# Ep 388: RAM-Swapping on Raspberry Pi, Raindrops on Radar, and a Fine Mesh

- Show: [Hackaday Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast)
- Published: 2026-09-25
- Length: 1h 14m
- Episode: 388
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-09-25-ep-388-ram-swapping-on-raspberry-pi-raindrops-on-radar-and-a-fine-mesh
- Listen: https://hackaday.com/2026/09/25/hackaday-podcast-episode-388-ram-swapping-on-raspberry-pi-raindrops-on-radar-and-a-fine-mesh/

## Summary

Hackaday editors Elliot Williams and Al Williams discuss the community reaction to Raspberry Pi locking out RAM chip swapping, debating the balance between preventing fraud and preserving hacker freedom. They explore the physics of raindrops acting as radar antennas, the historical cracking of World War I ADFGVX ciphers, and the potential FCC compliance issues facing LoRa mesh networks like Meshtastic and Meshcore. The episode also covers practical hacks including on-chip debugging for MicroPython, repurposing cheap LTE modems into handheld computers, and local speech recognition tools for Linux.

## Chapters

- [0:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-09-25-ep-388-ram-swapping-on-raspberry-pi-raindrops-on-radar-and-a-fine-mesh#t=2) Introduction and Sherline News
- [9:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-09-25-ep-388-ram-swapping-on-raspberry-pi-raindrops-on-radar-and-a-fine-mesh#t=588) Raspberry Pi RAM Lockdown Debate
- [19:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-09-25-ep-388-ram-swapping-on-raspberry-pi-raindrops-on-radar-and-a-fine-mesh#t=1167) MicroPython On-Chip Debugging
- [22:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-09-25-ep-388-ram-swapping-on-raspberry-pi-raindrops-on-radar-and-a-fine-mesh#t=1370) Hacking LTE Modems into Handhelds
- [31:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-09-25-ep-388-ram-swapping-on-raspberry-pi-raindrops-on-radar-and-a-fine-mesh#t=1893) Laser Attack on RP2350 Debug Locks
- [35:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-09-25-ep-388-ram-swapping-on-raspberry-pi-raindrops-on-radar-and-a-fine-mesh#t=2112) Physics of Raindrops as Radar Antennae
- [38:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-09-25-ep-388-ram-swapping-on-raspberry-pi-raindrops-on-radar-and-a-fine-mesh#t=2293) Cracking World War I ADFGVX Ciphers
- [54:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-09-25-ep-388-ram-swapping-on-raspberry-pi-raindrops-on-radar-and-a-fine-mesh#t=3263) LoRa Mesh Networks and FCC Rules
- [1:05:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-09-25-ep-388-ram-swapping-on-raspberry-pi-raindrops-on-radar-and-a-fine-mesh#t=3942) Linux Speech Recognition Tools

## Topics

- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Wireless & RF](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/wireless-and-rf)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Security & privacy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/security-and-privacy)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- Raspberry Pi (company)
- Meshtastic (product)
- Meshcore (product)
- Sherline (company)
- RP2350 (chip)
- MicroPython (product)
- OpenStick (product)
- Handy (tool)
- Nerd Dictation (tool)
- ADFGVX (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- ["Impedance Matching" With Charvat And Ossmann - Recurring RF Remontados](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-09-03-impedance-matching-with-charvat-and-ossmann-recurring-rf-remontados) (The Amp Hour)
- [Watt Is The Deal](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2024-09-23-watt-is-the-deal) (The Amp Hour)
- [Electromaker of the Month Winners, Maker Music Festival, and more!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2022-03-10-electromaker-of-the-month-winners-maker-music-festival-and-more) (The Electromaker Show)
- [#397.6 - An Interview with Matt Knight](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-06-24-397-6-an-interview-with-matt-knight) (The Amp Hour)
- [Mystery Raspberry Pi hardware, beautiful ESP32 ZX Spectrum, Stretchy PCBs and MUCH more!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2024-10-09-mystery-raspberry-pi-hardware-beautiful-esp32-zx-spectrum-stretchy-pcbs-and-much) (The Electromaker Show)

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