PROJECTS m THEORY ® APPLICATIONS — CIRCUITS m TECHNOLOGY BRM MeN RO SRS ee Tess) USE TAS ata ‘BURN RADIO Za EARLY be ilths neg es ee My reer ot os EE DISH sO Naa a Namo) AO Nara S ASE ZA e 8) OI Tree Peso ela EU are) MeN PRU Me onto ADORNS UU Ic Bz ea ae \aron Va aaa fe) i - NUMEROUS CONNECTING PORTS AVAILABLE i Ls Sf DEPENDABLE COMPATABILITY: Our HCS Ground Control Station is the ultimate in reliable data transmission for UAVs, drones, UAS, RPAS and UGVs. With a textured, ergonomically-designed casing for an optimized, comfortable grip, our integrated GCS offers a variety of customizable options for OEM applications. Our US-based customer service, support and training is yet another reason to TRUST Hitec Commercial Solutions with all your drone-related missions. XPONENTIAL Dek eS oO Ree ee sen |Best Test & Measurement Products From f/Saelig RIGOL DS1202Z-E 2 CH 200MHz $339 This UltraVision affordable 200MHz 2-channel scope offers deep 24Mpts standard memory. OWON TAO3000 2/4 CH 8/I4bit from $539 Handy portable 70/100/120MHz scopes with 8” touchscreen in 8 oF 14-bit versions with GSa/s sample rate. PICOSCOPE 3000D from $639 ‘Small ight, portable high-performance PC oscilloscopes. 2 or 4 analog +16 digital channels + AWG. High-resolution display for fine detail signals. . } = Strings Cambrionix USB Charge/Sync Solutions $282 Leading mobile charge/syne technology & connectivity for ‘mobile device challenges. Multiple USB-based products optimally charged/synced at the same time. “Very nice service and tech support.” RP “Reading about the core values of your business Impressed me.” RL. “Always good, we are a repeat customer.” Jt. Saelig Company, Inc. * www.saelig.com + sales@saclig.com * “5 stars and 2 thumbs up.” SP “Quick, fast, and efficient online process.” PH “Great experience! Fast shipping!” PK SIGLENT SDSI104X-U 100MHz 4 CH $399 Popular 100 MHz 4 CH scope with IGSa/s sample rate, I4Mpts memory, 400,000 frames/sec waveform capture. WON HDS200 from $209 ‘The HDS200 series handheld 2 CH 40/70MHz oscilloscopes include a multimeter as well s a waveform generator SENSEPEEK from $132 Professional yet affordable PCB testing system of repositionable fine-point spring-loaded scope probes for ‘testing PCBs in a stable, fixed position ABI SENTRY from $7,720 ‘The ABI SENTRY ts a unique solution forthe quick and easy detection of counterfeit Cs and components, Avoid gray- market chip problems Bo) ie 1-888-7SAELIG + ((-888.772.3544)Issue-1 2022 Vintage Tek Continuously Variable Autotransformers Continuously variable autotransformers are part of the sacred triangle of must-have equipment for safe and efficiont vintage repair work. 15 by Bryan Bergeron 12 Nextion Touch Screen Display (Part 7] Bringing It All Together! At this point, we have a Nextion touch screen programmer and an assembled and programmed PIC ignition timing controller.To wrap it up, we'll install it on my son’s Manco go-kart to see how she runs. 1 by Mike Holler 20 Aeview-Building a DMM 8. Basic Oscilloscope with the Dr. Duino Explorer Edition Discover the Diagnostic Equipment Course (DEC for short) which shows you how to turn a Dr. Duino Explorer into a digital multimeter and basic oscilloscope. & by Theron Wierenga 26 Build the Lambda Harp This article describes the theory, construction, and final project functionality of a musical circular harp thet utilizes an off-the-shelf concert ‘organ which provides 160 possible instrument sounds and full MIDI capability. Plus, it looks really neat. 1§ by Lawrence Romanoski 4 WTSIVONS. 2022/\ssue-1 32 Build a General-Purnose Raspberry Pi Data Logger HAT This article describes the process of designing and building a custom Raspberry PiHAT circuit board. This HAT works with a Python script to record and live-plot battery voltage, temperature, and capacity. The ability to log data over an extended period is an included useful feature. '§ by Jacob Bendell 38 Build a Farmer, Fox, Chicken, Corn Puzzle Do you remember the logic puzzle about the Farmer who wanted to transport his animals and produce across a river without them eating each other? The puzzle was deceptively simple. Well I've created an updated version of this popular game using an Arduino, plus added my own bells and whistles. 1m by Dave Goodsell 44 Build a Voltage Monitoring System with RTOS Multimeters ere a wonderful and easy-to-use tool to accurately quantify the incoming AC voltage from a pure sine wave output power supply. Barring a few high- ‘end hybrid models, not all are capable of plotting the trend of this quantity over a limited time period, like an oscilloscope. So, | decided to build a voltage monitoring system with RTOS. by Anuj Falcon 52 Build a Motion-Activated Nightlight Light up your living space with a customizable motion- activated nightlight. Use this as a working product in your home to safely light your way in the dark, or as an educational project for your children or grandchildren. 