Amateur Radio needs a complete mind change and detailed futuristic outlook! What do you suggest? (Part 1)

I recently asked AI the above question and it returned a basic "old fashioned" outlook.  Now there is nothing wrong with practicing amateur radio the "old fashioned" way (General Outlook) but I was looking for a detailed futuristic outlook in amateur radio. (Detailed Outlook)

The General Outlook provided by AI

AI answer:  

"For amateur radio to truly evolve with Artificial Intelligence, the community must shift from viewing AI as an "automated operator" that replaces human contact to an "augmented mentor" that enhances human capability. If AI is only used to macro-manage contacts or auto-log FT8, it kills the magic of the hobby.

To achieve a complete mind change and outlook, the hobby should pivot toward these fundamental shifts:

1. From "Automated QSO" to "Cognitive Signal Extraction"

• The Old Mindset: Using AI to fully automate digital modes so a computer talks to a computer while the operator sleeps.

• The AI Shift: Shifting focus to Intelligent Noise Reduction (INR). Instead of traditional DSP bandpass filters, neural networks can be trained on specific noise profiles (like solar storms, plasma TV interference, or urban QRM) to dynamically pull a human voice right out of the mud. AI becomes an extension of the operator's ears, not a replacement for their voice.

2. From "Static Antennas" to "Generative, Fluid Hardware"

• The Old Mindset: Building traditional Yagis or dipoles and analyzing them with static modeling software.

• The AI Shift:

  Embracing Generative Topology Optimization. Amateurs can feed specific parameters—like precise backyard dimensions, local tree heights, soil conductivity, and target DX zones—into generative models to design unorthodox, highly efficient, "weird-looking" wire antennas tailored to their exact location. Furthermore, AI can drive software-defined radios (SDRs) to manipulate phased arrays in real-time, morphing the antenna pattern on the fly to track a passing satellite or a fading ionospheric opening.

3. From "Checking Propagation Charts" to "Hyper-Local Forecasting"

• The Old Mindset: Looking at static solar flux indices, space weather websites, and generic MUF (Maximum Usable Frequency) charts.

• The AI Shift: Implementing Edge-AI Propagation Predictors. By running lightweight machine learning models right in the shack, an operator can synthesize real-time data from global reverse-beacon networks, local SDR atmospheric noise levels, and solar telemetry. The AI won't just say "the 20-meter band is open"; it will predict that “at 14:22 UTC, a 7-minute grayline corridor will open between your specific grid square and Western Australia on 17 meters.”

4. From "Gatekeeping" to "Radical Accessibility"

• The Old Mindset: Requiring complex physical dexterity, perfect hearing, and intense technical baselines that can alienate disabled, elderly, or very young prospective hams.

• The AI Shift: Utilizing AI for inclusive shack control. High-accuracy voice-to-text, real-time spatial audio parsing (turning flat, noisy mono signals into a 3D soundscape where different signals sound like they are coming from different corners of the room), and intelligent voice control can allow vision-impaired or motor-impaired individuals to operate a complex HF rig completely hands-free.

5. From "Rote Memorization" to "AI-Assisted Elmers"

• The Old Mindset: Studying for licensing exams by memorizing static question pools without truly understanding the underlying RF physics.

• The AI Shift: Reimagining the "Elmer" (mentor). An AI model trained exclusively on decades of peer-reviewed amateur radio literature, ARRL handbooks, and engineering manuals can serve as a interactive, patient, 24/7 bench assistant. It can troubleshoot a smoking homebrew circuit diagram, explain why an impedance mismatch is happening, and teach the operator physics through interactive dialogue.

The Core Paradigm Shift

Amateur radio has always been about experimentation and understanding RF. The ultimate outlook change requires the community to realize that AI is just the new vacuum tube, the new transistor, the new microchip. It is a tool to map the invisible world around us more clearly, making the thrill of making a manual, human-to-human connection over the airwaves even more rewarding."

Now I wanted a more detailed outlook.  Something that gives me some "homework" and "food for thought."

I rephrased my question:  Provide me with more detailed information. So much as to turn amateur radio on its head when it comes to experimenting, inventions and operating practices. Example:  To one day talk to MARS. I want something that had the same effect 100 years ago when morse code was discovered. Also new modes and a general unorthodox outlook on the future of amateur radio. The Wow factor and not the general ragchewing, old geysers chatting away and clubs politics. Something that can benefit the local community and create a big interest in becoming a active futuristic amateur radio operator.  

