Giving The Amstrad CPC A Voice And A Drum Kit
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/12/giving-the-amstrad-cpc-a-voice-and-a-drum-kit/
Back in the ’80s, home computers weren’t capable of much in terms of audio or multimedia as a whole. Arguably, it wasn’t until the advent of 16-bit computers such as the Amiga that musicians could make soundtrack-quality music without having to plug actual studio gear up to their machines. [Michael …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/12/giving-the-amstrad-cpc-a-voice-and-a-drum-kit/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/12/giving-the-amstrad-cpc-a-voice-and-a-drum-kit/
Back in the ’80s, home computers weren’t capable of much in terms of audio or multimedia as a whole. Arguably, it wasn’t until the advent of 16-bit computers such as the Amiga that musicians could make soundtrack-quality music without having to plug actual studio gear up to their machines. [Michael …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/12/giving-the-amstrad-cpc-a-voice-and-a-drum-kit/)
Shop-Made Tools Turn Cheap Steel into Telescoping Tubes
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/13/shop-made-tools-turn-cheap-steel-into-telescoping-tubes/
Beginning metalworkers are often surprised at just how cheap steel can be. It’s a commodity made by the gigaton, and there are always plenty of extra pieces and scraps left over from big projects that are available for pennies a pound. But what you’ve got is often not what you …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/13/shop-made-tools-turn-cheap-steel-into-telescoping-tubes/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/13/shop-made-tools-turn-cheap-steel-into-telescoping-tubes/
Beginning metalworkers are often surprised at just how cheap steel can be. It’s a commodity made by the gigaton, and there are always plenty of extra pieces and scraps left over from big projects that are available for pennies a pound. But what you’ve got is often not what you …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/13/shop-made-tools-turn-cheap-steel-into-telescoping-tubes/)
Spin Me Right Round, Baby: Generator Building Experiments for Mere Mortals
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/13/spin-me-right-round-baby-generator-building-experiments-for-mere-mortals/
How many of you plan to build a wind-powered generator in the next year? Okay, both of you can put your hands down. Even if you don’t want to wind your coils manually, learning about the principles in an electric generator might spark your interest. There is a lot of …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/13/spin-me-right-round-baby-generator-building-experiments-for-mere-mortals/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/13/spin-me-right-round-baby-generator-building-experiments-for-mere-mortals/
How many of you plan to build a wind-powered generator in the next year? Okay, both of you can put your hands down. Even if you don’t want to wind your coils manually, learning about the principles in an electric generator might spark your interest. There is a lot of …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/13/spin-me-right-round-baby-generator-building-experiments-for-mere-mortals/)
Automate the Freight: Platooning
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/13/automate-the-freight-platooning/
On yet another one of those long, pointless road trips that seemed to punctuate my life starting when I got my license, I was plying the roads somewhere in eastern Pennsylvania with a friend. He told me that on long trips he’d often relieve the boredom by finding another car …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/13/automate-the-freight-platooning/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/13/automate-the-freight-platooning/
On yet another one of those long, pointless road trips that seemed to punctuate my life starting when I got my license, I was plying the roads somewhere in eastern Pennsylvania with a friend. He told me that on long trips he’d often relieve the boredom by finding another car …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/13/automate-the-freight-platooning/)
Electric Dump Truck Tricycle is No Toy
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/13/electric-dump-truck-tricycle-is-no-toy/
There are some utility bicycles on the market, some with electric motors to help carry a good bit of cargo. If you really need to haul more weight than a typical grocery-getter like this, you’ll want to look into a tricycle for higher capacity loads. Nothing you’ll find will match …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/13/electric-dump-truck-tricycle-is-no-toy/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/13/electric-dump-truck-tricycle-is-no-toy/
There are some utility bicycles on the market, some with electric motors to help carry a good bit of cargo. If you really need to haul more weight than a typical grocery-getter like this, you’ll want to look into a tricycle for higher capacity loads. Nothing you’ll find will match …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/13/electric-dump-truck-tricycle-is-no-toy/)
Retrotechtacular: Predictions that Just Missed It
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/13/retrotechtacular-predictions-that-just-missed-it/
Few occupations are more fraught with peril than predicting the future. If you are a science fiction author, it might not matter, but if you are trying to design the next game-changing piece of hardware, the stakes are higher.
