Digital Projects for Amateur Radio
Below are some of the easy to start projects that combine digital technologies. This is not an exhaustive list though it will be kept updated as much as possible.
AREDN
AREDN, which stands for Amateur Radio Emergency Data Network, is a firmware that can be flashed on many common routers that allow for Mesh Network operation using HSMM, aka High Speed Multimedia. Routers often have hardware that can support some frequencies shared by Amateur Radio Operators, and Amateurs are given operating priviledges beyond those of civilian users, namely up to 1500 watts of operating power or 10 Watts if operating using Spread Spectrum (which is used by HSMM). With these higher operating powers combined with the use of special antennas, it is possible for amateurs to create communications links at distances beyond those of unlicensed operators. These data links can be used to make phone calls, transmit video feeds, relay messages, and more. For more information on AREDN use the webpages below.
CW Encoder/Decoder
Microcontrollers are a powerful tool used both by hobbyists and professionals. Using programming tools and libraries, the sky is the limit with what you can do with one. The ARRL Lab has put together a demonstration for a CW Encoder and Decoder that relies on a microcontroller to process audio and interface with a radio to transmit morse code. This can be used as a learning tool or by operators who want to take advantage of the CW portions of the bands. Also here are some other similar projects worth looking at.
Microcontroller Projects for Amateur Radio
Pi-Star Digital Hotspot
Digital Voice is an increasingly popular method of communication among users of handheld transcievers and for many good reasons. It offers often superior voice quality compared to analog radio, while also using narrower bandwidth and allows for networking using 'gateways'. However there are many different protocols that are not mutually compatible. Pi-Star is an operating system written by Andy Taylor that is designed to interface with a radio to act as a gateway into Digital voice networks allowing for digital voice operation anywhere there is an internet connection. It is common to pair a Raspberry Pi mini-computer that is running Pi-Star with an MMDVM 'Hat', an open source modem project by Johnathan Naylor, was built to allow for analog radios to access digital radio networks. Though this does not allow communication to nearby digital users, it does allow anyone with a raspberry pi, vhf/uhf analog transciever, and an MMDVM modem to connect into digital radio networks spanning across the globe. For more information, use the links below.
Node Red Station Control Server
Node Red is a "flow based" programming tool based off of Javascript. Programming is made as simple as dragging and dropping blocks, which represent whole functions, into a space called a 'flow' and connecting them together to pull, process, transmit, and display information. Using node red it is easy to create a simple to use interface on your local network for monitoring and managing a wide range of things. Many amateur radio operators have used this tool to build unified interfaces for their radios, antenna switches, switchable outlets, rotors, and more. Much of these precompiled programs can be found on the groups.io node red ham radio page.
Groups.io - Node Red Ham Radio
Digital Amateur TV
Amateur TV is a popular part of the Amateur Radio hobby, and with the availablility of hardware and software tools it is arguably easier than ever to set up a digital amateur TV station even with a low budget. For more information, follow the links below.
Technology >> Radio Technology Topics >> Technical Specialties >> Building Equipment >> Digital Projects
