The Beacon — Build Log

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In progress — inter-board communication is still being worked through.

I'm building an off-grid information hub that runs from a USB power bank. The idea is simple: keep useful information close, even without an internet connection.

The assembled Beacon on my workbench.
The assembled Beacon on my workbench.

Get the code

Read it. Learn from it. Make something of your own.

Download The Beacon source (ZIP)

324 KB · Snapshot: October 12, 2026 · Includes START-HERE.md and a file list.

Where to start

  1. Download and unzip the folder.
  2. Read START-HERE.md for the tools, dependencies, and missing pieces.
  3. Start with beacon_p4/main/beacon_config.h, beacon_wroom2/main/wroom2_config.h, and beacon_lora_s3_mini/beacon_lora.ino.
  4. Check the configuration against your own hardware before building or flashing.

What I’m working through

Getting the boards communicating with each other is still in progress. This is an open problem in the build, not a solved step-by-step guide. I’ll document the tests and results as I work through it.

How I’m recording problems and lessons

Build notes

The P4 hub, WROOM2 media board, and LoRa sketch are separate firmware projects. Check the board pins and network settings before building. The Arduino LoRa sketch uses RadioLib. Books, ZIM archives, music, games, and SD content are not included.

These are workshop source snapshots. They have not been compiled or hardware-tested for this download. Original third-party notices remain in the files; no new blanket license has been added.

More build photos

Controller boards during the build.
Controller boards during the build.
The Beacon home interface.
The Beacon home interface.
The weather interface during testing.
The weather interface during testing.

Stop waiting for permission. Grab a tool, make mistakes, and build something.

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