{"id":957,"date":"2021-11-20T09:19:05","date_gmt":"2021-11-20T08:19:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pi4zlb.vrza.nl\/wp\/?p=957"},"modified":"2021-11-20T09:19:05","modified_gmt":"2021-11-20T08:19:05","slug":"arduino-ham-radio-texting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pi4zlb.vrza.nl\/wp\/2021\/11\/20\/arduino-ham-radio-texting\/","title":{"rendered":"Arduino + Ham Radio = Texting"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Over on the Spectrum web site, [Dale] \u2014 a relatively new ham radio operator \u2014 talks about his system for sending text messaging over VHF radios called HamMessenger<\/a>. Of course, hams send messages all the time using a variety of protocols, but [Dale] wanted a self-contained and portable unit with a keyboard, screen, and a GPS receiver. So he built one. You can find his work on GitHub<\/a>.<\/p>\n

At the heart of the project is MicroAPRS, an Arduino firmware for packet radio. Instead of using a bigger computer, he decided to dedicate another Arduino to do everything but the modem function.<\/p>\n

<\/span>You can probably figure out the rest. A $10 GPS, a battery pack, a charge controller, and a few user interface parts like an OLED screen and a keyboard. In addition, there\u2019s an SD card to store messages.<\/p>\n

Of course, we couldn\u2019t help but notice that our cell phone has a keyboard, screen, GPS, and storage. We might have been tempted to work out a way to connect the radio to it by Bluetooth. But we have to admit the little HamMessenger setup is cool-looking and probably lasts longer on a charge than our phone, too.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n