Budget DIY radio hotspot uses the Beofeng UV-5R for email, SMS, and more

Ham Radio operator KM6LYW recently shared his latest budget build for a simple radio transceiver capable of handling a variety of data modes for multiple communication solutions. Built on the ever-popular Beofeng UV-5R, this project takes the capabilities of the radio and combines them with a handful of components to create a hotspot setup complete with its own web interface. While it may not be the most powerful setup in terms of signal strength, it certainly makes up for it in versatility and budget friendliness.

At the heart of the hardware for this project is the Beofeng UV-5R. Known for its affordability, hackability, and general cult status, this $23 or so radio is responsible for transmitting data. However, to interface with the radio, this project requires a Ham radio all-in-one-cable (AIOC) and a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W. Other necessary components include a USB battery pack, assorted USB cables, ferrite beads to filter out any sound pollution, and an SD card to load the software image for this build.

On the software side, this project uses DigiPi to handle the magic behind data transmission over RF. This specialized image is preconfigured as an all-in-one solution to send many different types of messages through its self-hosted web client. These protocols include FT8, JS8Call, and APRS, which enable services such as IM, email, and SMS to be sent and received. Additionally, networking capabilities such as APRS Packet Radio network IGate and node services can be configured through the web interface.

There is much more to the project, and with such a low barrier to entry, this may be the perfect starting point for users looking to build a versatile and off-grid communication solution. Those curious can find more information on the project linked below.