Here is a handy gadget for test- ing of infrared (IR) based remote control transmitters used for TVs and VCRs etc. The IR signals from a remote control transmitter are sensed by the IR sensor module in the tester and its output at pin 2 goes low. This in turn switches on transistor T1 and causes LED1 to blink. At the same time, the buzzer beeps at the same rate as the incoming signals from the remote control transmitter. The pressing of different buttons on the remote control will result in different pulse rates which would change the rate at which the LED blinks or the buzzer beeps. When no signal is sensed by the sensor module, output pin 2 of the sensor goes high and, as a result, transistor T1 switches off and hence LED1 and buzzer BZ1 go off. This circuit requires 5V regulated power supply which can be obtained from 9V eliminator and connected to the circuit through a jack. Capacitor C1 smoothes DC input while capacitor C2 suppresses any sudden spikes appearing in the input supply. Here, a plastic moulded sensor has been used so that it can easily stick out from a cut in the metal box in which it is housed. It requires less space. Proper grounding of the metal case will ensure that the electromagnetic emissions which are produced by tube-lights and electronic ballasts etc (which lie within the bandwidth of receiver circuit) are effectively grounded and do not interfere with the functioning of the circuit. The proposed layout of the box containing the circuit is shown in the figure. The 9-volt DC supply from the eliminator can be fed into the jack using a banana-type plug.
Tech. Editor’s note: In fact, the complete gadget can be assembled in the eliminator’s housing itself and a cut can be made in its body for exposing the IR module’s sensor part.

Lately I've been hunting for an appropriate venue to test my new club uniform: a button-down Euroshirt with a reflective disco ball sheen. Ridiculous under the halogen lights of your average apartment? Perhaps. But when bathed in the ultraviolet wash of your standard nightclub, the shirt emits a pheromonal luminescence no club-going woman can resist. Why? Biology lesson: Women, like fish, are attracted to shiny and/or effulgent objects. In fact, those of you with a keen eye have surely noted that women are becoming increasingly indistinguishable from fish, as illustrated in the following scientific observations:

• Both attracted to shiny objects
  
• More fun to catch while drinking
  
• Neither travel well
  
• There's others in the sea and/or bar
  
• Three words: catch and release
  
• Both travel in protective groups
  
• Small bladders
  
• The deeper you go, the scarier they get
  
• Their weight largely determines their value
  
• [EDITED: My lawyer has requested that I remove this one from the blog… hint: crabs!]
  
• They get all ornery if you try to grab their tail
  
• Bears will eat either of them
  
• Sometimes I likes 'em wild, sometimes I likes 'em farm-raised
  
• You must document great catches or no one will believe you -- video preferred
  
• Easier to reel in if you let them wear themselves out first
  
• Seen the movie Splash? Case closed
  
• Cold blooded. Looking your way, Stacy.
  
• Neither can operate a vehicle
  
• They both eat things
  
• The harder they shake their tail, the farther they'll go in life
  
• Scales are important to each of them
  
• They never have to buy drinks
  
• Umm… Eggs? Duh
  
• Can hook either with a great line