disk MFM/2 Floppy $69 MON-05 Monochrome TTL $89 Part# Description Each Motherboard Controller AT Amber 12" STC-03 Baby AT Case $39 D11 XT -640 Same as D11 -XT $109 IFC-26 Floppy, Fixed Disk RLL $129 MON-06 Paper White TTL 14" $112 STC-04 Regular AT Case $59 DAB -103 DFI Slimline Case w/640K installed Controller AT MON-10 CGA/RGB $239 $139 DFI286-12/E12 MHz 286 Mini $99 IFC-27 AT 2 IDE 4/Floppy Controller $29 (640 x 240) 14" w/200 Watt Power Supply STC-05 Baby Vertical w/200 Watt Motherboard IFC-27X XT 2/IDE 4/Floppy Controller $69 MON-07 VGA .41 Dot Pitch $269 $89 DFI286-16/E16 MHz 286 Mini $109 IFC-28 XT MFM Hard Drive $40 (640 x 480) 14" Power Supply CASE-TH8 Regular Vertical $249 Motherboard Controller Board MON-08 Super VGA $399 MB386SX Turbo 386 16 MHz $229 IFC-29 RLL Fixed Disk $57 (1024 x 7681 Unlimited Colors w/300 Watt Power Supply SX Motherboard Controller Board PC/XT 14' KEYBOARDS MB386.25 386 25 MHz $369 IFC-54 Add On Floppy $49 +AMA Motherboard Board XT/AT POWER SUPPLIES MB386-33C 386 33 MHz $459 ST -01 8 Bit SCSI Controller $29 Motherboard ST -02 8 Bit SCSI/Floppy $47 MEMORY BOARDS Controller Board All memory boards come with 0/K. Call for IN -2000 16 Bit SCSI Hard/Floppy $225 pricing with memory. Part# Description Each EXPANSION BOARDS Pant, Description Each PS -150 150 watt XT Power Supply $39 K-156 (XT,AT) $49 PS-150UL Same as PS -150 - UL Listed$69 101 keys with regular footprint for XT PS -200M 200 watt XT power Supply $49 or AT. PS-200MUL Same as PS -200M - UL Listed$89 Size: 20 1/21 x 7 7/8"W x 1 13/16"H. PS -200 200 watt AT Power Supply $59 K-160 Narrow Footprint $49 PS-200UL Same as PS -200 - UL Listed$89 101 keys XT or AT. PS -220 220 watt Vertical Case Size: 18 1/21 x 6 1/2"W x 1 5/16"H. Power Supply $79 K-158 Small Footprint $49 PS-200MINI 200 watt Baby Vertical Case 101/102 keys. 22 percent smaller than regular Power Supply $59 footprint. Part# Description Each Part# Description Each DISK DRIVES Size: 15 3/41 x 7 7/8"W x 1 13/16"H. IFC-12 Serial Board PC/XT $11 MEMO -576 576K Ramboard $23 K-158-1 Small Footprint $55 IFC-25 2 Serial, Parallel, Game $16 MEMO -2000A EMS 4.0 $89 Spanish Language Memory Board, 2 MEG AT Board XT/AT MEMO -2000X EMS 4.0 $79 IFC-13 Parallel Board XT/AT $9 HARD DRIVES Memory Board, 2 MEG XT IFC-19 Clock Board PC/XT $10 MEGALITH Enhanced EMS $119 IFC-198 Chipchip for PC/XT $24 Memory Board, 4 MEG AT IFC-20 Game Board $9 IFC-47 128K AT $67 XT/AT, 2 Ports Part# Description Each DDD-04 5 1/4 inch DSDD Memory Board COMMUNICATION BOARDS IFC-60 AT Plus - Up to $119 360K black faceplate $59 Part# Description Each 8 MEG RAM DDD-05 5 1/4 inch DSDD MS -400X Multi -Serial Board $69 IFC-60A 360K beige faceplate $59 Each AT Memory Board $119 for PC/XT Part# Description 8 MEG Using SIMMS DDH-065 1/4 inch DSHD ST -225 20 MB MFM 65 MS MS -400AMulti -Serial Board $99 IFC-62 1.2MB beige faceplate $75 PS -2 MOD 50 $129 for PC/AT Hard Drive 5-1/4" $199 60 EMS up to 2 MEG DDH-09 3 1/2 inch 720K beige ST -238 30 MB RLL 65 MS MS -422X Dual RS -232/422 $59 IFC-64 599 w/brkt $69 $219 PS -2 - EMS Serial Card for PC/XT Hard Drive 5-1/4" up to 2 MEG DDH-10 3 1/2 inch 1.44MB ST -251 40 MB MFM 28 MS MS -422A Dual RS -232/422 $69 beige w/brkt $79 IIT MATH CO -PROCESSORS Serial Card for PC/AT Hard Drive 5-1/4" $ 259 RAIL01 AT Drive Rail Kit $1.99 ST -157 40 MB 28 MS IDE 2C87-12 For 286 up to 12.5 MHz $89 MU -440 Multi -User Board $139 FP -B LK 1/2 Height Black 2C87-20 For 286 up to 20 MHz 119 Hard Drive 3-1/2" $209 VIDEO BOARDS Faceplate $2.49 3C87-16SX For 386SX up to ST -1102A 89 MB IDE 19 MS Part# Description Each 16 MHz 129 3 1/2" DRIVE MOUNTING KITS Hard Drive 3-1/2" $359 IFC-32 Mono Board $16 3C87-20SX For 386SX up to Mounts a 3 1/2" drive in a ST -296N 84 MB SCSI 19 MS w/printer port XT/AT 20 MHz 149 5 1/4" half -height Hard Drive 5-1/4" $369 IFC-33 Color Graphics $25 ST -1144A 130 MB IDE 19 MS $419 3C87-25 For 386 up to 25 MHz 179 drive bay w/printer port XT/AT 3C87-33 For 386 up to 33 MHz 199 Hard Drive 3-1/2" IFC-42 640x480 VGA Card $69 ST -1239A 210 MB IDE 15 MS $639 CALL FOR PRICING ON IFC-42C BOCA Super VGA Card $159 Hard Drive 3-1/2" DYNAMIC MEMORY VG -3000 Video Adapter Board $79 Part# Description Each ST -1239N 204 MB SCSI 15 MS $649 -n AND MEMORY MODULES w/256K 5.25KITFD Floppy Drive Kit $9.95 lOMPBS Data Transfer Rate VG -7000 Super VGA w/512K $139 5.25KITHDHard Drive Kit $9.95 Hard Drive 3-1/2"

TO ORDER 18001 531-5369 FAX(512/ 344-2985 TO ORDER (800) 531.5369 FAX (512) 344-2985 TO ORDER (800) 531-5369 FAX(512' 344-2985

CIRCLE NO. 103 ON FREE INFORMATION CARL: Letters

Reader Feedback We're fairly sure, however, that FDISK terested in an inexpensive IBM PC -com- Itwill be a few weeks until our repaired would be preferred for a "faster hard - patible program called RemoteControl hard -Disk drives are returned and we can disk solution." Booting could also be that provides the same utility. Remote - test the following ourselves. In "Hard - done from the slower hard drive, with an Control software also provides a ring - Disk Replacement Encounters" (Com- AUTOEXEC.BAT file vectoring imme- back mode that pent its two or more tele- puterCraft, May 1991), we believe that diately to the faster drive. phone devices to share the same tele- FDISK would have allowedauthor Lawrence E. McFarland phone line. Typically, the software is O'Dell to name the D drive as the primary Carmel, NY used to switch incoming calls between a "boot" (?) drive. It's unusual using the C fax machine and modem or a modem and drive for filing purposes and also more The Ring Director II project featured an answering machine. Like Ring Di- difficult to boot from drive D since some in your October 1991 issue was of great rector II, the latest version of Remote - software assumes the default is drive C. interest to me. Your readers might be in- Control software also supports Ring - Mate service. We sell RemoteCc ntro 1 through direct order for $35 plus $4 S&H. Charles Edlington President Electronic Technologies 3985 S. Rochester Rd., Ste. H Rochester, MI 48307-5135 Tel.: 313-656-0630

DIST cznain "Si lgliry 0

E> I recently came across Jan Axelson's article, "A Low -Cott Development Sys- E> tem" in the June 1991 issue of Computer - 0- Craft. I am really glad that Modern Elec- 039 tronics (now ComputerCraft) has taken ..,,..,...... vu ®mast it upon itself to pioneer in this area with MrIZIMIIIMVIID MOO the electronics -cum -computer hobbyist lifyf ...... nm66666666 MOM*;IWIII1110, 66666666 Ol in mind. There are a few such magazines, like the Elector -Electronics in Britain and Build and simulate both Analog and Digital circuits. the MX User, MSX Computing, which wrote on the Z80A-based MSX standard (CP/M) computers that came from Jap- anese companies to compete with Com- ElectronicsWorkbencif modore 64 . Chinnappan Kuriakose "Electronics Workbench is pretty amazing." Mt. Vernon, NY Jerry Pournelle, Ph.D., InfoWorld Congratulations on the name change! It has moved your magazine from the 99 electronics rack to the more -popular "...a marvellous learning and teaching tool.... computer rack in my neighborhood mag- Art Salsberg, Editor -in -chief, Modern Electronics azine store. A. Werblinski "Building a circuit is simple and intuitive." Verdun, Quebec, Canada Jeff Holtzman, Computer Editor, Radio -Electronics Magazine A Question Of Safety

Yes, I want Electronics Workbench® in my computer! I was very interested in Art Salsberg's Check the version you want: Name: review, "A Whole -House Surge Protec- tor" in the August issue. However, I MS-DOS 5.25" MS-DOS 3.5' Address: question the Electra Guard's effective- Personal $ 99.00 City: State Zip. ness if connected through existing circuit PersonalPlus $199.00 Tel: ( ) Fax:( ) breakers as shown. In power surges I Professional $299.00 MCNISA/AMEX# have experienced, one or more breakers ORDER INFORMATION: Canadian residents please add 7% GST (Ontario residents add 8% PST plus 7% were tripped by the surge. If the breakers GST). All orders please add $10.00 shipping and Signature: Exp handling. REQUIREMENTS Personal/Personal Plus Versions: IBM PC/XT/AT or connected to Electra Guard were tripped, PS/2 or true compatible with 512 kB RAM; Microsoft -compatible mouse; Return to: graphics display; two floppy drives or hard disk; MS-DOS 3.0 or later. that would seem to remove all protection Interactive Image Technologies Ltd. Professional Version: 640 kB RAM; EGANGA graphics; hard disk. from the other circuits by rendering Elec- Computer Craft Offer Personal Plus also available for the Macintosh. 908 Niagara Falls Boulevard FEATURES Personal Version: builds circuits containing 20 components or tra Guard effectively disconnected. North Tonawanda, NY 14120-2060 less. Personal Plus Version: builds circuits containing an unlimited' number of components. Professional Version: uses color coding for circuit tracing William E. Baker Tel: (416) 361-0333 with an unlimited* number of components; EGANGA support. Independence, MO Fax: (416) 368-5799 'limited only by the amount of memory available. When "tripped," Electra Guard opens Aloo, the input line.-Ed. INTERACTIVE IMAGE TECHNOLOGIES4V1ott INTERACTIVE CIRCLE NO. 72 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD 8 / COMPUTERCRAFT /December 1991 Say You SawIt In Computercraft UNICORN SINCE 1983 - YOUR I.C. SOURCE - AND MUCH MORE!! NO SHIPPING CHARGES ON PRE -PAID ORDERS!* ELECTRONICS NO CREDIT CARD SURCHARGE! 10010 Canoga Ave., Unit B-8 SCHOOL P.O.'s WELCOME! Chatsworth, CA 91311 LASER DIODES Dynamic RAMS EPROMS STOCK I* DESC. SPEED 1-2425-99 100+ STOCK tt SPEED 1-24 25-99100+ STOCK tt MFG. WAVE- OUTPUT OPER. OPER. PRICE 41256-60 256K x 1 60 ns 2.59 2.46 2.21 2716 450 ns 3.29 3.13 2.82 LENGTH POWER CURR. VOLT. 41256-80 256K x 1 80 ns 2.19 2.08 1.872732 450 ns 4.19 3.98 3.58 LS9220 TOSHIBA 660 nm 3 mW 85 mA 2.5v 129.99 41256-100 256K x 1 100 ns 1.99 1.89 1.702732A 250 ns 3.29 3.13 2.82 LS9200 TOSHIBA 670 nm 3 mW 85 mA 2.3v 49.99 41256-120 256K x 1 120 ns 1.89 1.80 1.622764 250 ns 3.49 3.32 2.99 LS9201 TOSHIBA 670 nm 5 mW 80 mA 2.4v 59.99 41256-150 256K x 1 150 ns 1.79 1.70 1.53 2764A 250 ns 3.09 2.94 2.65 LS9211 TOSHIBA 670 nm 5 mW 50 mA 2.3v 69.99 511000-70 1 meg a 1 70 ns 5.49 5.22 4.7027128 250 ns 4.79 4.55 4.10 LS9215 TOSHIBA 670 nm 10 mW 45 mA 2.4v 109.99 511000-80 1 meg x 1 80 ns 5.29 5.03 4.53 27C128 250 ns 4.79 4.55 4.10 LS3200 NEC 670 nm 3 mW 85 mA 2.2v 79.99 511000-10 1 meg x 1 100 ns 5.09 4.84 4.36 27256 250 ns 4.59 4.36 3.92 LS022 SHARP 780 nm 5 mW 65 mA 1.75v 19.99 514256-70 256K x 4 70 ns 6.49 6.17 5.55 27C256 250 ns 4.29 4.08 3.67 SB1053 PHILLIPS 820 nm 10 mW 90 mA 2.3v 9.99 514256-80 256K x 4 80 ns 6.09 5.79 5.21 27512 250 ns 5.49 5.22 4.70 514256-10 256K x 4 100 ns 5.69 5.41 4.8727C512 250 ns 5.49 5.22 4.70 541000-80 4 meg x 180 ns 26.9925.64 23.08 27C1024 200 ns 10.99 10.44 9.40 LASER TUBES 544256-80 1 meg x 480 ns 31.9930.3927.35 27C2048 200 ns 21.99 20.89 18.80

STOCK 8 WAVELENGTH OUTPUT OUTPUTBEAM BEAM POLARI-OPERATING OPER. FIRING MIN. SIZE WT. BRH PRICE POWER POWER DIAM. DIVERG. ZATION VOLTAGE CURR. VOLT. SERIES DXL (GM.) CL. 1-9 10+ (MIN.) (MAX.) RES. (IN MM)

LT7770 543nm (Green) 0.5mW 1.0mW 0.71mm5 1.2 mrad random 1750v ± 110v 6.5 mA5 8 kV 81k II 37 x 350 200 II 799.99749.99 LT7650 632.8nm (Red) 0.5mW 2.0mW 0.49mm5 1.7 mrad >100:1 1000v ± 100v 3.5 mA< 7 kV 68k Il 25 x 146 70 Illa 529.99479.99 LT7656 632.8nm (Red) 0.5mW 2.0mW 0.34mm5 2.4 mrad random 1050v ± 100v 2.8 mA5 8 kV 82k Cl 22.5 x 11860 Illa 134.99 124.99 LT7655 632.8nm (Red) 0.5mW 2.0mW 0.49mm5 1.7 mrad random 1000* 100v 3.5 mA< 7 kV 68k Cl 25 x 150 70 Illa 144.99 134.99 LT7655S 632.8nm (Red) 1.0mW 2.0mW 0.49mm5 1.7 mrad random 1000v 1 100v 3.5 mA5 7 kV 68k Cl 25 x 150 70 Illa 159.99 144.99 LT7632 632.8nm (Red) 1.2mW 3.0mW 0.61mm5 3.0 mradrandom 1300v- 100v 3.5 mA5 7 kV 81k Cl 20 x 210 70 Illa 249.99229.99 LT7621S 632.8nm (Red) 2.0mW 5.0mW 0.75mm5 1.2 mradrandom 1300v I 100v 5.0 mA5 7 kV 68k Cl 30 x 255 140 Illa 204.99191.99 LT7634 632.8nm (Red) 2.0mW 5.0mW 0.75mm5 1.2 mrad >500:1 1300v ± 100v 5.0 mA5 7 kV 68k Cl 30 x 255 140 Illa 209.99194.99 LT7621MM 632.8nm (Red) 5.0mW 15mW 1.0mm 5 2.5 mrad random 1250v 100v 6.5 mA5 7 kV 68k Cl 30 x 255 140 Illb 359.99334.99 LT7627 632.8nm (Red) 5.0mW 15mW 0.80mm5 1.1 mrad random 1900v- 100v 6.5 mA5 8 kV 81k Cl 37 x 350 200 Illb 369.99344.99 LT7628 632.8nm (Red) 5.0mW 15mW 0.80mm5 1.1 mrad >500:1 1900v ± 100v 6.5 mA5 8 kV 81k Cl 37 x 350 200 Illb 389.99364.99 LT7627MM 632.8nm (Red) 10mW 30mW 1.2mm 5 4.0 mrad random 1750v- 100v 6.5 mA5 8 kV 81k (I 37 x 350 200 Illb 479.99444.99 Laser Pointer Power Supply Collimator Pen Disc Drive & Computer Cleaning Kit 0004°.

Output: 3.5 mW Wavelength: 670NM Input: 115/230V Output: 2.5 mW (max.) Power Supply: 2xAAA Batteries Output: +5v @ 3.75A Current: 90-150 mA Not just a drive cleaner -but a complete (included) computer cleaning kit. Includes swabs, +12v @ 1.5A Op. Volt.: 2.2-2.5V head cleaning fluid, anti -static cleaner. Beam: Approx. 3" @ 100 yards -12v @ .4A Wavelength: 820NM screen wipes and cleaning diskette. Quantity Discounts Available Size: 7" L x 51/2" W x 21/2" H Data Sheet inc. STOCK # PRICE STOCK # PRICE STOCK # PRICE STOCK # PRICE SB109931/2" Kit $6.99 LSPOINT $199.99 PS1003 $19.99 SB1052 $39.99 SB110051/4" Kit $6.99 Disc Drive Head - Anti -Static Robotic Arm Kit Avoider Robot Kit Cleaning Kit Screen Wipes

50111281 Robots were once confined to science fiction movies. Today, whether they're performing An intelligent robot that knows how For static -sensitive applications. dangerous tasks or putting together complex to avoid hitting walls. This robot Includes cleaning fluid and Dispenser packs, individually wrapped. products, robotics are finding their way into emits an infra -red beam which more and more industries. The Robotic Arm head -cleaning diskette STOCK # PRICE Kit is an educational kit that teaches basic detects an obstacle in front and robotic arm fundamentals as well as testing then automatically turns left and STOCK # PRICE SB1104Dispenser pack$1.99 your own motor skills. Command it to perform continues on. of 25 wipes simple tasks. SB1105 3'/2" Drive Kit $1.99 SB1107Dispenser pack$4.99 STOCK # PRICE STOCK # PRICE SB1106 51/4" Drive Kit $1.99 of 100 wipes Y01 $49.99 MV912 $49.99

15.00 MINIMUM ORDER UPS BLUE, RED & FEDERAL EXPRESS E,co3 ORDER LINE- (800) 824-3432 SHIPPING AVAILABLE OPEN MON-FRI 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM, SAT 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM PDT INTERNATIONAL ORDERS- (818) 341-8833 CA RESIDENTS ADD 81/4 °/0 SALES TAX CALL FOR QUANTITY DISCOUNTS CALL FOR FREE CATALOG (FOR 1ST CLASS DELIVERY OR CATALOGS FAX ORDERS - (818) 998-7975 DELIVERED OUTSIDE THE U.S. - SEND 52.00) WE CARRY A COMPLETE LINE OF ELECTRONIC TECHNICAL SUPPORT - (818) 341-8833 COMPONENTS 'NO SHIPPING CHARGES ON PRE -PAID ORDERS DELIVERED IN THE CONTINENTAL U.S. CIRCLE NO. 157 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD What's Happening

PCradio. ARDIS, an IBM/ partnership, will produce a notebook -size PC that provides nationwide communications --radio, cellular or telephone. Designated IBM Model 9075, it's awaiting FCC approval. The under -6.4 -lb. portable features ruggedized construction, a 80C186 CPU running at 5 to 10 MHz, 640K system RAM, an expansion slot accommodating a memory card with up to 2MB, a 640 x 200 LCD fold -down display and integrated data communications modems for wireless and landline communications. It also can send or receive fax copies over cellular networks and send -only over landlines. Designed for mobile and portable applications, its radio -frequency modem can communicate nationally over the ARDIS nationwide data network.

Taxing BBS Software Downloads. New York State, scratching for more tax revenue, is reported to be subjecting BBSs to a sales tax for any software downloaded from their files. If the software doesn't have a price, the Tax and Finance office will determine one, we're told. Some sysops have closed down software transfers until the air is cleared on all this. Hams are concerned about the new tax rules, too, wondering if packet radio BBS transfers are included.

New Software Protection Schemes. A new PC software security standard, PCDES (PC Data Encryption Standard), challenges long- time standard Data Encryption Standard (DES). The new alternative consists of three "plug-in" algorithms that are said to runup to 40 times faster than the old DES, developed in the 1970s. A software protection module that features an expiration timer was introduced By Dallas Semiconductor (Dallas, TX). The DS1407 plugs into the parallel port of a personal computer. Using just one signal wire and self -powered by an embedded lithium energy source, the device is said to leave the port unencumbered by its presence. The DS1407's expiration timer facilitates software trial or lease plans based on elapsed time or calendar time. The module contains a 64 -bit authorization code, too.a developer's kit costs $60.

Super Nintendo Arrives. Super NES has arrived in time for Christmas shopping, with projected sales of 2 -million hardware units and 6 -million software units by year-end 1991! Using 16 -bit technology, the system features enhanced graphics (a 32,768 -color palette), digital stereo sound from eight channels and multiple scrolling screens that provide 3D image effect capabilities. Introduced last year in Japan as Super Famicom, 1.6 -million units were reported to be sold in five months.

Multimedia News. Yamaha's Systems Technology Division (San Jose, CA) new MAGIC three -chip set for multimedia PC use combines a host of functions that include advanced stereo digital audio, MIDI functions with on -board timers and joy -stick port and a bevy of sound generators.... Sony, too, introduced new multimedia gear in the form of a $795 all-purpose multi -disc player, the MDP- 1100. It's said to be the first multi -disc player to control video discs and digital audio CDs by computer, infrared control and videodiscs supporting bar-code programming.

10 / COMPUTERCRAFT /December 1991 Say You Saw It In Computercraft Quality Brand Name Components, Reasonable Prices and THE BEST WARRANTY IN THE INDUSTRY!

CPC Offers More STANDARD Features: I ar CPU (AMD on 386-40Mhz System) AMI Bios (Award Bios on EISA Systems) " 4MB RAM Installed (2MB on 386SX) M. 64-256K Cache SRAM on 386-33, 40 & 486 Systems use 1.2 & 1.44 Teac Floppy D -pies eV 120MB Conner Hard Drive (90MB on 386SX) w/ 64K Built in Disk CacFe frw I:I Interleave 2HD/2FD IDE Adapter Or SCSI Interface Available wir 101 Key Enhanced Tactile Keyboard or IParallel, 2 Serial, Game ''ort tor Clock- Calendar Built -In virI 6Bit Tseng 4000 SVGA Card w/ I MB Installed opt.700,000 Color Sierra RAM-DAC Avail.

tL 14" NON -Interlaced SVGA I 024x768 .28mm Monitor, opt. Trinitron-NI. Call for 16" & 20" Monitors. tre Desktop or Mini Tower Case Standard opt. Full Size Tower Far Microsoft MS-DOS v5.0 far Microsoft Quick Basic MS -Windows 3.0 w/Mouse (add $60) ' Custom Configurations with NO LIMITATIONS!

3865X-16Mhz 386-25Mhz $149900 $179500 Discover the CPC Advantage: la' FREE Federal Express Shipping on Complete Systems 386-33Mhz 386-40Mhz ' FREE I Year On -Site Pickup Service $199500I$2150" On -Site Service Available ear FREE Overnight Replacement Parts Kw Toll FREE Technical Support 486-33Mhz 486-33Mhz EISA we 25 Day Money Back Guarentee ow Best Warranty in the Industry: $2545" $CALL 3 Year Parts on Electronics (Mother Board, Memory, HD/FD/10 & Video Controllers) 3863x- 161PLOeiooh 2 Year Parts on Mechanics 2MB RAM CALL Today for Literature (Hard Drive, Floppy Drives, Power Supply, Keyboard) 40MB Hard DRive 0% ., VGA Backlit LCD$I y3 on any of Lifetime Labor Carrying Case our Products! 24-48hr Warranty turn around. 7Lbs_ 1-800-272-7281 CPC Computer Products CT 327 Quinnipiac Ave. North Haven, CT 06473 In Call: (203) 776-8725 Fax: (203) 776-3958 CIRCLE NO. 56 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD What's New! By Peter R. O'Dell

Pen Notebook computer printer. Up to three Schematic Editor typed lines can be accommo- Designer Computer dated.Labelconstruction Supports Circuit Computers MicroSlate's newDatellite consists of a white write -on Simulation Baxter Computer has a new 300featuresits"pen'n polyurethane layer,a UV - line of "Bookshelf" compu- blocking black vinyl layer and The latest version of Mental touch"TMinterfaceina Automation's SuperCAD, a ters for people who are look- NATO -approved package apressure -sensitiveacrylic ing for something other than adhesive layer. These 1.1 " x schematic editor, works with with 16 -MHz 386SX, 120M both digital and analog simu- hard disk, 1M RAM (16M op- 0.46" labels are sized to fit neatly on top of 24 -pin devices lators via compatible netlists tional) and VGA touch -screen and built-in waveform dis- LCD.Weighingunder 7 with 0.6 " row spacing and are flexible enough to conform to plays. A logic analyzer view all EPROM packages, includ- shows digital simulation re- ing those with raised win- sults, while an oscilloscope dows. Once in place, the label view shows analog simulation is permanent. However, it can (SPICE) results. be removed without leaving SuperCAD isafull -fea- behind any adhesive residue. tured schematic -entry pack- $4 for 147 labels. age that runs on IBM/com- pounds, the unit fits inside a patible computers with 512K 12% "W x10 "D x 2%"H CIRCLE NO. 2 ON FREE CARD RAM, graphics adapter, Mi- rugged case. In addition to the croSoft-compatible mouse the traditional beige housing regular ports, the Datellite and DOS 2.0 or later. In addi- Based on a compact mother- 300 has a built-in SCSI inter- Portable tion to a schematic editor, the board, the new computers feature a fine hardwood cas- face. Battery life is rated at ap- Tape Backup package includes a netlist gen- proximately 4 hours before re- ing,several designer styles andcolorfulexteriors charging. A simple -to -use ap- The ADPI "One For All" to plicationsgenerator makes portable tape backup system match popular office design for rapid program develop- is a convenient solution for themes. Measuring a mere ment. The 300 supports Mi- backing up data from multi- 9% "W x "D, the Baxter croSoft's new Pen -Windows ple PCs. It offers 160M of "A" platformisavailable program and is expected to storage on one CT600 digital with a 286 or 386SX CPU. support GO Corp.'s Penpoint cassette, with a transfer rate The shoe -box -shaped Baxter software. $5,995. "B" comes with either a 286 or25 -MHz 386DX. Hard CIRCLE NO. I ON FREE CARD disks are currently available in erator, library parts builder, 40M, 80M and 120M sizes. electrical rules checker and Both series come with a sin- EPROM Labels parts -list extractor. Parts li- gle 1.4M floppy drive and 1M Block UV braries include generic TTL (286) or 2M (386) RAM. The and CMOS, memory, PLDs, buyer has a choice of a special Datak Corp. now offers UV - 4000 -series CMOS, analog blocking labels for EPROMs cut -back micro keyboard or a and microprocessors. Many regular 101 -key design. Nor- and PAL devices that can be parts include separately se- written or typed on with ball- mal ports, including VGA, lectableDIPorsurface - point pen, soft lead pencil, a are standard, along with a typewriter or a platen -feed mount pinouts; gate parts in- singlehalf -size -card expan- clude De Morgan equivalent sion slot. The power supply is of 4.5M per minute. No con- symbols. $99. external. $1,100 and up. troller card or special adapter CIRCLE NO. 24 ON FREE CARD CIRCLE NO. 25 ON FREE CARD is required for the unit since it plugs directly into a parallel printer port. The software is DMP With menu -driven and provides on- line help, prompts and status Scalable Fonts windows. It operates from the Epson America's LQ-1070 is a DOS command line and fea- newwide -carriage 24 -pin tures read -after -write verifi- printer with the ESC/P 2 cation. Large backups can be enhanced -graphics mode that carried on several tapes. "One permits scalable fonts (8 to 32 For All" features a conven- points). Other featuresin- at 70 cps. Drivers are included EP/it/it's arem ient recessed handle for easy clude an 8K buffer, new case for most popular software. carrying. It measures 9%"D x design,faster speeds,four Options include film ribbon fro Wsafe 5%"H x 3%"W and weighs paper paths (top, rear, bot-for sharpest output and cut - with EP labels 61b. $1,495. tom and front). Draft speed is sheet feeders. $699. .-I. Chiis i 11-11 CIRCLE NO. 16 ON FREE CARD rated at 315 cps, letter quality CIRCLE NO. 26 ON FREE CARD What's New!

Screen Cleaner Upgrading PCs ing -system essentials in By Bud Aaron & Alex Aaron Chapters 9 and 10; CON- Kinetronics' CompuWisk is (Osborne/McGraw-Hill. FIG.SYS and AUTOEX- said to effectively remove the Soft cover. 459 pages. EC. BAT receive the most at- static charge from computer $19.95.) tention. Troubleshooting screens and static -prone of- This is likely to be of much and building your own com- fice furniture while whisking greater interest to the com- puter round out the the top- away dirt and dust. It's made of a special blend of soft natu- puterneophyte thanthe ics in Chapters 11 and 12. In power user. Chapter 1 starts addition, several appendices ral hair and dissipative syn- cause CPU lock -up. The de- thetic fibers. The 12 -foot coil outwiththeubiquitous contain often -needed infor- vice mounts to a computer for "History of the Computer" mation, such as charts of cord has a built-in resistor out-of-the-way storage. The and "Why Upgrade?" sec- hard -drive heads, tracks and to eliminate static shocks and brush can be cleaned by un- is easily attached to ground. tions. Chapters 2 and 3 serve cylinders. snapping it from the card and This protects against acciden- as a guide to lifting the lid on The authors' style is sim- rinsingitin shampoo and your own computer and be- ple and direct, and the writ- tal static discharge that can af- water. $40. CIRCLE NO. 27 ON FREE CARD ing able to recognize the ma- ing is clear. Illustrations are fect memory, garble data or jor components. Chapters 4 good and will benefit those through 6 cover simple addi- people who perform up- Disk -Cache uses either expanded or ex- tions, ranging from printers grades. If you have an older Program tended memory (or regular andmicetoexpansion computer and are thinking memory) with the drivers re- boards to floppy and hard about upgrading it yourself, TheAldridgeCompany's quiring 5K of conventional disk drives. this volume could serve as a Cache86 disk -cachingpro- memory or less to produce a Upgrades at the compo- handy reference, particular- gram improves the perfor- cache of up to 4M. The pro- nent level (memory chips, ly if you've never tackled a mance of most computers gram is compatible with all power supplies, accelerator similar project. If you are an lacking a cache. The Cache86 popular hard drives, all cur- cards,BIOS chips,etc.) old hand to the DOS/IBM/ driver comes as four different rent DOS versions (including show up in Chapters 7 and 8. compatible world, let this executable programs that are DR -DOS), and current appli- The authors cover operat- one pass. optimized for a specific type cations, such as Windows. memory or machine. Cache86 CIRCLE NO. 28 ON FREE CARD

THE PERFORMANCE LEADER PROFESSIONAL CIRCUIT DESIGN IN EASY TO USE CAD TOOLS From Labcenter Electronics QiCAD Save time and money! et_ QICAD isa full -featured

4 printed circuit layout package that gives you everything you

Easy to Use PC Software - ICON Based need to design circuit boards Ultra Fast Performance- Mouse Driven quickly. Complete With Advanced Editing Tools

Output to Printers, Plotters & Lasers

ON-LINE HELP PCB BOARD DESIGN

Full range of products available from entry level AUTOROUTER

through to autorouting. POWERFUL EDITING

SCHEMATIC CAPTURE HPGL/DMPL PLOTS

A family of products that feature modern graphical GERBER U2 ac US user interface & an intelligent diagram editor. r POSTSCRIPT

EXCELLON (DRILL)

111.11;Farmlywftw EGA / VGA compatibile Products as low as $149 us !!! AMPS R4 SYSTEMS Inc. Free DEMO Package $195.00 complete price P.O.Box 451 Write or Call Today 011111118111iiiiiiil West Hill, Ontario 601 S. Maine St. Suite D Canada M1E 4Y9 (416) 439-9302 Fallon, NV 89406 gay (702) 423-1653 (702)423-1654 FAX Download DEMO from BBS at 416 289-4554 (2400/8/N/1) CIRCLE NO. 88 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD CIRCLE NO. 68 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD Say You Saw It In Computercraft December 1991 /COMPUTERCRAFT / 13 What's New!

Micro Trainer perience in circuit -board as- attached. The front panel has sembly and soldering. Among a volume control and head- EMAC's Primer Traineris optional upgrades available phone jack. CD-ROM disks based on an 8085 CPU and are 8K RAM, RS -232 port, have a storage capacity of up features a 20 -key keypad, a software, single stepping and to 757M. The package is bun- six -characterseven -segment four additional keys. $100 in dled with the New Grolier LED, eight -position DIP lots of 10. Electronic Encyclopedia, switch input port, output port CIRCLE NO. 29 ON FREE CARD MicrosoftBookshelf,PC with eight status LEDs, six -bit Globe Electronic Atlas and clamp -on VOM measures both Combination PC -SIGLibrary.Included ac and dc current from 0.01 to also are a PC XT/AT inter- 200 amperes by merely clamp- CD-ROM/Audio facecard,Microsoft CD- ing its 19 -mm jaw around a Player ROM extensions, cables and current -carryingconductor. an installation program. Philips Consumer Electronics The small size of the 2004 Magnavox eliminated the allows for low -current read- is shipping an external combi- caddy normally found in CD- ings at 10-mA resolution in nation CD-ROM drive/stand- ROM drives. Access time is alone CD -audio player, the tight areas. Readout is shown A/D converter, six -bit D/A less than 700 ms, with average on a 31/4 -digit LCD. The spe- Magnavox CDD461RS. It can converter and14 -bittimer datatransferratesgreater cially designed magnetic sens- with speaker output. An ex- play audio CDs independently than 150K/s. The package of the computer to which it's ing jaw with Hall sensing ele- pansion port is also included, measures 14.2"W x 11.8"D mentsallowsforaccurate allowing interfacing of cir- x 3.5"H and a video monitor readings on both ac and dc cuits of the user's own design. can be placed atop it to con- currents. Frequency response An EPROM carriesthe serve space. $550. for ac measurement is from 40 monitor that CIRCLE NO. 30 ON FREE CARD Hz to 1 kHz. Measurement enables the user to examine ranges are: current, 20/200 and change contents of mem- amperes ac/dc; voltage to 500 oryandregisters.Primer Clamp -On VOM volts ac/200 volts dc; and comes standard in kit form, The Kyoritsu ElectricalIn- resistance to 200 ohms. $295. permitting the user to gain ex- struments Works Model 2004 CIRCLE NO. 31 ON FREE CARD Total Auto-MMU Z280, Z180, Z80 & 8085 Full ANSI C Compilers P -C -B ARTWORK MADE EASY I Completely automatic MMU support (no programming Create and Revise PCB's in a Flash effort) for UP TO ONE MEGABYTE Z180 programs. DOS based cross -compilers for ANSI and K&R C code. * HERC, CGA, EGA, VGA, SUPER -VGA Complete with high-speed assembler, linker, and librarian. * HELP SCREENS Includes macros to interface C and assembly. * EXTREMELY USER FRIENDLY NOT A SMALL C!! Full ANSI C at a small C price. * AUTO GROUND PLANES All ANSI .H files and applicable functions provided. * DOT- MATRIX, LASER and PLOTTER ART Optimized code generation for all data types. Char types * GERBER and EXCELLON OUTPUT are not promoted to int. Generates inline port I/O. * CREATE YOUR OWN FILMS with 1X ART Allows in -line assembly with access to C variables. * LIBRARIES All code is reentrant and ROMable. * DOWNLOAD DEMOS from 24 hr. BBS! Fast ANSI/IEEE 754/INTEL floating point support.

Supports C service routines and pseudo REQUIREMENTS: IBM PC or Compatible, 384K RAM variables to access registers at the C level. Can compile DOS 3.0 or later. IBM compatible printers, HP Laser to user defined segments. PCBoards - layout program99.00 ANSI C Compiler, Assembler, Linker- $699 (PCBoards HP or HI PEN PLOTTER DRIVER 49.00) Assembler and Linker Only - $279 PCRoute -auto -router 99.00 SuperCAD - schematic pgm. 99.00 Demo Pkg. -( includes all 3 programs) 10.00 SOFTOOLS, INC. Call or write for more information 8770 Manahan Drive PCBoards lillicott City, MI) 21043 2110 14th Ave. South, Birmingham, AL 35205 (301) 750-3733 1-800-473-PCBS/ (205)933-1122 FA X/11135 (30 I )750-2008 BBS/ FAX (205)933-2954

CIRCLENO. 42 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD CIRCLE NO. 84 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD 14 / COMPUTERCRAFT / December1991 Say You Saw It In Computercraft Learn to troubleshoot and NEW! service today's computer 386sx/20 MHz computer, 40 meg systems as_y_ou build a hard drive! powerful 386sx/20 MHz computer!

Train the NRI way-and learn to service all computers as you build your own powerful West Coast 386sx/20 MHz computer, now with 1 meg RAM, 40 meg IDE hard drive, and exciting new diagnostic hardware and software!

Jobs for computer service technicians will almost double in the next 10 years according to Department Only NRI gives you of Labor statistics, making computer service one of the top growth such confidence -building, real - fields in the nation. world experience. Only NM gives you Now you can cash in on this exciting opportunity-either both the knowledge and the professional tools to succeed as as a full-time industry technician or in a computer service business today's in -demand computer service technician. of your own-once you've mastered electronics and computers the NRI way. No experience needed...NRI builds it in Get real -world skills as you train with and With NRI training, you learn at your own convenience in your keep a powerful 386sx-based computer own home. No classroom pressures, no night school, no need to quit your present job until you're ready to make your move. system plus Microsoft® Works software NRI starts you with the basics of electronics and computers, building on that foundation step by step until you have the Only NRI gives you hands-on training with the finest example of knowledge and skills you need for success. state-of-the-art technology: the powerful new West Coast 386sx/ And all throughout your training you've got the full 20 MHz computer. As you assemble this fully IBM PC/AT- support of your personal NRI instructor and the entire NRI compatible machine, you actually see for yourself how each technical staff, always ready to answer your questions and help section of your computer works. you achieve your training goals. You assemble and test your computer's "intelligent" keyboard, install the power supply and 51/4" high -density floppy Send for your FREE catalog today! disk drive, then interface the high -resolution monitor. Your hands-on training continues as you install a powerful Send today for NRI's big, free catalog that describes every aspect of 40 meg IDE hard drive-today's most -wanted computer periph- NRI's innovative computer training, as well as hands-on training eral-now included in your course to dramatically increase your in other growing high-tech career fields. computer's data storage capacity while giving you lightning -quick If the coupon is missing, write to: NM Schools, McGraw- data access. Hill Continuing Education Center, 4401 Connecticut Avenue, Plus you now work with today's most popular integrated NW, Washington, DC 20008. software package, Microsoft Works, learning to use its word proces- sing, spreadsheet, database, and communications utilities for your IBM and AT are registered trademarks of the IBM Corporation. RACER. and QuickTech are own personal and professional applications. registered trademarks of Ultra -x, Inc. West Coast is a member of the Syntax Group. But that's not all! SEND CARD TODAY FOR FREE NRI CATALOG NEW! Ultra -X diagnostic McGraw-Hill Continuing Education Center hardware and software for AP.SChools4401 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008 fast, accurate troubleshooting V Check one FREE catalog only 111 Computer Programming --.01111111111111111m0.- 111 PC Software Engineering Using C MICROCOMPUTER SERVICING El Desktop Publishing & Design Now you train with and keep the M 0 TV/Video/Audio Servicing IA Word Processing Home Business latest in diagnostic hardware and O Telecommunications 0 Bookkeeping & Accounting Industrial Electronics & Robotics 111 Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration software: the extraordinary El Security Electronics 0 Building Construction H For career courses R.A.C.E.R. plug-in diagnostic card El Electronic Music Technology O Small Engine Repair approved under GI Bill, and QuickTech menu -driven CI Basic Electronics 0 Automotive Servicing check for details. software, both from Ultra -X. Using these state-of-the-art tools, you Name (please print) Age learn to quickly identify and service virtually any computer Address problem on XT, AT 80286/80386, City/State/Zip Accredited Member, National Home Study Council and compatible machines. 4-121 What's New!

