Practical
Electronics
Volume 55. No. 06
June 2026
ISSN 2632 573X
Contents
Projects and Circuits
RGB LED ‘Analog’ Clock by Nicholas Vinen
14
This colourful and unique clock tells the time with a circle of LEDs that lights up in
different colours to represent the hour, minute and second ‘hands’. An optional light
chaser effect has the LEDs racing around each second.
25
USB Power Adaptor by Nicholas Vinen
This simple and cheap PCB provides an easy way to add a USB socket to a device
powered by 5V DC. It accepts a Type-C or mini/micro Type-B socket and provides
optional reverse power flow/reverse polarity protection and LED power indication.
36
SSB Shortwave Receiver, part two by Charles Kosina
Introduced last month, this new Receiver covers the shortwave band from 3MHz to
30MHz. It is digitally tuned and has a host of useful features like squelch, USB/LSB
support, good sensitivity (a -107dBm signal gives 13dB SNR) and fast or slow AGC.
68
433MHz Digital Receiver Module by Tim Blythman
Last month, we presented our 433.9MHz LPD433 transmitter module, which performs
better than many prebuilt versions. This matching receiver module has several
advantages over commercial equivalents too!
Series, Features and Columns
4
Teach-In 12.8: the World of Wireless by Mike Tooley
Frequency conversion with multipliers and mixers – our focus shifts to frequency
conversion methods used in receivers, transmitters and synthesisers, with an
emphasis on how multipliers and mixers can change the frequency of a signal.
28
Circuit Surgery by Ian Bell
Measuring circuit frequency response using a PC sound card, part 9: differential
signals and the THAT1646 IC. This differential, balanced line driver chip is ideal for
transmitting audio signals with minimal hum and EMI pickup in the cables.
42
Max’s Cool Beans by Max The Magnificent
Weird & Wonderful Arduino Projects, part 18: How did it get so late so soon?
We start by adding all-important sound effects to our classic Snake game, followed
by a preview of the upcoming VFD-based Chronological Contraption.
50
Power Electronics, part three by Andrew Levido
Isolated DC-DC converters provide improved safety and flexibility. To design an isolated converter, first we need to understand how transformers work, plus their potential
roles in DC/DC and AC/DC converters.
60
Audio Out by Jake Rothman
All-pass filters, part three – building an all-pass filter. This month, we describe a singlestage to eight-stage all-pass filter board you can build from standard parts.
Techno Talk by Max the Magnificent
66
More power? No – less! From battery-powered AI to nuclear-fuelled data centres, the
race for connectivity and intelligence is becoming a race for energy efficiency.
Regulars and Services
Made in Australia & the UK.
Written in Britain, Australia,
the USA and Ireland.
Read everywhere.
© Silicon Chip Publications Pty Ltd 2026
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 July 2026 issue of Practical Electronics will be
published on Friday, 5nd of June, 2026 (see p80).
Practical Electronics | June | 2026
Editorial
2
May issue misprint / It isn’t “sideloading”; it’s the normal way to install software
Reader services – Editorial and Advertising Departments
2
Subscribe to Practical Electronics and save money
75
Practical Electronics PCB Service
76-78
PCBs for Practical Electronics projects
Classified ads and Advertiser index
79
Next month! – highlights of our next issue of Practical Electronics
80
Renewals paid by PayPal, Visa and Mastercard are now handled via our website:
www.electronpublishing.com
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