# Ep004: Taking the Blue Pill, Abusing Resistors, and Searching for Drones

- Show: [Hackaday Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast)
- Published: 2019-02-01
- Length: 39m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2019-02-01-ep004-taking-the-blue-pill-abusing-resistors-and-searching-for-drones
- Listen: https://hackaday.libsyn.com/ep004-taking-the-blue-pill-abusing-resistors-and-searching-for-drones

## Summary

Hackaday editors Mike Stish and Elliot Williams discuss several hardware hacks, including Mike's experience with the STM32F103 'Blue Pill' microcontroller and the OpenCM3 library, and a project by Evdim that abuses 2512 SMD resistors as strain gauges for 3D printer bed leveling. They also review a Sega Genesis-inspired synthesizer by Thea Flowers using the YM2612 chip, a cardboard card sorter by Masamato, and an article on the rise of mainstream exoskeletons for medical and industrial use. Finally, they analyze Jenny's reporting on airport drone sightings, questioning the lack of evidence and suggesting mass hysteria or misidentified police helicopters.

## Chapters

- [0:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2019-02-01-ep004-taking-the-blue-pill-abusing-resistors-and-searching-for-drones#t=2) Introduction and Blue Pill Hacking
- [11:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2019-02-01-ep004-taking-the-blue-pill-abusing-resistors-and-searching-for-drones#t=694) Favorite Hacks: Cardboard Sorter and Sega Synthesizer
- [17:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2019-02-01-ep004-taking-the-blue-pill-abusing-resistors-and-searching-for-drones#t=1033) Abusing Resistors for 3D Printer Bed Leveling
- [20:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2019-02-01-ep004-taking-the-blue-pill-abusing-resistors-and-searching-for-drones#t=1258) Quick Hacks: Wi-Fi Finger Dimmer and DNA Voltmeter
- [23:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2019-02-01-ep004-taking-the-blue-pill-abusing-resistors-and-searching-for-drones#t=1413) PCB Milling Vacuum Table and Trackball Mouse
- [28:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2019-02-01-ep004-taking-the-blue-pill-abusing-resistors-and-searching-for-drones#t=1739) Exoskeletons Going Mainstream
- [31:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2019-02-01-ep004-taking-the-blue-pill-abusing-resistors-and-searching-for-drones#t=1917) Airport Drone Sightings and Mass Hysteria

## Topics

- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Sensors & measurement in products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sensors)
- [Analog & power electronics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/analog-and-power-electronics)
- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- STM32F103 (chip)
- OpenCM3 (tool)
- ChibiOS (tool)
- YM2612 (chip)
- Sega Genesis (product)
- HX711 (chip)
- ESP8266 (chip)
- Flight Aware (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [319: Squidly Tentacles](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-02-07-319-squidly-tentacles) (Embedded.fm)
- [139: Easy to Add Blood Splatter](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-02-17-139-easy-to-add-blood-splatter) (Embedded.fm)
- [Hacked E-Paper Price Tags, Raspberry Pi MCU Dev HAT, Arduino Robot Arm, and More!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2023-01-18-hacked-e-paper-price-tags-raspberry-pi-mcu-dev-hat-arduino-robot-arm-and-more) (The Electromaker Show)
- [DIY Streamdeck, Bela's beautiful STM32 module, ROCK 5 Model B, and more!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2022-11-28-diy-streamdeck-belas-beautiful-stm32-module-rock-5-model-b-and-more) (The Electromaker Show)
- [031 - The Title Isn't DibbleDabble](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2019-12-27-031-the-title-isnt-dibbledabble) (Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast)

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