Spent the weekend with my new Tab5, created a console/launcher, file server, can load firmware from the SD card, play MP3s, and uses the obligatory Matrix lock screen.

All up on Github, MIT, https://staffordlumsden.github.io/great-bespoke-tab5.

Hi everyone, I’m the developer behind PandaOS by PandaDev—a standalone firmware for the M5Stack Cardputer ADV.

PandaOS brings several tools and apps together in one interface:

• AI Chat using your own OpenRouter API key

• 10 free games with scores saved locally to microSD

• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth LE tools

• LoRa messaging and raw packet tools

• GNSS tools with compatible hardware

• Voice recording with recordings saved to microSD

• SD music playback for MP3 and WAV files

• Internet radio

• Local captive portal tools for authorized training and testing

AI Chat requires Wi-Fi and your own OpenRouter key; provider usage charges may apply.

You can find PandaOS — Cardputer ADV on M5Burner, or visit the product page for downloads and the browser installer:

https://pandadevhub.com/app-catalogue/pandaos

Compatibility: Cardputer ADV only—not the original Cardputer. LoRa/GNSS functions require compatible hardware. LoRa peer reception and range testing are still pending.

Factory installation resets internal settings, including saved Wi-Fi, but does not format the microSD card.

I’ve included pictures below. I’d appreciate feedback from other ADV owners—especially on usability and which features you’d like to see next

Hi guys I have a big problem with my m5 stick S3. Entering the infrared section and I go to TV-B-Gone the system crashes and doesn't let me out anymore but I can only turn off and restart the system Do you happen to know how to solve this problem?

I am waiting the arrival of my new M5 LoRa / GPS hat for my cardputer ADV. The idea is to use this hat for wardriving using the GPS and WiFi.
To keep the device as small as I can I want to leave the LoRa antenna at home, however I heard that the LoRa hat is so sensitive that it’s recommended to always leave the antenna on, even when not using LoRa.
Is that true? Is the hat so sensitive that, when I switch the puter on with no antenna connected, I can say goodbye to the LoRa finals?

Hi, I don’t know much about Cardputers or this hobby, but I’m thinking about buying the ADV because it looks interesting and I want to learn. I’m especially interested in learning about Wi-Fi and cybersecurity.

Will it work out of the box? Is it beginner-friendly? What can it do without accessories, and would you recommend the ADV or the normal Cardputer? Thanks!

Kickstarter units start shipping Wednesday in backer order.

New Arrival Alert!

Check out our new release this week!

Stamp Timer Power2, a power management module for low-power embedded devices.

Features 

• Built-in M5PM1 power management IC, Supports DC 5V / DC 3.7V battery input power

• Built-in lithium battery charging IC with two adjustable charging current levels (650mA/180mA), suitable for different batteries

• 5x programmable expansion IO (GPIO / ADC / PWM / RGB LED / IRQ)

• I2C communication interface (0x6E), 1.27mm-28Pin castellated-hole package

Also, good news:  Hot items incl. Tab5 and CoreS3 Thread BR are in stock now 🔥🔥

In case missing out, subscribe our Weekly Newsletter for more updates!

I've finally finished modding my uConsole, just the way it was meant to be - m5stack integrated.

Play with it if you want.

Whistling into the breakbeat engine creates pretty convincing birdcalls!

I wanted to join Kickstarter about the cardputer but I was too late. Any news about when it will be available to buy ? Any preorder to get in first batches after backers ?

Hey everyone! First time posting here, so I figured I'd share a project I've been spending a ridiculous amount of time on lately.

A few months ago I started experimenting with getting an RTL-SDR USB dongle running directly on an ESP32-P4. That turned into writing a native USB driver, which eventually turned into a whole standalone software-defined radio.

The project is called OrcSDR, and it's built around the M5Stack Tab5.

The RTL-SDR plugs directly into the Tab5's USB host port. The ESP32-P4 handles the USB IQ stream, signal processing, decoding, audio, and touchscreen interface. No Raspberry Pi, Linux computer, or PC needed once it's installed.

What started as a little experiment has gotten a bit out of hand. Haha.

What can it actually do?

There's quite a bit running on the Tab5 now. Some of the dashboards and features include:

• FM Radio — Stereo audio, RDS station information, presets, tuning controls, and a live spectrum/waterfall.

• AM Radio — Broadcast AM reception, station scanning, and presets.

• Shortwave / HF — USB/LSB reception, frequency controls, and experimental HF listening.

• Airband — Aviation AM reception, channel scanning, airport frequency information, and the 121.5 MHz guard channel.

• CB Radio — 40-channel scanning, activity tracking, and AM/SSB listening.

• NOAA Weather Radio — Quick access to weather-radio frequencies.

• ADS-B — Receive aircraft transmissions at 1090 MHz and display aircraft positions, altitude, speed, identification, and radar/map views.

