Practical
Electronics
Volume 55. No. 01
January 2026
ISSN 2632 573X
Contents
Projects and Circuits
High-Bandwidth Differential Probe by Andew Levido
16
This high-bandwidth, high-voltage differential probe is ideal for use with oscilloscopes,
although it could have other uses. It has an internal rechargeable battery and will be an
invaluable addition to your test equipment arsenal!
NFC-Programmable Infrared Remote Control Keyfob by Tim Blythman
34
This IR remote is about the smallest we’ve seen. It can hang on your keychain and has
three buttons that can trigger separate functions that are programmable wirelessly via
NFC, using a smartphone or similar device.
Variable Speed Drive for Induction Motors, part two by Andrew Levido
68
The second and final part of this series has the PCB assembly instructions,
heatsink and case drilling details, final assembly procedure, wiring diagram and
usage instructions.
Series, Features and Columns
Teach-In 12.3: the World of Wireless by Mike Tooley
4
This month, we discuss the theory behind modulation and demodulation, and
introduce AM and FM. Our Hands-On projects involve building a crystal-controlled
reference oscillator and a separate variable-frequency oscillator (VFO).
Techno Talk by Max The Magnificent
Max explores how tomorrow’s AI-powered sensors might think, sense and
communicate while barely sipping power, or even skipping it altogether.
24
Max’s Cool Beans by Max The Magnificent
26
This month, we are installing and testing the multi-module, multi-digit numeric
displays. We also take a look at the difference between bitwise and logical operators,
left and right shifts and operator precedence.
Circuit Surgery by Ian Bell
42
We have been investigating how to make frequency response measurements of
audio circuits. This month, we look at the effect of a capacitor across the feedback
resistor in a non-inverting amplifier and derive formulae to calculate the results.
Audio Out by Jake Rothman
50
Following hot on the heels of the popular Transmanium fuzzbox, this month we present
the Pre-driver guitar overdrive pedal. It’s a fundamental effect in many genres of music
and, like with the fuzzbox, you can build it for a fraction of the price of buying one!
Unconventional Energy Harvesting by Dr David Maddison
56
Energy is all around us; we can use solar panels, wind turbines and so on to convert it
to electricity. But there are other ways to get small amounts of electricity; from
movement, vibrations, changes in temperature and even biological processes.
The Fox Report by Barry Fox
A new dongle from Sandberg makes digital video capture easy.
67
Regulars and Services
Made in Australia & the UK.
Written in Britain, Australia,
the USA and Ireland.
Read everywhere.
© Silicon Chip Publications Pty Ltd 2025
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 2026 issue of Practical Electronics will be
published on Tuesday, 6th of January, 2026 (see p80).
Practical Electronics | January | 2026
Editorial
Hardware requiring an App is a red flag
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