PWR ON · GUIDES FOR HOBBYISTS

Build things that blink, beep, and phone home.

Step-by-step microcontroller builds for hobbyists — real wiring diagrams, working code, and part picks I've actually soldered, broken, and bought twice.

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ESP32 · RASPBERRY PI PICO · LORA · SENSORS · 3D PRINTING

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Every guide, torn down to parts.

Each article starts with a full parts list, then walks the build one component at a time — exactly like this.

HECTORLEDGER.BLOGREV 2.6FR-4 · 2-LAYER

ESP32

470µF

The brain

Proof of life

Room to grow

ASSEMBLY0%

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The Weekend ESP32 Internet Radio: A Full Build Guide

Build a streaming internet radio from a $9 ESP32 in one weekend. Complete parts list, wiring diagram, working code, and honest Amazon part picks — beginner friendly.

HECTOR NEAL · JUN 28, 2026 · 18 MIN READ

[ GEAR GUIDES BUILD PHOTO ]

GEAR GUIDES

Best Soldering Irons for Beginners (2026)

I've melted through six soldering irons in ten years. The three worth buying in 2026 — best overall, best budget, best bench upgrade — and the ones to skip.

JUN 14, 2026 · 9 MIN

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Hey, I'm Hector.

I've been soldering things I probably shouldn't since 2014. Every guide on this site is a project I actually built, photographed on my own bench, and debugged the hard way — so you don't have to.

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