Radio Transmission Escape Room Puzzle Tutorial

[@offendingshadows9118]

Great for the simple solution, and not having to modify a radio! I went the other route -- "made" a 1950s AM radio that's an Arduino-controlled MP3 player, which acts as a combination lock. They need to tune in the stations (which play music from the 1950s) in the correct order, and that sends an MQTT message via 8266 chip to another device in the room to activate. Although I don't have it doing the following it could to this too: Because it has the wifi (and MQTT) setup, I can change which track plays on a certain station, depending on what else in the room has been triggered, or if they need a (pre-recorded) clue played. Rather than just using an SD-Card reader (which has a bunch more restrictions on what audio can play from it), I use the DFPlayer YX5200 board. They're about US$3 each.

[@benbradley_123]

Another interesting idea to consider: some LED lightbulbs block radio signal. It's worth testing this with your equipment, or could possibly be used to your advantage (i.e. players must switch of the lights while they want to work on the puzzle).

[@PlayfulTechnology]

Ooh, thanks for the information - I didn't know that . But, like you said, any limitation can be turned around to make another requirement that players need to fix to solve the puzzle!

[@benbradley_123]

@@PlayfulTechnology You're welcome - I actually found out after we had our kitchen lightbulbs changed and the radio stopped working!

[@toschrama]

Great one. Very accessible and a world of options!

[@dolfinmagikpro]

Great idea and technique! I have one suggestion to simplify your code. Since the code determines what is being sent ("THIS IS A TEST"), or, as you mentioned, entering it through the serial monitor, you could eliminate the need for determining whether the character is lower or upper case by only using upper or lower case in the code or entering it through the serial monitor, since the audio result would be the same anyway. I hope that makes sense! Anyway ... Great project ... This is on my "to do" list! Have a better day!

[@fireman4015]

Great idea. Thanks for the video!

[@OperationEscape]

Does anyone know of a way this same puzzle can be done without the radio picking up other radio stations? For example, don't want a 1940s themed room to be able to play Capital FM! haha

[@theboxmadrid1210]

I have the same issue LOL

[@kevganhiga]

You are the best!

[@davewalters9926]

Hi Alastair. I am not familiar with the "Patreon" page...other than in name only. I tried to find a way to contact you there, but couldn't. Please help me understand the tiers. If I jump in at the $10 tier, do I get access to all code, tutorials, etc. for ALL of your projects, or just the one I was looking at when I gave the $10? Maybe a little help understanding that could benefit you and me. :)

[@PlayfulTechnology]

Hi Dave, thanks for the message. Yes, if you support at $10 you'll be charged $10 for each new project (no more than one per month), and you get access to code listings etc. for all my previous projects. You can cancel whenever you want.

[@alejandrostablum5326]

You are amazing

[@michaelbluecastlestudio665]

Great idea..thanks for sharing…will check out your patreon page