Channel News #5: The State of the Lab 2025 | Learning Electronics In The Lab With Jay Jay

This post is part of my video blog and you can find more information about this video over here.

You can support this channel on Patreon: patreon.com/JohnElliotV

In this video I just chat about where we’re at in the lab and on the channel.

As I mentioned last year Dave Jones mentioned me on EEVblog #1640 after having mentioned me on X. So two mentions from Dave in 2024, not bad!

As I mentioned there was an uptick in viewers this January which was coincidental with my one-video-per-day release schedule:

As I mentioned I recently recorded the final project in the Maxitronix Sensor Robot 20 (20in1). Up next will be the Maxitronix 30in1, so stand-by for that! (Make sure you subscribe so you don’t miss it!).

I am thinking about doing LTspice simulations for future Maxitronix projects, and also thinking about doing KiCad circuit board design-and-build too. With luck PCBWay would agree to sponsor PCB production if I design the boards.

I recently purchased this RTL-SDR Blog V4 R828D RTL2832U 1PPM TCXO HF Bias Tee SMA Dongle and Multipurpose Dipole Antenna Kit, you can learn more at www.rtl-sdr.com. I am trying to steer clear of RF stuff and stay in digital-land but this equipment got my interest and I purchased it so I could check it out.

I mention about the GreatFET One and the Cynthion.

I mention the Crustaceans Chirp Chirp Challenge which is a MIDI synthesizer project I am doing with some of my friends from IRC.

The USB books I mention are these:

I mention The Ultimate History of Video Games.

I intend to get on with the Jaycar and Silicon Chip Mini Projects this year. I mention the two projects which have been done:

I mention I am working on the latest Old Book Teardown video for Electric Circuits by J. Richard Johnson.

In the video I attributed a quote to Richard Feynman but it was actually a quote from John von Neumann that I was thinking of: “Young man, in mathematics you don’t understand things. You just get used to them.”

The new component drawers I mention (which I am keeping some of my microcontrollers in) are these: 33 Drawer Parts Cabinet. The microcontrollers in these drawers include my ATtiny, STM32, and ESP32 micros. My Arduinos are kept separately and include:

The ESP32 starter kit I mention is this one: Basic Starter Kit for ESP32 ESP-32S WIFI Development Board Project Learning Kit with Tutorials ESP32 kit with box. It doesn’t come with a manual so I might see if I can put something together about how to use this.

The clock project I mention is this one: TJ-56-428 4-Digit Digital DIY Clock Kits with Acrylic Shell, DIY Alarm Clock Soldering Practice Kit for Learning Electronics. You can see me construct this project here: Electronics Project #10: TJ-56-428 4-Digit Digital DIY Clock | In The Lab With Jay Jay.

I mention my Maker Faire badge, there were a bunch of videos of me putting this together:

I mention JTAG ‘Hacking’ the Original Xbox in 2023: Using Intel CPU JTAG to dump the secret bootrom in Microsoft’s original Xbox.

I mention bunnie‘s book Hacking the Xbox. My OG Xbox notes are here: Xbox.

The maths books I’m thinking about working through are these:

With the maths homework I’m not sure if I will start in Year 7 or Year 9. Still thinking about that.

The software I use to produce my videos includes OBS Studio and Kdenlive.

The company which has contacted me to review one of their headsets is RownFusny. You can expect to see that video after the headphones arrive. The other recent sponsor was PCBWay who sent me some stuff during 2024.

And that pretty much brings you up-to-date with the state of the lab, 2025.

Thanks very much for watching! And please remember to hit like and subscribe! :)


Following is a product I use picked at random from my collection which may appear in my videos. Clicking through on this to find and click on the green affiliate links before purchasing from eBay or AliExpress is a great way to support the channel at no cost to you. Thanks!

Yum Cha 4K HDMI USB 3.0 HDMI To USB AdapterThis is an image of the product.

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Weather Indicator | Project 20/20 | Maxitronix 20in1 | Learning Electronics In The Lab With Jay Jay

This post is part of my video blog and you can find more information about this video over here.