Miniature 8052AH Music Free Catalog 386SX Board Development Tool The MCM catalog contains Music Converter from Sun - listings for more than 17,000 Zykronix has a new single - board 386SX AT -compatible coastTechnologiesisan parts and components, 600 8502AH developmenttool of them new to this edition. system that measures only 6" that easily transforms a listing Among product categories x 4" x 1.3 " and weighs just 6 ounces. The "Little Monster of standard musical notations listed are: semiconductors, to Intel's Pulse Width Modu- TV parts, computer equip- II" can be equipped with a 20 - 5 -volt dc supply. ment, power centers and or 25 -MHz 386SX. Its fea- Zykronix offers a series of lation (PWM) Reload format. tures include a multi -density expansion cards called Zykro- Music Converter takes this regulators, telephone parts PWM information and cre- and accessories, connectors, floppy disk controller, battery Slices that stack directly on top of Little Monster II. Up to ates a ready -to -load -and -run batteries,speakers backed real-time clock, dual tools, eightZykro-Slicescanbe BASIC program using READ and more. RS -232 serial ports (one can CIRCLE NO. 38 ON FREE CARD be configuredas RS -485/ stacked on top of a single Lit- and DATA statements to cre- RS -422), parallel port, IDE tle Monster II system. $1,695 ate the musical sounds. The hard drive interface, math for development package with program is ready to upload to socket and an ISA- 2M of RAM, VGA Zykro- an 8052AH BASIC Micro - Diagnostic Boards signal-compatible Zykro-Bus. Slice, cable set, and all techni- controller via a standard com- The unit requires only a single cal documentation. munications program. $25. Post Code Master is a low- CIRCLE NO. 33 ON FREE CARD CIRCLE NO. 34 ON FREE CARD cost plug-in card for AT (ISA) bus computers from Micro - Flat -Bed Scanner able steps for contrast and ments at input voltages rang- Systems Development. It brightness control. It provides ing from 90 to 130 volts ac or enables the user to debug PCs, The Datatrek Sirius 32 is an a maximum scanning speed of 180 to 264 volts ac. Power fre- even when the monitor or disk advancedflat-beddesktop 10 seconds for a full 8%" x quency can range from 47 to drives don't work. When a PC scanner that scans both text 11 " document.Resolution 73 Hz. Size is 21 " x 133/. " x is powered up, the BIOS per- and graphics at 300 x 300 dpi. ranges from 1% to 100% in 5%" and weight is 17.8 lbs. forms a series of tests and Screen size is 8%" x 14 ", and 1% steps. $1,399;half-sizeinterface verifications.Beforeeach an optional automatic docu- Fifteen patterns with vari- card, cable and DStart soft- test, it outputs a code. If a test ment feed allows the unit to ous grain sizes and gray levels ware that operates under Win- fails, the last code output in- scan up to 25 pages at once. are built in for halftones. The dows 3.0 begin at $395. dicates the failure. Post Code The unit supports 32 Win- Sirius 32 is designed to oper- Master captures and displays dows and features 51 adjust- ate in a wide range of environ- CIRCLE NO. 35 ON FREE CARD Power On Self Test (POST) codes as they're generated. It PC Magazine Chapters 2 and 3. Chapter 4 portion of the book con- is on buying the right com- cludes with a discussion of Guide To puter at the right price. resources available, ranging Notebook & Chapter 5 talks at length from magazines to electron- about taking your portable ic forums such as Compu- Laptop Computers on the road and the prob- Serve to trade shows. By Bill Howard lems you're apt to encount- Several appendices cover (Ziff -Davis Press. Soft er. Communications on the other topics, including trou- cover. 415 pages. $29.95.) road is covered in Chapter 6. bleshooting,input/output Thinking about purchasing By following Howard's ad- operations and connectors, a laptop or notebook com- vice on tapping into the international voltage stand- comes with a complete ex- puter? This book is chock- telephone wiringin your ards, Hayes modem com- planation of codes for most full of valuable information hotel, you'll be able to han- mands, E-mail, and more. A BIOS manufacturers. $59. and guidance for the new- dle virtually any situation 3'/2"disk comes with the Port Test is a second plug- comer, including a lot of you encounter. book and has 18 utilities on in board that provides com- matter relating to PCs in If you have need of inter- it, including a virus detector plete diagnostic service for general. On the other hand, facing a laptop with a LAN, and disinfector. serial and parallel ports.It if you're an experienced, you'll find some good advice Bill Howard is an excel- displays installed ports, per- savvy laptop user, chances on the associated problems lent writer, and it's apparent forms thorough internal and are that you'll find little new in Chapter 7. Chapter 8 is that he knows the laptop external diagnostics and al- in this volume. devoted to software consid- market. His writing style is lows you to change port ad- The first four chapters erations and advice on mini- personable and easy to fol- dresses. It also provides many amount to guidelines for mizing the hard -disk space low, making for easy read- useful utilities to enable the making your firstlaptop software occupies. Next is a ing. If you're new to lap- user to locate external connec- purchase.Afterashort discussion of hardware ac- tops, this book is a good tors, resolve address and in- history of the laptop -com- cessories,including print- buy. On the other hand, if terrupt conflicts, locate bad puter market in Chapter 1, ers,mice substitutes and you're already familiar with components and more. $89. the author discusses impor- other electro-mechanical laptops, you may find little in marvels. The expositional of interest in this one. CIRCLE NO. 32 ON FREE CARD tantlaptopfeatures

18 / COMPUTERCRAFT / December 1991 Say You Saw It In Computercraft What's New!

Laptop Protection phone connectors for modem protection. An indicator light LAPMAX from Panamax tells the user that power pro- protects laptop and notebook tection is present. The LAP - computers from damage and MAX also has a catastrophic data loss resulting from irreg- surge eliminator that protects ularities within the electrical the equipment off-line in case environment. Data loss can of a devastating surge, such as occur when the power supply a lightning strike. Weight is 11 is connected to the ac mains, ounces. $89. the modem is connected to a telephone line or both. LAP - CIRCLE NO. 36 ON FREE CARD MAX features one protected ac outlet and a pair of tele Low -Cost Caching Controllers dard100-ns256K or 1M Printer Sharing Specialty Development Corp. SIMMS that users can add in (SDC) has the Series 400 line pairs as needed. Each control- ASP Computer Products has of caching disk controllers ler is "intelligent,"built a free booklet that details its that are compatible with any around a 16 -bit Z280 micro- line of printer -sharing de- AT -class computer (ISA bus). processor to create a self-con- vices. The booklet features The Series 400 accelerate disk - tained parallel computer that the SimpLan SeverJet that intensive tasks by up to 10 manages and controls mass permits connecting up to 12 times. Programs load and exe- storage, disk caching and disk computers to a single HP cute in a a fraction of normal input/output. This frees the LaserJet printer. Comput- time. Available in IDE, ESDI CPU for other tasks. The ers can be located up to 1,200 and SCSI formats, the Series Series 400 emulates the indus- feet from the printer. The 400 use RAM caches ranging try -standard WD -1003 con- system uses inexpensive RJ11 insize from 512K to 4M, trollerinterface,ensuring telephone cable. Prices start which results in an average compatibility withallstan- at$395. data -access time of less than dard operating systems. $845. CIRCI.E NO. 39 ON FREE CARD 0.27 ms. The cache uses stan- CIRCLE NO. 37 ON FREE CARD

MICON-196KC-The HIGH PERFORMANCE "16 -BIT Personal Controller KIT"Tm COMPLETE DIGITAL CONTROL SOLUTION - HARDWARE & SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT MT MICON-196KC "16 -BIT PERSONAL CONTROLLER KIT"TM comprises of two parts (kits) 1. The HARDWARE DEVELOPMENT KIT contains: - CPU MODULE (3.5"x3.5") with 80C196KC processor (16 MHz) has 8 ADC channels 10Bit resolution, 3 Pulse -Width -Modulated outputs (DAC), one DMA channel, 6 High -Speed Output channels, 4 High -Speed Capture Input channels, 40 Digital I/O ports, one full duplex RS -232 serial port; - MEMORY MODULE (3.5"x3") with 64K Memory space RAM and/or EPROM; - 2 -Connectors BUS MODULE; - PROTO MODULE (3.5"x3.5") with a 3 -Connectors Bus Module; - POWER SUPPLY & 6FF RS -232 COMMUNICATION CABLE. 2. The SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT KIT contains: - PC based SYSMON - System Monitor for software development phase; - 80C196 Machine Language Assembler - User's Guide with HARDWARE SCHEMATICS and APPLICATION DEMO PROGRAMS. COMPARE US AGAINST THE COMPETITION FEATURES: MIC ON- 196 KC COMPETITION MODULAR ARCHITECTURE YES NO PROTOTYPING MODULES YES NO MICONA Corporation COMPACT FOOTPRINT YES NO 80C196 Assembler, SYSMON (system Monitor) INCLUDED PAY EXTRA Power Supply & Communication Cable INCLUDED PAY EXTRA 1885 Surveyor Ave. Bldg. 102 SIMI VALLEY, CA 93063 THERE IS NO COMPARISON ! TEL: (805) 522-9444 The MICON-196KC "16 -BIT PERSONAL CONTROLLER"TM sells for$245.00 FAX: (805) 522-9779 P.O., Visa & MC accepted. Immediate delivery.

CIRCLE NO. 77 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD Say You Saw It In Computercraft December 1991 /COMPUTERC RAFT / 19 Application By Tom Benford

PC Image Acquisition Part 1 Grabbing, digitizing and using imagescan be a snap

t's often been said that a picture is able and each has it's own noteworthy slot that can be accessed from the lworth a thousand words. In the features. Examined here, too, is an rear of the PC, since you'll have to world of PCs, there are many ways to external digitizer that doesn't require connect your "video in" source cable work with pictures. One method is to an expansion slot. But first,let's to the jack(s) on the bracket. capture an image from a video source, cover what these image -capture de- (4) Check the jumper and/or DIP - which is the subject we'll be covering vices have in common. switch settings on the digitizer board in this article. All five boards mount in any avail- to confirm that they're set to factory Video digitizers and frame grab- able eight -bit expansion slot, though defaults, as indicated in the owners bers provide a convenient and easy some are half -sized and others are manual (this is very important if you means of doing it from a video cam- full-length. The external unit plugs have to do any troubleshooting later era, still digital camera, VCR or vid- into the PC's parallel printer port. on to correct a problem). eodisc player. The result is saved to All have some "video -in" provision (5) Remove the screw that retains disk in the PC in several popular im- (phono jack, S -VHS jack or both) to the blocking plate for the chosen slot age formats. Here it can be manipu- import the video image. Either jump- and plug the digitizer into the expan- lated and enhanced and have special ers or DIP switches are used for sion slot so that it seats all the way in. effects added as desired. There are changing and/or port ad- Since digitizer boards contain RAM numerous applications that can proc- dresses to resolve conflicts with other and otherstatic -sensitive compo- ess and use "captured" images, in- installed devices. nents, try to handle the card by its cluding desktop publishing, art -and This time around, we focus on the edges only. paint programs, many word proces- techniques used to capture an image (6) Secure the card with the block- sors, multimedia applications and a for immediate viewing and later use, ing -plate screw you removed and re- great deal more. installation of the hardware needed install the system unit's cover, secur- An explanation of terminology is to accomplish this and hands-on re- ing it with the appropriate screws. in order here. An image or frame views of five internal boards and one (7) Reconnect the keyboard, moni- "grabber" denotes a real-time device external unit. Next month, in the tor and anything else you removed that can capture an image in 1/3° sec- conclusion of this two-part article, prior to the installation. ond or less. So it can be used with pic- our focus will be on the software (8) Power -up your PC and install tures in motion. A video digitizer, in needed to make the hardware work the software that came with the digi- contrast, requires several seconds to and evaluate four image -integration tizer board. Most digitizers require capture an image rather than "grab- software packages. an active video source to be connect- bing" it instantaneously. Therefore, ed to check the installation; so that's most of itsutilityis restricted to the next step. essentially still pictures. Installation (9) Some digitizers have phono Apart from the time required to Installing a video digitizer board is a jacks, some S -VHS jacks and some complete a capture, the two types of fairly easy affair that can usually be (like the Everex "Vision 8") have devices perform the same basic func- accomplished in well under 1/2 hour. nine -pin D -style connectors. Using tion of transforming an incoming Aside from the connection to a video the appropriate cable, connect one video image into a file of digital in- source, this is basically the same pro- end to the video -out terminal of your formation that can be used by the cedure as for any expansion -card in- video source (VCR, camcorder, vid- computer. For the sake of simplicity, stallation. In a nutshell, here's what eo camera) and the other end to the I'll refer to both types of devices as it involves: video -in jack on the digitizer board's "digitizers," but keep the distinction (1) Disconnect the ac power cord bracket at the rear of the PC. Ac- in mind. from the PC and remove the video tivate the camera, VCR or whatever All digitizer and grabber cards monitor, keyboard and any other video source you're using and you have some things in common, al- cables or devices. should be able to preview or capture though their capabilities,features (2) Remove the system unit's cover an image using the board's software. and prices can vary a great deal. The retaining screws and slide or lift off If all doesn't go as expected at this five boards I cover here represent a the cover. point, first check your video cable good cross-section of what's avail- (3) Select an available expansion connection to make sure the source's

20 / COMPUTERCRAFT / December 1991 Say You Saw It In Computercraft Video digitizer boards contain RAM and other static -sensi- Once the appropriate capture software is installed, a vid- tive devices. So avoid touching components and handle eo source is required to test the board. The ComputerEyes/ by edges only. Make sure the card is firmly seated in the slot RT shown in this example has jacks for both S -VHS (at left) before securing it with the bracket -retainer screw. and composite video via a phono jack (at right).

video -out is going to the digitizer's change the settings. You can also re- image digitizer, although jack ar- video -in (improper connection be- place any other boards you removed rangements may vary from device to tween the two devices is the most fre- at this time. Be sure to make a note of device. Almost all video digitizer quent cause of malfunction).If the revised settings so that you'll be boards have the popular phono vid- everything's okay with the cable con- able to configure the software setup eo -in jack, and you'll occasionally nection, next check the video source to match the physical settings on the find a board that can also accept S - itself to make sure there's, indeed, an digitizer board. Reassemble the sys- VHS input. image to capture (lens cap removed tem, turn it on and everything should Of the six image -capture devices from camera, videotape in the VCR, check out satisfactorily. covered here, four use the popular power turned on, etc.). It has been my experience that fac- phono jack for video -in (the Compu- If everything checks out up to this tory default settings usually work terEyes/RT provides an S -VHS jack point but the system still isn't func- justastheyare.Occasionally, in addition to the phono-jack input). tioning properly, there may be a though, you might run into a con- One, the Everex Vision 8 board, uses jumper or port -assignment conflict flict, particularly if you have lots of nine -pin D -style jacks for video -in with another device in your PC. other peripherals connected to your and video -out (monitor) connections. Check the manufacturer's installa- PC. Devices like hand scanners, bus Not only isthis arrangement not tion instructions carefully again and mice,multi-user and peripheral - standard, it also necessitates either if this is the area of suspicion, turn sharing boards and sound/MIDI purchasing or making special hook- off everything and disassemble the boards all have the potential for con- up cables to mate with the D connec- system again. flict with a video digitizer board. So tors on one end and the video source Before changing board settings, be on the lookout if you have any of at the other. The IDEC Frugalvi- I've found that it's more sensible to these items installed in your PC. sion/6 uses an r -f -style screw -on con- remove any devices suspected of con- Sincetheexternally -connected nector for video-in-also a non- flicting with the new board. If you're device mentioned earlier plugs into standard arrangement. very careful, you can plug in the key- the parallel port of the PC, no jump- Every video camera, camcorder, board and monitor and give every- ers or DIP switches are provided. VCR, laserdisc player and digital still thing a test run to see if removing the This digitizer, Frugalvision, uses the camera I've come across provides at suspected offender corrects the prob- default parallel port address assign- least one video -out terminal (usually lem before closing everything up ment (usually 378H). So device con- a phono jack, although some devices again. The key word here is to be flicts should never be a problem (the provide S -VHS signal output also). careful. When turning your PC on printer must be unplugged from the Standard hook-up or patch cables without the system cover in place a port before the Frugalvision can be workfineforconnectingthese very real shock hazard exists, not to connected;there's no "through" devices to the video digitizer board. mention the danger of something connection on the digitizer). Occasionally you'll find a device falling inside the PC and wreaking all that deviates from the accepted norm kinds of havoc. to some degree, as in the case of If a device conflict proves to be the The Video Source NEC's PV-S98A VCR. The video -out culprit and you've isolated the cause, Virtually any video source that gen- terminal of this high -end VCR uses a shut off everything again and remove erates an NTSC signal via a compos- BNC-type jack instead of the usual the digitizer board so that you can ite or S -VHS jack can be used with an phono jack. So a trip to your local

Say You Saw It In Computercraft December 1991 / COMPUTERCRAFT / 21 Image Data Bit -Types combination recharger/ac adapter conversions to and from dozens of also provides a phono-type video popular image formats (including Explained output jack, it's ideal for transfer- Amiga and various fax -board for- The terms 8 -bit, 16 -bit and 24 -bit, when ring images to your computer via a mats). The software also permits in- used to describe image capture and file video digitizer. verting colors (for example, black- format types, refer to how many bits The Xapshot's small size,light on -white to white -on -black), as well each pixel has to display color or gray - weight, simple point -and -shoot op- as capturing images on your video scale information. Obviously, graphics eration and moderate cost (about display via a TSR utility. If you in- boards and video monitors capable of $400) makes it highly transportable tend to do lots of image digitizing displayingtheresolution employed for use where a bulkier video camera and manipulation, Hijaak will cer- must be used. or camcorder might otherwise be em- tainly be a welcome addition to your Eight -bit images are commonly used graphics toolbox. for black -and -white captures, although ployed. Another plus of the Xap- the eight -bit format is capable of stor- shot's digital still format is that you Let's take a close look at each of ing 256 colors or shades of gray. can hold an image as long as you wish these image -capture products, fol- Sixteen -bit images are capable of with none of the flicker or wavering lowed by software that permits inte- handling 32,000 colors and, subse- usually present on even the best of grating captured images into your quently, produce images with more def- VCRs instill -frame mode. Image applications. (Images pictured here inition and depth. They also require quality, while not quite as good as were output via Ventura Publisher more storage space since the image file that of an expensive digital camcord- 3.0; screen density is 60 lines.) sizes are larger. er, isstill excellent and more than Twenty -four -bit images have 16.7 - adequate for transfer to desktop - million colors and produce images with publishing or other PC applications. Real -Time the best definition and depth. The rea- son for this is that the more colors the ComputerEyes/RT (8/16/24 -bit color board), $600 board is able to capture, the better the Image Formats Digital Vision, Inc. image looks. The eye discerns depth and definition through the use of color, Capturing an image is only half the 270 Bridge St. ballgame, so to speak. Once cap- Dedham, MA 02026 since human vision is attuned to the col- 617-329-5400 or spectrum, rather than to grey -scale tured, you'll have to save the image System Requirements: PC, XT, AT, 386 viewing. (The human eye is capable of to your hard (or floppy disk) in a for- discerning about 4 -million shades of or 486; DOS 2.1 or later; eight -bit expan- mat that will allow you to incorpor- sion slot; 640K base memory; composite color, as opposed to a maximum of ate it into your intended software ap- NTSC video source; VGA color display. about 64 shades of gray.) plication. Some of the most popular (and universally accepted) image for- mats include .PCX, .TIF and .TGA. Five of the six image -capture devices here use .PCX and .TIF formats, Radio Shack store is in order to pur- with the exception, once again, being chase an adapter to go from phono to the Everex Vision 8 board, which BNC. (Why NEC did this puzzles saves in (of all things!) AT&T image me, since the unit is equipped with format that isn't compatible with standard phono video- and audio -in anything else. There's an optional jacks as well as S -VHS terminals.) Free Style 8 paint program for use Regardless of the video source with this board that can save images ComputerEyes/RT is a'/, -length board you're using, the all-important thing in the .TGA format, but that's an that's crammed with components and to keep in mind about the link is to extra -cost item. RAM chips. Software supplied with the have the source's video -out signal go- Being able to save a captured im- board is the evolved version of that sup- ing into the digitizer's video -in jack. plied with the ComputerEyes B/W Digi- age in .PCX or .TIF format gives lots tizer covered later. In addition to offering One of the niftiest image -record- of latitude for editing and embellish- the same pull -down menus, on-line help ing devices I've come across is the ing the image with popular full -fea- and self-explanatory prompts, the RT Canon Xapshot Still Video Camera. tured paint programs like PC Paint- software also provides the unique (and This compact unit is about the size of brush IV Plus from ZSoft. With a handy) capability of previewing the live your hand and slips easily into a program like this, you can retrieve a video source right on the VGA screen. jacket pocket. Rather than recording captured image, change or remove Due to resolution constraints, motion images on film, it uses a CCD (charge the background, alter brightness or of the image (from a live or taped source, coupled device) image sensor to re- contrast levels and even add text mat- if any) is somewhat "strobed" but you cord pictures digitally on a miniature ter or additional graphics like a can, nevertheless, get a good indication of exposure, framing and composition floppy disk that holds 50 pictures. border. The modified image can then before instantaneously freezing the im- Recorded images can be viewed on be output to your printer or saved age and temporarily storingitto the any TV receiver or video monitor and and used in another application, such board's RAM. Once frozen, you can can also be copied as still pictures to as Ventura Publisher. transfer it to screen for further scrutiny, video tape so that you can erase the Hijaak from Inset Systems is a enhancement, modification and saving disk for reuse. Since the Xapshot's very useful program that handles to disk. A full complement of enhance -

22 / COMPUTERCRAFT / December 1991 Say You Saw It In Computercraft A Shocking Offer! Now for the first time in CIE's 56 year history You'll receive CIE Bookstore privileges, a pat- you do not have to be enrolled at CIE to receive ented learning method. access to CIE's student, our Electronics and Electricity Lesson Modules. faculty and alumni electronic bulletin board and Available for a limited time to non -students a free issue of CIE's school newspaper "The for the shockingly low introductory price of Electron". 24 -Hour grading and unlimited only 599.50. access to CIE's faculty is available on With CIE's patented AUTO - an optional basis. PROGRAMMED method of learning And best of all, when you you'll quickly learn and then master decide to continue your electro- the basics of electronics and electricity nics education in any of CIE's and then move on to ... soldering programs. you'll receive a techniques. applications of Kirchhoff's $100.00 CIE tuition credit law, voltage and power, printed circuit certificate. boards...and much, much, more. All this knowledge and sup- Your commitment to CIE ends with port will put you on the road to your payment, but CIE's commitment understanding digital electronics, to your success just begins when you microprocessing principles, receive your lessons, exams, binder computer systems, telecommuni- and equipment. This special price cations, and much, much, more. includes the benefits CIE normally extends to its students and graduates.

4P-

11111101101.11.1.11 Vionftibk .1111111

Free Issue of "The Electron" All This ForOnly! Build your personal burglar alarm Theory and hands-on training lessons and exams covering "current and voltage" through 50 "printed circuit boards" CIE Bookstore privileges A $100.00 CIE TUITION Patent learning method CREDIT CERTIFICATE Electronic Bulletin Board privileges

Yes, send me CIE's Introductory Total Merchandise: $99.50 Electronic and Electricity Lessons Ohio Residents add 7% Sales Tax: and Equipment. A2211 California Residents add 6 1/2% Sales Tax: Total this order: Name: Shipping and Handling Charges: $5.00 $ Street: Apt # Method of Payment: Amount Enclosed: 71 Personal Check or Money Order City: Master Card 1 Visa

Zip - State: Card Expiration Date: Age Phone ( Signature: BOOKSTORE CHARGE BY PHONE! 1776 East 17th Street 9 AM to 4:30 PM Eastern Time; HEIM Cleveland, Ohio 44114 1-800-321-2155 ext. 2212; In Ohio 1-800-523-9109 ext. 2212 ment and manipulation functions is pro- monitor; 1M of EMS RAM for color mainstream by any stretch of the imagin- vided, along with your choice of numer- frame grabbing; RGB or NTSC video ation. I decided it was time for a technical ous video mode selections. source. support call to Everex to find out if I was Although the RT is indeed a real-time overlooking something. color capture board, it also does a marve- The tech -support department contact lous job of capturing images in black - was quite surprised to find out that the and -white as well with a 64 -gray -shade Vision 8 used the AT&T graphic file for- palette. Additionally, you can choose 8-, mat-seems he didn't know that! After 16- or 24 -bit image captures in a variety about 18 minutes of long-distance call of formats, including .PCX, .TIF, .TGA time from New Jersey to California (most (Targa) and many more. of which was on hold while the support Jumper/address selection is accom- person conferred with his colleagues), it plished via an eight -position DIP -switch was decided that I needed the optional arrangement. Video input can accommo- (extra -cost)FreeStyle 8paint software date NTSC composite and S -VHS sources package to do anything really useful with via phono-type and S -VHS jacks, both of When I first opened the Vision 8 box, I the board to save images in .TGA (Targa) which are located on the board's mount- was impressed by the densely -populated, file format. Also included withFreeStyle ing bracket. full-length board it contained.I was 8 isa utility (XFORM8.EXE) that con- A few words are in order regarding the somewhat surprised to find that the en- verts from .TGA to .PCX, .TIF or .EPS documentation supplied with the board. closed connecting cable had a nine -pin D - (Encapsulated PostScript) file types and It's unquestionably the best supplied type connector on one end and BNC jacks also permits altering image brightness with any of the digitizers covered here at the other. Therefore, I suspected hook- and contrast prior to conversion. (followedclosely by the VideoLinx: up wasn't going to be a very straight- If this seems like a lot to go through Framegrabber). In addition to explaining forward matter, a suspicion that proved just to get a black -and -white image you virtually everything you could want to correct. The box also contained a user's can use in your DTP or other application, know about the board and software op- manual and a single 5'h " floppy disk. it is! And while the board will do a black - tions, it also provides invaluable prac- The BNC connectors are color -coded and -white image grab in 'A. second, if you tical tips on how to acquire the best possi- -red, green, blue, black and white-and want to do a color capture it will take ble images for your intended applica- are intended for connecting to discrete three passes (requiring a stationary im- tions, such as XeroxVentura Publisher analog monitors that can accept individ- age) and 1M of EMS to grab in color. To and AldusPagemaker,andit'sall ual RGB inputs. The green channel can top it off, the quality of the captured im- presented in a clear, easy -to -understand be used to drive a composite color moni- age isn't anything remarkable (see ac- manner. Kudos to Digital Vision on a tor or a black -and -white composite mon- companying actual output samples); so superb product in all respects. itor in gray scales. The white connector that's not even a saving grace for the Vi- While $599.95 suggested list price is a provides a sync signal, while the black sion 8 board. bit more than some users may want to connector provides black -and -white sig- It wouldn't make sense to pay big bucks spend, if you're interested in color -image nal information (this is only used with the for this board, spend more money to pur- captures and the ability to make super Vision 8A, which is a monochrome ver- chase an additional cable and spend even high -quality black -and -white captures, sion of the board). An additional cable more money for theFreeStyle 8paint this is the board of choice. System re- (not included) is required to connect the program just to capture a video image in quirements make it appealing even to XT Vision 8 to a camera or other video source. a usable format. There are plenty of less - users, unlike some of the other boards, Both the manual and the utility soft- expensive and easier -to -use products that which require huge amounts of RAM ware supplied with the board are surpris- will do as good or better a job. memory and/or separate video monitors ingly very poor. While the manual goes to view the source video on. This board into sufficient detail about setting jump- VideoLinx: Framebuffer does more and does it better than other ers and providing information about sig- (8/16/24 -bit color board), $695 boards costing hundreds of dollars more, nal levels required and produced by the Brown Wagh Publishing and it's my personal favorite for DTP ap- board and how to connect the video de- 130-D Knowles Dr. plications. vices, it really falls short when it comes to Los Gatos, CA 95030 While not covered here in this digitizer covering the utility software. Several 408-378-3838 roundup, I should also mention that Dig- setup and diagnostic test programs on the System Requirements:286, 386 or 486; ital Vision also has a lower -priced color disk are described in some detail. But the DOS 3.1 or later; eight -bit expansion capture board, the Computer Eyes Pro. real meat-how to capture an image and slot; 640K base memory (1M recom- But the Pro (which lists at $275) isn't a save it to disk-isn't covered at all. mended); 1M EMS RAM; CGA graphics real-time device and requires several Through trial and error I found the ap- (minimum);composite NTSC video seconds to digitize an image. propriate "grab" programs (GRAB.- source. EXE, GRABMONO.EXE, BWGRA B.- EXE,SAVEPIC.EXE,LOADPIC.- Row' Everex Vision 8 (eight -bit color board), EXE), which provided a starting point. $895 After extensive experimenting, I found Vision Technologies that the GRAB.EXE program was the (Div. of Everex Systems Inc.) best one to use with my setup, and I pro- 48431 Milmont Dr. ceeded to capture and save the image with Fremont, CA 94538 the SAVEPIC.EXE program. To con- 4150683-2900 firm I had an image, I reloaded it using System Requirements:PC, XT, AT, 386 LOADPIC.EXE and everything seemed or 486; DOS 2.0 or later; one eight -bit ex- okay, except that the native file type the pansion slot; 512K base memory; analog Vision 8 saves to (AT&T Type 1) isn't

24 / COMPUTERCRAFT /December 1991 Say You Saw It In Computercraft CornputerEyes/RT color frame grabber ComputerEyes B/W PC digitizer

%

IDEC Supervision/8 frame grabber Videolinx:Framegrabber.

Everex Vision 8 image -capture board IDEC FrugalVision B/W external digitizer

These are actual output samples of the same video image ci ng or retouching was performed. All images appear as they captured with different boards. The video image was taken were captured. Outline boxes around the images illustrate from video tape. It was recorded as a video still shot with a how aspect ratios, which determine height/width radios, vary Panasonic PV -535 digital VHS camcorder. In all samples from digitizer to digitizer. Solid black bands at the bottoms of shown here, the respective image captures were stored as both I DEC captures are the result of using the "square aspect eight -bit black -and -white uncompressed TIFF files with solid ratio" option during capture to negate the elongated effect il- grays. Print output was done using Xerox Ventura Publisher lustrated in the Everex sample (the Everex software doesn't 3.0 and an Okidata OL840 PostScript laser printer. No enhan- provide a correction option for alleviating this effect).

Say You Saw It In Computercraft December 1991 /COMPUTERCRAFT / 25 VideoLinx: Framebuffer packs an drivers and utilities are also included to images aren't good sources), this won't amazing number of ICs, RAM chips and handle AutoDesk's 3D Studio, Auto - be a problem. However, getting live sub- other components on a''/. -length card that Shade and RenderMan. jects to stay perfectly still for 6 seconds mounts in a "short" slot of any AT or An Options submenu permits altering may not always be possible. higher -class PC. This particular board, the size of the image for export to those Rather than bracket -mounted jacks, while being a true real-time frame grab- formats that permit variation (.PCX, the ComputerEyes B/W Digitizer has ber, does much more, which explains why .TIF, .TGA). Aspect ratio, black level three phono-type jacks attached to 3 -foot minimum system requirements are so and image -flicker can also be adjusted or lengths of shielded cable that emanate hefty. In addition to capturing a video controlled from this menu, as well as ad- from a rubber-grommeted hole in the image, it also permits manipulation of ditional functions like reserved colors for board's bracket. One cable is fitted with a the image and output to NTSC video. genlocking and overlaying captured im- female phono jack that bears a "V" label The 75 -page user's manual supplied ages on a video (similar to "chroma that designates it as the video -in terminal with the board is excellent in its complete- keying"). for connection with the video source. The ness and organization, as well as provid- If all you want to do is capture real- other two cables each terminate in phono ing a wealth of background. Topics like time images for use in other applications, plugs and are labeled "C" and "M." interlace, color, sync, genlocks, timebase this board may be "overkill" for you, "C" permits connection to a composite correction, overscan and more are ex- since it carries a steep price tag and re- color video monitor to view the video plained in understandable terms so a user quires lots of muscle in the PC to run it. source, while "M" serves to connect a can comprehend what's involved in tak- However, if you're interested in produc- composite monochrome monitor. ing a composite video signal, digitizing it ing multimedia or output of computer - The ComputerEyes capture software for computer manipulation and then re- generated as well as captured images to supplied with the board is menu -driven turning it to composite form again for NTSC video, this board is an excellent and very easy to use, with on-line help display or recording on an NTSC device. way to go. available at all times. If you need addi- Any required changes to the address tional clarification or want more infor- settings are accomplished via jumpers on Non -Real -Time mation on any of the controls, settings or the board, although the default settings options, the user's manual supplied is will work just fine in most instances. In- also top-notch. stallation is quick. When completed, you ComputerEyes Digitizer (eight -bit B&W In addition to providing numerous use two phono-type jacks that are accessi- board), $250 graphics modes for Hercules, CGA, ble from the rear of the PC: one for com- Digital Vision, Inc. EGA and VGA, several subset choices posite video -in and the other for compos- 270 Bridge St. for each are also available, such as high ite video -out. Connecting a composite Dedham, MA 02026 contrast, dithered intensity levels, solid monitor to the video -out port permits 617-329-5400 intensity levels and false color. Scan monitoring the image while the video System Requirements: PC, XT, AT, 386 speed and capture phases can also be al- source is running or monitoring it while or 486; DOS 2.1 or later; eight -bit expan- "frozen" in RAM. While an actual cap- sion slot; 384K base memory; composite and changing modes, speed or phases is a ture is taking place, however, the video NTSC video source. simple matter of highlighting a desired screen blanks. choice from the appropriate menu and To take full advantage of this board, hitting Enter to lock it in. The configura- it's desirable to have a VGA card with at tion is automatically updated to reflect least 256K of video RAM and a good any changes made in preferences so VGA color monitor (a 1M high -resolu- they'll be reinstated at the same levels tion VGA board is even better), although when you use the board in the future. for B&W image captures you don't need The software permits captured image this heavy artillery. data to be saved in "raw" format, as well Several utilities are provided on the as in CE, PIC and SS screen formats, software diskette, in addition to the main which can be reloaded and further program, FBMENU.EXE, which is the manipulated with the ComputerEyes control center for the board. Various software itself or with such other pro- tests and diagnostic/color-bar displays An "oldie but goodie," the Computer - ducts as Fontasy and Splash!. You can are also invoked from this main menu Eyes B/W Video Digitizer has been around also save captured images in .PIC, .TIF, program, which provides other useful in- for quite a few years. It was one of the .MSP (MicroSoftPaint),.PCX and formation on current system status, vid- first video -digitizer boards available for .IMG (GEM applications) formats for eo mode, date, time and so forth. The IBM-compatible PCs. A lightly populat- use as desired. File sub -menu permits importing and ex- ed half-size board that uses an eight - Whilenota"real-time"capture porting images, in addition to loading position DIP switch for address setting, it board, the ComputerEyes B/W Video and saving those captured with the Frame - installs easily and configures in a snap. Digitizer is an economical, versatile and Buffer itself. Particularly rich in the file While this is the lowest -price internal dig- dependable unit. It has lots of flexibility types it supports, Targa files (.TGA) can itizer board covered here, it has trade- in its capture and enhancement options, be saved to disk in 8-, 16- or 24 -bit for- offs, as might be expected. For example, it's easy to use and itdelivers good mat, .TIF files in 8- or 24 -bit format and it's slow. Acquiring an image takes 6 results. But like all non -real-time devices, 8 -bit .PCX files. seconds in Fast mode and 12 seconds in it is slow. Additionalfile supportincludes Normal mode. Therefore, real-time cap- .ORGB (a trio of 746 x 484 RGB files, tures are out of the question. IDEC Supervision/8 Image Grabber each representing the red, green and blue If you're using a video source that can (eight -bit B&W board), $270 phases of a color capture), .OBW (746 x provide a stable still image, such as with a IDEC, Inc. 484 eight -bit B&W file), and .01 (com- digital still camera or freeze-frame with a 1195 Doylestown Pike pact ".0" and ".1" format files). Special digital camcorder ("paused" videotape (continued on page 82)

26 / COMPUTERCRAFT / December 1991 Say You Saw It In Computercraft MICRO -TECH USA34 America's largest PD/Shareware Distributor_ Currently over 200,000 programs available and growing! Order our 200+ page catalog for just $7.95. Limited offer: 4 free disks of your choice. 100% guaranteed high quality and virus free.

PRINTING BUSINESS/ACCOUNTING 0 Virus Killers 0 Typesetter PC Several virus programs on one disk. Why buy O PC Payroll them separate? Great desktop publishing program. Mix graphics,A complete menu -driven payroll system (2 disks) test fonts. Requires 512K, 9 pin printer O Back & Forth O PC Loans 0 Form Master: New load up to 20 programs at once. You won't Keep track of those nasty loans believe it until you see it. Order this one now! (HD Create your own business forms and legal form's. required) Rated best form program. O Year Planner A super calendar and organizer program GAMES O Letter Heads Plus O PC Risk Design and print custom letterhead, envelopes andO Employee Management System 4.0 labels. You played it on a board. Now play it on a Highly accurate personality/position analysis computer. Same as the board game, but a lot less. WORD PROCESSING O PC Yellow Pages (5 disks) O 3D Chess 0 PC Write 3.03 One of the most effective marketing tools I'veThis one is good. You can even ask the computer Top rated program with spell checker. A must forseen. Address merge, labels, fax mail, built infor help. the writer. database registered version comes complete with data for your own area (HD required) D Striker Ll In text DATA BASE Fly your copter through enemy fire. Arcade qual- New word processing in 7 European languages. ity game. O Wampum El Hyper -world (4 disks) An excellent d -base compatible package. O PC Rail Road New hyper text word processor and free form A must for model train buffs. Control your trains database with appointment calendar. O PC File 5.0 (3 disks) on increasingly complex layouts but don't worry. Jim Button's best. PC mag editors choice (Req 3.0An automatic collision avoidance system is built GRAPHICS DOS or up) in. It took a few minutes to evaluate this one and hours to turn it off! El PC -Key draw SPREAD SHEETS Powerful CAD design system. (4 disks) Megapol y O 123 Power Worksheets You have inherited $100.000. Your challenge is to Dancad 3D (2 disks) Powerful worksheets for Lotus 1-2-3. become rich in 20 years. Very good game. The best there is for 3D wireframe with all con- ceivable options. ID Lotus Templates O Dominate Some ready-made templates. Don't spend hun-A computer wargame. Better and more sophisti- Printmaster Graphics Library #4 dreds and miss this one. It's a bargain for sure. cated and involved than Risk. New 400 great graphics. UTILITIES We have the best in games for mono, CGA, VGA, and Super VGA. Printshop Graphics Library #3 and #4 11 HD Backup 2 disks. Over 600 graphics. All new. An easy to use program for backing up your hard PRICE BREAK drive El Charts unlimited 1-9 $2.50 ea.10-19$2.00 ea. A design tool for creating any kind of chart. Ll Quick Cache (2 disks) 20-49 $1.50 ea.50-99$1.00ea. Over 100$0.89 ea. This one will speed up your computer big time. WINDOWS 0 Icons All new selections's with updates every month. Select 4 free disks with purchase of catalog. Over 250 icons to be used with Windows 3.0 Important: For multi -disk sets, count all disks in a set. Please specify 0 5.25" 0 3.5" (add $1.00 each) O Unicorn Name At last a super communications program for Win- Address dows. Supports X, Y, and Z modem protocols among others. City/State/Zip Ph ( ) VISA/MC # Exp. Date 0 Window Press Signature Great form maker for Windows 3.0 or with differ- Disks Ordered x $ ent fonts, lines, arcs, circles, pies, bars, etc. Preci- For a catalogue, add $7.95 sion to 1/10 mm. Source code included. For 3.5" disks, add $1.00 each p4 WORD PERFECT 5.0/5.1 Shipping and Handling $ 4.00 Foreign Shipping, add $6.00 El PC - Draft III (2 disks) Washington State Residents add 8.2% sales tax $

El WP - Arts/Graphics (2 disks) Total $ Elo I rord WP - Learning System (2 disks) Method of payment El WP - Macros (2 disks) 0 check El money order 0 VISA/Mastercard MICRO -TECH USA 1:1 WP - Menu -mice (2 disks) P.O. Box 59403, Renton, WA 98058-0403 WP - Tools (2 disks)

CIRCLE NO. 151 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD HOW TO GET A FREE $2,499 NOTEBOOK COMPUTER

Dear Reader:

We know that most of you rely on ComputerCraft to provide you with meaningful information every month on PC and microcontroller hardware and software. To help us meet your wants even better, we'd appreciate it if you would answer the questions posed on the card opposite this page. Doing so will make you eligible for our drawing for a free Tandy Notebook Computer!

As you know, notebook computers have taken the country by storm. Their light weight, small size, and battery/ac power provisions make them exceptionally versatile for both on -the -road and on -the -desk use. The Prize Winner Will Get a Tandy 80286 Model 2810 RD Computer that weights only 6.7 lbs. It comes with a 20 MB 23 -ms hard disk drive and a 31/21.44MB floppy disk drive, 1MB of RAM expandable to 5MB, a full-size 84 -key keyboard, and a high -resolution VGA fluorescent - backlit LCD screen. This remarkably small (1.7" H x 12.2" W x10" D), though very powerful machine comes with an ac adapter/charger, DB-25 parallel and DB-9 serial ports, the TEMM memory manager, MSDOS 4.01 and DeskMate 3 Version 3.5 productivity software already installed on the hard disk. The latter consists of word processing, worksheet financial analysis, address book, a filer, calendar, alarm, telecommunications, a drawing program and PC -Linksonline information service programs. Additionally, DeskMate's Graphical User Interface lets you organize your programs and activate them by point -and -click mea-)s. It's rechargeable Ni-Cd battery life is up to 31/2 hours, with quick charge in just two hours, while power management provisions maximize battery life during all phases of operation. Furthermore, a user - controlled Suspend mode allows you to set a time for the system to shut down completely. The speedy (16 -MHz 80C286 ) machine has a host of optional accessories, too, including a 2400 -bps internal modem, memory upgrade boards, 287XLT math coprocessor, carrying cases, and a power/auto adapter. You can also plug in your external color video monitor while ct a desk to get full - screen 640 x480 color graphics. And the Tandy 2810 HD includes some niceties such as FCC Class -B certification, a "Power View" LED battery -status system located on top of the case for viewing at all times without lifting the display, cnc a Resume mode to return you to the exact place you left in an application. Just fill out the Reader Poll card at the right to put yourself into the running fcr this terrific prize. We ap- preciate your assistance. Thanks.

Sincerely,

Arta Salsberg Editor/Associate Publisher P.S. Questionnaires must be postmarked no later than December 16, 1991 to be entered in tie prize drawing. CQ Communications, Inc. employees or relatives are not eligible. The winner will be drawn by a random method and notified before Christmas.

