What kind of electronics are you excited to explore in 2026?

[Alan]

You might have found yourself binge-watching teardown videos or staring at a component that’s a bit of a mystery. It happens to the best of us! So, what specific electronics topics or parts are you eager to dive into this coming year?

 

[Circuitsmith]

Lately, I've been getting lost in teardown videos, and it made me really want to know more about how power regulation circuits work. I always just skip over that part.

 

[Currentaffair]

I've spent way too many nights looking at random circuit boards on my desk, and I think in 2026, I'm finally going to get into microcontroller communication protocols. I've used those forever without really knowing what's going on inside.

 

[barfle]

I’m gonna get that CD4 quadraphonic decoder working this year, dammit!

Then the Motorola EVR teleplayer (a web search will tell you what that is) - I have three of them, two for parts, and about 20 films to play in it. One modification it needs is switching the direct audio so it follows the videomselection. Actually, that should be easier than the demod.

 

[Alan]

I've spent way too many nights looking at random circuit boards on my desk, and I think in 2026, I'm finally going to get into microcontroller communication protocols. I've used those forever without really knowing what's going on inside.

Really diving into the why behind the protocols is a total game-changer, 2026 seems like the ideal year to make it happen.

I’m gonna get that CD4 quadraphonic decoder working this year, dammit!

Then the Motorola EVR teleplayer (a web search will tell you what that is) - I have three of them, two for parts, and about 20 films to play in it. One modification it needs is switching the direct audio so it follows the videomselection. Actually, that should be easier than the demod.

Love it. That sounds like such a fun challenge, I’m really looking forward to hearing how that quad decoder turns out.

 

[barfle]

Love it. That sounds like such a fun challenge, I’m really looking forward to hearing how that quad decoder turns out.

I have a pretty good signal generator that can actually provide the specified test signals to the input, and the PLLs seem to be working, but when it’s connected to the turntable, the distortion is awful, and I’m not talking about something it takes a critical ear to hear.

It’s high on my list, but not quite on top. Other messes have priority.

 

[Alan]

I see what you mean. That kind of difference is definitely noticeable. It makes sense that it’s on the list.