Send data via IPv4 up to 300 kilometers with easy-to-assemble hardware
I have been a hobbyist and maker for almost 15 years now. I like inventing things and diving into low-level things. In 2013, I was looking at a protocol called NBP, used to create a data network over amateur radio links. NBP was developed in the 2000s as a potential replacement for the venerable AX.25 protocol [PDF] that’s been in use for digital links since the mid-1980s. I believed it was possible to create an even better protocol with a modern design that would be easier to use and inexpensive to physically implement.
It took six years, but the result is New Packet Radio (NPR), which I chose to publish under my call sign, F4HDK, as a nom de plume. It supports today’s de facto universal standard of communication—the Internet’s IPv4—and allows data to be transmitted at up to 500 kilobits per second on the popular 70-centimeter UHF ham radio band. Admittedly, 500 kb/s is not as fast as the megabits per second that flow through amateur networks such as the European Hamnet or U.S. AREDN, which use gigahertz
frequencies like those of Wi-Fi. But it is still faster than the 1.2 kb/s normally used by AX.25 links, and the 70-cm band permits long-distance links even when obstructions prevent line-of-sight transmissions.
Initially, I considered using different frequency bands for the uplink and downlink connections: Downlinks would have used the DVB-S standard, originally developed for digital satellite television. Uplinks would have used a variation of FSK (frequency-shift keying) to encode data. But the complexity involved in synchronizing the uplink and downlink was too high. Then I tried using a software-defined radio equipped with a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). I had some experience with FPGA READ FULL ARTICLE
Equipment
Using A Uniden Wireless Mic For ICOM Radios??
Would you like a wireless mic option for your ICOM radios? Well, there is a way to do it with a Uniden CB mic. And it’s kind of neat! Read more
ACOM 2020S | Solid-State 1.8-54 MHz Linear Amplifier
The ACOM 2020S is a state-of-the art 1500 W heavy-duty, solid-state linear amplifier, covering all amateur bands from 1.8 to 54 MHz. It features a Rem... Read more
SPECTRAN V6 X
Aaronia presents the SPECTRAN® V6 X: the world’s first and only 8 GHz USB spectrum analyzer with dual USB true I/Q streaming of up to 245 MHz (v... Read more
WiMo Antennen und Elektronik GmbH (WiMo) will be the exclusive distributor for the complete 4O3A product
Effective October 1st 2022 WiMo Antennen und Elektronik GmbH (WiMo) will be the exclusive distributor for the complete 4O3A product family, including... Read more
What’s a CTR2-Mini?
In the beginning was CTR The Mini and Mini+ are the third generation of radio controllers that I’ve designed and built. CTR stands for Control The Rad... Read more
M&P Silicon Seal – Strain Relief: The Ultimate Protection for Connectors
Self-tightening silicone rubber tubular gasket for our cables Ø 5,4 (.212”) or 7,3mm (.287”) or 10,3mm (.400”) or 1... Read more
AT-100M HF AUTOMATIC ANTENNA TUNER
Here we take a look at the new AT-100M Automatic Antenna Tuner. NOT to be confused with other models, this ATU has been built from the ground up in te... Read more
VHF
ISS Crossband Repeater Ham Radio Contacts!
How hard is it to make contacts over the ISS Crossband repeater? Thanks to Robert W5ITR https://www.qrz.com/db/W5ITR for demonstrating his very nice r... Read more
ABBREE AR-F8 6 BAND HANDHELD
Here we take a look at the ABBREE AR-F8 handheld transceiver. Does this really do 20 Watts? I think we know that answer already..! Read more
The IC-905 Debut! Ham Expo Walkthrough
The IC-905 Debut! Ham Expo Walkthrough Aim higher and enter the world of SHF. The IC-905 is an industry-first all-mode transceiver with 144/440/1... Read more
Most Expensive Handhelds TESTED!
We’re back at the park to test the most expensive ham radio handheld radios available today. Which radio will have the strongest transmit signal... Read more
Activity and Awards Increase at 222 and 1296 MHz
Interest in ARRL VHF and above Worked All States Awards (WAS) continues its flurry of activity, now on the 1296 MHz band. As we reported in... Read more
Best APRS Handheld Ham Radio!
APRS has already been my favorite VHF/UHF radio feature. Today, sadly, there are fewer handhelds on the market that can do full-featured APRS. Today I... Read more
Top 3 Digital Handheld Ham Radios for 2022
Digital Handheld The top 3 digital voice modes in Ham Radio are DMR, DSTAR and YSF Read more
Review
What secrets is it hiding? FX-4C
HF SDR Transceiver 10W Amateur Radio AM FM CW SSB FX-4C Read more
Icom IC-705 Custom Made Portable Go-Case, by Ralph. QRP Day In Vero Beach!
Check out this custom solution for Ralph’s Icom IC-705 Read more
Icom IC7300 vs Yaesu FT991a
I’m breaking it down this time, One of the all time most asked questions I get, Should you buy the Icom or the Yaesu? Do looks matter? Read more
Mount Your Mobile Ham Radio Antenna The Right Way
Mount Your Mobile Ham Radio Antenna The Right Way Read more
Chameleon Remote Tuner
Using the Loop Remote Tuner allows you to get further away from the antenna and have more precise control over the antenna. This is advantageous for t... Read more
Yaesu FT-710 AESS & FTdx10 – RX Audio Comparison
“I’ve had a number of requests to shoot a video series about the Yaesu FT-710 AESS, similar to my FTdx10 series. Ham Radio Outlet loaned me a Ya... Read more
Ham Radio Headphones – The Hidden Benefits
Not every radio ham operator likes headphones, but others may wonder if they should invest in a pair. Peter G3OJV, highlights some of the reasons that... Read more
News
WRTC 2023 AWARD : January 2023…headset on!
WRTC Organizing Committee is proud to announce a 2023 edition of WRTC 2023 AWARD! This is NOT WRTC 2022 Contest that will be held in Bologna in July 2... Read more
Dayton Hamvention Announces Theme for 2023
Dayton Hamvention® 2023 is just over 6 months away, and next year’s Hamvention team has selected “Innovation!” as the event theme. T... Read more
The 2023 ARRL Calendar
Keep track of your important dates, ARRL contests, and holidays with a 2023 ARRL Calendar. This year’s calendar features Collegiate Amateur Radi... Read more
The Secret Government Radio Signals I Heard Today!
The Secret Government Radio Signals Read more
Radio Amateurs Support the Great ShakeOut 2022 in Puerto Rico
Students from the Crop Protection Student Association at the University of Puerto Rico in Mayagüez participated in a communications practice session a... Read more
Amateur Radio Club Members Assist Law Enforcement
The Wayne Amateur Radio Club (WARC) manned a 30-foot-tall mobile observational Infrastructure Protection Unit, or SkyWatch tower, at Ohio’s Wayn... Read more
GXP Antenna 16 elements 5 bands – Contest
Antenna BEAM 16 elements 5 bands „contest” (New model 2022) Bands: 80/40/20/15/10 [ m ] Active elements: 2/ 3/ 3/ 3/ 5 [ pcs ] Gain (dBd): 3,8/4,8/5,4... Read more