28 / COMPUTERCRAFT December 1991 Say You Saw It In Computercraft Application By Roger C. Alford

Aligning PC Floppy -Disk Drives

Some things you should know how to do to keep your PC drives performing in top physical form

Floppy -disk drives in PCs areelec- itromechanical devices. As such, they're subject to becoming mis- aligned over a period of time. Misa- lignment can manifest itself in sever- al ways. For example, you might note that programs, data and work files on floppies may load erratically or not at all, a floppy formatted on the drive in another computer may fail to be recognized in your computer, etc. If you've been experiencing such problems and have determined that your drive needs to be aligned, or you just want to check alignment your- self, you need a few tools and a couple of special diskettes to prepare for the alignment procedure. The basic tools you need include a medium regular screwdriver, medi- um phillips screwdriver and basic du- al -channel oscilloscope with external trigger. One channel of the scope must have the capability of being in- will expose the computer's chassis so With the drive removed from the verted. On diskette, you must have a that you can remove the floppy -disk computer, place it on -edge on the program that will turn on the floppy - drive from its bay. On an XT system, computer's power supply, drive -bay disk drive and allow you to select this will involve removing two screws housing or other location. Position it heads and seek to the different tracks. on one side of the drive. On an AT close enough to permit the drive to be You also need an analog alignment system this, involves removing two reconnected to its cables and operat- diskette. Dysan's Interrogator pro- screws at the front of the drive and ed with the bottom of it completely videstrack -selectionroutines. A sliding the drive on its slide rails out accessible. shareware program that does basical- of the bay. Reconnect the power and control- ly the same thing, Drive Tester by Before removing the drive com- ler cables to the drive. If the power John L. Dickinson, is also available pletely from its bay, disconnect the cable can't reach the drive, use a Y - on some BBSs. Dysan offers a num- four -conductor cablethat comes type power adapter cable that con- ber of AADs for various drives. from the power supply and the 34 -pin verts one power cable to extend to ex- Some popular ones are: Part No. conductor cable coming from the tend the existing cable. Y -type cables 800180 (Model 224/2A) for5'/, ", drive controller (see Fig. 1). When are available at most computer -sup- 360K drives; Part No. 810251 (Model disconnecting the latter cable, note ply stores. 206-34) for 5'/, ", 1.2M drives; and the orientation of the color stripe on Most floppy -disk drives include Part No. 810234 (Model 350/2A) for the cable so that when you restore the test points (small wires that stick up 3 'A ", 720K and 1.44M drives. drive to its bay you can plug the cable from the circuit board) for diagnostic intoitin the proper orientation. and alignment purposes. These are There's no need to make a note of the often labeled TPx (where xis the test - Alignment Procedure orientation of the power cable be- point number). Ideally, you should To gain physical access to your flop- cause the connector on it can plug in- have a manual that describes where py -diskdrive, power down your to the connector on the drive in only the various test points are on your computer and remove its cover. This one direction. particular floppy -disk drive. If you

Say You Saw It In Computercraft December 1991 / COMPUTERCRAFT / 31 don't have a manual, you'll have to probe around until you find the sig- Index photodetector nals you need. Spindle motor - First, find one or more ground Power connector points on the drive to which you can ---- Head stepper clip your scope's ground leads, such motor as screws on the drive, which are gen- erally grounded. Set your scope for a 34 -contact sweep rate of 1 ms/div and Channel 1 interface connector for a dc -coupled vertical deflection Spindle - Track 0 detector of 1 V/div. Also set the scope for nor- Read/Write head - mal Channel 1 triggering. (x2) - Drive -select Turn on your computer and run Head assembly - your track -selection program. Insert jumpers the AAD in the floppy drive under test, and seek to track 16, head 0 (the floppy drive should be running con- Fig. 1. A floppy -disk drive contains several major components, as detailed here. tinuously at this point). Keep in mind that track numbers for the alignment procedure described here are for a with a similar signal (usually adja- Connect the Channel 1 probe to 360K floppy drive. Different track cent to the first test point). These two one of the drive's amplifier test points numbers are used when aligning oth- test points are the outputs of the and the Channel 2 probe to the other. er drives with different AADs. Refer drive's differential amplifier, which The "cat's-eye" pattern shown in to the documentation that comes amplifies the signal picked up by the Fig. 3(A) should appear on your with the AAD for the appropriate drive's read head. Points B in Fig. 2 scope display. Again, you may have track numbers. show the locations of these test points to adjust the vertical -deflection levels Touch the Channel 1 signal probe on my Teac drive. You may have to of the two scope inputs up or down of the scope to various test points on adjust the vertical -deflection setting one setting to maintain a roughly the drive until you find the index up or down one position on Channel full-scale signal that doesn't exceed pulse. This is usually a positive -going 1 to get a signal level that's roughly the screen display area. Make sure pulse(it's sometimes negative -go- full-scale on the scope screen. the Channels 1 and 2 vertical -deflec- ing), with a width of about 3.5 ms. Set Channel 2 for an ac -coupled in- tion settings are kept the same. (You may have to adjust scope trig- put at the same vertical -deflection Use the displayed pattern to deter- ger threshold level to get the signal to setting as that for Channel 1. Also, mine your drive's radial alignment. appear in normal triggering mode.) activate the Channel 2 "invert" When the two lobes of the pattern The leading edge of the signal should mode and select the "add" display have equal (or near -equal) vertical be at the left edge of your scope's option to combine the Channel 1 and amplitude, the heads are perfectly screen graticule. inverted Channel 2 input signals into aligned, as shown in Fig. 3(A). If the Changing the sweep rate to 20 a single (differential) signal on the left lobe is smaller than the right, the ms/div should display two pulses scope's screen. drive heads are misaligned toward that are approximately 200 ms apart. Point A on Fig. 2 shows the location of the index -pulse test point on my Teac Model FD-55BV-06-U 360K

5'/a " floppy drive. c Leaving the Channel 1 probe con- 0 0 nected to the index -pulse test point, connect the external -trigger probe to the same test point. Switch the scope trigger from the external trigger in- 0 put and adjust the scope's trigger lev- el until the index pulses are again (or BO BO still) visible on the display. 0 0 Remove the Channel 1 probe from 0 0 the index -pulse test point. Set Chan- AO nel 1for an ac -coupled input at 50 mV/div, leaving the sweep rate at 20 ms/div. Move the Channel 1 probe to other test points until a signal pattern Fig. 2. Bottom view of the Teac floppy -disk drive used for alignment in text. Key like that shown in Fig. 3(A) appears. test points and adjustment screws include (A) index pulse test point; (B) differ- Making a note of the location of ential -amplifier test points; and (C) stepper -motor adjustment screws for correc- this test point, find another test point ting radial alignment problems.

32 / COMPUTERCRAFT / December 1991 Say You Saw It In Computercraft Fig. 3.Osci I loscope displays for:(A) perfectly aligned heads; (B) heads misaligned toward Track 15; and (C) heads misal- igned toward Track 17.

track 15, as illustrated in Fig. 3(B). If When the displayed pattern is cor- tion down one setting if required to the right lobe is smaller, the drive rect for both drive heads, seek to keep the test pattern from spilling off heads are misaligned toward track track 10 and then back to track 16 to the scope screen. 17, as in Fig. 3(C). ascertain that alignment is still good. A very narrow index pulse, fol- After looking at the pattern for Similarly, seek to track 26 and then lowed by three sets of azimuth test head 0, select head 1 and observe the back to track 16, once again verifying signals should appear on the scope pattern for it. Since both heads are proper radial alignment. If radial screen, as in Fig. 4(A). From left to part of the same head assembly, they alignment is still off, repeat the ad- right, these are the12-,15- and must be aligned together. It's some- justment procedure. 18 -minute azimuth -testburstsets times difficult to get the displayed If you consistently obtain a notice- (there are 60 minutes in one degree of pattern for both heads exactly per- ably different test pattern, depending rotation). fect. To be considered within an ac- on whether you reached track 16 The Fig. 4(A) test pattern is for a ceptable tolerance, the vertical am- from track 10 or from track 26, you well -aligned drive. The center bars of plitude of the smaller lobe must have a problem. each burst set should be about' the least 7007o of the amplitude of the This can be caused by loose stepper same amplitude and larger than the larger lobe. This must be true of the motor positioning screws (make sure outer bars of the burst set, which pattern for each of the two drive they're tight). However, it's more of- should also be about the same ampli- heads. If this isn't the case, adjust the ten caused by a defective stepper mo- tude. If this is the case for all three of heads obtain better radial alignment. tor. If the problem is substantial, this the test bursts, the heads show no azi- To adjust the radial alignment of would generally be cause for replac- muth rotation and areproperly the drive's heads, slightly loosen the ing the drive. aligned. Be sure you check the azi- positioning screws on the stepper With radial alignment done, check muth test pattern for head 1 as well. motor (points C in Fig. 2). Rotate the azimuth alignment (the extent to If the test bursts aren't perfect like motor slightly until the signal pattern which the heads are rotated clock- those in Fig. 4(A), you can determine is correct on the scope screen, within wise or counterclockwise from paral- the approximate extent of head rota- tolerance for both heads. Tighten the lel with the track). Select head 0 and tion from the test pattern. Most like- screws, making sure the test pattern seek to track 34. Set sweep rate to 1 ly, one test burst will have either its doesn't change in the process. ms/div, and adjust vertical deflec- two left bars or its two right bars at

Fig. 4. Azimuth test patterns show: (A) well -aligned drive with no head rotation; (B) drive with a slight head rotation, ap- proaching -12 minutes; and (C) index timing test pulse signal.

Say You Saw It In Computercraft December 1991 /COMPUTERCRAFT / 33 about the same amplitude (or ap- - 12 minutes, since theleft two bars on each drive head for making this proachingthesameamplitude). of the 12 -minute test burst set are ap- adjustment. Which of the three test burst sets ex- proaching the same size but aren't The final test to be performed is to hibiting this pattern determines the quite there. check the index/sector photodetec- extent of head rotation.If the Different manufacturers specify tor timing. This verifies the timing 12 -minute burst set shows this pat- different limits for acceptable drive between the time the drive's optical tern, the head is rotated about 12 azimuth rotation. Most consider up sensor detects the index hole in the minutes, if the 15 -minute burst set to 18 minutes of rotation acceptable, rotating disc and the time a special in- shows thispattern,the headis although I prefer to use 15 minutes dex signal is found on the AAD. rotated about 15 minutes, etc.. maximum as a general rule. Having Keeping the heads at track 34, set If the two equal -sized bars are on aligned many drives, I rarely see a scope sweep rate to 50 µs/div. You the left side of the burst set, the head head with an azimuth rotation of should see an index test pulse dis- exhibits a negative (clockwise) rota- more than about 12 minutes. The ad- played, with a width of about 50 mi- tion. Otherwise, it's exhibiting a pos- justment to correct an azimuth rota- croseconds. Assuming your scope's itive rotation. Fig. 4(B) shows the tion problem is difficult to perform trigger point is the left edge of the azimuth test pattern for a head ap- and is best left to a trained techni- graticule, the leading edge of the in- proaching an azimuth rotation of cian. There are generally two screws dex test pulse should be between 100

Commercial Test Software Packages

In addition to Dysan's Interrogator Floppy Drive Mechanics Test floppy -disk drive alignment software examined in the main article, there are a - Test Messages bevy of other similar packages avail- able. They include Accurite Technol- There was 1 failure. ogy's Drive Probe, DiagSoft's QA - Floppy, Landmark/SuperSoft's Align - Drive A: Maximum Capacity: 1.44MB it and Touchstone Technology's Check Result ANSI Tolerance It Floppy Drive Alignment System. Passed Alignment + 0.3 mils - 0.8 to + 0.8 mils Each offers advanced utilities that can

be used to check out and maintain opti- FAILED X Clamping - 1.4 mils -0 8 to + 0.8 mils mum performance of 3% " and 5V, " floppy -disk drives in 360K to 1.44M ca- Marginal ?Hysteresis - 0.8 mils - 0.8 to + 0.8 mils pacities for IBM PC series and compati- 0 ble computers. Passed,/ Speed 300.7 rpm 297.5 to 302.5 rpm Drive Probe's comprehensive diag- nostic package can be used to monitor Passed r/Track 0 drive integrity and to inspect, repair, align, debug and evaluate a drive, with Press Any Key to Continue no need for additional test equipment. A user can run an automatic sequence of drive alignment tests for a quick re- port on a drive's status. Tests can also be run individually to provide a real- time display of results for easy drive ad- justment. Disk Probe also has the abili- drives in all computers on the same site mm according to ANSI specifications ty to test high-speed 600 -rpm drives to the same in-house standard. In addi- for drive alignment. used for volume duplication and sup- tion to the usual different -size and dif- Disk Probe and QAFloppy include ports Mountain Computer protocol ferent -density test/alignment diskettes, Dysan's High -Resolution Diagnostics and Ventuno autoloaders through a this package includes pre -lubricated (HRD). Check It Floppy Drive Testing PC's serial port. cleaning diskettes that are good for 180 System provides an exclusive Mini-Spi- Self -booting QAFloppy provides ex- cleanings each. Alignments are per- rain' alignment disk from ASKY, Inc. tensive floppy -disk testing and analysis formed to within 0.3 mm according to that provides an absolute reference and a fast, precise means of diagnosing ANSI standards. point to compare against a drive's cur- and aligning floppy drives, often with- Check It Floppy Drive Testing Sys- rent condition. out requiring system assembly. It gives tem offers automatic drive -type selec- Tests available in these packages in- a user the option of displaying numeri- tion. It features a message window that clude: spindle motor speed, diskette ec- cal data or printing out a hard copy of gives instructions and reports on the centricity, radial head alignment, azi- test results. number of errors discovered; a quick - muth head alignment, index to data Alignit is a disk -drive cleaning sys- indicating Checklist that reports on timing, positioner hysteresis and effec- tem, as well as a diagnostic and align- whether the components of a disk drive tive head width. Check It also includes a ment system. It includes a "Gold Stan- passed or failed each test; and test re- Clamping test that determines if a dard" feature that lets a user align the sults displayed in tolerances within 0.1 drive clamping mechanism is defective.

34 / COMPUTERCRAFT / December 1991 Say You Saw It In Computercraft both heads. This done, tighten the One final word: Floppy drives are Products Mentioned screws and once again confirm pro- now available for as little as $50. If per index pulse timing. you find that your drive has major Disk Probe The alignment check and adjust- problems that can't be fixed by the Accurite Technologies Inc. ment procedure is now complete. procedures outlined here, it's gener- 321 Charcot Ave. ally better and less costly to replace San Jose, CA 95131-1107 You may want to run through all 408-433-1980 alignment checks one more time to the drive than to have it serviced at a

make sure everythingstilllooks computer service center. QAFloppy good. If so, you can exit the track - DiagSoft, Inc. selection program, remove the AAD 5615Scotts Valley Dr. No. 140 and power -down your computer. Re- Scotts Valley, CA 95066 install your aligned floppy drive by 408-438-8247 reversing the procedure described above for removing the drive. Interrogator Dysan 218 Railroad Ave. In Closing Milpitas, CA 95036 With the proper equipment, you can 408-945-3930 easily align your own floppy -disk drives. Regular checkups and main- Alignit tenance will keep you and your flop- Landmark/SuperSoft pies happy. Roger Alford 703 Grand Central St. Clearwater, FL 34616 800-683-6866 or 813-443-1331

Check It Floppy Drive Testing System Touchstone Software Corp. USE YOUR FREE 2130 Main St., Ste. 250 Huntington Beach, CA 92648 INFORMATION CARD 714-969-7700 and 300 As from the trigger point (between two and six horizontal divi- DO YOU HAVE OVER 25 PERSONAL COMPUTERS? sions on the scope display). Verify DO THEY EVER BREAK? this for head 1, too. If the pulse isn't within this range, THEN WE CAN SAVE YOU BIG BUCKS! you must adjust the position of the HOW? By doing the following: Reduce Downtime Cut InventoryCost index photodetector. Most drives Cut Actual Repair Time have one or two screws that hold the Increase Technician's Job Satisfaction photodetector assembly inplace. These must be loosened slightly to NAC TEACHES TECHNICIANS ADVANCED permit the photodetector assembly to These drives HANDS-ON REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE cost $120 to re- OF PC AND PS/2 HARDWARE, NOVELL be moved until the index test pulse is place. You can within the specified limits for both f ix 90% of them NETWORKS, AND PRINTERS. heads. (Caution: a small movement with a ten min- ute adjustment. of the photodetector can result in a This PS/2 Monitor could cost you $40 huge movement of the signal on your or less to repair. Are you currently scope screen.) Once this is achieved, paying $300 to get this repaired? tighten the screws and confirm again that the timing is still within specs for both heads. One some floppy drives, like my Teac, the position of the circuit board with the LED for the index photode- For More Information Call. tector must be adjusted instead of ad- Laser printer justing the position of the photode- problems can National tector itself. In such cases, slightly cost you $350 Advancement 7per visit. Let Corporation loosen the two screws that hold the us show you LED circuit board, and adjust board how to do 2730-J South Harbor Blvd. positioning until the index test pulse your own ser- Santa Ana, CA92704 vice for under National on the scope screen is within specs for $20! 800-832-4787 California800-443-3384

CIRCLE NO. 82 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD Say You Saw It In Computercraft December 1991 /COMPUTERCRAFT / 35 Upgrading By Duane M Perkins

Build a Data Transceiver System

Allows two computers separated by long distances to transmit and receive data over cables at up to 9,600 -baud

ransferring data between a per- sonal computer and a remote in- SW1 RECT1 formation service or BBS is a com- T1 mon computer activity today. A mo- dem is the way to go for applications 117V ac like these, but modems aren't suit- able or even the best approach in +12V some applications. Two computers F1 (or a computer and another device like a terminal) can be interconnected via their serial ports, using a null modem if necessary, provided the communicating distance doesn't ex- - 12V ceed a few tens of feet. When the distance is too great for direct RS -232interconnection,a transceiver is needed. In this article,Fig. 1. Schematic diagram of power -supply portion of transceiver's circuitry. we provide plans for building a data transceiver system that permits data to be transferred between any two de- significantly greater than the allow- square root of 2. Therefore, using the vices equipped with serial I/O ports. able limit for RS -232 use. It uses ra- formula for the resonant frequency Transmission rate can be up to 9,600 dio -frequency (r -f) carrier signals as of an LC circuit, you can calculate baud and possibly greater under ideal the interconnecting medium. These that a 226 -kHz signal frequency re- conditions. signals are sent over a three -conduc- quires half the capacitance of a 160 - tor 75 -ohm coaxial cable or ordinary kHz frequency with the same value Some Background twisted -pair cables. Cable length can of inductance. A modem link works by generating be hundreds or even thousands of Modulation of the carrier signal carrier signals at frequencies selected feet, depending on their quality. consists simply of switching on and to permit full -duplex (two-way) data Ideally,a pair of coaxial cables off the carrier to simulate the re- transfer over the standard telephone would be used to obtain maximum quired logic states. Carrier presence network. In such a system, a fixed - communicating distance. indicates a logic 1, while its absence frequency carrier signal is modulated Full -duplex data transfer requires represents a logic 0. With asynchron- with other signals that represent the use of two different carrier frequen- ous data transfer, the carrier is al- presence of logic 0 and 1bits that cies, which must be high enough to ways present except when sending a computers and other digital devices ensure that the full bandwidth is start bit or 0 bit. require to communicate. At high available. Our data transceivers use In theory, the receiver is very sim- baud rates, the needed circuitry is nominal carrier frequencies of 160 ple. It detects presences and absences very sophisticated. and 226 kHz. These are high enough of the carrier from the originating Slow- and medium -speed modems for transmission at 9,600 baud but transceiver and converts the result to are less sophisticated than high-speed not high enough that they can be dc voltages that conform to the RS- ones, making them less expensive to transmitted long distances without 232 standard ( - 12 volts indicates a manufacture. Because 9,600 -baud undergoing significant loss over or- logic 1 and + 12 volts a logic 0). Ab- modems use very complex circuitry, dinary three -conductor coaxial or sence of a carrier for an interval long- they're also quite expensive. Our twisted -pair cable. They also obviate er than about 40 milliseconds, which data transceiver permits two digital the need for overly sophisticated is longer than the interval to transfer devices to be interconnected via a ca- electronics. a null byte at 300 baud, is interpreted ble when communicating distance is Note that 226 is160 times the as loss of carrier.

36 / COMPUTERCRAFT/ December 1991 Say You Saw It In Computercraft 4+ 12V

D5 a R13 ID/ A TD Q4 D6 R12 C10

R4

C8 IC1B C9 Q3 J1 4 Q8 C5 R10 R9 R11 C6 R5 LED2 NN., R6 C7

4 12V Fig. 2. Schematic diagram of transmitter portion of transceiver's circuitry.

The simplicity of this method of ofQIandQ2are held constant by positive, and the output of ICIB is data transfer makes these units much 12.2 -volt zener diodesDIandD2, negative. This causesQ4, Q7, D3and more versatile than modems. Baud which hold the respective emitter D4to conduct, allowing the signal rate is irrelevant if it isn't too high. In voltages constant at near 12 volts. from the oscillator to reach the bases fact, pulses of almost any duration The Fig. 2 transmitter includes a ofQ5andQ6.The voltage at the can be transferred, making it possi- Colpitts oscillator built aroundQ3 emitters of these transistors follows ble to connect almost any type of and an amplifier consisting of theQ5 the voltage at the junction formed by pulse generator to a remote device andQ6stages that's keyed off or on C20,D3andD4. that, in turn, interprets the meaning by theTDinput signal. If theTDinput is positive, as it will of the pulses. The resonant LC circuit that deter- he for a logic 0, the outputs of the op As an example of the above, the mines the frequency of the carrier amps will be reversed, cutting offQ4 output from an A/D (analog -to -digi- signal consists of 100-0-1 choke Ll andQ7and preventingD3andD4 tal) converter that generates a pulse and capacitors C'5 andC6in series. from conducting. This blocks the os- whose duration is a measure of the Capacitor values of 0.01-py are in cillatorsignal from reaching the input voltage level could be sent to a series for 226 kHz and in parallel for bases ofQ5andQ6. computer or other device, and the 160 kHz. Actual frequency will be a With the output of ICIB positive, converter could be triggered to sam- bit higher than calculated by the for- current flows throughRIOand the ple the input by a signal sent to it. The mula for the resonant frequency, due base ofQ8,switching on this transis- only caveat is that pulse duration to a somewhat lower inductance that tor and causingLED2to light. When must be significantly greater than the results from interaction of the mag- LED2lights, it provides a visual in- period of the carrier signal. netic flux with nearby conducting sur- dication that data is being transmit- faces. However, this is mitigated by ted. DiodesD5andD6limit the the design of the conductor pattern voltage at the input of ICIA to pre- About the Circuit and mounting the choke coil so that it vent damage if the input atTDex- Each data transceiver contains three stands well above the circuit board. ceeds the supply voltages. major circuits: power supply, trans- The amplifier is a complementary - To equalize the r -f output voltage mitter and receiver, shown schemat- symmetry voltage -follower that gen- at either 226 or 160 kHz, the value of ically in Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. erates an ac output voltage across an R4should consist of two 15,000 -ohm The Fig. I power supply provides 82 -ohm load resistor. The keying cir- resistors in parallel for 160 kHz. This regulated sources of + 12 volts and cuit consists ofQ4andQ7that are increases the base current ofQ3at - 12 volts. The raw supply is provid- switched on or off by the outputs 160 kHz and, consequently, the cur- ed by center -tapped transformer TI from the two op amps inside /C/. rent circulating in the LC circuit, and full -wave rectifierRECTIwith The non -inverting ( + ) inputs of the which has a lower reactance at the filter capacitors C/ and C2. op amps are grounded to allow them lower frequency. The regulators consist of transis- to function as simple inverters. The receiver (Fig. 3) consists of tors QI in the + 12 -volt line and Q2 in If theTDinput is negative, ground- tuned r -f amplifier/notch filter IC2A, the - 12 -volt line. The base voltages ed or open, the output of ICIA is detector IC2B, inverter IC3A and

Say You Saw It In Computercraft December1991 / COMPUTERCRAFT / 37 carrier -loss detector IC3B. The r -f amplifier is tuned to the remote trans- mitter frequency by L2 and C18. In- 0 cn w ductor L3 and capacitor C19 are 0 CC tuned to the local transmitter fre- quency and increase negative feed- vr back at that frequency to suppress CC the response to the local transmitter's carrier signal. The detector uses D7 and D8 to rectify both halves of the ac output from the amplifier. RC networks R18/CI 2 and R19/C13 remove some

of the ripple from the rectified signal. Cr) h- 03 rn When a sufficiently strong signal is CV Cr CC present, the polarity of the rectified voltages is such that the output of IC2B will be positive. The required 0.6 -volt drop across D7and D8 prevents conduction if the > output signal from the amplifier is CO CV a: below that level. If the amplitudes of the local and remote carrier signals at L the output of IC1A are just right, the local signal will be below detection threshold and the output of IC2B will be 0 when the remote carrier isn't present. The output from the detec- tor is converted to the RS -232 signal ca (0 voltages by IC3A. Positive feedback at the junction of R25 and R26 provides a hysteresis band centered on the voltage at the CC wiper of R28. The hysteresis rejects low-level noise from the detector and keeps the pulses clean. Potentio- meter R28 permits adjustment to select the transition point at which the output switches state to result in output pulses of the same interval as the original pulses at the TD input of the remote transmitter. This is neces- sary because the pulses from the de- F co CID tector look like truncated cones. o When logic -0 pulses are received and the output of IC3A is positive, _J LED3 will be on to indicate that data is being received. When IC3A's out- put is negative (carrier present), D9 conducts and discharges C17. When no carrier is present (logic -0 pulses received), CI7 charges through R30. For as long as data is being trans- ferred, logic -1 pulses cause CI7 to discharge before the voltage at the non -inverting input of IC3B reaches zero, the output of IC3B will be posi- tive and LED4 will be on. However, if the carrier is lost for more than about 40 milliseconds, the output of IC3B goes negative and LED4 extin- Fig. 3. Schematic diagram of receiver portion of transceiver's circuitry. guishes. Also, D10 conducts and

38 / COMPUTERCRAFT / December 1991 Say You Saw It In Computercraft AL DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM TV DECODERS/CONVERTERS GOVERNMENT LAND GRAB mai Powerful program for creating/editing AL sourceTutorial and plans for several TV decoders andYou can force the Government to sell you prime code. Like sophisticated wordprocessor with manyconverters. Plus satellite TV component purchaseland at ridiculously low prices with no competing 31)1P*4, unique and powerful AL features. Includes tutorialand use tips. $14. bids allowed because of a little-known 100+ year and program for integrating AL routines into old Federal Lawt One man legally forced the Gov- com iled BASIC rrams. Manual + Disk' $19. STEALTH TECHNOLOGY ernment to sell him 160 acres of prime forest land for $400 - appraised at $1,6000,000! Another got SECREts Police radar is fascinating. It also has error rates of ROBOFONE AUTODIALER 19 prime acres in Phoenix, AZ for $47 - appraised 10%-20%! Every known: Error mode - Method andat $376,0001 Complete details and proof. $19. Powerful, versatile, menu -driven program allowsmaterial to minimize radar reflections - Strategy you to dial any number (up to 10K) or mix of local andand tactic to fight unjust radar tickets (that cost STOCKPRO CONSUMERTRONICS you a fortune in insurance) - Method to detect and long distance numbers in any order, over any length Unique, powerful, shrewd, unconventional 2011 CRESCENT DR., P.O. DRAWER 537of time, whether busy or answered (your choice) and am signals - fulldescribed! $19 ALAMOGORDO, NM 88310 common stock investment strategy. Created for log the times, commands and results to monitor, THE "GOLDFINGER" NMSU, and basis of expensive consulting 1-505-434-0234 printer and -or disk. Quick -dial directory of up to 600 system. Manual Disk. $29. numbers. BUSY redial options. Direct modem com-Tired of digging up rusty nails and bottle caps? FAX 1-505-434-0234 (orders only). Mon. -Sat. The "Goldllnger" detects GOLD, SILVER, PLAT- 8AM-9PM MST Voice 8 Manual FAX. 9PM-8AMmand and control. All result codes, including Voice PHYSICAL SURVIVAL and Ringing. Optional shell to terminal programINUM, COPPER and ALUMINUM while rejecting Auto. FAX. Add $4 ship. (USA, Canada). All items all ferroma netics. Plans. $14. are in stock. COD (UPS cash only), VISA, Master-upon Connect Exit to menu or DOS (for batching). ORDER OF THE MAGNITUDE Card OK. Catalog is $2. In business since 1971.Ideal "Wargames" power dialer, phone call logger THE "SILKWOOD" THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE SURVIVAL BOOK As seen on TV. John Williams - former Seniorand telemarketing dialer. Manual Disk. $29. The "Silkwood" detects X- and Gamma Rays, andEVER WRITTEN! Topics include electronics, com- Engineer (Lockheed), NMSU Professor of ***** *** Alpha and Beta particles. Simple, pocketsize, 9 -puters, energy, weapons, concealment, revenge, Computer Science. 'All software supports all IBM-PC and compatiblevolt battery -operated rad detector requires noalarms, Mc. Helps you survive today and in the systems ('86 '486). Geiger -Mueller tubes or high voltages. 95+%Day After. Absolutely required! Field -expedient linearity between 10-1,000 rads/min. Indicates touse of technology typically in a lower -intensity OFF -THE -SHELF HARDWARE ELECTRONICS less than 0.1 rad/min. Check out your job, home,conflict environment C41 emphasis. $39. Van Eck System, Shriek Module, Voice Dis- possessions. Prospect for minerals. And a lifesaver guisers, Hearing Assistor, Diabetes Alarm, 6th PHONE COLOR BOXES for nuclear survival situations. Plans. $14. SURVIVAL GUNS & AMMO Sense Communicator, The Levitator, Resonant THE ULTIMATE FIREARMS SURVIVAL MANUAU Designed by Phone Phreaks! 15 phone color boxes Coils, TENS Devices, Long Range Eavesdropper, NEW CIRCUIT Describes optimum guns and ammo, conver- described. Dozens circuits, programs. Plus call for- Bumper Beeper, PC A/D Interlace, Radar Emitter, DESIGN CONCEPT sions, silencers, explosive devices, improvised Subliminal Mixer, Neurophone, EM Weaponswarding, conferencing, phreak history. Plus 50 useful weapons, End Times scenarios, retreats, etc. $19. and legal phone circuit plans. More! Manual $29. Describes new circuit design "MAGIC POLY- Countermeasure, Payphone Autodialer- more! HEDRON" concept. Soldering typically less than SILENCE IS GOLDEN Assembled and tested (no kits). $1 for descriptions. VOICE MAIL BOX HACKING 20% of PC and pert board designs - much lessHow acoustic silencers are designed from simple, COMPUTERS How Voice Mall Box (VMB) systems are used andrisks of toxic chemicals, burns, bad solders,cheap, commonly -available materials. $9. the specific ways they are hacked. Includescooked parts, etc. Compact, efficient, versatile, ASPEN, MESSAGE CENTER, BIX, E.2, SYDNEY,low -noise, reliable shape, size, layout. Easy to SECRET & ALTERNATE IDS HARD DRIVE MANUAL PHONE MAIL, AUDIX, etc. Absolutely required fortroubleshoot and make design changes. RelativelyPrivacy is virtually gone! With the huge data- Relates to hard drive and controller implementa-all sysops, users! $29. inexpensive. Easy to integrate with chasses,bases now maintained by credit bureaus and controls. connectors, displays, power supplies,governments, your sanity and future survival are tions (emphasis on PCs). How to select, interface, etc. Assemble circuits just about anywhere. $19. initialize, set up, use, maintain, troubleshoot and VOICE DISGUISER at great risk - unless you can escape under a repair them. How to protect them from mistakes,Plans for neat devices to change voice pitches.ENERGY secret and alternate ID. Legal methods detailed. sabotage, prying eyes, sticky fingers. How toEffective against snoops using voice analyzers; to Not a rehash of the Paper Trip books. $14. recover damaged and lost files. Includes softwareconceal gender for women living alone; for anti - KW -HR METERS ROCKET'S RED GLARE reviews. Loaded with info, advice and tips. $29. intrusion systems; for music accompaniment; for gags. Voice sounds natural. $19. How watthour meters work, calibration, errorHow to design and build solid -propellant amateur DISK SERVICE MANUAL modes (many), ANSI Standards, etc. Demand, Poleand survival rockets. Special emphasis on the CELLULAR PHONE MANUAL and Pol hese Meters. Ex. ,rimental results. $19.formulation, manufacture and installation of Maintain, troubleshoot, repair, adjust, align floppy propellants. motors, igniters, etc. Includes list of drives without special equipment or software -How cellular phones are designed, operated and STOPPING POWER METERS commonly available materials. And the design of 5.25"/3.5"/8", PC/XT/AT/386/486, Apple, Com-programmed. How cellular systems are vulnerableAs reported on CBS 60 MINUTES! How certainlaunch pads and electronics. $29. to hack attacks and countermeasures. $29. modore, Kaypro, Tandy, Epson, Atari, TI, HP, DEC, electrical loads (Omply plugs into an outlet) can COMBAT/SURVIVAL FITNESS etc. systems. All floppies need regular upkeep. $29. PHONE RECORD. INTERFACES slow down watthour meters - even stop them - while drawing lull loads! Also describes meterWeight training for combat, survival, police, DISK DRIVE TUTORIAL Plans for undetectable (ultra -hi input impedance),creeoverload droo . $19. martial arts, contact sports, brawling and street indestructable TELECORDER to record phone fighting! Scientifically designed to maximize the Theory and practical facts on floppy drives,conversations. Also monitors for bugs and taps. THE I.G. MANUAL disks, FDCs, formatting, software protection. explosive power, speed. quickness, agility, Plus simple FM xmitter addition and the ear -External magnetic ways to slow down and stopendurance and hardness for combat and survival. Systems described above. Invaluable advice andpiercing SHRIEK CIRCUIT plans. $9. watthour meters while drawin. full loads. $19. SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST - There are no tips on how to best select, interface and use second -place winners! $14. drives and disks. $19. RADIONICS MANUAL GAS FO' ALL FIREWORKS! PRINTER/PLOTTER MANUAL Exciting electronic and electromagnetic therapeutic Every known vulnerability of gasoline and diesel and diagnostic devices (mostly experimental).fuel um s and disensers. $19. Describes how firecrackers (M -80s, block- Types, descriptions, specs and 100, interfacesHistory, descriptions, plans (dozens), availabilifies LIBERATE GAS & WATER busters, cherry bombs), rockets (match, bottle, (parallel, serial). Detailed plans for X-switchers,of Radionics Devices from early to modern. $29. large), volcanoes and fountains, sparklers and buffers, and serial -to -parallel and parallel -to - How gas and water meters can be reversed usingsafety fuses are made and colored. $9. ui ment. $19. serial interfaces, breakout devices. Many buy, HEAL THYSELF sim le household MISCELLANEOUS use, service, repair tips. $14. Many electronic medical devices are now licensed VORTEX GENERATOR by the FDA for therapies. Plans for three major SUPER RE -INKING METHOD different devices that you can build and useHeat/cool with simple, amazing 3 -port device. Uses TECH. RESEARCH SERVICES no moving parts, electricity, fossil fuel, liquid or freon. Unique 51+K electronic and computer design Re -ink cloth ribbons for about 50 cents and 10yourself. Save $ Thousands! Plus details on manyGuaranteed scientificallsound. Plans. $14. minutes each. Plans for el cheapo motor -driven other devices. $19. articles in database accessed by title and re- inker. Commonly used ink (5 colors) and MDVR METHOD subject. Digital, uP, uC, analog, hybrid, nomo- BIO-SPECTRUM ANALYSIS graph, software. Provide us keys, we return list. carrier described. $9. Plans for the effective and inexpensive MDVR$25 search fee (1-20 keywords/phrases; you Summary of the biologic effects of electromagneticMethod to legally save electrical energy (30%-may combine unrelated topics). Saves you R&D COMPUTER PHREAKING fields from DC to the near -infrared (0-300 GHZ).60%)! Develops optimum efficiency, safety and$$$. Powerful RES-SNAP program will allow TROJAN HORSES, VIRUSES, WORMS, etc. andBands include: 6 ELF, VLF, LF, MF, HF, VHF, UHF,versatility, and saves wear and tear - all withoutyour own searches thru popular electronic countermeasures. Includes disk with 250K+ ofSHF, EH F. Special emphasis on DC, 50 HZ, 60 HZ,significant loss of performance or service. $9. books, magazines and your files. Disk. $95. hacker text files and utilities, and legendary2.45 GHZ (microwave ovens), 3 GHZ (radar). FLUSHOT+ protection system (Ed. Choice, PCGraphical spectrum display includes frequency,FINANCIAL SPECIAL PROJECTS Magazine). Dozens of computer crime and abuseresearcher, date, source, effects, subject type and We design, build, repair, modify, maintain and methods and countermeasures. How systemssignal attributes. Also includes FCC assignments CONS & SCAMS consult on any device, system or project - computer- are penetrated, BBS advice, password defeats,and physical properties. $19. Cons and scams fleece Americans of at $50.ized, electronic, electrical, mechanical, optical. glossary, much more! Manuals Disks' $39. Billion per year! The most comprehensive manualMany invention prototypes. Confidentiality guaran- EM BRAINBLASTER on cons and scams of all kinds from the classic toteed. Describe and include $25 fee (does not obli- BEYOND VAN ECK PHREAKING Tutorial and plans for powerful ELECTROMAG-the high tech. Details on hundreds of cons andgate you). We then provide you cost, time estimates. NETIC WEAPONS and LAB DEVICES. Optimumscams and their many variations and counter- Eavesdropping on VDT and TV video signals rotect ourself! $29. MMPI PERSONALITY GAME using an ordinary TV! Ranges up to 1 KM. Plans,circuits, freqs., waveforms, intensities. Compre-measures. Fraud is ram.. nt - hensive, MIND BOGGLING! $29. What exactly is your personality? How does it countermeasures. Includes legal Van Eck uses, ATM'S compare with others you care about? Do you and original Top Secret Van Eck design! $29. UNDER ATTACK!! ATM crimes, abuses, security, vulnerabilities. 100+have more than one? Much more than just a methods described - from Reg. E to ciphers. Casegame, the MPG is a zany, satirical, insightful, ABSOLUTE COMP. SECURITY ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERFERENCE (EMI) and realistic and critical hands-on education about ELECTRONIC WEAPONS cause INEXPUCABLEhistories, law, countermeasures, detailed security Dozens of simple, versatile, secure computer checklist Internal photos, figures! Still unsolved: Onepersonality testing. Mind -boggling and a real MANIFESTATIONS! These attacks can cause blast! Manual Disk' $39. security methods and tips. Plus our invulnerablecancer, birth defects, psychological and neurologicalcrook stole $237,000 from one bank's ATMs! $39. Cipher Program (in .COM and its .BAS source).disorders, cardiovascular and immune system CREDIT CARD SCAMS NUMEROLOGY PROGRAM Plus $1,000 CIPHER CONTEST rulesfailures, etc. Destructive to people, pets, livestock, with ciphertext. Manual + Disk` $24. Cardholders, merchants and banks suffer $ Billions Religion and science are filled with numbers that plants, equipment. INCLUDES ACTUAL CASESlosses annually because of credit card fraud.have special meanings. Enter a name or phrase CRYPTANALYSIS TECH. (which we have investigated and documented) OFDescribes every known means of credit card fraudinto NUMERNAM and watch the dozens of ATTACKS ON PEOPLE BY EM WEAPONS! Andand scams. Protectourself! $29. equivalent numbers displayed-derived from Five powerful menu -driven crypto programs (inincludes how you can verify and pinpoint the source ancient and modern algorithms. Whether numbers .COM and their. .BAS sources) to analyze, decryptof the EMI/electronic attack, and specific counter- CREDIT REPORTING ENTITIES have special meaning to you or just for fun and "secure" ciphertexts. Worked -out examples.measures you can take. $29. Giant commercial and government databasesgames, NUMERNAM is numero uno! Disk. $19, Recommended in the prestigious COMPUTERS now contain millions of financial, employment, 8 SECURITY. Manual Disk* $29. HIGH VOLTAGE DEVICES medical, family history, lifestyle, criminal, religious PREVENT/CURE HV devices plans: Stun Gun, Taxer, Prod, Cane,and political files on most Americans. These files DENTAL DISEASE SOFTWARE PROTECTION are instantly accessible to thousands of people. Umbrella, Zapper, RF / Radar/ Audio Jammer, About 70% of all tooth losses are caused by Unique system that highly discourages costlyFlasher, Blaster, Jacob's Ladder, Plasma and Van Data is often erroneous, incomplete, obsolete or"gum disease" - not tooth decay! Simple little- software piracy while not interfering with legitde Graaff Gens., Fence Charger, Geiger Counter,repetitious - often costing people credit and jobs -known method developed by a Government archival copies. No known way to defeat. NoOzone Gen., Fish Stunner, Pest Killer, Plant Stimu-even their freedoms! How to protect your privacyscientist is inexpensive and really works. $9. special equipment required. Easy, automatic tolator, Kirlian, Magnetizer, etc. SHOCKING! $29. and security. Comprehensive. $19. install on your disks. Can be used with any other ULTIMATE SUCCESS MANUAL TAP NEWSLETTER protection system. Manual Disk' $59. SECRET & SURVIVAL RADIO TAP was a controversial technological survival Underpaid? Harassed? Manipulated? Stuck in a Optimum survival and security radio equipment, newsletter published by the Yippies until the BRAIN VIRUS ANTIDOTE dead end job' Expect to be laid off or fired? Sick ofmid -1980s, and is a goldmine of hard -to -find methods, frequency allocations and voice/dataoffice politics? Job/division /company moving to The PAKISTANI BRAIN VIRUS plagued dozensscrambling /encoding. Includes small receivers/ technological information from ATMs to Zapping Timbuktu? The ultimate no -hold -barred Machiavel-(just about everything). And of great historical of insttutions, businesses. The mildly destructivexmitters, telemetry, antenna optimizations, remotelian techniques for finding, obtaining, optimizing original version has been hacked into highly vir-monitoring and control, security, surveillance, and and nostalgic value. Issues 1-91. $2 per back and keeping top jobs and benefits. THE RULES OFissue, $150 for entire set. ulent strains. BVA consists of the antidote, sourceultrasonic, fiberoptic and infrared commo. More!THE GAME FOR A GAME WITHOUT RULES! code and write-up. Disk` (NOT infected) $19. 70, circuit plans. tables. $29. From resume to CEO. $29. SOLD FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.

