A how-to on building a tracking generator using off-the-shelf components by Kerry Wong: In this blog post, I will show you how to build a 0 to 5.8 GHz tracking generator for the HP 8566B 100 Hz to 22 GHz spectrum analyzer using off-the-shelf components for under $100. Although this tracking generator is specifically designed for […]
Category Archives: how-to
Building a simplex repeater
Kenneth Finnegan writes, “In this installment of the “How to Build a Repeater” series, I explain the concept of a simplex repeater and how to assemble one out of an Argent Data ADS-SR1 and a Motorola Maxtrac. Thanks again to Argent Data for providing me with an ADS-SR1 to play with; it’s a fun little […]
Creating high resolution integrated circuit die photos with Hugin or ICE
Ken Shirriff has written an article describing a technique he used for making high resolution integrated circuit die photos: Have you ever wanted to take a bunch of photos of an integrated circuit die and combine them into a high-res image? The stitching software can be difficult, so I’ve written a guide to the process […]
Single OpAmp window comparators
In this video Craig shows how to build a window comparator with a single Op-Amp: A recent question on the Electrical Engineering Stack Exchange site got me thinking about some interesting window comparator circuits. Here’s how to detect three different input voltage levels with just one op-amp! More info at Analog Zoo site.
Ultimate classic game console joystick to USB adapter
Matthew Heironimus posted a step by step guide of his “ultimate” classic game console joystick to USB adapter build: This article describes how to use an Arduino Leonardo or Arduino Micro to make up to three classic console joysticks (e.g. Atari 2600, ColecoVision, and possibly others) available to a modern computer (e.g. Windows PC, Mac, or […]
Generating PWM signals
KF5OBS writes, “In this video I’m showing how to generate a PWM signal that’s behaving proportionally to analog control signal.” Details at KF5OBS’ blog.
Linting with Eclipse and the GNU ARM Embedded Launchpad compiler
Erich Styger of MCUonEclipse writes: For a space project we have to make sure that things are not failing while our hardware orbits around the Mother Earth. Therefore we are using different static and dynamic analysis tools, and one of it is using PC-lint from Gimpel to catch as many errors and bugs as possible. For […]
Arduino Mini CNC Plotter Machine from DVD drives
An instructables on how to make an Arduino based mini CNC plotter from old DVD drives by Ardumotive_com: For the X and Y axes we will use two stepper motors and rails from dvd/cd drives and for the Z axis we will use a small servo motor that moves the pen up and down. For the mounting […]
ESR measurement using multimeter and function generator
Kerry Wong has written an article discussing the measurement of capacitor ESR using a multimeter and a function generator: Capacitor ESR (Equivalent Series Resistance) measurement is very useful in diagnosing issues with power supplies. In linear power supplies, a high ESR filter capacitor may cause excessive ripple current on the voltage rails and can cause […]
40 Watt Chinese CO2 laser upgrade with RAMPS & Arudino
Dan Beaven has written up documentation on his Chinese K40 Laser upgrade: I’ve wanted to start playing with Laser Cutter/Engravers for quite a while. I finally happened across a great deal on a Chinese made 40 watt Laser Engraver with the Moshidraw software and control hardware. Wanting something I can modify and that is of better […]
Tutorial: How to patch the USB IR Toy driver into LIRC sources
Oskar’s tutorial on how to patch the USB Infrared Toy driver into LIRC sources. Get detailed instructions on github. You can get IR Toy v2 for $22.05, including world wide shipping.
Make your own Katy
Steve Chamberlin wrote a how-to on building your own 68 Katy. We wrote about it previously: Assembling the PCB requires soldering one surface mount component, the 44 pin CPLD in TQFP package. It can be soldered with a standard iron using the drag soldering method (my preference), with hot air, or with a toaster oven […]
DIY PWM to PPM converter for 2.4GHz receiver using Arduino
A DIY PWM to PPM converter using an Arduino Pro Mini from Al Prettybong. Oscar wrote a post on his blog detailing how Al made it: For radio receiver, there are a few output signal formats. The traditional and also most common type of RX signal is the PWM and basically PWM requires 1 cable […]
Simple PWM generator with TR only
Ondřej Karas writes, “One year ago, I published two posts about PWM module driven by IQRF. But there is also another way, how to generate PWM signal from IQRF TR module only. Just simple use PIC peripherals. This post is based on one of Advanced examples, which is part of IQRF Startup Package.” More details […]
Sturdy pots on breadboards
Paul over at DorkbotPDX writes, “Often I throw together a quick demo for the bi-weekly DorkbotPDX meetup, usually involving one or more pots to adjust parameters. Finally, I’ve come up with a pretty good way to put pots on solderless breadboards.” More details at Paul’s blog. Check out the video after the break.
Experience with the DirtyPCBs
Iñigo of ElektroQuark shares his experience with DirtyPCBs (machine translation). He talk about how to order at Dirtypcbs.com and how to prepare files from KiCAD for DirtypPCBs. Via the contact form.
WiFi smoke detector
An instructables on how to make a WiFi smoke detector by Proto G: This is a simple WiFI Smoke Detector that texts me when it senses smoke. I made this for my battery storage area in case of a lithium polymer fire. I still have all of my regular smoke detectors installed and I don’t […]
Plugin soldering iron temperature controller version 2
As a follow up to the Soldering Iron PID temperature controller post, Mike Doughty of PCB Smoke blogged about on how to modify an ordinary plugin soldering iron to work with a PID temperature controller – second version: This new version has some improvements since the first version back in April, 2015. The soldering iron […]
Install a pressurized water system on your car bumper
Want to add this on your car? Check out Eddie Zarick‘s video on how to install a pressurized water system on your car bumper: A step by step guide to me cutting up my 15′ Wrangler and installing some running water from my stock rear bumper using a 12v RV pump. Check it out! Via […]
How to build beautiful enclosures from FR4 — AKA PCBS
Voja Antonic over at Hackaday posted a detailed how-to on building enclosure out of FR4— AKA PCBS: Another way is to build the enclosure out of FR4, a material which is commonly used in PCB production. Such enclosures are low-cost, with thin walls but yet very strong, nice looking, pleasant to the touch and have excellent […]