Hack Like Heck: Bald Engineer

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Name: baldengineer

Element14 Community member since: July 6, 2011

element14 Content (reviews, content on other blogs, comments, etc.)

Blog at baldengineer.com

YouTube Channel: AddOhms

More about the contestant:

Hi Everyone! I’m James, but most engineers know me as “the Bald Engineer.”

I’m excited to enter the Hack like Heck competition. You can see my audition video here. As I mention there, I already started my build blog, so check out my first entry.

At least once a week I’ll post an update on my build status there. Basically, I’m going to build using a Pi 3, buttons from a SNES(-like) controller, and mill the enclosure in plastic. I have some 3d printer stuff in mind too!

Again, please check out my build blog. I’d love comments on things I should try or helpful hints on problems I’m going to run into!

How did you first get into electronics?

When I was in high school, the TI-85 was the fashionable new calculator. However, the TI-Link cable which connected it to a PC cost over $100. I found plans on a BBS that showed how to make an adapter for about $5 in parts. I soldered and sold them to classmates for $20 each.

What would you say is your best content?

There are two pieces of content that I think show the range of my work.

The first is my MOSFET Tutorial Video. I skipped the science lesson and explained how to read a datasheet to design a transistor switch.

The second is a tutorial I wrote on using MQTT to communicate between Pi, Arduino/ESP8266, and PC. Also, I’m proud of the picture I made for that post. I drew a simple graphic in MacPaint on my Macintosh SE. I liked the irony of using a classic computer to show the image of a modern IoT technology.

What are some of your favorite projects?

The TI-85 clock change, which was also my first ever hack! I learned that an RC oscillator generated the Z80's clock. So by changing the capacitor, you could change the clock speed. I charged my classmates $25 for that service. However, once zshell came out, nobody cared about speeding up the processor anymore.

My favorite “recent” (not when I was a kid) project is my Binary Clock. The electronics are very simple. It’s a custom Arduino Uno with a Real-Time-Clock and a LED driver. It displays time in BCD. I’m proud of that project for two reasons:

1. It was my first laser cut project and
2. It was my first, of many, embedded Arduino projects. The laser cutting was nerve-racking. I had never used a CNC machine before. For that enclosure, I had to send it to an online service for the cuts. To save money and time, I learned how to model the pieces in CAD to make sure the cuts came back right on the first try. (My process is different now that I have my own laser cutter.)

What inspired you to audition?

Friends, colleagues, and my current fans inspired me. The day the contest was announced, I woke up to 3 text messages asking if I was going to enter. So I had some motivation and strong support early-on. Once I read I had the chance to meet the show's crew, I was in!

Why do you want to Hack Like Heck?

I like the challenge. My nerd passions in life are electronics, teaching, and creating videos. I love the idea of trying to build something crazy, teach something about engineering along the way, and create an awesome video about it all at the same time.

Are you hoping to be "the next Ben Heck”?

I cannot replace Ben. Nor can I be him. But I continue the spirit and spark (get it, sparks, ha ha) he created in our community. I will still Hack like Heck, even if I don't win!

Want to know more? Ask in the comments below and tag baldengineer !