Hackaday Podcast Episode 276: A Mac on a Pico, Ropes on the Test Stand, A Battleship up on Blocks [Hackaday]

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The week gone by was rich with fun hacks, and Elliot and Dan teamed up this time around to run them down for everyone. The focus this week seemed to trend to old hardware, from the recently revived Voyager 1 to a 1940s car radio, a homebrew instrument from 1979, a paper tape reader, and a 128k Mac emulator built from an RP2040.

Newer hacks include a 3D-printed bottle labeler, a very hackable smart ring, and lessons learned about programming robots. We also took a look at turning old cell phones into Linux machines, making sure climbing ropes don’t let you down, and snooping on orbital junk with a cool new satellite.

We wrapped things up with a discussion of just how weird our solar system is, and Dan getting really jealous about Tom Nardi’s recent trip to see the battleship New Jersey from an up close and personal perspective.

Worried about attracting the Black Helicopters? Download the DRM-free MP3 and listen offline, just in case.

Episode 276 Show Notes:

News:

• 2024 Business Card Contest
• Voyager 1 Once Again Returning Science Data From All Four Instruments

What’s that Sound?

• Galaga: Congrats to [DrJon] for guessing it right.  With exclamation points.
• Don’t get caught playing at work

Interesting Hacks of the Week:

• New Part Day: A Hackable Smart Ring
  • Bluetooth Ring Hacking, OTA Firmware upload – YouTube
  • GitHub – atc1441/ATC_RF03_Ring: Findings and custom firmware for the Colmi R02 (and similar) Smart Ring with RF03 BlueX SoC
• A Brief Look Inside A Homebrew Digital Sampler From 1979
  • Homebrew Circuit Explores The Mysteries Of Analog-to-Digital Conversion
  • Ask Hackaday: How Do You Make Front Panels?
• PostmarketOS Now Boots On Over 250 Devices
  • Lindroid Promises True Linux On Android
  • Ask Hackaday: Why Aren’t We Hacking Cellphones?
  • Dan’s mom’s “danger pillow” phone
• When Your Rope Is Your Life
• Probably The Cheapest Mac Emulation Hardware
• Programming Robots Is Hard, Figuring Out How To Make It Easier Is Harder

Quick Hacks:

• Elliot’s Picks
  • Harmonic Table Keyboard Brings Old Idea Back To Life
  • Astroscale’s ADRAS-J Satellite Takes Up-Close Photo Of Discarded Rocket Stage
  • 3D Printing A Bottle Labeling Assembly Line
• Dan’s Picks:
  • Use Your Thinkpad X1 Tablet’s Keyboard Standalone
  • A 1940s Car Radio Receives Some Love
  • Homebrew Reader Brings Paper Tape Programs Back To Life

Can’t-Miss Articles:

• The Solar System Is Weirder Than You Think
• Taking A Look Underneath The Battleship New Jersey
  • Megalophobia (Fear of Large Objects): Symptoms & Treatment