Learn KiCad with Peter Dalmaris
The Academy Pro Box "Design PCBs like a Pro" offers a complete, structured training programme in PCB design, combining online learning with practical application. Based on Peter Dalmaris’ KiCad course, the 15-week programme integrates video lessons, printed materials (2 books), and hands-on projects to ensure participants not only understand the theory but also develop the skills to apply it in practice.
Unlike standard courses, the Academy Pro Box provides a guided learning path with weekly milestones and physical components to design, test, and produce working PCBs. This approach supports a deeper learning experience and better knowledge retention.
The box is ideal for engineers, students, and professionals who want to develop practical PCB design expertise using open-source tools. With the added option to have their final project manufactured, participants complete the programme with real results – ready for use, testing, or further development.
Learn by doing
Build skills. Design real boards. Generate Gerbers. Place your first order. This isn’t just a course – it’s a complete project journey from idea to product.
You’ll walk away with:
Working knowledge of KiCad’s tools
Confidence designing your own PCBs
A fully manufacturable circuit board – made by you
What's inside the Box (Course)?
Both volumes of "KiCad Like a Pro" (valued at €105)
Vol 1: Fundamentals and Projects
Vol 2: Advanced Projects and Recipes
Coupon code to join the bestselling KiCad 9 online course by Peter Dalmaris on Udemy, featuring 20+ hours of video training. You'll complete three full design projects:
Breadboard Power Supply
Tiny Solar Power Supply
Datalogger with EEPROM and Clock
Voucher from Eurocircuits for the production of PCBs (worth €85 excl. VAT)
Learning Material (of this Box/Course)
15-Week Learning Program
▶ Click here to open
Week 1: Setup, Fundamentals, and First Steps in PCB Design
Week 2: Starting Your First PCB Project – Schematic Capture
Week 3: PCB Layout – From Netlist to Board Design
Week 4: Design Principles, Libraries, and Workflow
Week 5: Your First Real-World PCB Project
Week 6: Custom Libraries – Symbols, Footprints, and Workflow
Week 7: Advanced Tools – Net Classes, Rules, Zones, Routing
Week 8: Manufacturing Files, BOMs, and PCB Ordering
Week 9: Advanced Finishing Techniques – Graphics, Refinement, and Production Quality
Week 10: Tiny Solar Power Supply – From Schematic to Layout
Week 11: Tiny Solar Power Supply – PCB Layout and Production Prep
Week 12: ESP32 Clone Project – Schematic Design and Layout Prep
Week 13: ESP32 Clone – PCB Layout and Manufacturing Prep
Week 14: Final Improvements and Advanced Features
Week 15: Productivity Tools, Simulation, and Automation
KiCad Course with 18 Lessons on Udemy (by Peter Dalmaris)
▶ Click here to open
Introduction
Getting started with PCB design
Getting started with KiCad
Project: A hands-on tour of KiCad (Schematic Design)
Project: A hands-on tour of KiCad (Layout)
Design principles and PCB terms
Design workflow and considerations
Fundamental KiCad how-to: Symbols and Eeschema
Fundamental KiCad how-to: Footprints and Pcbnew
Project: Design a simple breadboard power supply PCB
Project: Tiny Solar Power Supply
Project: MCU datalogger with build-in 512K EEPROM and clock
Recipes
KiCad 9 new features and improvements
Legacy (from previous versions of KiCad)
KiCad 7 update (Legacy)
(Legacy) Gettings started with KiCad
Bonus lecture
About the Author
Dr. Peter Dalmaris, PhD is an educator, an electrical engineer and Maker. Creator of online video courses on DIY electronics and author of several technical books. As a Chief Tech Explorer since 2013 at Tech Explorations, the company he founded in Sydney, Australia, Peter's mission is to explore technology and help educate the world.
What is Elektor Academy Pro?
Elektor Academy Pro delivers specialized learning solutions designed for professionals, engineering teams, and technical experts in the electronics and embedded systems industry. It enables individuals and organizations to expand their practical knowledge, enhance their skills, and stay ahead of the curve through high-quality resources and hands-on training tools.
From real-world projects and expert-led courses to in-depth technical insights, Elektor empowers engineers to tackle today’s electronics and embedded systems challenges. Our educational offerings include Academy Books, Pro Boxes, Webinars, Conferences, and industry-focused B2B magazines – all created with professional development in mind.
Whether you're an engineer, R&D specialist, or technical decision-maker, Elektor Academy Pro bridges the gap between theory and practice, helping you master emerging technologies and drive innovation within your organization.
This adjustable circuit board holder is ideal for clamping PCB for soldering, desoldering or rework.
Features
2 adjustable grips on a retractable stand to accommodate various board sizes.
The adjustable clamps allow the PCB to rotate 360 degrees and stay set in any position.
The base of this rigid metal stand features four rubber feet to ensure stability.