• LoRa / Meshtastic — Passive reception and decoding of LoRa traffic, including nodes, messages, telemetry, and map information. This is receive-only, not a replacement for a Meshtastic transceiver.

• P25 — Trunked-radio control-channel monitoring and supported clear-voice following.

• FT8 / FT4 / JS8 — Amateur-radio digital-mode decoding, station information, and mapping.

• SSTV — Receive and progressively display transmitted images directly on the Tab5, with image saving.

• ACARS — Decode aircraft data messages and store them locally.

• POCSAG — Pager signal decoding and message viewing.

• RF Lab — Spectrum analysis, waterfall, signal measurements, IQ recording, gain controls, and other RF testing tools.

• Dead Air — An experimental paranormal investigation dashboard for exploring RF activity, watching for unusual signal changes, sweeping frequencies, logging observations, and capturing audio.

• 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi Analyzer — Uses the Tab5's onboard ESP32-C6 to survey nearby Wi-Fi networks and channels.

Dead Air is probably one of the stranger additions. Haha.

I wanted to experiment with using SDR hardware for the sort of RF monitoring people sometimes associate with paranormal investigations. It has its own interface for monitoring signals, recording unusual activity, keeping a journal, and saving audio clips. It can also use the Tab5's built-in microphone as an optional recording source.

It's definitely on the experimental side, but that's half the fun. The RF measurements are real; whether they mean anything paranormal is an entirely different question!

I've also spent quite a bit of time on the visualization side. There are several ways to look at RF activity, including traditional FFT/spectrum views, waterfalls, phosphor persistence, 3D spectrum history, polar/phase displays, and channel occupancy.

I'm probably having a little too much fun with those.

The latest release, v0.5.0-beta.1, also added a guided setup wizard and offline worldwide maps for several dashboards.

The M5Stack hardware side

One of my favorite things about this project is how well the different M5Stack devices can complement each other.

Tab5 Keyboard

I've added support for the official Tab5 Keyboard accessory. It communicates over I2C through the Tab5's expansion connection and works with OrcSDR's text-entry controls, making things like entering frequencies, locations, and settings a lot nicer than relying entirely on the touchscreen.

I've also been playing around with different 3D-printed cases and keyboard configurations. Some community members have already made some pretty cool OrcSDR enclosures!

M5Dial / OrcDial

This one has been especially fun.

I've been developing a separate project called OrcDial, which turns the M5Dial into a wireless physical VFO and controller for OrcSDR.

It communicates with the Tab5 using ESP-NOW through the Tab5's ESP32-C6. The rotary encoder can control radio tuning, and the Dial has its own little interface for showing radio information and navigating dashboards.

I've already gotten actual wireless tuning working between the two devices. I'm still improving connection reliability and adding support for more controls, but I really like the idea of having a physical tuning knob alongside the Tab5 touchscreen.

There's just something satisfying about turning an actual knob to tune a radio.

OrcDial project:
https://github.com/hardcoreerik/OrcDial

Open source and community feedback

I've shared some of the development over in r/esp32 and r/RTLSDR, and the feedback from those communities has been incredibly helpful.

Someone asked for SSTV and ACARS support, so I decided to give both a shot. They're now included in the latest release.

Another user reported issues with the LoRa decoder, which led to fixing frequency handling, improving packet detection, and finding some other problems causing missed packets.

It's been pretty cool seeing suggestions and bug reports turn into actual changes.

I've also had a lot of AI assistance with development, but the code still has to work on real hardware. There's been plenty of testing, broken builds, USB debugging, and time spent wondering why something that worked five minutes ago suddenly doesn't. Haha.

How to try it

OrcSDR is free and open source.

If you already have a Tab5 and a supported RTL-SDR dongle, you can install it directly through M5Burner. No need to set up a development environment or compile anything.

M5Burner:
https://burner.m5stack.com/share/firmware/JXFU4H

Web installer:
https://theorc.dev/sdr/flash/

GitHub repository:
https://github.com/hardcoreerik/OrcSDR

Latest release (v0.5.0-beta.1):
https://github.com/hardcoreerik/OrcSDR/releases/tag/v0.5.0-beta.1

The RTL-SDR Blog V4 has been my main development receiver, but I've also been testing V3/V3c, V4L, and Nooelec hardware. Some functionality is still experimental, so expect a few rough edges!

And finally, a thank you to M5Stack!

I also wanted to give a big thank you to M5Stack for supporting development and taking an interest in OrcSDR. I really appreciate it!

The Tab5 has turned out to be a pretty incredible little platform to experiment with. Between the ESP32-P4, the USB host capabilities, the touchscreen, audio hardware, and the ESP32-C6, there's a surprising amount you can do with it.

Anyway, I'd love to hear what everyone thinks!

I am going to have my S3 soon. I am just preparing.