In this new episode of Build, Create & Learn – A Maker’s Journey, I take the next step into the world of Embedded Linux: writing, debugging, and cross-compiling my very first character driver.

After my initial “Hello Kernel” experiment, I wanted to go deeper — to understand how real drivers work, how they register with the kernel, and how data travels between user space and kernel space. Along the way, I learned the hard way how to debug without crashing the system, and how to cross-compile a kernel module from my Ubuntu machine to a Raspberry Pi.

This episode is about more than just code — it’s about exploring the invisible layers that make Linux so powerful, and why knowing what happens beneath the surface gives every maker a new kind of confidence.

Thanks for listening, and don’t forget to check out the companion article at https://herndlbauer.com/blog/a-makers-journey-podcast-episode-9/ — it includes the full source code and more details from my journey into the kernel.

In this season premiere of Build, Create & Learn – A Maker’s Journey, I begin a brand-new adventure: diving into Embedded Linux and Kernel Driver Development.

After years of working with microcontrollers and maker projects, I wanted to understand what really happens under the hood — how Linux talks to hardware, what lives inside the kernel, and why that matters for anyone building modern embedded systems.

I share how I set up a dedicated Linux environment, wrote my first “Hello Kernel” module, and what I learned along the way about the invisible bridge between user space and kernel space. It’s the start of a deeper exploration into the layers that make our devices tick — from bootloaders to drivers and everything in between.

Thanks for tuning in to this new season. Here’s to more building, creating, and learning — this time, inside the Linux kernel!

Ever wish you could ditch that annoying USB cable while working on your microcontrollers? In this episode, I share how I finally untethered my embedded development board using a Raspberry Pi – a real game-changer for my workflow!

Then, we dive into the exciting world of GPS for my FPV drone telemetry system. Join me as I recount the struggles (C++ library headaches and mysterious scrambled data) and the triumphs of getting the MTK3339 GPS sensor talking to my STM32. You'll hear about the detective work to find the right pins, the debugging breakthroughs, and the sheer excitement of finally getting a solid satellite fix.

It's an honest look at the real-world challenges and rewarding "aha!" moments of building complex systems. Tune in to hear the full story and what's next for our drone telemetry project!

Welcome back to Build, Create & Learn — A Maker’s Journey! In this episode, I’m taking you along on my early adventures with embedded programming using the STM32 microcontroller.

From that first blinking LED to the moment I finally got sensor data from the BME280, it’s been a ride full of bugs, head-scratching errors, and small wins that felt huge.

If you’re curious about embedded development or just enjoy the learning journey behind the scenes, this one’s for you. Whether you’re a beginner or someone looking back at their first “blinky” project, I hope you find something relatable in the process.

Check out the companion blog post for links, images, and the source code: herndlbauer.com

In this first episode of "Build, Create & Learn: A Maker's Journey", join Stefan as he dives into building a custom FPV drone telemetry system from scratch.

From STM32 boards and LoRa radios to ‘what did I get myself into?’ moments — it’s an honest look at a maker’s journey: learning by doing, celebrating small wins, and proving you can build what you imaged. Let's start the journey together!