🔧 Tool of the Week
GDB Dashboard
A modular, visual interface for GDB that runs entirely in your terminal. It gives you a clear view of registers, assembly, and memory without the overhead of a massive IDE. 🔗 https://github.com/cyrus-and/gdb-dashboard
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🛒 Deals & Finds
- RP2350 (Raspberry Pi Pico 2) – The new dual-core ARM/RISC-V powerhouse is finally hitting steady stock levels. Incredible value for PIO-heavy projects. 🔗 https://www.raspberrypi.com/products/raspberry-pi-pico-2/
- CH32V003 Development Boards – You can still snag these 10-cent RISC-V MCUs on breakout boards for under $2. Perfect for when an ATTiny is overkill or too expensive. 🔗 https://www.aliexpress.com/w/wholesale-ch32v003.html
- Pinecil V2 – Often goes on sale this time of year. Still the best portable RISC-V powered soldering iron for your go-bag. 🔗 https://pine64.org/devices/pinecil/
- LCSC Basic Parts Library – Not a single item, but a reminder to design around their "Basic" category to save $20+ on PCB assembly setup fees. 🔗 https://www.lcsc.com/
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🧪 Cool Build
The Bus Pirate 5
An all-in-one hardware hacking tool that lets you talk to almost any chip over I2C, SPI, or UART via a terminal. The new hardware revision includes a vibrant LCD and better voltage protection. 🔗 https://buspirate.com/
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📚 Worth Reading
- Why 50 Ohms? – A practical look at why we use 50-ohm impedance for RF and high-speed digital signals instead of something else. 🔗 https://www.microwaves101.com/encyclopedias/why-fifty-ohms
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⚡ Quick Hits
- Pinout.xyz – The ultimate reference for Raspberry Pi header pins. 🔗 https://pinout.xyz/
- Datasheet.live – A much faster, cleaner way to browse component datasheets without the ad-heavy PDF aggregators. 🔗 https://datasheet.live/
- KiCad 10.0.1 Release – Check the new stable features including improved schematic searching and better teardrop support. 🔗 https://www.kicad.org/blog/2026/04/KiCad-10.0.1-Release/
- TinyUSB – An open-source cross-platform USB stack for embedded system. Essential for custom HID projects. 🔗 https://github.com/hathach/tinyusb