Stuff for Nerds

Moonblog 49.6 attraction

reflector sampling, or… not-self? 😉

I once bought a Digital Multi Meter. Hadn’t had one in a while and building guitar pedals, working on motorbikes and what not, they come in handy. So I buy a new one from a so-so brand for about 40 bucks I think. Conrad’s own Voltcraft VC175.

At one point it stops working, all I get are four dashes – – – – and not 0.035volts for instance.

So I try to find another one to replace it, second hand this time, and preferably a brand. I find one that looks a bit crummy but is super easy to use and has all the functions that I think I need and it’s a Fluke, 113 model. Stil twice the price of the other one new, but hey, its a Fluke.

Once home I clean the outside up a little with water and soap and use it, and it’s great. Until I need to do some tests and I get weird results. I even end up sending the pcb elsewhere for testing and finding out what is wrong. Turns out, all the tests run fine, my meter is off ! So seemingly fully functioning, but wrong values.

So I decide to scour the interwebs for advice for another one. Cause I’m not that enthusiastic about getting a ‘better’ 200 bucks Fluke this time, even if I love my gadgets and I like well known stuff, but let’s see what the experts have to say. There I find there are kinda 2 camps, the cheapos and the semi-professionals. The cheapos advice the Aneng AN8008 or AN8009 for about 20 bucks, new, incl shipping from China and the semi-professionals advice the Brymen BM235 which costs about 95 bucks brand new, excl shipping.

I realize one meter is no meter, you need to be able to check yours if anything is off. So I decide to buy them both, it’s only 20 bucks extra and the cheaper one is quite liked too, so why not? I see a funny GM328A meter gadget for 3 pin diodes and whatnot for 15 bucks and get that one too.

Realising also, that my electronic work and interest is growing and that maybe it is time for an oscilloscope too. Go into the deep end of measuring and the semi-professionals kinda agree on the Rigol DS1054Z as a great beginners scope, so that one is in the back of my mind/on the wannahave list. Meanwhile I also read up on calibrating Digital Multi Meters and find the ‘DMM Check Plus‘ which comes with a proper calibration report so you can always verify your meters and their measured results, or compare to each other how precise they are, mmm yum, I like that even better ! 🙂

Slowly slowly the meters arrive, and while I’m making a post about the different meters, I see a picture of the inside of the Voltcraft VC175

And I notice 2 fuses… so I open it up and with the new Brymen BM235 I check the fuses, and the 10A 5600V one is working, but the 0.5A 600V is broken. Would it.. could it be?

I order a few spare fuses and once they arrive I replace the broken one and voilà ! No more dashes and reading normal values….

So now having 4 Digital Multi Meters, of which 3 are working fine (fluke is still flakey), one gadgety one, an oscilloscope and a calibrated meter checker/tester, when all I needed was to replace one fuse? Was it?

Happy sampling ! 🙂
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µTracer 3+ build 8

Part 8. grid bias circuit construction

Part 8. grid bias circuit testing and calibration

measuring -12.64 Volt regardless of Calibration slider after making one mistake
I put D21 (HER108) in the spot of D12
during step C9 I found out (because I had 2 more items left instead of 1)

I unsoldered HER108 and put in D21 and then put the correct 1N5934 in D12

follow the whole build here: µTracer 3+ build

tree trunk, battle ship, battle cruiser, nuclear submarine, destroyer

https://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/33271557
https://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/33512201

-PC Status: Overall this PC is performing above expectations (70th percentile). This means that out of 100 PCs with exactly the same components, 30 performed better. The overall PC percentile is the average of each of its individual components.
-Processor: With an outstanding single core score, this CPU is the cat’s whiskers: It demolishes everyday tasks such as web browsing, office apps and audio/video playback. Additionally this processor can handle typical workstation, and even moderate server workloads. Finally, with a gaming score of 90.6%, this CPU’s suitability for 3D gaming is excellent.
-Graphics: 70.5% is a good 3D score. This GPU can handle the majority of recent games at high resolutions and ultra detail levels.
-Boot Drive: 121% is an exceptional SSD score. This drive is suitable for heavy workstation use, it will facilitate fast boots, responsive applications and allow for fast transfers of multi-gigabyte files.
-Memory: 32GB is enough RAM to run any version of Windows and it’s far more than any current game requires. 32GB will also allow for large file and system caches, virtual machine hosting, software development, video editing and batch multimedia processing.
-OS Version: Windows 10 is the most recent version of Windows, and the best to date in our opinion.

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The next generation rhythm machine

Boss DR-880 Dr. Rhythm
The DR-880 is a rhythm-programming powerhouse that’s loaded with world-class drum, percussion, and bass sounds from Roland’s famous SRX library. It also includes a stunning collection of original waveforms. You can get microscopic with the DR-880, but you also have the option of taking the simple route with its three EZ Compose buttons, which allow original patterns to be constructed without note-by-note programming hassles. Patterns can be taken deeper with the Groove Modify feature, where various groove and triplet feels can be applied. Ghost notes and fills can also be added automatically. Guitar and bass players can join the action by plugging directly to the DR-880’s Guitar/Bass Input jack, and playing through the built-in COSM Drive/Amp models and multi-effects.

