# Ep 392: Microscopes, Drones, and Other DIY Things

- Show: [Hackaday Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast)
- Published: 2026-10-23
- Length: 1h 01m
- Episode: 392
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-10-23-ep-392-microscopes-drones-and-other-diy-things
- Listen: https://hackaday.com/2026/10/23/hackaday-podcast-episode-392-microscopes-drones-and-other-diy-things/

## Summary

Hackaday editors Elliot Williams and Al Williams discuss the logistical challenges of importing Supercon badges, including German customs bureaucracy, and review several DIY projects. They highlight Joshua Bird's single-propeller drone, which uses motor speed variation for cyclic control, and Dr. Semiconductor's home-built solar cells using a microwave. The episode also covers Ryan Machine's stereo vision Linux board, an open-source micromanipulator, a 3D-view microscope attachment, and Hannah Robertson's NFC bird call cards, before concluding with a nostalgic look at the Altair 8800 catalog.

## Chapters

- [0:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-10-23-ep-392-microscopes-drones-and-other-diy-things#t=1) Introduction: Supercon Badge Import Challenges
- [3:53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-10-23-ep-392-microscopes-drones-and-other-diy-things#t=233) Joshua Bird's Single-Propeller Drone
- [10:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-10-23-ep-392-microscopes-drones-and-other-diy-things#t=646) Home-Built Semiconductors and Solar Cells
- [15:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-10-23-ep-392-microscopes-drones-and-other-diy-things#t=955) Ryan Machine's Stereo Vision Linux Board
- [26:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-10-23-ep-392-microscopes-drones-and-other-diy-things#t=1566) Open Source Micromanipulator and 3D Microscope
- [34:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-10-23-ep-392-microscopes-drones-and-other-diy-things#t=2054) Hannah Robertson's NFC Bird Call Cards
- [39:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-10-23-ep-392-microscopes-drones-and-other-diy-things#t=2386) Quick Hacks: NASA, ESP32 SDR, and Satellite Station
- [43:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-10-23-ep-392-microscopes-drones-and-other-diy-things#t=2595) Security Weekly: DNS, Fridge Hacks, and Crypto Wallets
- [49:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-10-23-ep-392-microscopes-drones-and-other-diy-things#t=2995) The Altair 8800: Nostalgia and History

## Topics

- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Wireless & RF](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/wireless-and-rf)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Security & privacy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/security-and-privacy)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- Hackaday Supercon (other)
- Joshua Bird (other)
- Dr. Semiconductor (other)
- Ryan Machine (other)
- ESP32 (chip)
- Altair 8800 (product)
- Hannah Robertson (other)
- NFC (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [89: I Have New Batteries](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-02-18-89-i-have-new-batteries) (Embedded.fm)
- [Multicopter, DIY drones & Tektronix - Zappy Zendik Zoilism](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-08-30-multicopter-diy-drones-tektronix-zappy-zendik-zoilism) (The Amp Hour)
- [Chaffered Chocolate Coemption](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-04-09-chaffered-chocolate-coemption) (The Amp Hour)
- [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)
- [Missle Man with Bruce Simson](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2021-04-12-missle-man-with-bruce-simson) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

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