Uploaded January 2024 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
James originally intended to make a video about a tool that he calls a "State Mode Logic Analyzer." One of the core components of that project is the RP2040 microcontroller from Raspberry Pi and its programmable IO (PIO) modules.
However, getting the RP2040s to work on the custom-made PCBs that James designed turned out to be a chore. So, for this episode, he shares soldering RP2040 (QFN) techniques, easy-to-solder parts for RP2040 designs, and what to debug when turning on custom microcontroller boards. After all, how hard could it be to make a custom RP2040 PCB?
Discuss the episode, questions James's design choices, and ask him questions on the element14 Community! bit.ly/3HqKMz6
Article: The Myth of Three Capacitor Values - bit.ly/3SoXtRx
Workbench Wednesdays - Why You Need a Raspberry Pi Pico Development Board by Shabaz: bit.ly/47B4R0s
Engage with the element14 presents team on the element14 Community - suggest builds, find project files, and see behind the scenes video: bit.ly/3tmdewv
Visit the element14 Community for more great activities and free hardware: bit.ly/3q6YMpu
Tech Spotlights: bit.ly/3qPrDhM
RoadTest and Reviews: bit.ly/3pV5Bux
Project14: bit.ly/31wbnJY
#0:00 Welcome to element14 presents
#0:36 Overview
#2:41 Power and Decoupling
#3:56 Program and Debugger
#5:02 Boot and Reset Buttons
#6:17 Turn-On
#12:06 Give Your Feedback
#raspberrypi #raspberrypiprojects #pcbdesign #pcbdesigning #debugger #debugging #rp2040 #raspberrypipico #microcontroller #microcontrollers
James originally intended to make a video about a tool that he calls a "State Mode Logic Analyzer." One of the core components of that project is the RP2040 microcontroller from Raspberry Pi and its programmable IO (PIO) modules.
However, getting the RP2040s to work on the custom-made PCBs that James designed turned out to be a chore. So, for this episode, he shares soldering RP2040 (QFN) techniques, easy-to-solder parts for RP2040 designs, and what to debug when turning on custom microcontroller boards. After all, how hard could it be to make a custom RP2040 PCB?
Discuss the episode, questions James's design choices, and ask him questions on the element14 Community! bit.ly/3HqKMz6
Article: The Myth of Three Capacitor Values - bit.ly/3SoXtRx
Workbench Wednesdays - Why You Need a Raspberry Pi Pico Development Board by Shabaz: bit.ly/47B4R0s
Engage with the element14 presents team on the element14 Community - suggest builds, find project files, and see behind the scenes video: bit.ly/3tmdewv
Visit the element14 Community for more great activities and free hardware: bit.ly/3q6YMpu
Tech Spotlights: bit.ly/3qPrDhM
RoadTest and Reviews: bit.ly/3pV5Bux
Project14: bit.ly/31wbnJY
#0:00 Welcome to element14 presents
#0:36 Overview
#2:41 Power and Decoupling
#3:56 Program and Debugger
#5:02 Boot and Reset Buttons
#6:17 Turn-On
#12:06 Give Your Feedback
#raspberrypi #raspberrypiprojects #pcbdesign #pcbdesigning #debugger #debugging #rp2040 #raspberrypipico #microcontroller #microcontrollers
![PID Controllers & ROS on Raspberry Pi for Beginners – PlatypusBot Upgrade
In this episode, Milos upgrades his open-source PlatypusBot into Perry the PlatypusBot, transforming a simple Arduino-based rover into a full ROS2-powered robotics platform. He explains how the motor encoders work, implements PID control for precise movement, and connects an Arduino Uno R4 WiFi to a Raspberry Pi 4B running ROS2 Humble for real-time command and control. With a 3D-printed fedora and a name inspired by community feedback, Perry now moves, turns, and responds to ROS commands, laying the groundwork for future additions like sensors, LIDAR, and SLAM: https://bit.ly/4hXD40Z
#ArduinoRobotics #RaspberryPiProjects #DIYRobotBuild
[01:24]-Inspecting the Motor
[06:52]-Electronics
[08:45]-PID Controllers
[12:48]-Arduino IDE
[18:01]-Robot Operating System-ROS
[23:49]-Programming in ROS2
[31:52]-Meet Perry the PlatyousBot!
[32:37]-Testing
Engage with the element14 presents team on the element14 Community - suggest builds, find project files and behind the scenes video: https://bit.ly/3tmdewv
Visit the element14 Community for more great activities and free hardware:
Tech spotlights: https://bit.ly/3qPrDhM
RoadTest and Reviews: https://bit.ly/3pV5Bux
Project14: https://bit.ly/31wbnJY PID Controllers & ROS on Raspberry Pi for Beginners – PlatypusBot Upgrade](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Lh4VZpy7In4/mqdefault.jpg)


![Building a Real Star Trek Communicator Badge with an ESP32-S3 & SIM800L
Clem Mayer builds a real working communicator inspired by classic sci-fi — a handheld badge that actually makes phone calls. Powered by an ESP32-S3 and a SIM800L GSM module, this device bridges retro design with modern engineering. From 3D printing the conductive case to debugging AT commands in Arduino, Clem walks through every step of creating a fully functional 2G cell phone disguised as a lost-era communicator: https://bit.ly/4ooLTmK
#ArduinoProjects #GSMModule #SciFiBuild
[01:42]-Parts
[03:57]-Schematic
[11:08]-The Enclosure
[12:15]-The code
[16:51]-Touch Revision
[17:52]-Bodges & Fixes
[19:10]-The Demo
Engage with the element14 presents team on the element14 Community - suggest builds, find project files and behind the scenes video: https://bit.ly/3tmdewv
Visit the element14 Community for more great activities and free hardware:
Tech spotlights: https://bit.ly/3qPrDhM
RoadTest and Reviews: https://bit.ly/3pV5Bux
Project14: https://bit.ly/31wbnJY Building a Real Star Trek Communicator Badge with an ESP32-S3 & SIM800L](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/MViCY2kCaDQ/mqdefault.jpg)
![Build a Smart 3D Printer Cabinet with Raspberry Pi & Node-RED
In this project, Milos builds a mobile smart cabinet for his 3D printer, filament dryer, tools, and filament storage, combining workshop organisation with safety and monitoring. The cabinet uses a Raspberry Pi and Raspberry Pi Pico to control relays, measure power consumption with current transformers, and monitor temperature and humidity using DHT22 sensors. All data is published over MQTT and visualised in a Node-RED dashboard, with remote power control and live camera monitoring. The result is a practical upgrade for any 3D printing workspace, showing how electronics, software, and physical design can come together to create a safer and more controlled printing setup: https://bit.ly/45a7M1I
#3DPrinterProjects #RaspberryPi #SmartWorkshop
[03:05] - Lets Make the Cabinet!
