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  27. <title>Tiny Arduino Drone Even Has an FPV Camera</title>
  28. <link>https://hackaday.com/2024/04/29/tiny-arduino-drone-even-has-an-fpv-camera/</link>
  29. <comments>https://hackaday.com/2024/04/29/tiny-arduino-drone-even-has-an-fpv-camera/#comments</comments>
  31. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Lewin Day]]></dc:creator>
  32. <pubDate>Mon, 29 Apr 2024 20:00:03 +0000</pubDate>
  33. <category><![CDATA[drone hacks]]></category>
  34. <category><![CDATA[arduino]]></category>
  35. <category><![CDATA[drone]]></category>
  36. <category><![CDATA[multirotor]]></category>
  37. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://hackaday.com/?p=675577</guid>
  38.  
  39. <description><![CDATA[<div><img width="800" height="451" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/FBYM9FZLVAYYABX-e1714391971921.webp?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/2024/04/FBYM9FZLVAYYABX-e1714391971921.webp 960w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/FBYM9FZLVAYYABX-e1714391971921.webp?resize=250,141 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/FBYM9FZLVAYYABX-e1714391971921.webp?resize=400,225 400w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/FBYM9FZLVAYYABX-e1714391971921.webp?resize=800,451 800w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" data-attachment-id="675616" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/04/29/tiny-arduino-drone-even-has-an-fpv-camera/fbym9fzlvayyabx/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/FBYM9FZLVAYYABX-e1714391971921.webp" data-orig-size="960,541" 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="FBYM9FZLVAYYABX" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/FBYM9FZLVAYYABX-e1714391971921.webp?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/FBYM9FZLVAYYABX-e1714391971921.webp?w=800" /></div>In the turmoil of today&#8217;s world, drones are getting bigger, badder, and angrier. [Max Imagination] has gone the other way with his work, though, building a teeny Arduino drone that <a href="https://hackaday.com/2024/04/29/tiny-arduino-drone-even-has-an-fpv-camera/" class="read-more">&#8230;read more</a>]]></description>
  40. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img width="800" height="451" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/FBYM9FZLVAYYABX-e1714391971921.webp?w=800" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="" style="margin: 0 auto; margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" srcset="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/FBYM9FZLVAYYABX-e1714391971921.webp 960w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/FBYM9FZLVAYYABX-e1714391971921.webp?resize=250,141 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/FBYM9FZLVAYYABX-e1714391971921.webp?resize=400,225 400w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/FBYM9FZLVAYYABX-e1714391971921.webp?resize=800,451 800w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" data-attachment-id="675616" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/04/29/tiny-arduino-drone-even-has-an-fpv-camera/fbym9fzlvayyabx/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/FBYM9FZLVAYYABX-e1714391971921.webp" data-orig-size="960,541" 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="FBYM9FZLVAYYABX" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/FBYM9FZLVAYYABX-e1714391971921.webp?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/FBYM9FZLVAYYABX-e1714391971921.webp?w=800" /></div><p>In the turmoil of today&#8217;s world, drones are getting bigger, badder, and angrier. [Max Imagination] has gone the other way with his work, though, <a href="https://www.instructables.com/Make-a-Tiny-Arduino-Drone-With-FPV-Camera/" target="_blank">building a teeny Arduino drone that can fit in the palm of your hand.</a> Even if you have a small hand!</p>
  41. <p>The drone is based around an Arduino Pro Mini, and uses an MPU6050 IMU for motion sensing and flight control. Communication with the drone is via an NRF24L01. Four small coreless motors are used for propulsion, driven by tiny MOSFETs, and the whole assembly is run via a teeny 220 mAh lithium-polymer battery. Oh, and there&#8217;s an FPV camera so you can put on some goggles and see where it&#8217;s going!</p>
  42. <p>Control is via MultiWii software, written specifically for building multirotor craft. [Max] flies the craft using a controller of his own creation, again using an NRF24L01 for communication.</p>
  43. <p>It&#8217;s a neat build, and a titchy one too! <a href="https://hackaday.com/2019/11/06/tiny-drones-navigate-like-real-bugs/">Tiny drones have a character all their own</a>, even if they can&#8217;t really stand up to windier outdoor environments. Video after the break.</p>
  44. <p><span id="more-675577"></span></p>
  45. <p><iframe title="Make a TINY Arduino Drone with FPV Camera - Will It Fly?" width="800" height="450" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Sa6EslOHsI0?start=1&#038;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>
  46. ]]></content:encoded>
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  59. <title>A CH552G Devboard In Case You Missed It</title>
  60. <link>https://hackaday.com/2024/04/29/a-ch552g-devboard-in-case-you-missed-it/</link>
  61. <comments>https://hackaday.com/2024/04/29/a-ch552g-devboard-in-case-you-missed-it/#comments</comments>
  63. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Arya Voronova]]></dc:creator>
  64. <pubDate>Mon, 29 Apr 2024 18:30:50 +0000</pubDate>
  65. <category><![CDATA[Microcontrollers]]></category>
  66. <category><![CDATA[Parts]]></category>
  67. <category><![CDATA[CH552]]></category>
  68. <category><![CDATA[devboard]]></category>
  69. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://hackaday.com/?p=675492</guid>
  70.  
