1 #75: Basics of Opamp circuits - a tutorial on how to understand most opamp circuits
Alan Wolke's back-to-basics walkthrough of op amp circuits, recommended for understanding how the common configurations behave before building analogue stages.
Channel
w2aew
49 recommended videos. Channel on YouTube
2 #37: Use a scope to measure the length and impedance of coax
Shows how to measure a cable's characteristic impedance with an oscilloscope using time domain reflectometry, often cited when transmission line questions come up.
3 #88: Cheap and simple TDR using an oscilloscope and 74AC14 Schmitt Trigger Inverter
Builds a simple fast-edge pulse generator from a Schmitt trigger inverter and uses it with an oscilloscope as a makeshift time domain reflectometer for cables.
4 #79: Op Amp Power Supply Considerations: split, single, virtual ground, etc. - a tutorial
Alan Wolke compares split, single and virtual-ground supplies for op amps; people use it to work out how to bias inputs from a single battery.
5 #190: Back to Basics: Transistor Current Sources and Mirrors
Alan Wolke explains discrete transistor current sources and mirrors, ending with LED driving and compliance voltage; suggested as an alternative to an LM317 current source.
6 #114: Tutorial: Common Emitter, Common Collector, and Common Base Transistor amplifiers
A W2AEW video comparing the three basic BJT amplifier configurations, recommended for understanding gain and why common emitter is the usual choice.
7 #193: Back to Basics: the differential amplifier, aka long-tailed pair, diff-pair
Alan Wolke gives a gentle introduction to the BJT differential pair and how it forms an op amp input stage; people build and simulate along with it.
8 #143: Transmission Line Terminations for Digital and RF signals - Intro/Tutorial
Alan Wolke demonstrates transmission line terminations and reflections on an oscilloscope, including standing waves on an unterminated line; people credit it with making reflections understandable.
9 #256: Capacitor types, characteristics, and applications
A practical overview of the main capacitor families and where each belongs, recommended for anyone unsure which type a circuit needs.
10 #223: Basics of the Gilbert Cell | Analog Multiplier | Mixer | Modulator
Alan Wolke explains the Gilbert cell as a multiplier, mixer and modulator; best approached after long-tailed pairs, and people build or simulate it from the video.
11 #170: Basics of IQ Signals and IQ modulation & demodulation - A tutorial
Alan Wolke explains IQ signals, modulation and demodulation with oscilloscope demonstrations; praised as one of the clearest introductions for people learning software-defined radio.
12 #84: Basics of Ferrite Beads: Filters, EMI Suppression, Parasitic oscillation suppression / Tutorial
Demonstrates how ferrite beads filter high-frequency noise, suppress EMI and damp parasitic oscillation; praised for clear demonstrations, though some find it long.
13 #183: Why diodes are used around relay coils: Back to Basics on flyback or snubber diodes
Repeatedly linked to show, with real scope traces, why a diode goes across a relay or motor coil and how large the voltage spike gets.
14 #257: Power Supply Decoupling & Filtering: why we use multiple caps in different locations
A w2aew demonstration of why boards use several decoupling capacitors of different values in different places, and what that does to the supply rails.
15 #138: How to Measure Output Impedance
A w2aew tutorial on measuring a circuit's output impedance with an oscilloscope, regularly given as the practical answer to source resistance questions.
16 #85: Basics of R2R Ladder DAC | Digital Analog Conversion, Tutorial R-2R DAC Thevenin Superposition
w2aew walks through an R-2R ladder DAC using Thevenin reduction and superposition, cited as a worked example of both circuit analysis techniques.
17 #219: Back to Basics: Introduction to Field Effect Transistors JFET MOSFET
A w2aew explanation of how JFETs and MOSFETs operate, offered as a clearer route to understanding field effect transistors than a text answer.
18 #185: Back to Basics: Bipolar Transistor bias circuits and Beta dependence
Explains how to bias a transistor stage so the operating point does not depend much on the device's beta, using feedback.
19 #122: Electronic Circuit Construction Techniques: review of some prototype circuit building methods
A survey of ways to build a circuit more permanently than a breadboard, suggested to people ready to move a working design to something sturdier.
20 #198: Basics of a Vbe Multiplier: what it is, how it works & where it is used
Explains the Vbe multiplier, or rubber diode, and how it sets bias in class B output stages; the usual link when someone uses plain diodes instead.
21 #104: Circuit tutorial: sawtooth generator w/ current sources, diode switches, hysteresis comparator
Linked for its clear explanation of a current source circuit and as an entry point into a well regarded analogue electronics channel.
22 #215: Basics of crossover distortion | LM358 op amp example
Linked to show crossover distortion in op amps such as the LM358, usually when someone's amplifier output is unexpectedly distorted or audibly rough.
23 #49: Simple Component Tester using Oscilloscope - Octopus Curve Tracer
Builds a simple octopus curve tracer that plots component I-V curves on an oscilloscope; recommended as a cheap way to see a diode's knee voltage.
24 #9: Basic 1X and 10X Oscilloscope Probe tutorial
A w2aew explainer on how 1x and 10x oscilloscope probes differ, why the attenuation matters and how probe capacitance affects measurements.
