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	";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:4:{s:0:"";a:7:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:17:"Blog – Hackaday";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:20:"https://hackaday.com";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:21:"Fresh hacks every day";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:13:"lastBuildDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Tue, 21 May 2024 16:13:45 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:8:"language";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"en-US";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:9:"generator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:30:"https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.3";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"item";a:7:{i:0;a:6:{s:4:"data";s:94:"
		
		
					
		
		
		
				
		
		
		

					
										
					
					
			
		
		
		
		
		

		

		
	";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:7:{s:0:"";a:7:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:24:"Linux Fu: The Root Cause";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:56:"https://hackaday.com/2024/05/21/linux-fu-the-root-cause/";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:8:"comments";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:65:"https://hackaday.com/2024/05/21/linux-fu-the-root-cause/#comments";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Tue, 21 May 2024 17:00:07 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:8:"category";a:3:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:11:"Linux Hacks";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"linux";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:4:"sudo";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:30:"https://hackaday.com/?p=677962";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:1924:"<div><img width="800" height="484" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/LinuxFu.jpg?w=800" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="" style="margin: 0 auto; margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" srcset="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/LinuxFu.jpg 3000w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/LinuxFu.jpg?resize=250,151 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/LinuxFu.jpg?resize=400,242 400w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/LinuxFu.jpg?resize=800,484 800w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/LinuxFu.jpg?resize=1536,929 1536w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/LinuxFu.jpg?resize=2048,1239 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" data-attachment-id="414051" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/linuxfu-2/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/LinuxFu.jpg" data-orig-size="3000,1815" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="LinuxFu" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/LinuxFu.jpg?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/LinuxFu.jpg?w=800" /></div>There was a time when real system administrators just logged into Unix systems as root. But as we all know &#8212; with great power comes great responsibility. It&#8217;s too easy <a href="https://hackaday.com/2024/05/21/linux-fu-the-root-cause/" class="read-more">&#8230;read more</a>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:11:"Al Williams";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:40:"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/";a:1:{s:7:"encoded";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:11471:"<div><img width="800" height="484" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/LinuxFu.jpg?w=800" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="" style="margin: 0 auto; margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/LinuxFu.jpg 3000w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/LinuxFu.jpg?resize=250,151 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/LinuxFu.jpg?resize=400,242 400w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/LinuxFu.jpg?resize=800,484 800w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/LinuxFu.jpg?resize=1536,929 1536w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/LinuxFu.jpg?resize=2048,1239 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" data-attachment-id="414051" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/linuxfu-2/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/LinuxFu.jpg" data-orig-size="3000,1815" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="LinuxFu" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/LinuxFu.jpg?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/LinuxFu.jpg?w=800" /></div><p>There was a time when real system administrators just logged into Unix systems as root. But as we all know &#8212; with great power comes great responsibility. It&#8217;s too easy to do terrible things when you are really just trying to do normal work, and, on top of that, malicious software or scripts can do naughty things without you noticing. So common practice quickly changed to where an administrator had a personal account but then had a way to run certain programs &#8220;as root&#8221; which means you had to deliberately decide to wield your power.</p>
<p>Before long, people realized you don&#8217;t even need a root login account. That way, an attacker can&#8217;t try to log into root at all. Sure, they could still compromise your account, but a random hacker knows you might have a root user, but it is harder to guess that your login ID is JTKirkJr or whatever.</p>
<p>There are other ways to control what users can do, but many Linux and Unix installations still use this model. The root can do everything but login, and specific users get the privilege to do certain things.</p>
<p><span id="more-677962"></span></p>
<h2>sudo</h2>
<figure style="width: 253px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="https://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/sandwich.png" target="_blank"><img decoding="async" class="" src="https://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/sandwich.png" alt="" width="253" height="210" /></a><figcaption class="wp-caption-text"><a href="https://xkcd.com/149/" target="_blank">XKCD #149</a> (<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/" target="_blank">CC by SA 2.5</a>)</figcaption></figure>
<p>In the Linux world, <code>sudo</code> is very common. It is a bit difficult to setup, but once configured, it is simple enough from a user&#8217;s point of view. If you want to, say, copy a file to a system directory, you prefix the command with <code>sudo</code>:</p>
<pre>sudo cp x.txt /usr/share/wherever</pre>
<p>The <code>sudo</code> program will validate your password (not the root password) or otherwise log you in (e.g., using a camera or smart key or whatever you have set up for PAM). Once you validate, you will stay validated for a short period of time so you don&#8217;t have to log in every time, although the time period is adjustable and can be turned off.</p>
<p>Where this is not simple is when you want to use redirection. For example, a common mistake is to write:</p>
<pre>sudo echo y &gt;/sys/option/made-up-option</pre>
<p>This fails because <code>sudo</code> only runs <code>echo</code> as root. Your shell, the program that is interpreting the redirect, is still just you, and you can&#8217;t write to the<code>/sys/option</code> directory. There are many workarounds for this. For example:</p>
<pre>echo y | sudo tee /sys/option/made-up-option</pre>
<p>There are a few options to sudo that you don&#8217;t often use, but probably should:</p>
<ul>
<li>-l &#8212; List. Shows what you can do</li>
<li>-v &#8212; Validate. This refreshes the expiration time without running a command.</li>
<li>-k &#8212; Kill. Ends the validation period now, so you&#8217;ll have to authenticate again when you use sudo.</li>
<li>-u &#8212; User. Normally root, but you can impersonate other users with this option.</li>
<li>-i &#8212; Interactive. Run a shell as though you&#8217;ve logged in as the user.</li>
<li>-e &#8212; Edit. Edit a file as the specified user.</li>