[05:18] - Time to Make It Smart!
[06:26] - Electronics
[10:52] - Software
[13:12] - Bench Test
[15:33] - Final Assembly
[16:54] - The Project is Complete!
Engage with the element14 presents team on the element14 Community - suggest builds, find project files and behind the scenes video: https://bit.ly/3tmdewv
Visit the element14 Community for more great activities and free hardware:
Tech spotlights: https://bit.ly/3qPrDhM
RoadTest and Reviews: https://bit.ly/3pV5Bux
Project14: https://bit.ly/31wbnJY Build a Smart 3D Printer Cabinet with Raspberry Pi & Node-RED](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/MyEaWIZV7Wg/mqdefault.jpg)
![Emulating a Speech Synthesis Chip with an ESP32
In this episode, Mark revives a 40-year-old speech synthesizer project based on the SP0256 chip, originally built for early home computers like the VIC-20 and Atari. After testing the original hardware with an Arduino Uno, he also explores a modern rebuild using the ESP32 and a software-based emulator, showing how vintage voice tech can still be enjoyed today with accessible tools: https://bit.ly/4knqGba
#retrotech #SP0256 #esp32projects
[02:03] Circuit Schematics
[04:43] Coding with Arduino
[06:59] Emulating with ESP32
[11:15] Listening to the 80s
Engage with the element14 presents team on the element14 Community - suggest builds, find project files and behind the scenes video: https://bit.ly/3tmdewv
Visit the element14 Community for more great activities and free hardware:
Tech spotlights: https://bit.ly/3qPrDhM
RoadTest and Reviews: https://bit.ly/3pV5Bux
Project14: https://bit.ly/31wbnJY Emulating a Speech Synthesis Chip with an ESP32](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/N9ufAeUhoKI/mqdefault.jpg)



![DIY Talking Photo Frame Using ESP32 | Halloween Hack
Mark builds a motion-activated “haunted painting” using an ESP32, a MAX98357 I²S audio board, and a PIR motion sensor to make a framed photo whisper or talk when someone walks by. The project is simple to wire, fits neatly inside a photo frame, and can be customized for Halloween, cosplay, or even pranks. Mark walks through the full build—from cutting the frame and soldering components to programming the ESP32 in Arduino—so you can easily recreate it. Perfect for anyone wanting to mix art, electronics, and a bit of Halloween mischief: https://bit.ly/46S7hL4
[01:59]-The Schematics
[02:48]-The Layout
[09:42]-Soldering
[14:41]-PIR Sensor
[15:54]-Programming
[20:05]-ThE DeMo
#ESP32 #HalloweenProject #DIYElectronics
Be sure to check out and get involved with our Halloween Hackathon! Create, Scare, Win! https://bit.ly/46X4JLO
Engage with the element14 presents team on the element14 Community - suggest builds, find project files and behind the scenes video: https://bit.ly/3tmdewv
Visit the element14 Community for more great activities and free hardware:
Tech spotlights: https://bit.ly/3qPrDhM
RoadTest and Reviews: https://bit.ly/3pV5Bux
Project14: https://bit.ly/31wbnJY DIY Talking Photo Frame Using ESP32 | Halloween Hack](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/OZVRLqzADUQ/mqdefault.jpg)
![Can you Hack a LEGO train with Bluetooth??
Lorraine hacks a Bluetooth-controlled LEGO train in this week’s episode of element14 Presents, mounting a track system to the ceiling of her home. She integrates CircuitPython, a Seeed XIAO board, NeoPixels, and a spinning LIDAR sensor to detect walls and control the train’s movement. The video covers setup, track planning, component integration, and a ground-level test before moving the build to its final ceiling-mounted location. Watch to see how it performs and get the full build details, code, and parts list on the element14 Community: https://bit.ly/4eBeYHB
[01:17]-The Plan
[02:40]-Equipment
[04:25]-Setting up the XIAO
[07:04]-Setting up the LIDAR
[09:44]-Testing
#LEGOTrainHack #DIYElectronics #lidar
Engage with the element14 presents team on the element14 Community - suggest builds, find project files and behind the scenes video: https://bit.ly/3tmdewv
Visit the element14 Community for more great activities and free hardware:
Tech spotlights: https://bit.ly/3qPrDhM
RoadTest and Reviews: https://bit.ly/3pV5Bux
Project14: https://bit.ly/31wbnJY Can you Hack a LEGO train with Bluetooth??](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/OnCJ5IJVGZY/mqdefault.jpg)