  71. <description><![CDATA[<div><img width="800" height="450" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/hadimg_ch552_devboard_feat.jpg?w=800" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="The board shown in real life, top and bottom, showing the pinout and alternate functions silkscreened." style="margin: 0 auto; margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/hadimg_ch552_devboard_feat.jpg 1280w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/hadimg_ch552_devboard_feat.jpg?resize=250,141 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/hadimg_ch552_devboard_feat.jpg?resize=400,225 400w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/hadimg_ch552_devboard_feat.jpg?resize=800,450 800w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" data-attachment-id="675495" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/04/29/a-ch552g-devboard-in-case-you-missed-it/hadimg_ch552_devboard_feat/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/hadimg_ch552_devboard_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="hadimg_ch552_devboard_feat" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/hadimg_ch552_devboard_feat.jpg?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/hadimg_ch552_devboard_feat.jpg?w=800" /></div>We might just never get tired of covering cool small cheap MCUs, and CH552G sure fits this description. Just so you know, here&#8217;s a Hackaday.io project you should check out <a href="https://hackaday.com/2024/04/29/a-ch552g-devboard-in-case-you-missed-it/" class="read-more">&#8230;read more</a>]]></description>
  72. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img width="800" height="450" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/hadimg_ch552_devboard_feat.jpg?w=800" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="The board shown in real life, top and bottom, showing the pinout and alternate functions silkscreened." style="margin: 0 auto; margin-bottom: 15px;" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/hadimg_ch552_devboard_feat.jpg 1280w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/hadimg_ch552_devboard_feat.jpg?resize=250,141 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/hadimg_ch552_devboard_feat.jpg?resize=400,225 400w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/hadimg_ch552_devboard_feat.jpg?resize=800,450 800w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" data-attachment-id="675495" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/04/29/a-ch552g-devboard-in-case-you-missed-it/hadimg_ch552_devboard_feat/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/hadimg_ch552_devboard_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="hadimg_ch552_devboard_feat" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/hadimg_ch552_devboard_feat.jpg?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/hadimg_ch552_devboard_feat.jpg?w=800" /></div><p>We might just never get tired of covering cool small cheap MCUs, and CH552G sure fits this description. Just so you know, here&#8217;s a Hackaday.io project you should check out &#8211; <a href="https://hackaday.io/project/195790-ch552g-dev-board" target="_blank">a CH552G devboard</a> that&#8217;s as simple as it sufficient, in case you needed a tangible reminder that this chip exists, has a lively community, and is very much an option for your projects.</p>
  73. <p>The devboard design by [Dylan Turner] is so straightforward, it&#8217;s almost inspiring &#8211; a square of PCB with the chip in the center and plenty of empty space for your mods. <a href="https://github.com/blueOkiris/ch552g-dev-board/" target="_blank">Everything is open-source</a> with <a href="https://github.com/blueOkiris/ch552g-dev-board/tree/main/pcb" target="_blank">KiCad sources stored on GitHub.</a> The most lovely aspect of this board, no doubt, is having the pin mapping written on the bottom, with all the alternate pin functions &#8211; you won&#8217;t have to constantly glance at the datasheet while wiring this one up. Plus, of course, there&#8217;s the microUSB port for programming, and the programming mode button that a few CH552 projects tend to lack.</p>
  74. <p>It&#8217;s simple, it&#8217;s self-documenting, it&#8217;s breadboardable, and it&#8217;s definitely worth putting into the shopping cart at your PCB fab of choice. Oh, and there are bringup instructions on GitHub, in case you need them. Whether you want to prototype <a href="https://hackaday.com/2023/05/29/macro-pad-cheap-enough-to-give-away/">the cheapest macropad</a> or <a href="https://hackaday.com/2024/02/29/a-full-keyboard-for-5/">keyboard</a> ever, or perhaps <a href="https://hackaday.com/2024/01/09/a-compact-smd-reflow-hotplate-powered-by-usb-pd/">a reflow hotplate,</a> the CH552 delivers. If these CH552 projects aren&#8217;t enough to light your fire, here are<a href="https://hackaday.com/2023/03/03/all-the-usb-you-can-do-with-a-ch552/"> a dozen more.</a></p>
  75. ]]></content:encoded>
  77. <wfw:commentRss>https://hackaday.com/2024/04/29/a-ch552g-devboard-in-case-you-missed-it/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
  78. <slash:comments>5</slash:comments>
  81. <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">675492</post-id>
  82. <media:thumbnail url="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/hadimg_ch552_devboard_feat.jpg" />
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  84. <media:title type="html">hadimg_ch552_devboard_feat</media:title>
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  86. </item>
  87. <item>
  88. <title>Upgrade Your Test Probes</title>
  89. <link>https://hackaday.com/2024/04/29/upgrade-your-test-probes/</link>
  90. <comments>https://hackaday.com/2024/04/29/upgrade-your-test-probes/#comments</comments>
  92. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Williams]]></dc:creator>
  93. <pubDate>Mon, 29 Apr 2024 17:00:14 +0000</pubDate>
  94. <category><![CDATA[Hackaday Columns]]></category>
  95. <category><![CDATA[Tool Hacks]]></category>
  96. <category><![CDATA[multimeter probes]]></category>
  97. <category><![CDATA[probes]]></category>
  98. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://hackaday.com/?p=675359</guid>
  99.  
  100. <description><![CDATA[<div><img width="766" height="625" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/probe1.png?w=766" 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/2024/04/probe1.png 1722w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/probe1.png?resize=250,204 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/probe1.png?resize=400,326 400w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/probe1.png?resize=766,625 766w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/probe1.png?resize=1536,1253 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 766px) 100vw, 766px" data-attachment-id="675367" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/04/29/upgrade-your-test-probes/probe1/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/probe1.png" data-orig-size="1722,1405" 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="probe1" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;HF Back Probes with protective tip covers on.&lt;/p&gt;
  101. " data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/probe1.png?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/probe1.png?w=766" /></div>One of the most basic tools for tinkering with electronics is a multimeter. Today, even a cheap meter has capabilities that would have been either very expensive or unobtainable back <a href="https://hackaday.com/2024/04/29/upgrade-your-test-probes/" class="read-more">&#8230;read more</a>]]></description>
  102. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img width="766" height="625" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/probe1.png?w=766" 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/2024/04/probe1.png 1722w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/probe1.png?resize=250,204 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/probe1.png?resize=400,326 400w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/probe1.png?resize=766,625 766w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/probe1.png?resize=1536,1253 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 766px) 100vw, 766px" data-attachment-id="675367" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/04/29/upgrade-your-test-probes/probe1/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/probe1.png" data-orig-size="1722,1405" 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="probe1" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;HF Back Probes with protective tip covers on.&lt;/p&gt;
  103. " data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/probe1.png?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/probe1.png?w=766" /></div><p>One of the most basic tools for tinkering with electronics is a multimeter. Today, even a cheap meter has capabilities that would have been either very expensive or unobtainable back in the 1970s. Still, even then, a meter was the most affordable way to do various tasks around the shop. Is this cable open? Are these two wires shorted? What&#8217;s the value of this resistor? Is the circuit getting power? Is the line voltage dropping? You can answer all those questions &#8212; and many more &#8212; with a basic meter. But there&#8217;s one thing that hasn&#8217;t changed much over the years: probes. That&#8217;s a shame because there are a lot of useful options.</p>
  104. <p>The probes that came with your meter probably have much in common with the probes a 1970-era meter had. Yeah, the banana plugs probably have a little plastic cover, and the plastic itself might be a little different. Parts are small these days, so the tips might be a little finer than older probes. But if you sent your probes back in time, few people would notice them.</p>
  105. <h2>The Blinders Syndrome</h2>
  106. <p>One problem is that those probes are usually good enough. We&#8217;ve all clipped an alligator clip to a test probe. I&#8217;ve even fashioned super pointy probes out of syringes. Years ago, I bought an expensive kit with many attachments I rarely use, like little hooks and spade lugs. Then, I happened to go down the wrong aisle at Harbor Freight.</p>
