Hackaday Podcast · 24 Nov 2023 · 59m · Episode 245
Editors Elliot Williams and Tom Nardi discuss the winners of the Halloween Hack Fest, including Scott Duckworthy's cable-suspended 'flying ghost' automaton. They review several hardware hacks: a homebrew umbrella antenna for NOAA satellites, a fail-safe power/data circuit, and NASA's use of a remote-controlled WWII tank to deflate space shuttle tires. The episode also covers the new image import feature in KiCad 7 for reverse engineering PCBs and controlling oscilloscopes via SCPI.
makers and hobbyists
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Hosts Chris Gammell and Dave Jones discuss the recent Antares rocket explosion, the Hackaday Prize space trip controversy, and the passing of Tom Maglioli from Car Talk. They also cover U-beam's wireless charging technology, Dr. Greg Shaver's ultrasound chip startup, and DIY projects including a Tony Stark Halloween costume and reflow oven modifications.
Mohit Bhoite, a senior hardware engineer at Particle, discusses his hobby of creating functional free-form circuit sculptures using brass wire and passive components. He explains his process of using templates, EAGLE CAD for schematics, and specific tools like Xuron pliers and CircuitWorks flux to build intricate structures like a TIE interceptor alarm clock. Bhoite also shares insights on material selection, soldering techniques for lead-free solder, and the balance between engineering precision and artistic expression.
Dave Jones and Chris Gammell discuss recent tech hype, including debunking viral claims about the 'Water Cube' dehumidifier and beta-voltaic 'nuclear diamond' batteries. They cover the merger of Evil Mad Scientist and Bantam Tools, a side-channel security vulnerability affecting ESP32 microcontrollers, and the acquisition of a used TVM pick-and-place machine. The conversation also touches on power grid issues, CAD software choices like Fusion 360 and Onshape, and the failure of solar roadways.
Hosts Carl and Corey discuss their 2015 resolutions, including revisiting basic electronics design and exploring open-source EDA tools like KiCad and Altium CircuitMaker. They announce a shift to a bi-weekly release schedule to allow for more guest interviews and higher-quality content. The episode then explores the topic of reverse engineering old hardware, citing examples like the original Xbox, cable modems, and Kinect sensors to demonstrate how discarded electronics can be repurposed or studied.
Hosts Dave Jones and Chris Gamble discuss the open-source RC controller from Gizmo For You, highlighting its complex injection-molded cases and 8-layer PCB. They review Ken Lumbard's 'Reading Jim Williams' project, which curates and analyzes the application notes of legendary analog engineer Jim Williams. The hosts also cover rumors of a DARPA humanoid robot grand challenge and share experiences using CircuitLab for SPICE simulation.
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