Projects & field notes
What I'm building (and figuring out!)
I'm Sam. I work on IT systems, build hardware, and write about what I learn along the way.
Featured build
Tempest Dux
A split keyboard with a trackball on each half. A modified PCB, printed parts, and plenty of revisions.
Read the build storyFrom the notebook
Recent writing
Building the Tempest Dux: a split keyboard with integrated trackballs
A build log for a wireless split keyboard on the dux ergonomic lineage, with a custom KiCad PCB, integrated PMW3610 trackballs, 3D-printed plates, and ZMK firmware bring-up.
Read articleOperational security as architecture, not a checklist
How I approach monitoring, network separation, incident response, and automation when setting up a system.
Read article
More things I've worked on
Selected projects
Automatic Antenna Tracker
A config-driven antenna tracker that keeps a directional antenna pointed at an aircraft using live telemetry, for long-range RC and drone FPV.
Explore the projectSelf-Hosted Infrastructure
A local-first home infrastructure built on segmented networking, an Unraid server, private remote access over Tailscale, and a reverse proxy for internal services.
Explore the project
A little about me
At the desk. At the workbench.
My work moves between IT operations and hands-on engineering. I like understanding how a system behaves, making it easier to support, and documenting the decisions behind it.