  107. <figure id="attachment_675368" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-675368" style="width: 400px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><a href="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/probe2.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-attachment-id="675368" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/04/29/upgrade-your-test-probes/probe2-3/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/probe2.png" data-orig-size="2381,1196" 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="probe2" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Back probes ready for action&lt;/p&gt;
  108. " data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/probe2.png?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/probe2.png?w=800" class="wp-image-675368 size-medium" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/probe2.png?w=400" alt="" width="400" height="201" srcset="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/probe2.png 2381w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/probe2.png?resize=250,126 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/probe2.png?resize=400,201 400w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/probe2.png?resize=800,402 800w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/probe2.png?resize=1536,772 1536w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/probe2.png?resize=2048,1029 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-675368" class="wp-caption-text">Back probes ready for action.</figcaption></figure>
  109. <p>In the automotive section, I noticed a tidy plastic box labeled &#8220;22 pc. back probe kit.&#8221; I&#8217;d never heard the term &#8220;back probe,&#8221; but it was clearly some sort of wire. It turns out the kit has a bunch of very fine needles on banana jacks and some patch cables to connect them to your meter.</p>
  110. <p>They are &#8220;back probes&#8221; because you can jam them in the back of connectors next to the wire. There are five colors of needles, and each color set has three items: a straight needle, a bent needle, and a 90-degree bend needle.</p>
  111. <p>I&#8217;d never heard of this, and that started me down the rabbit hole of looking at what other exotic probes were out there. If you search the usual sources for &#8220;back probe,&#8221; you&#8217;ll see plenty of variations. There are also tons of inexpensive probe kits with many useful tips for different situations. Like everything, the price was much lower than I had paid for the rarely used kit I bought years ago. The only thing I really use out of that kit are the test hook clips and you can buy those now for a few bucks that just push over your probes.</p>
  112. <h2>Choices</h2>
  113. <figure id="attachment_675370" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-675370" style="width: 250px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/wire.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-attachment-id="675370" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/04/29/upgrade-your-test-probes/wire-8/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/wire.png" data-orig-size="2461,1401" 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="wire" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Wire-piercing probe works best for larger wires.&lt;/p&gt;
  114. " data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/wire.png?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/wire.png?w=800" class="size-thumbnail wp-image-675370" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/wire.png?w=250" alt="" width="250" height="142" srcset="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/wire.png 2461w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/wire.png?resize=250,142 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/wire.png?resize=400,228 400w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/wire.png?resize=800,455 800w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/wire.png?resize=1536,874 1536w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/wire.png?resize=2048,1166 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-675370" class="wp-caption-text">Wire-piercing probe works best for larger wires.</figcaption></figure>
  115. <p>You could probably use the needles to stick through insulation, too. But if that&#8217;s your goal, they make piercing clip test probes specifically for that purpose. A little plastic holder has a hook for your wire and a needle that threads in to penetrate the wire.</p>
  116. <figure id="attachment_675369" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-675369" style="width: 250px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><a href="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/gator.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-attachment-id="675369" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/04/29/upgrade-your-test-probes/gator/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/gator-e1714225446812.png" data-orig-size="1616,592" 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="gator" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;These alligator clips fit over most probes.&lt;/p&gt;
  117. " data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/gator-e1714225446812.png?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/gator-e1714225446812.png?w=800" class="wp-image-675369 size-thumbnail" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/gator-e1714225446812.png?w=250" alt="" width="250" height="92" srcset="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/gator-e1714225446812.png 1616w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/gator-e1714225446812.png?resize=250,92 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/gator-e1714225446812.png?resize=400,147 400w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/gator-e1714225446812.png?resize=800,293 800w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/gator-e1714225446812.png?resize=1536,563 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-675369" class="wp-caption-text">These alligator clips fit over most probes.</figcaption></figure>
  118. <p>I also picked up some little alligator clips that slide over standard 2mm probe tips. These are very handy and prevent you from having to clip a lead to your probe so you can clip the other end to the circuit. However, if you look for a &#8220;test lead kit,&#8221; you&#8217;ll find many options for about $20. One kit had interchangeable probe tips, alligator clips, spades, SMD tweezers, and tiny hooks for IC legs. The alligator clips on the one I bought are the newer style that has a solid insulating body &#8212; not the cheap rubbery covers. They feel better and are easier to handle, too.</p>
  119. <h2>Breadboarding</h2>
  120. <figure id="attachment_675372" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-675372" style="width: 400px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/acc.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-attachment-id="675372" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/04/29/upgrade-your-test-probes/acc-2/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/acc.jpg" data-orig-size="3404,1999" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.85&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Pixel 7&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1714205891&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;6.81&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;157&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.030769&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="acc" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Some of the accessories in the test probe kit.&lt;/p&gt;
  121. " data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/acc.jpg?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/acc.jpg?w=800" class="wp-image-675372 size-medium" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/acc.jpg?w=400" alt="" width="400" height="235" srcset="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/acc.jpg 3404w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/acc.jpg?resize=250,147 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/acc.jpg?resize=400,235 400w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/acc.jpg?resize=800,470 800w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/acc.jpg?resize=1536,902 1536w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/acc.jpg?resize=2048,1203 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-675372" class="wp-caption-text">Some of the accessories in the test probe kit.</figcaption></figure>
  122. <p>Of course, you can <a href="https://hackaday.com/2024/04/16/recycling-wires-for-breadboarding/">make your own solderless breadboard jumpers</a>, and you&#8217;ve probably seen that you can buy jumpers of various kinds. But if you search, you can even find test probes with breadboard wire ends. The other end will terminate in a test hook or alligator clips. You can also get them with banana plugs on the end to plug right into your meter. You can usually find versions with the male pin for a breadboard or a female receptacle for connecting to pins.</p>
  123. <p>Of course, we love <a href="https://hackaday.com/2015/08/24/breadboards-go-to-pot/">hacking components to fit on breadboards</a>. We&#8217;ve also seen <a href="https://hackaday.com/2023/06/26/dentist-tool-hardware-inspires-non-slip-probe-tips/">custom slip-on adapters</a>, which are worth checking out if you are looking to up your probe game.</p>
  124. ]]></content:encoded>
  126. <wfw:commentRss>https://hackaday.com/2024/04/29/upgrade-your-test-probes/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
  127. <slash:comments>8</slash:comments>
  130. <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">675359</post-id>
  131. <media:thumbnail url="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/probe1.png" />
  132. <media:content url="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/probe1.png" medium="image">
  133. <media:title type="html">probe1</media:title>
  134. </media:content>
  135.  