CIRCLE NO. 109 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD in some attenuation. If the remote transmitter frequency is 226 kHz, connect a 330 -ohm resistor from the Semiconductors (Y -watt,5%tolerance) receiver input to ground, since the D1,D2-12.2-volt zener diode R4,R7,R8-15,000 ohms receiveris more sensitiveat the D3 thru DIO-IN914 silicon diode R5-3,300 ohms IC1,IC2,IC3-LF353N or TL082 dual R6,R27-4,700 ohms higher frequency, due to the higher operational amplifier R10-33,000 ohms reactance of the LC circuit elements. LEDI-Red or green light -emitting di- R12,R30-56,000 ohms All connections to and from the ode in T-1% case R13,R15,R21,R22,R23-10,000 ohms transceiver and computer are made LED2-Red light -emitting diode in R14-1,500 ohms via a DB-25 connector (identified in T-1% case R24,R25-100,000 ohms the Parts List as J3) and cable assem- LED3-Green light -emitting diode in R26-2,200 ohms bly. These points are labeled TD in T-1% case R28 -4,700 -ohm, pc -mount trimmer Fig. 2 and DCD, DSR and RD in Fig. 3. LED4-Yellow light -emitting diode in potentiometer T-1% case Miscellaneous Q1,Q3,Q4,Q5,Q8-MPS2222A trans- Ll,L2,L3-100-µH coil Construction istor RECT1-1-ampere bridge -rectifier as- Everything you need to build the Q2,Q6,Q7-MPS2907 transistor sembly Capacitors J1,J2-Chassis-mount coaxial connec- transceivers is available from your Cl,C2-2,200-µF, 35 -volt electrolytic tor [278-212]; (optional-see text) local Radio Shack store for about C3,C4,C7-10-µF, 35 -volt electrolytic J3-DB-25 chassis -mount female con- $150, including enclosures. C5,C6,C18,C19-0.01-µF, 50 -volt elec- nector For reliable operation, it's recom- trolytic S1-Spst toggle switch mended that you assemble and wire C8,C9,C10,C15,C16,C20-0.1-g, 35 - T1 -25.2 -volt, 450-mA, center -tapped your transceivers on printed -circuit volt electrolytic power transformer boards. Actual -size etching -and -drill- Cl I,C14-47-pF, 50 -volt Mylar or cer- Printed -circuit boards (see text); suit- ing guides are given in Fig. 4: (A) amic disc able enclosure [270-272] or similar transmitter/receiver, (B) power -sup- C12,C13-0.0047-µF Mylar or ceramic (see text); four -lug screw -type ter- ply and (C) LED -display boards. disc minal strip;panel clips for T-1% C17 -1-g, 35 -volt tantalum LEDs; fuse holder and1 -ampere These boards are designed to fit nice- Resistors slow -blow fuse); ac line cord with ly inside the Radio Shack enclosures (1/2 -watt, 5% tolerance) plug; sockets for ICs; dry -transfer mentioned in the Parts List. R1,R2,R29-470 ohms lettering kit; clear acrylic spray; ma- The Fig. 4(A) board is designed so R3,R11,R16 thru R19,R33,R34,R36- wire; sol- that the transmitter and receiver sec- 1,000 ohms der; etc. tions can be separated by cutting the R9-82 ohms Note:Numbers in brackets are Radio Shack board after it's etched and before any R31,R32,R35-330 ohms Catalog Numbers. holes are drilled. For full duplex oper- ation, you need two complete boards. Simplex operation requires only one transmitter and one receiver. drops the voltage at the junction of ductor telephone cable for the signals Once the boards have been etched R33andR36to about zero, extin- and the ground wire in the electrical and drilled, populate them using the guishing RD indicatorLED3. wiring have worked reliably over a wiring guide shown in Fig. 5(A) for The receiver permits full -duplex relatively short distance. the appropriate portion of the Fig. data transfer, even when the input The receiver is too sensitive for 4(A) board. Begin populating this signal includes both local and remote correct operation at the full signal board by installing and soldering into transmitter signals, as it will if both strength of the transmitter. For this place the socket for /C/. (Donot signals use the same path. Rejection reason, an attenuator should be used plug the IC into this or any other of the local signal is imperfect. How- to reduce the input signal strength. socket until after you've conducted ever, with proper connection and The cable should be terminated at the preliminary voltage tests and are cer- carefuladjustment,operationat receiver end with an 82 -ohm resistor. tain that your wiring is correct.) 9,600 baud is extremely reliable. If a single signal path is used, the Plug into the board and solder into If line losses are significant, the 82 -ohm load resistor in the transmit- place the resistors, capacitors, diodes lowerremote -signal -to -local -signal ter serves this purpose. If the trans- and transistors. Make sure the diodes ratio may degrade the performance. mission medium consists of separate and electrolytic capacitor are proper- This can be avoided by providing two signal paths for each frequency, an ly oriented and transistors are prop- separate transmission paths (a three - external 82 -ohm resistor should be erly based before soldering any of conductor cable with two signal lines used to terminate each line at the re- their leads into place. and a ground or two coaxial cables). ceiver end. It should be used to con- Now plug the leads of L/ into the Adjustment won't be as critical, and nect the line to the receiver. indicated holes in the board and ad- longer cables with considerable loss If line losses are insignificant, con- just the positioning of this coil so that can be tolerated. It may be possible nect the receiver to the line through a it's '/, " above the surface of the board. to transfer at 19,200 baud. Use of 2,200 -ohm resistor. Try a lower value Solder the coil's leads into place. two of the conductors in a four -con- if line losses have already resulted Orient the second portion of the

40 / COMPUTERCRAFT /December 1991 Say You Saw ItInComputercraft Fig. 4(A) board as shown in Fig. 5(B). As with the previous board, be- gin populating it with the sockets for the ICs. Then install the resistors, capacitors and diodes,observing proper polarity for the electrolytic capacitor and orientations for the di- odes. Plug in and solder into place trimmer control R28. Next, use suitable lengths of insu- lated solid hookup wire to install and solder into place the jumpers that go from just outside the box on the left side of Fig. 5(B) to the various points on the board. Use solid bare wire for the jumper between C14 and C16. Install and solder into place L2 and L3. However, this time around, posi- tion the coils so that they're `/,"above the surface of the board. Temporarily set aside this circuit board assembly. The transmitter/receiver board is designed so that the tuning capaci- tors can be connected in parallel for 160 kHz in the transmitter section and in series for 226 kHz in the re- ceiver section. Use jumper wires in place of capacitors that aren't used in the receiver for 160 kHz. Three 0.0l -µF capacitors and one jumper are required in each receiver. They must be connected so that C18 tunes the receiver to the frequency of the remote transmitter and C19 tunes the rejection notch to the local trans- mitter frequency. Solder a 15,000 -ohm resistor to the leads of R4 on the component side of the160 -kHz transmittercircuit - board assembly. (A) Place the Fig. 4(B) power -supply board in front of you as shown in Fig. 5(C) and install and solder into place the rectifier assembly and transis- tors. Make sure each is properly based before soldering its leads into place. Next, install and solder into place the resistors and diodes. Make sure the latter are properly oriented. Then install and solder into place the capacitors, again making sure each is properly oriented. (B) Now, referring to Fig. 5(D), wire the remaining board as shown. In- stall and solder into place the resis- tors and then the diode, making sure it's properly oriented. Finish up by installing and soldering into place the LEDs. Again, make sure each is (C) properly oriented. Plug the secondary leads into the Fig. 4. Actual -size etching -and -drilling guides for: (A) transmitter/receiver, (B) indicated holes in the power -supply power -supply and (C) display board.

Say You Saw It In Computercraft December 1991 /COMPUTERCRAFT / 41 board and solder them into place, as shown in Fig. 5(C). Then twist to- gether the transformer primary leads and line -cord conductors and place a wire nut on each connection to thoroughly insulate it from the other +12 0- and anything else. Clip the common lead of a dc TDI >---- voltmeter or multimeter set to the dc - -12V>- volts function to the positive ( + ) >-- lead of C2. Place the power -supply GND>--- -R13- --(TO board on an insulated surface and -R12- plug the line cord into a 117 -volt ac -D6- outlet. Touch the "hot" probe of the meter to the junction of the QI emit- NOTES: ter and R3 and note if you obtain a 1. *See text. reading of + 12 volts. If so, touch the 2. Use jumper wires between same numbered holes. "hot" probe to the emitter lead of Q2 and note if you obtain a reading of - 12 volts. Should you fail to obtain the prop- C4

er reading at either or both points C2 - GND mentioned, power down the project - GND and correct the problem. Do not pro- 12V T1 ceed until you're certain that this cir- CT cuit board has been properly wired. SEC - +12V0 Once you're sure the power supply is working properly, strip" of in- sulation from both ends of 19 5" C1 lengths of hookup wire. If you're us- ing stranded wire, tightly twist to- gether the fine conductors at both ends of each wire and sparingly tin with solder. Fig. 5.Wiring guidesfor: (A) transmitter, (B) receiver,(C) power -supply and(D) Plug one end of eight wires into the display boards. holes labeled + 12V, - 12V and GND in thepower -supplyboard.There should be three wires for the + 12V board. Solder all connections. closures in which the transceivers are and GND holes (plug two wires into Finish interconnecting the boards housed. Temporarily terminate the one hole in each case and enlarge the by plugging the free ends of the wires cables and wires in the appropriate hole slightly to accommodate them if coming from the display board into connectors. needed) and two wires for the - 12V the same -labeled holes in the trans- holes. It's advisable that you use mitter and receiver boards (A to A, B color -coded insulation on these wires to B, and so on) and solder into place. Checkout & Adjustment to easily identify polarities. Plug one Double check all wiring to make sure The best time to test the circuit -board end of three more wires into the holes that no ICs are in the sockets. assemblies is before mounting them labeled A through D in the LED Prepare two short lengths of coax- in their enclosures. With no ICs display board and solder into place. ial cable that will terminate in coaxial plugged into the sockets on the trans- Plug the free ends of the wires jacks that will serve as the input and mitter and receiver boards, the only coming from the + 12V, -12V and output connectors. Plug the shields active component that can conduct GND in the power -supply board into and a short black -insulated hookup when power is applied is Q3. You can the identically labeled holes in the wire into the ground holes in the view the output of the oscillator with transmitter and receiver boards and transmitter and receiver boards for an oscilloscope or measure it with an solder into place. Plug the remaining both units. Likewise, plug a red -insu- ac voltmeter. + 12V and GND wires coming from lated hookup wire and inner conduc- The signal across LI should have the power -supply board into the tor of the coaxial cables into the an amplitude of about 2.5 volts rms. holes labeled A and GND in the dis- signal holes in all four boards. Solder With ICI plugged into its socket (be play board and solder into place. all eight connections. The coaxial sure to power down before plugging Plug one end of the remaining cable will terminate in coaxial con- this or any other IC into its socket), wires into the TDI and TD holes in the nectors, the hookup wires in a four - the signal across R9 should be be- transmitter board and DSR, RD, DCD, contact screw -type terminalstrip tween 1.5 and 2 volts and should RDI and DCDI holes in the transmitter mounted on the rear panels of the en- drop to 0 volt when + 12 volts is ap-

42 / COMPUTERCRAFT / December 1991 Say You Saw It In Computercraft outs, flush with the top of the DB-25 connector. Drill a hole %" from the left edge of the rear panel. Then drill the mount- J2 ing holes for the power transformer, L3 power -supplyboard,transmitter board, receiver board and fuse hold- C19* C19* er through the floor of the enclosure. cc When you're done machining the DSR >- 10 enclosure, deburr all holes and cut- RD >-- 20 (ID outs to remove sharp edges. Place a EE cc rubber grommet in the ac line -cord DCD >--- 30 holes. Then use a dry -transfer letter- RDI>- 40 ing kit to label the various LEDs,

DEDI>-- 050 IC2 ,c°51 switch and connectors. Spray onto the lettering two or more light coats +12V>---C60 o, '&) of clear acrylic to protect the legends. 70 90'(.3 -12V>- .1 Mount the fuse holder and power GND>- transformer to the floor of the en- 0.)I 0 closure with suitable machine hard- C 04 Cr cc ware, placing a two -lug terminal strip 0 0 cc 8 4 on the mounting screw nearer the fuse holder. Then mount the power - supply,transmitterandreceiver NOTES: (B) 1. *See text. boards in their respective locations, 2. Use jumper wires between same numbered holes. using %" spacers and machine hard-

r. m n `--. in __. ware. Place a panel clip in each LED gtoRaiga. . . z cr I N 01 hole in the front panel. Then mount 0 al'e

i" I W.,I -R3- I -R34- -1-1I -R 11 - -R33--0) the display board in place by plug- eJ ging the domed cases of the LEDs in- K-D10 - -R36 - to the clips. Mount the screw -type terminal (D) strip, BNC connectors and DB-25 connector in their respective loca- tions on the rear panel. Route the ac line cord through its grommet -lined hole into the enclosure and tie a plied to the TD input. When the units are operating properly, power down strain -relieving knot in it about 6" pass these tests, power down and and install them in their separatefrom the end inside the enclosure. plug the ICs into their respective enclosures. Be aware that layout in- Wire the primary side of the power sockets on all boards. Make sure side in the enclosure is an important transformer as per Fig. 1. Use the ter- each is properly oriented and that no consideration. minal strip for the connection that pins overhang the sockets or fold To keep the inductors as far away ties one side of the ac line cord direct- under between sockets and ICs. from as much metal as possible, ly to one primary lead of T1. Form a When testing the receivers, the two mount the receiver board with itsseries circuit with the other ac line units must be connected to each right edge % " from the right edge of cord conductor, fuse holder, POWER other, with the transmitter outputs the enclosure and the power trans- switch and other Tl primary lead. going to the inputs of the opposing former and power -supply board in Carefully terminate and solder the units through 2,200 -ohm resistors. the remaining space on the left. free ends of the of the following wires Shunt the input of the 226 -kHz re- Drill holes for the LED panel clips coming from the transmitter and re- ceiver with a 330 -ohm resistor. '/2" from the top edge of the front ceiver boards to the DB-25 connector On power -up, the RD output of panel of the enclosure. The LEDs are in this sequence: each transceiver should be negative, arranged 1" apart in a single row. Lo- TD to pin 2 with theDCDoutputs positive. You cate the hole for thePOWERswitch RD to pin 3 may have to adjust the settings of " from the left edge of the panel. DSR to pin 6 R28 in either or both units to obtain Center the cutout for the DB-25 GND to pin 7 these results. If this fails, test for a connector in the rear panel. Center positive output at pin 1 and about 1 the INPUT andOUTPUTcoaxial con- DCDto pin 8 volt rms at pin 7 of IC2. The RD and nectors %" from the right edge one You may also want to use a wire to DCDoutputs should reverse if the above the other. Center the four -po- connectRTSpin 4 toCTSpin 5 on the transmitter is turned or keyed off. sition terminalstrip between the DB-25 connector. Having confirmed that the units DB-25 and coaxial -connector cut- The screw -type terminal strip on

Say You Saw It InComputercraft December 1991 /COMPUTERCRAFT / 43 the rear panel provides for all exter- ters with a signal that results in equal tervals are equal. If you don't have nal connections. The LED display off and on intervals. If a suitable an oscilloscope, use a dc voltmeter to board connects to ground, + 12 volts signal generator isn't available, this measure the RD output, which should TDI, RDIandDCDI.Bring three wires can be accomplished by sending capi- measure approximately zero. through the hole over the terminal tal Us from a computer. Create a file If you can't obtain symmetry with- strip for the transmitter output, re- that contains many records with Us in the range ofR28,the signal is ceiver input and ground connections, and a batch file that repeatedly cop- either to weak (narrow at bottom) or and connect these to three of the ies the file to the COM1 device, as too strong (narrow at top). If your screw terminals. The attenuator re- follows: voltage reading is positive, the signal sistor(s) can be connected externally is too weak, and vice -versa. The rem- to the receiver input. If a single -path edy is to change the value of the series echo off attenuator resistor. cable is to be used, connect together :begin both the transmitter outputs and one copy file com1 If you choose a three -conductor end of the 2,200 -ohm resistor, other- goto begin cable for linking together the two wise connect an 82 -ohm resistor across transceivers, you can use the ground the line from the remote transmitter. connection as the ground path for the If you're using a signal generator, set r -f signals. Of course, a separate Final Adjustment it for a frequency of 4,800 Hz. If ground path in the cable(s) is pre-

ferred for best peformance. Preliminary adjustment is best done you're using a computer, set the pa- with a short three -conductor cable so rameters to 9,600 baud, eight data that the local transmitter doesn't bits, no parity and one stop bit with the mode command, as follows: cause interference. Final adjustment Author Help should be done with the actual cable and the transceivers at the locations mode com1:9600,N,8,1 If you encounter difficulty getting this where they'll be used. An oscillo- project to work, you can consult the scope is very helpful when adjusting author by calling 717-964-3536 during the response of the receivers, but it When viewed on an oscilloscope, daytime hours. Please call no later than isn't absolutely essential. the RD should be symmetrical. Ad- 7:00 P.M. Eastern Time. It is necessary to key the transmit- just the setting ofR28so that the in-

COMPUTER SHOW THE $99.95 SCHEDULE EDUCATION THE PRIMER MICROPROCESSOR PRODUCED BY KGP PRODUCTIONS SINCE 1980 TRAINING SYSTEM Nov. 9-10 EDISON, NJ - RARITAN CENTER EXPO TEACHES: ' INTEL 8085 PROGRAMMING Sat. 10-4 Exit #10 of NJ Turnpike - Parking for 5000 ' DIGITAL & ANALOG INTERFACING Sun. 10-3 800 Vendor Tables - Largest Show Ever! * PROGRAMMING INTEL PERIPHERALS MICROCOMPUTER ASSEMBLY & DESIGN Nov. 23 WOBURN, MA - NORTHEAST TRADE CT11. FEATURES: ' ROM MONITOR OPERATING SYSTEM Sat 10-4 1-95 Exit # 35 - South of 1-93 near Shopping Ctr. * 6 DIGIT, 7 SEGMENT, LED DISPLAY 400 Tables Our Test- Boston Area Computer Show & Sale 20 KEY KEYPAD DIGITAL INPUT PORT WITH DIPSWITCH * DIGITAL OUTPUT PORT WITH LEDs WILLOW GROVE, PA - GEO. WASH LODGE Nov. 30 ' ANALOG TO DIGITAL CONVERTER Sat 10-4 PA Tpke Exit # 27 - Left after Toll Booth DIGITAL TO ANALOG CONVERTER 200 Tables 10 Minutes to Phila. - Thanksgiving Saturday ' 14 BIT TIMER/COUNTER WITH SPEAKER OPTIONS: ' BASIC OR FORTH LANGUAGES IN ROM Dec. 14 WM. PATERSON COLLEGE - WAYNE, NJ RS232 SERIAL PORT CONNECTS TO PC Sat 10-3 Recreation Center - Near 1-80, Rtes. 46 & 23 ' BATTERY BACKED CLOCK AND RAM 400 Tables Shuttle bus to your car - 4 buses - no waiting EMAC OFFERS A COMPLETE LINE OF MICROPROCESSOR TRAINING SYSTEMS STARTING AT $99.95 QUANTITY 10 FOR THE PRIMER KIT. Dec. 21 MARLBOROUGH, MA - ROYAL PLAZA TRADE Sat 10-3 Mass Pike to I -495N to Exit 24-B - 1 mile right 400 Tables Pre -Xmas Show - Don't Miss this One! EMAC, KGP PRODUCTIONS, INC. 618-529-4525 FAX: 618-457-0110 SHOW OFFICE: (800) 631-0062 P.O.BOX 2042 CARBONDALE, IL 62902

CIRCLE NO. 69 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD CIRCLE NO. 67 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD 44 / COMPUTERCRAFT /December 1991 Say You Saw It In Computercraft Application By Nick Goss

CyberBot: A Neural -Network Robot Conclusion Details for building and using this cybernetic device y ast month in Part 1 of this arti- de, we introduced you to Neural Networks in general and how they pertain to the CyberBot project you will build from details presented this month. Now let's get down to build- ing your own CyberBot. Construction We'll start with construction of the base and drive assembly. Because the traction drive wheels are molded and machined from Nylon stock, it might be difficult for you to fabricate these from scratch. To circumvent this dif- ficulty, you can purchase a complete kit of everything needed to build this robot, including motors, Nylon parts and base from the source given in the Note at the end of the Parts List. In this article, we'll assume you're building CyberBot from the kit. The traction drive consists of four wheels, four wheel shafts, eight Nylon wash- ers and eight self-adhesive Nylon pil- low blocks, as illustrated in Fig. 5. Begin by removing any adhesive protection tabs and pressing the units into place against the inside bottom of the case. Positioning isn't critical, so long as the wheels are able to turn freely when mounted. Next, slide an rary bond, mount the motor to the justed properly begin applying epoxy axle into place and put sequentially case. If you have some super glue ac- cement to the cases of the motors and onto the axle a washer, a wheel (with celerator, use it carefully to speed up the base. If the motors aren't proper- rubber drive band in place) and an- the polymerizing (setting) process. ly aligned, carefully break them loose other washer. Repeat this operation (Super glue Accelerator is available and cement them again before epoxy- for the other three wheels. Test -roll from Loctite Corp. as "TAKPAK." ing them in place. You can use 5 -min- the base across a table top to check It is worth its weight in gold when us- ute epoxy cement. If you're the more for proper wheel alignment. If neces- ing super glue!) patient type, use regular epoxy ce- sary, adjust alignment. When the motors are solidly in ment and allow it to set overnight. Next, cement the shoulder washer place, test each in turn by temporari- With motors securely in place, retainers onto the motor shaft ends. ly connecting a 1.5 -volt C cell across transfer the mounting hole positions Super glue (cyanoacrylate) is recom- it. Make sure the motor drives the of the C -cell holders onto the top part mended for this and the next opera- traction wheels without "throwing" of CyberBot's base (lead photo). tion. Using super glue for a tempo- the rubber drive bands. If all is ad- You can drill these holes with a drill

Say You Saw It In Computercraft December 1991 / COMPUTERCRAFT / 45 PARTS LIST

Optical Neuron Circuit

Semiconductors QI-FPT-100 npn silicon phototran- sistor Q2-VN0300 hex field-effect transistor U1 -78L05 fixed + 5 -volt regulator U2-LM358 dual operational amplifier U3,U4,U5,U6-X9103 EEPOT (Xicor) Capacitors CI -1 -AF, 16 -volt tantalum C2 -10 -AF, 16 -volt tantalum Resistors (1/4 -watt, 5% tolerance) R1-1,000 ohms R3-100,000 ohms R4-10,000 ohms R5-2,200 ohms R6,R7,R8-22,000 ohms R2- 1-megohm pc -mount trimmer potentiometer Miscellaneous PIA -18 -pin male strip connector P1B-18-pin female strip connector Printed -circuit board; 9 -volt alkaline battery and snap connector; 4-40 x 1/4" female tapped standoffs(3); hookup wire; solder; etc. Fig. 5. Nylon traction wheels mount to base with self -adhering Nylon pillar blocks, motors with epoxy cement. Monitor Circuit

press, hand drill, or by simply twirl- Semiconductors size artwork provided in Fig. 6. If LED1 thru LED18-Red "Poly" ing a sharp X-acto knife. Use 4-40 x you prefer not to make your own pc light -emitting diode % "machine screws and nuts to secure board, you can obtain ready -to -wire Q1 ,Q2-VN0300 hex field-effect the battery holders in place. ones from the source given in the transistor Next, transfer the mounting hole Note at the end of the Parts List. If Capacitors dimensions from the printed -circuit you do decide to go this route, exer- C 1-10-µF, 16 -volt tantalum board artwork to the top of the Cy- cise care when cutting the cards into Resistors (1/4 -watt, 10% tolerance) berBot case and then drill the three circles. If you have a band saw or jig- RI thru R18-10,000 ohms mounting holes. Wire the motors by saw, the circular shape will be a snap Miscellaneous running the + 3 -volt wire to the two to cut. Alternatively, you can simply P I B- 18 -pin female strip connector Printed -circuit board; 4-40 x 1/4" motors. (Cross wire them when back rough -cut the outline around the tapped standoffs (3); 4-40 x to back for proper motor direction.) border circle with a diagonal cutters machine screws (3); hookup wire; Run the common battery -supply line and finish by filing smooth with a solder; etc. to a spade lug and mount 1 " alumi- straight file or belt sander. You need num standoffs on the top of the case. two of the boards shown in Fig. 6(B), Finally, drill a % " hole through the one for each "eye." back of the top lid of the base and line On a final note, cut out and finish on the Mood and Reflex Card, dou- it with a grommet to secure the left the cable channel half -round hole at ble checking your work as you go. and right drive motor control lines the back of each of the printed circuit Mount all butRI, Xl, Ql, Q2and that run from this assembly up to the cards. This space allows the cables to the three -pin host computer serial Mood and Reflex Card. run inside the glass Cyber dome. connector on the component side of As a final cosmetic touch (and fu- Referring to Fig. 7 for the board the board. These five items go on the ture expansion platform) mount two depicted in Fig. 6(A) and Fig. 8 for solderside of the board. (Refer to black shoulder modules on the top of the board depicted in Fig. 6(B), begin Fig. 3 when making the RS -232 host the base using four 4-40 x %" ma- populating the cards. Remember that computer cable for pinout details for chine screws and nuts. With Cyber- there are two Fig. 6(B) Eye Neuron the DB-25 connector it uses.) Then Bot' s base and traction motor assem- cards. However, start wiring with the mount the male 18 -pin strip connec- blies built, it's time to turn our atten- Mood and Reflex Card. Mount and tor on the component side of the card tion to the printed circuit cards. solder into place a 40 -pin socket in assembly, and finish by soldering the You can fabricate your own single - the u1 location. 9 -volt battery clip into place, allow- sided circuit cards using the actual - Mount the remaining components ing for the short jumpers that will run

46 / COMPUTERCRAFT /December 1991 Say You Saw It In Computercraft

Mood & Reflex Circuit ssiA Semiconductors Q1,Q2-MJE3055 npn power transistor ° tVi4) U I -MC68HC705C8S microprocessor U2-MAX232 RS -232 interface 0000 U3-LM358 dual operational amplifier 0000000000 0000 0000000000000 U4 -78L05 fixed + 5 -volt regulator 00000000000 0000 Capacitors Cl ,C2-22-pf ceramic disc 1118t...0 C3,C4,C6,C7,C8-10-g, 16 -volt tantalum m aro 01 C5,C9- l -AF, 16 -volt tantalum COO O'ss 0 gm0 Resistors (Vs -watt, 5% tolerance) Vorf r= GO R1-4.7 megohms R2,R5,R9-10,000 ohms R3,R6,R10,R11-100,000 ohms R4,R7-100 ohms R8 -10,000 -ohms SIP resistor network Miscellaneous PIA -18 -pin male strip connector S01 -40 -pin DIP IC socket SW 1-Eight-position DIP switch XTAL-2.00-MHz crystal Printed -circuit board; 9 -volt alkaline battery and snap connector; female 4-40 x1" tapped standoffs (3); hookup wire; solder; etc. I0-n 0 F Note: A complete kit of parts for the Cyber- Bot project can be obtained for $99.95 from U.S. Cyberlab, Inc., Rte. 2 Box 284, West Fork, AR 72774 (501-839-8293). 0000(1111154jt;1 Also available from the same source are: a 0000000000000 kit containing ready -to -wire Mood/Re- 000000000000 00000000000 Card, Optical Neuron Cards (two) 00000 and Monitor Card, $19.95; traction drive/ 00 base assembly kit, $39.95; preprogrammed MC68HC705C8S microprocessorand source -code documentation, $24.95; Cy- ber Programmer Development system with software and instructions, $89.95; glass Cyber dome, $12.95. Add $4.95 for P&H (no extra charge for COD orders placed by phone). Arkansas residents, please add state sales tax.

up to the next card. Construct the Optical (Eye) Neu- ron cards in a similar manner. On these, mount the male strip connec- tors on the component side of the card and female strip connector on the solder side. Make sure to space the female connector so that it mates firmly with the male connector below it when 'A " standoffs are in place. On the Left Neuron Card, mount Q1 on the left side when facing the front. There's only one Q1 transistor per card assembly. Fig. 6. Actual -size etching -and -drilling guides for (A) Mood and Reflex Card, (B) Next, configure the cards for left Optical Neuron Card (project requires two of these) and (C) Monitor Card.

Say You Saw It In Computercraft December 1991 /COMPUTERCRAFT / 47 -9V BATT

+9V BATT.

LEFT NEURO-CHANNEL JUMPER #1 U4 z .R1 SERIAL GND. LEFT MOTOR SERIAL RXD

SERIAL TXD

NOTE Q1 & 02 0 MOUNT ON BACK- SIDE OF PCB. Ut

RIGHT MOTOR

JUMPER RIGHT NEURO-CHANNEL

Fig. 7.Wiring details for Mood and Reflex Card.

and right operation by jumpering These cards are also interconnected proper operating voltages on the them per instructions given in Fig. 7 by a short power cable. On plain Mood and Reflex Card, before you and Fig. 8. These jumpers let the mi- white paper, letter the name "CY- plug microprocessor U/ into its sock- croprocessor address the appropriate BERBOT" using a dry -transfer let- et. When you're confident that all cards, while on the same data bus. tering kit with %" letters or some fan- supply voltages are okay, assemble The Monitor Card is very straight- cy type composed on your computer the CyberBot stack. forward. Follow the pictorial layout if you have this capability. Slide this Final test of CyberBot should be detailed in Fig. 9 as you mount and name strip inside the base of the glass conducted in a darkened room. A solder the individual LEDs, FETS Cyber dome. Your CyberBot is now small amount of light is fine, as long and passive components into place. ready for testing. as you avoid bright lights that might Female connector P1 mounts on the confuse CyberBot. conductor side of the printed -circuit With the 9 -volt batteries connect- card. The schematic diagram for the Testing the Project ed, place both 1.5 -volt alkaline C monitor circuitry is shown in Fig. 10. After double-checking the compo- cells in their holders on the rear of the Final assembly makes use of male/ nent placement and wiring on each of CyberBot unit. Place CyberBot in female threaded standoffs to assem- the cards, perform a quick voltage mood 0 mode by setting position 0 of ble the neural "stack." Two 9 -volt test. Briefly connect a 9 -volt battery SWI to oN. Adjust both Eye Neuron batteries power the electronics, each to its battery clip. (Note: Be extreme- Cards so that they produce no mo- driving two cards. Battery 1 supplies ly careful when connecting the 9 -volt tion in the tractor -drive unit until the the Mood and Reflex Card and the battery. It must be connected to its light of a flashlight activates them. Left Eye Neuron Card (the latter, the clip in proper polarity! If you even That is, with the flashlight turned lower of the two "eyes"). These cards briefly touch the battery terminals in away from CyberBot, the motors connect with two short1 "to 2 " the wrong direction, CyberBot can should be off. When the flashlight is power -supply jumper wires. be seriously damaged.) directed toward the phototransis- Battery 2 supplies the Right Eye With a dc voltmeter or multimeter tors,therespectivedrive motor Neuron Card and Monitor Card. set to the dc -volts functiqn, check for should activate.

48 / COMPUTERCRAFT / December 1991 Say You Saw It In Computercraft Place CyberBot on a tile or con- Doing this causes CyberBot to re- Note at the end of the Parts List. crete floor facing you. (Short nap configure itself from a photovore to With this package, you receive a pre- carpeting, like indoor/outdoor, will a photophobic. You'll notice the programmed MC68HC705C8S mi- also work.) CyberBot should just sit monitor LEDs flicker, indicating the croprocessor, source -code documen- there without moving. Shining the downloading of new mood informa- tation and a discussion of the theory beam from the flashlight directly on tion to the dendrites. Again, place of operation. As mentioned earlier, the front of CyberBot from 5 to 10 CyberBot on the floor and shine the an inexpensive development system feet away should cause the project to flashlight directly into the front of that allows you to alter the internal spring to life and move toward you. the unit from about 5 to 10 feet away. MC68HC705C8 software to your You'll probably notice that Cyber- This time, CyberBot will turn away own specification is also available Bot will correct any "wandering" by from the light, avoiding any direct from the same source. switching on and off the appropriate contact with it. If all checks out as de- Here are some interesting scena- drive motors to correct its course on scribed so far, your new CyberBot is rios for you to experiment with: its way to you. This will probably in working order. (1) In Mood 0 (inactive non -seek- manifest itself as a slight swaying ing photovore) try varying the den- back and forth as it searches for your dritic values for U4. This will let you light. This is normal for the neural Programming & Use change the relative "desire" of Cy- network and can be fine tuned in The actual software documentation berBot for light. Make note of how software later. for CyberBot is too complex and this affects the robot's response to Next switch CyberBot into the lengthy to include here. However, your flashlight. mood 1 mode by setting S W/ posi- complete software documentation is (2) In Mood 2 (active seeking pho- tion 0 to OFF and position 1 to ON. available from the source given in the tovore), note how interested does Cy-

P1IS FEMALE ON BACKSIDE RIGHT EYE INPUT LEFT EYE INPUT

P2 IS MALE ON TOPSIDE. LEFT NEURO- /4 * NOTE* ADJUST R2 FOR CORRECT CHANNEL BREAKBOARDING LIGHT LEVEL THRESHOLD.

AREA OF PCB. Q1 FOR \\C 01FOR RIGHT EYE.' LEFT EYE C1

P1 P2 R1 R2

R3-- -- R4- O J4 J5J6 'B' OUT, RIGHT EYE TO P1-18 it128 LEFT EYE TO P1-1

RIGHT EYE P1-17 U1 t LEFT EYE P1-16 R6

P1-18 RIGHT NEURO-CHANNEL

*NOTE * TWO OF THESE NEURON CARD ASSEMBLIES ARE REQUIRED. 'A' OUT RIGHT EYE TO P1-1 ONE FOR THE LEFT EYE, AND ONE FOR THE RIGHT. LEFT EYE TO P1-18 *EACH CARD IS CONFIGURED DIFFERENTLY TO DETERMINE WHICH CARD CONTROLS LEFT/RIGHT NEURO -CHANNEL. RIGHT EYE P1-3 LEFT EYE P1-4

Fig. 8. Wiring details for Optical Neuron Card.

Say You Saw It In Computercraft December 1991 / COMPUTERCRAFT / 49 berBot seems to be in your flashlight. Does it have trouble finding you from more than 10 feet distance? (3) In Mood 1 (inactive photopho- bic), does CyberBot really avoid your flashlight? If so, does changing the dendritic values for U6 make much <- D1-..- R 1 --- of a difference in its behavior? " D2 -IP R2 -- (4) In Mood 3 (active avoidance " D3-I> 0- R3-0 photophobic), does your flashlight R 4 - really "force" CyberBot to change " D 5 -- R5- direction suddenly, or does the ro- -- R6 -- bot seem casually indifferent to the D7 -C> 0- R7 -- light source? ' D 8-I>0-- R 8 -0 " D9 -P 0-- R9 - (5) In Mood 4 (active psychotic) " D1 - 1 0-0 O does CyberBot's action seem totally - D11 -R 1 1-0 erratic, or can you detect a pseudo- " D 1 --1>- 12-.. random pattern to its activities? ---D 1 3 - 0-R1 3- (6) With a 35 -mm camera mounted - D 1 4 -I>0-R1 4- on the ceiling above the darkened -0 1 5 - > -R15--- room, you can make a time exposure 0- D1 -C>0-816-0 " D 1 74> of CyberBot in Mood 4. When devel- 0- R1 7-0 oped, the photograph can help to re- Er- D 1 8 -0 -R 1 8- vealits pseudo -random behavior. What happens when you place a fixed light -source in one corner of the room, for example? (7) In Mood 2 (active seeking pho- Fig. 9. Wiring details for Monitor Card. tovore) does CyberBot reveal a pat -

D2 -D9 R2 -R9 010-017 R10 -R17 LEDS 10Ks LEDS 10Ks

P1 -2 < P1-10 itiT P1-3 < P1-11

P1-4 < P1-12

P1-5 < P1-13 <

P1-6 < P1-14 <

P1-7 P1-15 <

P1 -s P1-16 <

P1-9 < P1-17

+9V P1-1 P1 18

01

Fig. 10. Schematic diagram of circuitry that goes on Monitor Card assembly.

50 / COMPUTERCRAFT /December 1991 Say You Saw It In Computercraft tern similar to the one observed in (6) above? Can you change the program- PC -BASED ming and dendritic values to vary this pattern? Perhaps you can find a way DEVELOPMENT to make the neural network truly ran- dom in operation. TOOLS (8) If you had more than one Cy- berBot in a room, would you expect If you're interested in microprocessor -related projects, them to all behave in the same fash- our tools can help. Our PIC microcontroller tools allow ion, or would you expect each unit to you to learn about and use single -chip computers. behave in a slightly different manner, And our EPROM emulators are time-savers in owing to individual "mannerisms" almost any project that uses EPROMs. often found in organic logic systems? (9) Can you design your own Au- dio Neuron Card by using the Optical MICROCONTROLLER PROGRAMMER Neuron Card as an example? If so, what effect would it have on your CyberBot? (10) Can you design your own Tac- tile Neuron Card (using microswitches mounted inthe "shoulders" of CyberBot) that would avoid any ob- stacle in CyberBot's path? If so, how would you re -configure the motor drive neurons to allow CyberBot to back-up and move away from ob- jects in its path? Experimenting with CyberBot is The PIC 16C5x family of microcontrollers are inexpensive, fun and an interesting experience. 8 -bit, single -chip computers. They combine a CPU,EPROM, Almost any type of neural condition RAM,and I/O for as little as $3.00 each. Our tools allow can be emulated by CyberBot. Cy- you to program these parts with your own software. A single berBot can also be expanded to in- PIC can replace many ICs, in addition to adding real clude an Audio Neuron Card that intelligence and flexibility to your designs. will allow the unit to track sounds in Includes assembler, programmer, and cables. the room, just like it seeks light with PIC is a registered trademark of Microchip Technology, Inc. $199 the Optical Neuron Card. Addition- L._ ally, CyberBot can be fitted with a Tactile Neuron Card to allow it to navigate an obstacle course, avoiding 27256 EPROM EMULATOR any objects in its path to the light. There are some interesting new P/1 >01 MET .1.100.1 .0191111 ? X'41,41,4 -0 "neural -slice" ICs on the market 0 0 that may be perfect for your applica- ts)ttat-sirt -10 tion. Also, some breadboarding pads have been provided on the Neuron cards for you to use in experimenting with CyberBot. Try your hand at ROM EMULATOR your own modifications to CyberBot. Ifyourprojects useEPROMs, youcanprobably use an EPROMemulator. AnEPROMemulator plugs in place of an actualEPROM,but instead of programming parts to test your code, you simply download to the emulator. LEmulates 2764, 27128, and 27256 EPROMs. $199

[=Yia PAR,414/1) A MasterCard (916) 721-8217 FAX: (916) 726-1905 Parallax, Inc. 6200 Desimone Lane. #69A Citrus Heights, CA 95621 Nick Goss Prices subject to change without notice. California residents add appropriate sales tax. Add $4.00 for UPS ground, $7.00 for 2nd day, $15.00 for next day.

CIRCLE NO. 85 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD Say You Saw It In Computercraft December 1991 / COMPUTERCRAFT / 51 Application By Jan Axelson Experimenting With the Z8 Single -Chip Microcomputer

It may not be the latest microcomputer chip, but it has plenty of life in it to get specialized jobs done

iseasy to forget that you don't might use a single -chip microcom- lar to those in other versions. At less Ihave to use the latest technology puter or microcontroller. than $10, the Z8671 offers a low-cost in every project. However enticing The Z8 comes in many versions, introduction to single -chip micro - the newest technological wonders ranging from ROM -less units to the computing. may be, they often aren't required, Super8 series with expanded features For more on the Z8, Zilog publish- or even the best suited, for a particu- and instruction set. Our focus here is es a Z8 Family Design Book that's lartask.Something that'sbeen on the Z8671, but the main features, several books in one, including data around a while may be simpler to use, with the exception of BASIC/Debug book, technical manual, application - and cheaper as well. In the computer capabilities, are the same as or simi- note series, programmer's guide and world, the Z8 is a single -chip micro- computer that has been in use for over a decade -a long time in terms of computer years -but stillhas +5V > 1 ---)40 >P3.6 plenty of life in it. XTAL2< 2 39< P3.1 Zilog, Inc., probably best known for its popular Z80 microprocessor. XTALI >3 38< >P2.7 manufactures the Z8. In contrast to the Z80, the Z8 is a complete single - (SERIAL OUT)P3.7 < 4 37<>P2.6 chip microcomputer, with memory (SERIAL IN)P3.0 >5 36< >P2.5 and bit -programmable I/O ports, as Z8671 well as counter/timers and a UART RESET 6 35<>P2.4 (universal asynchronous receiver/ >P2.3 transmitter) for serial communica- RJW< 7 34< tion. A special version of the chip, 17S< 8 33<>P2.2 the Z8671, contains a BASIC inter- preter in ROM for easy program AS< 9 32<>P2.I development. 31<>P2.0 In this article, we'll explore the P3.5 < 10

world of the Z8671 and other Z8s, in- GND > 11 30< P3.3 cluding their architecture, interfac- ing, programming and resources for P3.2 >12 29 >P3.4 Z8 system design and programming. (A8)P0.0 <>13 28< >P1.7 (AD7) About the Z8 (A9) P0.1 <>14 27<>P1.6 (AD6) The Z8 is especially suited for use in (A10)P0.2 <>15 26<>P1.5 (AD5) dedicated devices in which a program is embedded in EPROM or other (All)P0.3 <>16 25< >P1.4 (AD4) memory device and, along with sup- 17 24<>P1.3 (AD3) port circuitry, executes a single func- (Al2)P0.4 <> tion or group of related functions. (A13)P0.5 <>18 23< >P1.2 (AD2) Possible Z8 projects include data -ac- quisition systems, motor controllers, (A14)P0.6 <>19 22< >PI.1 (ADI) programmable pulse or other wave- >20 21<>P1.0 (ADO) form generators, electronic games, (A15)P0.7 < automotive applications, telephone switchers,intelligentinstruments, Fig. 1. Pinout of the Z8671 single -chip microcomputer with BASIC/Debug pro- process control and anywhere you grammed into on -bound ROM.

