The Neo Geo Colour Screen Upgrade It CRAVES!
I was so lucky when Chrissy decided to send me this beat up SNK Neo Geo Pocket Colour. Happy to get around to replacing the screen on this poor beat-up unit!
I made a controller knob for it: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3932663
Video of the original console: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-y5SxYVMtc
I am super pleased to be able to tune my antennas now! Being able to verify your designs and even better - verify the quality of 3rd party antennas is great for selecting optimal performance in meshtastic and other SDR applications.
According to the listing this is the specification of the VNA:
NanoVNA-F V2 Antenna Analyzer
4.3inch NanoVNA V2 Vector Network Analyzer
3G Upgraded Version
NanoVNA with 5000mAh
Measuring S-Parameter Voltage SWR Phase Delay Smith Chart
Apparently there is a version that jumps up to 6ghz, that is double the price. Could be useful if you need that range. I am going to have a lot of fun trying all manner of designs now!
This Noco booster is pretty cool, in fact, it sits idle for months and months but has never let me down when I need it in a crisis!
However, it does appear to be getting confused recently, so I am hoping it is something simple that we can repair.
It started as a quick investigation on how to use the two internal bussed USB ports, but soon escalated into something much much cooler!
The Clockwork uConsole lends itself perfectly into making the perfect portable SDR using a simple USB hack that anyone can do. Its cyberdeck format is perfect for on the move fun! ADSB reception was surprisingly amazing, and I was able to see LoRA signals - it would be interesting to see if there is a meshtastic modem on Linux for this!
Eek - sometimes when you repair your Famicom with a vamp you detect a strange and annoying noise, but you are in luck, more often than not it's the microphone on the second controller! You clean the controller, replace the cap, but its STILL THERE! Lets bin this nuisance once and for all!
Best thing about this mod - its totally FREE!
Like many people, despite the increase in mobile phone key locks, remote unlocking and other wizardry I seem to have an ever increasing number of keys and access tokens (RFIDs, dongle etc) I need to carry about.
Normally this would not be a problem, however, as hotdesking and travel is starting to come back, I do find myself occasionally in the lurch by forgetting to have the appropriate token on me at the time.
The primary offenders are the office RFID, office key and business banking dongle. These used to all live on their own bunch of keys, and loved to get tangled in the house and car keys and to top it off the RFID and bank dongle are relatively fragile. Frustrated with these I decided to combine all that jiggly goodness into one single- easy to pocket- brick!
A quick jump into Autodesk Fusion 360 and a fiddle with a ruler soon produced a design that could be 3D printed and tested. You can see this below:
Although functional, it required a few alterations. Its squared sides felt very chunky in the hand, the buttons on the dongle were not particularly easy to press and aesthetically, it was a bit boring. It was time to jump back into Fusion:
You will note I added some snazzy features to this - honestly, It is the biggest difference to something that feels ‘homemade’ as compared to a ‘product’. Happy with these mods I printed it again:
I have to say I am quite pleased with the final result! I may incorporate a magnet into a future version so the key relies less on an interference fit. I would pop that in the centre of the circle feature I added on the back.
End result a very pocketable thing! STL models and Fusion 360 Project available here [link]
Edit - owing to uncertainty in the supply chain I have taken orders down for the moment. All orders and pre-orders of the first batch have been sent out.
Getting your retro computer and retroNET onto your network is as easy as typing wifi connect SSID PASSWORD.
Do you have the craving to get your retro console onto the internet and start accessing those retro themed online services?
Then you could be interested in a WiFi interface designed precisely to give your microcomputer the modern communications it needs!
The third incarnation of the retroNET boasts a feature list based on your requests including an easy to use UI, both telnet client and server modes, a fully loaded and customisable phonebook with dialler and is hardware modifiable for those users looking to add a screen, LEDs or button controls!
Interested in learning about it? Head over to the store for more information!
Ok, you are stuck at home with the kids and feeling helpless to the issues going on outside your front door. Well take control and a few minutes with a scissors you can make something that will actually be beneficial.
Download the printable PDF here - for best results print in A4 or similar
Clearly this is not a medical mask, but serves to remind you not to absently mindedly touch your face and mouth. The WHO (at least at time of press) reported that the main way to spread the disease is through contaminated droplets being introduced into your mouth. Wash those hands kids!
This facemask template is easily printed onto A4 paper and only takes a few minutes to make.
Tools needed:
Printer (or copy the design)
Pen / Felt marker (sharpie)
Scissors
Needle and Thread
Stretchy Fabric - Jeans with lycra etc..
