Projects in the May 2003 issue of EPE Magazine
Super Motion Sensor - A highly responsive design that even detects a single finger moving at five metres, or a person crossing a path at 20 metres distance. Super-sensitive design, auto adjusts for ambient light levels. Relay output. 12V d.c. supply. An interesting constructional project for electronics hobbyists and experimenters.

EPE PIC Tutorial Version 2 (Part 2). Our fantastic PIC microcontroller tutorial is absolutely the easiest low-cost way to learn about the techniques needed for programming the PIC family of devices. The face of hobby electronics is changing fast, and now you can be part of it by following this superb 3-part tutorial written by John Becker. Designed to provide extensive hand-holding even for complete beginners, there is really no better way to climb on board and get to grips with PICs! Used in conjunction with our PIC Toolkit Mk3 circuit board that connects directly to a PC, this series is an enhanced revision of our highly acclaimed series first published in 1998. Uses our free TK3 software for Windows 95, 98, Me. Can also run under NT, XP and 2000 using pointers and techniques outlined in the article.

In Part 2 of our bumper-sized supplement we play with switches, make noise, count time periods and generally have fun with more PIC 16F84 commands.

In July 2003 issue (p.456) we said that on Page 31 of the PIC Tutorial Part 2,
the left-hand circuit notations shouldread top to bottom as RB0 to RB5.
Earth Resistivity Logger (Part 2) - Help your local archaeological society to locate the hidden mysteries of our ancestors, using this versatile but inexpensive measurement and logging system. Generates a 137 Hz ground-penetrating signal. Realtime LCD display. PC compatible system, free Windows (95, 98, Me tested) software. Output exportable into Excel. Many more features far too numerous to list here! Proven in field trials, this design offers excellent performance for the price, with software to match. In Part 2, we describe the PC software and offer general advice for budding archaeologists, plus, details of an actual survey made using the EPE Earth Resistivity Logger.

Sample display of a PC screen using Earth Resistivity Logger software.
Back to Basics (Part4) - Live Wire Detector - our Back-to-Basics series continues with more beginners' projects that offer you an opportunity to build simple transistor designs and gain confidence in electronics construction. The Live Wire Detector sounds a bleep when a live cable is located, with no direct electrical contact needed. Also useful for testing Christmas lights and initial mains fault finding tests.

Back to Basics (Part 4) - Medium Wave (AM) Radio - just three transistors are needed for producing this simple AM radio. The article also describes the basics of amplitude modulation, the basis of fundamental radio reception. Ferrite rod aerial.

Door Chime - the sound of the traditional 'ding dong' door bell is brought to you once again, this time using an array of transistor oscillators coupled to a small power amp i.c. to recreate the nostalgic sound.

  

Techno Talk describes how barcodes are set to disappear! New Technology Update - how improved antenna materials enhance mobile phone comms. Circuit Surgery - how to read circuit diagrams (continued), and CMOS digital timing without glitches. Ingenuity Unlimited - more readers' own ideas. Net Work - the Internet column - how to win an Ebay auction in the closing seconds. All this and more in the latest issue of EPE Magazine. Subscribe now!