Tech

In the Fitch 300 window, this "part 15 FCC compliant FM transmitter" plays the "Timepieces" album 24/7 from an AC-powered MP3 player.  Best heard from a car radio within 2 or 3 blocks.  Transmitter $145.  MP3 player $30.

Two projectors (NEC VT695) are in Fitch 300.  One projecting from an old ELMO, the other from a HP ThinPro t420 running Anti-X Linux and a thumb drive.  Projectors total $75.  Elmo $40.  t420 $10.  Thumb drive $7.

The Si4732 full-band receiver was $90.  This can sync up with EiBi Schedule Service to know what station you're on.  While menu-based, everything can be done easily via the multi-function knob.

90s-era fax machine thrifted in Ames in summer 2026 for $8.  Bought new thermal ribbons for maybe $10.  Hooked it to a $5 router from a thrift store and a $35 Grandstream VOIP device and a dedicated fax number via VoIP.ms (about $12 a year).  This actually works as a fax machine again, but I love the low-fi thermal ribbon printing it does as a copier.

MeshCore is an open-source, lightweight communications protocol designed for decentralized, off-grid networking over low-power LoRa packet radios. Built to operate without internet or cellular infrastructure, it enables long-range text messaging, telemetry, and data sharing across multi-hop links.  There's only a handful of repeaters in Des Moines, none linked as of October 2026, but other parts of the US have great coverage.  The repeater was about $80.

My late father dragged this home more than 40 years ago and never got it working.  I pulled the guts out and resto-modded it with Bluetooth and wired speakers.  It's also home to the Piratebox wifi router.  Not pictured is the crocheted cover by my wife, Ann, for the trashed top veneer.  On the cover sits the Meshcore repeater and MP3 player.  The wood cabinet makes the sound lovely.