1B by Aaron MinnerDepartments 06 DEVELOPING 24 NEW PRODUCTS PERSPECTIVES. 59 BENCH & BUILDER, Virtual Collaboration -*'72 NV WEBSTORE. Prenternet 94 TECH FORUM. 07 READER FEEDBACK 96 AD INDEX GO Restoring the “Curtain Burner” Radio of the Early 1930s This article examines the “curtain burner” or those 1930's. radios that were furnished with a resistance line cord that, supplied vacuum tube filament voltage as well as power the radio itself. I'll look at how possibly restoring these types of radios can be problematic, and how to safely restore them. '§ by Jeffery Wharton G6 Adventures in Battery-land — Part1 In this series, I'll describe my adventure into the land of alkaline batteries. This time, we'll look at how to evaluate power needs, make battery choices, and predict battery service life. 1 by Edward Subscription Information 2279 Eagle Glen Parkway #112-481 Corona, CA 92883 Call (800) 783-4624 or go to www.nutsvolts.com Subscribe + Gift » Renewal + Change of Info For more details on subscribing, see our ad on Page 96, 74 The Transistor Compound Pair This article provides several low component count circuits you can experiment with, plus many interesting technical points to consider. by Sean O'Connor 80 The Drake 2B: Refurbishing a Classic Ham Radio and Shortwave Receiver from the Early ‘60s Continue your exploration into the world of tube-type electronics by refurbishing — either virtually or with ‘one in hand — this classic 1961 AM/SSBCW ham and shortwave receiver: the Drake 2B with external (O-multiplier. Fm by Bryan Bergeron 2o22issue-1 MUTSIVOS 5by Bryan Bergeron, Editor DEVELOPING PERSPECTIVES Virtual Collaboration — Pre-Internet U's always a pleasure hearing from readers, whether by email, typewritten, or handwritten pen and paper. Most of the communications are ultimately collaborative in nature, even if they don’t start out that way. For example, Richard (Dick) Hayler NAHAY sent me an email regarding my editorial, “The Joys of Retooling - Again” (Issue-1 2020} After confirming that the Heathkit DX-60B was, in fact, an AM/ CW transmitter, | described a NOS kit that | was building from scratch. He mused that this would be a perfect time to address the major design faults in the transmitter, including the problematic main function switch that inevitably fails because of arcing contacts We discussed the work-arounds, from expensive solid-state relays to old fashioned (but readily affordable) relays. In all, we exchanged a half © MMBWWONS 2022/ssue- ASsiEX) dozen emails debating which new technologies could be applied to the kit Some readers contact me because they want to dive deeper into a topic, either out of curiosity or because of their past reading/ experience. For example, Eric Collins ‘commented on “Restoring a Vintage Zenith Table Top AM/FM Receiver” (Issue-1 2020), He asked about whether the pilot lights were wired with the tube filaments in a way that, ifthe pilot light burned out, there would be extra current draw through the tube filaments, thus shortening tube life. Itwas a great question because of the practice of wiring the tube filament circuits in series. The Zenith used a particular approach that involved a 6.3V filament transformer, but as Eric disclosed through some research, there are several other approaches to powering pilot lamps. NUTS: VOLTS PUBLISHED BY T&L Publications, Inc CONTACT 2279 Eagle Glen Pkwy #112-481 Corona, CA 92883 OFFICE: (951) 371-8497 Fax: (961) 371-3082 www.nutsvolts.com ‘SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES/ WEBSTORE ORDERS TOLL FREE; (800) 783-4624 subscribe@nutevolts.com store.nutsvolts.com PUBLISHER, Latry Lemieux publisher@nutsvolts.com ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER/ ADVERTISING SALES Fobin Lomioux robin@nutsvolts.com EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/ PRODUCTION ‘Seen Lemieux seannutsvolts.com EDITOR Bryan Bergeron tochedit-nutsvolts@yahoo.com CONTRIBUTING EDITORS David Goodsell Sean O'Connor Theron Wierenga Jeffery Wharton Edward Androws Mike Holler Jacob Bendell Lawionce Romanoski Aaron Minner Anuj Falcon Copyright © 2022 byT&L Publications, Inc Al Rights Reserved All advising is miles 10 publeners aprovl Tear of tried fe oo ta owe oF lapalty ofan tem aver ie & ot This and thar egenes age to insomriy ond protect overnight ai and ator: 2279 Eagle Glen Phy #1248, Corona, CA 0282