Method:
Transfer the template design onto your fabric using your marker and carefully cut out 2 pieces. Using your needle and thread sew the seam at the front. You can use whatever stitch you prefer - obviously the strength of the mask will depend on this.
Sizing:
If you want a smaller variant to suit a child etc, simply reduce all dimensions.
Ideas:
Consider making a few so you have a set to wear while your other set is in the wash - wash daily.
If you can find a piece of cloth with a seam in it you should be able to avoid having to stitch!
Google for research on material types, some may actually be able to give protection against airborne pathogens.
Ultimately, something is better than nothing, but make sure you keep your creations hygienic by washing them regularly!
Please post your designs to social media - I am on twitter @backofficeshow I would love to see what you come up with!
Stay safe
Dr A
I admit it, at times it can be a little overwhelming with work, family, travel, all my projects and various social media pings to keep focused and update my blog, but here I am, finally getting around to it!
It has been an interesting summer so far, with a lot of things on the go, however, I am going to call it the summer of electronics as I have made not one, not two, but three new boards and a new batch of the RetroNets and ODroid Go DAC Hats are underway!
It seems a good time to introduce my latest gadget, the Ultimate Joystick Interface v2.0! That is double the goodness and fun and allows you to build your own joysticks, flight-sticks, retro interfaces with pinpoint precision and response times!
If you are interested, head on over to: https://backofficeshow.com/shop/ultimate-joystick-interface and you will find not only a description, but a downloadable reference to get you going!
Also if you have noticed a slower pace in videos, do not worry, I am not giving up on YouTube, quite the opposite, I have been clearing out The Backoffice to give me more cat swinging room. Although I am not in any position (or want) to fill the space back up with more junk I am still enjoying being able to move around without things falling on me. I was starting to be like one of those hoarders you see on TV, albeit with less old paint pots filled with wee and poo.
Hooray! The delays owing you Chinese New Year have been overcome and I am beavering away at the first half-batch of the worlds favourite Odroid-go headphone solution! :)
Mouser have promised me that our DAC chips will be send soon to finish up the boards awaiting their Brains but the first 8 are going onto soak-test and shipping soon! The PCBs and everything else in the BOM are great and they are working as expected.
I expect the balance to be shipped in the expected timeframe (mid-march) - as soon as all pre-orders have been shipped (you will get an email alerting you when this happens) I will offer the balance on the store for immediate purchase.
You can watch Neil over at the Retro Man Cave and get his custom build up and running on one of hist Mac LCs! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvC7K5DRSDA #RetroNET
You can buy yours here: SHOP
The BACKOFFICE has teamed up with teespring to get to you the iconic BACKOFFICE retro engineering T shirts, hoodies and tank tops! Be the envy of your friends in the original Royal Blue (as worn by Dr Andy himself!) or a work chic Navy! (do not worry other colours are available too!)
Click here to TAKE ME TO THE MERCH!
This weekend I had a smashing time at the Play Expo event in the Norbreck, I did so much and got to chat to so many awesome people (including the Legendary Jeff Minter!) that it will take me time to write it all up!
In the mean time, have a look at the snaps and let me know what you think!
Odroid Magazine thought me worthy enough to publish an interview with me (haha fooled them!), if you are interested in checking it out you can find the story here:
https://magazine.odroid.com/article/meet-an-odroidian-andrew-armstrong/
** EDIT ** We are in back order again, sorry!
** EDIT ** Late September units are shipping soon!
** EDIT ** Please find these excellent youtube resources on how to setup your odroid-go to using external DACs. If you have any problems please join us on the DISCORD channel (details below)
Watch and follow the steps here: https://youtu.be/2LD-BfR9-MI and once you have the new firmware the hat will work.
This demonstrates how to switch to the external DAC from the internal Speaker: https://youtu.be/cKPM9KuZo8E
Want to 3D print an enclosure? - then this will help you https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3110057
Just what you have all been waiting for, another batch of your favourite Odroid-Go Headphone adaptor and headphone jack, but now with NEW AND IMPROVED features!
Not only have you the option of permanently mounting your Odroid-go Audio DAC in two ways, you have the option of securing a 3D printed case (see my discord).
If you like soldering projects you have the audio connections available on the top of the board, perfect for when you want to get your droid to drive an Oscilloscope to play Vectex games (someone PLEASE do this!!)
Head over to the shop to buy yours before they are all gone again! Ping me on twitter when yours arrives as you soak in the amazing high-fidlity sounds of Megaman 2!
