2024 Fall Pledge Drive

We have two special premiums this pledge drive: two bespoke small electronics kits! If you can build a lego set, you can build one of these. You don’t need to know how to write a line of code, you don’t even need to know what code is or does. You do need to know how to read and look at pictures. I guess if you can build a lego set OR you can read a Dr. Seuss book, you can build one of these:

Nonstop KFAI - You will set up a tiny little analog radio that's powered by a microcontroller. The radio module has a built in FM receiver and a 1/8" headphone jack output. You can listen to the radio without Wi-Fi when it's all assembled and powered on. It's kinda funny when you think about it - a computer powering an analog radio that doesn't need Wi-Fi. Whatever. The radio is set to one station (KFAI of course) and you cannot change that or the volume.

Hey Jay -You will make the light sing. You’re going to assemble a Hey Jay, a little device that I like to think of as a reverse light organ. Once it’s assembled and powered up, you can wave your hand close to the device and trigger the motion sensor. Then, the microcontroller takes a sample of the ambient light from the sensor, maps the measurements onto a digital synthesizer, and finally it outputs the music to an ⅛” headphone jack. Think of it like a sort of digital wind chime that plays when you strum the light.

Either kit is available to you if you pledge $90 to support KFAI. You can call 612-375-9030 or click the donate button on this page to donate on kfai.org.