<li>-g &#8212; Group. Run as a group.</li>
</ul>
<p>Configuration is a bit tricky. Also, if you screw it up too badly, you could prevent yourself from running root commands which is disastrous. Because of that, you shouldn&#8217;t edit the <code>/etc/sudoers</code> file directly. Instead, you should use <code>visudo</code>, which checks for sanity before overwriting your original file.</p>
<p>It isn&#8217;t a bad idea to open a root shell (<code>sudo -i</code>) before you make any changes in another shell. You can also make a backup of <code>sudoers</code> until you are sure your changes work.</p>
<p>Infrequently, you&#8217;ll want to change <code>/etc/sudo.conf</code>, which allows plugins to change how sudo works. But, usually, the default with your distribution is what you want, and all the changes you&#8217;d like to make are in <code>/etc/sudoers</code>.</p>
<p>The <code>sudoers</code> file has a series of sections, many that set options or aliases. The lines you are mostly interested in look like this:</p>
<pre>JTKirkJr ALL = (root) /usr/bin/ls</pre>
<p>This means that the user JTKirkJr on any host (ALL) can run <code>/usr/bin/ls</code> as the root user. One way to think of the structure is:</p>
<pre>&lt;who&gt; &lt;where&gt; = &lt;as_user[:as_group]&gt;&lt;program...&gt;</pre>
<p>Sometimes, you want the &#8220;who&#8221; part to be a group. That&#8217;s easy:</p>
<pre>%sudo ALL=(ALL:ALL) ALL</pre>
<p>That means that anyone in the sudo group on any host can impersonate any user or any group for all commands. Easy! Sometimes, you want to run a trusted program as root without authenticating. This is very dangerous, so think hard before you do something like this:</p>
<pre>JTKirtJr ALL=(root) NOPASSWD: /usr/bin/smidump</pre>
<p>You may be able to add fragments to files inside <code>/etc/sudoers.d</code>, depending on your distribution. You can find the entire manual for <a href="https://www.sudo.ws/docs/man/1.8.15/sudoers.man/" target="_blank"><code>sudo</code> online</a>.</p>
<figure style="width: 522px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/incident.png" target="_blank"><img decoding="async" class="" src="https://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/incident.png" width="522" height="232" /></a><figcaption class="wp-caption-text"><a href="https://xkcd.com/838/" target="_blank">XKCD #838</a> (<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/" target="_blank">CC by SA 2.5</a>)</figcaption></figure>
<p>If you try to do something you are not approved for, the &#8220;incident is reported.&#8221; Contrary to popular belief, the alert doesn&#8217;t go to the North Pole, but it is logged in <code>/var/log/auth.log</code>.</p>
<h2>su</h2>
<p>Historically, many people used <code>su</code> (which may mean substitute user, switch user, or super user) to gain a shell as another user (including root). That works, but it doesn&#8217;t have nearly as much control as <code>sudo</code>. You get a shell, or you don&#8217;t. And if you do, you can do everything.</p>
<p>One difference between <code>su</code> and <code>sudo</code> is that <code>sudo</code> wants your password. The <code>su</code> command wants the password for the user you want to be.</p>
<h2>run0/systemd-run</h2>
<p>Of course, systemd wants to achieve world domination, so it has a way to do the same thing. Originally called <code>systemd-run</code> and, as of, systemd v256, invokable as <code>run0</code> to save a little typing and to set some default options to make it work more like <code>sudo</code>. However, internally, it is different and leverages things like polkit and systemd, of course.</p>
<h2>pkexec</h2>
<p>Speaking of polkit, it also has a way &#8212; rarely used &#8212; to do a similar job. The <code><a href="https://www.freedesktop.org/software/polkit/docs/latest/pkexec.1.html" target="_blank">pkexec</a></code> command lets you execute code as another user. As with all of these programs, there is a danger that allowing users to run programs as other users can open up security holes. Of course, you configuration is one source of these vulnerabilities, but in some cases, bugs in the program can <a href="https://blog.qualys.com/vulnerabilities-threat-research/2022/01/25/pwnkit-local-privilege-escalation-vulnerability-discovered-in-polkits-pkexec-cve-2021-4034" target="_blank">create serious security holes</a>.</p>
<p>The main use of <code>pkexec</code> is to allow certain GUI programs to gain higher privileges when needed. Before that, <code>kdesu</code> and <code>gksu</code> however, you may find these programs still in use on older systems. There are also sudo wrappers like <a href="https://store.kde.org/p/1127860" target="_blank"><code>kdesudo</code></a>. You don&#8217;t see any of these in most newer distributions, though.</p>
<h2>doas</h2>
<p>If you don&#8217;t like <code>sudo</code>&#8216;s configuration file, you might want to borrow a program from FreeBSD called <code><a href="https://github.com/slicer69/doas" target="_blank">doas</a></code>. It also has a configuration file, but it is much easier to work with. The file to set up is <code>/etc/doas.conf</code>. Some distributions include <code><a href="https://github.com/slicer69/doas/blob/master/vidoas" target="_blank">vidoas</a></code> to help with the editing.</p>
<p>The rule format is simple. Lines start with permit or deny, depending on what you want to accomplish. Then, you can name a user or group (with a colon prefix). You can add an &#8220;as&#8221; clause to specify a target user and a cmd keyword to specify a specific command.</p>
<p>For example, to let anyone in the sudo group do anything:</p>
<pre>permit :sudo</pre>
<p>That&#8217;s it. You can use options like nopass, persist, and others to manipulate the environment. So to get the persistent password, you might prefer to write</p>
<pre>permit persist :sudo as root</pre>
<h2>Rooting it Out</h2>
<p>You should be very careful changing anything related to how normal users can run programs as root. The potential for bad behavior is high. However, you do have to have something. Since <code>run0</code> isn&#8217;t really widely available yet, we aren&#8217;t sure how useful it will be. We rarely see <code>pkexec</code> in the wild. While <code>sudo</code> is fantastically flexible, we do appreciate the simplicity of <code>doas</code>.</p>
<p>Ultimately, they all do the same job. As usual with Linux, the choice is yours.</p>
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	";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:7:{s:0:"";a:7:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:32:"This MIDI BoomBox Takes Floppies";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:65:"https://hackaday.com/2024/05/21/this-midi-boombox-takes-floppies/";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:8:"comments";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:74:"https://hackaday.com/2024/05/21/this-midi-boombox-takes-floppies/#comments";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Tue, 21 May 2024 15:30:34 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:8:"category";a:3:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:13:"Musical Hacks";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:11:"floppy disk";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:4:"midi";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:30:"https://hackaday.com/?p=680058";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:1679:"<div><img width="800" height="422" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/midi.png?w=800" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="" style="margin: 0 auto; margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/midi.png 800w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/midi.png?resize=250,132 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/midi.png?resize=400,211 400w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" data-attachment-id="680062" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/05/21/this-midi-boombox-takes-floppies/midi-16/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/midi.png" data-orig-size="800,422" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="midi" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/midi.png?