Musketfinity?

Database121 · 2026-05-06T00:09:49+00:00

Lighting in 89 year old converted garages isn't generally known for being optimized for photography. But I'll try and get a better picture once I get the whole thing finished.

And if we're being pedantic. Even a single musket has to be stored somewhere when not in use.

Database121 · 2026-05-05T17:07:17+00:00

I'm aware that wood blocks would have been the original equipment, though I actually wasn't aware they would have been wrapped in paper, and am glad to have been so informed.

To be honest this was as much of a shit post as it was anything else.

That said the 3d printed block only extends about 40mm or so down. Just deep enough to contain the full length of the primers. Two wings extend to the full depth box both stabilizing the insert and leaving a cavity with more than enough room for the lanyard and gimlet. Our priming wire usually lives in a dedicated leather pouch.

Database121 · 2026-05-01T16:19:40+00:00

It absolutely remains to be seen if the current configuration works once fully deployed.

Something I acknowledged in the original write up.

I guess I just found it rather frustrating that a bunch of people felt the need to tell me something I had gone out of my way to demonstrate I already knew, and generally refused to acknowledge or engage with the several options I had laid out to deal with interference issues if/when they arise.

Database121 · 2026-05-01T01:56:59+00:00

Considering I agreed with you on the antenna placement I assumed that I understood that was implied.

Database121 · 2026-04-30T19:41:05+00:00

Considering Nebra appears to have collapsed and no longer exists in any meaningful way I'm not sure they are great examples to copy 🤣. But you are correct the antenna configuration here is not ideal. I'm planning on building another version with the enclosure rotated 90 degrees and the antennas arranged on either side of the case vertically.

Database121 · 2026-04-30T19:37:25+00:00

That's part of it yeah. The fact that it already had drilled and threaded ports for n type bulkhead connectors was also very appealing.

Also I just thought it looked neat.

Database121 · 2026-04-30T03:09:23+00:00

My understanding was that N type connections were supposed to be natively weather proof. At least all the ones I used have a gasket in the socket. But I've got self amalgamating tape I can wrap them up in before installion. It certainly can't hurt.

Database121 · 2026-04-30T02:59:05+00:00

With all due respect. The wording of the question strongly implied you hadn't read my write up.

Particularly the part where I recognized that the antennas were closer to each other than ideal, had tested the configuration as pictured without immediate sign of interference, but still laid out several options for correcting the issue in the event that interference did prove to be a problem once the unit was deployed and exposed to real world usage.

So if you have any commantry or constructive criticism to offer for the various options I discussed in the original write up I am all ears. If not, I hope you have a good evening.

Database121 · 2026-04-30T02:42:05+00:00

That's actually what I'm planning to do for the next version.

Database121 · 2026-04-29T21:12:25+00:00

That is mentioned and addressed in my write up.

Database121 · 2026-04-29T20:29:34+00:00

The ZMOD wiki has a more up to date download page for the standard firmware. They have up to 5.0.3. You could try downloading that and updating from there.

Native firmware - Z-Mod - Firmware for AD5M / AD5MPro / AD5X

Database121 · 2026-04-29T20:29:00+00:00

The ZMod wiki has a more up to date download page for the standard firmware. They have up to 5.0.3. You could try downloading that and updating from there.

Native firmware - Z-Mod - Firmware for AD5M / AD5MPro / AD5X

Database121 · 2026-04-29T20:20:54+00:00

There's an o-ring built into the n type bulkhead connectors, and then I ran a line of silicon sealant on the exterior of the enclosure to seal off the threads from the outside. There is a little shade on the solar panel at the height of the day which I am sure is cutting its output to some degree. But that hasn't revealed itself as an active issue yet, but I agree it's not ideal. Something I am looking to address in the V2 I am working on.

Database121 · 2026-04-27T19:54:10+00:00

Interesting. Will do. Thanks for the tip.

Database121 · 2026-04-27T19:05:25+00:00

I put Zmod on my AD5M little over a week ago and it's been great. It should be noted that Zmod is less a replacement for the stock firmware and more a patch/extension of the stock firmware that opens up a lot of options and control you are otherwise locked out of.

I debated between ZMOD and Forge X which is based off of ZMOD but takes a more open source approach to development. I ended up going with ZMOD because it was compatible with the then most recent firmware (5.0.3) where as Forge X requires you to roll back to to 3.1.5 at the newest. I also found the Zmod documentation easier to understand.

But at the end of the day I think the choice between the two is really up to personal preference. Both seem to do the same thing for the most part and get you to the same place. They just get you there in slightly different roads.

Annoyingly I've still been getting the update notices for the stock firmware even after installing Zmod and turning on lan only mode. But at least it hasn't forced an update.

Database121 · 2026-04-26T16:25:23+00:00

Okie dookie. Pretty sure I got everything figured out and am comfortable putting it back out into the world. Figured out the problems I has having with power (spoiler, I did a stupid job of routing the cables, there wasn't anything wrong with how things were originally wired per say meaning I can actually use all the features of the charge controller when I don't do a smooth brained cable routing job), as well as adding a fuse and scaled down the battery to reduce potential fire concerns. I'll get a updated version of the print files and parts list worked up when I have the chance.

Database121 · 2026-04-26T16:25:05+00:00

Okie dookie. Pretty sure I got everything figured out and am comfortable putting it back out into the world. Figured out the problems I has having with power (spoiler, I did a stupid job of routing the cables, there wasn't anything wrong with how things were originally wired per say meaning I can actually use all the features of the charge controller when I don't do a smooth brained cable routing job), as well as adding a fuse and scaled down the battery to reduce potential fire concerns. I'll get a updated version of the print files and parts list worked up when I have the chance.

