Hello Boondock Echo backers!
It’s been a month since our campaign concluded, and we’ve been hard at work turning our shared vision into a tangible reality. We want to keep you in the loop about what’s been happening and what’s next for Boondock Echo!
Manufacturing Progress
Boondock Echo consists of two PCBs—the ESP32 AudioKit and the smaller board we call "The Sidekick." The ESP32 AudioKit has a Wi-Fi module, a DAC, an ADC, a battery charge controller, push buttons, speaker connectors, and a few other features. The Sidekick board provides attenuation, visual feedback, and radio Push-To-Talk control.
We wanted to revise The Sidekick before we released the project to you. Our latest hardware revision removes the captive K1 connector and replaces it with a 3.5-mm TRRS connector that is compatible with the Digirig standard. When our campaign funds arrived from Crowd Supply, we wasted no time in ordering the new hardware revision of The Sidekick.
However, we encountered a small hiccup: the manufacturing company inadvertently substituted a part without our approval. The good news is, we quickly identified and addressed this issue, and they have corrected their mistake. We’re now eagerly awaiting the arrival of the new boards, which are due to ship this week!
In the image above, the manufacturer replaced the DPDT switch with a right-angle switch that is incompatible with our case design. We asked them to correct it.
The image above shows the correct part inserted into the board.
Once we receive the new board, we will fine-tune the 3D-printed enclosure design. This will ensure that the final product is not just functional, but aesthetically pleasing and durable as well. After these adjustments, we’ll send out the complete assembly package for a comprehensive quote, bringing us one step closer to full-scale production.
Next Steps
- Do bring-up testing of boards
- Send new Sidekick boards to development team
- Complete integration testing with the new Sidekick
- Send complete fabrication and assembly documentation to three companies for quotes
- Select manufacturer and transfer money
- Manufacture First Articles
- Ship First Articles to U.S.
- If approved, manufacture and ship the rest of the batch
- Load firmware and test
- Ship to Mouser
- Distribute to you!
Community Engagement
In more exciting news, we had a fantastic time presenting Boondock Echo on the Ham Radio Crash Course YouTube channel last Saturday night.
The session was a blast, and we received great feedback and engaging questions from the ham radio community. If you missed the live stream, you can catch the recording at the link above. It’s a great watch for anyone interested in the finer details of our project and the passion behind it.
Looking Ahead
As we navigate through these important stages of development and production, your continued support and feedback are more valuable than ever. We are committed to transparency and will keep you informed every step of the way!
- YouTube Channel: Stay up-to-date with the latest from Boondock Technologies, including tutorials, user stories, and live Q&A sessions.
- Discord Server: Join our Discord community to engage with fellow enthusiasts, share ideas, and get exclusive behind-the-scenes access.
Thank you for your patience and trust in us. Together, we are making Boondock Echo a reality, and the future looks brighter than ever!
Stay tuned for more updates, and, as always, feel free to reach out with questions or suggestions.
With appreciation,
Jesse Robinson, Kaushlesh Chandel, Mark Hughes
Co-Founders
Boondock Technologies
https://www.boondockecho.com