Bright Flashing LED - traditional analogue...

The M5Stack base module contains an ESP32 board along with a 320 x 240 pixels graphics-capable colour display all packaged in a cute case. I was curious to see how quickly I could build a small network application with it ...

Author Burkhard Kainka’s inspiring Foreword in the book I’m reviewing here has important clues as to why software defined radio (SDR) is a hit not only among existing radio amateurs. SDR has proven to be a great promotion tool for the declining radio hobby in general. Since the tuning and decoding of shortwave radio signals is now done with a minimum of hardware and powerful (free) software, it’s easy to see why newcomers to the radio hobby and others with “DC minds” or with “deep fears of RF” have been totally captured by the concept of SDR.

The SmartScope is an exceptionally handy and versatile two-channel USB oscilloscope that works with all computer systems, tablets and smartphones that operate on Windows, OS X, iOS, Android and Linux. A handy expansion module is now available that enables the SmartScope to operate wirelessly via WiFi: the WiFi-Bridge. We were among the first to evaluate this module.

From your lab power supply, you look for power, infallible reliablility and stability of a gazlillionth of a volt. Hence the reticence towards anything in this area that is not a-na-lo-gue… Now the Siglent SPD3000X programmable power supply is, rightly, striking for its TFT liquid crystal screen. Since this one displays essential parameters and voltage waveforms in real time, does that carry enough weight to sway the opinion of old greybeards?

As even the Elektor Store offers various infrared imaging devices in its range, amongst which are the famous SEEK accessories which connect to a smartphone, is this a suitable subject for our video? Certainly. And here’s the proof. The question as to whether such tools have a place in the electronics toolkit finds a nuanced response here. One could say a composite response, because there are arguments for and against.

You have a thirty year old multimeter, another one that’s 10 years old and a third one that you just bought. Their prices are wildly different and you can’t compare them that way. Happily their measurements are pretty close, but you still want to know which one is absolutely right. A simple voltage reference source should let you select the best one.

The RPi doesn't actually need a push to boost its popularity. Nevertheless, this new way of providing a plug-and-play setup for this platform will substantially widen the circle of friends. Even the timidest beginner will find in it a comfortable environment for programming his own Pi-driven hard- and software. Many programming languages are available. For a start, tinker around with existing ready-to-go projects, and soon you will follow your own ideas.

This is a submission from Distrelec about the new Coral Development Board by Google which they have added to their web shop. The Coral Development Board is a single-board computer with a removable system-on-module (SOM) that contains eMMC SOC, wireless radios and Google’s Edge TPU.

Distrelec, leading European distributor of electronics, automation and measurement technology, has added Siemens new range of 1-phase SITOP PSU6200 power supplies to their online web-shop. Siemens have have set a new standard for efficiency and reliability with the new SITOP range, through incorporating focused diagnostics, fast installation and dependable operations.

Distrelec, leading European distributor of electronics, automation and measurement technology, has launched a new range of tool storage and carrying solutions developed by their own brand RND. Known in the industry as a supplier of low-cost, great-value electronic components, tools and devices, RND now offers a new assortment of durable tool bags, belts and totes.

Rutronik, a global distributor of electronic components is pleased to announce the availability of a system memory solution for the recently introduced STM32MP1 multicore microprocessor series.