Putting the M in a UNI-T MSO
[Kerry Wong] points out that the Uni-T MSO oscilloscopes have a logic analyzer built in — that’s the MSO, or Mixed Signal Oscilloscope, part — but you have to add …read more Continue reading Putting the M in a UNI-T MSO
Author Archives: Al Williams
The Cutting Truth about Variable Capacitors
If you’ve seen a big air-variable capacitor, you may have noticed that some of the plates may have slots cut into them. Why? [Mr Carlson] has the answer in the …read more Continue reading The Cutting Truth about Variable Capacitors
Trace Tracing to the Tunes
Some kind of continuity beeper has been a standard piece of gear since the dawn of electronics. Sure, you probably have an ohm meter, but sometimes you don’t care about …read more Continue reading Trace Tracing to the Tunes
Linux Fu: Compose Yourself!
Our computers can display an astonishing range of symbols. Unicode alone defines more than 150,000 characters, covering everything from mathematical operators and phonetic alphabets to emoji and obscure historical scripts. …read more Continue reading Linux Fu: Compose Yourself!
Redneck Spaceship From Trash
Facebook Marketplace provides you with a free grain silo, so what do you do with it? If you are [saveifforparts], you mix it with other materials and produce a retro-style …read more Continue reading Redneck Spaceship From Trash
Roll Your Own Hall Effect Sensor
If you read about Hall effect sensors — the usual way to detect and measure magnetic fields these days — it sounds deceptively simple. There’s a metal plate with current …read more Continue reading Roll Your Own Hall Effect Sensor
Using an e-Book Reader as a Secondary Display
[Alireza Alavi] wanted to use an e-ink tablet as a Linux monitor. Why? We don’t need to ask. You can see the result of connecting an Onyx BOOX Air 2 …read more Continue reading Using an e-Book Reader as a Secondary Display
Improving the Cloud Chamber
Want to visualize radioactive particles? You don’t need a boatload of lab equipment. Just a cloud chamber. And [Curious Scientist] is showing off an improved miniature cloud chamber that is easy …read more Continue reading Improving the Cloud Chamber
The Miracle of Color TV
We’ve often said that some technological advancements seemed like alien technology for their time. Sometimes we look back and think something would be easy until we realize they didn’t have …read more Continue reading The Miracle of Color TV
Memory at the Speed of Light
Look inside a science fiction computer, and you’ll probably see tubes and cubes that emit light. Of course, it’s for effect, but the truth is, people do think light computing …read more Continue reading Memory at the Speed of Light