Lmst

The final #MakerAdvent is live!
Join me as I connect up and write code for the new Commodore 64 Ultimate's user port accessory. I show you how to use BASIC to control an LED, because as we all know, once we know how to do this, we can do anything with electronics!
Thanks for watching, happy holidays!
https://youtu.be/TfAd-KbOVqY

Maker Advent title card for the final episode. A Commodore 64 BASIC programme is running, controlling an LED to turn on and off.

Where's the final #MakerAdvent ? Well, Santa just dropped off a parcel and completely flipped my scheduled videos. It will be out later today!

A Commodore 64 Ultimate User Port expansion!

The penultimate day of #MakerAdvent 2025 and today I show you how I write code for a PSION 3A via my Windows XP virtual machine and a janky USB to serial setup! I do love the old PSION machines!
https://youtu.be/2C157rSvqIs

Today on #MakerAdvent I go Back to BASICs (pun intended) and create an application to show and image and play audio using QB64 Phoenix Edition, a modern day version of QBASIC.
It's a great BASIC editor and something that I could spend hours tinkinering with.
Have fun!
https://youtu.be/4kDrb5QcBU8

A BASIC application running in QB64 PE, with Maker Advent logos and title cards edited to create a thumbnail.

Today on #MakerAdvent I am "Cleared Hot" to take a day off, so join me as I fly an Apache AH-64A attack helicopter gunship. I bought Cleared Hot the other day on Steam for £12 and it is proving to be a fun distraction.
https://youtu.be/FBP8iJC-Y98

Screenshot from level one of Cleared Hot, with Maker Advent graphics and a live stream of me in the corner.

It’s a mark of a challenging year when I’ve been unable to watch #MakerAdvent and now I’ll have to binge watch 20 episodes at once!

Day 20 of #MakerAdvent, already? Wow. Today I am taking apart my USB powered vacuum cleaner to fix it, because now it really does suck!
https://youtu.be/Wh1kdpfzlug

A bench with a USB vacuum cleaner resting upon it.

Today on #MakerAdvent I've got a plethora of soldering irons to show you!
As is tradition each #MakerAdvent, I talk soldering irons, because I have far too many!
From £7 USB soldering iron, to the mighty, and expensive £280 iFixit soldering iron hub. They're all on show for your amusement.
https://youtu.be/jRTLnmo1yUI

Maker Advent title card shows soldering irons on a bench, two hands cradle a USB soldering iron like a child.

Bit of a delay with today's #MakerAdvent as I had time sensitive jobs to do this morning. So the episode will be out later this afternoon UK time.

Santa / Father Christmas ironing his suit ready for the big day.

Today on day 18 of #MakerAdvent I use @adafruit wonderful #circuitpython to create an MP3 player hidden inside a Christmas present. The best part, it activates using a magnetic switch, to surprise the receiver.
https://youtu.be/ZoM-Ix2Q0lU

A toy chainsaw, which uses the same circuit to make sound in this video.

Today on #MakerAdvent I show the build for a Commodore 64 (and Commodore 64 Ultimate) joystick that I started in 2020! The videos went unreleased for five years, until now!
https://youtu.be/tJ4DkrCVu3s

Me, playing The Empire Strikes Back on the Commodore 64 Ultimate via a video capture card. I am testing out my DIY joystick.

Today on #MakerAdvent I've got the new Commodore 64 Ultimate on the bench!
An FPGA powered Commodore 64 but it does so much more than play games that you copied on your stereo.
https://youtu.be/HsRK0W4a5Jo

Read the review on Tom's Hardware
https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/retro-gaming/commodore-64-ultimate-review

The new Commodore 64 Ultimate Starlight edition on my bench. It has lots of RGB LEDs lit.

On #MakerAdvent today we learn how to write BASIC code on a humble Arduino Uno. To be specific, a Cytron Maker Uno becuase it has built-in LEDS that we can use to create a quick light sequence.
#BASIC was my first programming language, way back on the Commodore 16, but it wasn't until I learnt #Python that I appreciated and understood the language.
https://youtu.be/0XuV6-_UGYk

An image of me, holding a Cytron Maker Uno to the camera, BASIC code is underneath me, to the right is the output of the code.

Sneak peek at tomorrow's #MakerAdvent
https://youtube.com/shorts/BZSlJy536iI?si=jSUSv5mnXhu-ZhW_

Today on #MakerAdvent we build 'The Internet of Dings' using an ESP32 C3 Super Mini to power a MicroPython IoT doorbell that uses ntfy.sh to send notifications to phones. Now I won't miss a delivery!
https://youtu.be/e34e2iSflNg

Maker Advent day 14 title card shows me, holding the circuit, an Android phone running ntfy.sh, and on the right, the code that powers the project.

Just got a little Christmas present from @biglesp at #BlackpoolMakerspace coffee morning as featured in todays #MakerAdvent https://youtu.be/_o8tDnLmPY8?si=2kqhYuMENIznjzG4

Today on #MakerAdvent I've got a 3-pack of ESP32 C3s to play with. Blink an LED and connect to the network with these ultra-cheap microcontrollers
https://youtu.be/_o8tDnLmPY8

A hand covering an ESP32 micrcontroller.

On #MakerAdvent today I have a bunch of my favorite tools from 2025 and I talk about them like they are my own children.
https://youtu.be/-RcKu4p9JxM

A green cutting mat with tools placed upon it. The word "Tools!!!" is written across the screen using Microsoft Word Art. It looks awful, but I love it!

Today on #MakerAdvent I reuse an old M.2 SATA SSD in a £3 2.5 inch adapter to show that you don't need to spend big if you just need a little more storage!
https://youtu.be/uROQ4-k9F8s

An M.2 SATA SSD to 2.5 inch drive adapter on a green cutting mat

Day 10 of #MakerAdvent and today we build a mini rave cave for two polar bears... Checks notes... I fix a Christmas ornament with an RGB LED.
https://youtu.be/LtFWRFdQHiA

#MakerAdvent

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