While I wait for my uConsole here's a quick review of my PicoCalc. You might see more detail of what I use this for in a future project page.
I ordered a uConsole last year then gave up with the delays. Rumor has it that Clockwork have relationships with sellers who buy the devices in bulk then sell them with a whopper markup through online marketplaces. I cracked again and ordered one directly earlier in the year. If Clockwork honour the 90 working day lead time mine should be delivered in early September 2025, we'll see.
Clockwork PicoClac
When I heard about the PicoCalc I decided to get one. I managed to get my order in early and it took a two or three weeks to arive. As with all of the Clockwork products it comes as a simple to assemble kit. Just a case of assembling the keyboard, attaching the screen, attaching the Pico & screwing the case together. When you put the screen in, put some electrical tape along the edges to stop the screen falling away from the holder and cracking when you close the clam shell. Lots of reports online about this.
PicoClac Connectivity
The device charges by USB C. The Pico has firmware flashed via Micro USB. You can upload code to the device via USB C. There's a push button to turn it on and off, a 3.5mm headphone jack and round the side is a textured volume control (good work for physical interfaces). The top of the case is dark grey, the bottom half of the case is transparent blue. It's powered by 2 x 18650 batteries.
When I first built mine the keyboard had an annoying creak when you pressed the keys. I fixed it by running a strip of fabric tape along the edge of the main board where it touches the clamshell case. I'm told (by the internets) that the problem is the PCB flexing behind the battery holder. I keep meaning to get some hot glue under the battery holder, but the fabric tape has cured the symptom so it keeps slipping my mind. Couple of videos below showing the problem and my cure.
PicoClac with a noisy case.
PicoCalc without a noisy case.
Keyboard.
The keyboard is a great size. It fits perfectly in my two hands and is a joy to two thumb type on. The keys are rubber and have a decent click when you press them. It's easy to type accurately and quite fast on. The arrow keys are in a weird place, but work well. There's button combo's that bring up battery levels (Alt + B) via flashing the LED, a pair of brightness controls (Alt + < and >) for the screen backlight and a single button (Alt + Space) that scrolls through 4 brightness levels for the backlit keyboard.
The PicoCalc runs a modified version of MMBasic, mine has a Pico2W in place of the Pico1 that comes with it, so it's got a modified version of the modified version of MMBasic on it. I'm sure I've said elsewhere, I'm not a coder. I'm even less of a basic coder! Writing the programs I've written brought back many childhood memories of keying in code from magazines.
PicoClac MMBasic
As you know, I'm an amateur radio operator. We (radio hams) like writing things down. I'm not very good at keeping track of note pads, so when I'm out operating portable it's hard for me to keep my log updated. Who am I kidding, at my desk it's hard to keep my log updated! I've written a little program that runs on here and allows me to log HF contacts when I'm out portable. It's very basic and I'm sure there's a much better way of doing it, but it works for me, so I'm happy with it.
My Portable QSO Logger.
The Pico2 doesn't have a realtime clock, so every time you run the program you have to tell it the date & time. It's a little frustrating, but not frustrating enough to make me modify the code and put in the RTC module I bought. When I log a contact it writes it to a text file on the SD Card. You can look at the log book and even edit an entry from the interface.
When you log a contact it captures the operator name I spoke to, the signal report I recieved and any comments about the contact, I use the comment field to capture the band I was using. I should probably edit the code to include a seperate field for the band, but projects are always work in progress for me!
My Portable QSO Logger
It's very basic, but it does what I want it to do. Happy days. The PicoCalc is 170x100x30mm (including the keyboard and feet). Pocket sized might be quite specific to a cargo pocket, but it's pretty small. There's an active community at PicoClac Forum @ Clockworkpi.com.
The device is cool, I'm pleased I have one. I have a couple of other ideas for MMBasic code solutions to other first world problems, I've not written them yet, when I do, if they're any good I'll post them here!
If you want a copy of my QSO Logger code to run on your PicoCalc, you can find it here.
Pros Great Form Factor · Retro Styling · Active Community
Cons Shipping Delays (30 working days at time of writing)
