Illadkj- Try It for Yourself!
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COLD FUSION illadkj- Try it for yourself! "INN TECHNOLOGY - VIDE') - MIDI A primer on the Musical Instrument Digital Interface B UILD A SOLAR POWER SUPPLY Power your projec from the sun-eve B UILD A MUSIC -O ADAPTE An easy -to - for any Touch -Tone phone SERVICING DIGITAL RADIOS Practical hints and tips CAPACITORS Choosing the right component for the job COMPUTERDIGEST . -_ .... : .. rr tr. Multitasking with a '386 t1 ' r - ;4 ' ti_ . _ _ '?.. J . _ 08 Q0 .. :: . tl ' iT T f C,'T _°:'. .:..i_ i i rii $2.25 U.S. -:it'ii`i 'ii GERNSBACK ,tifÿ,r iS': $2.75 CAN :r:-}`:,. ;L -t='- i :i_: _ o 7 1896 www.americanradiohistory.com FLUKE AND PHILIPS - THE GLOBAL ALLIANCE IN TEST & MEASUREMENT FLUKE PHILIPS PHILIPS The new 80 Series is a digital meter, an analog meter, a frequency counter, a recorder, a capacitance tester, and a lot more. It's the first multimeter that can truly be called "multi" ... not only standard features, but special functions usually limited to dedicated instruments. Plus, innovations only Fluke can bring you. Like duty cycle measurements. Or recording the minimum, maximum and average value of a signal. Or the audible MIN MAX Alert- that beeps for new highs or lows. There's even Fluke's exclusive Input Alert-, that warns you of incorrect input connections. And a unique Flex -Stand' and protective holster, so you can use the 80 Series almost anywhere. Make sure your next multimeter is truly multi. Call today at 1 -800 -44 -FLUKE, ext 33. FROM THE WORLD LEADER IN DIGITAL MULTIMETERS. FLUKE 83 FLUKE 85 FLUKE 87 Volts, ohms. amps. diode test, audible continuity, frequency and duty cycle. capacitance, Touch Hold°, relative, protective holster with Flex -Stand'. $189 $219' $259' 0.3% basic do accuracy 0.1% basic do accuracy 01% basic dc accuracy 5 kHz acV 20 kHz acV 20 kHz acV Analog bargraph 8 Analog bargraph 8 High resolutim zoom zoom analog pointer Three year warranty Three year warranty True ems ac 1 ms PEAK Mill MAX 4th digit mode Back lit display. Three year waTanty Suggested U.S. list price Fluke 80 Series John Fluke Mfg. Co_ Inc., P.O. Box C9090 M/S 250C. Everett, WA 98206 The new U S 206-356-5400 CANADA: 416-890-7600 OTHER COUNTRIES: 206-356-5500 shown actual size Copyright 1988 John Fluke Mfg. Cn Inc All rights reserved Ad No. 0581-F80 FLUKE CIRCLE 121 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD www.americanradiohistory.com August 1989 Electronics.Radio- BUILD THIS COMPUTERDIGEST BUILD AN """' --EDITOR'S 80386SX WORM. 42 MUSIC -ON-HOLD ADAPTER BENCH. Iii MOTHERBOARD Add a customized feature to your Touch -Tone phone. , Steve Sokolowski , °..b., C7"..._..m.._ 47 SOLAR POWER SUPPLY Harness the sun's energy to power devices-even at night! Dan Becker LIGHT BEAM COMMUNICATOR 52 L Final assembly and testing of the communicator. Roger Sonntag TECHNOLOGY PAGE 75 J1V,PDI5 0 33 MUSICAL INSTRUMENT DIGITAL INTERFACE A primer on MIDI and a look at some of the latest equipment. John Simonton and Marshal M. Rosenthal 56 CAPACITORS More on selecting the right capacitor for the job. Josef Bernard NEW PROBLEMS, NEW SOLUTIONS 60 NEW RADIOS, -E21 Case histories and practical advice on fixing digitally -tuned radios. Gary McClellan I ; 75 BUILD AN 80386SX MOTHERBOARD Part 3. Building the daughterboard. PAGE 42 Bernard A. Mcllhaney 80 BUILDING AN OMNIVIEW APPLICATION That display the status of other concurrently running programs. AND MORE Mike Toutonghi 102 Advertising and Sales Offices 102 Advertising Index 6 VIDEO NEWS 71 AUDIO UPDATE 8 Ask R -E The latest happenings. Frequency response. David Lachenbruch Larry Klein 103 Free Information Card 16 EQUIPMENT REPORTS 73 DRAWING BOARD 12 Letters Beckman 223 DMM Making printed -circuit boards. 86 Market Center Robert Grossblatt VideOsmith Spectrum Probe 22 New Products 64 HARDWARE HACKER 75 EDITOR'S WORKBENCH 70 PC Service Cold fusion for hackers. Report from Comdex. Don Lancaster Jeff Holtzman 4 What's News 1 www.americanradiohistory.com ON THE COVER Radio Electronics COLO FUSION Computers have become an in- Try iC tor yourself strumental part of how music is made today, thanks to MIDI, the Mu- sical Instrument Digital Interface. Hugo Gernsback (1884.1967/founder M. Harvey Gernsback, Although MIDI was introduced less editor -in -chief. emeritus than a decade ago, it has changed Larry Steckler, EHF, CET, the way that we make music. editor -in -chief and publisher Even if you're more familiar with EDITORIAL keyboards than piano DEPARTMENT computer Art Kleiman, editorial director yddti r» . keys, MIDI can open a whole new Brian C. Fenton, editor world to you. Getting started in MIDI Marc Spiwak, associate editor is cheap, and if you've ever had any Daniel Goodman, technical editor tlkuurto, the ou,,, Jonathan n..ar musical training, you'll find that it's a A. Gordon, vM1 ecaU assistant technical il lot of fun. For a primer on MIDI spec- editor Teri Scaduto, assistant editor Bolus: * Audis update ifications, and for a look at some a Voles News Jeffrey K. Holtzman, --.