The Detailed Outlook provided by AI 

AI answer:  

"To turn amateur radio completely on its head, we have to stop thinking of radio as sending data through a pipeline and start thinking of it as interrogating the universe.

Just as the transition from Spark-gap to Continuous Wave (CW) Morse code 100 years ago shattered the distance barriers of wireless, AI combined with quantum computing and advanced physics can trigger a revolution. We are moving from the era of "brute force power" to "informational supremacy."

Here is a blueprint for a radical, unorthodox future for amateur radio that kills the "old geyser club politics" and turns the shack into a cutting-edge physics lab.

---

1. Operating Breakthrough: The Interplanetary "Guerilla" Mesh (Talking to Mars)

Talking to Mars or deep-space probes currently requires NASA’s Deep Space Network (DSN) and massive dishes. Amateurs can disrupt this using AI-Driven Swarm Coherent Arrays.

• The Concept: Instead of one ham needing a 50-foot dish, 10,000 hams combine their small VHF/UHF/Microwave stations globally.
• How AI Makes It Work: A decentralized AI coordinates the timing of these 10,000 stations down to the picosecond, accounting for local atmospheric delays, continental drift, and orbital mechanics. The AI combines all these small signals into one massive, coherent, planet-sized virtual transceiver.
• The Invention: "Cognitive Delay-Tolerant Quantum Protocols." Because a transmission to Mars takes 3 to 22 minutes one-way, traditional "ragchewing" is impossible. AI operators will compress entire multi-layered, interactive holographic or data packages, bundle them into quantum-entangled or highly resilient noise-like waveforms, and bounce them off the Moon or send them directly to deep space, pulling replies out of the deep cosmos that are legally signed by off-world entities.

2. Radical New Modes: "Living Waveforms" and Plasma Modulation

FT8 and CW are dead ends for true future experimentation. The next leap is Dynamic Environment-Encoded Modulation (DEEM).

• The Waveform is Alive: Instead of transmitting a fixed tone (like a digital beep), the transmitter uses a neural network to morph the shape of the radio wave in real-time to match the exact, turbulent state of the ionosphere at that microsecond. The wave "slithers" through solar storms and geomagnetic disturbances completely unhindered.
• Quantum Noise Hiding: Hams will transmit below the thermal noise floor. To the untrained eye, the frequency looks empty. To an AI receiver, a complex neural network identifies patterns in what looks like pure static, decoding high-definition audio or video. You are essentially using the ambient noise of the universe as your carrier wave.
• Auroral and Meteor Plasma Sculpting: Instead of just bouncing a signal off a meteor trail or the Aurora Borealis, an AI-controlled SDR will rapidly pulse RF to sculpt and shape the localized plasma grid, using the upper atmosphere itself as a massive, active, reconfigurable amplifier and lens.

3. Unorthodox Experiments: Earth-Core Probing and Gravitational Radio

Future hams won't just look up at the sky; they will look down and sideways.

• Lithospheric "Through-Earth" Radio: Using Extremely Low Frequencies (ELF) and AI signal stitching, hams can experiment with sending signals straight through the magma and core of the Earth, bypassing the ionosphere entirely to talk to the exact opposite side of the planet (antipodal communications).
• Gravitational Wave Heterodyning: Experimenting at the absolute fringe where electromagnetism meets gravity. Amateurs could build highly sensitive torsional RF-interferometers, using AI to detect if massive high-power HF transmissions create microscopic distortions in spacetime, or attempting to modulate signals onto background gravitational waves.

4. Local Community Benefit: The Ultimate "Dark Net" & Disaster Oracle

To get young people and communities obsessed with amateur radio, it must solve real-world, existential crises. When the internet goes down due to cyberattacks, solar flares, or geopolitical conflict, the Amateur Radio AI Mesh becomes the civilization lifeline.

