I’m Learning Electronics by Building a Budget Flipper Zero Alternative

I’m learning electronics and soldering, so I decided to challenge myself by building a simple, budget-friendly alternative to some Flipper Zero functions.

The project uses a D1 Mini ESP8266, an OLED display, IR receiver and transmitter modules, 433 MHz RF modules, an 18650 battery, HiveMQ, MQTT, and a private web dashboard.

It can capture and replay compatible infrared commands and fixed-code 433 MHz RF signals from equipment I own. It is not a complete Flipper Zero replacement and cannot bypass rolling-code systems.

Because I’m a beginner, the project involved plenty of mistakes and troubleshooting, including incorrect power connections, a damaged power module, unstable voltage, difficult soldering, and an enclosure that was too small. 🤣I documented these problems as well as the solutions that worked for me.

The complete guide includes:

• Component list and wiring diagrams

• D1 Mini code

• IR and compatible 433 MHz RF capture

• HiveMQ and MQTT configuration

• A web dashboard deployed with Vercel

• 18650 battery and 5 V boost-module wiring

• Soldering, assembly, and troubleshooting notes

You can read the complete guide here:

https://www.tinydevicelab.com/post/flipper-zero-on-a-budget-esp8266-rf-ir

I’m still improving both my electronics and soldering skills, so I’d appreciate constructive feedback from experienced makers.

If you were building the next version, what would you improve or add: a CC1101 transceiver, NFC, RFID, physical buttons, or support for storing multiple commands?