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Practical Electronics Volume 53. No. 1 January 2024 ISSN 2632 573X Contents Projects and Circuits Q Meter by Charles Kosina 18 We’ve published numerous LC meters that can measure inductance and capacitance, but you might need to know the quality factor (Q) of an inductor, not just its inductance. This Q Meter uses a straightforward circuit to measure Q up to values of about 200. Raspberry Pi Pico W BackPack by Tim Blythman 26 Our Raspberry Pi Pico BackPack from March 2023 has a powerful dual-core 32-bit processor, 480 × 320 pixel colour touchscreen, onboard real-time clock, SD card socket, stereo audio output and infrared receiver. Now, for about £5 more, it has Wi-Fi too! Active Subwoofer – Part 1 by Phil Prosser 32 This subwoofer is designed to be a no-compromise approach to a ‘sub’, making it a perfect match for a high-quality home theatre system, or as part of a high-fidelity stereo system. Series, Features and Columns Techno Talk by Max The Magnificent Oscillating onions, Batman! 8 Net Work by Alan Winstanley Reports on wasteful electrical devices; insight into the mysteries of the British mains plug; plus more uses for the Ecowitt Wi-Fi weather station. 10 The Fox Report by Barry Fox Project challenges for inventive PE readers 16 Max’s Cool Beans by Max The Magnificent Arduino Bootcamp – Part 13 42 Circuit Surgery by Ian Bell Frequency shifting and superheterodyne receivers – Part 2 48 NEW SERIES! MitchElectronics by Robin Mitchell The 555 Timer IC – Part 2: Enter Logic 54 Audio Out by Jake Rothman Discrete audio op amp – Part 4 64 Regulars and Services Made in the UK. Written in Britain, Australia, the US and Ireland. Read everywhere. © Electron Publishing Limited 2023 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 February 2024 issue of Practical Electronics will be published on Thursday, 4 January 2024 – see page 72. Practical Electronics | January | 2024 Wireless for the Warrior Subscribe to Practical Electronics and save money NEW! Practical Electronics back issues DOWNLOADS – 2022 now available! Reader services – Editorial and Advertising Departments Editorial A big thank you to the PE writers!... Wireless for the Warrior...The perfect Christmas present! Exclusive Microchip reader offer Win a Microchip PIC-IoT WA Development Board PE Teach-In 9 Teach-In bundle – what a bargain! PE Teach-In 8 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 4 6 7 7 9 14 41 47 68 71 72 1