• The "Zero-Infrastructure" Cognitive Mesh: Local hams deploy cheap, AI-powered SDR nodes powered by solar panels. These nodes automatically scan the entire RF spectrum, instantly setting up self-healing, encrypted data networks for the community.
• The Disaster Oracle: During a total blackout, a local amateur station isn't just relaying health-and-welfare traffic via voice. The shack's local AI model ingests whisper-thin, low-bandwidth data feeds from across the globe via HF radio, structures it, and hosts a local, offline "Wikipedia/Search Engine" for the community via Wi-Fi. The local neighborhood can connect their phones to the ham's shack to get real-time emergency AI routing, medical triage instructions, and clean water mapping—all powered by a radio wave coming from thousands of miles away.
• Environmental Intelligence Sensing: Hams turn their antennas into a distributed, massive scientific sensor. By monitoring how local radio propagation changes, the amateur AI network can predict earthquakes, track flash floods via RF atmospheric moisture absorption, and detect local toxic gas leaks before official sensors even register them.

5. Shattering the Gateway: Gamified Hardware Hacking

Forget studying dry booklets for a license. The future of amateur radio recruitment is Gamified, Open-Source RF Warfare and Exploration.

• RF "Capture the Flag": Communities and universities set up localized, low-power hidden AI transmitters that actively change their frequencies, encryption, and modulation based on the weather or time of day. Young operators must write AI algorithms to hunt, track, decode, and "capture" these signals.
• The "No-Solder" Generative Shack: Instead of needing thousands of dollars of heavy gear, a teenager with a R300 Software Defined Radio (SDR) dongle and a laptop can use generative AI to write complex signal-processing blocks in seconds. They can build a satellite tracking station in their bedroom using a coat hanger and pure code.

---

The New Spirit of the Radio Amateur

The original 1920s hams were outlaws, hackers, and visionaries who discovered that shortwaves (previously dismissed by governments as "useless") could travel around the world.

The 2020s radio amateur must have that same rebellious attitude toward the electromagnetic spectrum. The future ham is not a "radio operator"—they are an Electromagnetic Sorcerer, using AI to bend the physics of light, space, and time to connect humanity when everything else fails."

Ed. What do you suggest?   Well I do have a lot of "homework" now and more questions than answers.  I will be looking into some of these AI suggestions.  Only problem I do not have a Quantum Computer or Outstanding Human Brain.  Let's see what I can come up with in Part 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7  ..........

Lets build a Compact Low Power Automated WSPR Monitoring Station (Part 1)

Image:  Current ZS1I test setup (Click on image for larger view.) 

As mentioned before I am busy gearing up for the next 6 Meter DX Season soon to open in South Africa. There is little to no activity in the Mossel Bay,  Southern Cape area where I live.  So why not create activity?  I decided to embark on "The ZS1I - 6 Meter Magic Band Project in the Southern Cape Area of South Africa".  I am currently getting my equipment ready for this venture.  

Now one need a few handy "tools" to assist you in "playing" on the 50 Mhz band.  In future articles I will explain what I am using and how I set it all up.  Apart from a radio, computer, firmware, antennas etc.  I was looking for an easy and relative cheep way to spot openings on the 6 Meter band and also to monitor WSPR signals.  The setup must be fully automated and be able to send spots to WSPRNET.  Another must have was the function to use a Telegram phone alert bot that pushes an instant notification to my smartphone the exact millisecond the monitor intercepts an opening on 6 Meters.

Now what is a Compact Low Power Automated WSPR Monitoring Station?

An automated WSPR Monitoring Station is a compact, low-power radio receiver setup. It listens for specific Weak Signal Propagation Reporter (WSPR) radio signals transmitted by amateur radio operators globally.

Image:  Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W  (Click on image for larger view.)

Here is a breakdown of what it is and what it is used for:

What It Is

• The Brain: A Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W microcomputer running automated listening software like rtlsdr-wspr or WSJT-X.
• The Operation: It runs 24/7, automatically tuning to specific radio frequencies, decoding digital WSPR signals, and uploading the data to the internet via Wi-Fi.

What It Is Used For

• Atmospheric Testing: It measures how well radio waves travel through Earth's ionosphere at any given moment.
• Antenna Benchmarking: It helps operators see how well their antennas perform by checking if their signals can reach your station.
• Space Weather Tracking: It monitors how solar flares, sunspots, and day/night cycles affect global radio communications.
• Data Crowdsourcing: It automatically uploads reports to WSPRnet, contributing to a live, global map of radio propagation.
• Catching Band Openings: It acts as an early warning system, instantly detecting when changing atmospheric conditions suddenly allow signals to travel thousands of kilometers on a previously "dead" frequency. 