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/midi.png?w=800" /></div>You might have had a boombox back in the 1990s, but probably not like the Yamaha MDP-10. As [Nicole] explains, the odd little device played MIDI files from a floppy <a href="https://hackaday.com/2024/05/21/this-midi-boombox-takes-floppies/" class="read-more">&#8230;read more</a>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:11:"Al Williams";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:40:"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/";a:1:{s:7:"encoded";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:2941:"<div><img width="800" height="422" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/midi.png?w=800" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="" style="margin: 0 auto; margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/midi.png 800w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/midi.png?resize=250,132 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/midi.png?resize=400,211 400w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" data-attachment-id="680062" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/05/21/this-midi-boombox-takes-floppies/midi-16/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/midi.png" data-orig-size="800,422" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="midi" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/midi.png?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/midi.png?w=800" /></div><p>You might have had a boombox back in the 1990s, but probably not like the Yamaha MDP-10. As [Nicole] explains, the odd little device <a href="https://nicole.express/2024/elementary-midi-watson.html" target="_blank">played MIDI files from a floppy disk</a>. Technically, it wasn&#8217;t truly a boombox because it lacked batteries, but it sure looks like one.</p>
<p>The box also had a MIDI input jack, but no output. For an antique gadget, it is pretty impressive, but maybe not much by today&#8217;s standards. Of course, what we really wanted to see was what was inside. [Nicole] doesn&#8217;t disappoint.</p>
<p>The boombox brains are a pair of Hitachi H8 3000-series CPUs. The boards actually looks surprisingly modern until you notice the lack of integration. There are separate ROMs, RAMs, a floppy drive controller, and, of course, MIDI chips. Apparently, opening the box up is a challenge so [Nicole] suggests not doing it unless necessary. We assume it went back together with no problems.</p>
<p>There are lots of tidbits about peculiarities in the device. There are also, of course, recordings of the output and some comparisons from other devices. A great look into an old and odd piece of gear.</p>
<p>Since it has an input jack, you could connect it to &#8212; oh, we don&#8217;t know &#8212; maybe <a href="https://hackaday.com/2024/05/16/midi-spoon-piano-is-exactly-what-you-think-it-is/">some spoons</a>? Or a <a href="https://hackaday.com/2024/03/18/ancient-instrument-goes-digital-the-digi-gurdy/">hurdy-gurdy</a>.</p>
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	";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:7:{s:0:"";a:7:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:46:"Peeking Underground With Giant Flying Antennas";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:79:"https://hackaday.com/2024/05/21/peeking-underground-with-giant-flying-antennas/";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:8:"comments";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:88:"https://hackaday.com/2024/05/21/peeking-underground-with-giant-flying-antennas/#comments";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Tue, 21 May 2024 14:00:53 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:8:"category";a:8:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7:"Science";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6:"aerial";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:22:"electromagnetic survey";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:3;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7:"geology";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:4;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:11:"geomagnetic";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:5;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:18:"geomagnetic survey";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:6;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:10:"helicopter";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:7;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:4:"usgs";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:30:"https://hackaday.com/?p=677922";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:1898:"<div><img width="800" height="469" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/heliscan_feat.jpg?w=800" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="" style="margin: 0 auto; margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/heliscan_feat.jpg 1280w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/heliscan_feat.jpg?resize=250,146 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/heliscan_feat.jpg?resize=400,234 400w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/heliscan_feat.jpg?resize=800,469 800w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" data-attachment-id="680384" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/05/21/peeking-underground-with-giant-flying-antennas/heliscan_feat/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/heliscan_feat.jpg" data-orig-size="1280,750" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="heliscan_feat" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/heliscan_feat.jpg?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/heliscan_feat.jpg?w=800" /></div>Helicopters are perhaps at their coolest when they&#8217;re being used as flying cranes &#8212; from a long dangling cable, they can carry everything from cars, to crates, to giant hanging <a href="https://hackaday.com/2024/05/21/peeking-underground-with-giant-flying-antennas/" class="read-more">&#8230;read more</a>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:9:"Lewin Day";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:40:"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/";a:1:{s:7:"encoded";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:17186:"<div><img width="800" height="469" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/heliscan_feat.jpg?w=800" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="" style="margin: 0 auto; margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/heliscan_feat.jpg 1280w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/heliscan_feat.jpg?resize=250,146 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/heliscan_feat.jpg?resize=400,234 400w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/heliscan_feat.jpg?resize=800,469 800w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" data-attachment-id="680384" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/05/21/peeking-underground-with-giant-flying-antennas/heliscan_feat/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/heliscan_feat.jpg" data-orig-size="1280,750" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="heliscan_feat" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/heliscan_feat.jpg?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/heliscan_feat.jpg?w=800" /></div><p>Helicopters are perhaps at their coolest when they&#8217;re being used as flying cranes &#8212; from a long dangling cable, they can carry everything from cars, to crates, to giant hanging saws.</p>
<p>What you might find altogether more curious are the helicopters that fly around carrying gigantic flat antenna arrays. When you spot one in the field, it&#8217;s not exactly intuitive to figure out what they&#8217;re doing, but these helicopters are tasked with important geological work!</p>
<p><span id="more-677922"></span></p>
<h2>Looking Down From Above</h2>