  136. <media:content url="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/probe2.png?w=400" medium="image" />
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  138. <media:content url="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/wire.png?w=250" medium="image" />
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  140. <media:content url="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/gator-e1714225446812.png?w=250" medium="image" />
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  142. <media:content url="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/acc.jpg?w=400" medium="image" />
  143. </item>
  144. <item>
  145. <title>Make 3D Scenes With a Holodeck-Like Voice Interface</title>
  146. <link>https://hackaday.com/2024/04/29/make-3d-scenes-with-a-holodeck-like-voice-interface/</link>
  147. <comments>https://hackaday.com/2024/04/29/make-3d-scenes-with-a-holodeck-like-voice-interface/#comments</comments>
  149. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Donald Papp]]></dc:creator>
  150. <pubDate>Mon, 29 Apr 2024 15:30:06 +0000</pubDate>
  151. <category><![CDATA[Artificial Intelligence]]></category>
  152. <category><![CDATA[Virtual Reality]]></category>
  153. <category><![CDATA[3d]]></category>
  154. <category><![CDATA[holodeck]]></category>
  155. <category><![CDATA[voice control]]></category>
  156. <category><![CDATA[vr]]></category>
  157. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://hackaday.com/?p=675285</guid>
  158.  
  159. <description><![CDATA[<div><img width="800" height="450" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VoxelAstra.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/2024/04/VoxelAstra.png 2408w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VoxelAstra.png?resize=250,141 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VoxelAstra.png?resize=400,225 400w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VoxelAstra.png?resize=800,450 800w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VoxelAstra.png?resize=1536,864 1536w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VoxelAstra.png?resize=2048,1152 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" data-attachment-id="675288" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/04/29/make-3d-scenes-with-a-holodeck-like-voice-interface/voxelastra-2/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VoxelAstra.png" data-orig-size="2408,1355" 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="VoxelAstra" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VoxelAstra.png?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VoxelAstra.png?w=800" /></div>The voice interface for the holodeck in Star Trek had users create objects by saying things like &#8220;create a table&#8221; and &#8220;now make it a metal table&#8221; and so forth, <a href="https://hackaday.com/2024/04/29/make-3d-scenes-with-a-holodeck-like-voice-interface/" class="read-more">&#8230;read more</a>]]></description>
  160. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img width="800" height="450" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VoxelAstra.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/2024/04/VoxelAstra.png 2408w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VoxelAstra.png?resize=250,141 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VoxelAstra.png?resize=400,225 400w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VoxelAstra.png?resize=800,450 800w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VoxelAstra.png?resize=1536,864 1536w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VoxelAstra.png?resize=2048,1152 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" data-attachment-id="675288" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/04/29/make-3d-scenes-with-a-holodeck-like-voice-interface/voxelastra-2/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VoxelAstra.png" data-orig-size="2408,1355" 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="VoxelAstra" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VoxelAstra.png?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VoxelAstra.png?w=800" /></div><p>The voice interface for the holodeck in <em>Star Trek</em> had users create objects by saying things like &#8220;create a table&#8221; and &#8220;now make it a metal table&#8221; and so forth, all with immediate feedback. This kind of interface may have been pure fantasy at the time of airing, but with the advent of AI and LLMs (large language models) this kind of natural language interface is coming together almost by itself.</p>
  161. <p><a href="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VoxelAstra.gif" target="_blank"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-attachment-id="675287" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/04/29/make-3d-scenes-with-a-holodeck-like-voice-interface/voxelastra/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VoxelAstra.gif" data-orig-size="480,480" 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="VoxelAstra" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VoxelAstra.gif?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VoxelAstra.gif?w=480" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-675287" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VoxelAstra.gif?w=400" alt="" width="400" height="400" /></a>A fun demonstration of that is [Dominic Pajak]&#8217;s demo project called <a href="https://github.com/8bitkick/8bitkick.github.io/tree/master/VoxelAstra#voxelastra" target="_blank">VoxelAstra</a>. This is a WebXR demo that works both in the Meta Quest 3 VR headset (just go to <a href="https://8bitkick.github.io/VoxelAstra/" target="_blank">the demo page</a> in the headset&#8217;s web browser) as well as on desktop.</p>
  162. <p>The catch is that since the program uses OpenAI APIs on the back end, one must provide a working OpenAI API key. Otherwise, the demo won&#8217;t be able to do anything. Providing one&#8217;s API key to someone&#8217;s web page isn&#8217;t terribly good security practice, but there&#8217;s also the option of running the demo locally.</p>
  163. <p>Either way, once the demo is up and running the user simply tells the system what to create. Just keep it simple. It&#8217;s a fun and educational demo more than anything and will try to do its work with primitive shapes like spheres, cubes, and cylinders. &#8220;Build a snowman&#8221; is suggested as a good starting point.</p>
  164. <p>Intrigued by what you see and getting ideas of your own? WebXR can be a great way to give those ideas some life and looking at how someone else did something similar is a fine way to begin. Check out another of [Dominic]&#8217;s WebXR projects: <a href="https://hackaday.com/2024/04/14/the-bbc-micro-lovingly-simulated-in-vr/">a simulated BBC Micro, in VR</a>.</p>
  165. ]]></content:encoded>
  167. <wfw:commentRss>https://hackaday.com/2024/04/29/make-3d-scenes-with-a-holodeck-like-voice-interface/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
  168. <slash:comments>2</slash:comments>
  171. <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">675285</post-id>
  172. <media:thumbnail url="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VoxelAstra.png" />
  173. <media:content url="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VoxelAstra.png" medium="image">
  174. <media:title type="html">VoxelAstra</media:title>
  175. </media:content>
  176.  
  177. <media:content url="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VoxelAstra.gif?w=400" medium="image" />
  178. </item>
  179. <item>
  180. <title>VAR Is Ruining Football, and Tech Is Ruining Sport</title>
  181. <link>https://hackaday.com/2024/04/29/var-is-ruining-football-and-tech-is-ruining-sport/</link>
  182. <comments>https://hackaday.com/2024/04/29/var-is-ruining-football-and-tech-is-ruining-sport/#comments</comments>
  184. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Lewin Day]]></dc:creator>
  185. <pubDate>Mon, 29 Apr 2024 14:00:41 +0000</pubDate>
  186. <category><![CDATA[Current Events]]></category>
  187. <category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
  188. <category><![CDATA[Misc Hacks]]></category>
  189. <category><![CDATA[Original Art]]></category>
  190. <category><![CDATA[assessment]]></category>
  191. <category><![CDATA[football]]></category>
  192. <category><![CDATA[technology]]></category>
  193. <category><![CDATA[var]]></category>
  194. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://hackaday.com/?p=675004</guid>
  195.  
