This website is entirely dedicated to designing electronics, hardware and software development, and everything related to it. But let me first introduce myself. My name is André, retired for a few years now, and my background lies in designing technical information systems and embedded hardware and software for law enforcement operations. Additionally, as a hobby, I am an HAM radio operator (PA3AJR). This hobby has evolved towards digital communication on the shortwave bands, particularly through RTTY, AMTOR, AX25 WSJT, and FT8. It's not just about technology; I love music, especially progressive pop (particularly YES!), indie, jazz, and classical music. I've also made some attempts to make music myself, but I could have saved myself the trouble. It hasn't brought me much further than a collection of guitars and some tinkering with soft synths, MIDI, etc.
I made the career choice for electronics back in elementary school and never regretted it. It was during that time that the vacuum tube was being replaced by the transistor, quickly followed by a series of other semiconductors and logic circuits. Even then, I was fascinated by everything related to radio, wireless communication, and RF electronics. About ten years later, I was able to make a profession out of it. However, through the 6502 in the Apple II with its expansion cards, the Z80, the MCS48 and MCS51 microcontrollers from Intel, the RISC processors from Atmel, and eventually the ARM processors (especially STM32), I increasingly found myself in the world of programmable logic embedded systems, A second development line you could call is that of the programming languages that coincide with the hardware mentioned above. Initially, it was assembly, Pascal, and PLM, followed by C, C++, Java, and C# for web-based systems.
Regarding applications, I have mainly been involved in R&D law enforcement technology, i.e, terrestrial and satellite positioning (CLS ARGOS, GPS), often linked to miniature event triggering, communication, license plate recognition systems, GIS systems, and AIS applications for enforcement operation in inland and maritime shipping. The love for technology has always remained, although inevitably, the emphasis has increasingly shifted towards establishing (and maintaining) an R&D department and various policy aspects at the interface of crime fighting, legislation, and technology.
On this website and blog, I intend to publish designs regularly in the field of RF, HAM radio, home automation and IoT. Often based on the SOCs of Expressif Systems (ESP8266, ESP32), the RF building blocks of HopeRF (RFM69), and Silicon Labs' EZRadioPro, as well as SDR and DVPs.
It is my intention to assist others in this wonderful field or hobby. This can be done by providing schematics, PCB layouts, Gerbers, source code, etc. I am also open to answering questions, sharing experiences, and guiding others to my own resources. I have my boards made in China, where I usually gather a number of designs and combine them on one PCB. Due to minimum order quantities, I often have some leftovers and may be able to help others get started with them.
Feel free to reach out if you come across something you're interested in.
And just to be clear, everything here on the site is without any commercial interest or profit motive.