Fullscreen HTML5Med Res (??MB)HTML4

Practical Electronics Volume 53. No. 12 December 2024 ISSN 2632 573X Contents Projects and Circuits Raspberry Pi Clock Radio by Stefan Keller-Tuberg 8 A modern alarm clock can take the trouble out of alarm setting and time keeping. This clock runs off most of the common models of Raspberry Pi (3, 4, Zero 2W etc) and can act as a Bluetooth media player. 26 The VGA PicoMite by Geoff Graham & Peter Mather This easy-to-build, low-cost BASIC computer is based on a Raspberry Pi Pico. It has a colour VGA display output, PS/2 keyboard input and an onboard socket for SD or microSD cards. It’s a great way to learn how to program or just have fun! 54 Secure Remote Switch, part one by John Clarke Our Secure Remote Switch is designed to control low-voltage appliances, such as a garage door controller, fans, pumps or LED lighting. It’s powered from 12V or 24V DC and can be controlled by up to 16 transmitters. 66 Multi-channel Volume Control, part two by Tim Blythman Control the volume of up to 20 channels using this Volume Control system. This followup article covers the construction process and getting it running. Series, Features and Columns 3 The Fox Report by Barry Fox Overamplification ruins the sound of live performances Net Work by Alan Winstanley 4 Continuing our 60th anniversary celebration with a look at the life of F.J. Camm, plus some of the pitfalls of home power backup for IT equipment. Max’s Cool Beans by Max The Magnificent Arduino Bootcamp, Part 24 – it’s time to get serial 17 6GHz Digital Attenuator review by Jim Rowe 33 It’s inexpensive and adjustable from 0dB to 31.75dB attenuation in 0.25dB steps. All About Capacitors by Nicholas Vinen 36 There are many different types of capacitor and each has its own set of pros and cons. This article has the information you need to choose the right type! Techno Talk by Max The Magnificent Tomorrow’s World, today 48 Circuit Surgery by Ian Bell An introduction to sample-based digital filtering 49 ZPB30A1 60W Programmable DC load review by Jim Rowe 62 This programmable constant-current DC load can be used for testing power supplies or checking the capacity of batteries. It is self-contained and good value for money. Regulars and Services Made in Australia & the UK. Written in Britain, Australia, the USA and Ireland. Read everywhere. © Silicon Chip Publications Pty Ltd 2024 Copyright in all drawings, photographs, articles, technical designs, software and intellectual property published in Practical Electronics is fully protected, and reproduction or imitation in whole or in part are expressly forbidden. The January 2025 issue of Practical Electronics will be published on Thursday, 5th of December 2024 (see p80). Practical Electronics | December | 2024 Editorial Coming up next year Reader services – Editorial and Advertising Departments Exclusive Microchip reader offer Win a Microchip dsPIC33C Digital Power Starter Kit Subscribe to Practical Electronics and save money Practical Electronics back issue downloads Practical Electronics PCB Service PCBs for Practical Electronics projects Classified ads and Advertiser index Next month! – highlights of our next issue of Practical Electronics 2 2 25 61 75 76 79 80 Renewals paid by PayPal, Visa and Mastercard are now handled via our website: www.electronpublishing.com Click the Subscriptions link at the top of the page. Select Publishing Services will continue to handle renewals via phone, cheque and mail. 1