HacDC

As previously mentioned by Todd F., a team of HacDC'ers are participating in the Hacker-spaces in Space competition...

We've put together an Atmel ATmega based TNC (Terminal Node Controller) to send out position reports over a VHF radio link using APRS (Amateur Radio Position Reporting System) and are now testing antennas.

We have been shopping for balloons, bottled gas, cord, and other various bits. Tom C. got a worn out parachute donated to us by Skydive Orange. Mark A. & family are busy making a parachute and polystyrene capsules. Nick is building a surface mount board for the TNC, GPS, transmitter module and cut down circuits. It looks like we'll easily make the weight budget and cost.

Many of us are acquiring radio licenses and honing radio skills to learn how to track the beacon and coordinate chase teams. We are learning how to study radiosonde data and use flight planning software to figure the best best launch locations.

Many thanks to the Vienna Wireless Society for much help and for letting us watch their very successful May 1 flight (photoset by Mark A.).

We anticipate a full-up test flight mid-June. You're welcome to join us on the mailing list.

(This post was drafted by Martin R. Thanks, Martin!)

From http://hackerspaces.org/blog/

Those of you that were on the conference call last Sunday were the first to be made aware that I've been working incognito for the last two months scheming, planning, plotting with fellow members of HacDC to pull off a really cool event.

For those that were not made aware, ShmooCon is an annual computer security hacker conference in DC that covers many topics, including 0-day exploits, Hack the Genome! The Age of Bimolecular Cryptology, or The Gentlemen's Agreement: Pwning Friends Legally for Fun, ????, and Profit, how the Ohio voting machines were able to be compromised (a '08 favorite talk of mine), and - if you have an itchy trigger finger - Hack or Halo.

So how does HacDC play into this? Well, some short background:
HacDC didn't exist when ShmooCon was around last year, it was only spoken about in hushed tones till after the conference. Now we've been around for almost a full year with lots of stories to speak of.

Now at this ShmooCon we're very loud and very proud of how far we have come and we'd like to say thanks to everyone by hosting the official ShmooCon Friday night party.

The details are forth coming but the basics are:

Location: HacDC Sanctuary (4 meters from the Altar)

1525 Newton St NW, Washington DC 20010 USA
(near corner of 16th and Newton NW)
Google Map

Time: 10pm till past 3ish.

How/Who: If you're a member of a hackerspace or an attendee of ShmooCon, just show up for the festivities.

Venue:

This is where the action happens.

What to expect:

Three DJ's:
DJ HSO
DJ Just Joshin
DJ Keith Myers

Plus a number of fun projects that hackers from other hackerspaces are bringing in to show off.

Party Mode On!
-Eric Michaud

*****

UPDATE: Bring your laser pointers!  Shuuush. ;)