Here is how the system works from the antenna to your phone.

Image:  RTL SDR Receiver V4  (Click on image for larger view.) 

1. Recording the Spots

• The Radio: Your SDR dongle constantly listens to a set radio frequency (like 14.0956 MHz for the 20-meter band).
• The Software: Digital software on the Pi cuts the audio into strict two-minute windows.
• The Decode: The software processes the audio to extract the caller's call sign, grid square, and signal strength.The Local Log: Every successfully decoded message is instantly written to a local text file called ALL_WSPR.TXT.

2. Sending Spots to WSPRnet

• The Upload: Right after writing to the local log, the software uses your Wi-Fi to bundle the data.
• The Network: It sends an automated internet request to the central WSPRnet database.
• The Map: Your station’s data joins thousands of others to update global propagation maps in real time.

Image:  Telegram Bot  (Click on image for larger view.)

3. Connecting Smartphone Push Alerts (Telegram)

To get instant alerts when a specific distance or rare call sign is logged, you connect a custom script to your log file:

• Create the Bot: You message @BotFather on Telegram to create a free bot and get an API Token.
• Get Your ID: You message @userinfobot to find your personal Telegram Chat ID.
• Monitor the Log: You run a lightweight Python or Bash script on the Pi that actively watches (tails) the ALL_WSPR.TXT file for new entries.
• Trigger the Alert: The script checks each new line. If it meets your criteria (e.g., a signal from > 5,000 km away), it sends a web request to Telegram, and your phone buzzes instantly. 

Beneath is a few decodes on 40 meters run with the current test setup: 

 

Images:  Decodes  (Click on image for large view.

I have ordered a few "goodies" that will be used to complete the project.  In Part 2 we will be looking at the setup and use of the WSPR Monitoring Station.  I will also look at setting up an automated band monitor for FT8. Very similar to the WSPR Monitoring Station except that we need much more processing power and a wider bandwidth.  More on this in a future posting.

#7 - Amateur Radio News and Announcements (4 August 2026)

1.  Reminder:  Do tune into the DMR-ZA Net this evening at 19h30 SAST

Herewith a list of different equipment / apps and images that cross transmit / receive the DMR-ZA Net on a Tuesday evening. (Click on images for larger view.)

1.  ZS1I 49355 AllStar Hub Network which incorporates Echolink. (ZS1I-R)

2.  DMR / DVSwitch /AllStar Bridge (TG 65522)

3.  ZS1I MMDVM Digital Repeater (TG 65522)
1.  Reminder:  Do tune into the DMR-ZA Net this evening at 19h30 SAST
4.  145.550 Mhz Analogue Simplex RF Link Mossel Bay area.

5.  DroidStar / VoxDMR Applications for DMR  TG655

6.  ASL3 to Mumble Bridge PC (Mumble Client) as well as Mobile Phone (Plumble Client) 

7.  BrandMeister - Hoseline Application (PC or Mobile Phone - Receive only.)

8.  DVSwitch Mobile Application (PC or Mobile Phone)

9.   Many Analog-Repeaters and Links are connected to the ZS1I Hub Network on a daily basis.  Some of these analogue repeaters will be connected to the ZS1I Hub Network on a Tuesday evening and they might also be linked to other repeaters country- and world wide.  So why not link up with your local analogue repeater.  You might just be able to connect to the DMR-ZA Net on a Tuesday evening at 19h30 SAST. 

Finally:  There are an abundance of means illustrated above to connect to the DMR-ZA Net on a Tuesday evening at 19h30 SAST.  The DMR-ZA Net is an open net and all radio amateurs are welcome to join / connect to the net.  Brian ZS5BR is the net controller and I would like to thank him for professionally conducting the net each Tuesday evening.  Highly appreciated!! 

2.  Would WSPR work on DMR?

No, WSPR (Weak Signal Propagation Reporter) will not work over a DMR (Digital Mobile Radio) voice/data channel. They use completely incompatible modulation schemes, bandwidths, and timing structures.

Why WSPR and DMR are Incompatible

Modulation Type: WSPR uses continuous phase 4-tone Frequency Shift Keying (FSK) at an ultra-slow 1.46 baud, designed for analog SSB audio passbands. DMR uses 4-level and 2-slot TDMA Time-Division Multiple Access with 4FSK phase modulation at 9600 baud, processed by proprietary voice codecs.

