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Hack A Day (5 unread)

Automatic telephone recorder

Posted: March 2nd, 2010, 3:19pm MST by Mike Szczys

[James Bond] types and those suffering from a hefty dose of paranoia can now record all telephone conversations. [Trax] built this module that monitors the phone line and starts recording when a handset is picked up. A computer does the actual recording, triggered by the microcontroller via a USB connection. We like the use of an [...]
FanWing is like a harvester in the sky

Posted: March 2nd, 2010, 2:19pm MST by Mike Szczys

The FanWing aircraft concept has been around for a while but this is the first time we’ve seen working models. It gets rid of the propeller and adopts a rotating cylinder for propulsion. The look reminds us of a combine harvester and in a way it does reap the air, pulling the craft through the [...]
Hacking space without profit or secrecy

Posted: March 2nd, 2010, 12:17pm MST by Mike Szczys

Reader [Jacob] tipped us off about a project the aims to make the final frontier open source. The mission of the Copenhagen Suborbitals is to launch a man into space. What they’re not interested in is turning a profit, carrying hazmat or weapons, or keeping what they learn to themselves. Surprisingly enough, isn’t this the next [...]
Smart flash synchronization

Posted: March 2nd, 2010, 11:01am MST by Mike Szczys

[Max] designed this circuit to add smart flash synchronization to his photography arsenal. He did this because ‘dumb’ TTL based flashes won’t play nicely with more sophisticated systems like the Nikon Advanced Wireless Lighting. By building a microcontroller into the mechanism, he’s added functionality for several different scenarios, ensuring that he’ll never again have problems [...]
Portable Squeezebox with serial

Posted: March 2nd, 2010, 7:00am MST by Jakob Griffith

The Squeezbox media streaming systems are compact Linux WiFi enabled radios that let you stream your collection anywhere,so long as you have an AC or USB outlet nearby. But [Achim Sack] wanted to stream his collection from anywhere with no wires attached (translation). Some poking and prodding revealed a connector actually designed for a battery [...]