Ep 274: Capstan Robots, Avionics of Uncertain Purpose, and What the Frack?

What do capstans, direct conversion receivers, and fracking have in common? They were all topics Hackaday editors Elliot Williams and Al Williams found fascinating this week. If you wonder what makes an electrical ground a ground, or what a theodolite is, you should check it out. Al struck on on the What's That Sound, but [Ferric Bueler] didn't so he scores a highly-coveted Hackaday Podcast T-Shirt. Want one? Tune in next week for your chance. This week, the hacks came fast and furious. Capstans, instead of gears, work well for 3D-printed mechanisms, a PI Pico can directly receive radio signals, and the guys saw a number of teardowns and reverse engineering triumphs. You'll also find solid-state heat pumps, flying wings, spectroscopy, and more. The can't miss articles this week? Learn about theodolites, a surveying feat from ancient Greece, and how fracking works. Head on over to Hackaday for the full links!