<figure id="attachment_677930" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-677930" style="width: 267px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Figure-4.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-attachment-id="677930" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/05/21/peeking-underground-with-giant-flying-antennas/figure-4-3/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Figure-4.jpg" data-orig-size="1200,1800" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;4.5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON 1 AW1&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1444023389&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;11&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;160&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0008&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="Figure-4" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;The SkyTEM survey system is one of the most well known in the AEM space.&lt;/p&gt;
" data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Figure-4.jpg?w=267" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Figure-4.jpg?w=417" class="wp-image-677930 size-medium" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Figure-4.jpg?w=267" alt="" width="267" height="400" srcset="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Figure-4.jpg 1200w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Figure-4.jpg?resize=167,250 167w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Figure-4.jpg?resize=267,400 267w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Figure-4.jpg?resize=417,625 417w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Figure-4.jpg?resize=1024,1536 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 267px) 100vw, 267px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-677930" class="wp-caption-text">The SkyTEM survey system is one of the most well known in the AEM space. Credit: <a href="https://www.ga.gov.au/scientific-topics/disciplines/geophysics/airborne-electromagnetics" target="_blank">Geoscience Australia</a></figcaption></figure>
<p>In the popular imagination, the Earth&#8217;s magnetic field is useful for finding north with a compass. In day to day life, that barely comes up, and we don&#8217;t give the magnetic field much thought beyond that. However, the reality of Earth&#8217;s magnetic field is that it is variable all over the surface of our planet. By measuring it, we can gain great insight into what lies beneath our feet.</p>
<p>Magnetic surveys are an important tool in geology and archaeology. In the latter regard, they were perhaps best popularized by the TV show <em>Time Team. </em>The series would often employ geomagnetic surveys to discover artifacts or structures beneath the ground. The typical technique used on the show involved someone walking around a site with a magnetometer while logging the magnetic field strength as they went. By running the magnetometer in a grid pattern across a site, it was possible to build up a local map of the magnetic field, which could reveal anomalies lurking underground.</p>
<p>That&#8217;s all well and good if you wish to survey a small garden or perhaps a single field. If you want to survey a larger area, though, doing a survey on foot isn&#8217;t really practical. But you can apply the same techniques in the air at speed, and you can even extend them further, too!</p>
<p>You can do magnetic surveys much faster using a helicopter instead. The basic theory is the same, carrying a magnetic sensor over terrain allows the measurement of the local magnetic field. The difference is that a helicopter can move much faster and thus cover a greater area more quickly, albeit at somewhat reduced resolution. Magnetic field data is great, but there&#8217;s so much more that can be gained by exploring the electromagnetic spectrum, too.</p>
<figure id="attachment_677923" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-677923" style="width: 400px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><a href="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-16-192448.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-attachment-id="677923" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/05/21/peeking-underground-with-giant-flying-antennas/screenshot-2024-05-16-192448/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-16-192448.png" data-orig-size="893,737" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Screenshot 2024-05-16 192448" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;A typical setup for helicopter-based geomagnetic surveys.&lt;/p&gt;
" data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-16-192448.png?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-16-192448.png?w=757" class="wp-image-677923 size-medium" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-16-192448.png?w=400" alt="" width="400" height="330" srcset="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-16-192448.png 893w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-16-192448.png?resize=250,206 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-16-192448.png?resize=400,330 400w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-16-192448.png?resize=757,625 757w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-677923" class="wp-caption-text"><em>A typical setup for helicopter-based geomagnetic surveys. To work at low frequencies, large antennas are needed. This rig transmits at a base frequency of just 25 Hz. Credit: <a href="https://ecat.ga.gov.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/catalog.search#/metadata/81852" target="_blank">Geoscience Australia Operations &amp; Processing report</a></em></figcaption></figure>
<p>By transmitting radio waves from a giant antenna, it&#8217;s possible to excite eddy currents in the ground itself which can then be picked up by a sensitive receiver similarly dangling from the aircraft. A single aerial survey aircraft can carry both magnetic sensors and EM equipment on the same mission to gather both kinds of data at once.</p>
<p>Aerial electromagnetic surveys (AEM), as they are known, aren&#8217;t so much used for finding Roman coins or small structures under the ground. Instead, they&#8217;re used to better understand the makeup of the ground itself. An aerial survey can reveal electrically conductive materials in the ground, of which there are many.</p>
<p>Graphite, clays, sulfides, or salty groundwater all show up differently on an electromagnetic survey compared to non-conductive minerals or fresh water. These elements can be revealed by an antenna dangling from a helicopter, in combination with other geological data and careful analysis.</p>
<figure id="attachment_677924" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-677924" style="width: 305px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/41467_2019_13985_Fig1_HTML.webp"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-attachment-id="677924" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/05/21/peeking-underground-with-giant-flying-antennas/41467_2019_13985_fig1_html/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/41467_2019_13985_Fig1_HTML.webp" data-orig-size="993,1304" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="41467_2019_13985_Fig1_HTML" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;The Yarrabubba impact structure is the oldest known planetary impact structure on Earth. While much of the original crater has been eroded, the impact has left an anomaly that is readily visible on aeromagnetic surveys to this day. &lt;/p&gt;
" data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/41467_2019_13985_Fig1_HTML.webp?w=305" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/41467_2019_13985_Fig1_HTML.webp?w=476" class="wp-image-677924 size-medium" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/41467_2019_13985_Fig1_HTML.webp?w=305" alt="" width="305" height="400" srcset="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/41467_2019_13985_Fig1_HTML.webp 993w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/41467_2019_13985_Fig1_HTML.webp?resize=190,250 190w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/41467_2019_13985_Fig1_HTML.webp?resize=305,400 305w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/41467_2019_13985_Fig1_HTML.webp?resize=476,625 476w" sizes="(max-width: 305px) 100vw, 305px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-677924" class="wp-caption-text">The Yarrabubba impact structure is the oldest known planetary impact structure on Earth. While much of the original crater has been eroded, the impact has left an anomaly that is readily visible on aeromagnetic surveys to this day. Credit: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:41467_2019_13985_Fig1_HTML.webp#/media/File:41467_2019_13985_Fig1_HTML.webp" target="_blank">Erickson, Kirkland, Timms, Cavosie &amp; Davison, CC-BY 4.0</a></figcaption></figure>
