showcase of electronic projects, micro-controllers, arduino, esp32
1. Introduction In Part 1, we centered on the hardware design of PlantLab, an open-source IoT plant care kit based on the ESP32-S3. We also introduced the sensors, actuators, schematic, PCB layout, and 3D-printed case. In this part, we will focus on the real benchwork: solder the PlantLab PCB, install the ESP32-S3 development board and … Read more
1. Introduction PlantLab is a beginner-friendly, open-source IoT plant care system built around a simple principle: use easily accessible, off-the-shelf modules—most of which you can buy on Amazon or AliExpress. No custom, hard-to-source parts, just affordable, ready-made modules and regular components. The purpose of the PCB is to link these modules together with connectors and … Read more
When doing the field radio operation, the battery is always one of the things I care about most. For a small QRP station, the power problem is usually not very difficult. The current is low, and a modest battery could last for a long time. But I do not always run QRP. Sometimes I want … Read more
A More Efficient Antenna Is Needed for the Base Station To improve my Meshtastic base station’s ability to rebroadcast weak LoRa packets, I decided to replace the commercial “rubber ducky” coiled antenna with a homemade J-Pole antenna. While rubber ducky antennas are convenient for handheld devices, they are much less effective for a CLIENT_BASE node. … Read more
In Part 1, we built Meshtastic nodes from custom made boards. Now in Part 2, we’ll turn one node into a permanent, always-on CLIENT_BASE station powered by solar, mounted outdoors on my balcony. This base station will act as the backbone of my local Meshtastic network, while the second node will be a portable tracker/handheld … Read more
This article details how to build a fully custom Meshtastic LoRa mesh node from zero. It covers open‑source PCB design, component assembly, firmware compilation, 3D printed enclosure, and final configuration for off‑grid, long‑range communication. Overview Meshtastic is an open-source communication protocol that transforms affordable LoRa (Long Range) radio modules, typically powered by “ESP32” or “nRF52” … Read more
Nowadays, we use more and more electronic devices in daily life and work—like smartphones, tablets, laptops and smart wearables. Our need for quick charging is growing fast. Some people may always feel they don’t have enough charging ports on the desktop. To fix this issue, here comes a project, which is an open-source DIY desktop … Read more
Background: For amateur radio operators engaging in Portable Operations in the Parks (POTA) and Summits on the Air (SOTA), reliable, efficient power is the backbone of successful activations. These activities often take place in remote, off-grid locations where solar power becomes a vital energy source. An MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) controller is not just … Read more