# Ep 274: Capstan Robots, Avionics of Uncertain Purpose, and What the Frack?

- Show: [Hackaday Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast)
- Published: 2024-06-07
- Length: 51m
- Episode: 274
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-06-07-ep-274-capstan-robots-avionics-of-uncertain-purpose-and-what-the-frack
- Listen: https://hackaday.libsyn.com/ep-274-capstan-robots-avionics-of-uncertain-purpose-and-what-the-frack

## Summary

Hackaday editors Elliot Williams and Al Williams discuss capstan-driven robots for 3D-printed mechanisms, a Raspberry Pi Pico used as a direct-conversion SDR receiver, and the history of theodolites and fracking. They also cover reverse-engineering ancient aerospace computers and LED displays, and Lord Kelvin’s mechanical tide predictor.

## Chapters

- [0:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-06-07-ep-274-capstan-robots-avionics-of-uncertain-purpose-and-what-the-frack#t=1) Introduction and Supercon Promo
- [2:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-06-07-ep-274-capstan-robots-avionics-of-uncertain-purpose-and-what-the-frack#t=126) What's That Sound: XDR Cassette Tones
- [5:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-06-07-ep-274-capstan-robots-avionics-of-uncertain-purpose-and-what-the-frack#t=330) Capstan Robots and Cable-Driven Mechanisms
- [13:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-06-07-ep-274-capstan-robots-avionics-of-uncertain-purpose-and-what-the-frack#t=828) The Multiple Meanings of Electrical Ground
- [17:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-06-07-ep-274-capstan-robots-avionics-of-uncertain-purpose-and-what-the-frack#t=1037) Raspberry Pi Pico Direct Conversion Receiver
- [19:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-06-07-ep-274-capstan-robots-avionics-of-uncertain-purpose-and-what-the-frack#t=1188) Teardown of Mystery Aerospace Computer
- [26:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-06-07-ep-274-capstan-robots-avionics-of-uncertain-purpose-and-what-the-frack#t=1588) Reverse Engineering Plessy LED Displays
- [33:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-06-07-ep-274-capstan-robots-avionics-of-uncertain-purpose-and-what-the-frack#t=2020) Lord Kelvin’s Mechanical Tide Predictor
- [35:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-06-07-ep-274-capstan-robots-avionics-of-uncertain-purpose-and-what-the-frack#t=2138) Quick Hacks: Peltier Coolers, Flying Wings, and Spectroscopy
- [40:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-06-07-ep-274-capstan-robots-avionics-of-uncertain-purpose-and-what-the-frack#t=2424) Tech in Plain Sight: Theodolites and Fracking

## Topics

- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)
- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Energy & climate tech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/energy-and-climate-tech)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- Hackaday (company)
- Supercon (other)
- ARRL (other)
- Raspberry Pi Pico (chip)
- Ken Shirriff (other)
- Usagi Electric (company)
- Plessy (company)
- INA 219 (chip)
- Lord Kelvin (other)
- Ben Kreshki (other)
- John Dyke (other)
- Lewis Abbott (other)
- Mihai Kuchik (other)
- Dan Maloney (other)
- Eratosthenes (other)
- William Ferrell (other)
- Univac (company)
- CDC (company)
- IBM (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Raspberry Pi 500, Robot Roadies, Huge 3d Printers and Car Hacking!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2023-11-26-raspberry-pi-500-robot-roadies-huge-3d-printers-and-car-hacking) (The Electromaker Show)
- [Productive Pi Hacks, Amazing Arduino Inventions, New Hardware Galore!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2023-07-27-productive-pi-hacks-amazing-arduino-inventions-new-hardware-galore) (The Electromaker Show)
- [Raspberry Pi Pico Database, Nasa backed Robot, Amazon Sidewalk for Makers, and More!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2023-09-06-raspberry-pi-pico-database-nasa-backed-robot-amazon-sidewalk-for-makers-and-more) (The Electromaker Show)
- [Apple II controlled Synthesizer, Rust on Everything, New Pi Bootloader](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2022-02-10-apple-ii-controlled-synthesizer-rust-on-everything-new-pi-bootloader) (The Electromaker Show)
- [Barilla Embraces Open Source, Tinycircuits Kickstarter, Pi Pico Iron Man, and more!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2022-10-28-barilla-embraces-open-source-tinycircuits-kickstarter-pi-pico-iron-man-and-more) (The Electromaker Show)

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