Introduction:

Topics:

Interview with John Hays (K7VE) from NorthWest Digital Radio.

John has been a licensed amateur radio operator for 40 years. His wife and all of his children are hams, too!

A couple years ago John gave a presentation at TAPR, and discussed his wish for a reasonably priced radio for digital communications with just a few connections: antenna, power and Ethernet.

Bryan Hoyer (now K7UDR) approached John and volunteered to build one. Their collaboration (with Basil Gunn) resulted in NorthWest Digital Radio.

Their first product will be the UDR56K-4 Universal Digital Radio, planned for availability in early 2013.

John goes on to discuss the features of their digital radio and some of the design decisions the company made.

Specifications (subject to change, of course):

25W 70cm Transceiver

4800 to 56Kbps

FSK, GMSK, 4FSK

Open Source Linux Platform – a full Linux-based web server is built-in. It uses the Debian kernel, running on an ARM processor (faster than a Raspberry Pi).

Web Interface over Ethernet

4 USB Host Ports

Applications:

Winlink Email

APRS

D-RATS

D-STAR Digital Data

Digital Voice with AMBE Card Option

44 Net (AMPRNet)

The radio can be completely controlled through the web interface or the command line.

John talks about other potential applications for their radio platform.

Keep an eye on the website for more information and to sign up for email announcements.

You may also be interested in John’s blog.

Contact Info:

Contact Richard at [email protected], Russ at [email protected], or both at the same time at [email protected].

Listen to the live stream every other Tuesday at 8:00pm Central time. Check the LHS web site for dates.

Leave us a voice mail at 1-909-LHS-SHOW (1-909-547-7469), or record an introduction to the podcast.

Sign up for the LHS mailing list.

Sign up for the MAGNetcon mailing list.

LHS merchandise is available at the Merch link on Web site. Check out the Badgerwear or buy one of the other LHS-branded items at PrintFection.com/lhs or Cafe Press. Thanks!

Thanks to Dave from Gamma Leonis for the theme music.