George N2APB and Cecil Clontz (a technology guru in TLARC) have been collaborating on another really cool project for our radio benches. It’s a colorful light that indicates when we are “On the Air” … that some of our “TLARC Makers” are now building.
In this Workshop #2, a laser-etched acrylic display is illuminated by a colorful and ever-changing string of NeoPixel LEDs under the control of an ESP32 microcontroller located in the base, using a single input line to indicate when the radio station is “on the air”. See the short video below, followed by some particulars of how we anticipate this workshop running.
So as you heard explained in the video, either a “keyline” signal from the radio or a small RF-detection circuit is able to trigger the display to show a new color pattern when transmitting, and and then have it blinks rapidly if a “keydown timer” has been exceeded … which can alert the operator to prevent repeater shutdowns by long-winded transmissions!
We use open-source Arduino C++ software to enable tech-savvy hams to customize the color patterns for the different states of the display.
The project consists of …
a) Your very own laser-etched acrylic (you chose beforehand the text and graphics you want on it and Cecil & George will etch it for you in advance);
b) A small enclosure;
c) A handful of NeoPixel LEDs that you’ll attach to the inside of the box
d) A ESP32 microcontroller to which you’ll solder wires, LEDs and download your customized software.
The project costs are $15 per person. Cecil and George are contributing parts & materials needed for the 3-D printed enclosure, the acrylics and operating the 40W CO2 laser etcher.
THE PROJECT IS FULL!!!!!
The Lexan plates are now etched and we are arranging a date for these TLARC Makers to gather at George’s QTH to assemble, program and test out their personalized On-Air Display.
NOTE: TLARC Makers are actually anyone who participates in our frequent workshops. We like to make things … for the shack, antennas for the field, and gadgets for the sake of gadgets.
REFERENCE …
Here’s where the idea originated …