Stack Those Boards For An Extra-Special Backlit LED Effect
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/14/stack-those-boards-for-an-extra-special-backlit-led-effect/
By now most of us should be used to backlit LEDs, in which a bare board with no copper or soldermask as an LED mounted on its reverse side to shine through as if with a diffuser. [Wim Van Gool] has created such an LED display with a twist, instead …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/14/stack-those-boards-for-an-extra-special-backlit-led-effect/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/14/stack-those-boards-for-an-extra-special-backlit-led-effect/
By now most of us should be used to backlit LEDs, in which a bare board with no copper or soldermask as an LED mounted on its reverse side to shine through as if with a diffuser. [Wim Van Gool] has created such an LED display with a twist, instead …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/14/stack-those-boards-for-an-extra-special-backlit-led-effect/)
RCA Created Video Records too Late
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/14/rca-created-video-records-too-late/
It is easy to find technology success stories: the PC, DVD, and cell phone are all well-documented tales. However, it is a little harder to find the stories behind the things that didn’t quite take off as planned. As the old saying goes, “success has many parents but failure is …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/14/rca-created-video-records-too-late/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/14/rca-created-video-records-too-late/
It is easy to find technology success stories: the PC, DVD, and cell phone are all well-documented tales. However, it is a little harder to find the stories behind the things that didn’t quite take off as planned. As the old saying goes, “success has many parents but failure is …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/14/rca-created-video-records-too-late/)
Cheap Sensors and an SDR Monitor Conditions in this Filament Drying Farm
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/14/cheap-sensors-and-an-sdr-monitor-conditions-in-this-filament-drying-farm/
We don’t know where [Scott M. Baker] calls home, but it must be a pretty humid place indeed. After all, he has invested quite a bit in fancy vacuum storage containers to keep his 3D-printer filament dry, with the result being this sensor-laden filament drying farm.
[Scott] wasn’t content to …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/14/cheap-sensors-and-an-sdr-monitor-conditions-in-this-filament-drying-farm/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/14/cheap-sensors-and-an-sdr-monitor-conditions-in-this-filament-drying-farm/
We don’t know where [Scott M. Baker] calls home, but it must be a pretty humid place indeed. After all, he has invested quite a bit in fancy vacuum storage containers to keep his 3D-printer filament dry, with the result being this sensor-laden filament drying farm.
[Scott] wasn’t content to …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/14/cheap-sensors-and-an-sdr-monitor-conditions-in-this-filament-drying-farm/)
Analyzing Data To Build Better Surfboards
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/14/analyzing-data-to-build-better-surfboards/
In the world of surfing, the equipment available is as diverse and varied as the enthusiasts themselves. Different boards are optimized for different conditions and styles, and the industry continues to innovate towards ever greater performance. [DARK-labs] aim to bring data analysis into the field to help create boards personalised …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/14/analyzing-data-to-build-better-surfboards/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/14/analyzing-data-to-build-better-surfboards/
In the world of surfing, the equipment available is as diverse and varied as the enthusiasts themselves. Different boards are optimized for different conditions and styles, and the industry continues to innovate towards ever greater performance. [DARK-labs] aim to bring data analysis into the field to help create boards personalised …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/14/analyzing-data-to-build-better-surfboards/)
AI Makes Hyperbolic Brain Hats A Reality
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/14/ai-makes-hyperbolic-brain-hats-a-reality/
It isn’t often that the world of Hackaday intersects with the world of crafting, which is perhaps a shame because many of the skills and techniques of the two have significant overlap. Crochet for instance has rarely featured here, but that is about to change with [Janelle Shane]’s HAT3000 neural …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/14/ai-makes-hyperbolic-brain-hats-a-reality/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/14/ai-makes-hyperbolic-brain-hats-a-reality/
It isn’t often that the world of Hackaday intersects with the world of crafting, which is perhaps a shame because many of the skills and techniques of the two have significant overlap. Crochet for instance has rarely featured here, but that is about to change with [Janelle Shane]’s HAT3000 neural …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/14/ai-makes-hyperbolic-brain-hats-a-reality/)
