Mike writes informing us of his DIY IR Toy:
Finally got around to taking some pics of a DIY IRToy I finished last week. All the parts are 0805, since I don’t have an 0603 kit (yet).
I have it working nicely on Linux with a patched lirc, with both transmit and receive. I’m currently using it with a spare remote, from a cheap SDR stick, to control VLC. :)
You can get IR Toy v2 for $22.05, including world wide shipping.