A motley collection of ideas
I wrote this opinion piece in the summer of 2025 about the Tisza Party and Hungary’s prospects, based on what I knew at the time. History will show just how far off I was… This morning on the radio, Stefano Bottoni (an Italian-Hungarian historian, expert on Eastern Europe, and persona non grata) spoke about Fidesz. … Read more
Format: Paperback. You can purchase it on Amazon.com It is also available in audiobook format. The Hungarian edition was published by Typotex Publishing Ltd. in 2025 and can be purchased at Typotex. When people think of infinity, they usually picture the sideways figure eight (∞), but according to Brian Clegg, that symbol is not infinity … Read more
Vintage radios are more than just functional electronics — they’re beautiful pieces of design history. From rich bakelite cabinets to finely woven speaker cloths, every detail was crafted to be both functional and elegant. But when it comes to restoration, some of the most iconic details can be the hardest to replace — especially the … Read more
The river was calm that morning, silver mist curling above the water. I have always believed that the best meals begin not in the kitchen, but in the fields, gardens, and streams. When the trout tugged, I already knew what was for dinner… Details Serves: 2Preparation time: 1 hour Ingredients Fish Parsnip purée Preparation Grate … Read more
The other day, I explained to my partner how a fluorescent starter works and what the ballast is for. I won’t go into it now—if you’re interested, look it up. I also explained why electronic ballasts are supposedly better than traditional ones. Well, I was wrong: they aren’t better. Every self-respecting electrician or hardware supplier … Read more
In Hungary, the use of radio frequencies is regulated by the National Media and Infocommunications Authority (NMHH). The NMHH has published the National Frequency Allocation Table and Frequency Use Regulations. Radio Frequency Bands Abbreviation Frequency Range Wavelength ELF 3 Hz – 30 Hz 100,000 km – 10,000 km SLF 30 Hz – 300 Hz 10,000 … Read more
A quartz crystal equipped with electrodes behaves electrically like a resonant circuit with a high quality factor (Q). With its help, oscillators of high frequency stability can be built. Quartz oscillators are now widely used as frequency or time standards in processors, microcontrollers, radios, and quartz watches. Oscillators An electronic oscillator is a circuit that … Read more
This circuit is a simple flasher that produces strong and short flashes. If you already know how a transistor works, you’ll have no trouble understanding how this thing operates. You can find the circuit on Tinkercad here: 👉 https://www.tinkercad.com/things/jn4ZX0OA4qi-flashing-light Although it works in a very simple way, this circuit actually exceeds the capabilities of Tinkercad’s … Read more
This circuit is a simple, contactless wire / mains voltage detector. It can detect 230 V mains wiring from a distance of 10–15 cm, indicated by a red LED and a buzzing sound. You can find the circuit in Tinkercad: 👉 https://www.tinkercad.com/things/cZa2iaSgAAG-wire-tracer The L1 coil is a self-supporting air-core coil. It can be made from … Read more