XPost: rec.radio.amateur.equipment, rec.radio.amateur.moderated

KB6NU's Ham Radio Blog

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HamMessenger brings text messaging to amateur radio

Posted: 28 Jul 2021 08:42 AM PDT http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/kb6nu/tVpu/~3/8eXkncJX80M/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email


Ive often thought that a killer app for amateur radio would be a way to
send text messages on the ham bands. Well, Ive just found out that another
ham, Dale Thomas, shares my enthusiasm. Hes the guy behind HamMessenger,
which is:

a portable, battery powered device that runs on a microcontroller and interfaces with an inexpensive ham radio to send and receive text messages
and provide position updates using the APRS protocol. Messages and position updates sent via HamMessenger can be viewed on sites such as aprs.fi. HamMessenger messages are NOT encrypted!

Its still being developed, but you can get the gist of it by looking at the figure below. It uses a low-cost HT to send and receive text messages with
some Arduino-based hardware.



The github page also notes:

At the core of the the project is the MicroAPRS modem created by markqvist. The primary controller is an Arduino Mega 2560 with the MicroAPRS Modem
running on an Arduino Pro Mini. HamMessenger includes GPS functionality supplied by a Neo-6M GPS radio. For peripherals, an M5Stack CardKB keyboard
is used for input and an SSD1106 OLED display for output.

I think this is a cool project. Ive just emailed Dale to get more info on
it and ask how I might be able to help him, perhaps with documentation or
by just publicizing it.

The post HamMessenger brings text messaging to amateur radio appeared first
on KB6NUs Ham Radio Blog.

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