You can support this channel on Patreon: patreon.com/JohnElliotV

In this video we do the 20th project from the Maxitronix Sensor Robot 20 (20in1) Electronics Project Lab Kit: Weather Indicator.

We use the Rigol MSO5074 Mixed Signal Oscilloscope to have a look at the two square waves from the astable multivibrators.

We use the UNI-T UTi260B Thermal Imager to investigate the circuit’s heat profile.

We use the Riden RD6006 Bench Power Supply to deliver 9V to power the circuit and to report on its current draw.

Thanks very much for watching! And please remember to hit like and subscribe! :)





Following is a product I use picked at random from my collection which may appear in my videos. Clicking through on this to find and click on the green affiliate links before purchasing from eBay or AliExpress is a great way to support the channel at no cost to you. Thanks!

Yum Cha Macro Programmable 8-Key Mechanical KeyboardThis is an image of the product.

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Unboxing #23: AOOCOO 4K@30Hz HDMI USB 2.0 8-Port HDMI KVM | In The Lab With Jay Jay

This post is part of my video blog and you can find more information about this video over here.

You can support this channel on Patreon: patreon.com/JohnElliotV

In this video we take our new AOOCOO 4K@30Hz HDMI USB 2.0 8-Port HDMI KVM out of the box! This new 8-port KVM is to replace my old 4-port KVM: HDmatters 4K HDMI USB 2.0 4-Port HDMI KVM.

If you’re interested in such things you might like to see the documentation for my studio.

Thanks very much for watching! And please remember to hit like and subscribe! :)


Following is a product I use picked at random from my collection which may appear in my videos. Clicking through on this to find and click on the green affiliate links before purchasing from eBay or AliExpress is a great way to support the channel at no cost to you. Thanks!

Ampcom Automatic Network Cable TesterThis is an image of the product.notes

Let’s go shopping!

Mail Call #20: GreatFET One, Cynthion, Mesh Holder, USB Cable, Calculus, KVM and More! | In The Lab

This post is part of my video blog and you can find more information about this video over here.

You can support this channel on Patreon: patreon.com/JohnElliotV

In this video we take a look at what has arrived in the mail from AliExpress, eBay, and Amazon.

See here for more info about the Great Scott Gadgets:

In this video I mention my mate @learningasahobby790 who makes interesting videos about mathematics and philosophy, check him out.

Thanks very much for watching! And please remember to hit like and subscribe! :)


Following is a product I use picked at random from my collection which may appear in my videos. Clicking through on this to find and click on the green affiliate links before purchasing from eBay or AliExpress is a great way to support the channel at no cost to you. Thanks!

Yum Cha 11 in 1 USB-C Hub USB HubThis is an image of the product.

Let’s go shopping!

Touch Buzzer | Project 19/20 | Maxitronix 20in1 | Learning Electronics In The Lab With Jay Jay

This post is part of my video blog and you can find more information about this video over here.

You can support this channel on Patreon: patreon.com/JohnElliotV

In this video we do the 19th project from the Maxitronix Sensor Robot 20 (20in1) Electronics Project Lab Kit: Touch Buzzer.

This circuit uses a Darlington pair to amplify the very weak signal from the touch sensor.

We use the Rigol MSO5074 Mixed Signal Oscilloscope to look at the square wave from the astable multivibrator.

We use the UNI-T UTi260B Thermal Imager to examine the thermal characteristics of the circuit, particularly the 1K resistors getting warm.

We use the Riden RD6006 Bench Power Supply to provide 9V for our circuit and also to measure the current drawn by the circuit in its inactive (11mA) and active (12mA) states.

Thanks very much for watching! And please remember to hit like and subscribe! :)





Following is a product I use picked at random from my collection which may appear in my videos. Clicking through on this to find and click on the green affiliate links before purchasing from eBay or AliExpress is a great way to support the channel at no cost to you. Thanks!

Maxitronix 500in1 Electronics Project Lab KitThis is an image of the product.notes

Let’s go shopping!

Interlude #12: The Making of the Hook Stick Extension Grabber Thing | In The Lab With Jay Jay

This post is part of my video blog and you can find more information about this video over here.

