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I recently posted a review of video cameras, and today's review is about a little helper that makes setting up IP cameras easier. The helper is a slightly modified compact TP-Link TL-WR702N router. Anyway, if you're interested in making something useful yourself, read on. I hope you'll find it interesting.

My regular readers know that I work with video surveillance systems. So I couldn't pass up the new 4 MP camera, and when I ordered another batch of the familiar DS-2CD2032 cameras, I picked one up to test as well. But since the DS-2CD2032 is now available in an updated version called the DS-2CD2032F-I, I decided to combine the two and write one review covering both. So, read on if you're interested in components for proper video surveillance systems.

I understand that writing about a converter like this now is a bit like reviewing a steam locomotive's smokestack: interesting, but nobody needs it. But I figured that if I ended up needing one, it might come in handy for someone else too.

<!--image_begin:https://www.kirich.blog/uploads/posts/2015-11/1448774040_48-volt-5-amper-i-240-vatt-ili-blok-pitaniya-kotoryy-smog-udivit.jpg|left|48 Volts, 5 Amps and 240 Watts, or the Power Supply That Managed to Surprise Me--><!--image_end--> Many of you know how much I like different power supplies. I’ve reviewed 5, 12, 24 and 36 V power supplies, and today it’s time for the next step: a 48 V power supply. So, a 48 V, 240 W power supply has landed on my workbench. We’ll take it apart, measure it, test it and, of course, analyze it.

The volt-ammeter, later known as the multimeter, is one of the essential tools for radio amateurs, radio engineers, and many others who work with electrical measurements. This time, I’ll talk a little about these instruments in general and two examples in particular. There’ll also be a short bonus mini-review at the end.

Today I’m reviewing a mixed bag of different types of batteries. It’ll be brief, but with numbers.

Today I plan to focus less on reviewing the tablet and more on testing Intel’s new generation of processors, Cherry Trail, which replaces the previous generation, Bay Trail. The previous generation was produced for about a year, and many mini PCs and tablets were released with these processors, so I was doubly interested to find out whether the new generation had made a difference to performance.

I’m a little late with this TV box review. One thing came up, then another, but I finally got around to it. At the moment, I’m more interested in mini PCs with the new Cherry Trail Atom running Windows, but I still keep an eye on their closest competitors: Android TV boxes. The usual routine: a look at the outside and inside, a few tests, and my conclusions. If you’re interested, come on in :)

I've already posted two reviews of mini PCs from PIPO, but this one is more of a “hybrid”—not just in terms of its OS, like the PIPO X7S, but also in its design, since this mini PC has a screen too. This mini PC isn't new, though; it's an improved version of its predecessor, the PIPO X8. Let's see what it inherited from its predecessors.

Sometimes I feel like no matter what I review, I always end up reviewing a power supply. But in this case, reviewing a power supply was the plan from the start. I’d seen it before, so I was even more interested in getting my hands on it and sharing my impressions with you. Tests, teardown, analysis—everything as usual, in the same place :)

Somehow, I haven't been writing many reviews of AliExpress products lately, but I just had to write one about this item. It all started when, on August 25, I ordered a whole bunch of little things (probably like many others did)—some for myself and some for friends who'd asked me to. The packages have started arriving recently. I'll probably write about some of the other things I ordered too, since a few of them are interesting. But for now, here's a review and complaint.

Lately, failing electrolytic capacitors have become one of the main causes of radio equipment breakdowns. But for proper troubleshooting, a capacitance meter alone is not always enough, so today we'll talk about another parameter: ESR. I'll try to explain what it is, what it affects, and how it's measured in this review.

Today I’ll try to tell you about one of the most popular DIY measuring instruments. Or rather, not just the instrument itself, but a kit for building one. I’ll say right away: you can find one cheaper already assembled, but what could replace the fun of building an instrument yourself? Anyway, if you’re interested, come on in :)

In my previous power supply review, I touched on how to choose the right power supply. To be honest, I didn’t expect this topic to be so useful. In the comments—and even more so in private messages—people asked me about other aspects of choosing a power supply, how they work, and how to troubleshoot them. In this review, I’ll try to answer most of these questions, and perhaps raise a few new ones too :)

Continuing my series on electronic kits, this time I want to tell you about a device that can add to a beginner radio enthusiast’s collection of test equipment. It’s not really a measuring instrument, but it definitely helps with measurements.

A few times in the comments, and later in private messages, people asked me to review power supplies with a specific voltage. I replied that I’d try to get hold of some for review and testing. Today I’m reviewing a 5 V power supply. But simply reviewing it would be rather boring, so this time I’ll try to explain what the different components in a power supply do and what to look for when choosing one.

Since I’ve touched on soldering in my reviews, I’ll use this one to talk a little about the radio amateur’s most important tool: the soldering iron. This review won’t actually be about soldering itself—that will probably be the subject of another review. Here, I’ll talk a little about soldering irons themselves.

Recently I posted a review of a decent TV box. I originally picked out a wireless keyboard to go with it and even planned to include it in the TV box review, but then decided to write about it separately. So, the usual routine: photos of the outside and inside, plus my review of how it works.