52 /COMPUTERCRAFT / December 1991 Say You Saw It In Computercraft library. A separate Z8671 plexed address/data bus, Port 0 is the face and other circuit elements to use BASIC/Debug Reference Manual high -address bus for accessing ex- as a base on which to build your describes BASIC/Debug. See the ternal memory. designs and experiments. Sources box elsewhere in this article Two of Port 3's pins provide the The Fig. 2 circuit contains a Z8671 for more on these and other resourc- serial interface to the UART in the with BASIC/Debug; 2K of RAM; a es mentioned. Z8671,allowingcommunication socket for a 2 -kilobyte EPROM, The Z8671's BASIC/Debug is a with other serial interfaces, such as EEPROM, or nonvolatile RAM; a bare -bones programming language, an RS -232 port on a PC. serial interface for communicating with just 15 keywords. Still, it has The remaining port pins can be with a desktop computer or terminal; enough capability for writing many used as desired. Those pins with al- 14 free port pins; and 34K of free types of programs. In addition, you ternate functions (interrupt request, memory area for connecting to addi- can use it as a simple debugger for timer input and output, etc.) can be tional memory devices or other cir- testing programs in BASIC or as- used for general-purpose input/out- cuit elements. semblylanguage.BASIC/Debug put applications if the alternate func- The circuit's serial interface con- makes it easy to examine and modify tions aren't needed. nects to an RS -232 serial port on a on -chip and external memory and to desktop, or host, computer or ter- load and run programs written in minal. By running a communications . A Development System program on the host computer, you Figure 1 gives the pinout of the Shown in Fig. 2 is a basic system that can communicate with the Z8, write Z8671. This IC can address up to 124 can be used for experimenting with and run programs in BASIC, upload kilobytes of external memory: 62K the Z8671. I built this circuit with BASIC and assembly -language pro- each of data and program memory. Wire Wrap hardware on perforated grams from your host computer to An additional 2K of internal ROM board. The circuit could also be built the Z8 and download programs from contains BASIC/Debug. For smaller using point-to-point wiring, or by de- the Z8 to the host. systems, the Data Memory Select signing and making a printed -circuit The crystal frequency of 7.3728 (DM) control signal can be ignored, board for it. MHz divides down for accurate baud for a maximum 62K of combined da- If you'd rather not build your own rates for serial communication (ac- ta and program memory. development system from scratch, cording to the formula given in the Two of the Z867 1 's four eight -bit the Sources box lists manufacturers Z8 manual). I/O ports are dedicated to external of assembled and tested boards that The two memory ICs are RAM memory access. Port 1is a multi- contain a Z8, memory, serial inter- and either EPROM, EEPROM or Professional Tool Case What 8051 compiler would Santa SPECIAL use to automatehis workshop? $59.95 Reg. -$80:00- Model ARIM5

Two removable pallets hold over 60 tools Case top has built-in document holder Case bottom is partitioned into 3 areas A handsome black case to organize and transport your valuable tools and instruments. This is the same quality case used by literally thousands of professional field engineers. Case is made of high impact polypropylene, and has snap -action key locks and a padded handle. Size: 171/2" x 121/2" x 5". Tools are not included. c%WC.o ,TS TO SMVICE Ett Offer expires December 31, 1991. EC-0T 74C tEtItli7ntac..'"' To order call: 1-800-225-5370 BCI51T,mof course- even Santa knows BASIC! In MA: (508) 682-2000 BCI51-BASICcross compiler with integer math. Supplement BASIC -52 Same Day Shipment! or stand-alone Now includes 'C51F support BCI51 with assembler Money Back Guarantee! and utilities $299 Powerful Dallas DS5000T extensions $149 Terms: Visa, MC, Amex: Assembly Language Programmer's Toolkit $99 superb documentation P.O.'s from qualified firms accepted. Add $6.75 for packing and delivery. Swetutex Tire FREE CONTACT EAST CATALOG 754 East Roosevelt Avenue Contains thousands of products for testing, repairing & assembling Salt Lake City, Utah 84105 electronic equipment. To get your free catalog, call (508)682-2000. 801-487-7412 FAX: 801-487-3130

CIRCLE NO. 62 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD CIRCLE NO. 47 ON FREE INFORMATIONCARD Say You Saw It In Computercraft December 1991 /COMPUTERCRAFT / 53 battery -backed (nonvolatile) RAM EPROM/EEPROM/NVRAM sock- TTL-level outputs of the Z8671 to for permanent program storage. The et is mapped from 1000h to 17FFh. valid RS -232 transmit levels, and in memory interface is typical of many An EEPROM or NVRAM in this the other direction converts received other eight -bit systems. For each byte socket can be write -protected by RS -232 signals to TTL levels for in- transferred between external memo- jumpering its WE line to + 5 volts. put to the Z8671. ry and the Z8, the lower eight bits of Addresses from 0 to 7FFh aren't used The serial interface is required for the address are latched to the memo- in external memory because this is program development when using ry IC through an 74LS373 transpar- where the internal ROM for the Z8 is BASIC/Debug. For final projects ent latch, and the higher address bits located. that don't use the interface, the and data bits interface directly to the A baud -rate selector is provided by MAX232 can be left out. memory ICs. The Z8's Read/Write three74LS125tri-statebuffers. The circuit in Fig. 2 is powered by a (R/w) and Data Strobe (Ds) control When BASIC/Debug boots, it exam- regulated + 5 -volt supply. A 0.5 -am- signals interface to the memory ICs' ines memory location FFFDh for a pere supply is more than adequate. Output Enable (0E) and Write En- baud -rate setting to use for serial To use the system, you connect its able (wE) pins. communication. In the Fig. 2 circuit, serial interface to a serial connector On power -up, BASIC/Debug se- all memory accesses from C000h to on the host computer (usually a 25 - lects the Z8's slower extended -bus FFFFh will access the baud -rate se- or nine -pin male subminiature D - timing mode. So access time of the lector. (To free up portions of this type connector). Figure 2 shows the memory chips isn't critical. memory area, additional address de- pin connections for a typical 25 -pin The two halves of a 74LS139 coding could be added.) Jumpers or male D connector. For a nine -pin 2 -to -4 -line decoder provide address toggle or slide switches set desired male D connector, the pinout is typi- decoding, which selects and enables baud rate, or you can hard -wire in a cally as follows: pin 2-receive (data the memory ICs, and a baud -rate single rate, if you prefer. in); pin 3-transmit (data out); and selector.Unused outputs of the Free areas of memory include a 2K pin 5-ground. 74LS139 can be used to select addi- block at 1800h, and 16K blocks at Since RS -232 connections are no- tional devices at specific addresses in 4000h and 8000h. These can be used toriously unpredictable, always veri- the system. to access additional memory or other fy that your wiring is correct. Check The RAM is mapped from 800h to components. the pinout on the host computer's se- FFFh (h = hexadecimal). Any mem- The final circuit element is the seri- rial connector to verify that its data ory reads or writes to addresses in al interface, provided by the popular output connects to an input on the this range will access the RAM. The MAX232 chip. This chip converts the MAX232 and that the MAX232's Irproject Pro] Call For FREE Catalog Call (800) 800-3321 or (216) 425-8888 Project Pro brings a complete line of electronic enclosures, hardware, and tools to both the professional project engineer and the hobbiest. Everything you need to bring ANY project from development to finished product.

Electronic EnclosuresCustom ServicesFasteners * Aluminum * Fabricating *Nickel Plated * Steel * Screening *Black Zinc * Plastic (ABS) * 72 hour - turnaround Racks Chassis Tools Sorry, sir, the computers are busy- 1710 Enterprise Pky. Twinsburg, Ohio 44087 I'll have to help you in person.

CIRCLE NO. 70 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD 54 / COMPUTERCRAFT / December 1991 Say You Saw It In Computercraft 2 MICROCOMPUTER 7 C000h 9 1800h 3 LSO2 .51/ 6 8000h 10 1000h 1.0uF 74LS139 14 74LS139 6?I 9 5 4000h 800h 4 12 RSTV. AS 0000h 000Ch

7.372881-IZ 2 20 XTAL2 A15 19 ADDRESS 3 Al4 DECODNG XTALI 18 Al3 17 Al2 Z8671 16 ToeF 710pF Al

31 P2.0 32 RAm 19 EPROM/ P2.1 AO NO NO EEPROM/ 33 A P22 22 22 NVRAM 34 A9 A9 A9 13 23 23 P2.3 A8 A8 A8 35 P2.4 36 2716/ P2.5 2816/ VOI 1/01 37 616 DS1220 P2.6 LATCH 2 12 38 V02 VO2 13 - P2.7 VO3 VO3 5 28 3 ALE 2 5 \ 1 5 P3.0 AD7 D7 07 I/04A7 Al 0 39 27\ 4 5 2 2, - P3.1 ADA D6 06 A6 V05 A6 V05.-\ 12 26 7 6 3 3 P3.2 ADS N 05 05 A5 VO6 A5 30 25 8 9 4 4 AD4 D4 04 1/07A4 A4 - P3.3 741_5373 1/07 -i-9--N, 29 24\ 12 5 P3.4 ADS D3 03 A3 V08 A3 1/08 23 14 5 6 6, P3.5 AD2 D2 02 A2 A2 40 22 17 7 ---- P3.6 AD DI a AI Al 4 21 18 8 ADO DO 00 AO AO - P3.7 R/171 Os WE et CE WE - OE - CE 7 21 20 16 21 20 8

WRITE 6 2 PROTECT LSOO LSOO WRITE toSI I- ENABLE

5 8 4 10 6 LS02 LS02

.5V

BAUD RATE SELECT SERIAL NT ERF ACE SWITCH T .10s A B C BAUD MAX232 10V open open open 300 open open closed 10 open closed open 1200

open closed closed 2400 closed open open 4800 7 dosed open closed 9600 025. pon 3 closed closed open 19200 12 13 < 025. pin 2 closed dosed closed 150

8

D25 pin 7

Fig. 2. A development system for the Z8671, including RAM, nonvolatile memory and serial interface.

Say You Saw It In Computercraft December 1991 / COMPUTERCRAFT / 55 output connects to an input on the host computer. GO Unconditionally branches to a machine -language subroutine. To communicate with the Z8671, GOSUB Unconditionally branches to a subroutine runacommunications program specified by line number. (Procomm, Kermit or whatever oth- GOTO Unconditionally branches to a line number. er one you prefer) on the host, setting IF/THEN Initiates a conditional operation or branch. the communications protocol for the LET Assigns the value of an expression to a variable or memory location. baud rate you've selected on the INPUT/IN Requests information from the user with "7" Z8671 board, with eight data bits, no prompt, then reads input values (separated by parity and one or two stop bits. (The commas) from the keyboard and stores the values Z8 adds two stop bits to transmitted in the indicated variables. INPUT discards data, and received data must have at values remaining from previous IN, INPUT, or RUN statements. IN uses values left in the buffer, least one stop bit.) then requests new data. LIST Displays program listing. NEW Resets R4 -R5, indicating that RAM is ready to Using BASIC/Debug store a new program. When the Z8671 powers up or is re- PRINT/ Displays text messages or numeric values. PRINT PRINT HEXHEX displays values in hexadecimal. set, the ":" BASIC/Debug prompt REM Indicates unexecuted comment or remark. appears on thehost computer's RETURN Ends a subroutine by returning control to the screen. From here, you can write and line following a GOSUB. run programs in BASIC, execute RUN Causes the current program to execute. statements in immediate mode and STOP Ends program execution and clears GOSUB stack. USR Unconditionally branches to a machine -language upload and download programs. subroutine. Can pass and return up to two Figure 3 shows BASIC/Debug's variables. keywords and operators. If you're used to QuickBASIC, or even GW Addition Subtraction BASIC, BASIC/Debug will seem Multiplication primitive. You won't find control Signed division (range: -32768 to +32767) structures like WHILE ... WEND or Unsigned division (range: 0 to 65535) even FOR ... NEXTloops. Only in- teger variables and calculations are equal less than or equal allowed, and 26 variables-from A less than to Z-are the maximum. not equal BASIC/Debugdoes,however, greater than permit you to write and execute many >= greater than or equal simple programs quickly. For its in- AND logical AND tended use, the elaborate text -for- hexadecimal (otherwisedecimal) matting, graphics and similar capa- indirect byte address bilities found in other BASICs aren't indirect word address needed. Listing 1 shows an example BASIC/Debug program that prompts Fig. 3.Keywords, operators and special characters available inBASIC/Debug. for a memory location and then prints the contents of the 16 beginning at that location. In BASIC/Debug, reading from For example, BASIC/Debug stores subroutine if the IF statement is true. and writing to external and internal the address of the first location in ex- Listing 1 uses this technique to step memory, including ports and other ternal RAM in Registers 8 and 9. To through the 16 values it displays. registers, uses the signal character @, determine this value, you could read BASIC/Debug indicatessyntax rather than BASIC's usual PEEK both registers and add their weighted and other errors by number only. and POKE statements. For example, values, but there's an easier way. The The numeric codes are explained in the statement PRINT @2048 causes signal character " " references a 16 - the BASIC/Debug manual; so at the contents of memory location bit word consisting of the specified first you'll want to keep this handy as 2048 to be displayed on the host com- byte and the one following it. So the you program. You'll soon memorize puter's screen. A 07o prefix indicates statement PRINT8 displays the the codes that pop up often. hexadecimal. Therefore, the state- 16 -bit value (from 0 to 65,535) stored BASIC/Debug's line editorlets ment PRINT @%800 gives the same in Registers 8 and 9. you backspace to correct typing mis- result as the previous example. Although BASIC/Debug has no takes, but once you press RETURN, Thestatement @ %900@% F8 FOR ...NEXT loops, you can ac- the entire line must be typed again to writes the value F8h to location 900h. complish the same thing by using an make a change. Instead of entering a At times, you may want to exam- index,orcount,variable,an long, involved program from within ine or modify the value of a 16 -bit IF . . .THEN statement that tests the BASIC/Debug, you can write a pro- word, rather than an eight -bit byte. value of the index variable and calls a gram with a text editor that produces

56 / COMPUTERCRAFT/ December 1991 Say You Saw It In Computercraft pure ASCII output, and then use your communications software to Listing 1. BASIC/Debug Program Prompts for a Memory Location and Display- upload the program to the Z8 sys- Values Stored in 16 Locations, Beginning With Requested Location. tem's memory. In the other direc- 10 PRINT "beginning address?" tion, downloading a program to the 20 INPUT X:REM beginning memory location to display host computer is an easy way to save 30 A=0 your code for re -loading. 40 IF A<16 THEN 100 Most communications programs 50 STOP include functions for uploading and 100 PRINT HEX(@(X+A)):REM display stored value 110 A=A+1 downloading files. These are the 120 GOTO 40 same functions used for sending and receiving files to and from a BBS, and the procedure is similar when transferring files from and to the Listing 2. Program Transmits BASIC/Debug Program in Binary Format to the Z8671. Select ASCII format for the Z8671's Serial Port. transfer, and use a LIST statement to download the current BASIC/De- 10000 X=0 bug program to the host computer. 10010 GO @%61,@(%800+X):REM write byte to serial port Uploading a program in ASCII for- 10020 IF @(%800+X)=%FF THEN STOP mat will store it in RAM as if you had 10030 X=X+1 typed it in at the keyboard. 10040 GOTO 10010 On power -up, BASIC/Debug tests external memory non-destructively, beginning at 800h, to see how much RAM the system contains. A pointer to the high boundary of RAM is program that writes the current pro- copy the contents into an EPROM. stored in an internal register. A small gram in RAM to the serial port in bi- Port 2's pins and the six remaining area of RAM is reserved for storing nary format. This listing can be ap- Port 3 pins can be used to interface to variables, the input line buffer and pended to any BASIC/Debug pro- switches, LCD or LED displays, ana- GOSUB stack. gram and called with GOTO 10000. log -to -digitalordigital -to -analog Circuitsthathavea program To use this technique, the host com- converters or other devices and com- stored in EPROM may have no need puter must be able to receive and save ponents. The ports have active pull- for external RAM. In this situation, files in the binary format. ASCII ups and pull -downs that are compati- BASIC/Debug uses the Z8's internal downloading protocols strip nulls ble with TTL loads. As Fig. 1 shows, registers for storage, with some oper- and/or the eighth bit of each byte; so the direction of Port 3's pins is fixed, ating limitations due to the reduced it won't work for this purpose. while Port 2's pins can be pro- memory available. Another option for saving a BA- grammed individually to serve as in- If a program is stored in nonvola- SIC program is to copy the program puts or outputs. tile memory, BASIC/Debug can run directly into a nonvolatile RAM or Zilog'sBASIC/Debug manual it automatically on power -up. On EEPROM. Listing 3 is a program contains definitions and examples of power -up, BASIC/Debug checks ex- that can be appended to a BASIC/ each keyword, as well as sections on ternal memory location 1020h, and if Debug program to copy the current how BASIC/Debug uses memory itfinds a program, automatically program to memory beginning at and programming tips for maximum runs it. This feature allows you to 1020h. GOTO 10000 causes the pro- execution speed and minimum mem- develop a program in RAM, then gram to be copied. After copying, the ory use. transfer it to EPROM, EEPROM or WE line of the nonvolatile RAM or nonvolatile RAM for permanent EEPROM must be jumpered to + 5 Assembly -Language storage and automatic starting. volts to prevent overwriting and pro- If you've developed a program in vide autostarting. Or the IC can be Programming RAM and want to save it to a file for removed and inserted into an EP- For functions that BASIC/Debug use with an EPROM programmer, ROM programmer that can then can't handle, you can program in as - you need to save the code exactly as it's stored in the RAM. Although LIST works well for downloading Listing 3. Program Copies a Program From RAM Into EEPROM or Nonvolatile files for later uploading, the LIST RAM for Permanent Storage. statement adds line feeds and trans- lates line numbers from binary for- 10000 x=0 mat to ASCII; so it's not suitable for 10010 @(%1020+X)=@(%800+X):REM copy RAM byte to NV memory downloading files for EPROM pro- 10020 IF @(%1020+X)=AFF THEN STOP gramming. 10030 X=X+1 A solution is to download the file 10040 GOTO 10010 in binary format. Listing 2 is a short

Say You Saw It In Computercraft December 1991 /COMPUTERCRAFT / 57 sembly language and call the pro- guage or compiled programs must be gram from BASIC/Debug. For low- stored in external memory. Sources cost (free) assembly -language pro- Z8603/13-A ROM -less version gramming, I discovered two versions with a piggyback socket for a 2716 or BASICON, Inc. of a freeware Z8 cross -assembler on 2732 EPROM. This space -saving 14273 NW Science Park Dr. the CircuitCellar Ink BBS (see version allows you store a program in Portland, OR 97229 Sources box). Z8CA1PC.ARC for EPROM without having to wire the Voice: 503-626-1012 MS-DOS computers assembles pro- EPROM to the Z8. Since standard FAX: 503-643-4686 grams in Intel hex, Motorola S -re- EPROMs are used, no special adapt- MC -1z microcontroller board with Z8 cord or a special Z8 file format. ers are required for your EPROM BASIC/Debug, expander module, Z8 Z8CA1AM.ARC is an Amiga ver- programmer,unlike many other assembler sion of the same assembler. microcomputers that have embedded After assembling a program, you into them EPROMs. Circuit Cellar Ink BBS can program an EPROM or other Z8601/11-Containsmask -pro- Modem: 203-871-1988 memory IC with the assembled code grammed user program in 2K or 4K 300/1,200/2,400 bps, 8-N-1 or simply upload the file into the Z8's of ROM. For mass production of Z8 cross assemblers external RAM for testing. chips with a single program. Z8600-A 28 -pin version. The special Z8 file format is handy Jameco for uploading to RAM. A short (five - Z86C91-A CMOS ROM -less ver- 1355 Shoreway Rd. line) BASIC/Debug program, along sion. Belmont, CA 94002 with a communications program, up- Z8800-A Super8 version, with Voice: 415-592-8097 loads a program assembled in Z8 for- improved instructionsetthatin- FAX: 415-592-2503 mat to the desired location in mem- cludes multiply and divide instruc- Z8 chips ory in the Z8 system. Once the pro- tions, Boolean and BCD (binary- gram is loaded into memory, you can coded decimal) operations, DMA JDR Microdevices call it from BASIC/Debug with a GO () controller, 2233 Samaritan Dr. @ statement. More details on this ability to run at 20 MHz and other San Jose, CA 95124 and how to use the assembler are giv- improvements. Voice: 1-800-538-5000 en in the documentation files. Z86C27/97 DTC digital television FAX: 1-800-538-5005 Full -featured Z8 assemblers are controller. An application -specific Z8 chips available as well from Zilog and version, containing a Z8, an on- others. Another possibility is to use a screen -display video controller and Micromint universal cross -assembler that sup- 13 pulse -width -modulator outputs. 4 Park St. ports the Z8. Such a cross -assembler It's meant for use in color -television Vernon, CT 06066 is a single program that assembles control products. Zilog is continuing Voice: 203-871-6170 programs for a variety of microcom- to develop other application -specific FAX: 203-872-2204 puters from different families. Z8s meant for specialized markets. BCC 11 Z8 BASIC Computer, expan- A convenient feature of the Z8's Send comments, suggestions and sion boards, Z8 FORTH chip architecture is that any of its general- questions on topics relating to de- purpose registers can be used as an signing, building and programming PseudoCorp. microcontrollers or other small, de- 716 Thimble Shoals Blvd. , address pointer, index Suite E register or on -chip stack. This con- dicated computers to Jan Axelson, Newport News, VA 23606 trasts with many other devices in ComputerCraft, 76 North Broad- Voice: 804-873-1947 which specific registers are dedicated way, Hicksville, NY 11801. For a FAX: 804-873-2154 to these purposes, and, for example, personal response, please include a Z8 assembler, disassembler, simulator all calculations must be funneled self-addressed, stamped envelope. through an accumulator. Next time: low -power designs for An inconvenient Z8 feature is that battery -powered projects. Software Science 3750 Roundbottom Rd. several of its internal registers are Cincinnati, OH 45244 write -only. To configure the I/O Voice: 513-561-2060 ports, you write values to their mode ProtoQuick Z8 development board, ap- registers, but there's no way of read- plication notes ing the values back. Packaging options for the Z8671 include a 40 -pin DIP (dual in -line Zilog, Inc. package) and a 44 -pin surface -mount 210 Hacienda Ave. chip carrier. Besides the Z8671, other Campbell, CA 95008-6609 Voice: 408-370-8000 Z8 versions (none of these have BA- Z8single -chipmicrocomputer;Z8 SIC/Debug) include the following: Family Design Handbook (No. Z8681/82-A ROM -less version. 03-8275-03);Z8671 BASIC/Debug Like the Z8671, but without BA- Reference Manual (No. 03-3149-03) SIC/Debug in ROM. Assembly -lan- Jan Axelson

58 / COMPUTERCRAFT / December 1991 Say You Saw It In Computercraft ApplicationBy Hardin Brothers Computer Viruses

The ins and outs of computer viral infections

Some children believe in ogres and The simplest kind of malicious your spreadsheet calculations by a bogeymen. Rational adults, like program is called a "logic bomb." factor of four? If so, I've got a bridge those of us who use computers, are Often inserted into a normal applica- you might like to buy. supposed to be too mature and intel- tion program, a logic bomb seems to "Worms" are a little more com- ligent for such nonsense. But if you do nothing at all-until it detects plex than Trojans and logic bombs. walk into a users -group meeting and some condition inside the computer. A worm's goal is usually to work as start a conversation about computer This may be a specific date on the long as possible on your computer viruses, you'll find a credulous audi- computer's clock, a special string without attracting your attention. As ence that will shudder at each men- typed on the keyboard or anything a worm runs, it "wiggles" through tion of computer infection. And else a program can detect. When the your data, either in disk files or in some users are ready to blame every- thing from a misaligned disk drive to a file misplaced in the directory tree "A virus can't magically leap across phone lines ... you on some insidious virus attack. Unlike bogeymen, computer vi- or someone else put it there." ruses do exist and can wreak a great deal of harm. But they don't seem nearly as prevalent as some publish- condition occurs, the logic bomb memory, changing random bits or ers of anti -viral software, and some comes to life and performs its mali- bytes. More insidious, the result in a members of the mass media, want us ciousness. Logic bombs are some- text file might look like just a few ex- to believe. Besides, if you're careful, times hidden in a company account- tra typographical errors that your you can keep viruses out of your ing or database program, put there spelling checker missed. The result in computer system and off your com- by a disgruntled programmer or an important spreadsheet file or ac- pany's network. And part of that other employee. counting program could be disas- care is understanding just what a vi- In the past, some shareware pro- trous to your business. rus can and can't do. grams contained logic bombs to The problem with a skillfully -writ- A virus is nothing more than a pro- force users to register the software or ten worm program is that you may gram or piece of a program that stop using it. But such programs not detect it until you've used the cor- someone has written. If it attacks soon were erased from bulletin boards rupted data for an important pur- your computer system, you or some- and shareware diskettes because of pose or overwritten your last pre - one else put it there and ran it. A virus user uproar over lost data files and worm backup disks or tape. Some can't magically leap across phone threats of lawsuits and criminal pro- worms make very subtle changes that lines. In fact, it can't do anything un- secution against anyone who deliber- aren't immediately obvious. til you run it or the program that con- ately wrote a program that would de- A "virus" is more complex than a tains it. Of course, few people would stroy other people's data. logic bomb, Trojan or worm, but it purposely harm their computers and Another simple but malicious pro- may contain elements of any or all of data by installing a virus. Usually, gram is called a "Trojan." The name them. A virus is a block of program the virus programmer gets you to run comes from the Trojan horse the code that knows how to copy itself the virus by hiding it in a useful or Greeks used to enter and capture the from a running program to one or entertaining program. Once you run city of Troy. A Trojan is a program more executable programs on your the virus, it can perform whatever ac- that seems to be doing something in- disk. When those programs are run, tions its programmer intended. Un- teresting or entertaining but is secret- the virus is executed again and can in- fortunately, that's often some form ly erasing files or reformatting your fect still other programs. Viruses that of maliciousness. hard disk while it's running. contain a worm or logic bomb can in- Several kinds of malicious pro- Trojans are the simplest malicious fect dozens, hundreds or even thou- grams often get lumped together un- programs to write and often the easi- sands of executable programs before der the generic term "computer vi- est to detect. The program's wild they're detected and eradicated. rus." But each has a different pur- claims often make a Trojan easy to Techniques that viruses use to in- pose and effect, and each requires a spot. For example, would you run a fect programs aren't at all complex. different form of detection and free utility that was only 4,000 bytes The structure of .COM and .EXE ex- prevention. long and claimed to speed up all of ecutable files are well -documented.

Say You Saw It In Computercraft December 1991 / COMPUTERCRAFT / 59 NOW YOU'RE An assembly -language programmer your disk, either making the file can easily write code that can insert longer or replacing some of the code TALKING! itself into either kind of program file or data already in the file. If you and that will be executed before the know that a file hasn't been infected, The Code -Free underlying program begins. it's an easy matter to make sure that a Ham License is Here Viruses are often written to insert virus never attacks it. themselves into COMMAND.COM, A simple way to protect a file is to Enjoy all Amateur Radio privileges the program that provides the DOS make sure thatitslength never above 30 MHz without having to pass user interface and runs every time changes, and that is the first line of a code test. All you have to do is pass you boot your computer. From defense of many protection pro- a 55 -question exam on basic radio and COMMAND.COM, they can spread grams. If the length of an executable the FCC regulations. ARRL's new to every file on your system. file does change, and if you haven't book, Now You're Talking makes Other viruses infect the boot re- written and modified the program understanding what is required on the yourself, then it's likely that a virus test a snap! And there are exams given cords on your hard drive or floppy all over the country every weekend. disks. The boot record is a short pro- has attacked it. gram that runs whenever you boot up A more thorough method of mak- your computer. Normally, all it does ing sure an executable file doesn't _yo(10 is load and execute the core of DOS. change is to calculate a unique num- 0-wTALKING !+a. The boot record on a floppy data ber for each file. Simple programs DISCOVER THE WORLD OF HAM RADIO disk simply displays a message that find the sum of all bytes or two -byte states on -screen that it's a non -sys- words in the file, which is called a tem disk. If a virus can infect the boot checksum. More complex but surer record, you'll run it every time you methods use one or more CRC (Cyl- boot your computer. indrical Redundancy Check) algori- The damage that a virus does is, of thms to find a unique number for course, a decision made by whoever every file. A clever programmer can wrote the original program code. An hide new code in a program without early and famousvirusprinted affecting the checksum, but it's ex- "Gimme a cookie" on the screen. As tremely difficultto fool a CRC soon as the user typed "cookie," the algorithm. message disappeared and the user Anti -viral programs that use this could continue working. However, strategy read all important or all ex- Just think how much fun you'll have once the cookie virus infected a pro- ecutable files and record the length communicating throughrepeaters, gram, the message appeared with in- and CRC or checksum of each in a enjoy Sporadic E skip and worldwide creasing frequency until the applica- database. They later scan through communications on six meters when the files, perhaps each time a pro- conditions are right. There's satellite tion was no longer usable. Other rela- communication and you can even talk tively benign viruses use up all free gram is run, to make sure that neither to Astronauts and Cosmonauts in orbit. disk space or hide all subdirectories. the length nor number has changed. Enjoy friendlylocal communication More malicious programs erase However, some legitimate applica- both direct and through repeaters. Help files or subdirectories, reformat the tion programs record user options in with disaster drills and the real thing! hard disk or try to boost the video their own executable files. For ex- Sound like fun? It is! Order your copy card output frequency so high that ample, if you change screen colors or of Now You're Talking below: key mappings, an application might Enclosed is $19 plus $4 for shipping the monitor will self-destruct. In oth- er words, their perpetrators are dan- record the new information in the (a total of $23) or charge $23 to my .EXE file instead of an options file. ( ) VISA ()Mastercard () Discover gerous criminals who have no respect ( )American Express for anyone else's property. For some When this happens, a virus -checking reason, these people find amusement program might refuse to let the pro- in destroying unknown victims' com- gram execute because it will have a Signature puter systems. new CRC or perhaps new length. Acct. No. Partially because of this potential Good from Expires conflict with virus -checkers, this sim- ple way of recording user options Name Detecting a Virus seems to be losing popularity. Address There are several commercial and Another problem with this anti- shareware programs that will detect viral strategy is that it makes pro- viruses that have infested computers gram development difficult. If you're City State Zip and help you prevent future attacks. writing your own programs, even CC These programs generally use one or simple utilities or games, you'll want more of the following tactics. to exclude them from the checks until THE AMERICAN RADIO RELAY LEAGUE A virus works by adding its own you've finished developing them. If 225 MAIN STREET code to an executable file already on you don't like this, a virus -checker NEWINGTON, CT 06111

CIRCLE NO. 53 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD 60 / COMPUTERCRAFT / December 1991 Say You Saw It In Computercraft Shortcuts to Repair PC's Down to the will object to every new version you compile. E)Chip Level in Under 10 Minutes Like every program, every virus is a unique collection of bytes. Once MANAGERS TECHNICIANS someone has identified a virus,it NAC PROGRAMS CAN: NAC TRAINING OFFERS: doesn't take too much work to find a Help your department drastically reduce The most comprehensive hands-on train- string of bytes that are unique to the down time and increase efficiency. ing classes available. virus. An anti -viral program can then Increase productivity of New tools add information staff and users. to shorten troubleshooting scan through every file on your disk and repair time. and look for that signature string. If Saves your department valuable dollars on com- The latest schematics not it finds the string in a file, that file is puter support and repair. available from IBM and other manufacturers. probably infected. Reduce computer spare

This is the thinking behind a large parts inventory. Vital Novell/LAN skills that will make you more knowl- group of virus -detection programs. Safeguard valuable data edgeable and more valu- They contain the signatures of doz- from hardware failure. able at your job. ens of known viruses. They can scan Provide immediate re- Nuts and bolts training from sponse to customer and/or Analog Signal to Zero Wait all executable files on your disk look- department needs. ing for each string. If they find a State. Make your department PC Repair, PS/2, Printers, match, they report which program more self sufficient. 111111111111111111111111111111111111 Networking, PS/2 Monitors, file appears to be infected. Increase quality 11111111111111111111111M intim. and Front -Line Support Such programs are great for identi- and knowledge Courses. of technicians. fying and finding a virus that may al- Offer your staff ready be infecting your system. The opportunities for search takes a while, of course, but self-improve- 711 it's thorough. And these virus -hunt- ment. National Advancement ing programs manage to avoid most CALL (800) 832-4787-in calif. (800) 443-3384Corporation of the problems and inconveniences 2730-J South Harbor Santa Ana, CA 92704 (714) 754-7110 of the programs that collectfile CIRCLE NO. 81 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD length and CRCs. But a virus -hunting program is only as good as its list of signature strings. If you use such a program, you must make sure that you always have the ATTENT latest version in order to catch the most -recent (and, therefore, probab- ly most -prevalent) viruses. ELECTRomici The strategies I've discussed so far may help you keep your comput- Wag er virus -free, but they won't pro- Co-a tect you from non -virus Trojans EARN YOUR \ and logic bombs. To keep such pro- grams from doing damage, there are B.S.E.E. "watch" programs that sit in your DEGREE computer's memory and keep a THROUGH HOME STUDY sharp lookout for unexpected at- Our NewandHighly Effective Advanced -Place- tempts to access your hard disk di- ment Program for experienced Electronic Tech- rectly, change the system date or per- nicians grants credit for previous Schooling and Professional Experience, and can greatlyre- form other mischief. ducethe time required to complete Program and These programs work by monitor- reach graduation. No residence schooling re- quired for qualified Electronic Technicians. ing the interrupt calls all programs Through this Special Program you can pullallof make to use DOS and BIOS services. the loose ends of your electronics background together and earn your B.S.E.E. Degree. Up- Some interrupt services are normal grade your status and pay to the Engineering and benign, and these watchful pro- Level.Advance Rapidly!Many finish in 12 months or less. Students and graduates in at 50 grams let calls to these services pro- States and throughout the World. Established ceed as normal. But other service re- Over 40 Years! Write for free Descriptive Lit- quests are suspicious: why should an erature. application program attempt to read your hard disk directly, for example? COOK'S INSTITUTE And why should any program want OF ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING to reformat your hard disk? eirE 4251 CYPRESS DRIVE JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI 39212 These programs give DOS the low- "

CIRCLENO. 64 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD CIRCLE NO. 52 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD

Say You Saw It In Computercraft December 1991 / COMPUTERCRAFT / 61 COMPUTER VIRUS SURVIVALGUIDE Published by THE NATIONAL COMPUTERSECURITY ASSOCIATION level access to your computerit do they operate? What do I do if my needs, but they keep application pro- What causes viruses? How grams well-behaved. If you do run a computer becomes infected? How do Ichoose anti -virus products? program or infected application that What policy and proceduresshould be implemented? tries to maliciously attack your sys- tem, a watch program may be able to This 75 page booklet gives managers and usersthe key facts they need Identify, and Recover from Viruses. ward off the attack. to know about how to Prevent, Detect, However, you may have some util- ities on your disk that legitimately Guide" Send $7.00 to: FOR YOUR COPY OF "Computer Virus use low-level services.If you do, National Computer Security Association 17705 you'll have to turn off the watch pro- 227 West Main Street, Mechanicsburg, PA gram each time you run one of these special utilities. Don't forget to ask about NCSA's othervaluable publications and membership information. Avoiding Problems CIRCLE NO. 83 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD You can use special programs to pro- tect your computer from a virus. Some of those programs are very ex- K.D. VIDEO 107 SPECTRUM PROBE ?$249. pensive,but they're undoubtedly converts any scope into a worthwhile for large networks and FOR ALL YOUR CABLE TV NEEDS other computers with sensitive data. 100MHz spectrum analyzer WE SPECIALIZE IN DEALER PRICING But with a few simple steps, you can 60dB display dynamic range OTY 1 10 20 do a lot to protect your system with- Jerrold (Type) SB-3 89.00 56.0048.00 SMITH DESIGN 30 day refund, VISA/MC out resorting to anti -viral utilities. Jerrold (Type) Tri-Bi 119.00 69.0065.00 1324 HarrisDresher, PA 19025(215) 643-6340 Scientific Atlanta SA -3 129.00 80.0075.00 Your computer can't be hurt un- Hamlin MLD-1200 99.00 59.0045.00 Oak N-12 Vari-Sync 99.00 59.0058.00 less you (or someone else) loads and Jerrold 550 Converter 99.00 75.0068.00 runs a viral or malicious program. If Jerrold 400 DRX-3DIC CABLE TV (With Built in SB-3) 169.00 109.00100.00 you avoid such programs, you have DESCRAMBLERS nothing to worry about. Of course, 1-800-327-3407 ALL TYPES 800-582-1114 you can also escape having a cold by Call us for prices on large quantities FREE CATALOG avoiding cold viruses. But doing so is K.D. Video PO Box 29538, Mpls., MN 55429 M.K. ELECTRONICS 7958 Pines Blvd Suite 276 Pembroke Pines, FL 33024 nearly impossible. It's much easier to avoid infected computer programs, however. The first rule is to get all your soft- ware from safe sources. Write your own software, buy commercial pro- Subscribe Now and Save grams in shrink-wrapped packages, download programs from only ma- jor information services and bulletin boards, and buy shareware disks NOW - THE ALL NEW URD/Ioz ,INC. REMOVE from only very reputable dealers. None of these steps absolutely en- HARDWARE LOCKS sures that your system won't be SDK -386T" harmed, but they go a long way to- PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT! '386 is a trademark of Intel Corporation. Used by permission. wards meeting that goal. MAINTAIN PRODUCTIVITY! 32 BIT MICROPROCESSOR TRAINER It's possible that a bug in your AND DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM Software utility that allows for own, hand-crafted program may With optional 80387 Floating Point Coprocessor, 16 Kbytes of EPROM -or the removal of hardware locks. Monitor, Utilities and User Expansion, 32 Kbytes of Static RAM, 508 harm data on your disk. Most pro- Matrix Keypad, 40 Character x 2 Line Dot Matrix Liquid Crystal Display Avalable for most major with Optional Accesssories. grammers know how to avoid this kind of catastrophe by taking such CAD/CAM and PCB Also available: software programs actions as running potentially dan- the 8 Bit SDK -85 and the 16 Bit SDK -86 gerous programs from floppy disk Easy - Simple - Guaranteed Coming in 1992: and using modern debuggers to thor- Programs start at $99.00 U.S. the 8 Bit SDK -51 Microcontroller oughly test the dangerous sections of Visa and Mastercard Welcome CALL URDA®, INC. code. Call or Fax for more Information 1-800-338-0517 or (412) 683-8732 It's also possible that a commercial program might be infected with a vi- SafeSoft Systems Inc. URDA®, Inc. Has Additional Single Board Products: rus. At least one company has acci- 202-1100 Concordia Ave. Phone (204) 669-4639 8086 68000 68020 68030 32010 D S P Winnipeg, Mb. R2K 4138 FAX (204) 668-3566 dentally shipped an infected applica- Canada With Cross Assemblers for MS-DOS Computers

IRCLE NO. 97 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD CIRCLE NO. 91 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD 62 / COMPUTERCRAFT / December 1991 Say You Saw It In Computercraft Earn Your B.S. Degree in tion with a virus that came from a backup disks or tape and have a still - game on a free-lance programmer's infected computer. ELECTRONICS machine. But most software compa- In addition to using a normal rota- or nies take many precautions to make ting backup system that would nor- sure that their software is virus -free mally protect your data, you should COMPUTERS because their reputations and, conse- also make occasional archive back- quently, businesses could be ruined ups of your entire hard disk. These with one mistake. backups should be put away and not The same is true for information over -written, at least not for several services like CompuServe and major months. If your system is attacked, bulletin boards. Operators of these you can go back to the last backup services test programs thoroughly you know to be clean and work for- and run several virus checkers before ward from there, restoring more -re- making any program available for cent files from your daily backups as

"Don't ever run a program that comes from a 'friend of a friend'." By Studying at Home Grantham College of Engineering, now in our 41st year, is highly ex- downloading. Their time and efforts you test their validity with an anti -vi- perienced in "distance education"- are justified by the confidence that ral program. teaching by correspondence-through their users have in the software that's This kind of backup sounds expen- printed materials, computer materials, available. sive because you'll have to dedicate fax, and phone. Don't ever run a program that several diskettes or tapes for archival No commuting to class. Study at comes from "a friend of a friend," purposes. But it's a lot cheaper than your own pace, while continuing on especially if it's a pirated application losing an entire system because of a your present job. Learn from easy -to - or game. This warning also extends virus. You'll have to decide how understand but complete and thorough to programs that show up unsolicited much your data and custom applica- lesson materials, with additional help in the mail. If you were malicious tions are worth. from our instructors. enough to want to infect other peo- One insidious effect of some active Our Computer B.S. Degree Pro- ple's computers with a virus, how viruses is that they can infect distri- would you get them to run the infect- gram includes courses in BASIC, bution files on floppy disks when you PASCAL and C languages - as well as ing program? How about distribut- install new software. For that reason, ing a "free" or "beta" copy of a ma- Assembly Language, MS DOS, CADD, it's prudent to put a write -protect tab Robotics, and much more. jor application or game? Or by ship- of every distribution diskette you ob- ping a disk to everyone on a comput- tain, copy the entire diskette to a new Our Electronics B.S. Degree Pro- er mailing list. Put on a label that says disk and then install the program gram includes courses in Solid -State "Type A: RUNME," and your vi- from the copy. Circuit Analysis and Design, Control rus will start to spread quickly. If you want to invest in an anti -vi- Systems, Analog/ Digital Communica- Operators of small bulletin boards rus program, there are many to choose tions, Microwave Engr, and much more. can't always afford the time to check from. Viruscan ($25) and Clean -Up An important part of being pre- each new program thoroughly. If ($35) are a pair of popular shareware pared to move up is holding the right you download a program from a bul- programs from McAfee Associates. college degree, and the absolutely neces- letin board, make sure that it has The first scans your files and disk sary partis knowing your field. been available for at least a couple of boot sectors looking for known virus Grantham can help you both ways- weeks. By that time, someone else "signature" strings. You can use to learn more and to earn your degree who downloaded it will have tried it Clean -Up to remove most viruses in the process. and warned the BBS operator if the from infected program files. Write or phone for our free program contains a virus. Flu_Shot+ from Software Con- catalog. Toll free, 1-800-955-2527, or A second way to protect your sys- cepts Design ($19) is a popular watch see mailing address below. tem is to back up your hard disk regu- program that has several interesting larly. If a malicious program should enhancements. You can give it a list Accredited by attack your computer and delete files of programs (such as the DOS FOR- the Accrediting Commission of the National Home Study Council or reformat your hard disk, you'll be MAT utility and your favorite TSRs) able to restore the system easily and that have the right to act "suspicious- quickly. Unfortunately, most schemes ly." It will let those programs behave GRANTHAM for backing up data aren't satisfacto- normally but will trap most virus ry for anti -virus backups. It's quite activities. College of Engineering possible to restore infected files from If you prefer commercial soft - Grantham College Road Slidell, LA 70460

Say You Saw It In Computercraft December 1991 / COMPUTERCRAFT / 65 CABLE TV USE YOUR FREE DESCRAMBLERS! ware, you'll find many anti -viral pro- INFORMATION CARD grams available. Central Point Soft- CABLE KINGDOM! ware'sAnti -Virusprogram com- bines both watch and scan programs. Use the It knows the signature strings of 800 How do I get viruses and lets you add new signa- more data? free into card. tures as additional viruses are trapped and identified. You can download new strings from Central Point's bulletin board and from its Compu- Serve forum. No matter what program you choose, make sure that you can get *JEROLD* *OAK* *HAMLIN* frequent updates. An anti -viral pro- *ZENITH* *PIONEER* gram that can identify only last year's *SCIENTIFIC ATLANTA* viruses is worse than useless because it will give you a false sense of securi- IN STOCK ty. Several new viruses appear each month, and you should be able to get 6 MONTH WARRANTY! WE SHIP COD! updates of an anti -viral scan pro- ABSOLUTELY LOWEST WHOLESALE/ gram every four to six weeks. RETAIL PRICES! I'm afraid that this discussion of ******FREE CATALOG viruses has made them sound like the Free Product Information bogeyman that some people think J.P. VIDEO they are. But if you take simple pre- 1470 OLD COUNTRY RD Readers can obtain free information on cautions, you may never see a virus SUITE 315 products advertised, as well as for PLAINVIEW, NY 11803 some editorially mentioned products. on your computer at all. In 10 years, NO N.Y. SALES Simply circle the appropriate number none of my computers has been in- CALL NOW! 1 (800) 950-9145 printed below an advertisement onto fected, even though I load and test theCC "FreeInformation Service" dozens of new programs monthly. IRCLE NO. 48 ON FREE INFORMATION ( SRI) into this issue. After filling in The people who write and distrib- ..... your name and address, just mail the Satellite -TV P ute viruses are the computer equiva- Cat FF postpaid card. Your request will be for- lent of vandals and thugs. I don't SAVE 40% - 60% warded directly to the advertiser with a 48 Page Catalog; it's loaded wit spend my time huddled in a corner of All Major Brands, Systems, 9 mailing label prepared by our reader - Upgrades, Components 8 Accessories my house in case someone decides to service department. Huge Savings, Easy Installation and vandalize it, nor do I spend my com- t4 Complete Intructions 800.334-6455 gie.SKYVISION INC. 218.739-5231 Intl puting time putting up every virus 1018 FRONTIER DRIVE FERGUS FALLS, MN 56537 protection measure I can think of. INSTALL OR UPDATE YOURSELF' I'm aware of the potential for infes- tation and take some simple precau- POST CODE MASTER tions, including frequent and thor- Debug PCs, Using Built in ough backups. Power On Self Test (POST) If you really want to worry about 0 Listings and database WANT TO DESIGN A CUSTOM your computer, think about how for major BIOS types CONTROLLER? much data is crammed onto the small CI Power Supply LEDs -7. Try our experimenter kits based on Motorola's surfaces of your hard disk and about 0 For IBM AT & comp- best 8 -bit microcontroller: how a few quantum events could de- atibles including Compaq stroy crucial bits or how a speck of LI Only $59.00 HC11 dust or a worn bearing could wipe out your entire hard disk. Or worry PORT TEST IT about the possibility of a lightning PC Serial/Parallel Port bolt striking your power system and Diagnostic Software. zapping all the electronics in your 0 Comprehensive Diagnostics and Utilities computer. Both are probably as like- 0 Universal Loopback ly to occur as a virus infection on plug Included most individual computers. 0 Identify Addresses You probably take reasonable pre- 0 Only $89.00 cautions against both of those risks and then forget about them. You Minotaur Systems 1 :1=4;:=2:17104 42418 Valley Rd., Drexel Hill PA 19026 should do the same about the risk of a T'SD.a. SanJose, CA95117 . (408)296-4000 Fax: (408)296-5877 computer virus infection.

