communication

14 Year Old Builds Communication Device for Brain-Injured Friend

By Gareth Branwyn

Gareth Branwyn

Gareth Branwyn is a freelance writer and the former Editorial Director of Maker Media. He is the author or editor of over a dozen books on technology, DIY, and geek culture. He is currently a contributor to Boing Boing, Wink Books, and Wink Fun. His free weekly-ish maker tips newsletter can be found at garstipsandtools.com.

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Try not to get anything in your eye as you hear this moving story of a teen helping an injured friend communicate with the world again.

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A Maker’s Introduction to Ham Radio

A Maker’s Introduction to Ham Radio

Ward Silver

By Ward Silver

Ward Silver

Ward Silver has been a ham since 1972 which led him to a 20-year career as an electrical engineer, designing microprocessor-based products and medical devices. In 2000, he began a second career as a teacher and writer.

Ward is Lead Editor of the two primary amateur radio technical references, both published by the American Radio Relay League -- the ARRL Handbook and the ARRL Antenna Book. He is the author of all three ARRL licensing study guides and has written three titles in the popular "for Dummies" series: Ham Radio, Two-Way Radios and Scanners, and Circuitbuilding Do-It-Yourself.

Outside of ham radio, Ward plays the mandolin, dabbles in digital photography, and enjoys biking, camping, and canoeing.

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You may have heard about amateur or “ham” radio from a friend or maybe one of the members in your Makerspace is a ham. What is ham radio and what does it offer you? First, you’re a Maker, so you already have a lot in common with the ham radio community. Hams are tinkerers, builders, […]

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DIY Bluetooth Intercom Links Riders Helmet to Helmet

DIY Bluetooth Intercom Links Riders Helmet to Helmet

By Jeremy S Cook

Jeremy S Cook

Jeremy is an engineer with 10 years experience at his full-time profession, and has a BSME from Clemson University. Outside of work he’s an avid maker and experimenter, building anything that comes into his mind!

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If you ride a motorcycle with another rider, you may decide that an intercom system would be an excellent way to communicate without constantly shouting. You could buy a purpose-built unit, but what fun would that be? This Instructables article by “Stuffman” shows you how to hook up a bunch of components with (if all the […]

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Old school intertubes

Old school intertubes

By Chris Connors

Chris Connors

Making things is the best way to learn about our world.

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Photo from Museum of Retro Technology Years ago, I came upon The Victorian Internet by Tom Stangadge. It’s a fascinating read, telling the tale of how the world was girdled by copper wires carrying text messages to far flung places. The Victorian Age’s instant messaging system allowed geography and time to be compressed through the […]

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AVR baud rate calculator (and fuse calculator)

By Gareth Branwyn

Gareth Branwyn

Gareth Branwyn is a freelance writer and the former Editorial Director of Maker Media. He is the author or editor of over a dozen books on technology, DIY, and geek culture. He is currently a contributor to Boing Boing, Wink Books, and Wink Fun. His free weekly-ish maker tips newsletter can be found at garstipsandtools.com.

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20 Mhz Baud UBRR % of error 300 4166 0.0 600 2082 0.0 1200 1041 0.0 2400 520 0.0 4800 259 0.2 9600 129 0.2 14400 86 0.2 19200 64 0.2 28800 42 0.9 38400 32 1.4 57600 21 1.4 76800 15 1.7 115200 10 1.4 Lady Ada Rants: Yes, you could always use the […]

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