Supercon SMD Challenge Gets 3D Printed Probes: Build Your Own
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/12/supercon-smd-challenge-gets-3d-printed-probes-build-your-own/
This year was the second SMD challenge at Supercon, so it stands to reason we probably learned a few things from last year. If you aren’t familiar with the challenge, you are served some pretty conventional tools and have to solder a board with LEDs getting progressively smaller until you …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/12/supercon-smd-challenge-gets-3d-printed-probes-build-your-own/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/12/supercon-smd-challenge-gets-3d-printed-probes-build-your-own/
This year was the second SMD challenge at Supercon, so it stands to reason we probably learned a few things from last year. If you aren’t familiar with the challenge, you are served some pretty conventional tools and have to solder a board with LEDs getting progressively smaller until you …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/12/supercon-smd-challenge-gets-3d-printed-probes-build-your-own/)
An Arduino and an Enigma All Rolled Into One
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/12/an-arduino-and-an-enigma-all-rolled-into-one/
This hacker has been wanting to design an Enigma machine simulator for a while, but didn’t take the leap until they realized there was a compact Arduino with a surplus of I/O.
The logs go through all sort of variations on the machine. Everything from a plug board variation similar …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/12/an-arduino-and-an-enigma-all-rolled-into-one/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/12/an-arduino-and-an-enigma-all-rolled-into-one/
This hacker has been wanting to design an Enigma machine simulator for a while, but didn’t take the leap until they realized there was a compact Arduino with a surplus of I/O.
The logs go through all sort of variations on the machine. Everything from a plug board variation similar …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/12/an-arduino-and-an-enigma-all-rolled-into-one/)
Software Defined Radio Gets Physical Control
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/12/software-defined-radio-gets-physical-control/
Software Defined Radio (SDR) is a great technology, but there’s something so satisfying about spinning a physical knob to cruise the airwaves. Wanting to restore that tactile experience, [Tysonpower] purchased a cheap USB volume knob and set out to get it working with his software. Unfortunately, getting it up and …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/12/software-defined-radio-gets-physical-control/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/12/software-defined-radio-gets-physical-control/
Software Defined Radio (SDR) is a great technology, but there’s something so satisfying about spinning a physical knob to cruise the airwaves. Wanting to restore that tactile experience, [Tysonpower] purchased a cheap USB volume knob and set out to get it working with his software. Unfortunately, getting it up and …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/12/software-defined-radio-gets-physical-control/)
A Stunning Ray Gun Built From Junk
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/12/a-stunning-ray-gun-built-from-junk/
If ever there was a quintessential weapon of science fiction, it would have to be the ray gun. [lonesoulsurfer] built this one-of-a-kind stunner from his impressive collection of junk. It’s centered around a vintage Bakelite soldering gun, a vacuum tube, and a portable stove burner, all of which contribute to …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/12/a-stunning-ray-gun-built-from-junk/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/12/a-stunning-ray-gun-built-from-junk/
If ever there was a quintessential weapon of science fiction, it would have to be the ray gun. [lonesoulsurfer] built this one-of-a-kind stunner from his impressive collection of junk. It’s centered around a vintage Bakelite soldering gun, a vacuum tube, and a portable stove burner, all of which contribute to …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/12/a-stunning-ray-gun-built-from-junk/)
An Open Assistive Robotic Arm to Help People Feed Themselves
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/12/an-open-assistive-robotic-arm-to-help-people-feed-themselves/
Despite being otherwise capable, not everyone is able to feed themselves. [Julien]’s robot arm project aims to bring this crucial independence back to those people. Assistive devices in this space do exist, but as always they’re prohibitively expensive and the approval process is a nightmare. The development of the arm …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/12/an-open-assistive-robotic-arm-to-help-people-feed-themselves/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/12/an-open-assistive-robotic-arm-to-help-people-feed-themselves/
Despite being otherwise capable, not everyone is able to feed themselves. [Julien]’s robot arm project aims to bring this crucial independence back to those people. Assistive devices in this space do exist, but as always they’re prohibitively expensive and the approval process is a nightmare. The development of the arm …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/12/an-open-assistive-robotic-arm-to-help-people-feed-themselves/)
Catch The Old School BASIC Bug With This Computer Kit