Subaru Coils Make a Great HV Power Source
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/14/subaru-coils-make-a-great-hv-power-source/
High-voltage experimenters are a unique breed. They’re particularly adept at scrounging for parts in all kinds of places, and identifying how to put all manner of components to use in the service of the almighty arc. [Jay] is one such inventor, and recently came across a useful device from Subaru. …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/14/subaru-coils-make-a-great-hv-power-source/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/14/subaru-coils-make-a-great-hv-power-source/
High-voltage experimenters are a unique breed. They’re particularly adept at scrounging for parts in all kinds of places, and identifying how to put all manner of components to use in the service of the almighty arc. [Jay] is one such inventor, and recently came across a useful device from Subaru. …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/14/subaru-coils-make-a-great-hv-power-source/)
Even Joke Torpedoes Are Pretty Hard To Get Right
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/14/even-joke-torpedoes-are-pretty-hard-to-get-right/
It’s rare that makers get involved in out-and-out munition production. It’s dangerous, and usually frowned upon by local authorities. That said, it can be fun to experiment around, and [Ivan] does just that, attempting to launch a 3D-printed torpedo from a kayak. The build may have been done as a …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/14/even-joke-torpedoes-are-pretty-hard-to-get-right/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/14/even-joke-torpedoes-are-pretty-hard-to-get-right/
It’s rare that makers get involved in out-and-out munition production. It’s dangerous, and usually frowned upon by local authorities. That said, it can be fun to experiment around, and [Ivan] does just that, attempting to launch a 3D-printed torpedo from a kayak. The build may have been done as a …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/14/even-joke-torpedoes-are-pretty-hard-to-get-right/)
Walking Arm Trebuchet Is Different, But Effective
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/15/walking-arm-trebuchet-is-different-but-effective/
For many of us, our first encounter with the famous trebuchet was Age of Empires II, or perhaps a documentary on historical siege engines. However, many people continue to pursue builds of their very own, exploring designs new and old. The walking arm trebuchet is a good example, which uses …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/15/walking-arm-trebuchet-is-different-but-effective/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/15/walking-arm-trebuchet-is-different-but-effective/
For many of us, our first encounter with the famous trebuchet was Age of Empires II, or perhaps a documentary on historical siege engines. However, many people continue to pursue builds of their very own, exploring designs new and old. The walking arm trebuchet is a good example, which uses …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/15/walking-arm-trebuchet-is-different-but-effective/)
Atomic Pi Gets A 3D-Printed Mac Makeover
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/15/atomic-pi-gets-a-3d-printed-mac-makeover/
The Atomic Pi is a pretty impressive piece of kit for the price, but it’s not exactly a turn-key kind of product. Even to a greater extent than what you might normally expect with a “dev” board like this, the user is responsible for putting together the rest of the …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/15/atomic-pi-gets-a-3d-printed-mac-makeover/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/15/atomic-pi-gets-a-3d-printed-mac-makeover/
The Atomic Pi is a pretty impressive piece of kit for the price, but it’s not exactly a turn-key kind of product. Even to a greater extent than what you might normally expect with a “dev” board like this, the user is responsible for putting together the rest of the …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/15/atomic-pi-gets-a-3d-printed-mac-makeover/)
Scratch Built Media Player Channels 1980s Design
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/15/scratch-built-media-player-channels-1980s-design/
No, you aren’t looking at a 30 year old Teac graphic equalizer that somebody modified. The MWA-002 Network Music Player created by [GuzziGuy] is built entirely from new components, and easily ranks up there with some of the most gorgeous pieces of homebrew audio gear we’ve ever seen. Combining modular …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/15/scratch-built-media-player-channels-1980s-design/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/15/scratch-built-media-player-channels-1980s-design/
No, you aren’t looking at a 30 year old Teac graphic equalizer that somebody modified. The MWA-002 Network Music Player created by [GuzziGuy] is built entirely from new components, and easily ranks up there with some of the most gorgeous pieces of homebrew audio gear we’ve ever seen. Combining modular …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/15/scratch-built-media-player-channels-1980s-design/)
GymCam Knows Exactly What You’ve Been Doing In The Gym