Specifications
Product size
30 x 16.5 x 12.5 cm
Max. holding size
20 x 14 cm
Weight
450 g
The FNIRSI FNB58 USB tester (with Bluetooth) is a comprehensive and very accurate USB voltage and current meter. It features a 2.0-inch full-color HD TFT display, built-in USB-A, micro USB and USB-C interface. With this device you can measure the power supply or power consumption of products or the charging power of cell phones and power supplies. You can also determine the fast charging protocol of chargers.
Features
USB-A and USB-C interface
2.0" HD display
Data at a glance
Wide compatibility
Ultra-precise data detection
Play with fast charging technology
Automatic protocol detection (PD2.0, 3.0, 3.1, PPS, QC2.0, 3.0, FCP, SCP, AFC, PE, DASH VOOC, SuperVOOC and more)
Simple user interface, easy to operate
4 function curve displays (real-time voltage and current curve, offline curve recording, D+/D- voltage curve, high-speed power supply ripple measurement)
Cable detection
10 groups of energy recording battery capacity calculation
PC connectivity for data logging and firmware updates
Bluetooth app for Android devices
Specifications
Voltage range
4-28 V
Current range
0-7 A
Power range
0-120 W
Load equivalent internal resistance
0-9999.9 Ω
D+/D- voltage
0-3.3 V
Capacity
0-9999.99 Ah
Power consumption
0-9999.99 Wh
Cable resistance
0-9999.9 Ω
Interfaces
micro USB, USB-A, USB-C
Dimensions
42 x 13 x 82 mm
Downloads
Manual
Firmware V0.68
Features
Data-logger & Multimeter & Thermometer
3 (5/6) digits
True RMS test supported
BLE 4.0 wireless transmission, more stable, less power consumption
Chart and Diagram mode, to analyze your data
Supports NCV
Voice Broadcast simplifies testing
Flashlight function
Built-in offline recording function
Supports Android, iOS
Included
Test leads
K-type thermocouple
9 V Battery
Bolt driver
Crocodile clip
Quick guide
For Raspberry Pi, ESP32 and nRF52 with Python, Arduino and Zephyr
Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) radio chips are ubiquitous from Raspberry Pi to light bulbs. BLE is an elaborate technology with a comprehensive specification, but the basics are quite accessible.
A progressive and systematic approach will lead you far in mastering this wireless communication technique, which is essential for working in low power scenarios.
In this book, you’ll learn how to:
Discover BLE devices in the neighborhood by listening to their advertisements.
Create your own BLE devices advertising data.
Connect to BLE devices such as heart rate monitors and proximity reporters.
Create secure connections to BLE devices with encryption and authentication.
Understand BLE service and profile specifications and implement them.
Reverse engineer a BLE device with a proprietary implementation and control it with your own software.
Make your BLE devices use as little power as possible.
This book shows you the ropes of BLE programming with Python and the Bleak library on a Raspberry Pi or PC, with C++ and NimBLE-Arduino on Espressif’s ESP32 development boards, and with C on one of the development boards supported by the Zephyr real-time operating system, such as Nordic Semiconductor's nRF52 boards.
Starting with a very little amount of theory, you’ll develop code right from the beginning. After you’ve completed this book, you’ll know enough to create your own BLE applications.
For Raspberry Pi, ESP32 and nRF52 with Python, Arduino and Zephyr
Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) radio chips are ubiquitous from Raspberry Pi to light bulbs. BLE is an elaborate technology with a comprehensive specification, but the basics are quite accessible.
A progressive and systematic approach will lead you far in mastering this wireless communication technique, which is essential for working in low power scenarios.
In this book, you’ll learn how to:
Discover BLE devices in the neighborhood by listening to their advertisements.
Create your own BLE devices advertising data.
Connect to BLE devices such as heart rate monitors and proximity reporters.
Create secure connections to BLE devices with encryption and authentication.
Understand BLE service and profile specifications and implement them.
Reverse engineer a BLE device with a proprietary implementation and control it with your own software.
Make your BLE devices use as little power as possible.
This book shows you the ropes of BLE programming with Python and the Bleak library on a Raspberry Pi or PC, with C++ and NimBLE-Arduino on Espressif’s ESP32 development boards, and with C on one of the development boards supported by the Zephyr real-time operating system, such as Nordic Semiconductor's nRF52 boards.
Starting with a very little amount of theory, you’ll develop code right from the beginning. After you’ve completed this book, you’ll know enough to create your own BLE applications.
The PCBite Magnifier (premium build quality made from CNC machined aluminum) enlarges your target and makes it easier to see during soldering, inspection and measurements. Especially useful when placing PCBite hands free probes on fine pitch SMD components during measurements.
3x magnification edgeless lens for increased visibility of the work surface and AR coating (anti-reflection) to reduce reflections from nearby light sources.
Optimized design, magnification and focal point for use together with the PCBite PCB holders and baseplates included in all PCBite kits. Can also be used handheld but not standalone without a metal surface as base.