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/12/catch-the-old-school-basic-bug-with-this-computer-kit/
Does the complexity of modern computing ever get you down? Do you find yourself longing for the old days, where you could actually understand what your desktop machine’s hardware and software was doing at any given moment? You aren’t alone, but unfortunately running a 40+ year old computer as your …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/12/catch-the-old-school-basic-bug-with-this-computer-kit/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/12/catch-the-old-school-basic-bug-with-this-computer-kit/
Does the complexity of modern computing ever get you down? Do you find yourself longing for the old days, where you could actually understand what your desktop machine’s hardware and software was doing at any given moment? You aren’t alone, but unfortunately running a 40+ year old computer as your …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/12/catch-the-old-school-basic-bug-with-this-computer-kit/)
Feeding Both Filament And Electrons Through A Custom D-Sub Connector
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/feeding-both-filament-and-electrons-through-a-custom-d-sub-connector/
We sometimes forget that 3D printers are just CNC platforms with a hotend attached, and there a whole range of alternative tool heads to use. [Jón Schone] has been doing exactly that, and needed a way to quickly disconnect his hotend completely from his printer, so he 3D printed his …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/feeding-both-filament-and-electrons-through-a-custom-d-sub-connector/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/feeding-both-filament-and-electrons-through-a-custom-d-sub-connector/
We sometimes forget that 3D printers are just CNC platforms with a hotend attached, and there a whole range of alternative tool heads to use. [Jón Schone] has been doing exactly that, and needed a way to quickly disconnect his hotend completely from his printer, so he 3D printed his …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/feeding-both-filament-and-electrons-through-a-custom-d-sub-connector/)
3D-Printer and CNC Make This Russian Calculator Bilingual
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/3d-printer-and-cnc-make-this-russian-calculator-bilingual/
Let’s be clear right up front: there are probably more obvious solutions to the problem of using a Russian calculator when you don’t speak Russian than printing new keys and engraving translated markings on them. But easy solutions are boring and generally considered beyond the scope of Hackaday articles, so …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/3d-printer-and-cnc-make-this-russian-calculator-bilingual/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/3d-printer-and-cnc-make-this-russian-calculator-bilingual/
Let’s be clear right up front: there are probably more obvious solutions to the problem of using a Russian calculator when you don’t speak Russian than printing new keys and engraving translated markings on them. But easy solutions are boring and generally considered beyond the scope of Hackaday articles, so …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/3d-printer-and-cnc-make-this-russian-calculator-bilingual/)
This Week in Security: VPNs, Patch Tuesday, and Plundervault
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/this-week-in-security-vpns-patch-tuesday-and-plundervault/
An issue in Unix virtual private networks was disclosed recently, where an attacker could potentially hijack a TCP stream, even though that stream is inside the VPN. This attack affects OpenVPN, Wireguard, and even IPSec VPNs. How was this possible? Unix systems support all manner of different network scenarios, and …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/this-week-in-security-vpns-patch-tuesday-and-plundervault/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/this-week-in-security-vpns-patch-tuesday-and-plundervault/
An issue in Unix virtual private networks was disclosed recently, where an attacker could potentially hijack a TCP stream, even though that stream is inside the VPN. This attack affects OpenVPN, Wireguard, and even IPSec VPNs. How was this possible? Unix systems support all manner of different network scenarios, and …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/this-week-in-security-vpns-patch-tuesday-and-plundervault/)
3D Printed Metro Charger Ready for the Wasteland
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/3d-printed-metro-charger-ready-for-the-wasteland/
In the video game Metro 2033 and its subsequent sequels, players fight their way through a post-apocalyptic version of Russia using improvised weapons and tools cobbled together from the sort of bits and bobs the survivors of a nuclear war might be able to scavenge from the rubble. One of …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/3d-printed-metro-charger-ready-for-the-wasteland/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/3d-printed-metro-charger-ready-for-the-wasteland/
In the video game Metro 2033 and its subsequent sequels, players fight their way through a post-apocalyptic version of Russia using improvised weapons and tools cobbled together from the sort of bits and bobs the survivors of a nuclear war might be able to scavenge from the rubble. One of …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/3d-printed-metro-charger-ready-for-the-wasteland/)