CIRCLE NO. 78 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD CIRCLE NO. 79 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD 66 / COMPUTERCRAFT / December 1991 Say You Saw It In Computercraft A Wireless Audio Output Port For Your Computer

In the October 1991 issue, I described an optical interface port that permits a com- +9v puter to control external devices without a direct wire connection between com- puter and device being controlled. Briefly C1 q recapping, the technique consists of at- IZ taching one or more light-sensitive pho- 1

todiodes to the computer's monitor. <- When a pixel adjacent to a photodiode is LED illuminated, the resulting photocurrent is TO 5(07 amplified and used to actuate a relay. MI CR°Po -Ionia. R2 yy One limitation of the optical interface OR ioK port is that it doesn't work with liquid - 'rteLE PA -40°Qa I fvDC.JCrION crystal displays that aren't equipped with COIL a back light. And a drawback of the (SEE TEXT) C2. method is that the photodiode, or optical fiber that leads to the photodiode, must be physically attached to the screen (un- less you use a miniature lens assembly to view the screen from a distance). An alternative to both limitations that doesn't require a direct wire link between Fig. 1. An audio interface port for a personal computer. a computer and device being controlled is an audio output port. This kind of port will work with most computers that can be programmed to produce a tone-and it doesn't require a physical connection to Audio Output Port Design the computer. ly tracks the fluctuating frequency of an A basic audio port requires an audio input signal. A particularly useful PLL transducer (microphone or induction for our purpose is the 567 tone decoder. coil), an audio amplifier and a relay driv- This eight -pin chip includes an adjustable Why a Wireless Port? er. This combination will respond to internal oscillator. When an incoming Standard methods for controlling an ex- sounds from a computer, but better re- frequency matches the frequency of the ternal device with a computer use the sults will be obtained if your circuit in- 567's oscillator, the loop's error voltage computer's serial port or parallel printer cludes a frequency discriminator or filter that signifies the difference between the port. The computer's bus can also be used that responds only to a sound of a par- two frequencies falls to zero and the forthispurpose. Of course,these ticularfrequency.Circuitslikethis, chip's pin 8 output goes low. The output methods require that wires be connected known as tuned amplifiers, active filters goes high when the incoming signal is re- between the computer and whatever is to and tone decoders, significantly reduce moved or if its frequency shifts away be controlled. They also use up a port the amount of false triggering that would from that of the 567. socket or expansion slot. otherwise occur. In Fig. 1 is shown a simple 567 audio in- Optical and audio interface ports re- There are several ways to design tuned terface you can build. The circuit will quire no wire connection to the comput- amplifiers. One is to use a resistor -capaci- work with a microphone if the computer er. Therefore, they can provide complete tor network and an op amp. The result is produces a sufficiently loud tone. Since electricalisolation between computer an active tuned filter. Another is to use a many computers don't produce a loud and device being controlled. They don't switched -capacitor filter. enough tone, I prefer to replace the mi- occupy a card slot or serial port. They can No matter which way the tuned ampli- crophone with a standard telephone in- also be used with other kinds of electronic fier is designed, all it does is pass a signal duction coil. The coil must be mounted devices. For example, an optical inter- to which it's tuned. Therefore, some kind within a few centimeters of the comput- face can detect when an indicator light is of output detector is required before the er's speaker. Since the induction coil is an on or off. An audio interface can detect signal will trigger a relay. One way around electromagnetic device, it will only work sounds produced by a smoke alarm, mi- this is to use a phase -locked loop (PLL) with magnetic speakers, not the piezo- crowave oven, alarm clock and digital instead of a tuned amplifier. electric variety that's used in some small timer. Therefore, both optical and audio computers. interface ports might be adapted for use Phase -locked Loops The 741 op amp boosts the strength of by people who lack normal hearing or vi- A phase -locked loop is a sophisticated the signal from the microphone or induc- sion capabilities. analog or digital circuit that automatical- tion coil and passes it directly to input pin

Say You Saw It In Computercraft December 1991 / COMPUTERCRAFT / 67 Forrest M. Mims III

3 of the 567 PLL tone decoder. The tone - to 9 volts. It's spdt contacts can switch up coil slowly until the LED stays illumin- detection frequency of the 567 is deter- to 2 amperes. ated. Mark the exact location of the best mined by the values of R2 and C2, using Caution: To avoid the possibility of a spot on the enclosure with a small piece of the formula F = 1.1/R2C2. The value of dangerous electrical shock, you must tape. R2 should be between 2,000 and 20,000 properly insulate and protect all connec- If the LED doesn't light, the center fre- ohms. With the values shown in Fig. 1, tions if -you use a relay to switch power to quency of the 567 is out of range or the the expected detection frequency is ap- any ac -line -operated device. computer's speaker is too far from the proximately 1.1 kHz. The actual detec- cabinet wall. First, try changing the fre- tion frequency, however, is affected by quency of the tone generated by the com- tolerance variations of the components in Testing the Audio Port puter by varyingFin theSOUNDstate- the circuit. Therefore, I wasn't surprised I experimented with the basic Fig. 1 cir- ment. For example,SOUND 1100, 1000 when the prototype circuit I built yielded cuit with several computers. Since the 567 will produce a 1.1 kHz tone. a center frequency close to 1 kHz. requires a minimum input signal level of If changes in theSOUNDstatement The bandpass of the 567 is determined around 2 volts or so, the sound from only don't work and if you're sure you've as- by the value of C4. The value of this capa- one computer was loud enough for a mi- sembled the circuit properly, then you'll citor in microfarads should be n/f, where crophone to be used without removing have to place the induction coil closer to f is the 567 center frequency and n ranges the computer's cabinet. Therefore, I re- the computer's speaker. Some computers from 1,300 (for a bandpass of up to 14% placed the microphone with an induction feature an external audio port. You can of f) to 62,000 (for a bandpass of as little coil and achieved much better results. connect a small amplifier with a speaker as 2% of f). The usable bandpass of the Another benefit of using an induction to this and then place the induction coil prototype circuit extended from 936 to coil is that the circuit is immune to in- adjacent to this external speaker. 1,081 Hz. This is the range over which the terference from ambient sounds. If your computer doesn't have an au- 567 was triggered when the circuit was If the speaker in the computer is in- dio port, you must remove the com- used with a computer. stalled close to the case and if the case is puter's case to gain better access to the Since the 567 is specified for operation made from plastic, you might be able to speaker. Switch off the computer, re- at a potential ranging from 4.75 to 9 volts, attach the induction coil's suction cup di- move the power cord from its receptacle the power supply voltage shouldn't ex- rectly to the case. First, you have to deter- and remove the case. Then reconnect the ceed ± 9 volts. I used two 9 -volt batteries mine the exact location of the speaker. power cord and switch on the computer. to power the prototype circuit. One way to do this is to instruct your Caution: Make sure the computer is The Fig. 1 circuit drives a LED through computer to generate a tone that lasts for switched off and the power is disconnect- current -limiting resistor R3. The LED is 10 seconds or more while you move the ed before removing the computer's case. helpful for adjusting the circuit and induction coil around the case and ob- Dangerous electrical voltages are present checking its operation. For practical ap- serve the result. in the power -supply portion of a comput- plications, the LED and R3 can be re- The BASIC statement for creating an er powered by the ac line. Therefore, do placed with a low -voltage relay that audio tone isSOUND F,T,(whereFis the not touch any exposed cards or compo- switches on over a range of from 5 to 9 frequency in Hz and T is the duration). nents inside the computer when the case is volts. The relay's coil should have a resis- Therefore, go to BASIC and typeSOUND removed. tance of at least several hundred ohms. I 1000, 1000 and hit ENTER. Then begin After the computer is running again, used a Radio Shack Cat. No. 275-005 re- probing with the induction coil while enter aSOUNDstatement and place the lay with the prototype circuit. This relay observing the output LED. If the LED induction coil adjacent to the back or has a 500 -ohm coil and pulls in at from 7 flickers or flashes, you're close. Move the front of the speaker. Change theSOUND

R

1,f

AD11K1(11.9 13 S(0'7 0 R RESET 22K 1144 L.= OF F HOGG. = RESET 7

Fig. 3. A digitally resettable latching circuit for the audio interface Fig. 2. A latching circuit for the audio interface circuit. circuit.

68 / COMPUTERCRAFT / December 1991 Say You Saw It In Computercraft F value as necessary until the LED glows 567 circuit. puter (or signal generator) exceeds a few continually. Incidentally, if you go to the trouble of volts, the 567 should trigger. This simple routine will let you make removing your computer's cabinet, you quick changes in F: may want to try a microphone input. I Adding to the Circuit found that both a microphone and an in- The output of the basic Fig. 1circuit 10 INPUT "FREQUENCY";F duction coil would work well with one switches on only when a tone of appropri- 20 SOUND F,25 computer-but only when the cabinet ate frequency is present. In many applica- 30 GOTO 10 was removed so I could place these trans- tions, it's important to be able to latch the ducers closer to the speaker. output after only a brief tone. In Fig. 2 is When entered and run, this routine will If none of the suggestions given above shown a simple latch circuit you can add ask you to enter any desired frequency. It work, carefully check the wiring of your to the 567. The circuit can be reset after it will then generate that frequency for sev- interface circuit. If you have a signal has latched simply by pressing SI . eral seconds and ask you to enter another generator, connect it to a small speaker or Figure 3 shows another latching circuit choice. speaker amplifier to produce an adjust- for the 567. This circuit is identical to the Another way to check the response of able tone. When adjusted to the proper one in Fig. 2, except that the manualRE- the 567 is to use a routine that generates a frequency, this should trigger your inter- SETswitch has been replaced by an stepped series of tones. For example: face. Use the square -wave setting if the analog switch to permit the circuit to be sine -wave setting doesn't work. reset by a logic signal. 10 'STEPPED TONE GENERATOR An oscilloscopeisvery handy for You can also use an array of 567s to de- 20 FOR F = 900 TO 1100 troubleshooting the circuit. Connect the tect the presence of a series of tones of 30 PRINT F scope's input probe to pin 3 of the 567 different frequencies. This will permit 40 SOUND F,1 and ground. If the signal from the corn - your computer to control several external 50 NEXT F

This routine cycles through the frequen- cies between 900 and 1,100 Hz at 1 -Hz in- tervals. The PRINT statement is optional, but I've found it very helpful to see the Subscribe Now and Save tonefrequencydisplayed on -screen. Since the bandpass of the 567 is consider- ably broader than 1 Hz, you can speed up the process by amending line 20 to in- clude a STEP feature. For example,

20 FOR F = 900 TO 1100 STEP 20 NU-VUE ELECTRONICS CABLE TV DESCRAMBLERS will advance the tone frequency in steps State of The Art * CONVERTERS * of 20 Hz. Converters/Descramblers and ACCESSORIES. After the audio port responds to a tone of known frequency, it's interesting to Free Catalog determine the minimum duration tone to 1-800-833-2915 SAVEMONEY. which it will respond. This question is of RENT! more than passing interest when the 567 is Includes Other Specialty Electronics DON'T set to detect low frequencies. At very -low Best Warranties/Best Guarantees PANASONIC, JERROLD, OAK, audio frequencies, the 567 may require 175-B US Hwy. 1 PIONEER, SCIENTIFIC ATLANTA up to a second or so to lock onto a tone. AND MORE. LOWEST PRICES FREE CATALOG. Suite 308 CABLEREADY Knowing the minimum tone duration is Tequesta, FL 33469 COMPANY (800) 234-1006 also important when it's necessary to speed up a program. A routine, which may not work with all versions of BASIC, will help you deter- mine the minimum duration tone to which your circuit will respond follows: MOTHERBOARD UPGRADES

10 'MINIMUM TONE DURATION Upgrade your IBM XT, AT, or XT/286/386 Compatible with a CHECK 20 FOR T = .1 TO 1 STEP .1 new 286/12, 386SX/20 or 386DX/25 motherboard.Prices as 30 FOR D =1 TO 200: NEXT D low as $220.00 for 286/12 with 1 MB 8Ons RAM. Award XT,AT, 40 SOUND 1000,T 386 BIOS also available. Call for FREE Catalog and Tek Sheet. 50 PRINT T 60 NEXT T Authorized Award Distributor. KOMPUTERWERK If you watch the screen as the circuit runs, 851 Parkview Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15215 you'll be able to quickly determine the minimum tone duration required by your Orders 800 423-3400 - Technical Support (412)782-0384

CIRCLE NO. 74 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD Say You Saw It In Computercraft December 1991 / COMPUTERCRAFT / 69 Forrest M. Minis III Now Doubled in Library Size And Window 3.0. Compatible Including Our P v T Virtual Memory Support in)TE.RFACE. InTrol-PC provide, futuristic: DCICAD BURGLARY PROTECTION ENERGY MANAGEMENT SPk.R CAD Showdown Results! FIRE PROTECTION EM E R G ENCY TM EDICAL APPLIANCE CONTROL and much more for your home! HIGH DENSITY EXPERTS! Amazing NEW device you can build in COF-1PuYE/ cce evening! Construct for less than 5150.00. Easy toolless installation! Does more than Integrates Schematic Capture, systems costing thousands! Uses IBM-PC or PCB Layouts & Autorouting compatible. Comes with POWERFUL yet easy -to -use software that is unlike any other. Save mercy This top -rated CAD out -routed the competition in the 1990 CAD on energy; feel secure from theft, in -home assaults and fire. Showdown. DC/CAD displayed its power and flexibility when Enjoy the convenience of having a SMART HOME that Fig. 4. How to connect the audio interface routing a double -sided board while competing routers used four knows how to manage your lights, appliances, sprinklers, to six layers. This non -copy protected package with ski rface heating/air conditioning and more. AMAZINGLY simple circuit directly to thecomputer's speaker. mount support includes: and fun to build and install -wireless convenience too! Uses common parts. Multi -strategy 1 -mil parts autoplacer Qllm, °C/C4D '9' PLANS and POWERFUL. SOFTWARE "1 -mil" autorouting w/ripup & retry (One 4)/,.., HoepaWare devices. You can even use one tone to Thorough annotating design rule checker ONLY $19.95 Send Check or M.O. to: POB 3079 Dept. IPC switch on an external device and a second Full 2 -way GERBER and DXF support or call 702-626-0522 Sparks, NV 89432-3079 Optional autoground plane support with cross -hatching tone to switch it off. To do this, simply Optional simulation capability & protected mode for 386 users add a latching circuit with a logic reset

LEASE PROGRAM & SITE LICENSE AVAILABLE CIRCLE NO.71 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD line (Fig. 3) to the 567 that switches on the 30 DAY MONEY BACK GUARANTEE external device. Use a second 567 tuned to a different frequency to reset the logic lineofthe first 567. Order Back Issues of MDESIGN Direct Audio Connection it COMPUTATION ComputetCraft The Fig. 1 circuit requires absolutely no lbII Sherman Square, Farmingdale, Af 07727 wire connections between computer and (908) 938-6662 (FA X) (908) 938-6661 audio output port. If you must open your DC/CAD Inninvtive, Intelligent & Integrated &Own computer to gain access to its speaker, you may be tempted to consider a direct CIRCLE NO. 66 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD wire connection between the computer's DIGITAL VIDEO STABILIZER speaker leads and the audio port. SAVE YOUR COPIES OF ELIMINATES ALL VIDEO COPYGUARDS I found that a 0.1-µF capacitor con- nected as shown in Fig. 4 permitted a di- ComputetCraft rect link between my computer's speaker CASE and the audio port circuit. However, this These custom-made titled cases and binders are ideal to protect method may not work in all cases, since your valuable copies from damage. While watching rent- FEATURES the voltage may be too low. They're designed to hold a year's al movies, you will Before making a direct electrical con- issues (may vary with issue sizes), notice annoying pe- Easy to use and a constructed with reinforced board riodic color darken- snap to install nection to your computer, check its war- and covered with durable leather ing,colorshift, like material in (color), title is hot - State-of-the-art ranty. Some manufacturers won't honor unwantedlines, Microchip technol- their warranties if a machine has been al- stamped in(gold/silver), flashing or jagged ogy cases are V -notched edges.This is 100% automatic tered or modified. for easy access, caused by the copy Compatible to all binders have protection jamming special spring types of VCRs and Going Further mechanism to signals embedded hold individual in the video tape, The best and most There are many variations to the basic au- rods which easily such as Macrovision exciting Video Sta- dio output port method described here. snap in. copy protection. THE bilizer in the BINDER DIGITAL VIDEO STABI- market For example, if you use a microphone LIZER: RXII COMPLETELY Light weight (8 and add another gain stage to the input am- Cases: 1-$7.953-$21.95 6-$39.95 ELIMINATES ALL COPY ounces) and com- plifier, the circuit should respond to tones Binders: 1-$9.953-S27.95 6-S52.95 PROTECTIONS AND JAM- pact (1x3.5x5") MING SIGNALS AND Uses a standard 9 produced by many kinds of computers. ComputerCraft BRINGS YOU CRYSTAL Volt battery ( last 1- Another possibility is to use a dual - Jesse Jones Industries, CLEAR PICTURES. 2 years) tone, multi -frequency (DTMF) decoder 499 East Erie Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19141 WARNING Fast UPS delivery Enclosed is $ for Cases; Air shipping avail- chip to decode the signals from such de- THE DIGITAL VIDEO STA- able Binders. Add $1 per case/binder for BIUZER IS INTENDED FOR vices as computer modems and automat- postage & handling. Outside USA $2.50 per case/ PRIVATE HOME USE UNCONDITIONAL binder (US funds only). PA residents add 6% sales ic telephonedialers.This will give a dozen ONLY. ITIS NOT IN- 30 day money tax. back guarantee or so output ports. TENDED TO COPY RENT- 1 year warranty Print AL MOVIES OR Yet another possibility is to design an Name COPYRIGHTED VIDEO TAPES THAT MAY CON-(Dealers Welcome) audio interface that responds specifically Address STITUTE COPYRIGHT IN- to error beeps from your computer when No PO Box Numbers Please FRINGEMENT. you're some distance away. The interface City To Order: $59.95 ea +$4 for p & h can then trigger an audible alarm, flash a State/Zip Visa, M/C, COD Mon -Fri: 9-6 EST light, activate an intercom or even shut CHARGE ORDERS (Minimum $15): Am Ex, Visa, 1-800-445-9285 ext. 62312 down the computer, printer or other out- MC, DC accepted. Send card name, 4, Exp. date. FREE 20 Page Catalog put device. CALL TOLL FREE 7 days, 24 hours SCO Electronics Inc. Dept. 62312 1-800-825-6690 581 W. MERRICK RD. VALLEY STREAM, NY 11580 L- SATISFACTION GUARANTEED--I CIRCLE NO.95 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD 70 /COMPUTERCRAFT /December 1991 Say You Saw It In Computercraft Joseph Desposito

40 -MHz DRAM Controller, Fast 4M and 16M DRAMs, IC DRAM Cards, Supervisory Circuits and Low -Power Transceivers

This month's column presents new DRAMs. It's the next generation of the puts, on -chip high -capacitive load driv- developments on the DRAM scene in re- system accelerator DRAM controllers in- ers and an ability to operate in a syn- gard to controllers, chips and cards. troduced by Samsung in mid -1988 and chronous or asynchronous mode. complements the recent introduction of The controller also offers page -detec- 40 -MHz versions of the KS84C31-40CL tion logic, which permits accessing data 40 -MHz DRAM Controller and KS84C32-40CL. randomly within a page for use with A programmable DRAM controller that Flexibility of this controller is obtained page -mode and static -column DRAMs. interfaces Motorola's MC68EC030 em- with a 26 -bit programmable -mode regis- Support for burst -memory access helps bedded control microprocessor directly ter that allows the user to select such improve cache hit rate when used with with small, fast memory arrays has been functions as support of synchronous and caching systems. developed by Samsung Semiconductor asynchronous accessmethods;page, The device has a maximum current (3725 N. First St., San Jose, CA 95134). burst or interleaved access; latching of drain of 125 mA while active and 25 mA Introductionofthisnext -generation address bits; programmed insertion of in standby mode. The controller is ideal memory controller follows a long period wait states in the CPU cycle; RAS refresh for low -power applications because it can of cooperative design with Motorola. option that's virtually transparent to the automatically refresh DRAMs in a pow- The new DRAM controlleristhe CPU; column address setup and row ad- ered -down state without any CPU input. KS84EC30-40CL which supports small, dress hold times; and the ability to fine- The KS84EC30-40CL controlleris fast memory arrays, driving up to nine tune the control signals. manufactured on Samsung's 1.2 -micron devices at 40 -MHz. This controller is Other features include page, nibble CMOS fabrication line in San Jose. It's capable of supporting a sustained bus and static column accesses, byte opera- mounted in a 68 -pin plastic leadless chip throughput of 49 M/s when used in con- tion with four independent CAS outputs, carrier (PLCC). Price is $23.48 in lots of junctionwith80-nsfastpage -mode built-in delay line, TTL-compatible in- 1,000 or more pieces.

RAS RAS Clock CAS Clock Generator Generator

WE Clock CAS Generator WE

CAS Before RAS

Internal Refresh Clock Data -In DIN Buffer

Refresh Address Data I/0 Bus Counter Column Decoder Data -out Buffer Dour Sense Amplifier

ro

A 0- A11 12/ , f Memory Array

cc

Fig. 1. Block diagram of N EC's 16M -bit fast dynamic RAM.

Say You Saw It In Computercraft December 1991 /COMPUTERCRAFT / 71 LEARN VIII Joseph Desposito CLEANING/MAINTENANCE/REPAIR EARN UP TO S1000 A WEEK,WORKING PART TIME FROM YOUR OWN HOME! Fast 4M- & 16M -bit DRAMs itially in workstations and other high- performance processing applications. NEC Electronics Inc. (401 Ellis St., P.O. Secrets Revealed! Box 7241, Mountain View, CA 94039) New IC DRAM Cards has added several fast 4 -megabit DRAMs Micron Technology (2805 E. Columbia NO Special to its broad family of memory products. Tools or The µPD424100, APD424400 and others Rd., Boise, ID 83706) introduced JEDEC Equipment standard, 88 -pin, 4M and 8M IC DRAM Needed. have access times of 60 ns. These DRAM products are based on cards as part of its expanding component 0.7 -micron CMOS process, with stacked product line for portable computers. capacitor storage -cell technology, pro- These cards provide low -power, external - viding high storage capacity and excellent memory upgrades for portable compu- immunity to soft errors. The products ters and can be used in x16-, x18-, x32 - THE MONEY MAKING OPPORTUNITY have either 4M x 1 or 1M x 4 organiza- and x36 -bit systems. OF THE 1990'S tion with fast -page, nibble static column The IC DRAM Card was developed to IF you are able to work with common small hand and write -per -bit options available. Each meet the need for portable computer tools, and are familiar with basic electronics 0 .(1. able to memory upgrades that could be installed use voltmeter, understand DC electronics).... version uses a 5 -volt power supply and IF you possess average mechanical ability, and have has both standard and low -power op- without opening, and possibly damag- a VCR on which to practice and learn ... then we can ing, the system unit. Micron's IC DRAM teach YOU VCR maintenance and repair! tions. Pricing is $22.80 each in 100 -piece FACT: up to 90% of ALL VCR malfunctions are due to quantity. Cards are manufactured with Micron's simple MECHANICAL or ELECTROMECHANICAL TSOP chips, using low -power DRAMs breakdowns! All popular packaging options will be FACT: over 77 million VCRs in use today nationwide! available for each version: 26/20 -pin surface -mounted on both sides of an Average VCR needs service or repair every 12 to 18 ultra -thinprinted -circuitboard. The months! 300- and 350 -mil plastic small -outline J - Vie)o's 400 PAGE TRAINING MANUAL (over 500 lead (SOJ), 20 -pin plastic zig-zag in -line board has the outline of a credit card and photos and Must ratIons)and AWARD -WINNING VIDEO a total thickness of only 3.3 mm. TRAINING TAPE reveals the SECRETS of VCR mainte- package (ZIP) and 26/20 -pin plastic thin nance and repair-"real-world" information that is NOT small -outline package (TSOP) with re- Additional features include buffered available elsewhere! input signals to ensure compatibility Also Includes all the Info you'll need regarding the verse and normal leads. BUSINESS -SIDE of running a successful service opera- NEC Electronics also announced that across platforms, individual memory - tion! bank selection for lower power consump- FREE INFORMATION it's sampling a new 16M -bit CMOS CALL TOLLFREE 1-8004374589 DRAM, advancing its memory product tion, parity to correct data errors and Or writ* to: stainless -steel panels to provide better Viejo Publications line to the next generation. 5329 Fountain Ave., Dept. CC The µPD4216100 and µPD4216400 are protection and heat dissipation than is Los Angeles, CA 90029 manufactured using the 0.55 -micron possible with plastic. CI RC II'S 0. 99 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD CMOS process and incorporate stacked - Engineering samples of the 4M IC capacitor storage cells. This technology DRAM Card (MT12DC136), in 1 M x 36 U.S. CYBERLAB provides high storage capacity, as well as or 2 M x 18 configurations, and 8M IC excellent immunity to soft errors. The DRAM Card (MT24DC236), in 2M x 36 'EXTREME' HIGH TECHNOLOGY 16 -megabit offering is the third genera- or 4M x18 configurations, are an- OUR TECHNOLOGY IS tion of NEC products to utilize three- ticipated in the third quarter of this year, SO ADVANCED... dimensional capacitor storage cells. with production quantities for delivery The products will be available in 70-, anticipated in fourth quarter. 80- and 100-ns versions and will include fast page, nibble, static column and Microprocessor write -per -bit modes. They operate at 5 volts, with an internal step-down to 3.3 Supervisory Circuit volts, making any future transition to 3.3 Linear Technology Corp. (1630 McCar- volts much easier. Customers can also thy Blvd., Milpitas, CA 95035) now of- choose between 2K or 4K refresh cycles. fers microprocessor supervisory circuits All versions of these chips feature an in- in surface -mount packaging and guaran- ternal test mode as well. tees reset assertion down to 1 volt with Initial organizations include 16M x 1 any member of its LTC690 family of mi- (µPD4216100) and 4M x 4 (µPD4216- croprocessor supervisory circuits. 400). A block diagram of the µPD4216- The LTC690 family offers single -chip The United States Government ordered 100 is shown in Fig. 1. The company has solutions for power -supply monitors and us not to tell you about it! plans to market additional organizations battery control functions in microproces- Title 35 U.S.C. 181* by early 1992, depending on customer re- sor -based systems. Family members are ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Reg.) quirements. NEC will provide SOJ, ZIP plug -compatible with the MAX690 fami- ECCN (Export Control Comm. Number.) and TSOP Type II packages for all ver- ly. Chip -enable gating is 35 ns maximum *Goods accompanied by sophisticated sions of the product. NEC's 16M DRAM (versus 200 ns maximum for the MAX690 know how and keystone equipment. is available immediately in sample quan- family). Supply currents are 1.5 mA max- It's true that the government won't let tities for $300 each. imum (versus 5 mA maximum for the us sell you some products "off the shelf' Typically, DRAMs are used in compu- MAX690 family). but we can sell you the kits to build ters that require large memory density The LTC690 and LTC694 are supplied 'extreme' high technology products at in eight -pin SO or eight -pin plastic DIP home!It's time to cut the edge! and high data rates, ranging from person- al computers to massive parallel systems. packages. They provide four functions: U.S. CYBERLAB, INC. power -onreset,battery backupfor RT 2 BX 284, CYBER ROAD NEC's 16M -bit DRAM will be used in- WEST FORK, AR 72774 (501) 839-8293 VOICE MAIL

CIRCLE NO. 96 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD LA1 General -Purpose PC Logic Analyzer - $149.00 Designed especially for efficient sophisticated digital analysis of non -microprocessor circuits. IBM PC/XT/AT/386 MOUSE CMOS RAM, watchdog timer and pow- compatible compatible "' The first PC Logic 38' color -coded ribbon er-failure/low voltage (battery) monitor. Analyzer designed to cable with spring -loaded The LTC691 and LTC695 are supplied be cost-efficient for low - micro clips. in 16 -pin SO or 16 -pin DIP packaging. frequency applications. "" Uses your PC's They include three additional functions: "-Works with 5 -Volt digital microprocessor and logic (5V CMOS or TTL). memory with an assembly CMOS RAM writeprotection,ad- 8 color -coded data language data acquisition justable reset and watchdog timeout and lines & external clock routine for maximum separate watchdog, battery backup and input. speed on your system. low Vcc status outputs. 6 range internal clock A 12 MHz PC clone easily The LTC690 family uses a charge - (1Hz-100KHz) for handles over 100,000 periodic sampling. samples per second. pumped NMOS power FET as theVOUT Add logic analysis to your bench for the price of a DMM power switch. This achieves a lower sup- ideal for the professional as well as students & hobbyists Proven excellent teaching aid ply current and eliminates problems en- "' Integrates with the power & intelligence of your PC to produce a low-cost yet Impressive test in- strument. countered when external pull-up resistors "" "Snapshots' Logic States for observation. are used on digital outputs. Quickly & reliably performs tests that a dual -trace oscilloscope, DMM, and Logic Probe can't (ex- The LTC690 family isavailable in ample: multiplexed digital displays, stepper -motor controllors, . . . etc.). )." Pop -Down Menus. ""8 Channel color -coded logic probe mode. commercial and industrial grades. Pric- "" File / Print Utilities. )1"' Free tech support and software upgrades. ing in 100 -and -up quantity for commer- Model LA1 rtotranics Lel Feb 27,1990 1. Full -Featured Eko 18 cial grade in plastic DIP is $3.80 for the Random Data Test software & Logic Analyzer 29 101, data display LTC690 and LTC694 and $4.15 for the In ELK Comes Completely graphics (Dis- Assembled 8 Tested I DO plays in full LTC691 and LTC695. with Disk Li Manual o 1 color or monochrome). 1 Year Warranty Dual RS -232 Transceivers On-line help Orders: 12 system. (504) 222-4146 Maxim Integrated Products (120 San 6 04 Takes only 24 hr. answer service: o Pi 05 minutes to Gabriel Dr., Sunnyvale, CA 94086) an- master the (504) 748-7090 O 06- nounced three new + 5 -volt -powered easy -to -use C.O.D. VISA MC RS -232 dual drivers/receivers designed O 07- software. Photronics, Inc. 0 8 16 24 32 40 48 56 64 Made In the specifically for systems that require low - 80 Sampled USA. 109 Camille Avenue power operation. The MAX220's low t. girt rl httet1r41%11. Amite, Louisiana 70422 supply current makes it suitable for sys- tems that constantly transmit and receive CIRCLE NO. 86 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD data. It needs only 2 mA maximum (0.5 mA typical) supply current. LEARN The MAX222/242 are well -suited for systems that intermittently transmit and to CLEAN/ MAINTAIN/ REPAIR Laser receive data because of their shut -down mode feature. Supply current (loaded) is CAMCORDERS reduced from 13.5 mA during normal op- eration to 10 µA in shut -down mode. Us- ing shut -down mode, the MAX222/242 Printer save up to 67 mW of power when not receiving or transmitting data. Toner Cartridge The MAX222 transceiver features a shut -down mode that disables the device Recharging and turns off all driver and receiver out- puts. The MAX242 is identical to the Earn up to $125/hr at home - PIT MAX222, except for an additional fea- $32K - $65K Annual Income- ture: a pin that has three -state controls Low -Cost, high -quality, videotape for the driver and receiver outputs, allow- HUGE EXPANDING MARKET! ing bussed (party -line) configurations Work from your home - part-time or full-time! and "hands-on" training available No prior experience needed - Average mechanical and the receivers to remain on in shut- ability only requirement for your success! Over 15 down mode to receive incoming data. million camcorders in use - Over 5 million expected The low -power MAX222 and MAX242 to be sold in 1991 alone! Itis a fact that the vast majority of camcorder operate with space -saving 0.1-µF external malfunctions (just like VCRs!) are due to simple me- charge -pump capacitors and are guaran- chanical failure... We can show you how to easily fix teed for data rates up to 116K bps. The those breakdowns and earn an average of $85.00/Hr. MAX220 operates at a guaranteed 20K while working at home! Get In Now- Soon camcorders will be like VCRs, Huge Market - less than 5 in 100 bps. MAX220 is offered in 16 -pin DIP i.e., one in almost every home. and SO packages and MAX222/242 is of- For a camcorder cleaning job you can earn $65.00 for cartridges recharged last year fered in 18 -pin DIP and SO packages. less than 30 minutes work. 100% Money -Back Guarantee! Temperature ranges include commercial, For, I arn( order repair job you can earn over $100.00. Call NOW for complete details extended industrial, and military. FREE INFORMATION PACKAGE Callor write: Prices for the MAX220/222/242 start Toll -Free 1-800-537-0589 at $2.65, commercial grade in a plastic Viejo Publications, Inc. 1-815-748-5823 5329 Fountain Ave., Dept. CCC DIP package in 1,000 -piece lots. Los Angeles, CA 90029 The Laser Group, Inc. 223 Palmer Court Suite 100 De Kalb. IL 60113 CIRCLE NO. 98 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD CIRCLE NO. 75 ON FREE ;NFORMATION CARD

Say You Saw It In Computercraft December 1991 / COMPUTERCRAFT / 73 Stan Veit

Low Cost, High Speed Modems Are Here!

