Electronics Lab

Portable Electronics Lab Design

A quick-deploy SDR & prototyping station for field work.

Core Container

- Apache 4800 case from Harbor Freight - Customized pick-and-pluck foam - Integrated USB power strip mounted inside lid - Silica gel indicators + packets

Layer Organization

Top Tray (Quick Access)

- Hakko FX888D station, secured in custom foam cutout - Essential tools pocket:

 ** Wire strippers
 ** Flush cutters
 ** Pogo pins
 ** Screwdrivers

- Solder & cleaning supplies corner - Breadboard + jumper wire kit

Middle Section (Core Lab)

- Development board rack:

 ** ESP32s
 ** OpenMV
 ** Radio modules

- Component organizer:

 ** SMD book
 ** Terminal blocks
 ** Headers
 ** Common passives

- Test equipment pocket:

 ** Probes
 ** Clips
 ** Meter leads

Bottom Layer (Power & RF)

- HackRF + antenna (foam padded) - Power supply section:

 ** 5V 4A supply
 ** Battery holders
 ** DC adapters

- RF cable organizer:

 ** SMA adapters
 ** Antenna cables
 ** RF connectors

Quick Deploy Features

- 30 second setup time - Integrated power strip - All tools accessible without removing layers - Everything returns to a specific spot - Status indicators visible when closed

Environmental Protection

- Waterproof case - ESD-safe bags for sensitive components - Temperature/humidity indicators - Shock-mounted sections for sensitive equipment

Notes: Can operate fully from case or deploy onto workspace. All components arranged for natural workflow. Power distribution planned for simultaneous development board programming and soldering operations.

Next steps: Create custom foam cutouts. Add inventory checklist to lid. Consider adding small LED work light.

Forestpunk RF Projects

Simple and realistic progression of Forestpunk RF projects, starting basic and growing in complexity while staying deeply rooted in the Forestpunk philosophy.

1. Simple Off-Grid Messaging (Basic)

‘’‘Goal’’’: Build a LoRa-based messaging system for off-grid communication.

‘’‘Components’’’:

- LoRa Radio FeatherWing (RFM95W 433 MHz) - Feather M4 or M0 WiFi for control - SMA connectors, antennas (Nagoya NA-771)

‘’‘Steps’’’:

1. Set up LoRa nodes to send and receive short text messages

1. Test range in natural environments, like forests or hills

1. Add LEDs to signal incoming messages for simplicity

‘’‘Forestpunk Angle’’’: Technology as a quiet companion, connecting people across untamed landscapes.

2. Environmental Sensor Node (Intermediate)

‘’‘Goal’’’: Deploy sensor nodes to monitor temperature, humidity, or light levels in remote areas.

‘’‘Components’’’:

- Adafruit STEMMA QT Temperature Sensor (ADT7410) - LoRa Feather + FeatherS3 for communication - Battery holder + voltage regulators

‘’‘Steps’’’:

1. Attach sensors to FeatherS3 and collect data

1. Send readings over LoRa to a base station

1. Package in waterproof, shockproof cases (aligns with portable lab design)

‘’‘Forestpunk Angle’’’: Merging digital sensing with the pulse of the natural world.

3. RF Spectrum Scanner (Advanced)

‘’‘Goal’’’: Build a portable RF scanner to visualize radio frequency activity in your environment.

‘’‘Components’’’:

- HackRF (from lab notes) - OpenMV Cam H7 for visualization - SMA adapters, telescopic antennas (ANT500)

‘’‘Steps’’’:

1. Use HackRF to capture and analyze RF signals

1. Overlay RF heatmaps on live camera feeds using OpenMV

1. Optimize for field portability and rugged use

‘’‘Forestpunk Angle’’’: Exploring the invisible digital landscape where the forest meets the motherboard.

4. Decentralized Mesh Network (Advanced)

‘’‘Goal’’’: Create a self-healing, off-grid communication network using LoRa and Meshtastic.

‘’‘Components’’’:

- LoRa Radio FeatherWings - TTGO T-Beam (for GPS integration) - JST and RF adapters for modularity

‘’‘Steps’’’:

1. Configure Meshtastic firmware on nodes

1. Deploy nodes across a forested area to create a mesh network

1. Add GPS for real-time location sharing and environmental data relay

‘’‘Forestpunk Angle’’’: Empowering movement and exploration with a communication system that adapts to the wild.

5. RF-Controlled Field Devices (Advanced)

‘’‘Goal’’’: Build remote-controlled devices for wilderness operations, such as solar panel positioning or drone launches.

‘’‘Components’’’:

- RF remote control + receiver (315 MHz) - ULN2803 Darlington Driver - Stepper motor driver (DRV8833)

‘’‘Steps’’’:

1. Set up RF receivers to activate devices

1. Control stepper motors or actuators for functional tasks

1. Ruggedize devices for field deployment

‘’‘Forestpunk Angle’’’: Infrastructure that whispers, adapting gently to the needs of the environment.