Electronics Lab

Portable Electronics Lab Design

A dual-case system for field electronics work: one for soldering/components, one for RF/development.

Case 1: Soldering & Components Station

Container

- Apache 3800 case (smaller model) - Custom foam inserts - Integrated power strip - Silica gel packets

Top Layer

- Hakko FX888D soldering station - Solder varieties (60/40, lead-free) - Flux and tip cleaner - Desoldering braid and pump - Helping hands/PCB holder

Middle Layer

- Component organizer:

 ** SMD component book
 ** Through-hole resistors/capacitors
 ** LEDs and diodes
 ** Terminal blocks
 ** Headers (male/female, various sizes)
 ** Common ICs
 ** Voltage regulators

- Soldering tools:

 ** Tweezers (ESD safe)
 ** Wire strippers
 ** Flush cutters
 ** Screwdrivers
 ** Heat shrink tubing

Bottom Layer

- Breadboards (various sizes) - Jumper wire kits - Protoboards - Wire spools - Power supplies (5V, 12V) - Battery holders

Case 2: RF Development & Security Station

Container

- Apache 4800 case - Shock-absorbing foam - USB hub (powered) - Environmental monitoring

Top Tray

- Development boards:

 ** ESP32 modules
 ** ESP8266 boards
 ** OpenMV cameras
 ** Arduino variants
 ** FeatherS3

- Programming cables:

 ** USB-C cables
 ** FTDI adapters
 ** JST connectors
 ** Pogo pin adapters

Middle Section

- RF modules:

 ** LoRa Radio FeatherWings
 ** NRF24L01 modules
 ** 433MHz transceivers
 ** Bluetooth modules
 ** WiFi modules

- Test equipment:

 ** Logic analyzer
 ** USB oscilloscope
 ** Multimeter
 ** RF detector

Bottom Layer

- SDR equipment:

 ** HackRF One
 ** RTL-SDR dongles
 ** YARD Stick One

- Antennas:

 ** Nagoya NA-771
 ** ANT500 telescopic
 ** Magnetic mount antennas
 ** Directional antennas

- RF accessories:

 ** SMA adapters (full kit)
 ** Antenna cables
 ** RF connectors
 ** Attenuators
 ** Filters

Quick Deploy Features

Case 1 (Soldering):

- 45 second setup for full soldering station - All components labeled and sorted - Integrated fume extraction fan option - ESD mat rolls out from lid

Case 2 (RF/Dev):

- 30 second deployment - Pre-configured USB hub powers all devices - Antenna quick-connect system - Cable management built into foam

Environmental Protection

Both cases feature:

- IP67 waterproof rating - Pressure relief valves - Temperature strips - Humidity indicators - ESD protection throughout

Field Notes

Splitting into two cases allows:

- Lighter carry when only one discipline needed - Better organization of tools - Reduced interference between RF and power systems - Modular expansion possibilities

Next steps: Add Faraday cage liner to RF case. Create quick reference cards for each case lid. Consider adding portable spectrum analyzer.

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.