<p>Typical AEM missions involve flying at moderate speeds of 70 to 120 km/h along the ground, generally on a path of parallel lines to cover a given area. Altitudes are low, on the order of 100 meters or even less, to keep the antennas close to the ground. Excitation and receiver antennas usually measure tens of meters in diameter. AEM surveys can be remarkably sensitive. It&#8217;s possible to pick up variations in the conductivity of the soil up to several hundred meters deep with the right equipment. As you might expect, the local ground composition plays a role in what&#8217;s possible, too.</p>
<p>Often, an aerial study is designed to zero in on a particular geological feature or material of interest. Then, the survey area and equipment can be tuned to ideally reveal the expected contrast in conductivity or magnetic field.</p>
<p>Governments and private enterprises using the technique more commonly than you might think. For example, the California Department of Water Resources uses AEM surveys <a href="https://water.ca.gov/programs/sgma/aem" target="_blank">to hunt for underground aquifers</a>. might be using an AEM survey to find an underground aquifer, or a conductive graphite seam deep in the ground.  The US Geological Survey uses the technique for all kinds of purposes, and has been doing so since the 1970s. It has looked for subsurface water and underground minerals, amongst other things. There&#8217;s <a href="https://mrdata.usgs.gov/airborne/map-us.html" target="_blank">an interactive tool</a> for finding survey data, much of which is available to the public.</p>
<p>There is a great deal of mistrust in the wider public these days, with conspiracies around chemtrails, 5G cellular networks, and so many other similar topics. It won&#8217;t shock you to know that there are people that freak out when they see a helicopter hauling a gigantic antenna array at low altitude.</p>
<figure id="attachment_677928" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-677928" style="width: 400px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><a href="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-16-200931.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-attachment-id="677928" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/05/21/peeking-underground-with-giant-flying-antennas/screenshot-2024-05-16-200931/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-16-200931.png" data-orig-size="786,372" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Screenshot 2024-05-16 200931" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;A conductivity survey reveals groundwater beneath the surface at Mt Saint Helens. Credit: USGS&lt;/p&gt;
" data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-16-200931.png?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-16-200931.png?w=786" class="wp-image-677928 size-medium" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-16-200931.png?w=400" alt="" width="400" height="189" srcset="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-16-200931.png 786w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-16-200931.png?resize=250,118 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-16-200931.png?resize=400,189 400w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-677928" class="wp-caption-text">A conductivity survey reveals groundwater beneath the surface at Mt Saint Helens. Credit: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/file_mngr/file-160/Nov16YVOFAQ.pdf" target="_blank">USGS</a></figcaption></figure>
<p>For this reason, many government agencies <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/file_mngr/file-160/Nov16YVOFAQ.pdf" target="_blank">specifically release documents</a> to explain the purpose of AEM surveys, and to highlight that they pose no risk to the public, wildlife, or the natural environment itself. It may seem silly, but AEM survey craft do look a fair bit more sci-fi than most other flying vehicles, so the cautious approach is understandable.</p>
<p>You probably won&#8217;t spot an AEM survey craft in the suburbs, but if you&#8217;re out in some wide open natural area, you just might. If you&#8217;re <em>really</em> keen on seeing one in the flesh, though, you&#8217;re best advised to get yourself a geology degree and a job in the field. Then, you might even pick up the skills necessary to specify, execute, and interpret the results of an electromagnetic aerial survey. When you do, be sure to let the world know what you found out!</p>
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	";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:7:{s:0:"";a:7:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:49:"Static Recompilation Brings New Life to N64 Games";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:82:"https://hackaday.com/2024/05/21/static-recompilation-brings-new-life-to-n64-games/";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:8:"comments";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:91:"https://hackaday.com/2024/05/21/static-recompilation-brings-new-life-to-n64-games/#comments";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Tue, 21 May 2024 11:00:31 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:8:"category";a:6:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5:"Games";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:19:"Reverse Engineering";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:20:"Software Development";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:3;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:18:"binary translation";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:4;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:11:"nintendo 64";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:5;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:20:"static recompilation";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:30:"https://hackaday.com/?p=679515";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:1917:"<div><img width="800" height="450" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/zeldarecomp_feat.jpg?w=800" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="" style="margin: 0 auto; margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/zeldarecomp_feat.jpg 1280w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/zeldarecomp_feat.jpg?resize=250,141 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/zeldarecomp_feat.jpg?resize=400,225 400w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/zeldarecomp_feat.jpg?resize=800,450 800w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" data-attachment-id="680323" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/05/21/static-recompilation-brings-new-life-to-n64-games/zeldarecomp_feat/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/zeldarecomp_feat.jpg" data-orig-size="1280,720" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="zeldarecomp_feat" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/zeldarecomp_feat.jpg?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/zeldarecomp_feat.jpg?w=800" /></div>Over the past few years a number of teams have been putting a lot of effort into taking beloved Nintendo 64 games, decompiling them, and lovingly crafting them into highly <a href="https://hackaday.com/2024/05/21/static-recompilation-brings-new-life-to-n64-games/" class="read-more">&#8230;read more</a>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:10:"Maya Posch";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:40:"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/";a:1:{s:7:"encoded";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:4110:"<div><img width="800" height="450" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/zeldarecomp_feat.jpg?w=800" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="" style="margin: 0 auto; margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/zeldarecomp_feat.jpg 1280w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/zeldarecomp_feat.jpg?resize=250,141 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/zeldarecomp_feat.jpg?resize=400,225 400w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/zeldarecomp_feat.jpg?resize=800,450 800w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" data-attachment-id="680323" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/05/21/static-recompilation-brings-new-life-to-n64-games/zeldarecomp_feat/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/zeldarecomp_feat.jpg" data-orig-size="1280,720" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="zeldarecomp_feat" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/zeldarecomp_feat.jpg?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/zeldarecomp_feat.jpg?w=800" /></div><p>Over the past few years a number of teams have been putting a lot of effort into taking beloved Nintendo 64 games, decompiling them, and lovingly crafting them into highly portable C code. This allows for these games to not only run natively on PCs, but also for improvements to be made to the rendering engine and other components.</p>
