This is a home for the projects that accumulate around a workbench: old equipment given new jobs, radio experiments, small fabrication problems, and software written because the hardware needed it.
Documented buildRotaryCell
RotaryCell converts a traditional rotary telephone into a self-contained, battery-powered cellular phone while preserving its original dial, handset, ringer, wiring, and case.
The conversion is reversible and requires no drilling or cutting. Dedicated carrier and audio boards make the documented build repeatable.
- Places and receives cellular calls.
- Uses the original rotary dial, handset, switch-hook, and mechanical bell.
- Runs from a rechargeable 21700 cell.
- Includes a complete illustrated build guide, wiring overview, board files, firmware, and printable mounts.
Current: Multiple phones are operational with the custom carrier and Audio/Reset boards. The complete illustrated build guide is available online.Latest update: September 25, 2026
Field experimentsMeshCore / LoRa
Long-range, low-power mesh networking experiments using portable nodes and solar-powered repeaters.
Current interests include practical coverage, antenna placement, power budgets, mapping, and equipment that can remain unattended.
Current: Long-range mesh networking, antenna placement, mapping, and unattended solar node experiments.No Project Log entries yet.
N1RDUAmateur Radio
Station notes, radio projects, repair work, antennas, and experiments under the call sign N1RDU.
This section will collect the useful details that otherwise end up in notebooks, folders, and half-remembered conversations.
Current: Station, antenna, radio, and repair projects.No Project Log entries yet.
Flight projectsDrones
Multirotor and fixed-wing aircraft, control systems, repairs, flight testing, and the inevitable collection of spare propellers.
This section will cover individual builds, useful modifications, camera and radio equipment, and lessons learned in the field.
Current: Multirotor and fixed-wing builds, repairs, and flight testing.No Project Log entries yet.
Workshop tool3D Printing
Functional parts, brackets, enclosures, repair pieces, and prototypes made when the right part either does not exist or takes too long to buy.
Models, printer changes, material notes, and the more useful finished pieces will gradually be collected here.
Current: Functional parts, enclosures, prototypes, and printer projects.No Project Log entries yet.