- Nardware Puck, And tats mare' popular MIDI hardware and soft- computer editor ware, turn to page 33. Robert A. Young, assistant editor Byron G. Wets, editorial associate Jack Darr, CET, service editor Robert Grossblatt, circuits editor Larry Klein, audio editor NEXT MONTH David Lachenbruch, contributing editor Don Lancaster, contributing editor Richard D. Fitch, THE SEPTEMBER ISSUE contributing editor Kathy Campbell, editorial assistant GOES ON SALE Andre Duzant, technical illustrator AUGUST 3. lnjae Lee, assistant illustrator PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT Ruby M. Yee, production director BUILD A SPECTRUM MONITOR Robert A. W. Lowndes, See RF signals from 20-600 MHz editorial production Karen Tucker, advertising production Marcella BUILD A VLF ACTIVE ANTENNA/CONVERTER Amoroso, production traffic Tune in the world below the broadcast band. CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT Jacqueline P. Cheeseboro, circulation director BUILD A VLF TRANSMITTER Wendy Alanko, Explore VLF conditions with this easy -to -build transmitter. circulation analyst Theresa Lombardo, circulation assistant SRS: THE SOUND RETRIEVAL SYSTEM Typography by Mates Graphics This development promises stereo like you've never heard it before! Cover photo by Marshal M. Rosenthal, NYC VCR REPAIRS THAT YOU CAN DO Radio -Electronics is indexed in How to solve tape -loading problems. Applied Science & Technology Index and Readers Guide to Periodical Liter- ature. As a service to readers, RADIO -ELECTRONICS publishes available plans or information relating to newsworthy products. Microfilm & Microfiche are techniques and scientific and technological developments. Because of possible variances in the quality and condition of editions materials and workmanship used by readers. RADIO -ELECTRONICS disclaims any responsibility for the safe and proper available. Contact circulation depart- functioning of reader -built projects based upon or from plans or information published in this magazine. ment for details. Since some of the equipment and circuitry described in RADIO -ELECTRONICS may relate to or be covered by U.S. patents. RADIO -ELECTRONICS disclaims any liability for the infringement of such patents by the making. using, or selling of any such Advertising Sales Offices listed equipment or circuitry, and suggests that anyone interested in such projects consult a patent attorney. on page 102. RADIO -ELECTRONICS. (ISSN 0033-7862) August 1989. Published monthly by Gernsback Publications. Inc., 500-B Bi -County Boulevard. Farmingdale. NY 11735 Second -Class Postage paid at Farmingdale, NY and additional mailing offices. Second -Class mail registration No. 9242 authorized at Toronto, Canada. One-year subscription rate U.S.A. and possessions $17.97. Canada $23.97. all other countries $26.97. All subscription orders payable in U.S.A. funds only. via international postal money order or check drawn on a U.S.A. bank. Single copies $2.25. c 1989 by Gernsback Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to RADIO -ELECTRONICS, Subscription Dept.. Box 55115, Boulder. CO The 80321-5115. Au[tt Bureau. t, A stamped self-addressed envelope must accompany all submitted manuscripts and/or artwork or photographs if their return is JI)1 desired should they be rejected. We disclaim any responsibility for the loss or damage of manuscripts and/or artwork or photographs while in our possession or otherwise. www.americanradiohistory.com Now electronics technicians can get into VCR Servicing quickly and easily Learn professional VCR servicing at home or in your shop with exclusive videotaped demonstrations Today, there are more than 10 million VCRs in use, with people standing in Covers Beta and VHS line to have them serviced. You can bring this profitable business into your systems with actual shop with NRI professional training in instruction on VCR servicing. This top-level training supports the industry's claim that videotape. the best technicians today are those who service VCRs. Integrated Three -Way Self -Teaching Program In one integrated program, NRI gives you a study guide, 9 instructional units, 2 hours of video training tapes accompanied by a 32-page workbook that pulls it all together. At home or in Best Professional Professionals. 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