It seems like, for the most part, even if you manage …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/13/retrotechtacular-predictions-that-just-missed-it/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/13/retrotechtacular-predictions-that-just-missed-it/
Few occupations are more fraught with peril than predicting the future. If you are a science fiction author, it might not matter, but if you are trying to design the next game-changing piece of hardware, the stakes are higher.
It seems like, for the most part, even if you manage …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/13/retrotechtacular-predictions-that-just-missed-it/)
Bolt-On Stepper Motor Driver For The Raspberry Pi
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/13/bolt-on-stepper-motor-driver-for-the-raspberry-pi/
For his entry into the 2019 Hackaday Prize, [Tobius Daichi] is working on adding some motion control capabilities to everyone’s favorite Linux SBC. His 3+Pi board attaches to the Raspberry Pi’s GPIO header and gives you a convenient way to control four individual stepper motors. Perfect for a 3D printer, …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/13/bolt-on-stepper-motor-driver-for-the-raspberry-pi/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/13/bolt-on-stepper-motor-driver-for-the-raspberry-pi/
For his entry into the 2019 Hackaday Prize, [Tobius Daichi] is working on adding some motion control capabilities to everyone’s favorite Linux SBC. His 3+Pi board attaches to the Raspberry Pi’s GPIO header and gives you a convenient way to control four individual stepper motors. Perfect for a 3D printer, …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/13/bolt-on-stepper-motor-driver-for-the-raspberry-pi/)
Mix And Match Parts To Build A Better Mountain Bike Derailleur
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/13/mix-and-match-parts-to-build-a-better-mountain-bike-derailleur/
Mountain bikers take their sport seriously, and put their bikes through all manner of punishment in the course of a ride. This has given rise to a wide range of specialist equipment, such as suspension, disc brakes and even clutch derailleurs, which help reduce chain slap when riding over rough …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/13/mix-and-match-parts-to-build-a-better-mountain-bike-derailleur/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/13/mix-and-match-parts-to-build-a-better-mountain-bike-derailleur/
Mountain bikers take their sport seriously, and put their bikes through all manner of punishment in the course of a ride. This has given rise to a wide range of specialist equipment, such as suspension, disc brakes and even clutch derailleurs, which help reduce chain slap when riding over rough …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/13/mix-and-match-parts-to-build-a-better-mountain-bike-derailleur/)
Itty Bitty MIDI Piano Sings With Solenoids
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/13/itty-bitty-midi-piano-sings-with-solenoids/
Toy pianos are fun to plink around on for a minute, but their small keyboards and even smaller sound make them musically uninteresting pretty quickly. [Måns Jonasson] found a way to jazz up a two-octave toy piano almost beyond recognition. All it took was thirty solenoids, a few Arduinos, a …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/13/itty-bitty-midi-piano-sings-with-solenoids/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/13/itty-bitty-midi-piano-sings-with-solenoids/
Toy pianos are fun to plink around on for a minute, but their small keyboards and even smaller sound make them musically uninteresting pretty quickly. [Måns Jonasson] found a way to jazz up a two-octave toy piano almost beyond recognition. All it took was thirty solenoids, a few Arduinos, a …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/13/itty-bitty-midi-piano-sings-with-solenoids/)
1940s Portable Radio Is A Suitcase
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/13/1940s-portable-radio-is-a-suitcase/
The meaning of the word portable has changed a bit over the years. These days something has to be pretty tiny to be considered truly portable, but in the 1940s, anything with a handle on it that you could lift with one hand might be counted as portable electronics. Zenith …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/13/1940s-portable-radio-is-a-suitcase/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/13/1940s-portable-radio-is-a-suitcase/
The meaning of the word portable has changed a bit over the years. These days something has to be pretty tiny to be considered truly portable, but in the 1940s, anything with a handle on it that you could lift with one hand might be counted as portable electronics. Zenith …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/13/1940s-portable-radio-is-a-suitcase/)
Simple Bluetooth Car Audio From A Pi Zero
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/13/simple-bluetooth-car-audio-from-a-pi-zero/
When [Sami Pietikäinen] realized that the Bluetooth built into his car didn’t support audio, he didn’t junk it and buy a Tesla. Instead, he decided to remedy the problem by building a small Bluetooth device that plugged into the Aux socket. To do this, he used a Raspberry Pi Zero …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/13/simple-bluetooth-car-audio-from-a-pi-zero/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/13/simple-bluetooth-car-audio-from-a-pi-zero/