Hackaday Podcast 046: Bring Us Your Nonsense, Hacking NES Clones, Grasping FPGAs, Many a Music Hack, and Fish Tanks Full of Random
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/hackaday-podcast-046-bring-us-your-nonsense-hacking-nes-clones-grasping-fpgas-many-a-music-hack-and-fish-tanks-full-of-random/
Hackaday editors Elliot Williams and Mike Szczys highlight the most delightful hacks of the past week. Need a random-number showpiece for your office? Look no further than that fish tank. Maybe the showpiece you actually need is to complete your band’s stage act? You want one of Tristan Shone’s many …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/hackaday-podcast-046-bring-us-your-nonsense-hacking-nes-clones-grasping-fpgas-many-a-music-hack-and-fish-tanks-full-of-random/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/hackaday-podcast-046-bring-us-your-nonsense-hacking-nes-clones-grasping-fpgas-many-a-music-hack-and-fish-tanks-full-of-random/
Hackaday editors Elliot Williams and Mike Szczys highlight the most delightful hacks of the past week. Need a random-number showpiece for your office? Look no further than that fish tank. Maybe the showpiece you actually need is to complete your band’s stage act? You want one of Tristan Shone’s many …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/hackaday-podcast-046-bring-us-your-nonsense-hacking-nes-clones-grasping-fpgas-many-a-music-hack-and-fish-tanks-full-of-random/)
Reflection On A Decade Of Hackerspace Expansion
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/reflection-on-a-decade-of-hackerspace-expansion/
A few days ago I was invited to a party. Party invites are always good, and if I can make it to this one I’ll definitely go. It’s from a continental European hackerspace, and it’s for their tenth birthday party. As I spent a while checking ferries and flights it …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/reflection-on-a-decade-of-hackerspace-expansion/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/reflection-on-a-decade-of-hackerspace-expansion/
A few days ago I was invited to a party. Party invites are always good, and if I can make it to this one I’ll definitely go. It’s from a continental European hackerspace, and it’s for their tenth birthday party. As I spent a while checking ferries and flights it …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/reflection-on-a-decade-of-hackerspace-expansion/)
Interview: FieldKit Team the Morning After Winning the 2019 Hackaday Prize
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/interview-fieldkit-team-the-morning-after-winning-the-2019-hackaday-prize/
We caught up with Shah Selbe and Jacob Lewallen the morning after their project, FieldKit, won the Hackaday Prize. FieldKit is an open-source field-based research data collection platform. Which is basically a lot of fancy words for saying it’s a system for collecting sensor data in the field without being …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/interview-fieldkit-team-the-morning-after-winning-the-2019-hackaday-prize/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/interview-fieldkit-team-the-morning-after-winning-the-2019-hackaday-prize/
We caught up with Shah Selbe and Jacob Lewallen the morning after their project, FieldKit, won the Hackaday Prize. FieldKit is an open-source field-based research data collection platform. Which is basically a lot of fancy words for saying it’s a system for collecting sensor data in the field without being …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/interview-fieldkit-team-the-morning-after-winning-the-2019-hackaday-prize/)
A Modular System For Building Heavy Duty 18650 Battery Packs
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/a-modular-system-for-building-heavy-duty-18650-battery-packs/
With 18650 cells as cheap and plentiful as they are, you’d think building your own custom battery packs would be simple. Unfortunately, soldering the cells is tricky, and not everyone is willing to invest in a spot welding setup just to put the tabs on them. Of course that’s only …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/a-modular-system-for-building-heavy-duty-18650-battery-packs/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/a-modular-system-for-building-heavy-duty-18650-battery-packs/
With 18650 cells as cheap and plentiful as they are, you’d think building your own custom battery packs would be simple. Unfortunately, soldering the cells is tricky, and not everyone is willing to invest in a spot welding setup just to put the tabs on them. Of course that’s only …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/a-modular-system-for-building-heavy-duty-18650-battery-packs/)
Burning Propane Beautifully Illustrates How a Tesla Valve Works
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/burning-propane-beautifully-illustrates-how-a-tesla-valve-works/
When you hear the name “Tesla”, chances are good that thoughts turn instantly to the company that’s trying to reinvent the motor vehicle and every industry that makes it possible. While we applaud the effort, it’s a shame that they chose to appropriate the surname of a Serbian polymath as …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/burning-propane-beautifully-illustrates-how-a-tesla-valve-works/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/burning-propane-beautifully-illustrates-how-a-tesla-valve-works/