Bandwidth: A WSPR signal occupies a tiny 6 Hz slice of spectrum (inside a ~200 Hz to 2.5 kHz audio window). A DMR channel requires a strict 12.5 kHz channel spacing.

Transmission Length: WSPR transmissions are precisely timed and take nearly two full minutes (110.6 seconds) of uninterrupted carrier shifting per burst. DMR cuts transmissions into rigid 30-millisecond frames and timeslot bursts.

Decoding: Standard WSPR decoders (like WSJT-X) look for specific FSK tone sequences and timing relative to UTC seconds. Passing a WSPR audio tone through a DMR digital voice codec will completely distort and destroy the weak signals, turning them into noise or data errors. 

 

3.  Ham Radio Etiquette: Do's And Don'ts On Digital Modes [2026] 

Amateur radio, minding the gap refers to the crucial practice of leaving a short, deliberate pause (typically 3 to 4 seconds) between transmissions (Overs). This is essential for digital voice and data networks to properly reset, synchronize, and pass traffic without causing system-wide dropouts. 

Here is exactly why we mind the gap:

Network Synchronization: For digital voice modes like DMR and C4FM/Wires-X, data travels via servers, nodes, and internet gateways. The gap gives the network’s VoIP protocol time to release the digital stream, clear buffers, and allow other stations to key up.

Preventing "Clipping":
If you press your Push-to-Talk (PTT) button and immediately start speaking, the first syllable or two of your transmission is often swallowed by the digital handshaking process. Waiting a second prevents your voice from being clipped.

Allowing Break-Ins: Leaving a pause between your overs gives other operators a chance to break in. This is especially vital in emergencies when another user needs to pass priority traffic.

Avoiding "Time-Out" Timers: Many digital repeaters and network nodes have strict time-out timers (e.g., 3 minutes). Taking a breather resets these timers, preventing the repeater from dropping your transmission mid-sentence.

Thanks to Chris M9UCW For The Thumbnail Image. 

Thumbnail Image For Illustration Purposes Only 


73 de Mark 2E1CEQ 
Ham Radio Gadgets 
YouTube Channel Please Like And Subscribe  

 

4.  The Internet Re-Invented - - - -  Internet Killer?

 In this video, I build a Reticulum RNode and prove that completely different radios — LoRa and Wi-Fi — can communicate through a hardware-agnostic networking stack. Reticulum routes traffic above the radio layer, automatically bridging dissimilar frequencies, interfaces, and modulation types. I then run it over Wi-Fi HaLow Haven nodes to create a long-range, encrypted IP mesh with no traditional infrastructure. Finally, I push it further by running ATAK across the network, demonstrating a fully open-source, decentralized communication stack in action.

Build your own unstoppable network today. Full implementation guide: 👉 https://buildwithparallel.com/product.. 

 

 

5.  "HAM" Radio? The Strange True Story  

 "Ham" started as an insult — and the frequencies amateurs were handed were dismissed as useless. So how did they end up crossing oceans, building their own satellite, and talking to astronauts?

This is the strange — and completely true — history of ham (amateur) radio, told as one story: from an invisible prediction on paper to a hobbyist satellite in orbit. 

You'll meet James Clerk Maxwell and Heinrich Hertz (who thought his own discovery was useless), follow Marconi's first signal across the Atlantic, and finally find out where the nickname "ham" really comes from — and why the famous "three friends" story is a myth. You'll see how the "useless" short waves turned out to bend around the world off the ionosphere, how amateurs made the first two-way transatlantic contact in 1923, built OSCAR 1 — the world's first non-governmental satellite — and went on to talk with astronauts in space. Plus India's own proud amateur-radio story: Gooptu, Bose, the Amateur Radio Society of India, and a Prime Minister with the callsign VU2RG

00:00 Ham was an insult?
00:35 The invisible waves (Maxwell & Hertz)
01:22 Marconi crosses the Atlantic
01:47 The first home radio builders
02:30 Radio's first traffic jam
02:50 Why they're called "hams"
03:30 The band the experts called useless
03:53 The ionosphere changes everything
04:15 Relay: the birth of the ARRL
04:36 First two-way Atlantic contact (1923)
05:23 Hobbyists build a satellite (OSCAR 1)
05:48 Ham radio reaches space
06:16 India's amateur radio story
07:06 The real pattern of the story 

END. 

