BADGES? We don’t need no stinking badges!
Members of Workshop 88 makerspace have been involved with hacker conventions and badge culture where they would design, program, fabricate and distribute badges at hacker conventions like THOTCON . These devices were made in 2014 for THOTCON 0X4 These badges each utilize an FS1000A RF transmitter and and XY-MK-5V RF receiver (similar to this ) to build two way radio modem, S11145 UV Sensor , and a Funduino Pro Mini Arduino compatible micro-controller. The THOTCON 0x4 badge project including source code, libraries, PCBs, and documentation is here: https://github.com/Workshop88/thotcon0x4 Since these devices served their purpose eleven years ago and haven’t been touched since, it’s safe to assume this inventory of devices can be hacked and reused. Let’s verify we have everything needed to [re]program one of these. The Arduino Pro Mini is a small Arduino compatible board based on the ATmega328P . It does not have a USB connector so an external serial programmer is required. Fortunately there were two in the box with the badges and the badge crafting team even fabricated a board with pogo pins for in circuit programming without soldering. Programming was as easy as it ever is on the Arduino: Matched the markings on the Funduino to those on the serial board to connect them correctly Found an appropriate USB Mini cable in Workshop88 ‘s eclectic and diverse cable cabinet Downloaded and installed the Arduino IDE on the laptop Ran the Arduino IDE Loaded the Blink example Plugged the serial programmer into the laptop USB Selected the board and COM: port after letting the boards manager and libraries update Compiled and uploaded Enjoyed the satisfying blinking light These Arduinos are are ready to be updated and re-programmed for adaptations of the THOTCON 0x4 badges or in new member projects! If you’re interested in Arduino or hardware hacking or badge culture come visit Workshop 88 at our open house every Thursday from 7:00pm – 9:00pm What will you make at your makerspace? The post BADGES? We don’t need no stinking badges! first appeared on Workshop88 .