When you hear the name “Tesla”, chances are good that thoughts turn instantly to the company that’s trying to reinvent the motor vehicle and every industry that makes it possible. While we applaud the effort, it’s a shame that they chose to appropriate the surname of a Serbian polymath as …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/burning-propane-beautifully-illustrates-how-a-tesla-valve-works/)
Yosys Fronts for Xilinx ISE
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/yosys-fronts-for-xilinx-ise/
We always marvel at how open-source tools can often outstrip their commercial counterparts. Yosys, the open-source tool for Verilog synthesis, is a good example. Although the Xilinx ISE design suite is something close to abandonware, a lot of people still use it because it supports older FPGAs the newer tools …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/yosys-fronts-for-xilinx-ise/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/yosys-fronts-for-xilinx-ise/
We always marvel at how open-source tools can often outstrip their commercial counterparts. Yosys, the open-source tool for Verilog synthesis, is a good example. Although the Xilinx ISE design suite is something close to abandonware, a lot of people still use it because it supports older FPGAs the newer tools …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/yosys-fronts-for-xilinx-ise/)
Edge-Lit Ping Pong Paddle Lights Up The Fight
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/edge-lit-ping-pong-paddle-lights-up-the-fight/
[George] and his coworkers like to blow off a little lunchtime steam on the company ping pong table. We might do the same, except it’d just be us versus the wall, and most of the exercise would consist of bending over to pick the ball up off the floor. When …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/edge-lit-ping-pong-paddle-lights-up-the-fight/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/edge-lit-ping-pong-paddle-lights-up-the-fight/
[George] and his coworkers like to blow off a little lunchtime steam on the company ping pong table. We might do the same, except it’d just be us versus the wall, and most of the exercise would consist of bending over to pick the ball up off the floor. When …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/13/edge-lit-ping-pong-paddle-lights-up-the-fight/)
Replica Proton Pack Is A Great Halloween Build
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/14/replica-proton-pack-is-a-great-halloween-build/
Way back in 1984, the Ghostbusters defended New York City from an onslaught of supernatural phenomena. In their honor, [BALES] created this costume for Halloween, replete with an amazing replica proton pack.
(We know, this is a little late for Halloween 2019, but just think about how early you’re going …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/14/replica-proton-pack-is-a-great-halloween-build/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/14/replica-proton-pack-is-a-great-halloween-build/
Way back in 1984, the Ghostbusters defended New York City from an onslaught of supernatural phenomena. In their honor, [BALES] created this costume for Halloween, replete with an amazing replica proton pack.
(We know, this is a little late for Halloween 2019, but just think about how early you’re going …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/14/replica-proton-pack-is-a-great-halloween-build/)
It’s About Time We Saw Another Infinity Mirror Clock
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/14/its-about-time-we-saw-another-infinity-mirror-clock/
Have you made an infinity mirror yet? They’re pretty much a rite of passage project at this point. But unlike that DIY power supply, most of them serve no function beyond looking cool (not that there’s anything wrong with that). Might as well make it do something, right?
[How …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/14/its-about-time-we-saw-another-infinity-mirror-clock/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/14/its-about-time-we-saw-another-infinity-mirror-clock/
Have you made an infinity mirror yet? They’re pretty much a rite of passage project at this point. But unlike that DIY power supply, most of them serve no function beyond looking cool (not that there’s anything wrong with that). Might as well make it do something, right?
[How …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/14/its-about-time-we-saw-another-infinity-mirror-clock/)
Why Is Your Cellphone Not A More Useful Computer?
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/14/why-is-your-cellphone-not-a-more-useful-computer/
Sometimes when you are browsing randomly through the tech feeds, up pops an article that just crystallizes a nascent thought that had been simmering below the surface for a long time, and is enough to make you sit up and say “Yes! I agree completely with that!”. Such a moment …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/14/why-is-your-cellphone-not-a-more-useful-computer/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/12/14/why-is-your-cellphone-not-a-more-useful-computer/
Sometimes when you are browsing randomly through the tech feeds, up pops an article that just crystallizes a nascent thought that had been simmering below the surface for a long time, and is enough to make you sit up and say “Yes! I agree completely with that!”. Such a moment …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/12/14/why-is-your-cellphone-not-a-more-useful-computer/)