Mqtt blinker for topic notifications

Last year I’ve made a led pole with digital fireworks.

Time to replace for something else ..

I’ve made a mqtt 1-D game in december.

I needed to change a lot to the javascript on the website to fix some stuff.

  • Fix IPhone control. (I hate iphone)
  • Fix screenlock timeout
  • Added meta refresh

The XMAS/Fireworks controller was often used, and I got notifications via my TV. (see other posts)

Now I want to see when MQTT movement when I’m in the livingroom.
So I programmed a Wemos controller to blink the internal when MQTT messages are received.

CODE:

#include <ESP8266WiFi.h>
#include <PubSubClient.h>

const char* ssid = "WIFIAP";
const char* password = "WIFIPASS";

const char* mqtt_server = "MQTTBROKER";  // MQTT broker IP
const char* mqtt_topic  = "game/tilt";

WiFiClient espClient;
PubSubClient client(espClient);

String lastPayload = "";

void setup_wifi() {
  delay(10);
  WiFi.begin(ssid, password);
  while (WiFi.status() != WL_CONNECTED) {
    delay(500);
  }
}

void blinkLED() {
    digitalWrite(LED_BUILTIN, LOW);   // LED ON
    delay(200);
    digitalWrite(LED_BUILTIN, HIGH);  // LED OFF
    delay(200);
}

void callback(char* topic, byte* payload, unsigned int length) {
  String message;
  for (unsigned int i = 0; i < length; i++) {
    message += (char)payload[i];
  }

  // Blink only if topic value changed
  if (message != lastPayload) {
    blinkLED();
    lastPayload = message;
  }
}

void reconnect() {
  while (!client.connected()) {
    if (client.connect("WemosClientMqttBlink")) {
      client.subscribe(mqtt_topic);
    } else {
      delay(2000);
    }
  }
}

void setup() {
  pinMode(LED_BUILTIN, OUTPUT);
  digitalWrite(LED_BUILTIN, HIGH); 

  setup_wifi();

  client.setServer(mqtt_server, 1883);
  client.setCallback(callback);
}

void loop() {
  if (!client.connected()) {
    reconnect();
  }
  client.loop();
}

New own-hosted spotify alternative

I’ve tested many opensource tools to have a personal own hosted spotify.
Now I have migrated to navidrome.

List of alternatives i’ve used:

  • …. to be filled in

I can access this with a browser or an android app named amcfy music.

Why?

  • I like self hosting stuff
  • I’ve got a lot of obscure music, which can’t be found on main streaming services
  • Our folkband stuff is for personal use only (Tapsalteerie/NaeBother)

I don´t have time posting other stuff, I’m balancing almost 10 projects at the same time ….

LoRa and more LoRa

UPDATE : 20260126

I’ve been playing with LoRa for some time now, mostly with two adhoc LilyGO nodes.
After seeing a YT clip from Andreas Spiess I installed a meshtastic node on a Heltec V3.
Wanting more, I bought a Heltec V4 and an 8DBi (60cm) antenna.
Heltec V3 got a new home in Tyrone’s home.

GPS for the Heltec V4 module!

Via meshtastic I communicated with a guy here in the neighbourhood.
I installed Meshcore and my LoRa playground grew!

A Nebra Helium Miner was bought, and repurposed !

There is a Raspberry CM3 in there (Compute module)
Some big antenna’s and a waterproof case.
Using POE to power the thing, the plan is to have this installation at a high point around my house. (LED pole?!? 🙂 )

Meanwhile I got these : Seeed Xiao Lora ESP32 modules

MeshTUI

My mobile Heltec V4, big antenna coming and battery operated, so I can add to https://mapme.sh

Bat detector

I’ve got a DIY Bat detector, today I designed and printed a Case for this PCB.

Below a link to the design files

https://media.henriaanstoot.nl/bat-case.zip

Next todo:

  • Weatherproof case
  • Alternative power
  • Audio Jack
  • Remote access with remote sound

STM32 Nucleo-64 development board

I’ve been playing with all kinds of MicroControllers, but not this one.

