Reviews Archives < From DC 2 Daylight

Definitive Guide to the HackRF One Software Defined Radio (SDR)

By Tommy Reed on June 26, 2023July 27, 2023Leave a Comment

As the world of radio communication continues to evolve, the need for versatile and adaptable tools becomes paramount. Enter the HackRF One Software Defined Radio (SDR), a revolutionary device that promises to redefine your experience in exploring and manipulating the airwaves. In this comprehensive review, we’ll delve into the capabilities, features, and overall performance of the HackRF One, aiming to help potential buyers make an informed decision. If you’re just getting started with software defined radios, check out our Beginners Guide to SDRs here!

HackRF One SDR Bundle — HackRF One Software Defined Radio bundle

Siglent SPD3303X-E Review: Precision and Reliability

By Tommy Reed on June 8, 2023July 27, 2023Leave a Comment

Siglent Technologies SPD3303X-E Triple Output Power Supply Review: Power Up Your Electronics Lab with Precision and Reliability

If you’re an electronics engineer or lab manager in need of a versatile and reliable power supply, you’ve come to the right place. In this review, we’ll delve into the reputation of Siglent Technologies as a trusted supplier and explore the exceptional value that the SPD3303X-E brings to your lab. With its impressive features and precision performance, this power supply is poised to be a game-changer for your electronic testing needs.

5 Top Rated Microscopes for Any Lab [2023 Edition]

By Tommy Reed on March 28, 2023July 27, 2023Leave a Comment

Top 5 Rated Lab Microscopes (for any budget)

Microscopes are like superheroes for electronics labs – they may be small, but they have incredible powers that can help you see things you’d otherwise miss. From examining the details of a tiny component to checking the quality of a printed circuit board, a microscope is an essential tool for any electronics lab. And just like superheroes, there are a ton of microscopes out there to choose from. So, we’ve done the hard work for you and narrowed it down to the top 5 best rated microscopes for any electronics lab.

If you don’t already have a high quality microscope on your lab bench, you’ll quickly realize it is an invaluable tool. For example, it can help you inspect the quality of solder joints, detect defects in electronic components, and examine the structure of microchips. In addition, a microscope can be used to analyze the surface of a circuit board to identify any flaws or to inspect the composition of a coating. With a microscope, you can also detect and examine the quality of components such as capacitors, resistors, and inductors.

Navigating the World of Oscilloscopes: How to Choose the Right Oscilloscope

By Tommy Reed on March 2, 2023July 27, 2023Leave a Comment

Oscilloscopes are like the detectives of the electronics world. They help you investigate and solve the mysteries of electrical signals, ensuring your circuits are performing optimally. But with so many oscilloscopes out there, it can be tough to find the right oscilloscope for you. So, let’s explore the essential features to look out for.

Beginner’s Guide to Oscilloscopes

By Tommy Reed on February 28, 2023July 27, 2023Leave a Comment

Oscilloscopes can be intimidating for beginners, but fear not! We’ve got you covered. In this beginner’s guide to oscilloscopes, we’ll cover everything you need to know to start using an oscilloscope like a pro. From the basics of voltage and frequency to more advanced measurements like FFT analysis, we’ve got your back.

Top 5 Rigol Oscilloscopes for Any Budget [2023]

By Tommy Reed on February 22, 2023July 27, 2023Leave a Comment

Rigol is known for producing a wide range of test and measurement equipment such as function generators, spectrum analyzers, digital oscilloscopes, and power supplies. Rigol offers products that is both affordable and high-quality, making it a popular choice for both professional and hobbyist engineers and technicians. In this post we’ll take a look at several popular oscilloscopes offered by Rigol.

Top 5 Waveform Signal Generators (2021)

By Tommy Reed on November 13, 2020February 5, 2021Leave a Comment

If you’ve landed on this page, chances are you already have a good idea what a waveform or signal generator does and why you’d need one. You may even be close to deciding on a new unit for your lab. If so, you’ve come to the right place!

We’ve compiled a list of 5 great signal generators, and they cover all different price points, so there’s bound to be something for every budget.

Live NOAA Weather with Nooelec GOES Weather SDR Bundle

By Tommy Reed on November 8, 2020November 10, 2020Leave a Comment

Introducing a new SDR radio bundle specifically designed for tuning into weather satellite signals.

SDR Weather Stations

Using an SDR to receive weather data from NOAA’s GOES satellite constellation is one of the most common applications for software defined radio enthusiast. There are a ton of tutorials and videos on how to setup your SDR rig, antenna, and SDR software to receive and decode weather images.

One thing that can slow folks down on their quest for home-brew meteorology is figuring out just what equipment is needed beyond a great SDR radio. There are antennas, LNAs, filters, etc. It can all become a bit overwhelming at times.

That’s where a new SDR bundle from Nooelec comes in. The folks over at Nooelec have taken all the guess work and hours of sifting through forums out of designing the best SDR weather station. They’ve created a bundle that includes everything you need to receive weather satellite images.

Best BGA/SMD Rework Stations For Your Lab [5 Great Options]

By Tommy Reed on October 10, 2020March 8, 2021Leave a Comment

BGAs or Ball Grid Arrays can be one of the most difficult Surface Mount Device (SMD) package types when it comes to solder rework. Having a good BGA rework station is critical to troubleshoot and replace these types of components. Many of today’s most advanced SDR or software defined radio chipsets are BGA package types. There are a few reasons why BGA rework is so difficult. The solder pads are located underneath the package body. The large surface area makes it difficult to evenly reflow the solder pads without overheating surrounding components. With any electronic rework operation it is important to test continuity and function before and after any major rework event.

TL;DR: Here’s our top pick for the best BGA/SMD Rework Station

Our top pick came in as the T862++ IR BGA Rework Station with pre-warmer. It offered a good balance between features and affordability.

How to pick the best multimeter [PLUS, 5 great benchtop multimeters]

By Tommy Reed on September 17, 2020March 8, 20213 Comments

One of the most essential pieces of test equipment for any electronics lab is the multimeter. Today, multimeters are typically all digital and are referred to as Digital Multimeters or DMMs. Choosing the right digital multimeter can be daunting since the DMM is one of the most used pieces of equipment in the lab.

Digital multi-meters can be portable or benchtop. For this article, we’ll focus on benchtop multimeters suitable for use in a typical electronics lab. As the name implies, benchtop multimeters are used to measure multiple fundamental electronics measurements. The most basic measurements include measuring voltage, current, and resistance. More advanced benchtop digital multimeters can also measure things like capacitance, inductance, conductance, frequency, duty cycle, diode drops, etc.