Practical
Electronics
Volume 55. No. 05
May 2026
ISSN 2632 573X
Contents
Projects and Circuits
SSB Shortwave Receiver, part one by Charles Kosina
26
While there are plenty of cheap radios these days, including software-defined types,
I decided to build an analog shortwave radio myself. I learned a lot about shortwave,
SSB and how radios work in the process.
433MHz Transmitter Module by Tim Blythman
46
The LPD433 (low-interference potential device) band is used by many devices for radio
control. There is no need for a class licence, so low-cost 433-434MHz digital modules
make it easy to create a wireless link.
Tool Safety Timer by Phil Prosser
60
Have you ever accidentally left your soldering iron switched on? This project will help
allay your fears. It’s also a great idea for fitting to a hot air rework system or other
mains-powered tools.
Series, Features and Columns
Net Work by Alan Winstanley
3
This month’s column uncovers a common fault in a popular ‘smart’ charger and
examines a USB Power Delivery (PD) adaptor for USB chargers and power banks. We
also have a heads-up on looming import duty changes.
Max’s Cool Beans by Max The Magnificent
6
Weird & Wonderful Arduino Projects, part 17: chronological contraptions & solid snakes.
This month, we make further progress with our ‘retro’ games machine, making the
classic Snake actually playable. I also discuss plans for a new VFD-based timer.
The Fox Report by Barry Fox
Freely’s ‘live TV’ streaming success will depend on good hardware support.
13, 25
Teach-In 12.7: the World of Wireless by Mike Tooley
14
This instalment is on spectrum and vector network analysis (VNA). VNA enables the
accurate measurement of radio-frequency (RF) network and device characteristics
over a wide frequency range.
Circuit Surgery by Ian Bell
38
Measuring circuit frequency response using a PC sound card, part 8: more on op
amp compensation. We look at better methods to stabilise op amp circuits that
don’t impact their DC accuracy and may give better phase margin.
Audio Out by Jake Rothman
54
All-pass filters are very useful for time alignment compensation in loudspeakers. This
article includes some detailed examples of their usage in various products.
Techno Talk by Max the Magnificent
67, 75
From humble 8-bit microprocessors and Arduino boards to chiplets, XPUs, stacked
silicon and edge-AI accelerators, a ramble through the astonishing (and slightly bewildering) evolution of modern computing.
Power Electronics, part two by Andrew Levido
This series continues by delving into the control systems required to make DC/DC
converters work correctly.
68
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 June 2026 issue of Practical Electronics will be
published on Tuesday, 5th of May, 2026 (see p80).
Practical Electronics | May | 2026
Editorial
Product codes should be specific to the hardware
Reader services – Editorial and Advertising Departments
Electronics Teach-In Bundles
Practical Electronics PCB Service
PCBs for Practical Electronics projects
Classified ads and Advertiser index
Next month! – highlights of our next issue of Practical Electronics
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