  196. <description><![CDATA[<div><img width="800" height="484" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VAR.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/2024/04/VAR.jpg 3000w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VAR.jpg?resize=250,151 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VAR.jpg?resize=400,242 400w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VAR.jpg?resize=800,484 800w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VAR.jpg?resize=1536,929 1536w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VAR.jpg?resize=2048,1239 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" data-attachment-id="675629" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/04/29/var-is-ruining-football-and-tech-is-ruining-sport/var-3/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VAR.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;1&quot;}" data-image-title="VAR" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VAR.jpg?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VAR.jpg?w=800" /></div>Another week in football, another VAR controversy to fill the column inches and rile up the fans. If you missed it, Coventry scored a last-minute winner in extra time in <a href="https://hackaday.com/2024/04/29/var-is-ruining-football-and-tech-is-ruining-sport/" class="read-more">&#8230;read more</a>]]></description>
  197. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img width="800" height="484" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VAR.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/2024/04/VAR.jpg 3000w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VAR.jpg?resize=250,151 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VAR.jpg?resize=400,242 400w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VAR.jpg?resize=800,484 800w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VAR.jpg?resize=1536,929 1536w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VAR.jpg?resize=2048,1239 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" data-attachment-id="675629" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/04/29/var-is-ruining-football-and-tech-is-ruining-sport/var-3/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VAR.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;1&quot;}" data-image-title="VAR" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VAR.jpg?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VAR.jpg?w=800" /></div><figure id="attachment_675012" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-675012" style="width: 400px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-attachment-id="675012" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/04/29/var-is-ruining-football-and-tech-is-ruining-sport/1280px-var_system_logo-svg/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/1280px-VAR_System_Logo.svg_.png" data-orig-size="1480,1000" 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="1280px-VAR_System_Logo.svg" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;The symbol of all that is wrong with football.&lt;/p&gt;
  198. " data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/1280px-VAR_System_Logo.svg_.png?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/1280px-VAR_System_Logo.svg_.png?w=800" class="size-medium wp-image-675012" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/1280px-VAR_System_Logo.svg_.png?w=400" alt="" width="400" height="270" srcset="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/1280px-VAR_System_Logo.svg_.png 1480w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/1280px-VAR_System_Logo.svg_.png?resize=250,169 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/1280px-VAR_System_Logo.svg_.png?resize=400,270 400w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/1280px-VAR_System_Logo.svg_.png?resize=800,541 800w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-675012" class="wp-caption-text"><em>The symbol of all that is wrong with football.</em></figcaption></figure>
  199. <p>Another week in football, another VAR controversy to fill the column inches and rile up the fans. If you missed it, Coventry scored a <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-13336073/VAR-Aaron-Wan-Bissaka-Man-United-FA-Cup.html" target="_blank">last-minute winner</a> in extra time in a crucial match—an FA Cup semi-final. Only, oh wait—computer says no. VAR ruled Haji Wright was offside, and the goal was disallowed. Coventry fans screamed that the system got it wrong, but no matter. Man United went on to win and dreams were forever dashed.</p>
  200. <p>Systems like the Video Assistant Referee were brought in to make sport fairer, with the aim that they would improve the product and leave fans and competitors better off. And yet, years later, with all this technology, we find ourselves up in arms more than ever.</p>
  201. <p>It&#8217;s my sincere belief that technology is killing sport, and the old ways were better. Here&#8217;s why.<span id="more-675004"></span></p>
  202. <h2>The Old Days</h2>
  203. <figure id="attachment_675014" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-675014" style="width: 400px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-attachment-id="675014" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/04/29/var-is-ruining-football-and-tech-is-ruining-sport/1200px-2009-3-14_manutd_vs_lfc_ronaldo_freekick_back/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/1200px-2009-3-14_ManUtd_vs_LFC_Ronaldo_Freekick_Back.jpg" data-orig-size="1200,798" 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="1200px-2009-3-14_ManUtd_vs_LFC_Ronaldo_Freekick_Back" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Moments like these came down to the people on the pitch. Credit: Sdo216, CC BY-SA 3.0&lt;/p&gt;
  204. " data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/1200px-2009-3-14_ManUtd_vs_LFC_Ronaldo_Freekick_Back.jpg?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/1200px-2009-3-14_ManUtd_vs_LFC_Ronaldo_Freekick_Back.jpg?w=800" class="size-medium wp-image-675014" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/1200px-2009-3-14_ManUtd_vs_LFC_Ronaldo_Freekick_Back.jpg?w=400" alt="" width="400" height="266" srcset="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/1200px-2009-3-14_ManUtd_vs_LFC_Ronaldo_Freekick_Back.jpg 1200w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/1200px-2009-3-14_ManUtd_vs_LFC_Ronaldo_Freekick_Back.jpg?resize=250,166 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/1200px-2009-3-14_ManUtd_vs_LFC_Ronaldo_Freekick_Back.jpg?resize=400,266 400w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/1200px-2009-3-14_ManUtd_vs_LFC_Ronaldo_Freekick_Back.jpg?resize=800,532 800w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-675014" class="wp-caption-text"><em>Moments like these came down to the people on the pitch. Credit: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:2009-3-14_ManUtd_vs_LFC_Ronaldo_Freekick_Back.JPG#/media/File:2009-3-14_ManUtd_vs_LFC_Ronaldo_Freekick_Back.JPG" target="_blank">Sdo216</a>, CC BY-SA 3.0</em></figcaption></figure>
  205. <p>For hundreds of years, we adjudicated sports the same way. The relevant authority nominated some number of umpires or referees to control the game. The head referee was the judge, jury, and executioner as far as rules were concerned. Players played to the whistle, and a referee&#8217;s decision was final. Whatever happened, happened, and the game went on.</p>
  206. <p>It was not a perfect system. Humans make mistakes. Referees would make bad calls. But at the end of the day, when the whistle blew, the referee&#8217;s decision carried the day. There was no protesting it—you had to suck it up and move on.</p>
  207. <p>This worked fine until the advent of a modern evil—the instant replay. Suddenly, stadiums were full of TV cameras that captured the play from all angles. Now and then, it would become obvious that a referee had made a mistake, with television stations broadcasting incontrovertible evidence to thousands of viewers across the land. A ball at Wimbledon was in, not out. A striker was on side prior to scoring. Fans started to groan and grumble. This wasn&#8217;t good enough!</p>
