Thailand plans for digital radio

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Thailand's National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission has indicated that it will likely use Australia's digital radio system as a model to migrate from analog, according to the Bangkok Post.

The chairman of the NBTC's broadcasting committee, Col Natee Sukonrat, said the regulator is studying the digital radio transition in Australia, which according to the article is the country that is viewed as the most successful in implementing the scheme. Nevertheless, the NBTC has not chosen its digital radio standard. Options include DAB+ (which is used in Australia), DRM, or iBiquity's HD Radio system.

Natee said the launch of digital radio in Thailand would provide choices to consumers as it would be available in parallel with the existing analog system. There will be no shutdown of the analog system. He also indicated that NBTC expects to allot unused VHF spectrum for digital radio and will begin licensing next year, likely first in the major provinces

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Re-introduction of the DVRPTR_V1 Boards as a Low Cost Solution for Building Hotspots, Repeaters and Stand-alone Repeaters

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Increased demand for a low-cost solution for building hotspots and repeaters,

encouraged the re-introduction of the proven DVRPTR_V1 boards as a viable alternative to the existing offering.

These robust and low-cost boards are a great incentive for many hams to start experimenting with the digital modes.

The "new" DVRPTR_V1 boards are being assembled, individually tested and shipped worldwide from Montreal, Canada.

“As creator of the original DV-RPTR V1 project (name, hardware and firmware) I’m happy that this project will continue. This board is not perfect - I know, but it is a reliable, low-price solution for building hotspots, repeaters and stand-alone repeaters. I will resume my firmware development and I hope to find more dedicated specialists that can help improve the board’s open source firmware.”
— Jan Alte, DO1FJN
Bruce Given, VE2GZI, hardware engineer with over 20 years of experience in (the

electronic components business from design to logistics .), will coordinate the production and logistics efforts of this project.

"My top priority is to promote this great product in the amateur community and to offer it bundled with timely delivery, excellent service and technical support" said Bruce Given, VE2GZI.

Project website -  WWW.DVRPTR.Net

Yahoo support group - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DVRPTR_V1/

WSPR on the Raspberry Pi

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Essex radio amateur George Smart M1GEO has managed to get the ham radio weak-signal software WSPR running on his Raspberry Pi.

WSPR stands for Weak Signal Propagation Reporter and is designed for sending and receiving low-power transmissions to test propagation paths on the MF and HF bands.

Details of how George M1GEO managed to get WSPR working on the Raspberry Pi computer board are on his website - http://www.george-smart.co.uk/wiki/RaspberryPi_WSPR