Cheapino
========

Probably one of the cheapest split keyboards you can build.

![Cheapino with Iceberg keycaps](cheapino.jpg "Ceapino")

This is the result of really enjoying building keyboards, 
but not wanting to spend that much money on it. 
The pcb is reversible, connected using rj45, 
and utilizes a japanese duplex matrix, so only one
mcu is needed(in fact it only uses 7 of the rj45 wires to 
support 18 switches and an encoder on the right side).

A qmk branch with support is located here: 
https://github.com/tompi/qmk_firmware/tree/cheapino

To build it, you need:

* PCBs (ca 20$ for 5 at JLCPCB)
* RP2040-Zero (ca 4$ at AliExpress)
* 38 diodes(both smb and throug hole are supported, ca 2$ for 100 at Ali)
* 2 rj45 connector (ca 3.5$ for 10 at Ali)
* 1 ec11 rotary encoder(optional, 2$ for 2 at Ali)

All prices are including shipping to Norway.
Pick up a used mechanical board for ~10$ and harvest switches and keycaps, and you have enough for more than 2 sets.
You also need an rj45 cable and an usb c, but come on, these should be laying around anyway, right?
So total for 2 sets should be less than 50$, meaning 25$ for one. Pretty sweet deal?

If you are wondering if this is actually usable, Im writing this on it, and Im pretty happy with it. 

Drawbacks:

* Without a plate, its pretty difficult to solder swithes straight. I made a small helper "fork" to hold each column in place when soldering.
* RJ45 cables are a bit rigid, so they do not lay down on the table nicely like audio cables.
* There is no official qmk support, you need to compile from my branch manually... Keymap can be edited in qmk configurator though.


![Cheapino PCB](cheapino_pcb.jpg "Cheapino PCB")