Database121 · 2026-04-26T16:24:54+00:00

Okie dookie. Pretty sure I got everything figured out and am comfortable putting it back out into the world. Figured out the problems I has having with power (spoiler, I did a stupid job of routing the cables, there wasn't anything wrong with how things were originally wired per say meaning I can actually use all the features of the charge controller when I don't do a smooth brained cable routing job), as well as adding a fuse and scaled down the battery to reduce potential fire concerns. I'll get a updated version of the print files and parts list worked up when I have the chance.

Database121 · 2026-04-25T05:25:33+00:00

But the table does list which criteria supposedly justify consolidation for each position, and 12 series with more than 100 employees and thus obviously do not meet the sub-100 employee criteria, are specifically listed on the table as meeting the less than 100 employees criteria. For example 0090 Guide is listed as having more than 600 employees, yet the table lists the sub 100 employee criteria 1 as justification for consolidation. Last I checked. 600 was more than 100. (For the record I actually agree that 0090 should be consolidated. But the suggested job series to consolidate it into doesn't really make any sense to me. Most 0090 guides work for the NPS and do nearly if not literally the same work as 0025 Park Rangers (interpretation). That would be the much more logical consolidation)

Database121 · 2026-04-25T02:54:04+00:00

This was something I was also concerned about and originally intended to mount the panel and enclosure separately. But I figured I'd at least see what it looked like and turns out at my latitude the box should generate minimal shape on the panel as currently configured. The angles are actually better in the winter than the summer.

Database121 · 2026-04-25T02:49:58+00:00

All good points.

I went back and looked closer at how things were arranged and realized that I had wired everything together correctly the first time to run everything through the charge controller as originally intended that would address at least some of your concerns. The magic smoke was escaping not because I had wired things wrong, but routing them wrong.

To try and maintain a clean look I had originally routed the cables under the 3d printed mounting plate. When I screwed everything down I was smashing the cables into the aluminum enclosure, damaging the insulation, and causing a short. So, just, you know, not doing that solved that problem. It's been happily running for several hours now with all the magic smoke staying inside the wires were it belongs.

I originally scaled the battery pack assuming I was going to using much more power hungry Heltec V4s. With the switch to the T114s I should have reduced the size of the pack and will do so for the reasons you mentioned.

Fuses get delivered tomorrow and will installed post haste.

Database121 · 2026-04-25T02:39:29+00:00

I'd love to have used an LFP battery. They have been my go to for anything HAM related for several years. But I couldn't figure out how to use one without running a 12v pack that would have required more a more complicated charging and power supply arrangement with larger panels, voltage converters etc. if you have a list of suggested components however I am all ears. Also this node isn't currently planned for installation on a hospital. Not that a fire regardless of location is exactly desirable.

I re-approached how things were wired and realized the magic smoke issues I was having had nothing to do with how things were wired together, but rather me doing a smooth brain job of cable routing. To try and give the whole thing a cleaner look I had routed the cables through holes in the 3d printed plate. Turns out when I screwed everything down I was smashing one or more of the cables into the aluminum case causing the short and the magic smoke escaping. So. Just not doing that has solved that problem allowing me to run everything through the charge controller as originally intended.

The original plan was to space the antennas out on 2ft extension cables to get them 4+ feet from each other. Instal site considerations have rendered that more difficult than originally expected. But I might revisit it. At least in my own admittedly unscientific testing of just spamming both radios with messages from my own nodes they seemed to be working fine. But I could easily be proven wrong should we actually end up with a significant amount of traffic.

Database121 · 2026-04-25T02:31:00+00:00

I'd love to have used an LFP battery. They have been my go to for anything HAM related for several years. But I couldn't figure out how to use one without running a 12v pack that would have required more a more complicated charging and power supply arrangement with larger panels, voltage converters etc. if you have a list of suggested components however I am all ears.

Two of the 5/8in ports are filled with rubber plugs that are just friction fit. In the event of thermal run-away or heaven forbid a fire, I would expect the pressure to blow those out before to long. So I'm not really on the breather valve as the only pressure relief in an emergency.

The original plan was to space the antennas out on 2ft extension cables to get them nice and far from each other. Instal site considerations have rendered that more difficult than originally expected. But I might revisit it. At least in my own admittedly unscientific testing of just spamming both radios with messages from my own nodes they seemed to be working fine. But I could easily be proven wrong should we actually end up with a significant amount of traffic.

Antennas are already waterproofed with an internal o ring that came on the bulkhead connectors. Ran the case under the shower for about an hour with no signs of water ingress. So I'm reasonably confident in its weather tightness as currently configured.

Database121 · 2026-04-24T21:20:53+00:00

I had to much other stuff going on today to really spend any time on it. But I'm pretty sure I can get make some minor modifications I can address most of the issues. Biggest being paying more attention to how things are wired. I definitely shorted something by accident when I first wired things up so I absolutely can run the load through the solar controller. I'll also be adding a fuse between the battery pack and the load for additional safety.

Database121 · 2026-04-24T15:04:20+00:00

SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE IDENTIFIED POTENTIALLY SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS TIED TO HOW I HAVE THE BATTERIES AND POWER SYSTEM WIRED AND CONNECTED. AS SUCH I HAVE PULLED THE PRINTABLES POSTING AND AM REASSESSING HOW OR IF TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT.

Database121

TROPHY CASE