[chbot] Robotics Group meeting, 5 Idris Rd, 6:30pm, Monday 16 Sept 2024 report

[Mark Atherton]

Hello everyone,

Excellent turnout with 40 attendees, and lots of huddles-of tech-talk. 
$32 + change (in gold, and flat-money) collected and transferred into 
the robotics loose-change jar (for later banking).

All sales from the trading table should go into the brown box on the 
wall, and are directly for the benefit of our host club, Christchurch 
Amateur Radio Club, NZART Branch 05.

Equipment donations are welcome for the trading table, but no CRT based 
product, printers, toner or items that are likely to be a disposal burden.

With thanks on behalf of the group,

Mark Atherton

============

Mark talked about reverse-engineering a 2000s era piece of pro-audio 
equipment and the process of re-writing the firmware using a 
contemporary CPU.

Don Clucas, former CTO of Whisper Tech kindly attended as our guest 
speaker. He gave a talk about the Stirling Engine technology of his 
former company.

Russell gave a talk about MeshTastic (he was snowed in last month). He 
talked about various applications for the technology including 
native-bird-call analysis and monitoring

Michael Glaser talked about his perforated hot water cylinder as well as 
showing off some home-made copper and brass ingots made from this item

William briefly talked about a couple of projects he has been working on 
including an automotive digital clock.

Andy Gardener talked about progress with his latest electric-tractor 
conversion.

Andrew talked about some of his latest pseudo-1940s creations destined 
for his escape-rooms.

Interesting stuff on YouTube

Integration of 10 x two stroke engines - youtube.com/watch?v=KX6FnYgXdHM

Juggle–bot youtube.com/watch?v=CiorGYCZOgk

Reaction-wheel stabilized RC boat youtube.com/watch?v=IlRQ7JQptWA