My current thoughts on the Meshtastic and Meshcore "hype" and why I prefer AREDN!

Why all the hype about Meshtastic and Meshcore nowadays in Amateur Radio?  Is there really a hype in this regard?   To answer the hype question I must honestly answer yes, if you look around you will literally find hundreds of videos and articles in this regard. I have been watching and reading quite a bit regarding these two entirely different open-source software projects since Meshtastic started a few years ago and Meshcore joined in later.  A few local radio amateurs in the George area setup a few nodes and some information were exchanged amongst radio amateurs in the area.  I looked into the feasibility of setting up such a mesh network at the time but came to the conclusion that it will be of no benefit to me or the general public as I was already running a AREDN ( Amateur Radio Emergency Data Network) Network on 2.4 Ghz and 5.8 Ghz in the Mossel Bay area.  The benefits of an AREDN Mesh Network clearly over shadowed Meshtastic and Meshcore.   But you are talking a lot of rubbish now!  What about emergency communications?  Surely Meshtastic and Meshcore can be used during a disaster to assist in emergency communications?

Let me explain a few reasons why I decided not to go the Meshtastic or Meshcore route and let me make it very clear that I an not against any of these open source projects.  I might in future consider to join both these open source projects depending on further development of the software, hardware and a substantial price drop etc.

Here is a few reasons why I rather use AREDN: (I will only provide a cryptic explanation.)

• An AREDN (Amateur Radio Emergency Data Network) system is a high-speed, self-discovering wireless mesh network built specifically by and for amateur radio operators using commercial off-the-shelf radio hardware. It is fully open source.  Its source code, custom Linux-based firmware, and build tools are publicly available on GitHub under the GPL-3.0 license. This allows amateur radio operators to inspect, modify, and contribute to the network's software development.
• I already have all the equipment setup for the AREDN Mesh Network including a fully functional web-site and server. It can connect to the ZS1I AllStar Hub Network and DMR Repeater and Bridge Network even when the Internet goes down.  I can connect  AREDN to any repeater, radio link, digital radio link etc for emergency communication use.
• The AREDN Mesh Network has already been successfully used during the Knysna Fire Storm in 2017 and proved that it is up to the task of providing voice, video, image, text, email and data communications. (forwarding and storage)
• The AREDN Mesh Network can be split into several mesh networks.  For example the 2.4 Ghz network can be opened for public use and a person only needs his cellphone (without a cellular network connection) to communicate to the AREDN 2.4 Ghz Network or a node in his/her vicinity.  This will allow the public important direct access communications during a disaster.  Same as Meshtastic and Meshcore but with more power and directional gain antennas for AREDN.
• Video / Images / Email and Data Communications are vital during a disaster.  AREDN can provide these with ease having great bandwidth etc. One can even "tap" into existing CCTV Cameras that might be offline or install portable cameras on tripods if there is a need for it.
• Now let's look at the cost.  For what I am getting from a Meshtastic or Meshcore node / repeater I might just as well use commercial off-the-shelf radio hardware for AREDN which is found in abundance secondhand or sometimes as give-a ways.   On several occasions I received freebee's which I used as AREDN Mesh Nodes.  Older and redundant antennas for 2.4 Ghz and 5.8 Ghz can be obtained free from many Internet Service Providers and the general public.  All the antennas I currently use was free of charge. 
• I hear you say but the Meshtastic and Meshcore nodes are small and compact and can be used with solar battery power.  Yes the form factor is small and compact but have a look at the AREDN web-site to see how small and compact some of the AREDN nodes are and they can also use solar battery power.
• RF Power Output -  As radio amateurs we are permitted to use higher power than any of the Meshtastic or Meshcore nodes can provide.  Higher power is not always the answer but it is available if needed.  Always just use enough power that is needed to make a reliable connection / contact.  I am not a QRO operator by any means but it is good to know that one can use higher power if needed.
• Interconnection of AREDN to other amateur radio equipment and networks.  This is were AREDN is shining and I have touched on this earlier.  Bridging / interconnection / linking call it what you want has become very important in this day and age.  On many occasions in the past I have talked about the  disparity in radio communications among emergency responders—often called a lack of interoperability—occurs due to incompatible hardware frequencies, differing agency protocols, and decentralized funding. Police, fire, and medical teams often use completely separate networks that cannot talk to each other directly during a crisis.  
• In my opinion AREDN is a far better and trustworthy mesh network system.  Agree there are also some areas that need to be upgraded but the AREDN Team is working tirelessly to release software and hardware updates to keep AREDN in the loop and relevant today.

