Blog

Cheap active oscilloscope probe

kk99

During the last test of the Si5351 clock generator, I thought that it would be nice to compare measurement results between a passive probe to an active probe. I have found one based on a well-known design with usage of the high frequency BF998 FET t...
- 4 Aug 2026
Keithley DMM6500: Software Control Options Pt 3 - VSCode TSP Toolkit

Jan Cumps

Follow up on my road test of the Keithley Bench Digital Multimeter DMM6500.I proposed in my application to focus the review on instrument automation. In this post, the VSCode TSP Toolkit plugin. The plugin was released a few years...
- 25 Jul 2026
The wire stripper

kk99

Till now, I have used a self-adjusting wire stripper. It was quite good but sometimes stuttered during stripping. It didn't have an option to regulate the length of a stripped area of wire. I have decided to try something which allows me to regulate...
- 12 Jul 2026
Benchwave, a free Mac app that will help oragnise your workshop

sebnast

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...
- 2 Jul 2026
Portable multimeter - Sanwa PM300

kk99

{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 ...
- 28 Jun 2026
GDM-8341 trace capabilities review

obones

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...
- 26 Jun 2026
Analog Discovery 3 - oscilloscope channels crosstalk

kk99

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...
- 15 Jun 2026
Siglent SPD1305X

kk99

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...
- 9 Jun 2026
Analog Discovery 3 - oscilloscope noise floor

kk99

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...
- 31 May 2026
Reducing Common-Mode Noise with Ferrites

shabaz

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...
- 28 May 2026
PicoScope 7: Overall, I am Impressed. But, What’s Your Opinion?

shabaz

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 ‘...
- 26 May 2026
MP710086 / MP710087: Lab Bench Power Supply Quick Review!

shabaz

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 ...
- 18 May 2026
SPICE Circuit Simulation: A Simple Explanation!

shabaz

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 (...
- 14 Apr 2026
Researchers Create a New Technique That Produces MXenes with 160x Conductivity

Catwell

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...
- 9 Apr 2026
SHAHE Wireless Bluetooth Digital Calipers – A Quick Review

shabaz

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...
- 21 Mar 2026
Pico SCPI labLib now has configurable USB IDs

Jan Cumps

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...
- 13 Mar 2026
Too Many Development Tools: How to Organize Them with Virtual Disks!

shabaz

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 (...
- 4 Mar 2026
Weller ZeroSmog Guard fume filtration unit images

Jan Cumps

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...
- 22 Feb 2026
FSK Demodulation with R&S FPC Spectrum Analyzers, or How I Achieved an Optimal Room Temperature

shabaz

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...
- 20 Jan 2026
Unlock the Secrets of Op Amps and Master Simulation with LTspice

Catwell

(Image credit: element 14) Operational amplifiers (Op Amps) are one of those fundamental building blocks found in just about every corner of electronics. They’re used to amplify, filter, and condition signals in everything from audio systems a...
- 28 Oct 2025
Unboxing Video of TOMLOV 602 Flex

meera_hussien

Unboxing the TOMLOV 602 Flex digital microscope from TOMLOV. In this video, I’ll take you through the first look, what’s inside the box, a quick setup, and my initial impressions—especially for electronics work like SMD solderi...
- 2 Oct 2025
Low-Cost Waveform Generators: Owon DGE1000 / DGE1030 AWG Review

shabaz

Table of Contents Introduction What is it? Motivation Unboxing Sine Wave Output 1.4 MHz Signal 10.7 MHz Signal 21.4 MHz Signal Internal Amplifier Noise Modulation Amplitude Modulation (AM) Frequency Modulation (FM) Low-Level Si...
- 15 Jun 2025
Miniature Table Saw (Bench Circular Saw): Proxxon KS 230 Unboxing!

shabaz

I purchased a very small (less than A4 paper sized footprint!) table saw called Proxxon KS 230 , and it arrived today. It's not my first Proxxon tool: Proxxon Rotary Tools Review: Micromot 50/EF, FBS 12/EF and NG 2/E The KS...
- 29 May 2025
Samtec's Severe Environment Testing Protocol Puts Interconnects Through Their Paces

Catwell

(Image credit: Samtec) Samtec recently announced the development of its Severe Environment Testing (SET) protocol, a qualification standard designed to test the reliability of Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) interconnects employed in extreme environ...
- 13 May 2025
Short Circuits and Continuity: Building an Easy Continuity Tester

shabaz

Table of Contents Introduction How Does it Work? Building It Setting Up and Using It Summary Introduction Since time immemorial, the continuity tester has always been just a dial setting on multimeters. That’s adequate most of the time, bu...
- 26 Feb 2025