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/15/gymcam-knows-exactly-what-youve-been-doing-in-the-gym/
Getting exact statistics on one’s physical activities at the gym, is not an easy feat. While most people these days are familiar with or even regularly use one of those motion-based trackers on their wrist, there’s a big question as to their accuracy. After all, it’s all based on the …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/15/gymcam-knows-exactly-what-youve-been-doing-in-the-gym/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/15/gymcam-knows-exactly-what-youve-been-doing-in-the-gym/
Getting exact statistics on one’s physical activities at the gym, is not an easy feat. While most people these days are familiar with or even regularly use one of those motion-based trackers on their wrist, there’s a big question as to their accuracy. After all, it’s all based on the …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/15/gymcam-knows-exactly-what-youve-been-doing-in-the-gym/)
Monster Bush Plane is a One-Off Engineering Masterpiece
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/15/monster-bush-plane-is-a-one-off-engineering-masterpiece/
All of us dream of reaching a point in life where we have the knowledge, skills, energy and resources to pull off builds that match our wildest dreams. [Mike Patey] is living that dream and with a passion for engineering and aviation that is absolutely infectious, he built Draco, the …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/15/monster-bush-plane-is-a-one-off-engineering-masterpiece/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/15/monster-bush-plane-is-a-one-off-engineering-masterpiece/
All of us dream of reaching a point in life where we have the knowledge, skills, energy and resources to pull off builds that match our wildest dreams. [Mike Patey] is living that dream and with a passion for engineering and aviation that is absolutely infectious, he built Draco, the …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/15/monster-bush-plane-is-a-one-off-engineering-masterpiece/)
Hackaday Links: September 15, 2019
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/15/hackaday-links-september-15-2019/
It’s probably one of the first lessons learned by new drivers: if you see a big, red fire truck parked by the side of the road, don’t run into it. Such a lesson appears not to have been in the Tesla Autopilot’s driver education curriculum, though – a Tesla Model …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/15/hackaday-links-september-15-2019/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/15/hackaday-links-september-15-2019/
It’s probably one of the first lessons learned by new drivers: if you see a big, red fire truck parked by the side of the road, don’t run into it. Such a lesson appears not to have been in the Tesla Autopilot’s driver education curriculum, though – a Tesla Model …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/15/hackaday-links-september-15-2019/)
Using The Electricity Grid In Cities As A Source Of Heat
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/15/using-the-electricity-grid-in-cities-as-a-source-of-heat/
In the process of finding new, low-carbon ways to provide our homes with heat and electricity, it is that one might consider sources that never before came to mind. In London such a source that has been examined by researchers and an electricity network operator are the 2.5 meter wide …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/15/using-the-electricity-grid-in-cities-as-a-source-of-heat/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/15/using-the-electricity-grid-in-cities-as-a-source-of-heat/
In the process of finding new, low-carbon ways to provide our homes with heat and electricity, it is that one might consider sources that never before came to mind. In London such a source that has been examined by researchers and an electricity network operator are the 2.5 meter wide …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/15/using-the-electricity-grid-in-cities-as-a-source-of-heat/)
Black Hole Imaging Scientists Win 2020 Breakthrough Prize
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/15/black-hole-imaging-scientists-win-2020-breakthrough-prize/
Making a monumental scientific breakthrough is really kind of its own reward. Even so, it’s always nice to get extra recognition in the form of unexpected money. For the 347 scientists around the world who made history when they captured the first image of a black hole, the event itself …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/15/black-hole-imaging-scientists-win-2020-breakthrough-prize/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/15/black-hole-imaging-scientists-win-2020-breakthrough-prize/
Making a monumental scientific breakthrough is really kind of its own reward. Even so, it’s always nice to get extra recognition in the form of unexpected money. For the 347 scientists around the world who made history when they captured the first image of a black hole, the event itself …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/15/black-hole-imaging-scientists-win-2020-breakthrough-prize/)
Upping The Story-Telling Game With Dialog And The Å-Machine
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/16/upping-the-story-telling-game-with-dialog-and-the-a-machine/
