Module 1: Power Foundations & The Digital Toolbox
Core Concept: Powering the hardware, then commanding the software.
Projects & Concepts
- Project: Build a 3-Kilowatt Portable Power Station.
- Project: Master the Linux CLI and format the master storage drive.
- AC/DC power, battery chemistry, low-voltage career pathways.
- Terminal navigation, directory management, and basic Bash scripting.
LET Pre-Apprenticeship Integration
Using digital multimeters safely on live voltage. Applying Ohm's Law to calculate battery capacity and inverter load limits using V = I × R and P = V × I.
Module 2: Building the Mini Server & Networking
Core Concept: Establishing local infrastructure and data management.
Projects & Concepts
- Project: Assemble a Raspberry Pi 5 Mini Server & 4-Bay NAS (Headless).
- Project: Community installation work (running cable for local businesses).
- Hardware assembly and flashing operating systems.
- Forcing SSH transitions, assigning static IPs, and hosting local web pages.
LET Pre-Apprenticeship Integration
The NEC & Blueprints: Grounding and bonding methods for low-voltage IT equipment/server racks. Interpreting physical architectural drawings to calculate maximum Cat6 cable runs and data transfer bandwidths.
Module 3: Microcontrollers, RF & Autonomous Systems
Core Concept: Hardware engineering and off-grid communications.
Projects & Concepts
- Project: ESP32/Pi AI Chatbot ("Jarvis") and LoRa text communicators.
- Project: Drone assembly, flight controller programming, and piloting.
- Mesh networking, signal frequencies, and hardware repeaters.
- Brushless motor mechanics and autonomous logic.
LET Pre-Apprenticeship Integration
Precision soldering on flight controllers. Using algebraic equations to calculate antenna wavelength and frequency (λ = c / f). Calculating high-discharge power draw across drone motors to prevent wire failure (P = I² × R).
Module 4: Cloud & Self-Hosting
Core Concept: Pushing local infrastructure to the global internet.
Projects & Concepts
- Project: Domain registration, DDNS setup, and live portfolio deployment.
- Navigating cloud service providers and DNS management.
- Securing connections with HTTPS/SSL certificates.
- Setting up secure personal VPN tunnels to access home servers remotely.
LET Pre-Apprenticeship Integration
Transitioning from copper data limits to understanding fiber optic principles for wide-area networking (a critical exam component for the Oregon LET license).
Module 5: Security & Responsible Use
Core Concept: Defending the network and ethical technology practices.
Projects & Concepts
- Project: Network penetration testing tools and server hardening.
- Password hashing, public/private key encryption.
- WiFi auditing (packet injection/monitor mode).
- Maintaining anonymity and ethical data practices.
LET Pre-Apprenticeship Integration
Analyzing logical network schematics to locate structural routing vulnerabilities. Mandatory First Aid and CPR Certification (direct prerequisite for the Oregon LET apprenticeship application).