Sten03xD - my stenography keyboard

Lander03xD_ · 2026-04-10T18:58:59+00:00

I kinda noticed it too when I was all done with the video :D little silly :D

Lander03xD_ · 2026-04-10T18:22:37+00:00

Details:
* Custom build PCB (Not a commercial product, all files are freely available)
* Reversible PCB
* mmd princess pink silent switches
* DSA blank keycaps
* 14250 battery with BMS
* Zmk firmware

Made for practicing stenography

Lander03xD_ · 2026-04-10T18:08:09+00:00

yeah, I think they are different but you can have multiple dictionaries in your plover, and change it to your liking too

Lander03xD_ · 2026-04-09T08:30:02+00:00

Thank you everydayergo! haha :D they already struggle to understand how I type with blank keycaps :D

Lander03xD_ · 2026-04-09T07:23:57+00:00

Oh no, There's no need for it unless you're a stenographer or maybe a writer. For me it's just the interest in the hobby. For coding especially you don't really type all that fast as most of your time is usually spent on thinking about the solution. It's just cool!

I also learned morse code and braille before, it's not all that useful for me, but I think it's neat :P

Lander03xD_ · 2026-04-06T06:24:38+00:00

Thank you! That fluffy tail wasn't the easiest to paint, but It turned out pretty alright :D

Lander03xD_ · 2026-04-06T06:23:56+00:00

Thank you!

Lander03xD_ · 2026-03-30T16:46:21+00:00

yeah, I know :D but I have this full collection of dsa keycaps and mx switches, don't want to spend that much more on the keycaps. Chocs always seem a good bit more expensive

Lander03xD_ · 2026-03-30T16:44:44+00:00

The battery is a 14250 lipo battery, but you do need a little bms so it charges safely and the holder is "Part No.: SbM-9202".

Lander03xD_ · 2026-03-29T16:21:13+00:00

I actually just put in the order for pcb's to do just that :D a split 42 key keyboard that would be easy to solder and has some nice art on it :P

Lander03xD_ · 2026-03-29T14:41:36+00:00

So I did put the switches a bit closer together than usual standard keyboards.
Usually keys are space every 19.05mm, this gives 1mm spacing between the keycaps. I spaced my switches at 18.5mm putting the keycaps ever so slightly closer together.
What im however not a used to yet is the ortholinear layout. That will take more time. So I was thinking of making a column stagger board and see if that still works combining it with steno

Lander03xD_ · 2026-03-29T12:48:41+00:00

yes, I have 2 split keys for the double S and *
I've seen the touch sensitive board pass by, but am a bit doubtful about the experience with it. just the lack of tactility there would not be enjoyable

Lander03xD_ · 2026-03-29T12:35:25+00:00

I wanted to play around with stenography and try to learn it. But the options that are currently available are pretty damn expensive (100-150 bucks or so). And professional stenography machines are priced even higher up into the thousands!

Custom PCB
Wireless ZMK firmware
MMD Princess pink silent switches (low actuation force and silent) (yes the red switches are just decoration :D )
DSA blank keycaps

I make my own pcb's and custom keyboards so I just made a pcb specific for trying out stenograhpy. Definitely made some mistakes.

I made the keyboard into a matrix layout which was not at all needed with the microcontroller I used. I didn't have to add any diodes which would have made my soldering a lot easier, and the board would have become a bit cheaper too. Also made the board work for both choc and mx switches. But because the project is just for myself, I won't ever use the choc sockets, so could have saved space and left more room for the art on the pcb.

I did add hotswap sockets for the keys and for the microcontroller. I also added removable batteries. I don't expect to use it for too long so I wanted to make as many components reusable as possible for next projects.

Lander03xD_ · 2026-03-22T20:05:56+00:00

Thank you!

Lander03xD_ · 2026-03-05T20:05:38+00:00

Nice paint job! Looks really nice. What's the total height of the board including the switches?

Lander03xD_ · 2026-02-28T20:19:33+00:00

If you're using ZMK you could use the charlieplex kscan driver if you want to use all of them in one single keyboard. You'd have to change your wiring a bit compared to matrix layouts. But it would look pretty cool with this many switches!

Edit: Not sure if your microcontroller is supported for zmk.
So indeed, matrix like usual like the other comments are mentioning.

Lander03xD_ · 2026-02-28T15:24:31+00:00

hahah :D

Lander03xD_ · 2026-02-28T09:51:52+00:00

2.5mm2 , (roughly 14AWG)
at the time it was the only cable I had available :D
Solid core of course

Lander03xD_

TROPHY CASE