During the decades since Infocom released their interactive story game Zork to world-wide acclaim for microcomputers, the genre of interactive fiction (IF) is still immensely popular, with a surprising number of modern IF works targeting Infocom’s original Z-Machine runtime for 8-bit micocomputers. We’ve seen a number of improved runtimes and …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/16/upping-the-story-telling-game-with-dialog-and-the-a-machine/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/16/upping-the-story-telling-game-with-dialog-and-the-a-machine/
During the decades since Infocom released their interactive story game Zork to world-wide acclaim for microcomputers, the genre of interactive fiction (IF) is still immensely popular, with a surprising number of modern IF works targeting Infocom’s original Z-Machine runtime for 8-bit micocomputers. We’ve seen a number of improved runtimes and …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/16/upping-the-story-telling-game-with-dialog-and-the-a-machine/)
Over-Engineered Cat Door Makes Purrfect Sense
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/16/over-engineered-cat-door-makes-purrfect-sense/
On paper, pet doors are pretty great. You don’t have to keep letting the cat in and out, and there should be fewer scratches on the door overall. Unfortunately, your average pet door is indiscriminate, and will let any old creature waltz right in. Well, [Jeremiah] was tired of uninvited …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/16/over-engineered-cat-door-makes-purrfect-sense/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/16/over-engineered-cat-door-makes-purrfect-sense/
On paper, pet doors are pretty great. You don’t have to keep letting the cat in and out, and there should be fewer scratches on the door overall. Unfortunately, your average pet door is indiscriminate, and will let any old creature waltz right in. Well, [Jeremiah] was tired of uninvited …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/16/over-engineered-cat-door-makes-purrfect-sense/)
Hams in Space: Gearing Up for the Lunar Gateway
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/16/hams-in-space-gearing-up-for-the-lunar-gateway/
Humanity had barely taken its first tentative steps into space with primitive satellites when amateur radio operators began planning their first satellites. Barely four years after Sputnik’s brief but momentous launch and against all odds, OSCAR 1 was launched as a secondary payload from an Air Force missile taking a …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/16/hams-in-space-gearing-up-for-the-lunar-gateway/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/16/hams-in-space-gearing-up-for-the-lunar-gateway/
Humanity had barely taken its first tentative steps into space with primitive satellites when amateur radio operators began planning their first satellites. Barely four years after Sputnik’s brief but momentous launch and against all odds, OSCAR 1 was launched as a secondary payload from an Air Force missile taking a …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/16/hams-in-space-gearing-up-for-the-lunar-gateway/)
The Benefits And Pitfalls Of Using PCBs As An Enclosure
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/16/the-benefits-and-pitfalls-of-using-pcbs-as-an-enclosure/
[Mastro Gippo] found himself in a pickle recently, with the development of an enclosure for the Prism electric vehicle charger. The body had been sorted out, but the front cover needed work. It had to be visually appealing, and ideally should provide the user feedback on the charging process. After …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/16/the-benefits-and-pitfalls-of-using-pcbs-as-an-enclosure/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/16/the-benefits-and-pitfalls-of-using-pcbs-as-an-enclosure/
[Mastro Gippo] found himself in a pickle recently, with the development of an enclosure for the Prism electric vehicle charger. The body had been sorted out, but the front cover needed work. It had to be visually appealing, and ideally should provide the user feedback on the charging process. After …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/16/the-benefits-and-pitfalls-of-using-pcbs-as-an-enclosure/)
Software Defined Radio Hack Chat
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/16/software-defined-radio-hack-chat/
Join us on Wednesday, September 18 at noon Pacific for the Software Defined Radio Hack Chat with Corrosive!
If you’ve been into hobby electronics for even a short time, chances are you’ve got at least one software-defined radio lying around. From the cheap dongles originally intended to watch digital TV …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/16/software-defined-radio-hack-chat/)
https://hackaday.com/2019/09/16/software-defined-radio-hack-chat/
Join us on Wednesday, September 18 at noon Pacific for the Software Defined Radio Hack Chat with Corrosive!
If you’ve been into hobby electronics for even a short time, chances are you’ve got at least one software-defined radio lying around. From the cheap dongles originally intended to watch digital TV …read more (https://hackaday.com/2019/09/16/software-defined-radio-hack-chat/)