Hardware Hacking

A Silicon Pin Photo-diode like the VBPW34FAS has been successfully used for the detection of Gamma Radiation and so in theory should also detect Cosmic Rays (Muons).

This new project came about as a way of problem solving issues I've been having with the 20 Tube Detector.

So the aim this project is try and visualise different cosmic ray strikes using a lessor number of tubes and achieve a wider pulse output that is already pre-processed for coincidence that an I/O card like the Arduino or other devices can easily read.

^{Please note, this group of projects are not intended to achieve any significant scientific outcome, other than creating interesting objects that demonstrate the natural radiation and cosmic rays that are all around us and pass through us everyday, but that most people are unaware of their existence.}

I've always thought a low-cost single band Software Defined Radio (SDR) might be used to convert a VHF or UHF FM Radio into an "All Mode" Receiver. Recently I came a across a low cost PLL VHF 174Mhz FM 0.2uV telemetry receiver card on ebay. So I have removed a few component to disconnect the 455khz down converter and FM limiter and then wired in the software defined radio tuned 10.7Mhz into the IF. I'm pleased to report this actually works.

Wikipedia defines a Hackerspace as a physical place where people with common interests in science, technology, digital or electronic art meet to socialise and collaborate.

If you're interested in technology and having a place to go to make stuff and meet other people making stuff in Adelaide come along to a hacksession, or visit the website hackerspace-adelaide.org.au or Facebook Page and join the mail list at Google Group Hackerspace Adelaide.

The ASSA Radio Astronomy Group is a special interest group which I have become a member within the Astronomical Society of South Australia.

The aim of the group is to facilitate and encourage the sharing of skills, ideas, techniques and knowledge resources for people interested in radio astronomy.

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Air-Stream Wireless is a non-profit community group who use wireless in combination with free and open source technologies to deploy a Wide Area Network (WAN) that supports community participation, local content and communications.