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Etherkit, OpenBeacon 2

OpenBeacon Mini Proto PCBs On The Way

Posted on by Jason Milldrum

If you watched my previous Twitch stream, you may have seen that I completed the layout of the first PCB spin of OpenBeacon Mini. Today I ordered the PCBs from DirtyPCBs, along with boards for my low-pass filter module, and more Empyrean boards in anticipation of wider beta testing soon.

I wanted to get these boards to the fab before we started to run into the wall of Chinese New Year (which I seem to do nearly every year). I think I’ve ordered them plenty early, and even paid a bit extra for express shipping, so hopefully they’ll be in-hand around the beginning of February.

In the mean time, I’ll be working on some more coding for the OpenBeacon Mini on my Twitch stream and some other ancillary stuff while I’m waiting for the boards to arrive. Stay tuned for further news on this blog.

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Empyrean, Etherkit

OpenBeacon Mini Proto PCB Layout Complete

Posted on by Jason Milldrum


I managed to finish the layout of the OpenBeacon Mini prototype PCB in KiCad this evening while livestreaming on Twitch. A 3D rendering from KiCad is above. It looks about how I sketched it out and wasn’t too nasty to route, so I got that going for me. So I’ll get on order off to the PCB fab soon. I’d like to get some PCBs completed before Chinese New Year, so I can’t delay very long.

While I’m waiting for my PCBs to be manufactured, there’s still plenty to do. Twitch streaming is kind of nerve-wracking for me yet kind of fun, so I plan to do more. I have a little more gear on the way that will allow me to also Twitch stream from my workbench, so that you can spy over my shoulder there as well. I even have a USB webcam for my microscope so I’ll be able to connect that to Twitch for your viewing pleasure. Stop by sometime on the livestream and chat me up.

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