Something new to learn.

The STM32 Nucleo-64 board provides a flexible way to try out the STM32 microcontroller. The Arduino Uno V3 can be connected as a shield.

STM32 excels in high-performance, deterministic industrial control with better real-time capability, lower power, and rich peripherals, using ARM Cortex-M cores, while ESP32 dominates IoT with built-in Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, lower cost, easier Arduino/PlatformIO access, and strong community, but with higher power and less precise real-time control (Xtensa cores), making ESP32 great for connected projects and STM32 for industrial/precision tasks.

STM32 (STMicroelectronics)
Strengths:

  • Performance: Superior real-time processing, deterministic behavior, efficient for complex control.
  • Power: Advanced low-power modes, excellent for battery-powered devices.
  • Peripherals: Rich, precise analog (ADC/DAC), extensive interface options (USB, SD, LCD).
  • Reliability: Strong for industrial, medical, and automotive applications.
  • Tools: STM32CubeIDE/MX, HAL/LL libraries.

    Weaknesses:
  • Higher cost and learning curve.
  • Requires external modules for Wi-Fi/Bluetooth.

ESP32 (Espressif Systems)
Strengths:

  • Connectivity: Integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (BLE).
  • Cost & Ease: Cost-effective, easy entry with Arduino IDE/PlatformIO, great for rapid prototyping.
  • Community: Strong open-source community.
  • Features: Dual-core (often), built-in OTA updates, good for audio/AI.

    Weaknesses:
  • Less deterministic/real-time performance than STM32.
  • Higher active power consumption, less precise analog.
  • Can have complex debugging/compilation.
  • When to Choose Which
  • Choose STM32 for: Industrial automation, precise instrumentation, medical devices, complex motor control, low-power wearables, general embedded systems learning.
  • Choose ESP32 for: IoT devices, smart home products, Bluetooth beacons, educational projects, rapid prototyping, audio/voice applications.

Fireworks LED addition and modifying Arcade buttons

I’ve given people on the street control over my Xmas/Fireworks lights last month. (This month it is going to be converted to an interactive game)

I saw some LED strip dividers on Aliexpress, next year it’s going to have a star on top.

Like this….

Another LED related project I started today is a Whack-A-Mole game with multiple levels.
For this I need to convert a simple arcade button to a programmable multicolor version.

From single white LED to multi color, programmable.

Analog Meters to display CPU and memory load

While this is a old project from 2019, I decided to make a more responsive one, after my friend Tyrone mentioned a project somewhere on the internet (forgot where).
Time to dust off this project!

2019 version

Above version worked but was slow.
I used a python script to send values to de controller.

Memory setup was the same.

Below my new schematic, using an opamp to drive the analog meter.

Untested design .. Yeah I got bored on new year’s eve

Utilizing a MCP41000 digital potmeter and a LM358 signal amplifier I hope to get a more responsive setup.

Input to display MQTT and maybe Serial.

Old version

Added group control to my Mobile Pong game.

Two player mobile pong using secure mqtt I made a few months ago.

Today I tested my group playing mode while at family to celebrate xmas.

I was filming during testing to get responses. I can’t post this because of everyone being in the shot.

What worked:

  • Response of multiple mobile phones was good
  • Measuring average movement worked great
    (3 People moving up and one down? – going up)
  • 8 Players tested

To do:

  • Iphones have a problem sending tilt, I’ve got a problem with Iphones in general 🙂
  • Screen timeout, I have to add javascript to keep the mobile device screen on. No problem
  • Number of players on the left and number of players on the right visible in the screen. Do-able
  • Timeout for disappearing phones! ..
  • QR join code on the play screen
  • Starting ball futher away from paddle, to give player more time to react

Nice to have:

  • Muliple games at the same time. Now hard coded.
  • Manual
  • ?