The news this month is that prices on pression. That is why many modems 1 baud to transmit four bits of informa- 9,600 bit -per -second (bps) modems for work with both the V.42bis and NMP 5 tion for each baud. We actually transmit data, are now at reasonable levels. And specifications. Both must also be operat- 9,600 data bits per second, but the system more and more BBSs and on-line services ing at the same baud rate, or the modem is only operating at 2,400 baud! Not satis- are equipped to operate at this speed. will drop back to the slower baud rate. fied with this magic, we compress the da- There are internal modems available in This requirement for standardization ta before transmission and get an effec- the $300 to $400 price range that are has been the rub with 9,600 -bps commu- tive throughput of 38,400 bits per second. equipped with all the features you might nications. Until recently, there have been Eventually, we'll increase the quality of want. The new modems can operate at several methods of compressing data, our telephone system even more and a- CCITT V.32/V.42bis and NMP 5 data and no one in his right mind would cast chieve speeds of 19,200 bps before apply- compression, which can give you an ef- any method in silicon. Now the interna- ing compression! fective throughput of 38,400 bps! Don't tional body has spoken, and LSI manu- Even though the cost of modems has confuse these modems with FAX mo- facturers have responded with chip sets, decreased, the use of 9,600 bps may come dems, which transmit FAX at 9,600 bps such as the Rockwell RC9696/12 Data with an increased cost. Data services and data at only 2,400 bps. Pump, which make low-cost modem haven't all increased transmission speed, I can almost hear you readers saying: boards possible. or have done so at much greater cost to "Whoa! What do these 'V' numbers These new modems are fully Hayes - the user. CompuServe, for example, asks mean to me and why should I get a new compatible for 286, 386 and 486 comput- $22.50 per hour connect charge for 9,600 modem? A few months ago, you were ers. They have fall -back to 2,400, 1,200 bps versus $12.50 for 2,400 -baud connect telling me to buy a 2,400 -baud, Hayes - and 300 baud to accommodate line condi- time. GEnie charges $18.50 per hour for compatible modem instead of a 1,200 - tions. Some of the more expensive 9,600 -bps access in non -prime time and baud unit. Now you're upping the ante!" 9,600 -bps modems will resume higher $30.00 per hour in prime time. In addi- I plead guilty. At that time, the 9,600 -bps speeds after fallback. While they may not tion, only the standard hourly rates apply I'm now talking about were sell- beforeveryone, when accessing at 9,600 bps. Delphi does ing for $500 to $1,000. I didn't venture to modems represent a significant upgrade not yet support 9,600 bps, mainly because discuss them since the average computer for many users. it operates the public carriers, Tymnet user would hardly ever dial the few sourc- (Sprintnet) and Telenet, which don't yet es that were transmitting at 9,600 bps at support this speed. that time. BPS Versus Baud BBS Sysops are way ahead of commer- In the last few months, the magic of You'll notice that in the above discus- cial services in adopting increased trans- large-scale integration (LSI) resulted in sion, I used the term "bps" rather than mission speeds. Many local BBSs have al- lower manufacturing costs for modems, "baud" when discussing 9,600 -bps com- ready converted and are all free or almost and both BBS owners and users have in- munications. The reason for this is that at free. Check with Sysops in your area to creased their communicating speed. I still high data rates like 9,600 bps we aren't find out how many of them offer 9,600 recommend 2,400 -baud modems for be- actually operating at 9,600 baud! If this bps or plan to offer it. ginners and the person who only oc- seems strange to you, it's because we've casionally uses a modem. Many 2,400 - always used the terms "bps" and "baud" baud modems are now selling below $100 interchangeably. Shareware Catalog in discount stores. The definition of "baud" is somewhat Access to shareware is one of the most de- complicated. Our telephone system is de- sirable features of on-line operations. signed to transmit sound, which is sinu- Finding the right program from among CCITT & V Specifications soidal, not the square waves employed in thousands offered on-line can be expen- The CCITT is the international specifica- streams of data bits. Modems convert the sive and frustrating. Now the Associa- tion group that sets standards for tele- data bits into tones of varying frequen- tion of Shareware Publishers has made it communications. V.32 is its designation cies, and Frequency Shift Keying (FSK) is easier for you if you're a CompuServe for 9,600 -bps communication. The V.42 used as a means of modulation. The unit subscriber. is the specification for error checking and of measurement we call "baud" is the A Forum on CompuServe is devoted V .42b is is the specification for data com- number of frequency shifts occurring in 1 mainly to the interests of Shareware pression (MNP5 is an alternate specifica- second. One baud would convey exactly authors, but it now contains a complete tion that's also used). By compressing the one data bit in 1 second. catalog of shareware available for down- 9,600 baud, the same amount of data as Telephone circuits have been built that loading. (You can reach it with the com- would be transmitted at 38,400 baud can operate clearly up to about 2,400 mand: GO SHAREWARE.) The name of without compression can be transmitted baud. We can, therefore, equate 2,400 this file is Catalog.Zip, and I consider it at 9,600 baud. bps with 2,400 baud. Above that speed, it one of the most valuable things you can To make this work, both transmitter becomes more difficult and would re- download. and receiver must be using the same speci- quire special conditioned telephone lines. I must warn you that it takes 57 min- fication for error checking and data corn - So with a little electronic trickery, we use utes to receive at 1,200 baud, using Y-mo-

74 / COMPUTERCRAFT / December 1991 Say You Saw It In Computercraft dem, but the price of the download is still exclusive Millionaire's Club. You can and even the dealer's hand are high -reso- cheaper and more up-to-date than the play Blackjack, Stud Poker, Slots or Bin- lution VGA graphics. Encyclopedia of Shareware, Third Edi- go. The Casino is divided into numbered For those who want to ask me ques- tion for new shareware. The Encyclo- tables, where you can play for different tions or ask for help on-line, I may be pedia, published by PC Sig, is still the bet levels. These games are much more in- reached on CompuServe as 70210,300; most complete historical listing of all teresting because of their excellent graph- on BIX, AOL, Prodigy , Delphi or The shareware. At $19.95, it's a bargain that ics and the ability to talk with other play- Well as SVEIT; MCI Mail as Stan Veit. every on-line user should own. ers during play. Views of the cards, tables Letme hear from you. Adventuring on AOL For users who seek adventure, America On Line (AOL) has just added the ulti- HEAR THE TONES..SEE THE NUMBERS! Compact & Versatile mate on-line game called "Neverwinter DTMF DECODER/DISPLAY AND ASCII CONVERTER Nights." This is a "Dungeons & Dra- 8051/8052 gons" -type game with interactive capabi- Microcontroller Board For Production Applications lities. You can join with other players in 1.1 adventuring on -screen through realistic o I _I_l I 1E1 I IIo graphic scenes. Beginners can meet with Model TDD-8 de odes and di plays all16 DTMF digi s and provides an ASCI seria output. Digits are displayed on eight expert players and accompany them LED' .32 character buffer can be scrolled.It will accept through the dangers of Neverwinter land. almo t any audio source such as a tape recorder, telephone answering machine,scanner,etc. Perfect for remote This is interactive gaming as it should be. computer data entry using a telephone keypad. Serial output can be connected to your computer. IBM compatible software Graphics in this adventure are excellent included for displaying, storing/printing time, date and number and are an example of what VGA can do for automatic logging. Assembled/tested circuit board, ready to Low power CMOS technology use! 30 day money back guarantee! Only 3.5" x 4.5" with mounting holes in an interactive mode. You're going to VISA/MC ACCEPTED Supports RS232 or RS485 see a great many more of this kind of on- Battery -backed RAM socket TDD-8DTMF DECODER/DISPLAY/ASCII $99.00 Watchdog timer and power -fail interrupt screen, interactive games and novels, CAB -1 AUDIO & COMPUTER CABLES $20.00 circuitry both on-line and computer based. PS -12110VAC TO 12VDC POWER PACK $10.00 Parallel I/O: 4'/: 8 -bit I/O ports Another feature of AOL is its excellent PMIC-1PLASTIC MOUNTING KIT $15.00 Configurable for all known byte -wide devices Add $5.00 S/H USA/Canada, $10.00 foreign 4 Jumper -Selectable Memory Maps casino games, which are available at all MoTron Electronics, 310 Garfield St, #4 603-469-3232 FAX: 603-469-3530 times. Players are given credits with Eugene, OR 97402 Call for detailed brochure and quantity pricing which to play, with the idea being to in- ORDERS: 800-338-9058 (USA/Canada) Binary Technology, Inc. INFO: 503-687-2118 FAX: 503-687-2492 crease their stakes and try to get into the Mon Sr PO B. Monden NH 03570 CIRCLE NO. 800N FREE INFORMATION CARD

Cross -Assemblersfrom $50.00 Simulators from $100.00 BTK52 BASIC -52 TOOLKIT Cross-Disassemblers from $100.00 The BTK52 is an intelligent front end for program development on the MCS BASIC -52 CPU. It reduces 8052 program development time Developer Packages substantially and can be used with any MCS BASIC -52 based target from $2001.00(a $50.00 Savings system. The BTK52 runs on any IBM-PC/XT or compatible. Program download from PC host to target Make Programming Easy Program upload from target to PC host BASIC program renumber utility, with "from," "through," "start," Our Macro Cross -assemblers are easy touse. With powerful and "increment" conditional assembly and unlimited include files. Full screen program editing Single line editing with automatic error line number detection Get It Debugged --FAST Full on-line help facility Don't wait until the hardware is finished. Debug your software Transparent, adaptive line compression for full input line with our Simulators. buffer utilization All functions accessible wih only one keystroke from the Recover Lost Source! terminal emulator Our line of disassemblers can help you re-create the original $125 assembly language source. Thousands Of Satisfied Customers BXC51 8051/8052 BASIC COMPILER Fully compatible with code written for MCS BASIC -52 interpreter Worldwide Now with integer, byte and bit extensions for code that runs more PseudoCorp has been providingquality solutions for than 50 times faster than the MSC BASIC -52 interpreter microprocessor problems since 1985. Full floating point support In -line assembly language option Processors Compile time switch to select 8051/8031 or 8052/8032 CPUs Includes Binary Technology's SXA-51 cross -assembler and Hex file Intel 8048 RCA 1802,05 Intel 8051 Intel 8096,196kc Motorola 6801 Motorola 68HC11 Motorola 6805 manipulation utility Hitachi 6301 Motorola 6809 MOS Tech 6502 WDC 65CO2 Compatible with any RAM or ROM memory mapping Rockwell 65CO2 Intel 808085 Zlog Z80 NSC 800 Runs on IBM-PC/XT or compatible Hitachi HD64180 Mot. 68k8,10 Zlog Z8 Zlog Super 8

All products require an BMI PC or compatible. $295 For Information Or To Order Call: PseudoCorp 603-469-3232 FAX 603-469-3530 716 Thimble Shoals Blvd, Suite E Binary Technology, Inc. Main Street P.O. Box 67 Meriden, NH 03770 Newport News, VA 23606 (804) 873-1947 FAX:(804)873-2154 CIRCLE NO. 87 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD December 1991 / COMPUTERCRAFT / 75 Micro Express Debuts a New 386 Machine Built Around AMD's 40 -MHz Chip

Last time, I gave a bit of background on problems that arise in trying to measure computer "performance."Ialso ex- plained the rationale behind DiagSoft's Power Meter, the tool I've started using as a benchmark for testing computers. This time around, I've put Power Meter to work in evaluating a 386/40 system from Micro Express. Before I get into my evaluation of the Micro Express 386/40 computer, how- ever, some background information on how it became possible for manufactur- ers like Micro Express to produce 40 - MHz 386 machines. A Brief History Lesson Micro Express' 386/40 is a bit different from most of the MS-DOS PCs now be- ing sold because it doesn't use an Intel CPU. Though Intel manufactures the CPUs for almost all MS -DOS -based PCs now in use, this wasn't always the case. In thedayswheneight -bitcomputers reigned, the most popular operating sys- tem was CP/M. It ran Zilog the 8080 and Z80 CPUs. of an inducement to gain NEC's CPUs not to second source the CPU. This came When IBM decided that its PC, intro- any appreciable market share, though as a surprise to the companies that had duced 10 years ago this past August, they're still occasionally found in low- built quite a large business as a secondary would be a 16 -bit system, the company cost XT -type systems. supplier of CPUs to the MS-DOS PC looked at the then -available CPUs. In When IBM introduced its 80286 -based marketplace. Notable among these com- 1981, already a number of 16 -bit systems ATs, things changed in the CPU market- panies was AMD. were being sold. Alpha Micro, for exam- place. Intel couldn't keep up with the de- In the opinion of Advanced Micro De- ple, used proprietary chips with an in- mand for the 286, and rather than have vices, the 1982 agreement with Intel gave struction set similar to that being used in manufacturers of PCs looking around it the right to use the devel- the Digital Equipment Corp. PDP-11 for a different CPU, the company decid- oped by Intel for the 386 in its own ver- . And Texas Instruments ed to second -source the chip with a num- sion of this CPU. A lawsuit ensued, with was selling a micro based on its own CPU ber of other companies, most notably AMD claiming breach of contract and re- design. IBM chose Intel's 8088. The rest Harris Semiconductor and Advanced straint of trade. At the same time, AMD is history. Micro Devices. Both companies were al- decided to reverse engineer the 386, Even with this giant leg up from IBM, ready well-known in the semiconductor which by this time had become the defac- Intel hasn't always been the only supplier industry, and AMD was fairly closely tied to standard CPU for computers using the of CPUs for MS -DOS -based PCs. Early to Intel, having signed in 1982 an agree- MS-DOS operating system. on, NEC cloned several versions of the ment with Intel to share technology. AMD's opening shot in its war against 8088/8086-the V20 and V30. They were In addition to becoming a second Intel was to bring out an 80287 numeric enhanced over the Intel processors and source for the 286 CPU, AMD went a coprocessor chip at a low -ball price of offered better speed and performance step further. It had the first high-speed $99, hundreds of dollars less than Intel's and an expanded instruction set with versions of this chip. In fact, many of the price for the same device. Intel sued to several additional commands. 16- and 20 -MHz 286 PCs now being sold stop AMD from selling the coprocessor Although its CPUs proved extremely have AMD-not Intel-CPUs in them. but was unsuccessful. compatible with their Intel equivalents, With the next generation of 16 -bit Earlier this year, satisfied with the NEC had only modest success with the CPUs, the 80386 family, Intel had a compatibility and performance of its re- V20 and V30. No software developer change of heart. By this time, production verse -engineered CPU, AMD announced dreamed of using the extra commands. facilities had been ramped up. Intel saw the AMD386 family, starting with a high - To do so would leave 99% of the market no need to share the market. Except for end 40 -MHz version. Intel sued again to unable to make use of the product. Some- granting IBM a license to manufacture stop AMD from selling the CPU and to what better performance wasn't enough some of its own 386 chips, Intel decided keep AMD from using the designation

76 / COMPUTERCRAFT / December 1991 Say You Saw It In Computercraft its from Intel's breach of its 1982 agree- ment. Even with all of this going on, AMD has yet to start showing its reverse - 2000-/ Air engineered version of the 486 family. Compaq 386/20 Air What does all this maneuvering have to Ei ME 388/40 do with you? For one thing, it means you'll be able to get some really good 71 Compaq 486/33 buys in hardware over the next several 1800 months, as vendors prune and reorganize their product line-ups. For another, it means you'll be able to get enhanced 486 -like performance, from systems like the Micro Express evaluated next, at sub- 1200 A stantially lower prices than you would ex- A pect to pay for a 486 machine.

Micro Express ME 386-40 800 Just as several tiers exist when it comes to 4 dealer -marketed PCs (with IBM, Apple and Compaq the first tier), direct market A A (or mail-order) systems also have less - 400 and better-known vendors. Micro Ex- press is probably not as well known as Al Dell, Zeos, CompuAdd, Gateway and Northgate, but this company has been around for several years. During that oAd A A Al time, it has garnered a reputation for pro- Database Word Proc Spreadsheet viding high -quality systems with excel- lent performance at great prices. The AMD-powered 386-40 system Itested bears out my past impressions of Micro Express products as excellent values. 386. Once again, Intel was unsuccessful. All this leaves AMD somewhat in lim- Visually, the Micro Express looks pret- AMD's 40 -MHz 386 CPU offers a few bo. Its 40 -MHz 386 CPU is clearly an ex- ty much like any other PC. It's housed in benefits beyond those that bear the Intel ceptional component, but motherboard a baby -AT style case that measures a label.Its 40 -MHz operating speed is designers haven't made a mad rush to compact 16'1 "D x 141/2 "W x 6'1 "H; about a 20% improvement over Intel's bring out new motherboards based on it. that's about 1/2 " taller than most desktop 33 -MHz limit. Additionally, AMD has Nor have PC vendors been all that quick systems. This small system -unit case be- further boosted its CPU's performance to offer systems built around the AMD lies the power of the system and its expan- by reducing the number of clock cycles CPU. With the i486 being today's "hot" sion capabilities. needed to execute certain instructions. CPU, vendors would rather invest in to- While past Micro Express systems I've With a motherboard design that takes ad- morrow's technology than yesterday's. looked at have had motherboards from vantage of these features, this resulted in New lines are being drawn in the 386 AMI (American Megatrends) or Micro- PCs that offer much of the performance market, with 20- and 25 -MHz 386SX sys- netics, the 386-40 uses one from a some- obtained with a 25 -MHz 486 but for con- tems at the bottom and 386/33DX ma- what lesser -known company-Advanced siderably lower cost. chines at the top of the 386 system line. Integration Resources. Though it isn't as Meanwhile, Intel hasn't exactly stood Once -popular 25 -MHz 386DX machines popular as the other companies men- by waiting for AMD to gobble up its lu- are quickly and quietly disappearing. tioned, AIR produces a very nicely laid - crative 386 market (which hasn't oc- At the time this is being written (early out motherboard meant especially for the curred). Its fourth -generation CPU, the September), Fall COMDEX is about six AMD 386/40 CPU. It had no last-minute i486, is fast becoming the choice for busi- weeks away. It will be interesting to see if engineering jumpers. ness PC users, and an SX version of the vendors are exhibiting AMD-based sys- System RAM caching is becoming 486 chip, with its built-in numeric co- tems or if this powerful alternative CPU somewhat commonplace, especially in processor disabled, has been introduced will wind up in a back seat, relegated to higher -performance 386 and 486 designs. to entice 386 users to migrate upwards. mail-order purveyors of PCs. With the The AIR motherboard features a 64K The 50 -MHz version of the 486, intro- direct -marketing channel accounting for write -back cache that can be expanded up duced in mid -year, will define the upper a good percentage of the PCs sold in this to 256K if you need greater performance. limits of PCs-if Intel ever gets it work- country, this doesn't necessarily mean Of course, not all applications derive an ing properly. Shipments of the 486SX be- the kiss of death for the AMD CPU. appreciableincreaseinperformance gan during the summer, but production Most recently, several major computer from a larger system cache. It depends had to be halted when chips kept failing vendors have announced new notebook upon the extent to which the application quality assurance tests. Intel has stated PCs based on AMD's low -power 25 - moves data around within the PC's RAM that the tests are faulty, not the chips. But MHz chip sets, which must be hearten- memory. In addition to the 64K RAM if QA tests can't be trusted, there's no ing for AMD. In addition, AMD just cache, the motherboard also supports way to tell if the CPUs themselves meet brought a $2 -billion lawsuit against Intel, BIOS shadowing, another performance specifications. charging restraint of trade and lost prof- booster that relocates system BIOS and

Say You Saw It In Computercraft December 1991 /COMPUTERCRAFT / 79

Ted Needleman video -card BIOS into much faster RAM MS-DOS 3.3 or 4.01 lists for $2,599. The that the hard disk doesn't use up a bay. above the 640K DOS barrier. new MS-DOS 5.0 upgrade will cost you There are also plenty of free expansion Micro Express populates the 386-40 an additional $25. slots. The AIR motherboard has eight system with 4M of RAM, a nice touch in My review unit was configured pretty 16 -bit ISA slots. Only two of them were these days when you consider that you close to this special package, except that filled in my review unit, one with the need a minimum of 2M to run Windows it didn't have the second floppy drive and VGA adapter and the other with a multi- on a 386 system. You have your choice of the 80M hard disk was replace by a 100M function card that contains a floppy/ keyboards: standard 101 -key enhanced - unit. At $2,564, my system actually costs hard disk controller and serial and paral- AT style or a somewhat more compact a few dollars less than the "special." lel ports. Two serial ports are available, layout with a built-in trackball. Without Even though the case is fairly compact, with the DB-style connector for the sec- a video card, hard -disk drive or monitor, you can expand the PC to a considerable ond port mounted in a cutout in the case, but including a 220 -watt power supply extent. There are three 5''h" half -height rather than on an expansion -slot cover and your choice of either a 1.44M 3 %" or drive bays with external access. So if that basically uses up a slot, as is all too 1.2M 5'/ " floppy drive, base system you'd like to add an internal CD-ROM common. With six open slots, adding a price is $1,544. A special package that in- drive or tape backup unit, there's room to scanner, fax card and many other goodies cludes a Super VGA card and a 14" color do so. The 3 Y, " form factor hard disk was becomes easy. monitor, second floppy drive and 80M mounted on a special bracket attached to The ME 386-40 even has a socket for a IDE hard disk with your choice of either the side of the drive bays, which means numeric coprocessor. While Micro Ex- press's documentation, which is generic across its 386 line, states that this socket can accommodate an Intel coprocessor, it can't. Intel doesn't make an 80387 co- Avtie NEW FOR DOS 5.0! processor that can run at the AMD 7771- - TWO NEW BOOKS FOR DOS 5.0 USERS. CPU's 40 -MHz speed. At this time, only Cyrix does, and its coprocessor chip is MAXIMIZING MS-DOS 5.0 Here's the inside scoop from the experts at New Riders Publishing. This expertly written available from Micro Express and a mul- \go book and disk set covers all the little known secrets and tricks expert programmers use titude of other suppliers. to get the most out of their computer. Special appendices detail how to successfully integrate MS-DOS 5 with Windows 3.0 and system networks such as Novell Netware and All these components contribute to an LAN Manager. The disk includes helpful utilities, batch files and macro examples for outstanding system. In comparing the customizing your new powerful DOS. Learn how to control disks, configure memory and navigate the confusing wodd of DOS directories.Full coverage is given to the Task Micro Express to a 20 -MHz Compaq Switcher, other control devices and data integrity. In addition, a Command Reference set DeskPro 386 and a 33 -MHz Compaq is included for all 3.x, 4.x and 5.0 versions of DOS - at no extra cost. 01991. 730 pages. NRP-0133 Book and MS-DOS disk $34.95 DeskPro 486, the only two systems I had access to while performing this review, USING MS-DOS 5.0 the ME 386-40 falls about in the middle. Complete version 5.0 reference book. Gives the reader a thorough explanation of DOS and It has a bit more than twice the speed of proven examples of how to maximize computer performance. Explains how to navigate with the DOS -shell program and manage data and the computer. Important discussion on batch files the 386/20 in most of Power Meter's ap- and macros and how they improve efficiency. Includes advice from the experts on troubleshoot- plication tests and about half the speed of ing common and not so common problems encountered by all levels of user. ©1991 OUE-668 Sof tbound $24.95 the 486/33 machine. In previous tests I ran with other sets of 800-457-7373 benchmarks on systems I had to return %Ong and handng54.00ia US 1,141. $5 Oa UPS &am. US addresses oNy Faagn orders. UPS Red a Blue. FOB Greenville, NH plus 5,5C0 handling Marge.No COD orders. before I settled on Power Meter as my I:1M Bookstore 15 Man Street- Greenvflls, NH 03048 standard, the Micro Express performed 040' TEL: (603) 878-1441 FAX: (603) 878-1951 at much the same level as several 25 -MHz a Mason of CO Commonsarrons MS -00,5 s a Trademark of Mrcrosolf Corporanon 486 PCs from other vendors, except in simulations that took advantage of the i486's built-in numeric coprocessor. There are a few situations where I think a 486 -based system is more appropriate, B.S. & M.S. such as heavy database management and In Computer Science file servers in a large network. With 33 - ALL COURSES BY CORRESPONDENCE MHz 486 prices continuously falling, it's Interactive design system, C source, tutorial not unlikely that in six or nine months $109 Increase your earning power Join students from leading AMERICAN you might be able to buy a 33 -MHz 486 INSTITUTE computer companies miemis for just a few hundred dollars more than Ada course available COMPUTER a 386/40. At this time, though, the Micro For free information call SCIENCES Express ME 386-40 is a great performer 1-800-767-2427 and an excellent value. B.S. & M.B.A. Product Mentioned "Highly recommended" -- J. Dvorak, PC Magazine ME 386-40; $2,564 (configured as de- "Outstanding... lets you explore the creative In Business Administration possibilities of fractals" -- Amstrad PC Magazine A. Chadwick University degree program can help you tailed in text) "Quick and easy to master" -- New Scientist achieve a more successful future: Micro Express "Impeccably lucid.. operations are fast" -- BYTE B.S. and M.B.A. programs in Business Administration. 1801Carnegie Ave. ALL COURSES BY CORRESPONDENCE Santa Ana, CA 92705 Fractal programming tutorial, 160 -page Guidebook, Join students from Fortune 500 companies. Microsoft C programs, 200+ modifiable templates. Increase your earning power. 714-852-1400 Supports .DXF and .PCX files, CGA to Super -VGA. Call for our free bulletin: CH D\ Orders/Info: CALL802-888-5275 1-800-767-2423 UNIVERSITY ®IooI Chedweclt Untvcrsity CIRCLE NO. 134 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD Cedar Software Box5140-R1,MorrisvilleVT 05661

CIRCLE NO. 58 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD Computer Games BIOS Upgrades Why Buy A Computer (from page 87) That Can't Make For The IBM PC, XT, AT & 386 Or begins as if an old war bird like Yeager is Compatible. You Any Money? telling a story: "There I was in my. . " You then select which plane to fly, such AMI, Phoenix & Award as the F-86. Custom design continues, Latest Versions

"There I was in my F-86 at.. .. " You choose your preferred altitude. The game 1.2 &1.44 Floppy Support prompts you for other values like num- Complete Set Up In ROM 0111/6"4111116' ber, skill level and type of enemy planes, Supports VGA ending up with a complete scenario. This Novell & Netware Compatible User Defined, Hard Drive Support is a good way to get to some quick =L. dogfighting. 101 & 102, Keyboard Support The game's other features include a Complete Documentation 30 -Day Money Back Guarantee If you buy our complete computer pro- flight -recording option that keeps a visu- gram, we will give you software with it al record of player encounters and the CALL FOR PRICE and provide training to run ten different ability to be the enemy, perhaps in a 1 -800 -TEL -BIOS businesses. Use your computer for what- MIG-15. Players can re-enact historical ever you want, but also use our programs scenarios from all three conflict eras. It 1-800-835-2467 Good In Both U.S. & Canada to pay for your computer-plus start can be interesting trying to make history your own business from your home. repeat itself. 603.432-1532 In N.H. Enemy fighters are tenacious and ap- FREE CASSETTES pear to exhibit some maneuvering intelli- ADVANCED SOFTWARE We have recorded four hours of cassette gence. This can be a real challenge, ex- CIRCLE NO. 54 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD tapes that explain our complete pro- gram. See how other couples and indivi- tending game play for long minutes dur- duals, just like you have become finan- ing a seemingly simple encounter. Air cially independent for the rest of their Combat is a good flight simulator that of- DOS IN ROM! Tired ofwaitingfor the lives. fers many hours of play with different Prompt? Speed up with an MVS ROM Drive. Boot For your FREE cassettes and color literature, aircraft and varying skill levels. Com- Instantly! Also used for call toll -free: pared to Yeager's previous simulators DisIdess Workstations and Embedded control.Easy that lacked combat, this one is an able to install halt -size card. 1-800-343-8014,ext. 529 counterweight. 64k$95 (in Indiana: 317-758-4415)Or Write: 360k$200 1.44m $300 '95 Computer Business Services, Inc. CIRCLE NO. 50 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD PROM Programmer $95 CBC Plaza, Ste. 529, Sheridan, IN 46069 MerrimackValleySystems CIRCLE NO. 590N FREE INFORMATION CARD Box 850 MerrirhaelcNH VS Bird's Eye View Phone: (508) 792 9507 LEARN TO WORLDSSMALLEST PC I robots-alarms-datalog CLEAN/MAINTAIN/REPAIR 3 Easy Steps: 1. Develop, debug on PC FAX MACHINES Chuck Yeager's Air Combat, $59.95 2. Download, test In SBC Electronic Arts 3. Bum PROM, stand alone HUGE REN UNTAPPED MARKET! -LCD port -3 ser 2 par 1820 Gateway Dr. -Keyboard in-PC bus -Battery or 5v -BIOS option San Mateo, CA 94404 -Real Tm Clk -LED display 415-571-7171 Use Turbo C, BASIC, MASM

Requirements: RAM Memory 640K 8088 SBC$95 Graphics VGA, MCGA, EGA, CGA CIRCLENO. 76 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD Sound Sound Blaster, AdLib, CMS, Tandy, Covox Program Controllers Joystick, Mouse 6805 Evaluation Chips Over S million Fax machines in homes/ offices-predktiens are forever 25 million by 1992!

DocumentationGood 13Y Work from your home/van Graphics Good tW Home study program gets you started servicing Design & Test on your fax machines in 2 weeks! Learning Curve Medium CV No special tools/equipment needed PC..,From $349 Complexity Medium TECI'sMCPM-1 system allows your IBM PC and Compatibles to Play Length Short be used as a complete development system for the Motorola EV Earn additional profits selling fax supplies! 6805 family of single chip microcomputers. Many time saving Fax machines are not cheap - therefore, you can Playability Medium features at an affordable price. In Brief: Good get good $$ for the repair flight simulator that Also available - Programmer for 68HC05, in -circuit emulators, Average Fax machine requires professional service aims to teach principles of real air com- "How-to" Primer, and many software tools to help you. every 18 months bat as seen by Yeager. VGA graphics, Home study training program includes full instruc- Call Toll Free tions on EVERY ASPECT of Fax maintenance/repair. joystick and 386 computer recommend- FULL COVERAGE of how to set up your home -based 1-800-336-8321 service business ed for best performance. FREE DETAILS CALL 1-800-537-0589 The Engineers Collaborative, Inc. Or Write To: Viejo Publications, Inc. RI. 03 Box 8C Barton, VT 05822 USA TEL: (802) 525-3458 FAX: (802) 525-3451 5329 Fountain Ave., Dept. CCIFX Los Angeles, CA 90029 CIRCLENO. 94 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD CIRCLE NO.100 ON FREE INFORMATIONCARD Say You Saw It In Computercraft December 1991 / COMPUTERCRAFT / 81 PC Image(11(11111,(L.26,

Quakertown, PA 18951 to IDEC, the kit was discontinued be- IDEC Frugalvision/6 Video Digitizer 215-538-2600 cause of an inordinate amount of techni- (eight -bit B&W external), $100 System Requirements:PC, XT, AT, 386 cal -support calls received from less -than - IDEC, Inc. or 486; DOS 2.1 or later; eight -bit expan- proficient kit builders. 1195 Doylestown Pike sion slot; 384K base memory; composite Software included with the board is Quakertown, PA 18951 NTSC video source. well -designed, easy to use and includes 215-538-2600 some nice features not found with the System Requirements:PC, XT, AT, 386 other image -capture devices examined or 486; DOS 2.1 or later; parallel port; here. For example, it includes a "print 384K base memory; stationary composite image" utility from the main menu that NTSC video source. permits instant dumping of the captured image to a laser or dot-matrix printer. This is most convenient for "proofing" the image. All of the other products reviewed here require you to use an out- side application (likeVentura Publisher orPC Paintbrush)to output a captured Also a lightly populated half-size card, image to the printer. the IDEC SuperVision/8 uses jumpers as Supervision/8 software also gives a a configuration medium for changing ad- nice selection of image manipulation and

dress assignments. A single phono-type enhancement options, including flipping 10FC N112141,5011 txTEROW.1110sitik. jack resides in the middle of the card's horizontally and vertically, negative im- mounting bracket to accommodate the aging, changing aspect ratio, altering The Frugalvision/6 is a really exciting, source video input. brightness/contrast,blurring/sharpen- low-cost digitizing product that's the One of the things that makes the Super- ing, and more. CGA, EGA and VGA vid- perfect answer for those who need to cap- Vision/8 very noteworthy is that it cap- eo modes are supported in 2, 4 and 64 ture images and don't have deep pockets. tures a black -and -white image in only 1/60 gray levels, respectively. What makes it so innovative? For start- second-twice as fast as the other grab- Captured images can be saved in .TIF, ers it's anexternalunit. Because there's bers covered here. The board also lets you .PCX, .BIF and .GIF formats for use no board to install, there's no need to preview the source image right on the within other applications. The board is open your PC's system unit. It simply computer monitor prior to freezing and also capable of color imaging by using an connects to the PC's parallel printer port. capturing it. optionalZip Colorkit($75), which con- And since it's an external unit, Frugal- Installation and setup is painless and sists of specialized software that supports vison is ideal for use with a laptop or uncomplicated (as it should be), thanks .PCX, .TIF, .GIF, .PIW and .PIF file notebook computer for those on the to a well -organized and clearly -written formats. It includes acetate filters for move. This compact digitizer is slightly user's manual. In addition to providing creating a color image by capturing red, longer than a pack of cigarettes and all information needed to install and set green and blue video images and combin- about as wide, but not quite as thick. up the board, a copy of the schematic is ing them (since this takes three passes, The video -in signal is handled via an also included (IDEC is the only manufac- one for each of the three colors, a sta- r -f -type screw -on connector (like the turer covered here who actually provides tionary image is required). 75 -ohm antenna connection on a TV re- the paper for the circuit). This is probably If you're looking for an inexpensive ceiver) mounted on the top of the unit. A a throwback to earlier days when the black -and -white grabber board that can 25 -pin D -connector on one end facilitates board was offered in kit form for $100 capture in real-time, the SuperVision/8 is mating with the computer's parallel less than the assembled price. According a good choice. printer port, while the opposite end of the

Image -Capture Boards Comparisons

Product Image Video Video Real- Color, Unit .PCX/ Printed Software Value Name PriceFormatInput OutputTime B&W Configuration.TIFDocumentation Rating Rating

Everex Vision 8 $895 8 Bits 9 Pin 9 Pin Yest Yes Full Slot No Poor Poor Poor (Monitor) ComputerEyes B/W $2508 Bits Phono Phono No B&W 'A Slot Yes Very Good Very Good Good (Monitor) IDEC SuperVision/8 $2708 Bits Phono YesB&W2 % Slot Yes Good Very Good Very Good Videolinx: Framegrabber$695 8/16/24 Phono Phono Yes Both % Slot Yes Excellent ExcellentExcellent Bits ComputerEyes/RT $600 8/16/24 Phono, YesBoth % Slot Yes Excellent ExcellentExcellent Bits S -VHS IDEC Frugal Vision/63 $1008 Bits F-61 No B&W External Yes Good Excellent Excellent

1 Colorcaptures require a stationary image for three scan passes (R,G,B). 2 Optional color filter/software kit available. Stationary imagerequired for three scan passes (R,G,B). 3External unit connects to computer's parallel port. All others are internal cards designed to plug into a computer's expansion bus.

82 / COMPUTERCRAFT / December 1991 Say You Saw It In Computercraft unit contains a compartment to house the CONSOLIDATED ELECTRONICS CONSOLIDATED 9 -voltalkaline battery that provides CONSOLIDATED EL ECrR NICE Get two of the most valuable power for the unit. electronic catalogs ever! These Another innovative feature is its un- 2 catalogs contain over 16,000 der -$100 pricetag. You'd be hard- hard to find electronic parts & pressed to find a hand scanner for $100, equipment. VOL. I -features 112 pages of high quality test let alone a video digitizer; so Frugalvision equipment. VOL. II- features is aptly named. 144pagesofelectrononic There are some tradeoffs associated parts, tools & cross references. Send $5 checkormoney with Frugalvision (what did you expect order, or call today & use your for $100?), but they won't be major VISA or MasterCard. VOLUME I/ VOLUME I - TESTEOUIPMENT - PARTS ACCESSORIES A moosram L.Lcr FL ° stumbling blocks for many users. The 'Kw first is that Frugalvision isn't a real-time 1-800-543-3568 framegrabber. Moreover, an image cap- CONSOLIDATED ELECTRONICS, INCORPORATED 705 WATERVLIET AVENUE DAYTON, OHIO 45420-2599 ture takes about 8 full seconds and re- FAX: 115131-252-4066 / TEL' 1-(513)252.5662 / TELEX 288-229/ COMPUSERVE: 76057,3347/ EASYLINK' 62850013 quires an absolutely still video image (a CIRCLE NO. 600N FREE INFORMATION CARD digital still or a live video image of a still 48 HOUR TO ORDER subject yields best results; a videotaped ELENCO & HITACHI PRODUCTS CALL TOLL FREE SHIPPING image held in pause mode on a VCR pro- AT DISCOUNT PRICES 1-800-292-7711

duces a capture with distortion waves Hitachi RSO Series HITACHI COMPACT SERIES SCOPES (Portable Real-time Digit.' Storage Oscilloscopes) SPECIAL BUY T., senes provdets many new functions such as CRT throughout it due to the video heads ro- VC -6023 - 20MHz. 20MS/s 91,695 V-212- 20MHz Scope $425 Readout. Cursor measurements (V-1085/1065A/565A). Fre. tating while in contact with the stationary VC.43024 - 50MHz. 20MS/s 91,995 suer cy CV. (V-1085). Sweeptime Autorenang Delayed VC -6025 - 50MHz, 20MS/s 92 195 sweep and Tripper Lad sating a 6tnch CRT.You dotty feel the compacIneee In terms of penormence acrd apogean tape). As with the ComputerEyes B/W VC -6045 - 100MHz. 40MS/s 92 995 Hitachi Portable Scopes VC -6145 - 100MHz. 100MS/s 94 495 DC to 50MHz, 2 -Channel. DC offset func- V.660 - 60MHz. Dual Trace 91.149 Digitizer, using a digital still camera like RSOS fryront Wash! feature roll male. averapIng. save flan, Alternate magnifier function V -665A - 60MHz, DT, w/cursor 91,345 memo, smoothing, interpolation. pretrippering. cursor ... V-525525 CRT Readout, Cursor Meas. $995 V-1060 - 100MHz, Duel Trace_ 91 395 the Canon Xapshot or a camcorder capa- measurements. These scopes enable more nat.. V -1065A - 100MHz, DT, w/cursor 91,649 Smelter observation of complex wavebrrns, in addthon to V-523 - Delayed Sweep $975 V-1065 - 100MHz, OT, se/cursor such htna.ra hardcopy we a plotter interface and V-522 - BMOC Mode! $875 $1 ble of doing a digital still -frame gets V1100A - 100MHz, Clued Trace waveform transfer via the RS -232C interlace. Enpy the V422 - 40MHz $775 92,.995195 around this problem nicely. canton of analog amine power to dgital. V223 - 20MHz delayed sweep_ $895 V-1150 - 150MHz, Ouad Trace $2,695 Another tradeoff is the Frugalvision/ 25MHz Elenco Oscilloscope V-222 - 20MHz deluxe $625 Elenco 40MHz Dual Trace oaea to t495 6's 256 x 244 -pixel resolution, which $349 PRICE BREAKTHRU sum: ... S-1325 206tH, 049601 Storage Oseilloe4oPe S-1340 Dual Trace High luminance r CRT isn't as fine as the other units covered ' Analog/Dig./ Scope I mV Sensitively 2, ,, ,,,,,,,,net memory DS203 here. Depending on your final intended 6. CRT , . itwAsrs ea/noting rate $795 10KV Acceleration. lmVSensitivity Voltage use for the captured images, this may or X -Y Operation Smoot -art technology 17ns Rise Time TV Sync Includes probes X -Y Operation

may not be a major consideration. The (2) 10, 10x Probes inducted Includes(2)10, 100 Probes All scopes include probes. schematise, 094w08re manual and 3 year (2 yrs for Branco scopes) world wale warranty en parts 5 labs, Many accessories evadablefur all Hitachi captured images, while quite acceptable scopes. Calla write for complete speciicabans on Mesa and many other fine osalbsoopas. lx, 10x Scope Robes: P -I 65MHz $19.95, P-2 100MHz $26.95 for most DTP applications, aren't as rich DigitalCapacitance Meter Digltol LCR Meter mumn'ete` wim FLUKE in detail or gray -scale variation as those -:-utioi CIA -1550B rrEcl LC -1801 000 I, Copoctlance A B + K Transistor Tester MULTIMETERS obtained with the other products I've TEST EQUIPMENT $58.95 8125 Al Models Available All Models Available 9 Ranges Musures $55 CM -150013 Fluke 70-11 965 reviewed (see accompanying actual out- .1p1.20.000old Coils loH-200H Reads Vohs, °hr.. Fluke 77-11_9145 .514 basic accy. -sCaps .1p1-200uf Conent, Capacrlors. Fluke 79-11_9169 put samples). But then, again, you can't Call for special price z,,, ,,,,,,mly,,h,..,,. Res .01-20M Tvansislors and Big r Displayen.twmen13g Diodes / with ode Fluke 87_ 9269 have everything for $100, right? 11 Dap* Call for special price Soldering Station On the other side of the scale, however, Video Heed Teeter FourFunction Frequency Counters LOSIHzOscilloscope CELLULAR Temperature Controlled =----- 141.200 F-100 120101 S-3000 0 SL -30$99 i ..-- 1 TELEPHONE in addition to low cost, Frugalvision of- $55.95 ii$11111MIN $179 Mortal Denary t $275 Tells you 11 ACCESSORIES Temp Range: ', F -10M 12011 fers portability, instant attachment and 1111 300E -900F VHS head Grainded Tip a Mean* $259 Triggered Sweep - or wom . detachment to any PC's parallel port and t Odense Prow Freqecy, Period Tweeze. "P"''="`tilltfated V ge pot Available for most phones A mud he Sell Check end, Hon Smalded Crystal Ow Solgt'Clui'nonet Call or write for detail the ability to be used with a laptop or VC, "6 OeOltalot. 8 agrt LED display Ideal tor ealto WOO, notebook computer without requiring a Quad Power Supply XP -580 TriplePower Supply XP -620 AM/FM Transistor True EMS 41/2 standard expansion slot. 59.95 Assembled $69 Radio Kit Digit Multimeter 2-20V 2A 101 $45 with Training Course M-7000 Software provided with Frugalvison is U.:salaams its .. 12V lA 210 ISO@ IA, sisi .4.11 - 5V 3A -2Io15V IA Model AM/FIA 108 $135 (or 4 to 30V 1A) virtually identical to what IDEC supplies ilt...L...i-:::.$-; -5V 5A 05% DC Accuracy and 5V 3A $26.95 1% Resistance Allthe desired femur. lot doneex with the Supervision/8 reviewed earlier. Fully reguLeted and s circuit protect, periments. 14 Transistors 5 Dodos ,eneiwren COYMIll Fr All the same handy features are present, Features short arum ptomain.. of supplies Mattes a gold school acted act -wt and Deluxe Case GF -8016 Function Generator Function Generator including direct output of captured im- with Freq. Counter Sloe XK-500 Digital / Analog Trainer A complete mini -lab for building, testing, prototyping analog and digital amine ages to a printer without the need to load 119600 Btu $249 Airs Eland's Oval i Analog Trainer a specially designed lot sclad protects with 5 ball in power an external application package. File for- Sew Square, Trona° 11F AWN& $28.95 med. Includes a luncuon panatela with ccollnously variable. an, triarpoar, square save t______I- Pulse. Ratnp..2 to 2MHz ..,-,,,,..t...11211 mats of .PCX, .TIF, .GIF and .BIF are Frog Counter .1- 10112 provq. sq., Triangle, stare .1S,A8rProl'PP"sup: reP4W "P"''''''' ''''''' "'- Int/Est openenon wave from 1Hz to ,MHz 1.25 to 20VDC .5 Amp GF-8015 without Freq. Meter $179 AM or FM capability (1.25 to 15VDC Cl NW) provided for saving images, along with a .1.25 lo .20VDC 5 Amp (-125 to 15,11)C I AmP) . S149.95 Assembled rich menu of image enhancement and Learn to Build and Program Wide Band Signal :!NvoRir: Computers with this Kit P19.95 Kb 11 Generators .5VDC manipulation options. Includes: AN Pans, Assembly and Lesson Manual 30VAC Corder tapped 15VAC ._ For field applications like capturing Model - ArtiOrgieurin MM -8000 . Fund.. Generator Sine. Tdanguw, Square wave forms :- - Sa) 4 V 4ii 460. images of buildings, doing warehouse in- ' rrc!mqurt'Aarb'e In five woes $129.00 ventory and other such "mobile" uses, : FAz=icyLzat' ust Frugalvision is an attractive and innova- iii -.41,". 1 a DC onut rw Modulation FM AM I) - NW - Section tive device for getting a video signal into a Eight data -ici,... 44 Two no bounce logos swathes Eght LED readouts TTL buffered PC for processing, at an unbeatable price. SG -9000$129 Cane I equency 1 to 1 [MHz a RF Free 100K-4501/14. MI Module- Close /runplauclo 5VPP square wave S..19 horn scrss.Vos LoWls ...P.m./am... hen el 1KHz Venable RF oumm Sreedboasts ..1.4cro-kls..rnyan mrcheer,,"youm teree.,,kws.:4...... 4s. mr,., , 2..bremaabopornitsi.e.ech,con..our. kneeler mactene Ian., as IBM PC 150 MHz bullt-In Count...1249 Tune in next month for the conclu- WE WILL NOT BE UNDERSOLD! 15 Day Money Back Guarantee UPS Shipping: 48 Stoles 5% C & S SALESI N(2. = 103 Min 010 Max) Shipping 1245 Rthentaid. Deerfield. 11. 6111115 2 Year Warranty - sion of this article. IL Res. 75",6 Toe FAX 70B-520-0085 1241111t 292.771 It 708 I5.11.neiti 4:10 WRITE FOR FREE CATALOG

