A hub for the Maker community in Salem to connect / learn / create!
FIRST TUESDAY SOCIAL - MARCH (featured image: Gary working on a COB light) 11 people attended (including a first time visitor) We talked about the large collection of electronic parts that Microportal has been sharing at their meetings (aka, 'The Dragon Hoard'), and talked about how to use pulse-width modulation to dim some of the … Continue reading March 2022 wrap-up
Investigated / decided on new bank (MaPS Credit Union) re fees, services, and accessibility, starting in March.Standing agenda item to discuss in-person meetups and/or resuming hunt for physical facilities: First step is resuming physical Social meetups. Between Omicron and cold weather, stuck with virtual First Tuesday Social meetings for Jan/Feb/March. Considering physical meetup at April … Continue reading Dec 2021 – Feb 2022 Spark Board Summary
In the virtual 1st Tuesday for January, a participant talked extensively about his experience assembling a 3d printable micro jib (https://www.myminifactory.com/object/3d-print-micro-jib-181909). 12 attended virtual 1st Tuesday for February, including a few new faces. Our friends in the Microportal Electronics Club received a large donation of a retired Las Vegas repair tech's collection of parts, which … Continue reading January / February 2022 wrap-up
Let there be chairs and light - Spark Solar Trailer Trailer update - New 12v solar charge controller feeding two 105Ah batteries, 3000w pure-sine inverter, tested with 7A power saw (dimmed light). Prompted discussion about how to partition power for more sensitive electronics. Have free 2nd 1500w modified-sine inverter that should be temporary solution (want … Continue reading November / December 2021 wrap-up
Virtual First Tuesday meetings went well, including new people like one that mentioned his antique C64 computer still needed a 9v switching power supply, and another that had this and other C64 parts! Trailer - In September Chris was working on battery charger system ((5) 100a batteries being power cycled / tested). JG put together … Continue reading September / October 2021 wrap-up
For August 1st Tuesday we had 2nd live meeting of the year, 10+ people participated at Vagabond Brewing, and the bartender was even nice enough to open the rollup door by our tables on a very hot summer evening. We had lots of tablespace to gather safely, but alas no food (though sushi was available … Continue reading August 2021 wrapup
July 6, 2021 - First live 'First Tuesday' of year, Ratchet Brewing July 'First Tuesday' was held live at Ratchet, with 10 people attending (1 new). It was great to see old and new faces, and several members sponsored free pizza! Spark Studio has renewed arrangements for a monthly 3rd Thursday 'maker night' at Center … Continue reading July 2021 wrap-up
June 15th, 2021 - First live meeting in over a year, reviewing gear donations Nine people attended June 'First Tuesday' online meetup, including a first-timer. June 15th we had our first live meetup in over a year, reviewing over a dozen older PCs, networking gear, HD duplicator, wiring, and misc other contributions from another non-profit.
8 attended the Spark First Tuesday online meet for May 2021. Talked about Pipewire sound system in Linux, hammer drill recommended re member project digging out bamboo and propagating elsewhere. Also talked about a May radio retreat / competition. In October, two board positions will be up for election, so start thinking about nominations or … Continue reading May 2021 wrap-up
Last month, 5 attended April Social Night: Anthony talked about antenna design for vhf/uhf, and using generator to keep well-water pump running during the ice storm power outage. Jack talked about mesh radio. Anthony talked about repurposing 2.4ghz ham gear… channel 1 wifi overlaps with 2.4ghz amateur band! With wrt54GL firmware, can do self-assembling mesh. … Continue reading April 2021 wrap-up
Spark Studio Salem 