25 #208: Visualizing RF Standing Waves on Transmission Lines
Alan Wolke makes RF standing waves on transmission lines visible on the bench; recommended for building intuition about reflections, SWR and quarter-wave transformers.
26 #111: How to make a high performance oscilloscope probe socket
w2aew shows how to build a low-inductance scope probe socket into a board; recommended for measuring fast edges and switching spikes without ground-lead ringing.
27 #137: Why your Function Generator's output voltage reading can be wrong
Explains why a function generator output can read twice the set amplitude on a scope without a 50 ohm termination, and how termination fixes it.
28 #172: Basics of Op Amp Gain Bandwidth Product and Slew Rate Limit
Covers how an op amp's gain bandwidth product and slew rate limit a closed loop circuit, used to explain unexpected bandwidth results.
29 #90: Measure Capacitors and Inductors with an Oscilloscope and some basic parts
Shows how to measure capacitance and inductance using an oscilloscope and a cheap pulse generator with fast edges built from a Schmitt trigger inverter.
30 #105: More Circuit Fun: Simple 3 transistor sawtooth generator / oscillator
Builds a simple three-transistor sawtooth oscillator and shows it running on a scope; people copy the circuit but report it gets finicky at higher frequencies.
31 #135: Measure Capacitor ESR with an Oscilloscope and Function Generator
A w2aew tutorial on measuring a capacitor's ESR with a function generator and oscilloscope, recommended when diagnosing failing electrolytics in repair work.
32 #68: Oscilloscope Probe Ground lead length effects on signal quality
A practical demonstration of how the length of a scope probe's ground connection distorts fast edges, cited whenever ringing or probe grounding questions arise.
33 #207: Basics of a Cascode Amplifier and the Miller Effect
An introduction to the cascode amplifier and why it tames the Miller effect, offered as a starting point when the topic comes up.
34 #235: Basics of Analog Panel Meters | Analog meter movements | D'Arsonval
A w2aew explainer on analogue panel meters, praised for teaching how to characterise and drive them, often paired with his follow up video.
Hidden gem35 #216: Back to Basics: 555 based monostable multivibrator | 555 tutorial
A detailed explanation of the 555 timer in monostable mode, linked both by its maker and by others as a clear answer to one shot timing questions.
36 #297: Basics of the Smith Chart - Intro, impedance, VSWR, transmission lines, matching
W2AEW walks through Smith chart fundamentals and finishes with an L network matching example, recommended as a clear RF primer.
37 #55: Back to Basics: Tutorial on LC Resonant Circuits
A bench demonstration of LC resonance from w2aew, recommended for seeing a tank circuit behave on a scope rather than only in equations.
38 #194: What is ammeter burden voltage, and why you should care.
Regularly linked to explain why a meter on its current range reads low in low voltage circuits, because of its own internal resistance.
39 #67: Basics of Common Emitter Amplifier Gain and Frequency Response with Measurements
A w2aew tutorial on how a common emitter BJT amplifier's gain and frequency response are set by its external components, backed by bench measurements.
40 #82: How to use a Diode as a Switch / Diodes as Switches / Basics of Diode Switches
A demonstration of using ordinary and PIN diodes as signal switches, cited when people ask how to switch low level audio or high frequency signals electronically.
41 #136: What is a dB, dBm, dBu, dBc, etc. on a Spectrum Analyzer?
A clear explanation of what decibels mean and how dB ratios relate to power, voltage and references like dBm, offered to anyone confused by the units.
42 #196: How a Directional Coupler in an SWR meter works
Explains the working principle of a directional coupler using a homemade example like those inside SWR meters, cited in discussions of reflected power.
43 Basics and Tutorials on Scopes
A playlist of oscilloscope tutorials from a presenter regarded as the go-to teacher on scopes, covering the basics that apply to cheap and serious instruments alike.
44 #147: Basics of Varactor Diodes | Voltage Controlled Oscillator VCO Example
w2aew tutorial on varactor diode behaviour with real measurements and a VCO circuit demonstration, linked when tuning diode questions arise.
45 #197:Simple V-I curve tracer using an oscilloscope and function generator
Shows how a signal generator plus a scope set to XY display can plot a diode curve without expensive equipment.
46 #132: How to test MOSFETs with a DMM - a few methods...
A practical way to check a MOSFET out of circuit with a multimeter, routinely suggested to beginners trying to work out whether a transistor has failed.
47 #83: Basics of RF Mixers in Radio Receivers / Mixer Tutorial / Frequency Conversion
Alan Wolke covers how mixers convert frequencies in radio receivers, including why switching produces harmonic products; recommended alongside his diode ring mixer video.
48 #167: How a Diode Ring Mixer works | Mixer operation theory and measurement
Alan Wolke explains how a diode ring mixer works and measures one on the bench; people build their own mixers from it and return with theory questions.
49 #157: Circuit fun: Automatic audio leveling circuit | audio compressor | for scanning receiver
An explanation of an automatic audio level control circuit built with germanium diodes, shared as a worked example with a schematic.