Photos by Liz Benford CIRCLE NO. 57 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD

Say You Saw It In Computercraft December 1991 / COMPUTERCRAFT / 83 Article Cumulative Index January 1991 through December 1991

Heath's Convertible Computer Kit Schematics for Your PC Articles by Alexander W. Burawa Jul by TJ Byers. Dec 90,Jan,Feb,Apr,Jul (*Construction Projects) Image Acquisition, PC, Part 1 Correction to Part 2 (Jan) Feb AM Radio Transmission* by Tom Benford Dec Shopping at a Computer Flea Market by Bob Mostafapour Mar Keyboards and Keystrokes by Peter R. O'Dell Apr Backup Systems, PC Tape by Hardin Brothers May,Jun Single -Board Computers by Roger C. Alford Oct LCD Modules, Using Dot -Matrix by Jan Axelson Apr Basic, Visual by Jan Axelson Sep Socket Rocket, An 80287* by Bud Aaron Sep Lightning -Storm Monitor With by Crady Von Pawlak Apr Battery Charger, Super -Charger Automatic Disconnect* Talking Logic Probe, Build a* Programmable* by Nick Goss Jun,Jul by Nick Goss Apr by Nick Goss May Math Coprocessor, Adding the Right Telephone Call Restrictor* Buying Tour, A Quick by Roger C. Alford May by Steve Sokolowski Mar by SF Sparrow Apr Memory Without an Extra Plug -In Thermally Machine Project Boxes "C" Word, The Board, Double Heath/Zenith by Adolph A. Mangieri Nov by Hardin Brothers Oct by Art Salsberg Nov Correction Jan Cable For High -Speed Transmission, Microcontroller Boards that Use Tilt Switch for Automotive Alarms* Unshielded Twisted -Pair BASIC, Two, by Jan Axelson ... May by Walter W. Schopp Feb by Michael Swartzendruber May Microcontrollers, MC68705 Single -Chip Timing & Counting Circuits CD-ROM Drive, Installing a by Brian B. Beard Nov by Hardin Brothers Apr by Tom Benford Aug Microcontrollers, Experimenting Tools, Choosing the Right CD-ROM Sampler, A With 8051, by Jan Axelson Aug by Hardin Brothers Jul by Tom Benford Nov Microprocessors, Intel's Volts From Bench Power Supplies, Clock, Adding a Real -Time by Hardin Brothers Sep Get Precise*, by Nick Goss Sep by Jan Axelson Nov MIDI: Musical Instrument Digital Watt Watcher, The* Code -Practice Oscillator* Interface, by Tom Benford Sep by Dennis P. Blum Jan by Charles D. Rakes Jan Monitor Adapter, An RGBI-to-Analog* WWV, What's On Communications, PC Serial by Duane M. Perkins Nov by E. Thomas Hitt III Feb by Roger C. Alford Sep Mother Boards Boost XT Performance, Z8, Experimenting With the Compass, An LCD Digital* New, by Roger C. Alford Jun by Jan Axelson Dec by Steve Sokolowski Feb MS-DOS 5.0, Microsoft's Compression and Decompression Methods by John Woram Aug by Hardin Brothers Nov Photo Flash System, Triple Head* Applications Computer Experimenter Lab, The by Maurice P. Johnson Mar AM Radio Transmission* Modern Electronics* Power Protection for Your Computer by Bob Mostafapour Mar by Martin Meyer .. Jan-Mar,May-Jul System, by Roger C. Alford Aug Basic, Visual Analog Circuits Operational -Amplifier Power Supply for IC Experimenting* by Bud Aaron Sep% Laboratory Jun by Walter W. Schopp Jan Battery Charger, Super -Charger Signals Impossible to See With an Correction Mar Programmable*, by Nick Goss. May Oscilloscope, Looking at, Jul Power -Up Problems, Solving Buying Tour, A Quick CyberSpace, Navigating Through by Timothy Commuta Jul by SF Sparrow Apr by Barbara & John McMullen ... Nov Printer Selector, An Automatic* "C" Word, The Data Transceiver System, Build A* by Nick Goss Oct by Hardin Brothers Oct by Duane M. Perkins Dec Printer Port From Your Serial Port, Cable Fog High -Speed Transmission, Dayton Hamvention, Computers at Operating a Parallel* Unshielded Twisted -Pair by Peter R. O'Dell Oct by Nick Goss Aug by Michael Swartzendruber May Development System, A Low -Cost Printer Port I/O Interface, Build CD-ROM Sampler, A by Jan Axelson Jun a Parallel* by Tom Benford Nov ELF Monitor, Build an* by Adolph A. Mangieri Apr Code -Practice Oscillator* by John 'ovine Oct QuickBASIC, The Winning Ways of by Charles D. Rakes Jan EPROM Programmer, A Parallel -Port* by Hardin Brothers Aug Communications, PC Serial by Stuart Ball Jun,Jul Remote Controller, Power On/Off* by Roger C. Alford Sep EPROM Programming by James Melton Oct 90 Compass, An LCD Digital* by Jan Axelson Oct Correction Jan by Steve Sokolowski Feb Floppy -Disk Drives, Aligning PC Ring Director II* Compression and Decompression by Roger C. Alford Dec by Mark V. Lucas Oct Methods, by Hardin Brothers .. . Nov Graphics, On Line With Computer Robot, CyberBot: A Neural -Network* Computer Experimenter Lab, by SF Sparrow Oct by Nick Goss Nov,Dec The Modern Electronics* Hard -Disk Replacement Encounter ROM BIOS, Upgrading Your by Martin Meyer .. Jan-Mar,May-Jul by Peter R. O'Dell May by Roger C. Alford Apr Analog Circuits Operational -

84 / COMPUTERCRAFT / December 1991 Say You Saw It In Computercraft Amplifier Laboratory* Timing & Counting Circuits Wake -Up by Phone, Computer* Jun by Hardin Brothers Apr by Nick Goss Jul Signals Impossible to See With an Tools, Choosing the Right Oscilloscope, Looking at Jul by Hardin Brothers Jul Reviews CyberSpace, Navigating Through Volts From Bench Power Supplies, Air Combat, Chuck Yeager's by Barbara & John McMullen.. . Nov Get Precise*, by Nick Goss Sep by SF Sparrow Dec Dayton Hamvention, Computers at Watt Watcher, The* Color 4:, Diconix Nov by Peter R. O'Dell Oct by Dennis P. Blum Jan by Joseph Desposito Nov Development System, A Low -Cost Wake -Up by Phone, Computer* Copy Protection, Beating by Jan Axelson Jun by Nick Goss Jul by SF Sparrow Nov ELF Monitor, Build an* WWV, What's On Cordless Mouse, Evaluating a* by John Iovine Oct by E. Thomas Hitt III Feb by Joseph Desposito Apr EPROM Programming Z80, Experimenting With the Educational Gaming by Jan Axelson Oct by Jan Axelson Dec by SF Sparrow Nov Floppy -Disk Drives, Aligning PC Fax for Your PC, Fax96: Low -Cost by Roger C. Alford Dec by Joseph Desposito Feb Graphics, On Line With Computer Upgrading/Enhancing Fly Through Space With the Best 3D PC by SF Sparrow Oct AC Interface, Computer -Controlled* Color Game to Date Image Acquisition, PC, Part 1 by George F. Stockman IV ...Nov 90 by SF Sparrow Apr by Tom Benford Dec Correction Jan Harpoon by SF Sparrow Aug Keyboards and Keystrokes Backup Systems, PC Tape King's Quest: A Saga of Family Adventure by Hardin Brothers May,Jun by Roger C. Alford Oct by SF Sparrow Sep LCD Modules, Using Dot -Matrix CD-ROM Drive, Installing a LaserJet IIIP, Hewlett-Packard's New by Jan Axelson Sep by Tom Benford Aug by Joseph Desposito Oct Microcontroller Boards that Use Clock, Adding a Real -Time Links: The Challenge of Golf BASIC, Two, by Jan Axelson... May by Jan Axelson Nov by SF Sparrow May Microcontrollers, MC68705 Single -Chip Data Transceiver System, Build A* Monkey Island, The Secret of by Brian B. Beard Nov by Duane M. Perkins Dec by SF Sparrow Aug Microcontrollers, Experimenting EPROM Programmer, A parallel -Port* Publishing the Old -Fashioned Way With 8051, by Jan Axelson Aug by Stuart Ball Jun,Jul by Joseph Desposito Oct Microprocessors, Intel's Hard -Disk Replacement Encounter Schematics for Your PC by Hardin Brothers Sep by Peter R. O'Dell May by TJ Byers Dec 90,Jan,Feb,Apr MS-DOS 5.0, Microsoft's Heath's Convertible Computer Kit Correction (Part 2, Jan) Feb by John Woram Aug by Alexander W. Burawa Jul Snooper, The Nonvolatile Memory ICS, Using Lightning -Storm Monitor With by Martin Meyer Sep by Jan Axelson Jul Automatic Disconnect* Super -Spy, Covert Action From the Photo Flash System, Triple Head* by Nick Goss Jun,Jul Files of a, by SF Sparrow Oct by Maurice P. Johnson Mar Math Coprocessor, Adding the Right Surge Suppressor, A Whole House Power -Up Problems, Solving by Roger C. Alford May by Art Salsberg Aug by Timothy Commuta Jul Memory Without an Extra Plug -In Board, Two Astronomy Programs Power Supply for IC Experimenting* Double Heath/Zenith EZCosmos: Revealing the Entire by Walter W. Schopp Jan by Art Salsberg Nov Celestial Sphere by SF SparrowJun Correction Mar Mother Boards Boost XT Performance, Astronomy Lab for the IBM PC: Printed -Circuit Boards from Your PC New, by Roger C. Alford Jun View the Stars and Planets on Your PC by TJ Byers Feb MIDI: Musical Instrument Digital by Joseph Desposito Jun QuickBASIC, The Winning Ways of Interface, by Tom Benford Sep Correction Sep by Hardin Brothers Aug Monitor Adapter, An RGBI-to-Analog* (For more product reviews, see "Ted Remote Controller, Power On/Off* by Duane M. Perkins Nov Needleman" under "Columns" listing.) by James Melton Oct 90 Nonvolatile Memory ICS, Using Correction Jan by Jan Axelson Jul Ring Director 11* Photo Flash System, Triple Head* Columns by Mark V. Lucas Oct by Maurice P. Johnson Mar Editorial by Art Salsberg Robot, CyberBot: A Neural -Network* Power Protection for Your Computer Author's Guide Jan by Nick Goss Nov,Dec System, by Roger C. Alford Aug At Risk Feb Schematics for Your PC Printer Port From Your Serial Port, Printed Circuits Mar by TJ Byers Dec 90,Jan,Feb,Apr Operating a Parallel* Here's ComputerCraft Apr Correction (Part 2, Jan) Feb by Nick Goss Aug Hard or Soft? May Single -Board Computers Printer Port I/O Interface, Build The Pen is Mightier That the Key ... Jun by Jan Axelson Apr a Parallel* Computer Jocks Jul Talking Logic Probe, Build a* by Adolph A. Mangieri Apr The Shrink Aug by Nick Goss Apr Printer Selector, An Automatic* Going Home Sep Telephone Call Restrictor* by Nick Goss Oct The Plague Oct by Steve Sokolowski Mar ROM BIOS, Upgrading Your A Brain in a Box Nov Thermally Machine Project Boxes by Roger C. Alford Apr WINning Dec by Adolph A. Mangieri Nov Socket Rocket, An 80287* Correction Jan by Crady Von Pawlak Apr Joseph Desposito Tilt Switch for Automotive Alarms* Upgrading Your 286 Serial Number Chip, Melody Makers, by Walter W. Schopp Feb by Roger C. Alford Jul Silicon Pressure Sensor and Free

Say You Saw It In Computercraft December 1991 / COMPUTERCRAFT / 85 Selection Guide (Solid -State Devices) Port RAMs and a Battery Back -Up 40 -MHz DRAM Controller, Fast 4M and Jan IC Chip Jun 16M DRAMs, IC DRAM Cards, A Fast Math Coprocessor for 80386 NEC Speeds Up the V20 and V30; Fast Supervisory Circuits and Low -Power Computers; Low -Power GFI and High - Video DACs; CRT and Stepper Motor Transeivers Dec Speed GaAs SRAM (Solid -State Drivers Jul Devices) Feb Cache RAM Chip; Micro Softener Chip; Forrest M. MimsIII An SCSI -II Adapter, Ruggedized SRAM All -Digital Answering Machines; Experimenting With Crystal Oscillators and BurstRAM (Solid -State Devices) Voltage-Multiplier/Regulator IC .Aug (Electronics Notebook) Jan Mar A New EISA Chip Set, Virtual UART and Exploring for Electromagnetic Fields With Flash Memory Cards, Microprocessor Genlock Signal Processor for VGA a Telephone Induction Coil (Electronics Supervisory Circuits, etc. Apr Controllers Sep Notebook) Feb A High -Performance 80386 Chip Set, New Flash Memory, a Flip-Stik and a New Kind Electronic Strain Gauges (Electronics Floppy -Disk Controller, World's of Battery Oct Notebook) Mar Fastest DRAM, Programmable Clock Fast EPROMs and Transceivers, Stand - A Laser Update Apr Generator and an AC Suppressor . May Alone and DRAM Controllers, and a Solid -State Power Supplies May Flash Memory Programming Adapters, Compact Modem for Connecting MAP A Primer on Fiber Optics Jun a New NEC Microcontroller, Dual - achines Nov Optical Fiber Sensors Jul Practical Guidelines for Interfacing Circuits Aug An Analog Tape Recorder Storage Chip Sep An Optical Output Port for Your Computer Oct CABLE -MATE, INC. Do You Know How to Select a Data Recorder .. . Nov Are You Tired of Paying Who's Calling An Audio Output Port for Your Outrageous Fees? When Your Phone Rings? Computer Dec All makes and models of cable THE CALL IDENTIFIER* has the Answer equipment shipped within 24 hrs. displays callers phone number Ted Needleman Quantity discounts. For free when your phone rings Compact Disk Technology and catalog send S.A.S.E. to: stores phone numbers $79.95, Jan with date and time of call check/money order Computers (PC Capers) Cable -Mate, Inc., 450 Shag Bark SURVEILLANCE-COUNTERSURVEILLANCE More on CD ROMs; NEC -CDR -35 ROM Algonquin, IL 60102 EQUIPMENT CATALOG. .$5.00 Drive; The Microsoft Bookshelf; The C.O.D. orders accepted X-TRA LONG RANGE FM $39.95 pod PC -SIG Library; and Two From Soft (vole.) TRANSMITTER KIT (easy assembly) CALL FOR PRICES TODAY!! ware Toolworks (PC Capers). ... Feb P.O. Boo 337, Buffalo, NY 14226 800-422-0525 (716) 691.3476 Calendar Creator Plus and Top Priority =(708) 658-2121 ...col Mono Co CALLa ID some.. proidallity Personal Information Manager *No Illinois orders Software From Power Up (PC Hours -8:00 am -5:00 pm central time Capers) Mar A Fun Game Sequel and a Computer Sound Upgrade Apr Zeos International's Notebook 286 . May Intel's SatisFAXtion and the Complete PC's Complete FAX/Portable ... Jun Order Back Issues of Road Warrior's Tele-Toolkit and a Digital Imaging Primer Jul More on Digital Imaging; The Complete ComputeCraft Flatbed Scanner; CAT ScanAdapter LPT/Image Enhancer Aug Microsoft's MS-DOS From 1.0 to the Latest 5.0 Sep More on Digital Imaging for Computers Oct ORDER FORM Benchmarks or Baloney" Nov Micro Express Debuts a New 386 Machine Built around AMD's 40 -MHz Chip Please send me the following issues @ $3.50 each: Dec

Month(s) & Year(s): The World On -Line By Stan Veit A Starter Guide to Computer Telecommunications Aug Communication Tips for Going Number ordered @ $3.50 each: Total Payment Enclosed: On -Line Sep Free and Nearly -Free Software; Computer Viruses; and Compression/ NAME: ecompression Packages Oct Low -Cost, High -Speed Modems are ADDRESS: Here Dec CITY: STATE ZIP:

86 / COMPUTERCRAFT / December 1991 Say You Saw It In Computercraft Computer Games By SF Sparrow

Chuck Yeager's Air Combat

"Never say die." These three words of formation flying with Yeager, in demon- guage. Of course, Yeager usually adds a advice come from retired General Chuck stration of flying technique. An audio savvy comment or two. Yeager, a man who needs no introduction cassette was included with the game. Air Combat's graphics are certainly to pilots of real aircraft. Computer pilots Called "Flying Insights," the cassette comparable to industry standard, includ- may recognize the name from previous contained flight tips and exciting com- ing use of a graduated horizon, which has quality flight simulators that were pub- ments on some of Yeager's real -life ex- come into vogue of late. The terrain is a lished by Electronic Arts. periences. This second version of Ad- bit sparse, lacking highly detailed ob- The first computer game to bear Yea- vanced Flight Trainer logged some nice jects. But this has been a design of pre- ger's name was Advanced Flight Trainer. improvements.Forcomputerpilots vious Yeager/Electronic Arts games. But That game was an interesting move at the who'd rather fly than dogfight, it was a this is of minor concern because the ter- time because it had no combat at all. welcome addition to the game market. rain shifts and scrolls properly to main- When computer garners think of flight Yeager is back for a third shot at com- tain an excellent illusion of motion. On simulators, air combat is usually not far puter games. The new offering concerns the other had, visually sighted aircraft are behind. Yeager's Advanced Flight Train- itself with air combat. Some flight -simu- accurate and detailed and clouds are done er was different. It's purpose was to cele- lation fans had been wondering if Elec- very well. brate the wonder and skill of flight. In tronic Arts and Chuck Yeager would Air Combat is divided into three parts: doing so, players were treated to as much eventually focus on combat. Yeager flew World War II, the Korean War and Viet- experience and insight from Yeager that plenty of combat. An air -combat simula- nam. As a result, the game limits itself on game designers could reasonably put into tor retaining the precision and quality of the kind of aircraft that can be flown. the game. the Advanced Flight Trainers could be a The most sophisticated aircraft available Advanced Flight Trainer was a very lot of fun. Chuck Yeager's Air Combat is the F -4E Phantom II. This apparent good game that strove to accurately teach is, indeed, fun-and more. limitation doesn't detract appreciably the principles of real flying, with Yeager As garners have come to expect from from game play because there are six dif- as guide. Perhaps the game's only flaw Yeager and Electronic Arts, Air Combat ferent planes from which to choose. was it's graphics, which weren't quite is high on player instruction. The Ground More importantly, each plane has its own comparable to the standards of the time. School section of the game manual has flight characteristics; so piloting each is a A second version of the Advanced the usual treatise on flight basics. An in- different learning experience. This is very Flight Trainer was later released. It had teresting addition not normally found in commendable in view of many multi -air- much better graphics and a higher degree game manuals are diagrams and explana- craft flight simulators, where the varying of integration of Yeager insights with tions of flight envelope. The flight enve- aircraft are different only in name and player tutelage. Again, game designers lope is a great way of getting a snapshot appearance. were helping computer pilots appreciate of aircraft performance. Exceeding flight Playing Air Combat, you can be sure the finer points of flight. Most of the characteristics in the game, as in real life, that the Phantom will handle differently game manual was spent on education can create some problems that may be than the F -105D Thunderchief; and the about lift, drag, stalls, turns, throttle, na- difficult to overcome. P-51 Mustang doesn't fly quite like the vigation, rudder and so on. Much time While in flight, a player can view the en- P-47 Thunderbolt. This surely adds plea- was also spent on aerial maneuvers like velope of his current aircraft with a press sure to playing. the Immelman and Cuban 8. of a key. The manual goes on to explain Another interesting feature of the Step-by-step instructions on individual air combat maneuvers, tactics and gun- game is that a player can, within limits, subjects were highlighted by a session of nery, in readable and fairly clear Ian- custom design a combat encounter. It (continued on page 81)

Flying as the enemy in a MIG-15. The Phantom takes on prop planes.

Say You Saw It In Computercraft December 1991 / COMPUTERCRAFT / 87 ComputerCraft Mart otide Classified Commercial Rates: $1 per word, 15 -word minimum ($15.00) prepaid. (Word count includes name and address; ZIP code and abbreviation each count as one word; ..,,i. P.O. Box number and telephone number count as two words each.) Indicate free cate- gory heading (Computers, Communications, Electronics, Video orMiscellaneous). A .... - special heading is available for a $6 surcharge. First word only is set boldface caps at no CABLE TV DESCRAMBLERS charge. Add 20% for additional boldface words. THE MOST ADVANCED Non -Commercial Rates: FREE to subscribers, as space permits; maximum 15 words. A TECHNOLOGY IN CABLE EQUIPMENT: recent COMPUTERCRAFT mailing label must accompany ad. BASE BAND JERROLD *PIONEER (All advertisers with P.O. Box addresses must supply permanent address and telephone TOCOM HAMLIN ZENITH SCIENTIFIC ATLANTA OAK number. Copy is subject to publisher approval.) Mailing Information: Copy must be received by the publisher by the 25th of the third FOR OUT OF THIS WORLD PRICES CALL WORLDWIDE CABLE month preceding the cover date. Send Advertising material with check or money order or 1 800-772-3233 credit card information (Visa or MasterCard only) with number and expiration date to: FREE CATALOG AVAILABLE COMPUTERCRAFT, Classified Department, 76 N. Broadway, Hicksville, NY 11801. 7491 C-5 N. F-FnFRAL I -MN.. SUITE 142 BOCA RATON, FL 33487 MC / C00/ VISA No Florida Sales VIDEO 8031 MICROCONTROLLER SYSTEMS. CIRCLE NO. 49 ON FREE INFORMATION CAR!) Assembled and Tested systems from $49.95. Cross -assemblers and C cross -compilers from VHS -VCR Repair Solutions Sets I, II, III, IV, $50.00. Quantity discounts make our products AC/DC VOLTAGE AC/DC CURRENT P R 0 4 0 0 V, VI. Each contains 150 symptoms and cures, the ideal platform for educational use and DIODE TEST Stock No lailiPi updated cross reference chart, free assistance, short production runs. Cottage Resources LOGIC TEST 990092 95 LED TEST GOOD/BAD $11.95 each all six $59.95. Eagle Electronics Corporation, Suite 3-672,1405 Stevenson 5 FRED RANGES ,.:1I 5 CAPACITANCE RANGES 30 DAY Box A, 52053 Locks Lane, Granger, IN 46530. Drive, Springfield, IL 62703. 217-529-7679. LOW BATTERY Warning MONEY BA Cli CONTINUITY TEST/BUZZER TRANSISTOR CHECKER GUARANTEE! TV NOTCH FILTERS PHONE RECORD- PAN-COMM INT'L CATALOG. Over 350 20MHZFREQ COUNTER VISA .. ING EQUIPMENT, BROCHURE $1.00. MI- Kits, Plans, Books about Licensed/unlicensed

fi*:,e:. 7:, M.°o KELVIN ElectronicsAVC CRO THinc. BOX 63/6025, MARGATE, FL AM/FM broadcasting, Ham/CB/SW/DX D..7 Fairchild Ave., Plainview, NY 1180394--s! iC)x -C) electronics amplifiers, 1750M transmitters, (516) 349-7620 1(800) 645.9212.. T 4 33063. 1-305-752-9202. FAX (516) 349-7830 CWWWWWWWW Surveillance devices, Computers/Software, CABLE T.V. DESCRAMBLERS, Convert- Science Projects, MORE. $1.00 refundable. ers, Guaranteed, LOWEST PRICES, CNC Box 130-ME9, Paradise, CA 95967. Concepts Inc., P.O. Box 34503, Minneapolis, MN 55434, 1-800-535-1843. REMOTE CAR STARTERS. All vehicles. PLANS: ($12.95) Schlitzer. 414 Alva., Grand N1ZO S-80 10X ZDOM SUPER -8 camera, Prairie, TX 75051, 214-642-0338. CorriputetCraft $75. Dan Stoicheff, 605 Montgomery, Laurel, MD 20707. (301) 498-8915. ALPHA/THETA BRAINWAVE STIMU- LATION SOFTWARE for IBM or 100% clones. Requires color monitor and EGA or SubscribeNow VGA. Select colors, patterns and frequencies, ELECTRONICS WARNING EPILEPTICS MUST NOT USE! 5 1/4" $19.95, 3 1/2" $21.95. Templehof, andSave Dept.113 -CC, Box19300,Austin, TX KINETIKITS from KINETICO: electronic 78760-9300 kits outputting light or sound. Free catalog: KINETICO, P.O. Box 1634, NY, NY 10114- SATELLITE TV DESCRAMBLER. Build 0508. your own. Easy instructions. Parts list. Circuit board. Wiring diagram. $9.95. ABG ENTER- TEsoTinoEQUIPMENT SURVEILLANCE - COUNTERSURVEIL- PRISES:27081B,Halifax,NS. Canada LANCE. Guaranteed lowest prices! Unbeliev- B3H-4M8. NI FunctionGeneratoPrs FreqUency Counters able,Detectors,Jammers,Transmitters, im) Power Supplies Video Head Testers Etc. Phone Security, Cameras, Personal Protec- TEST turn-ons SA8580, SA8550, SA8500, Son. t972 CALL OR WRITE FOR OUR FREE CATALOG /ion, Books, More! Huge catalog $5.00 (Re- SA8570/90, Zenith All. Jerrold Starcom 6/7, IBRUNELLE INSTRUMENTS INC. fundable) PROTECTOR P.O. Box 520294-B, Tocom-VIP, $44.95. Each 1 pc Boxes. SA P.O. Box 1223 Newport Vermont 05655 Tel.,1-800-5673506 F.:1-819-569-1408 Salt Lake City, UT 84152. 8580, Starcom 7 B/B, Pioneer 6110, Tocom VIP, $279.95, Each. 1 -800 -74 -CABLE. MAKE $75,000 TO $250,000 YEARLY OR MORE FIXING IBM COLOR MONITORS, (AND MOST BRANDS). NO INVEST- MENT, RECESSION PROOF. START DO- COMPUTERS ING IT FROM YOUR HOME (A TELE- PAY TV AND SATELLITE DESCRAMBLING PHONE REQUIRED) BASIC ELECTRON- ALL NEW 1992 EDITION ALL NEW ICS OK. INFORMATION: USA, CANADA LOGTROLLER, Temperature logger and controller. 8052BASIC microcontroller. It's up to the minute. All new update on cable, wireless and $2.00 CASH FOR BROCHURE, OTHER satellite. Turn-ons, bypasses, circuits, chipping, bullets, bags, COUNTRIES $15.00 US FUNDS. RAN- Plans, $9.00. TENSOR, Box 2543, Thunder dectec, liberty one, ECM's, data readers, programming, and lots Bay, Ontario, P7B 5G1. more. Our best yet. Only $15.95. Other (all different) editions DALL DATA DISPLAY, BOX 2168-M, 1991, 1989, Volume One (Basics) $15.95 each. MDS Handbook VAN NUYS, CA 91404, USA. FAX: 818- $9.95. Satellite systems Under $600. $12.95. Any 3/$29.95 or COMPUTER BOARDS for process control 6/$49.95. Video $29.95. Scrambling News Monthly $24.95/yr. 990-7803. applications based on the 8051, 80C196, Sample $3. All New Catalog $1. Shipping costs included. PRIVACY Device Detects Hardwire Taps On 68HCI 1, and 68332 processors. Bare boards

Scrambling News. 1552F Hertel Ave . Modular Plug -In Telephones, (Most Com- or assembled and tested. Disk and EPROM Buttalo. NY, 14216. Voice/FAX (716)-874-2088 mon). $69. Check, VISA, M/C, AMEX, Disc. based software also available. Contact Allen I.:II Twilight Enterprises, 1-800-833-2681. Systems at 614-488-7122.

88 / COMPUTERCRAFT / December 1991 Say You Saw It In Computercraft Advertisers Index BARCODES Get in on an industry that is CABLE EQUIPMENT growing by 20% each year with THE BAR- CODE COURSE. THE BARCODE COURSE CABLE TV SECRETS the outlaw publication comes complete with a detailed barcode text- the cable companies tried to ban. HBO, Movie book, a portable barcode reader, RS -232 in- Channel,Showtime,Descramblers,Con- terface and barcode printing software for only verters, etc. Suppliers list included. $9.95. RS# Page # $149.95. OBR Inc., RR3 BOX 47 -7, Carbon- Cable Facts, Box 711 -ME, Pataskala, Ohio 43062. 52 AMC Sales 61 dale, IL 62901. 618-549-7100. 53 ARRL 60 80C52 -BASIC microcontroller board. BA- FOR SALE 54 Advanced Software 81 SIC interpreter, 32K RAM, 16K EPROM, 103 Altex Electronics 7 EPROM programmer, RS232, expansion con- ROCK -BOTTOM bargains, Used computer, Amer. Inst. for Comp. Sci 80 nector. Bare board with manual, schematics video, office equipment. SASE, PUBNETIX, 104 BG Micro 5 $19.95 + $3 P&H. 80C52 -BASIC micropro- POB 1022, Laurel, MD 20725 Binary Technology 75 cessor chip $24.95 + $1 P&H. Assembled and Brunelle Technology 88 IDEAS WANTED tested $119.95 + $5 P&H. MD residents in- CIE 23,90,Cov.III clude sales tax. SASE for info. Prologic INVENTORS! Can you patent and profit 56 CPC Computer Products 11 Designs, P.O. Box 19026, Baltimore, MD from your idea? Call AMERICAN INVEN- 57 C&S Sales 83 21204. TORS CORP. for free information. Serving Cable -Mate, Inc 86 inventors since 1975. 1-800-338-5656. Cable Ready Company 69 HOW TO MAKE MONEY AT HOME with 58 Cedar Software 80 your PC. Remarkable Information. 24 Hour CABLE 59 Computer Business Ser 81 Recorded Message 201-512-0298. 60 Consolidated Electronics 83 TOCOM VIP Test Chip. For models 5503 VIP 109 Consumertronics 39 FREE SOFTWARE for the IBM, CP/M and and 5507. Unlike any other turn -on, this one Commodore computers for info. Send $2.00 62 Contact East 53 works easily. Installs in just seconds. $50.00. 64 Cook's Institute 61 to TYLER ELECTRONICS, P.O. Box 493, No Calif. Sales. Call (213) 867-0081. Richmond Hill, N.Y. 11418. 150 Data Hut Coy H CABLE DESCRAMBLERS Jerrold 400, 450, 66 Design Computation 70 $35 RING DIRECTOR PC SOFTWARE al- Tri-Bi, SB-3. Scientific Atlanta, Oak, Tocom. EDE 86 lows Fax and Modem or Modem and Answer- LowestPrices.Example:JerroldFrom 67 EMAC 44 ing Machine to share one phone line. Also $25.00. No Calif Sales. Call us last and see! 68 GAV 13 calls pocket pager whenever phone messages (213) 867-0081. Grantham 65 are received. As seen in ComputerCraft, Page 70 Hamshire Industries 54 14, June 1991. Call 1-800-325-7379. ZENITH Z-TAC. Special "test" board in- 71 Hoops -Ware 70 stalls easily in minutes, and turns -on decoder FREE VGA Picture catalog, or Sampler Disks 72 Interactive Image Tech 8 for all modes. Great for "Flashing" prob- 48 JP Video 66 $10. Linken Graphics, Dept. 4, P.O. Box 98, lems. Only $50. No Calif. Sales. Call (213) Manville, NJ 08835. KD Video 62 867-0081. 69 KGP Productions 44 PD NUDES, THE ULTIMATE GRAPHICS Kelvin Electronics 88 DEMO FOR YOUR COMPUTER. Disk 74 Komputerwerk 69 prices: 1-$10, 3-$25, 6-830, 10-$40. Must state 75 Laser Group 73 you are over 18. Specify C64/C128, IBM, METRIC System Explained - Learn, compute metrics. IBM compatible program. SASE for M.K. Electronics 62 Atari -ST, Amiga. Send check to: Data Foun- 76 Merrimak Valley 81 dations, Dept 800G, Box 9324, Akron, OH details.Newcastle, 13424 N. 33rd Place, Phoenix, AZ 85032. 77 Micona 19 44305, or call 216-678-5365. 78 Microsystems Development 66 151 Microtech 27 AMIGA, MACINTOSH, ATARI XL/XE/ CABLE TV EQUIPMENT ST communications, electronic PD software 79 Minotaur Systems 66 $4.00/disk. SASE specifying computer for CABLE TV converters and descramblers dis- 80 Motron Electronics 75 catalog! KDware, Box 1646, Orange Park, FL count center. Jerrold, Tocom, Hamlin, Scien- NRI Schools 17 32067-1646. tific, Atlanta, Oak, Zenith. Order your today 81,82 National Adv. Corp 35,61 800-962-6836. 83 National Computer Security 62 ANALOG TO DIGITAL CONVERTER Nu-Vue Electronics 69 IBM PC COMPATIBLE. SCANS EIGHT 84 PC Boards 14 FOR SALE INPUTS. PLANS $5.00, COMPLETE KIT 85 Parallax, Inc 51 $30.00. KIRK BACH, P.O. BOX 9131, DAY- DESCRAMBLER KITS Complete cable kit 86 Phototronics 73 TON, OH 45409 $44.95. Complete Satellite kit $49.95. Add $5 87 Pseudo Corporation 75 FREE Tutorial on decision tables shows how shipping. Free Brochure. Summit MO, Box 88 R4 13 to design software logic fast! BONUS OF- 489, Bronx, NY 10465. 89,90 Radio Shack 3,Cov.III FER: Send $5 (CK or MO) & get Pre-DEVA, 95 SCO Electronics 70 A Powerful Decision Table Spreadsheet Pro- MISCELLANEOUS Scrambling News 88 gram with tutorial! (For PCs & Comps w DOS 91 Safesoft Systems 62 2.1 + ).(Special Time -Limited Offer, For- Skyvision, Inc 66 eign addresses add $5). Binary Triangles, AMATEUR RADIO no Morse code require- Smith Design 62 Dept. CC, 4940 Alzeda Dr., La Mesa, CA ment license approved by FCC effective Feb. 92 Softtools, Inc. 14 91941. 14, '91. Complete details with question and 47 Systronix, Inc. 53 answer pools, rules & regulations. Send $15.00 94 TECI 81 for everything you need to obtain Amateur li- 97 URDA 62 cense to Dan Mobley, 1800 Williams St., Val- 96 U.S. Cyberlabs 72 COMPUTER INSURANCE dosta, GA 31602. 157 Unicorn Electronics 9 98,99, Viejo Publications 72,73, INSURANCE against your worst Computer ASIAN LADIES want correspondence for 100 81 Nightmares! Covers against: THEFT, FIRE, friendship, marriage. SUNSHINE INTER- 49 Worldwide Cable 88 POWER SURGES, NATURAL DISAS- NATIONAL -Dept. TW, Box 5500, Kailua- TERS, EVEN EARTHQUAKES. Replaces Kona, Hawaii 96745. (808) 325-7707. with no depreciation. The Computer Insur- THAILAND Women, Marriageable, Tours, We'd like to see your company listed here too. ance Agency, Inc., 6150 Old Millersport Contact Eric Teitelbaum or Margaret Milanse at Road, N.E., Pleasantville, OH 43148. CALL Correspondence: 226 Photograph Brochure $3. Club Tai, Box 974(m), Miami 33233. 516-681-2922 to work out an advertising pro- NOW for rates 1-800-722-0385. gram tailored to suit your needs.

Say You Saw It In Computercraft December 1991 / COMPUTERCRAFT / 89 If You're Serious About a Future in Electronics, Ensure that Future with the Best Educational Training Available.

FREE! SEND FOR YOUR CIE HOME STUDY COURSE CATALOG AND RECEIVE A FREE 24 PAGE CIE ELECTRONICS SYMBOL HANDBOOK!

Includes hundreds of the most frequently used electronic symbols. Published by CIE exclusively for our students and alumni. Yours free when you request a CIE Course Catalog. If you want to learn about electron- CIE PROVIDES YOU WITH A ics, and earn a good income with that LEARNING METHOD SO knowledge then CIE is your best educational value. GOOD, IT'S PATENTED. CIE's reputation as the world CIE's Auto -programmed lessons are a leader in home study electronics is proven learning method for building based solely on the success of our valuable electronics career skills. Each graduates. And we've earned that lesson is designed to take you step-by- reputation with an unconditional step and principle -by -principle. And commitment to provide our students while all CIE lessons are designed for with the very best electronics independent study, CIE's instructors training. are personally available to assist you Just ask with just a toll - any of the free call. The 150,000 -plus result is practical graduates of training... the the Cleveland kind of experi- Institute of ence you can put Electronics to work in today's who are marketplace. core lessons applicable to all areas of working in electronics. And every CIE course you high -paying LEARN BY take earns you credit towards comple- positions with tion of your Associate in Applied aerospace, STATE-OF- Science Degree. So you can work computer, toward your degree in stages or as medical, THE-ART fast as you wish. In fact, CIE is the automotive FACILITIES only school that actually rewards you and communi- AND for fast study, which can save you cation firms thousands of dollars. throughout the EQUIPMENT. world. In 1969, CIE SEND TODAY FOR YOUR CIE COURSE They'll tell you success didn't pioneered the first Electronics Labora- CATALOG AND WE'LL SEND YOU A come easy...but, it did come.... thanks tory course and in 1984, the first FREE 24 PAGE CIE ELECTRONICS to CIE. And today, a career in elec- Mircoprocessor Laboratory course. SYMBOL HANDBOOK! tronics offers more opportunities and Today, no other home study school greater rewards than ever before. can match CIE's state-of-the-art equip- FINANCIAL AID AVAILABLE TO ment and training. And all your QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS. CIE's COMMITTED TO BEING laboratory equipment, books, and lessons are included in your tuition. THE BEST....IN ONE It's all yours to use while you study at AREA.... ELECTRONICS. home and for on -the -job after CIE isn't another be -everything -to - graduation. everybody school. We teach only one subject and we believe we're the best PERSONALIZED YES!I want to get started. at what we do. Also, CIE is accredited TRAINING....TO MATCH YOUR by the National Home Study Council. Send me my CIE school catalog includ- And with more than a 1,000 gradu- BACKGROUND. ing details about the Associate Degree I ates each year, we're the largest While some of our students have a Program. (For your convenience, CIE home study school specializing working knowledge of electronics will have a representative contact you - exclusively in electronics. CIE has others are just starting out. That's there is no obligation.) been training career -minded students why we've developed twelve career like yourself for nearly 60 years and courses and an A.A.S. Degree program Name: we're the best at our subject to choose from. So, even if your not ELECTRONICS ... BECAUSE IT'S THE sure which electronics career is best Address ONLY SUBJECT WE TEACH! for you, CIE can get you started with City: State:

WHY CHOOSE CIE FOR YOUR TRAINING? Zip: Age. 150,000 successful graduates from every country around the world. Only CIE rewards you for fast study. CIE offers an Associate Degree Phone No. program based on actual study time used. The faster you complete your Check box for G.I. Bulletin Benefits degree the less your overall tuition. Veteran Active Duty State-of-the-art laboratory equipment is yours to keep and it comes assembled, ready for hands-on experiments. Approved for educational benefits under the G.I. Bill for veterans and other eligible persons. CLEVELAND INSTITUTE OF Upon graduation, CIE offers free preparation to pass the Certified ELECTRONICS Electronics Technician Exams. 1776 East 17th Street A school of thousands. Cleveland, Ohio 44114 A class of one (216) 781-9400 e 1914 LimmmmumimmiummmmaA024 With a Tandy® laptop...

I.0

PC power is right at hand. With Tandy's line of powerful lap- Or pick up the 286 -based Tandy easy -to -use DeskMate® sot r A e tops, there's no reason to leave your 1800 HD. Even with its 20 -megabyte already installed. computer behind. Quality engineered hard drive, the 1800 HD weighs less And then there's the Tana\ 102-

for rugged travel, these laptops deliver than six pounds! the 3 -lb. portable that helped ,I the same desktop power you've come All three are 1.7 x 12.2 x 10" and the laptop revolution. to expect in the office. feature stunning VGA graphics, On the move? Tandy is the one The 386SX-based Tandy 3810 and one megabyte of memory, and a to take. Available at Radio Shack, 286 -based Tandy 2810 both come 1.44 -megabyte floppy drive. America's Technology Store. with 60 -megabyte hard drives. Their The Tandy 1110 HD is one of the high performance make them ideal for most affordable notebooks to com- powerful applications using Microsoft° bine both a floppy and a hard drive. TANDY® Windows'". Plus, you can connect a And like all our PC -compatible lap- VGA monitor and external keyboard tops, it comes with MSDOS®, plus THE BEST-SELLING for true desktop use. PC COMPATIBLES IN AMERICA Microsoft and MSDOS/registered trademarks, Windows/trademark ofMicrosoft Corp. CIRCLE NO. 89 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD