Blog

Benchwave, a free Mac app that will help oragnise your workshop

sebnast — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 14:17:38 GMT

A while back I picked up a couple of FNIRSI instruments, a 2D15P scope and an LCR-P1 component tester. Good kit for the money, but the software is a letdown: mostly Windows-only, so on a Mac you're stuck dragging screenshot files off a USB drive by h...(read more)

Portable multimeter - Sanwa PM300

kk99 — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 15:44:29 GMT

{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

obones — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 15:40:11 GMT

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

kk99 — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 16:00:45 GMT

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

kk99 — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 17:49:57 GMT

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

kk99 — Sun, 31 May 2026 18:38:28 GMT

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

shabaz — Thu, 28 May 2026 15:49:46 GMT

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?

shabaz — Tue, 26 May 2026 19:36:46 GMT

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!

shabaz — Mon, 18 May 2026 20:35:38 GMT

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!

shabaz — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 02:23:15 GMT

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

Catwell — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 19:32:03 GMT

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

shabaz — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 13:15:58 GMT

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

Jan Cumps — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 15:22:25 GMT

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!

shabaz — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 16:16:06 GMT

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

Jan Cumps — Sun, 22 Feb 2026 14:31:23 GMT

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)