At the bottom of the magnifier foot there is a strong magnet perfectly balanced in strength. A low friction bottom cap protects the magnet and the baseplate to make the magnifier easy to slide when repositioning or removing the magnifier from the baseplate.
Friction based adjustment of lens tilt and rotate positions takes away the need for annoying and complicated set screws.
The SQ series of handsfree PCBite probes from Sensepeek are insulated, come with included color-coded cable holders and have a lower point of gravity making them even more stable compared with the original SP series of probes. All the loved features of handsfree measurement, exchangeable fine pitch spring tipped test needle and the minimalistic design is maintained to make traditional sized and handheld probes obsolete.
Features
All handsfree probes from Sensepeek makes instant measurements or long triggering sessions a breeze.
No more soldering wires to connect your probe or complicated tools to setup, just positioning the probe needle on any test point or component in the signal path and release.
Saves time and frustration during development, verification and repairs.
The minimalist design and the spring-loaded test needle makes it possible to simultaneously measure on fine pitch components and nearby signals.
Both length and weight of the SQ probes are perfectly balanced to be used with the included PCB holders and base plate which is a must for handsfree function.
The probe holder comes with a powerful magnet in the base, as for all PCBite probes and holders which makes the probe easy to place and reposition.
The SQ series of probes can be used handheld without the probe holder as they have an insulated grip but their full potential is used when measuring handsfree.
One side of the included baseplate is matte and the other is mirror polished. The mirror polished surface makes it easy to see components on the circuit board underside. For added protection during measurement the included insulation cover can be mounted on one of the surfaces.
Included
4x PCBite PCB holders
1x Set of yellow insulation washers for the PCB holders
1x Large Base plate (A4)
1x Insulation cover for the base plate (A4)
1x Micro fiber cloth
4x SQ10 probes and pin tipped test needles (black)
2x Banana to dupont test wires (red/black)
5x Dupont to dupont test wires
1x Set of cable holders (4 colors)
4x Extra test needles
Downloads
User guide (PCBite kit)
User guide (SQ10 probes)
The SQ series of handsfree PCBite probes from Sensepeek are insulated, come with included color-coded cable holders and have a lower point of gravity making them even more stable compared with the original SP series of probes. All the loved features of handsfree measurement, exchangeable fine pitch spring tipped test needle and the minimalistic design is maintained to make traditional sized and handheld probes obsolete.
Features
All handsfree probes from Sensepeek makes instant measurements or long triggering sessions a breeze.
No more soldering wires to connect your probe or complicated tools to setup, just positioning the probe needle on any test point or component in the signal path and release.
Saves time and frustration during development, verification and repairs.
The minimalist design and the spring-loaded test needle makes it possible to simultaneously measure on fine pitch components and nearby signals.
Both length and weight of the SQ probes are perfectly balanced to be used with PCBite PCB holders and base plate which is a must for handsfree function.
The probe holder comes with a powerful magnet in the base, as for all PCBite probes and holders which makes the probe easy to place and reposition.
The SQ series of probes can be used handheld without the probe holder as they have an insulated grip but their full potential is used when measuring handsfree.
Included
4x PCBite PCB holders
2x SQ10 probes and pin tipped test needles (red/black)
2x Banana to dupont test wires (red/black)
1x Large Base plate (A4)
1x Insulation cover for the base plate (A4)
1x Set of yellow insulation washers for the PCB holders
1x Set of cable holders (red/black)
2x Extra test needles
1x Micro fiber cloth
Downloads
User Guide (PCBite Kit)
User Guide (SQ10)
The minimalist design and the spring loaded test needle makes it possible to simultaneously measure on fine pitch components and nearby signals.
The probe is steady but yet flexible made for instant measurements or total hands-free operations together with your multimeter, logic analyzer or preferred tool.
The dual pin header connector fits directly on a 2.54 mm (0.100”) connector.
The SP10 comes with a powerful magnet in the base, as for all PCBite probes and holders which makes the probe easy to place and reposition.
Included
4x PCBite holder
1x Large base plate (A4)
4x PCBite probe with pin tipped test needle
4x Extra crown tipped test needle
1x Set of yellow insulation washers
5x Dupont to dupont test wire
2x Banana to dupont test wire
1x Microfiber cloth
Downloads
User Guide
PCBite is the complete solution handling your circuit board during the development phase. Powerful magnets together with a stainless base plate makes the system flexible, mobile and user friendly.
The holder can easily be repositioned to handle circuit boards of varying shape and sizes.
The probes are steady but yet flexible made for instant measurements or total hands-free operations together with your multimeter or prefered tool.
Included
4x PCBite holder
2x Banana to DuPont test wires red/black
2x SP10 probe with red/black probe head and pin tipped test needles
2x Extra crown tipped test needle
1x Set of yellow insulation washers
1x Large Baseplate (A4)
1x Microfiber cloth
Downloads
User Guide
,
by Lobna Belarbi
Kickstart Your Electronics Journey with Elektor’s Learning Collection
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