You can support this channel on Patreon: patreon.com/JohnElliotV

In this video we put a hook on a stick so I can reach stuff that is high on my pegboard.

In this video I mention Ali the Dazzling and the Star Wars Kid. The wood shop channel I enjoy is Workshop Companion.

We use the Deep Hole Long Nib Pen to mark the points for drilling.

We use the Rockwell RD2971 18V Drill Driver Kit Drill for drilling.

We use the Bosch IXO VI Electric Screwdriver to drive in my screws.

My pegboard hooks are these ones: HORUSDY 120-Piece PegBoard Hooks Set, Peg Board Assortment 12 Different Types of Hooks for Garage Organizer Bins Shop Display Hanging.

We use the 14500pa Cordless Hand Held Vacuum to tidy up after ourselves.

We use the Yum Cha 10pc File & Rasp Set Metal File for filing.

We use the Plato Model 170 Wire Cutter for cutting our string.

The KVM I mention toward the end of the video is my AOOCOO 4K@30Hz HDMI USB 2.0 8-Port HDMI KVM.

If you’re interested in HDMI specs there is heaps of info on the Wikipedia HDMI page.

The monitor I mention toward the end of the video is the UPERFECT 15.6″ HDMI LCD. It’s physically small, but high resolution. I stop using this monitor because I was having trouble making it work with my new KVM and my studio workstation ‘verve‘.

The new component drawers I am getting for the new space on my pegboard are these: Jaycar HB6330 33 Drawer Parts Cabinet

Thanks very much for watching! And please remember to hit like and subscribe! :)


Following is a product I use picked at random from my collection which may appear in my videos. Clicking through on this to find and click on the green affiliate links before purchasing from eBay or AliExpress is a great way to support the channel at no cost to you. Thanks!

nmsafety Nitrile GlovesThis is an image of the product.notes

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Mail Call #19: Tool Holder, MOSFET, LM311, Capacitor, Pliers, USB Adapter and More! | In The Lab

This post is part of my video blog and you can find more information about this video over here.

You can support this channel on Patreon: patreon.com/JohnElliotV

In this video we see what has arrived in the mail from AliExpress.

We use the Peak Electronic Design Atlas DCA75 Pro Semiconductor Analyzer to test our MOSFETs as they arrive.

We use the Brother P-Touch D210 Label Maker to label our component drawers.

We use the Scotch Titanium Scissors to cut open our packaging.

We use the Hakko CHP 3C-SA Precision Tweezers to manipulate our components.

Stuff that arrived included:

Thanks very much for watching! And please remember to hit like and subscribe! :)


Following is a product I use picked at random from my collection which may appear in my videos. Clicking through on this to find and click on the green affiliate links before purchasing from eBay or AliExpress is a great way to support the channel at no cost to you. Thanks!

Yum Cha Universal Handheld Wire StripperThis is an image of the product.notes

Let’s go shopping!

Rain Detector | Project 18/20 | Maxitronix 20in1 | Learning Electronics In The Lab With Jay Jay

This post is part of my video blog and you can find more information about this video over here.

You can support this channel on Patreon: patreon.com/JohnElliotV

In this video we do the 18th project from the Maxitronix Sensor Robot 20 (20in1) Electronics Project Lab Kit: Rain Detector.

We use the Rigol MSO5074 Mixed Signal Oscilloscope to see the 1.6 kHz square wave from our astable multivibrator.

We use the UNI-T UTi260B Thermal Imager to watch the thermal effects of the circuit. We see both the 1K resistors in the astable multivibrator get warm, but only the activated side of the bistable multivibrator gets warm.

We use the Fluke 17B+ Digital Multimeter to buzz out the circuit looking for mistakes.

We use the Riden RD6006 Bench Power Supply to provide 9V for our circuit. I make a mistake and connect it the wrong way around to begin with!

Thanks very much for watching! And please remember to hit like and subscribe! :)





Following is a product I use picked at random from my collection which may appear in my videos. Clicking through on this to find and click on the green affiliate links before purchasing from eBay or AliExpress is a great way to support the channel at no cost to you. Thanks!

TOOKKS HZY ABS Wire FixtureThis is an image of the product.notes

Let’s go shopping!