  208. <p>And yet, the system hung strong. As much as it pained the fans to see a referee screw over their favored team, there was nothing to be done. The referee&#8217;s call was still final. Nobody could protest or overrule the call. The decision was made, the whistle was blown. The game rolled on.</p>
  209. <p>Then somebody had a bright idea. Why don&#8217;t we use these cameras and all this video footage, and use it to double check the referee&#8217;s work? Then, there&#8217;ll never be a problem—any questionable decision can be reviewed outside of the heat of the moment. There&#8217;ll never be a bad call again!</p>
  210. <p>Oh, what a beautiful solution it seemed. And it ruined everything.</p>
  211. <h2>The Villain, VAR</h2>
  212. <figure id="attachment_675015" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-675015" style="width: 400px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-attachment-id="675015" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/04/29/var-is-ruining-football-and-tech-is-ruining-sport/var_avar/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VAR_AVAR.jpg" data-orig-size="830,404" 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="VAR_AVAR" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;The assistant video assistant referees are charged with monitoring various aspects of the game and reporting to the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). The VAR then reports to the referee on the ground, who may overturn a decision, hold firm, or look at the footage themself on a pitchside display.&lt;/p&gt;
  213. " data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VAR_AVAR.jpg?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VAR_AVAR.jpg?w=800" class="size-medium wp-image-675015" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VAR_AVAR.jpg?w=400" alt="" width="400" height="195" srcset="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VAR_AVAR.jpg 830w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VAR_AVAR.jpg?resize=250,122 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VAR_AVAR.jpg?resize=400,195 400w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VAR_AVAR.jpg?resize=800,389 800w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-675015" class="wp-caption-text"><em>The assistant video assistant referees are charged with monitoring various aspects of the game and reporting to the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). The VAR then reports to the referee on the ground, who may overturn a decision, hold firm, or look at the footage themself on a pitchside display. Credit: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:VAR_AVAR.jpg" target="_blank">Niko4it, CC BY-SA 4.0</a></em></figcaption></figure>
  214. <p>Enter the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). The system was supposed to bring fairness and accuracy to a game fraught with human error. The Video Assistant Referee was an official that would help guide the primary referee&#8217;s judgement based on available video evidence. They would be fed information from a cadre of Assistant Video Assistant Referees (AVARs) who sat in the stadium behind screens, reviewing the game from all angles. No, I didn&#8217;t make that second acronym up.</p>
  215. <p>It was considered a technological marvel. So many cameras, so many views, so much slow-mo to pour over. The assembed VAR team would look into everything from fouls to offside calls. The information would be fed to the main referee on the pitch, and they could refer to a pitchside video replay screen if they needed to see things with their own eyes.</p>
  216. <figure id="attachment_675010" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-675010" style="width: 400px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-attachment-id="675010" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/04/29/var-is-ruining-football-and-tech-is-ruining-sport/colo-colo_v_palestino_20200128_03/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Colo-Colo_v_Palestino_20200128_03.jpg" data-orig-size="1024,849" 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="Colo-Colo_v_Palestino_20200128_03" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;A VAR screen mounted on the pitch for the main referee to review as needed.&lt;/p&gt;
  217. " data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Colo-Colo_v_Palestino_20200128_03.jpg?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Colo-Colo_v_Palestino_20200128_03.jpg?w=754" class="size-medium wp-image-675010" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Colo-Colo_v_Palestino_20200128_03.jpg?w=400" alt="" width="400" height="332" srcset="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Colo-Colo_v_Palestino_20200128_03.jpg 1024w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Colo-Colo_v_Palestino_20200128_03.jpg?resize=250,207 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Colo-Colo_v_Palestino_20200128_03.jpg?resize=400,332 400w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Colo-Colo_v_Palestino_20200128_03.jpg?resize=754,625 754w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-675010" class="wp-caption-text"><em>A VAR screen mounted on the pitch for the main referee to review as needed. Credit: <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Carlos_yo"title="User:Carlos yo"  target="_blank">Carlos Figueroa</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Colo-Colo_v_Palestino_20200128_03.jpg" target="_blank">CC BY-SA 4.0</a></em></figcaption></figure>
  218. <p>The key was that VAR was to be an assistive tool. It was to guide the primary referee, who still had the final call at the end of the day.</p>
  219. <p>You&#8217;d be forgiven for thinking that giving a referee more information to do their job would be a good thing.  Instead, the system has become a curse word in the mouths of fans, and a scourge on football&#8217;s good name.</p>
  220. <p>From its introduction, VAR began to pervert the game of football. Fans were soon decrying the system&#8217;s failures, as <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-06/ffa-reveal-reasons-behind-var-controversy-a-league-grand-final/9732640?pfmredir=sm" target="_blank">entire championships fell the wrong way</a> due to unreliability in VAR systems. Assistant referees were told to hold their offside calls to let the video regime take over. Players were quickly chided for demanding video reviews time and again. New rules would see yellow cards issued for players desperately making &#8220;TV screen&#8221; gestures <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47149484" target="_blank">in an attempt to see a rivals goal overturned</a>. Their focus wasn&#8217;t on the game, but on gaming the system in charge of it.</p>
  221. <figure id="attachment_675011" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-675011" style="width: 400px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-attachment-id="675011" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/04/29/var-is-ruining-football-and-tech-is-ruining-sport/1200px-var_decision/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/1200px-VAR_decision.jpg" data-orig-size="1200,900" 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="1200px-VAR_decision" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Fans and players are so often stuck waiting for the penny to drop that celebrations lose any momentum they might have had.&lt;/p&gt;
  222. " data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/1200px-VAR_decision.jpg?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/1200px-VAR_decision.jpg?w=800" class="size-medium wp-image-675011" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/1200px-VAR_decision.jpg?w=400" alt="" width="400" height="300" srcset="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/1200px-VAR_decision.jpg 1200w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/1200px-VAR_decision.jpg?resize=250,188 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/1200px-VAR_decision.jpg?resize=400,300 400w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/1200px-VAR_decision.jpg?resize=800,600 800w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-675011" class="wp-caption-text"><em>Fans and players are so often stuck waiting for the penny to drop that celebrations lose any momentum they might have had. Credit: Rlwjones, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:VAR_decision.jpg" target="_blank">CC BY-SA 4.0</a></em></figcaption></figure>
