Monthly Archives: October 2016

Project, Reverse Eng, Repair: ATmega328-based “Transistor Tester” Kit

Posted on October 27, 2016 by lui_gough

A common complaint and reason for the falling popularity of electronic kits is that none of them really let you build something that’s really useful that you couldn’t buy pre-built at a lower cost. I believe this complaint does have … Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Experiment: WD Green Data Recovery – Recovered Data vs Time?

Posted on October 27, 2016 by lui_gough

Two weeks ago, a “friend” of mine turned up with an external hard drive which was declared dead and wanted to see what could be done about recovering the data from it. Naturally, as no novice when it comes to … Continue reading →

Posted in Computing | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Project: YYDZW BH1417F-based Stereo FM Transmitter Kit

Posted on October 27, 2016 by lui_gough

While I was browsing the listings of electronics kits on eBay, I came across this particular stereo FM transmitter kit but I didn’t think much of it. In fact, given the chance to buy it, I passed over it twice. … Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics, Radio | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Data Recovery & File Conversions: Director/Projectors by Internet & Jaz

Posted on October 21, 2016 by lui_gough

Earlier in July, I made a posting in regards to a data recovery and conversion project involving Syquest cartridges and Macromind/Macromedia Director and Projector files. As it turns out, that was the beginning of an even more involved project with … Continue reading →

Posted in Computing, Tech Flashback | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Project: Sainsmart Forty-9er “3W” 7.023Mhz QRP CW Transceiver Kit

Posted on October 21, 2016 by lui_gough

Even though I’m insanely busy, it seems I just can’t help myself when it comes to cheap Chinese kits available on eBay. Of course, having built most of the cheap radio-based kits already, there isn’t really that much to build … Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics, Radio | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Project: CD2003GP+SC3610D FM Receiver w/LCD Alarm Clock (74-108Mhz)

Posted on October 15, 2016 by lui_gough

My little “mission” to build random Chinese radio-kits from eBay continues with this rather odd and difficult kit. Unlike the other kits, this is the first to come with an LCD display, but is advertised strangely as FM Radio Kit … Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics, Radio | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Power Bank Endurance Test – Hillo Power Jin Gangxia (Part 17)

Posted on October 15, 2016 by lui_gough

In this long ongoing experiment, I attempt to see just how a “no name” power bank stands up to repeated cycling. My expectations were fairly low at the outset, but it seems I’ve been proved completely wrong, as now I’m … Continue reading →

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Review: Seagate Expansion Portable Drive 3Tb USB 3.0 (STEA3000400)

Posted on October 15, 2016 by lui_gough

I thought my external drive buying spree was over, but this week, I came across a promotion where a Seagate Expansion Portable 3Tb drive was on offer for AU$139 at Officeworks. At that price, it represented the best value amongst … Continue reading →

Posted in Computing | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Experiment: Sydney WFM Broadcast RDS (TMC, RT+) & ACS Audio

Posted on October 9, 2016 by lui_gough

Since my last posting about subcarriers, I decided to do a little more digging around and try to understand more about the Open-Application RDS data and try a better approach at recovering the audio from the ACS (otherwise known as … Continue reading →

Posted in Computing, Radio | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Experiment: Examining Sydney WFM Subcarrier Signals (RDS, ACS)

Posted on October 3, 2016 by lui_gough

When I was still in school, I can remember my Dad buying a “special radio” from a broadcaster to listen to some ethnic radio broadcasts. The radio was quite expensive, and it looked and felt just like a regular portable … Continue reading →

Posted in Computing, Radio | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Video Codec Tests: x264 CRF vs enc_qsv CQ vs x265 CRF in Handbrake 0.10.5

Posted on October 3, 2016 by lui_gough

After my earlier attempt to do some codec comparisons, I realized that something went grossly wrong with the “difficult case” clip. Specifically, it was an interlaced video clip which I wanted to use, and I naturally assumed that interlaced encoding … Continue reading →

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Project: S66D/E 9018-based AM Radio Kit

Posted on October 2, 2016 by lui_gough

If you’ve been wondering about all the random radio kits I’ve posted about recently and had the thought “Gee, that guy must’ve just looked for any cheap radio kits on eBay and bought them all!” You’d be absolutely right. In … Continue reading →

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Project: 7.023Mhz PIXIE_V3 QRP CW Tranceiver Kit

Posted on October 2, 2016 by lui_gough

After I stupidly decided to push the limits on the PIXIE_4.1 and subsequently destroyed its amplification, I wasn’t too concerned. Being the prepared sort, when it comes to low-cost kits, I sometimes buy two in anticipation that maybe some parts … Continue reading →

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Review, Teardown: Crest USB 2.0 All in 1 Mini Card Reader (CZUSBCR)

Posted on October 1, 2016 by lui_gough

This particular review and teardown is a little different. In fact, this card reader was not one that I had purchased, since I normally swear by my Transcend RDF8‘s as being a decent performing, reliable and compatible reader at a … Continue reading →

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Project: 7.023Mhz PIXIE_4.1 QRP CW Transceiver Kit

Posted on October 1, 2016 by lui_gough

Going along the same vein of “radio kits”, this one is a little bit different. This one is a do-it-yourself PIXIE 7.023Mhz QRP transciever intended for amateur (ham) radio morse code (CW) usage. It doesn’t have many specs, but apparently … Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics, Radio | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment