
29 2490
MC34063: One of the most common PWM (pulse-width modulation) controllers, plus a brief introduction to how DC-DC converters work.

29 2490
19-01-2015, 02:11
A while ago, I published a review showing how to build a PWM regulator using a KR142EN5A. I also mentioned one of the most common and probably cheapest controllers for DC-DC converters: the MC34063. Today, I'll try to add to that earlier review.
Unbranded 32GB microSD card.
15-01-2015, 03:27
After seeing so many flash drive reviews in a single day, I decided not to be left out and put together a review of my own—though without a roulette wheel or anything like that. I even remembered Gusev's line from the film *The Adventures of the Elektronic*: “I've got a voice too, you know. I want to sing too :)”

2 5230
A decent fan for the Acer 5720Z and similar models.

2 5230
14-01-2015, 20:24
One of my friends brought me a laptop not long ago. It needed Windows reinstalled and some tricky software installed. The laptop was pretty old and low on memory, so everything was painfully slow. I suggested adding more RAM, which we did, but one small, noisy problem remained: the old fan. We decided to fix it once and for all by replacing it. As they say, make hay while the sun shines—or in this case, get a fan in winter :)
A decent compact wireless keyboard, but with a few quirks.
8-01-2015, 22:41
In my work, I sometimes run into situations where I have to work with computers that only have a monitor connected. In those cases, I have to bring a keyboard and sometimes a mouse along. I decided to make things a little easier for myself.
TrustFire TF26650 5000mAh 3.7V: testing, a decent result, and a little DIY.
5-01-2015, 16:06
And so, my brief run of bad luck in experiments with various batteries has come to an end. As usual, I ordered the battery for a specific purpose, but read on to find out what it was and about the battery itself.
DS203, a decent, compact, simple oscilloscope at a nice price.
5-01-2015, 01:03
Another instrument joins my collection :). I've wanted a toy like this for a long time. It's hard to call it a full-fledged oscilloscope; it has its drawbacks, but its low price more than makes up for them. This model was reviewed quite recently, so this review will just add a few details and my comments.
A loose striped sweater, or a review of a women's garment through a man's eyes.
22-12-2014, 11:48
I decided to put down the soldering iron and microchips for a while and try writing a review that's very unusual for me. Of course, this isn't like the reviews by the respected kholigor, besalisa, and WOLFRIEND, who are old hands at reviewing products like these, but I did my best, so please don't be too harsh. And it's not even certain I'll write more reviews of this kind. Anyway, we'll see. If you're interested, come on in.
HDMI-to-VGA converter.
19-12-2014, 11:44
Because of the nature of my work, I often have to deal with a wide variety of devices. And as technology moves forward, familiar interfaces like VGA, composite and component video have gradually started disappearing from these devices. HDMI has taken their place. No, it arrived a long time ago, but until recently its arrival hadn't really bothered me. Anyway, I decided to make my work a little easier.
Not Quite Ordinary
15-12-2014, 22:36
When I started writing this review, I didn't even know what category to put this product in. I'd wanted to try this device for a long time (yes, a button can be a device too), and only got around to it now. That's what I'd like to share with you. As always, the rest is after the jump.
2200mAh 18650 Li-ion Battery for Power Tool: Could Be Better.
This story began when an acquaintance brought me a cordless drill for repair. He bought it on sale when a store was closing. The warranty has expired, and it won't work. When I opened it up, I found that one of the batteries had died. Then batteries for power tools showed up on the ChinaBay website—yes, that's exactly what they were called: Battery for Power Tool. I couldn't just pass them by, so I ordered one for testing. Read on for the rest of the story, the test results, and how I put it to use.
A Clock That Doesn't Tick
13-12-2014, 10:23
I'm almost certain that many seasoned radio amateurs recognized the title of an article published way back in 1988. Back then, these electronic clocks were sold as kits for home assembly and cost quite a lot: 16 rubles (and the most interesting thing was that the display alone cost even more). Many people probably got into building these clocks and tinkering with them, and I was no exception. If you're interested, read on—I think you'll like it.
A not-quite-ordinary power bank that couldn't escape a few modifications.
9-12-2014, 10:36
I've mentioned a few times that I also install video surveillance systems. So I decided to order this unusual power bank to help me out. What it is, why I got it, what's inside, and what can be done with it—read on.
CDRH104R Inductor Set and a Brief Trip Through History.
6-12-2014, 03:56
I needed some inductors for a project, and CDRH104R-type inductors seemed like the best fit. I only needed a few, so it would have been easier to buy them locally. But after browsing AliExpress, I decided to get a set with 10 values, five of each. Inductors are pretty useful things for a radio hobbyist to have around, so I figured it was a good call—they'd come in handy. But that's just the preamble; the story comes next.
IC for a Li-Ion battery charger.
5-12-2014, 01:29
I liked these small ICs for simple chargers. I used to buy them at a local brick-and-mortar store, but, as luck would have it, they ran out and it took them a long time to get more in from somewhere. Seeing how things were going, I decided to order a small batch for myself, since these ICs are pretty good and I liked working with them. Description and comparison after the jump.
A Simple Adjustable DC-DC Converter, or a DIY Bench Power Supply V2.
3-12-2014, 13:33
Many of you probably remember my saga of building a DIY bench power supply. But I've been asked more than once for something similar, only simpler and cheaper. In this review, I decided to show an alternative version of a simple adjustable power supply. Come on in—I hope you'll find it interesting.
TrustFire TF 16340 880 mAh, or when the result isn't what you expect.
30-11-2014, 04:25
This time I decided to experiment again with batteries in a less common size. Read on to find out what I got (and didn't get) in the end.
Notes from a Heavy Smoker, or Several E-Liquids for an E-Cigarette + Bonus
26-11-2014, 14:22
Continuing to experiment with e-cigarettes, I decided to order a few different e-liquids to try. I know quite a lot of people make their own, but there are still people like me who usually buy them. Anyway, read on.
TV box MXQ S85 Amlogic S805
20-11-2014, 12:48
While a review of a DVB-T2 tuner was a fairly unusual topic for this site, a review of a TV box won't surprise anyone. These devices have become very widespread, and in this review I'll try to tell you about one of them from the perspective of someone who hadn't used anything like this before. If you'd like to read about it and see photos of the outside and inside, read on.












