Are you ready to dive into some fun Raspberry Pi projects? From creating your own off-grid long-range mesh texting system to building a microscope, here are three Raspberry Pi projects sure to keep you busy this weekend.
Brand
Raspberry Pi
CPU
Cortex-A72 (ARM v8)
With the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B, you can create all kinds of fun projects, and upgrade gadgets around your home. Alternatively, install a full desktop OS and use it like a regular computer.
Make an off-grid, long-range mesh texting node to communicate with friends
Off-grid communication doesn’t have to be complicated.
If you’ve never heard of Meshtastic, it’s a newer technology that utilizes something called LoRa, or long-range radio protocol. LoRa is available in most regions without any additional certifications, though you should always check your local laws and ordinances to be on the safe side.
The way that Meshtastic works is by utilizing multiple computers within range to create a mesh network. If you’re trying to talk to someone miles away, your radio waves will bounce off of and transmit from other nodes.
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Nope, it doesn’t need satellite either.
With a Meshtastic node, you’ll be able to communicate with people at great distances without any external internet access needed. In fact, the longest recorded Meshtastic transmission was 331 kilometers, or over 205 miles.
Setting up a Meshtastic node isn’t all that difficult. Simply pick the microcontroller you want to use (it works on the Pi Pico, as well as most of the other Pi models on the market) and an antenna. That’s all you need to get started, alongside the actual Meshtastic drivers and firmware.
Once you have your Meshtastic node up and running, you can download the mobile app for iOS or Android, spin up web or python clients, and start communicating with others on the Meshtatstic network.
Brand
Raspberry Pi
CPU
RP2040
The Raspberry Pi Pico offers a custom-built dual-core RP2040 processor, making it the ideal affordable microcontroller for a wide range of projects. It features UART, SPI, I2C, I2S, and much more, making it a solid option when you need more power and capabilities than a traditional Arduino.
Step your content creation game up with a custom teleprompter
Buying a teleprompter can be really expensive, so just build it.
Credit: killboxscalemodels | Thingiverse
If you’ve ever tried to any piece-to-camera takes, you’ll know that a teleprompter can make things so much easier. While you can use a tablet as a teleprompter, or you could even buy dedicated teleprompter hardware, those methods can be expensive, and it also monopolizes your device while you’re recording (which needs continuous power, or it might die depending on the battery capacity).
Instead of purchasing a teleprompter or using a tablet, simply put your Raspberry Pi to use. While you used to have to compile Python scripts and do all sorts of hackery to get a teleprompter working with a Pi, these days you can just use PWAs, a screen, and a 3D printed enclosure.
Two that stand out are Promptr.co and Promptr.tv, both of which work in-browser and even retain data if you go offline. Promptr.tv is even open source on GitHub if you want to run it yourself locally.
Really, to build a teleprompter with your Raspberry Pi, you just need the Pi itself, a keyboard/mouse, and a screen of some sort. Both tools mentioned here can handle reversing or flipping the text if that’s something you need, or just displaying it normally. A spare computer monitor or TV would make for a fantastic teleprompter to use with your Pi, and you likely already have everything needed for this project at home.
Brand
Raspberry Pi
Storage
SD card
The Raspberry Pi 3 B is a single-board computer (SBC) with a 1.2GHz quad-core processor and 1GB RAM. With Gigabit Ethernet and HDMI output, it makes for a great small, low-power device to run smart home or homelab services like Home Assistant, Homebridge, Pi-Hole, or other software on.
Inspect your solder joints and motherboards with a digital microscope
Is that a cold solder joint I see?
Years ago, when I used to do smartphone and computer repair, we had a really nice microscope with a microscope camera so we could inspect motherboards, solder joints, and anything else we were working on at the time. While I’d love to have the setup that we had at my old shop, it’s just out of the question when it comes to cost.
The great thing about living 10 years in the future is that modern electronics have come down drastically in price. While I might not be able to pick up the same trinocular microscope we had, building a microscope with a Raspberry Pi isn’t all that difficult—so long as you already have a Pi.
Waveshare has a full kit that has everything you need (even a Pi if you don’t already have one) to build your own microscope. It’s a pretty pricey system, coming in at $140, but it is all-inclusive, and there’s something to be said for not having to source your own components. On the other end of the spectrum, there are projects like MicroscoPy, which, while on the older side, could still be used to make a microscope today.
Really, to make a Raspberry Pi microscope, you just need the Pi, a camera sensor with a lens capable of focusing on macro items, and a system to hold the lens still. It doesn’t have to be any more complicated than that.
Looking for more software-based Raspberry Pi projects? There’s plenty to choose from. I have a few favorite projects that can be accomplished in under an hour, and you should definitely check them out.