When [Sami Pietikäinen] realized that the Bluetooth built into his car didn’t support audio, he didn’t junk it and buy a Tesla. Instead, he decided to remedy the problem by building a small Bluetooth device that plugged into the Aux socket. To do this, he used a Raspberry Pi Zero …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/13/simple-bluetooth-car-audio-from-a-pi-zero/)
Print Your Own Heat Shrink Labels for Factory-Chic Wire Naming
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/14/print-your-own-heat-shrink-labels-for-factory-chic-wire-naming/
Heat shrink tubing is great for insulating wires. Labeling wires in a bundle is always useful, too. [Voltlog] has a cheap Brother label printer and discovered he can buy knock off label cassettes for a lot less from China. However, he also found something else: cassettes with heat shrink tubing …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/14/print-your-own-heat-shrink-labels-for-factory-chic-wire-naming/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/14/print-your-own-heat-shrink-labels-for-factory-chic-wire-naming/
Heat shrink tubing is great for insulating wires. Labeling wires in a bundle is always useful, too. [Voltlog] has a cheap Brother label printer and discovered he can buy knock off label cassettes for a lot less from China. However, he also found something else: cassettes with heat shrink tubing …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/14/print-your-own-heat-shrink-labels-for-factory-chic-wire-naming/)
Remote ADS-B Install Listens in on All the Aircraft Transmissions with RTL-SDR Trio, Phones Home on Cellular
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/14/remote-ads-b-install-listens-in-on-all-the-aircraft-transmissions-with-rtl-sdr-trio-phones-home-on-cellular/
When installing almost any kind of radio gear, the three factors that matter most are the same as in real estate: location, location, location. An unobstructed location at the highest possible elevation gives the antenna the furthest radio horizon as well as the biggest bang for the installation buck. But …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/14/remote-ads-b-install-listens-in-on-all-the-aircraft-transmissions-with-rtl-sdr-trio-phones-home-on-cellular/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/14/remote-ads-b-install-listens-in-on-all-the-aircraft-transmissions-with-rtl-sdr-trio-phones-home-on-cellular/
When installing almost any kind of radio gear, the three factors that matter most are the same as in real estate: location, location, location. An unobstructed location at the highest possible elevation gives the antenna the furthest radio horizon as well as the biggest bang for the installation buck. But …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/14/remote-ads-b-install-listens-in-on-all-the-aircraft-transmissions-with-rtl-sdr-trio-phones-home-on-cellular/)
Cheap Electric Scooter Gets a Big Brake Upgrade; Unlocks Proper Drift Mode
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/14/cheap-electric-scooter-gets-a-big-brake-upgrade-unlocks-proper-drift-mode/
The last few years have seen a huge rise in the prominence of electric scooters. Brushless motors, lithium batteries, and scooter sharing companies have brought them to the mainstream. However, electric scooters of a variety of designs have been around for a long time, spawning a dedicated subculture of hackers …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/14/cheap-electric-scooter-gets-a-big-brake-upgrade-unlocks-proper-drift-mode/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/14/cheap-electric-scooter-gets-a-big-brake-upgrade-unlocks-proper-drift-mode/
The last few years have seen a huge rise in the prominence of electric scooters. Brushless motors, lithium batteries, and scooter sharing companies have brought them to the mainstream. However, electric scooters of a variety of designs have been around for a long time, spawning a dedicated subculture of hackers …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/14/cheap-electric-scooter-gets-a-big-brake-upgrade-unlocks-proper-drift-mode/)
Data Mining Home Water Usage; Your Water Meter Knows You a Bit Too Well
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/14/data-mining-home-water-usage-your-water-meter-knows-you-a-bit-too-well/
The average person has become depressingly comfortable with the surveillance dystopia we live in. For better or for worse, they’ve come to accept the fact that data about their lives is constantly being collected and analyzed. We’re at the point where a sizable chunk of people believe their smartphone is …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/14/data-mining-home-water-usage-your-water-meter-knows-you-a-bit-too-well/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/14/data-mining-home-water-usage-your-water-meter-knows-you-a-bit-too-well/
The average person has become depressingly comfortable with the surveillance dystopia we live in. For better or for worse, they’ve come to accept the fact that data about their lives is constantly being collected and analyzed. We’re at the point where a sizable chunk of people believe their smartphone is …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/14/data-mining-home-water-usage-your-water-meter-knows-you-a-bit-too-well/)
