Weekly roundup
Hey hackers! Here’s what’s happening this week
We've got exciting hardware updates, fresh PCB designs, and some serious RF innovations ahead. Whether you're building your first ESP32 project or diving into advanced signal intelligence, we've got something for everyone.
PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
Featured Projects & Hardware Builds
Check out these three standout projects from the Cypher lab. Each one pushes the boundaries of what's possible with affordable, open-source hardware.
Project Starbeam ADVANCED
The ultimate ESP32 signal intelligence platform with 5 radio modules and custom 4-layer PCB. Features modular RF configurations and HackRF integration for 6GHz coverage.
ESP32-WROOM-32D + 5x NRF24/CC1101 modules
Custom 4-layer PCB | 1MHz-6GHz range
Applications: SIGINT, tactical ops, forensicsMulti-radio configuration (NRF24 + CC1101)
HackRF One integration for extended range
Custom PCB with professional-grade design
Signal analysis, generation & manipulation
Cypher 5G Deauther
Check out these three standout projects from the Cypher lab. Each one pushes the boundaries of what's possible with affordable, open-source hardware.
Dual-band WiFi deauth device using RTL8720DN (BW16) with custom SSD1306 display integration. One of the few projects supporting both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands.
RTL8720DN (BW16) | SSD1306 128x64 display
2.4GHz + 5GHz support | Custom PCB available
Open-source with display library fixes
True dual-band operation (2.4 + 5GHz)
Fixed Adafruit SSD1306 compatibility
Fully editable code (no .bin files)
Compact, portable design
Member spotlight
Meet Dave – just a guy who makes weird stuff.
Dave aka Cypher is the creator of Little Hakr. I took the non-traditional path to becoming a Software/Electronics Engineer, and now run a multi-layered tech company. I focus on product development, AI & automation services, and much more. Educating people about my craft is what keeps me going!
"I never knew I'd fall in love with electronics. The discovery, endless possibilities, and constant innovation have completely captivated me."
Training tips
Getting Started in Electronics - From Zero to Hero
Your First Steps: Start with an Arduino Uno and some basic components - LEDs, resistors, and a breadboard. Learn to blink an LED, read sensors, and control motors. This foundation is crucial before jumping into RF work or custom PCBs.
Level Up Gradually: Once you're comfortable with Arduino basics, move to ESP32 development boards. They're more powerful and have built-in WiFi/Bluetooth, but the programming concepts are similar. Practice with simple projects like web servers or sensor networks.
Start Learning
Arduino Coding for Absolute Beginners
Think coding is just for computer science majors? Think again. Arduino programming is actually one of the easiest ways to learn coding because you get instant physical feedback - LEDs light up, motors spin, sensors respond.
The Beautiful Simplicity: Arduino code has just two main parts: setup() (runs once when powered on) and loop() (runs forever). That's it. No complex frameworks or overwhelming syntax - just straightforward instructions that make things happen in the real world.
Start with the Basics: Your first program should literally just blink an LED. It teaches you the core concepts: digital outputs, delays, and the loop structure. From there, move to reading button presses (digital inputs) and controlling brightness (analog outputs). Each concept builds on the last.
Common Beginner Mistakes:
Forgetting semicolons (Arduino will tell you)
Not understanding the difference between
digitalRead()andanalogRead()Trying to cram everything into one massive function instead of breaking it into smaller pieces
Not using the serial monitor for debugging (seriously,
Serial.println()is your best friend)Sign up to volunteer
Check Out My Communities!
Interested in learning more about Hacker Hardware? Join my Hacker Hardware Club, for courses, community, resources & more!
Want to learn more about AI in a fun, chill way? Join my wife & I at the AI Flow Club! Lots of awesome resources to get started with AI & automation!
That's it for this week.
Keep building, keep experimenting — and as always, code with curiosity! ⚡️🔧
Little Hakr
