cross-posted from: https://lemmy.sdf.org/post/20077977

What cool stuff is going on with IP over ham radio? I want to build simple services accessible to other hams in my area, and would love to learn about what's out there.

• New Packet Radio: This looks pretty cool, although until the FCC makes a decision on updated VHF/UHF bandwidth and symbol rate restrictions, I'll hold off on buying any dedicated hardware

• Broadband HamNet: I'm not sure if there's any existing network in my area. Since it's 802.11 with yagis and amplifiers, I feel like you'd need a good density of local users for anything cool to develop.

• AX.25 with TCP/IP: I might play around with this. It doesn't require equipment except a UHF/VHF radio, antenna, and a computer, so it might be easier to convince others to try it too. Obviously you're very limited in bitrate, but it would be fun to set up a gohper hole or a BBS.

Are there other technologies or projects worth looking into? Even though I'm not personally interested in buying new equipment for it, I'd still like to hear what's out there.

Right, so this is the situation: I still haven't obtained my license here in Brazil, but I already have a Baofeng DR-1801 HT that can connect to dmr networks. Therefore I haven't transmitted yet. But I'd like to clarify some doubts:

• When I get my license, even in C-class in Brazil, I will be allowed access to some frequencies in 40-10m bands. Should I get a low power QRP transceiver (e.g. uSDX) or go for an used rig from known brands?
• It's almost impossible to find a transceiver project with a power rating greater than 10w. What would be the difficulty of, say, copylefting the schematics of an ft-7b?
• Can I really use a wire thrown over my house (of course, with baluns and stuff) as a monopole antenna or that's just myth?

Simple question that for some reason is difficult to find an answer to

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.sdf.org/post/9321551

I'm really intrigued by digital modes. Stuff like JS8Call seems really cool, and I want to get into it.

I don't have any HF equipment. SSB isn't very interesting to me, so I was thinking of getting a digital-only transceiver and saving some money. I think it would be cool to take a small QRP box with a laptop or raspi, and do digital mode Pota with it.

I've seen the QDX which looks exactly like what I want and seems to get good reviews. Any others that I should be aware of?

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.sdf.org/post/7646743

I'm just getting into ham (my technician exam is tomorrow night), and I'm looking for ideas on starter kit.

For now, my interest is in making contact with a friend who lives ~10 miles away, as well as other amateurs in the county (there's a repeater ~2 miles away). This friend needs to reapply for his license, but he has a mobile 2m/70cm transceiver from his old call sign. Eventually, we'd like to get into digital communication between our houses.

Even further down the line, I think long distance HF sounds cool, but that looks like a money pit I'm not quite ready to dig just yet.

I don't want to set up any crazy antennas just yet, as partner and I are house hunting. This also means we could end up more like 15 miles from my friend, depending on what we find.

I was wondering if anyone here could suggest beginner's equipment for my goals. I'm ok to spend a bit more on systems that are still useful if my interest in ham expands beyond these initial requirements.