<p>Yet this artisan approach to porting these games means a massive time investment, something which static binary translation (static recompilation) may conceivably speed up. Enter the <a href="https://github.com/N64Recomp/N64Recomp" target="_blank">N64: Recompiled project</a>, which provides a binary translation tool to ease the translation of the N64&#8217;s binaries into C code.</p>
<p>This is effectively quite similar to what an emulator does in real-time, just with the goal of creating a permanent copy of the translated instructions. After this static binary translation, the C code can be compiled again, but as noted by the project&#8217;s documentation, a suitable runtime is needed to get a functional game. An example of this is the <a href="https://github.com/Zelda64Recomp/Zelda64Recomp" target="_blank">Zelda 64: Recompiled</a> project, which uses the N64: Recompiled project at its core, while providing the necessary scaffolding and wrappers to create a working copy of <em>The Legend of Zelda: Majora&#8217;s Mask </em>as output.</p>
<p>In the video below, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WK5VuOInqlg" target="_blank">[Modern Vintage Gamer] takes the software for a test drive</a> and comes away very excited about the potential it has to completely change the state of N64 emulation. To be clear, this isn&#8217;t a one-button-press solution &#8212; it still requires capable developers to roll up their sleeves and get the plumbing in. It&#8217;s going to take some time before you favorite game is supported, but the idea of breathing new life into some of the best games from the 1990s and early 2000s certainly has us eager to see where this technology goes</p>
<p><span id="more-679515"></span></p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="N64 recompilation is here - and its looking good!" width="800" height="450" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WK5VuOInqlg?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<p>Thanks to [Keith Olson] for the tip.</p>
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	";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:7:{s:0:"";a:7:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:52:"Quad-Motor Electric Kart Gets A Little Too Thrilling";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:85:"https://hackaday.com/2024/05/21/quad-motor-electric-kart-gets-a-little-too-thrilling/";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:8:"comments";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:94:"https://hackaday.com/2024/05/21/quad-motor-electric-kart-gets-a-little-too-thrilling/#comments";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Tue, 21 May 2024 08:00:43 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:8:"category";a:6:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:20:"Transportation Hacks";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:8:"electric";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7:"go-kart";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:3;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:9:"hub motor";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:4;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:4:"kart";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:5;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:6:"racing";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:30:"https://hackaday.com/?p=679619";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:2125:"<div><img width="800" height="450" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/quad-motor-go-kart-update.png?w=800" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="" style="margin: 0 auto; margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/quad-motor-go-kart-update.png 1752w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/quad-motor-go-kart-update.png?resize=250,141 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/quad-motor-go-kart-update.png?resize=400,225 400w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/quad-motor-go-kart-update.png?resize=800,450 800w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/quad-motor-go-kart-update.png?resize=1536,864 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" data-attachment-id="680044" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/05/21/quad-motor-electric-kart-gets-a-little-too-thrilling/quad-motor-go-kart-update/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/quad-motor-go-kart-update.png" data-orig-size="1752,986" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="quad-motor-go-kart-update" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/quad-motor-go-kart-update.png?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/quad-motor-go-kart-update.png?w=800" /></div>[Peter Holderith] has been on a mission to unlock the full potential of a DIY quad-motor electric go-kart as a platform. This isn&#8217;t his first rodeo, either. His earlier vehicle <a href="https://hackaday.com/2024/05/21/quad-motor-electric-kart-gets-a-little-too-thrilling/" class="read-more">&#8230;read more</a>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:11:"Donald Papp";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:40:"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/";a:1:{s:7:"encoded";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:5790:"<div><img width="800" height="450" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/quad-motor-go-kart-update.png?w=800" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="" style="margin: 0 auto; margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/quad-motor-go-kart-update.png 1752w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/quad-motor-go-kart-update.png?resize=250,141 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/quad-motor-go-kart-update.png?resize=400,225 400w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/quad-motor-go-kart-update.png?resize=800,450 800w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/quad-motor-go-kart-update.png?resize=1536,864 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" data-attachment-id="680044" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/05/21/quad-motor-electric-kart-gets-a-little-too-thrilling/quad-motor-go-kart-update/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/quad-motor-go-kart-update.png" data-orig-size="1752,986" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="quad-motor-go-kart-update" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/quad-motor-go-kart-update.png?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/quad-motor-go-kart-update.png?w=800" /></div><p>[Peter Holderith] has been on a mission to unlock the full potential of a DIY quad-motor electric go-kart as a platform. This isn&#8217;t his first rodeo, either. His earlier vehicle designs were great educational fun, but were limited to about a kilowatt of power. His current platform is in theory capable of about <em>twenty</em>. The last big change he made was adding considerably more battery power, so that the under-used motors could stretch their legs a little, figuratively speaking.</p>