  223. <p>VAR achieves one thing with brutal technological efficiency: it sucks the life out of the game. The spontaneity of celebrating a goal is gone. Forget running to the stands, embracing team mates, and punching the air in sweet elation. Instead, so many goals now lead to minute-long reviews while the referee consults with those behind the video screens and reviews the footage. Fans sit in a stunted silence, sitting in the dreaded drawn-out suspense of &#8220;goal&#8221; or &#8220;no goal.&#8221;</p>
  224. <p>The immediacy and raw emotion of the game has been shredded to pieces. Instead of jumping in joy, fans and players sit waiting for a verdict from an unseen, remote official. The communal experience of instant joy or despair is muted by the system&#8217;s mere presence. What was once a straightforward game now feels like a courtroom drama where every play can be contested and overanalyzed.</p>
  225. <p>It&#8217;s not just football where this is a problem, either. Professional cricket is now weighed down with microphone systems to listen out for the slightest snick of bat on ball. Tennis, weighed down by radar reviews of line calls. The interruptions never cease—because it&#8217;s in every player&#8217;s interest to whip out the measuring tape whenever it would screw over their rival. The more technology, the more reviews are made, and the further we get from playing out the game we all came to see.</p>
  226. <h2>Making Things Right</h2>
  227. <figure id="attachment_675016" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-675016" style="width: 400px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-attachment-id="675016" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/04/29/var-is-ruining-football-and-tech-is-ruining-sport/1200px-baldomero_toledo_checks_var_-_seattle_sounders_vs-_sporting_kansas_city/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/1200px-Baldomero_Toledo_checks_VAR_-_Seattle_Sounders_vs._Sporting_Kansas_City.jpg" data-orig-size="1200,840" 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="1200px-Baldomero_Toledo_checks_VAR_-_Seattle_Sounders_vs._Sporting_Kansas_City" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Enough of this nonsense! Blow the whistle and move on.&lt;/p&gt;
  228. " data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/1200px-Baldomero_Toledo_checks_VAR_-_Seattle_Sounders_vs._Sporting_Kansas_City.jpg?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/1200px-Baldomero_Toledo_checks_VAR_-_Seattle_Sounders_vs._Sporting_Kansas_City.jpg?w=800" class="size-medium wp-image-675016" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/1200px-Baldomero_Toledo_checks_VAR_-_Seattle_Sounders_vs._Sporting_Kansas_City.jpg?w=400" alt="" width="400" height="280" srcset="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/1200px-Baldomero_Toledo_checks_VAR_-_Seattle_Sounders_vs._Sporting_Kansas_City.jpg 1200w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/1200px-Baldomero_Toledo_checks_VAR_-_Seattle_Sounders_vs._Sporting_Kansas_City.jpg?resize=250,175 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/1200px-Baldomero_Toledo_checks_VAR_-_Seattle_Sounders_vs._Sporting_Kansas_City.jpg?resize=400,280 400w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/1200px-Baldomero_Toledo_checks_VAR_-_Seattle_Sounders_vs._Sporting_Kansas_City.jpg?resize=800,560 800w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-675016" class="wp-caption-text"><em>Enough of this nonsense! Blow the whistle and move on. Credit: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Baldomero_Toledo_checks_VAR_-_Seattle_Sounders_vs._Sporting_Kansas_City.jpg" target="_blank">SounderBruce</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Baldomero_Toledo_checks_VAR_-_Seattle_Sounders_vs._Sporting_Kansas_City.jpg" target="_blank">CC BY-SA 4.0</a></em></figcaption></figure>
  229. <p>With so much footage to review, and so many layers of referees involved, VAR can only slow football down. There&#8217;s no point trying to make it faster or trying to make it better. The correct call is to scrap it entirely.</p>
  230. <p>As it stands, good games of football are being regularly interrupted by frustrating video checks. Even better games are being ruined when the VAR system fails or a bad call still slips through. Moments of jubilant celebration are all too often brought to naught when someone&#8217;s shoelace was thought to be a whisker&#8217;s hair ahead of someone&#8217;s pinky toe in a crucial moment of the game.</p>
  231. <p>Yes, bad calls will happen. Yes, these will frustrate the fans. But they will frustrate them far less than the current way of doing things. It&#8217;s my experience that fans get over a bad call far faster when it&#8217;s one ref and and a whistle. When it&#8217;s four referees, sixteen camera angles, and a bunch of lines on the video screen? They&#8217;ll rage for days that this mountain of evidence suggests their team was ripped off. They won&#8217;t get over it. They&#8217;ll moan about it for years.</p>
  232. <p>Let the referees make the calls. Refereeing is an art form. A good referee understands the flow of the game, and knows when to let the game breathe versus when to assert control. This subtle art is being lost to the halting interruptions of the video inspection brigade.</p>
  233. <p>Football was better before. They were fools to think they could improve it by measuring it to the nth degree. Scrap VAR, scrap the interruptions. Put it back on the referees on the pitch, and let the game flow.</p>
  234. ]]></content:encoded>
  236. <wfw:commentRss>https://hackaday.com/2024/04/29/var-is-ruining-football-and-tech-is-ruining-sport/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
  237. <slash:comments>37</slash:comments>
  240. <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">675004</post-id>
  241. <media:thumbnail url="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VAR.jpg" />
  242. <media:content url="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VAR.jpg" medium="image">
  243. <media:title type="html">VAR</media:title>
  244. </media:content>
  245.  
  246. <media:content url="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/1280px-VAR_System_Logo.svg_.png?w=400" medium="image" />
  247.  
  248. <media:content url="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/1200px-2009-3-14_ManUtd_vs_LFC_Ronaldo_Freekick_Back.jpg?w=400" medium="image" />
  249.  
  250. <media:content url="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VAR_AVAR.jpg?w=400" medium="image" />
  251.  
  252. <media:content url="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Colo-Colo_v_Palestino_20200128_03.jpg?w=400" medium="image" />
  253.  
  254. <media:content url="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/1200px-VAR_decision.jpg?w=400" medium="image" />
  255.  
  256. <media:content url="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/1200px-Baldomero_Toledo_checks_VAR_-_Seattle_Sounders_vs._Sporting_Kansas_City.jpg?w=400" medium="image" />
  257. </item>
  258. <item>
  259. <title>Farewell MFJ</title>
  260. <link>https://hackaday.com/2024/04/29/farewell-mfj/</link>
  261. <comments>https://hackaday.com/2024/04/29/farewell-mfj/#comments</comments>
  263. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Al Williams]]></dc:creator>
  264. <pubDate>Mon, 29 Apr 2024 11:00:47 +0000</pubDate>
  265. <category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
  266. <category><![CDATA[ham radio]]></category>
  267. <category><![CDATA[mfj]]></category>
  268. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://hackaday.com/?p=675430</guid>
  269.  