India Launched a Moon Orbiter, Lander, and Rover All In One Shot with Chandrayaan-2
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/14/india-launched-a-moon-orbiter-lander-and-rover-all-in-one-shot-with-chandrayaan-2/
On July 22nd, India launched an ambitious mission to simultaneously deliver an orbiter, lander, and rover to the Moon. Launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre on a domestically-built GSLV Mk III rocket, Chandrayaan-2 is expected to enter lunar orbit on August 20th. If everything goes well, the mission’s lander …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/14/india-launched-a-moon-orbiter-lander-and-rover-all-in-one-shot-with-chandrayaan-2/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/14/india-launched-a-moon-orbiter-lander-and-rover-all-in-one-shot-with-chandrayaan-2/
On July 22nd, India launched an ambitious mission to simultaneously deliver an orbiter, lander, and rover to the Moon. Launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre on a domestically-built GSLV Mk III rocket, Chandrayaan-2 is expected to enter lunar orbit on August 20th. If everything goes well, the mission’s lander …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/14/india-launched-a-moon-orbiter-lander-and-rover-all-in-one-shot-with-chandrayaan-2/)
New Life For Old Nintendo Handhelds With ESP32
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/14/new-life-for-old-nintendo-handhelds-with-esp32/
The Game Boy Pocket was Nintendo’s 1996 redesign of the classic 1989 handheld, giving it a smaller form factor, better screen and less power consumption. While it didn’t become as iconic as its predecessor, it still had enough popularity for modders such as [Eugene] to create new hardware for it. …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/14/new-life-for-old-nintendo-handhelds-with-esp32/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/14/new-life-for-old-nintendo-handhelds-with-esp32/
The Game Boy Pocket was Nintendo’s 1996 redesign of the classic 1989 handheld, giving it a smaller form factor, better screen and less power consumption. While it didn’t become as iconic as its predecessor, it still had enough popularity for modders such as [Eugene] to create new hardware for it. …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/14/new-life-for-old-nintendo-handhelds-with-esp32/)
Control The Suck With This Manual Vacuum Pick-And-Place Tool
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/14/control-the-suck-with-this-manual-vacuum-pick-and-place-tool/
The tapes that surface-mount devices come in may be optimized for automated pick and place, but woe betide those who try to dig components out manually. No matter what size package, the well on the tape seems to be just a wee bit too small to allow tweezers to grip …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/14/control-the-suck-with-this-manual-vacuum-pick-and-place-tool/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/14/control-the-suck-with-this-manual-vacuum-pick-and-place-tool/
The tapes that surface-mount devices come in may be optimized for automated pick and place, but woe betide those who try to dig components out manually. No matter what size package, the well on the tape seems to be just a wee bit too small to allow tweezers to grip …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/14/control-the-suck-with-this-manual-vacuum-pick-and-place-tool/)
Keezer Controller Keeps The Kegs Pouring
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/14/keezer-controller-keeps-the-kegs-pouring/
It’s always a good idea to keep a few brews in the fridge ready to go, but being able to offer your guests a fresh-poured draught beer is another step above. It’s not trivial, but with a few kegs, a freezer and the right CO2 parts, it’s achievable for the …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/14/keezer-controller-keeps-the-kegs-pouring/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/14/keezer-controller-keeps-the-kegs-pouring/
It’s always a good idea to keep a few brews in the fridge ready to go, but being able to offer your guests a fresh-poured draught beer is another step above. It’s not trivial, but with a few kegs, a freezer and the right CO2 parts, it’s achievable for the …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/14/keezer-controller-keeps-the-kegs-pouring/)
[Jessica] Is Soft On Robot Grippers
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/14/jessica-is-soft-on-robot-grippers/
It is an old movie trope: a robot grips something and accidentally crushes it with its super robot strength. A little feedback goes a long way, of course, but futuristic robots may also want to employ soft grippers. [Jessica] shows how to build soft grippers made of several cast fingers. …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/14/jessica-is-soft-on-robot-grippers/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/08/14/jessica-is-soft-on-robot-grippers/
It is an old movie trope: a robot grips something and accidentally crushes it with its super robot strength. A little feedback goes a long way, of course, but futuristic robots may also want to employ soft grippers. [Jessica] shows how to build soft grippers made of several cast fingers. …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/08/14/jessica-is-soft-on-robot-grippers/)