Innovative EZ Compose feature for quick, hassle-free programming, 440 world-class drum and percussion sounds, 40 bass sounds with COSM bass-amp models, Guitar/bass input, multi-effects, COSM amp models, 3 independent insert effects (EQ and compression), TSC (Total Sound Control) featuring 3-band EQ and high-quality ambience, 1,000 patterns (500 preset, 500 user); easily add fills, ghost notes, chord progressions, and more, 20 velocity-sensitive pads, Four assignable footswitch and expression-pedal inputs, Individual outputs, digital out, USB port
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Made in Japan

For over 30 years the Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer has been one of the most popular overdrive pedals in the world. The unmistakable little green stomp box has been a perennial favorite, cherished by rocks most celebrated guitarists for it’s warm, creamy tone and unequivocal responsiveness. Now Ibanez has expanded the palette of “The Screamer” with the new TS808DX.

Simply put, this new version is two pedals in one: A true TS808 Overdrive, featuring the JRC4558D IC for that signature soft, subtle clipping sound, and a boost circuit, capable of adding up to 20db at the tap of a switch. The pedal incorporates two individual, true bypass switches for total independent control, allowing the Overdrive and the Booster to be used separately or in conjunction with each other. Add the Boost for a few extra db while playing through the Overdrive circuit, or just engage the booster on its own for that little extra lift while playing clean.

A toggle switch allows for the choice of placing the Boost Pre or Post the Overdrive section and a rear panel switch offers the option of 9-volt or 18-volt operation, It’s the Screamer you know and love, taken to a whole new level.
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Slightly more open with a tighter bottom end


ZERO WATT STEREO AMPLIFIER: Integrate your pedalboard adding full stereo routing directly to a PA System, Amps, Audio Interfaces or anything you need with its 4 simultaneous outputs (2 x XLR, 2 x 1/4 bypasseable outs), stereo effects loop, headphones out and aux in.
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Drawmer CMC2 – Compact Monitor Controller

The CMC2 is a compact monitor controller that has been designed to provide the same top quality audio, transparency and accuracy of Drawmer’s other monitor controllers, such as the MC2.1 and MC3.1, whilst retaining all the necessary features that the smaller project studio would require without the cost of the advanced features that would seldomly be used.
Can you trust the audio that your current monitor controller is providing? Is it colouring the sound? For all Drawmer monitor controllers it is imperative that what you record is exactly what you hear. The active circuit has been designed to faithfully produce the audio signal whilst removing many of the problems that a passive circuit will bring. There is one thing that should always be absolutely guaranteed – that you can rely on the accuracy of your monitor controller.

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RC4x4 DJI Osmo Action test

testing camera settings, filmed 2k7@30fps, 1/60, RockSteady (after 13sec of no RockSteady), D-Cinelike, 6100K, no filters. Holmes Hobbies Puller Pro brushless motors (2700Kv and 3500Kv)

Batavus Milano E-go 2014

Comfortabele, luxe en betrouwbare allround e-bike
Aan de Batavus Milano E-go® heb je een betrouwbare, comfortabele en zeer compleet afgemonteerde e-bike met zeven versnellingen waarmee je moeiteloos lange afstanden aflegt. De accu van 400 Wh heeft namelijk een hoge actieradius. Ideaal voor de recreatieve toertochten in het weekend of op vakantie. Maar hij is ook heel geschikt voor de dagelijkse kortere ritjes. Met deze e-bike is elke rit een feest! De Milano E-go® is de populairste Bosch e-bike in Nederland en wordt ook positief beoordeeld in diverse tests, waaronder de Nationale Telegraaf Fietstest voor e-bikes.

Betrouwbare Bosch Active Line middenmotor
Deze allround elektrische fiets is voorzien van een bijzonder krachtige, populaire Bosch Active Line middenmotor die zorgt voor een comfortabele en natuurlijke ondersteuning. De rotatie-, snelheids- en trapkrachtsensor dragen bij aan de comfortabele ondersteuning. Dat is pas zorgeloos fietsen.

Hydraulische remmen en centraal geplaatst display
Deze betrouwbare e-bike is standaard uitgerust met hydraulische remmen waarmee je krachtig en soepel tot stilstand komt. Je hoeft je handen niet van het stuur te halen om de fiets te bedienen, ideaal. En het display is centraal op het stuur geplaatst.

Goed zien én gezien worden: Aerflow verlichting
De unieke Batavus Aerflow koplamp die met het 3 sterren RAI keurmerk voor fietsverlichting (RKF) is bekroond, maakt de Milano E-go® ook in het donker veilig. Je hebt zo altijd goed zicht en bent zelf altijd goed zichtbaar in het verkeer, zelfs van opzij.


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DX5 Rugged™ 5-Channel Surface System


Bold styling that’s aggressive with a focus on class-leading durability
Inspired by the ergonomically-recognized Spektrum™ DX5 Pro and DX5C transmitters
Water-resistant* chassis design protects against minor splashes
Dual lanyard mounts provide radio safety and accessibility
Surrounded rubber-bumper chassis protection
Built-in front chassis guard offers user-inspired accessory mounting options
Simple capacitive-touch control panel responds to the touch of your finger
Intuitive software based on user-tested functionality that’s clean and simple
Innovative thumb-steering lever makes one-hand operation safer and more precise
Non-slip removable rubber hand grip and off-road treaded steering wheel
Built-in telemetry capability (telemetry compatible devices sold separately)
Convenient built-in tool storage compartment
Large easy-to-read LCD screen
Five-channel, full-proportional versatility
Frequency-agile, Spektrum™ DSMR® 2.4GHz technology
Program and fine-tune compatible receivers with AVC® technology
Steering mix, 4-wheel steering mixes, Motor-On-Axle (MOA), plus one assignable mix
Bind-progress screen displays status and frame rate
Includes the compact Spektrum SR515, 5-channel DSMR sport receiver
Compatible with DSM2® receivers
*The DX5 Rugged instruction manual details water resistance limitations.