<p>How did that go? [Peter] puts it like this: &#8220;<a href="https://www.motor1.com/features/718121/quad-motor-go-kart-fixes/" target="_blank">the result of [that] extra power, combined with other design flaws, is terror</a>.&#8221; Don&#8217;t worry, no one&#8217;s been hurt or anything, but the kart did break in a few ways that highlighted some problems.</p>
<figure id="attachment_680045" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-680045" style="width: 400px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/kart-updates-inline-g.jpg" target="_blank"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-attachment-id="680045" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/05/21/quad-motor-electric-kart-gets-a-little-too-thrilling/kart-updates-inline-g/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/kart-updates-inline-g.jpg" data-orig-size="1080,1080" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="kart-updates-inline-g" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/kart-updates-inline-g.jpg?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/kart-updates-inline-g.jpg?w=625" class="wp-image-680045 size-medium" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/kart-updates-inline-g.jpg?w=400" alt="" width="400" height="400" srcset="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/kart-updates-inline-g.jpg 1080w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/kart-updates-inline-g.jpg?resize=250,250 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/kart-updates-inline-g.jpg?resize=400,400 400w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/kart-updates-inline-g.jpg?resize=625,625 625w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-680045" class="wp-caption-text">The keyed stainless steel bracket didn&#8217;t stay keyed for long.</figcaption></figure>
<p>One purpose of incremental prototyping is to bring problems to the surface, and it certainly did that. A number of design decisions that were fine on smaller karts showed themselves to be inadequate once the motors had more power.</p>
<p>For one thing, the increased torque meant the motors twisted themselves free from their mountings. The throttle revealed itself to be twitchy with a poor response, and steering didn&#8217;t feel very good. The steering got heavier as speed increased, but it also wanted to jerk all over the place. These are profoundly unwelcome feelings when driving a small and powerful vehicle that lurches into motion as soon as the accelerator is pressed.</p>
<p>Overall, one could say the experience populated the proverbial to-do list quite well. <a href="https://hackaday.com/2024/04/18/diy-quad-motor-go-kart-is-a-thrilling-ride/">The earlier incarnation of [Peter]&#8217;s kart</a> was a thrilling ride, but the challenge of maintaining adequate control over a moving platform serves as a reminder that design decisions that do the job under one circumstance might need revisiting in others.</p>
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	";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:7:{s:0:"";a:7:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:33:"Home Assistant Display Uses E-Ink";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:66:"https://hackaday.com/2024/05/20/home-assistant-display-uses-e-ink/";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:8:"comments";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:74:"https://hackaday.com/2024/05/20/home-assistant-display-uses-e-ink/#respond";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Tue, 21 May 2024 05:00:57 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:8:"category";a:3:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:10:"home hacks";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:4:"eink";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:15:"home automation";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:30:"https://hackaday.com/?p=680040";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:1688:"<div><img width="800" height="451" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ink.png?w=800" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="" style="margin: 0 auto; margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ink.png 800w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ink.png?resize=250,141 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ink.png?resize=400,226 400w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" data-attachment-id="680054" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/05/20/home-assistant-display-uses-e-ink/ink-4/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ink.png" data-orig-size="800,451" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="ink" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ink.png?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ink.png?w=800" /></div>[Markus] grabbed an ESP32 and created a good-looking e-ink dashboard that can act as a status display for Home Automation. However, the hardware is generic enough that it could work <a href="https://hackaday.com/2024/05/20/home-assistant-display-uses-e-ink/" class="read-more">&#8230;read more</a>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:11:"Al Williams";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:40:"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/";a:1:{s:7:"encoded";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:3139:"<div><img width="800" height="451" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ink.png?w=800" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="" style="margin: 0 auto; margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ink.png 800w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ink.png?resize=250,141 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ink.png?resize=400,226 400w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" data-attachment-id="680054" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/05/20/home-assistant-display-uses-e-ink/ink-4/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ink.png" data-orig-size="800,451" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="ink" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ink.png?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ink.png?w=800" /></div><p>[Markus] grabbed an ESP32 and created a <a href="https://markus-haack.com/the-digital-notepad-box-a-diy-e-ink-project/" target="_blank">good-looking e-ink dashboard</a> that can act as a status display for Home Automation. However, the hardware is generic enough that it could work as a weather station or even a task scheduler.</p>
<p>The project makes good use of modules, so there isn&#8217;t much to build. A Waveshare 2.9-inch e-ink panel and an ESP32, along with a power supply, are all you need. The real work is in the <a href="https://github.com/mhaack/home-assistant-config/blob/master/config/esphome/home-display.yaml" target="_blank">software</a>. Of course, you also need a box to put it in, but with 3D printing, that&#8217;s hardly a problem.</p>
<p>Well, it isn&#8217;t a problem unless &#8212; like [Markus] &#8212; you don&#8217;t have a 3D printer. Instead, he built a wooden case that also holds notepaper.</p>
<p>The software uses ESPHome to interface with Home Assistant. There is a fair amount of configuration, but nothing too difficult. Of course, you can customize the display to your heart&#8217;s content. Overall, this is a great example of how a few modular components and some open-source software can combine to make a very simple yet useful project.</p>
<p>There are many ways to use an <a href="https://hackaday.com/2020/05/14/an-esp32-home-automation-swiss-army-knife/">ESP32 in your home automation setup</a>. Maybe you can <a href="https://hackaday.com/2023/02/25/low-power-challenge-keep-plants-green-and-clean-with-e-paper-smart-tags/">salvage the e-ink displays</a>. Just try not to <a href="https://hackaday.com/2015/02/12/ridiculously-complicated-home-automation-made-simple/">get carried away</a>.</p>
