Monthly Archives: April 2013

Using SDR to scan fire/police radio

Posted on April 30, 2013 by robertwilkie

SDR, software defined radio, is an interesting project where most of the radio receive bits is done on the computer. http://hackaday.com/2013/04/25/sdr-as-a-police-and-fire-radio-scanner/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+hackaday%2FLgoM+%28Hack+a+Day%29 https://sites.google.com/site/policescannerhowto/

Posted in Security, sensors | Comments Off on Using SDR to scan fire/police radio

RPi door security system

Posted on April 30, 2013 by robertwilkie

Nice project where the RPi verifies the ID and then opens the door, or can be used to remotely open the door.  I wonder what keeps the door “locked”.  It sounds like its dependent on the garage door opener only. … Continue reading →

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3D printed line moving robot

Posted on April 30, 2013 by robertwilkie

Neat scoots down a rope robot.  All printed from a 3D printer. http://www.3ders.org/articles/20130418-inexpensive-3d-printed-robot-can-scoot-along-power-lines-searching-for-damage.html

Posted in CNC/3D-printing, robots | Comments Off on 3D printed line moving robot

Article on saving money via home energy audit

Posted on April 30, 2013 by robertwilkie

Interesting article, I may have to check this out as I own an older home, and if I can cost recover the “cost” via savings in electric/gas bills, this maybe worth it. http://lifehacker.com/how-an-energy-audit-saved-my-family-2-400-a-year-477840207

Posted in Misc-Life, Tinkering | Comments Off on Article on saving money via home energy audit

TI Stellaris video player

Posted on April 30, 2013 by robertwilkie

Nice project, I think the screen costs more than the processor thought  🙂 http://dangerousprototypes.com/2013/04/29/stellaris-launchpad-based-video-player

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wireless controlled heat/cool vents

Posted on April 30, 2013 by robertwilkie

This sounds interesting, a company called keen has an indiegogo project to build wirelessly controlled vents for shutting rooms off for heating/cooling.  This sounds pretty neat.  Looks like between 130–150 for 4 vents, so 4 rooms.  Vents are about 8 … Continue reading →

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Kodak Sells scanning/film to UK pension group…someone got shafted

Posted on April 30, 2013 by robertwilkie

Guess Brother won’t get the scan and film groups after all, instead of 210 mil from brother, Kodak is getting 650 mil and forgiven for 2.8 BILLION in claims by the pension group. Somehow someone is getting the shaft.  I … Continue reading →

Posted in Xerox | Comments Off on Kodak Sells scanning/film to UK pension group…someone got shafted

Xerox PARC contracted to look more at printed batteries

Posted on April 29, 2013 by robertwilkie

Xerox got more cash from a ARPA-E Funded project to look at printing out batteries.  Great I have problems already finding replacement batteries for stuff…now I will have to build a printer to make them.  On the plus side, if the … Continue reading →

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Make a concrete light

Posted on April 29, 2013 by robertwilkie

Neat, with 2 milk cartons no less.  This would be an easy project to do with kids.  I think I would color the concrete thought.. http://www.instructables.com/id/HomeMade-Modern-DIY-Concrete-Lamp/  

Posted in Cheap, Misc-Life, Teaching and Learning | Comments Off on Make a concrete light

Zombie slingshots

Posted on April 29, 2013 by robertwilkie

Nice video on the power a slingshot can have.  Or lack of with commerical ones. http://gizmodo.com/5995488/equip-yourself-with-slingshots-for-the-zombie-apocalypse

Posted in weapons | Comments Off on Zombie slingshots