Cyberdeck designs are quite diverse and when I decided to build one, my goal was to create something practical that I could use daily, not just a cool piece of tech that collects dust. This project took me over a year, during which I went through many design iterations, learning from both good and bad choices along the way.

After finishing my first build, it became clear to me that usability is key. If my cyberdeck isn't convenient to use, I'll just end up using my other devices instead. So I didn't want to build a cyberdeck just to say I had done it. I wanted to make something I would actually use frequently, not something that would just sit in storage until I wanted to show it off. That's why I started asking myself, "How will I use the cyberdeck?" instead of "Why should I build a cyberdeck?"

How will I use it? 

The first question to answer is how will I use it? 


What should be the most important features?

The next step was to decide what parts do I need, and what should be the desired specifications.

I kicked off this project in 2022. Since then, I've gone through several changes in the design. Now, I've got the latest version ready, but I'm open to the fact that it might change again in the future. I'm excited to discuss the building process, the features of the cyberdeck, the challenges I faced in the design phase, how I chose the parts, and importantly, how the cyberdeck can be fixed, repaired, and put back together.

Creating the 3D models: I'm not an expert in complex 3D modeling software, I just know how to use Tinkercad. So, my designs are pretty straightforward and don't have lots of fancy curves. Some people might say it's slower, but I like the simplicity of adding and subtracting on 3D objects.

When I'm designing and 3D printing, I use a few different strategies:

  1. Small prints: Instead of printing the whole part at once, I'll design the full part, but only print a little bit of it to check the fit. I do this over and over until it fits right. This means I can print things in just 10-20 minutes, check the fit, and then redesign it quickly if I need to.
  2. Measure-design-print-remeasure: I start by measuring the size of the actual object, then I design and 3d print the part. If it's too big or small, I measure the difference, and then change the design.
  3. Modular design: I design separate parts and test them on their own (like a base for the Raspberry Pi or a place for a pushbutton). I keep these parts in my main design when I do a full print. This way, I can move parts around within the whole assembly. So, for instance, if the Raspberry Pi is too close to the battery, I can just move the part that holds the Raspberry Pi.

Image : 3d printable parts

Assembly : Please watch my video for detailed assembly. Essentially, I 3d printed all the parts, and assembled the Raspberry pi as the centerpiece, and other peripherals, around it.

<Insert step by step images of assembly>

A few interesting things: During the build, there were several very interesting things and design choices made. I want to talk about these.

1: Secondary screen:  I realized that when running, the LCD takes a lot of power. And in standby modes, sometimes I will only need little information. So, I decided to add a secondary screen to the build. The tiny LCD sucks very less power, and I can make raspberry pi to go on standby mode ( Screen off ), and still keep processing stuff in the background. 

Image : Secondary Screen

2: Keyboard : Upon completing my initial build, I found that the diminutive keyboard (referred to as option 1) was inconvenient due to its size, making typing a chore. Therefore, I opted to redesign the build, incorporating a 40% keyboard for better ease of use. Additionally, I discovered that positioning the keyboard on the edge of the device hindered typing comfort. As a solution, I repositioned the keyboard to the center, which created space for a comfortable palm rest.

3: Hinge :  Due to the top-heaviness of the initial design, the build was prone to tipping over. To counter this issue, I thoughtfully engineered a hinge to secure the lid, along with a corresponding slot at the base to anchor the hinge hook. Serendipitously, I found that the design I conceived was such that the hinge automatically activated upon opening the lid, an unexpected but delightful outcome. This was a truly fortuitous accident! :)

4: Magnets: During the course of refining my design, I had the idea to incorporate the use of magnets. I happened to have some potent 5mm magnets readily available. With this in mind, I crafted the 3D printed components in such a manner that they could effortlessly snap together utilizing the magnets , introducing an element of elegance and efficiency.

Image: Magnetic cover

In the end, the build turned out to be quite impressive. It strikes a delicate balance between functionality and aesthetics, effortlessly merging practicality with elegance. Moreover, it possesses an ease of assembly and disassembly without compromising on its robust, weatherproof quality. I'm genuinely delighted with the outcome. The journey of over a year to bring this cyberdeck into existence feels well worthwhile. I foresee myself thoroughly enjoying the use of this cyberdeck and anticipate it to serve more purposes and undergo further enhancements in the future.

SDR & Antenna

I added SDR internally, and a BNC port on top. This will allow me to add an antenna on top, or connect the antenna cable 

Last step: Add speaker

My last step is to add an internal speaker, to listen to SDR traffic.

Cheers!

Kaushlesh Chandel ( KD9VFU )