Blog

Portable multimeter - Sanwa PM300

2026-06-28T15:44:29Z

{gallery}Sanwa PM300 A few years ago I looked for a replacement for my portable multimeter, the Appa iMeter 5, for which I was not fully satisfied. I have found a Sanwa PM300. I have been ...(read more)

GDM-8341 trace capabilities review

2026-06-26T15:40:11Z

Back in March, I was flabbergasted to be chosen as the grand prize winner for the Fun and Games competition I mean, I was participating for the fun of it, thinking to myself "heck, if I reach second place, that'll be a good occasion to repla...(read more)

Analog Discovery 3 - oscilloscope channels crosstalk

2026-06-15T16:00:45Z

The channel isolation describes how much signal on one input channel unintentionally appears on another channel. In case when we are measuring some signal, e.g. on channel 1 and has channel 2 not connected to any signal, in an ideal scenario, there s...(read more)

Siglent SPD1305X

2026-06-09T17:49:57Z

Today arrived my power supply, that bought few days ago. It was a good occasion to buy almost not used device in half of current price. The device is in the condition as described by the previous owner. It still has a product seal. After disass...(read more)

Analog Discovery 3 - oscilloscope noise floor

2026-05-31T18:38:28Z

Background Today I have checked the input noise floor of the oscilloscope channel in Analog Discovery 3. By default, both oscilloscope channel inputs of the Analog Discovery 3 are not shielded. It is mentioned in this thread: https://forum.digilent.c...(read more)

Reducing Common-Mode Noise with Ferrites

2026-05-28T15:49:46Z

Making low-noise measurements can be hard! Sometimes, if the device-under-test is small, I try to place it inside a shielded enclosure. There are some (+) Ideas on Building a Shielded Test Enclosure - element14 Community here. There was a r...(read more)

PicoScope 7: Overall, I am Impressed. But, What’s Your Opinion?

2026-05-26T19:36:46Z

Introduction I own a pretty old, portable PicoScope model (2000 series), which cost very little. Although I have larger desktop ‘scope options with screens, I still find that PicoScope gets used regularly. I’ve even written my own ‘...(read more)

MP710086 / MP710087: Lab Bench Power Supply Quick Review!

2026-05-18T20:35:38Z

I've desired a decent linear low-noise power supply for ages, and I think I've finally found one at a reasonable price. (Image source: Farnell website) It's actually been around for ages. fmilburn reviewed the 30V 5A ...(read more)

SPICE Circuit Simulation: A Simple Explanation!

2026-04-14T02:23:15Z

Table of Contents Introduction I Want to Try It, Now! SPICE Quick Overview Elementary Models Pin Ordering for Component Symbols An Entire Circuit Choosing and Running Simulations DC Voltages and Currents (Operating Point) Simulations Time-Domain (...(read more)

Researchers Create a New Technique That Produces MXenes with 160x Conductivity

2026-04-09T19:32:03Z

This image combines a scanning electron microscopy (left) and a crystallographic fragment of the MXene structure, highlighting its ordered and finely tuned surface terminations. (Image Credit: B. Schröder/HZDR) Researchers from Helmholtz-Zentru...(read more)

SHAHE Wireless Bluetooth Digital Calipers – A Quick Review

2026-03-21T13:15:58Z

Introduction I own two pairs of high-quality Moore & Wright calipers, which offer several advantages: an excellent LCD screen, soft-press buttons, and straightforward operation. However, there are some drawbacks. The battery compartment slide cov...(read more)

Pico SCPI labLib now has configurable USB IDs

2026-03-13T15:22:25Z

Michael Stoops submitted pull requests to make a set of USB parameters configurable in your CMake file. What USB IDs can be configured? USB_VID USB_PID USB_MANUFACTURER USB_PRODUCT USB_SERIALNUMBER FW_VER_BCD FW_VER_STR Before&n...(read more)

Too Many Development Tools: How to Organize Them with Virtual Disks!

2026-03-04T16:16:06Z

Introduction I recently bought a new laptop to replace an ancient one, and this time decided to put more thought into how I organized things. A problem for me is that I tend to install a lot of software tools and integrated development environments (...(read more)

Weller ZeroSmog Guard fume filtration unit images

2026-02-22T14:31:23Z

After the Micro Soldering Kit and Filtration Unit road test, I have a collection of unused photos of the Guard. Posting them here: For earlier photos, when I was setting up the system: Weller Micro Soldering Kit and Filt...(read more)

FSK Demodulation with R&S FPC Spectrum Analyzers, or How I Achieved an Optimal Room Temperature

2026-01-20T21:01:54Z

Introduction I wrote a review (and created a video) for a Rohde & Schwarz FPC series spectrum analyzer eight years ago, and although I explored some of the demodulation capability back then, I never used it for a real-life scenario. Fas...(read more)