  270. <description><![CDATA[<div><img width="800" height="308" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/mfj.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/2024/04/mfj.png 800w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/mfj.png?resize=250,96 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/mfj.png?resize=400,154 400w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" data-attachment-id="675436" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/04/29/farewell-mfj/mfj/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/mfj.png" data-orig-size="800,308" 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="mfj" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/mfj.png?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/mfj.png?w=800" /></div>We were sad to hear that after 52 years in operation, iconic ham radio supplier MFJ will close next month. On the one hand, it is hard not to hear <a href="https://hackaday.com/2024/04/29/farewell-mfj/" class="read-more">&#8230;read more</a>]]></description>
  271. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img width="800" height="308" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/mfj.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/2024/04/mfj.png 800w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/mfj.png?resize=250,96 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/mfj.png?resize=400,154 400w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" data-attachment-id="675436" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/04/29/farewell-mfj/mfj/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/mfj.png" data-orig-size="800,308" 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="mfj" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/mfj.png?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/mfj.png?w=800" /></div><p>We were sad to hear that after 52 years in operation, iconic ham radio supplier MFJ will close next month. On the one hand, it is hard not to hear such news and think that it is another sign that ham radio isn&#8217;t in a healthy space. After all, in an ideal world, [Martin Jue] &#8212; the well-known founder of MFJ &#8212; would have found an anxious buyer. Not only is the MFJ line of ham radio gear well regarded, but [Martin] had bought other ham radio-related companies over the years, such as Ameritron, Hygain, Cushcraft, Mirage, and Vectronics. Now, they will all be gone, too.</p>
  272. <p>However, on a deeper reflection, maybe we shouldn&#8217;t see it as another nail in ham radio&#8217;s coffin. It is this way in every industry. There was a time when it was hard to imagine ham radio without, say, Heathkit. Yet they left, and the hobby continued. We could name a slew of other iconic companies that had their day: Eico, Hammarlund, Hallicrafters, and more. They live on at hamfests, their product lines are frozen in time, and we&#8217;re sure we&#8217;ll see a used market for MFJ gear well into the next century.</p>
  273. <p><span id="more-675430"></span></p>
  274. <p>Maybe you aren&#8217;t a ham and wonder why you would care. Turns out MFJ made things of interest to anyone who worked with RF transmitting or receiving. If you were a shortwave listener, they had antennas and related gear for you. They also made antenna analyzers and network analyzers that were very cost-effective compared to other options. If you wanted clean power supplies, MFJ had quite the selection of those. They even had a great selection of variable capacitors and inductors, which are tough to find in small quantities. You could even get air-wound coil stock, knobs, meters, and toroids.</p>
  275. <p>Sure, most of what they sold was things only hams or other radio operators wanted—that was the nature of the company. But their loss will be felt by more than just the ham community. Someone, of course, will step into the void as they always do.</p>
  276. <p>So farewell MFJ. We will miss you, but we look forward to meeting your replacement, whoever that might be. While you can spend a lot of money on ham radio, you <a href="https://hackaday.com/tag/the-50-ham/">can get started for $50 or less</a>. Oddly, we haven&#8217;t directly featured much MFJ gear on Hackaday over the years, but we have <a href="https://hackaday.com/2019/10/07/raspberry-pi-ham-radio-remote-reviewed/">mentioned a few</a>.</p>
  277. ]]></content:encoded>
  279. <wfw:commentRss>https://hackaday.com/2024/04/29/farewell-mfj/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
  280. <slash:comments>18</slash:comments>
  283. <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">675430</post-id>
  284. <media:thumbnail url="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/mfj.png" />
  285. <media:content url="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/mfj.png" medium="image">
  286. <media:title type="html">mfj</media:title>
  287. </media:content>
  288. </item>
  289. <item>
  290. <title>DIY Passive Radar System Verifies ADS-B Transmissions</title>
  291. <link>https://hackaday.com/2024/04/29/diy-passive-radar-system-verifies-ads-b-transmissions/</link>
  292. <comments>https://hackaday.com/2024/04/29/diy-passive-radar-system-verifies-ads-b-transmissions/#comments</comments>
  294. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Bryan Cockfield]]></dc:creator>
  295. <pubDate>Mon, 29 Apr 2024 08:00:21 +0000</pubDate>
  296. <category><![CDATA[Radio Hacks]]></category>
  297. <category><![CDATA[ads-b]]></category>
  298. <category><![CDATA[aircraft]]></category>
  299. <category><![CDATA[antenna]]></category>
  300. <category><![CDATA[passive radar]]></category>
  301. <category><![CDATA[radar]]></category>
  302. <category><![CDATA[radio]]></category>
  303. <category><![CDATA[reference]]></category>
  304. <category><![CDATA[sdr]]></category>
  305. <category><![CDATA[software-defined radio]]></category>
  306. <category><![CDATA[yagi]]></category>
  307. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://hackaday.com/?p=675426</guid>
  308.  
  309. <description><![CDATA[<div><img width="800" height="442" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/radar-main.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/2024/04/radar-main.png 1449w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/radar-main.png?resize=250,138 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/radar-main.png?resize=400,221 400w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/radar-main.png?resize=800,442 800w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" data-attachment-id="675440" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/04/29/diy-passive-radar-system-verifies-ads-b-transmissions/radar-main/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/radar-main.png" data-orig-size="1449,800" 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="radar-main" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/radar-main.png?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/radar-main.png?w=800" /></div>Like most waves in the electromagnetic spectrum, radio waves tend to bounce off of various objects. This can be frustrating to anyone trying to use something like a GMRS or <a href="https://hackaday.com/2024/04/29/diy-passive-radar-system-verifies-ads-b-transmissions/" class="read-more">&#8230;read more</a>]]></description>
  310. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img width="800" height="442" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/radar-main.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/2024/04/radar-main.png 1449w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/radar-main.png?resize=250,138 250w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/radar-main.png?resize=400,221 400w, https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/radar-main.png?resize=800,442 800w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" data-attachment-id="675440" data-permalink="https://hackaday.com/2024/04/29/diy-passive-radar-system-verifies-ads-b-transmissions/radar-main/" data-orig-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/radar-main.png" data-orig-size="1449,800" 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="radar-main" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/radar-main.png?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/radar-main.png?w=800" /></div><p>Like most waves in the electromagnetic spectrum, radio waves tend to bounce off of various objects. This can be frustrating to anyone trying to use something like a GMRS or LoRa radio in a dense city, for example, but these reflections can also be exploited for productive use as well, most famously by radar. Radar has plenty of applications such as weather forecasting and various military uses. With some software-defined radio tools, it&#8217;s also possible to use radar for <a href="https://github.com/30hours/blah2" target="_blank">tracking aircraft in real-time at home like this DIY radar system</a>.</p>
  311. <p>Unlike active radar systems which use a specific radio source to look for reflections, this system is a passive radar system that uses radio waves already present in the environment to track objects. A reference antenna is used to listen to the target frequency, and in this installation, a nine-element Yagi antenna is configured to listen for reflections. The radio waves that each antenna hears are sent through a computer program that compares the two to identify the reflections of the reference radio signal heard by the Yagi.</p>
  312. <p>Even though a system like this doesn&#8217;t include any high-powered active elements, it still takes a considerable chunk of computing resources and some skill to identify the data presented by the software. [Nathan] aka [30hours] gives a fairly thorough overview of the system which can even recognize helicopters from other types of aircraft, and also uses the ADS-B monitoring system as a sanity check. Radar can be used to monitor other vehicles as well, like <a href="https://hackaday.com/2023/01/17/take-a-deep-dive-into-a-commodity-automotive-radar-chip/">this 24 GHz radar module</a> found in some modern passenger vehicles.</p>
  313. <p><span id="more-675426"></span></p>
  314. <p><iframe loading="lazy" title="Real time passive radar at home" width="800" height="450" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FF2n28qoTQM?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>
  315. ]]></content:encoded>
  317. <wfw:commentRss>https://hackaday.com/2024/04/29/diy-passive-radar-system-verifies-ads-b-transmissions/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
  318. <slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
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