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	";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";s:5:"child";a:7:{s:0:"";a:7:{s:5:"title";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:40:"Pi Pico Helps Restring Badminton Rackets";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"link";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:73:"https://hackaday.com/2024/05/20/pi-pico-helps-restring-badminton-rackets/";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:8:"comments";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:82:"https://hackaday.com/2024/05/20/pi-pico-helps-restring-badminton-rackets/#comments";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:7:"pubDate";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:31:"Tue, 21 May 2024 02:00:00 +0000";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:8:"category";a:6:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:12:"Raspberry Pi";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:1;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:9:"badminton";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:2;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:7:"racquet";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:3;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:13:"stepper motor";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:4;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:9:"stringing";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}i:5;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:17:"stringing machine";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:4:"guid";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:30:"https://hackaday.com/?p=679526";s:7:"attribs";a:1:{s:0:"";a:1:{s:11:"isPermaLink";s:5:"false";}}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}s:11:"description";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:3021:"<div><img width="800" height="451" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DIY羽毛球穿線-PicoBETH、Pico-Stringing-Pattern-DIY-badminton-stringing-machine-head-8-18-screenshot-1.png?w=800" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="" style="margin: 0 auto; margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DIY羽毛球穿線-PicoBETH、Pico-Stringing-Pattern-DIY-badminton-stringing-machine-head-8-18-screenshot-1.png 1916w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DIY羽毛球穿線-PicoBETH、Pico-Stringing-Pattern-DIY-badminton-stringing-machine-head-8-18-screenshot-1.png?resize=250,141 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DIY羽毛球穿線-PicoBETH、Pico-Stringing-Pattern-DIY-badminton-stringing-machine-head-8-18-screenshot-1.png?resize=400,225 400w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DIY羽毛球穿線-PicoBETH、Pico-Stringing-Pattern-DIY-badminton-stringing-machine-head-8-18-screenshot-1.png?resize=800,451 800w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DIY羽毛球穿線-PicoBETH、Pico-Stringing-Pattern-DIY-badminton-stringing-machine-head-8-18-screenshot-1.png?resize=1536,866 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" data-attachment-id="679548" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/05/20/pi-pico-helps-restring-badminton-rackets/diy%e7%be%bd%e6%af%9b%e7%90%83%e7%a9%bf%e7%b7%9a-picobeth%e3%80%81pico-stringing-pattern-diy-badminton-stringing-machine-head-8-18-screenshot-1/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DIY羽毛球穿線-PicoBETH、Pico-Stringing-Pattern-DIY-badminton-stringing-machine-head-8-18-screenshot-1.png" data-orig-size="1916,1080" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="DIY羽毛球穿線 (PicoBETH、Pico Stringing Pattern) (DIY badminton stringing machine head) 8-18 screenshot (1)" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DIY羽毛球穿線-PicoBETH、Pico-Stringing-Pattern-DIY-badminton-stringing-machine-head-8-18-screenshot-1.png?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DIY羽毛球穿線-PicoBETH、Pico-Stringing-Pattern-DIY-badminton-stringing-machine-head-8-18-screenshot-1.png?w=800" /></div>Stringing a badminton racquet is a somewhat complicated job. It needs to be done well if the racquet is to perform well and the player is to succeed. To that <a href="https://hackaday.com/2024/05/20/pi-pico-helps-restring-badminton-rackets/" class="read-more">&#8230;read more</a>";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:32:"http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/";a:1:{s:7:"creator";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:9:"Lewin Day";s:7:"attribs";a:0:{}s:8:"xml_base";s:0:"";s:17:"xml_base_explicit";b:0;s:8:"xml_lang";s:0:"";}}}s:40:"http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/";a:1:{s:7:"encoded";a:1:{i:0;a:5:{s:4:"data";s:4523:"<div><img width="800" height="451" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DIY羽毛球穿線-PicoBETH、Pico-Stringing-Pattern-DIY-badminton-stringing-machine-head-8-18-screenshot-1.png?w=800" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="" style="margin: 0 auto; margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DIY羽毛球穿線-PicoBETH、Pico-Stringing-Pattern-DIY-badminton-stringing-machine-head-8-18-screenshot-1.png 1916w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DIY羽毛球穿線-PicoBETH、Pico-Stringing-Pattern-DIY-badminton-stringing-machine-head-8-18-screenshot-1.png?resize=250,141 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DIY羽毛球穿線-PicoBETH、Pico-Stringing-Pattern-DIY-badminton-stringing-machine-head-8-18-screenshot-1.png?resize=400,225 400w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DIY羽毛球穿線-PicoBETH、Pico-Stringing-Pattern-DIY-badminton-stringing-machine-head-8-18-screenshot-1.png?resize=800,451 800w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DIY羽毛球穿線-PicoBETH、Pico-Stringing-Pattern-DIY-badminton-stringing-machine-head-8-18-screenshot-1.png?resize=1536,866 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" data-attachment-id="679548" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/05/20/pi-pico-helps-restring-badminton-rackets/diy%e7%be%bd%e6%af%9b%e7%90%83%e7%a9%bf%e7%b7%9a-picobeth%e3%80%81pico-stringing-pattern-diy-badminton-stringing-machine-head-8-18-screenshot-1/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DIY羽毛球穿線-PicoBETH、Pico-Stringing-Pattern-DIY-badminton-stringing-machine-head-8-18-screenshot-1.png" data-orig-size="1916,1080" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="DIY羽毛球穿線 (PicoBETH、Pico Stringing Pattern) (DIY badminton stringing machine head) 8-18 screenshot (1)" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DIY羽毛球穿線-PicoBETH、Pico-Stringing-Pattern-DIY-badminton-stringing-machine-head-8-18-screenshot-1.png?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DIY羽毛球穿線-PicoBETH、Pico-Stringing-Pattern-DIY-badminton-stringing-machine-head-8-18-screenshot-1.png?w=800" /></div><p>Stringing a badminton racquet is a somewhat complicated job. It needs to be done well if the racquet is to perform well and the player is to succeed. To that end, <a href="https://hackaday.io/project/196163-badminton-stringing-machine-head-picobeth" target="_blank">[kuokuo] built a machine of their own to do that very task.</a> Even better, they&#8217;ve made it open source so other hobbyists can benefit from their work.</p>
<p>The build is named PicoBETH, which stands for Pico Badminton Electronic Tension Head. It&#8217;s based around the Raspberry Pi Pico, as you might imagine. The Pico is charged with controlling the stringing procedure via a stepper motor and lead screw, while using a load cell to measure string tension during the process. A small two-line character LCD serves as the user interface, along with some buttons, LEDs and a buzzer for feedback. The electronic stringing gear is mounted on to a traditional manual drop-weight stringing machine to execute the process faster and more accurately, at least in theory.</p>
<p>Files are on Github for those that wish to explore the build further. <a href="https://hackaday.com/2023/10/12/badminton-string-winder-gets-the-tension-just-right/">It&#8217;s not the first stringing machine we&#8217;ve featured here, either</a>! Video after the break.<br />
<span id="more-679526"></span></p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="DIY羽毛球穿線 (PicoBETH、Pico Stringing Pattern) (DIY badminton stringing machine head)" width="800" height="450" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2QjT0JGiluk?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
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