4-H’er Max Kendall: Budding Entrepreneur
Most 14-year-olds spend their time after school playing soccer or video games. 4-H’er Max Kendall of Medway, however, has spent his free time inventing a device called Tiny4FSK, a high-altitude, data-transmitting computer that flies on balloons and rockets. Max presented his invention at the Massachusetts 4-H Foundation’s 2024 Annual Meeting to the amazement of those in attendance.
An eighth grader at the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter School, Max created Tiny4FSK on a printed circuit board. “It is designed to be as lightweight and efficient as possible,” explained Max. “It’s also designed to allow easy access to upper air environments. It can be modified to take pictures.
Tiny4FSK’s true value lies in the data it generates, which it sends back to the ground. “Its main function is tracking, with GPS tracking,” said Max. In addition, the device monitors time, altitude, temperature, pressure, and humidity. ” Tiny4FSK is still in the research and development phase.
Max’s interest in electronics generated a spark that led him to invent Tiny4FSK. After Max received a party balloon as a gift, he purchased a high-altitude balloon. The ease with which he lost the standard balloon reinforced the need to monitor its location. He then began radio tracking and designed a new high-altitude tracking system, which used a protocol called Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS). Today, Tiny4FSK traces its path via a radio protocol called Horus Binary V2. All of its electronics are built into one board, resulting in a smaller device size. Max noted he could not have invented Tiny4FSK without the help he received from the New England Weather Balloon Society, of which Max and his father are founders.
Max also cited New England Sci-Tech, (https://nescitech.org), a non-profit STEM education center for youth and families. Max took advantage of its makerspace filled with specialized equipment to build Tiny4FSK. Today, Max pays it forward by volunteering at New England Sci-Tech.
Max has shown his invention at The Big E’s Visual Presentations. He also plans to submit Tiny4FSK to both his school and regional science fairs.
A member of the Science Explorers 4-H Club of Medway, Max leads and mentors in monthly “STEAM (Science/Technology/Engineering/Arts/Math) Tuesdays” with the club at the Medway Public Library. Recent meeting topics have included volcanoes and black holes.
As for his future, Max has a definite goal. “I hope to be an entrepreneur,” he said excitedly. “I’ve listed my products on a business I’m building.” The business, called Habtronics, will sell ballooning and other high-altitude products, including Tiny4FSK.
Fly high, Max!
