2000km DX using the Raspberry Pi

Eddie G3ZJO used the 10 mW of RF that can be generated from the Raspberry Pi computer board to get over 2000 km on the 7 MHz band.

The Raspberry Pi board can operate as a WSPR transmitter covering LF, HF and VHF up to 250 MHz.

Eddie G3ZJO connected the board's GPIO port via a low pass filter to a 40m Doublet for the 7 and 14 MHz bands or to a small Marconi inverted L just 6m up 6m out for the 472 kHz band which he estimates generates an ERP of 0.5 microwatts.

Among the stations who received his WSPR signal were:  

• LA9JO JP99gb 2124km on 7MHz
• LY2BOS KO24or 1736km on 14MHz
• IK1WVQ JN44cb 1133km on 7MHz
• G4KPX  JO02dj 80km on 472kHz
• G3XIZ IO92ub 46km on 472kHz

The PE1NNZ code and binary to turn the Raspberry Pi into a WSPR LF/MF/HF/VHF transmitter is available at https://github.com/threeme3/WsprryPi

Thailand plans for digital radio

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

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

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/