Finally:  I am not against Meshtastic or Meshcore.  Each one has it's own rightful, place and uses and I think that it is wonderful technology that needs to be developed even further.  So before I jump on the "hype wagon" several changes and new features need to be released to make it an attractive option for me to use as an emergency communications tool. By all means feel free to follow the Meshtastic, Meshcore or AREDN "route".  Let's see what the future will bring in this regard.

South Africa's own Oscar- DMR 1 Satellite. Will this DMR Satellite ever go to Space?

Image:  AI (Click on image for larger view.) 

I wrote several articles in the past where I refer to innovation in Amateur Radio.  This morning a thought came to mind on why is there currently not a satellite with a DMR Transponder (repeater) up in space?  I was trying to think "out of the box" and look at ways and means to turn my thoughts into reality, if there is such a possibility.

Thinking "out of the box" is absolutely a great way to approach innovation in amateur radio.  Amateur Radio has a rich history of development driven entirely by amateurs experimenting with limited resources and unique constraints. 

However, true innovation in this hobby relies on a balance between unconventional thinking and foundational science. 

Why Out-of-the-Box Thinking Works

• Resourcefulness: Limited power regulations and frequency bands force you to find clever ways to maximize efficiency.

• Historical Precedent: Amateurs invented weak-signal digital modes (like FT8) and bounce signals off the moon (EME) because someone asked "what if?"

• Cross-Pollination: Bringing concepts from computing, machine learning, or material science into radio often yields breakthrough results.

The Innovation Blueprint in Amateur Radio

To make your creative ideas successful, pair your out-of-the-box thinking with these structured approaches:

• Master the Fundamentals: You must understand Maxwell's equations, wave propagation, and circuit design to break the rules effectively.

• Identify Real Constraints: True innovation solves a specific problem, such as reducing noise, shrinking antenna size, or bridging communication gaps during disasters.

• Iterate and Test: Build prototypes, collect data, and use antenna analyzers or software simulation tools to prove your theories.

• Share with the Community: Amateur radio thrives on open-source collaboration. Presenting your ideas on forums, Git repositories, or at club meetings helps refine them.

Prominent Areas Needing Innovation

If you are looking for modern challenges to apply your creativity, focus on these emerging sectors:

• AI and Machine Learning: Using neural networks for predictive propagation filtering or automated signal decoding in dense noise.

• Alternative Materials: Experimenting with meta materials, fractal geometry, or everyday conductive liquids for stealth antenna designs.

• Digital Signal Processing (DSP): Developing open-source algorithms to extract ultra-weak signals from high-noise urban environments.

• Green Energy Integration: Creating ultra-efficient, off-grid solar or kinetic power management systems for remote field operations.

Now reading the above my thoughts ran away with me regarding a DMR transponder (repeater / beacon / node / hotspot) payload on a South African satellite.  Can it be done and is it possible to communicate using  DMR via a satellite?  Is there a satellite specifically named "Oscar-DMR 1" in existence or being built in South Africa's space programme or amateur radio history. Currently this type of communications is not possible.

If you are waiting for a homegrown South African satellite or an OSCAR (Orbiting Satellite Carrying Amateur Radio) series spacecraft to launch, here is the factual reality of what has actually happened and what is currently in progress.

The Real South African Satellites

South Africa has already successfully launched multiple satellites. If you are looking for local aerospace achievements "seeing the daylight," they have already made it to space: 

• SUNSAT (SO-35): Launched in 1999, SUNSAT was South Africa's very first satellite, built by Stellenbosch University. Critically, it carried an amateur radio payload and was officially designated as OSCAR 35 (SO-35) by AMSAT. It saw plenty of daylight before its mission ended. 

• ZACUBE-1 & ZACUBE-2: Developed by the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). ZACUBE-1 (TshepisoSAT) launched in 2013, and ZACUBE-2 launched in 2018. 

• MDASat-1 Constellation: In January 2022, South Africa successfully launched a three-nanosatellite constellation via a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. These operational maritime domain awareness satellites track shipping traffic off the South African coast. 

ZS1I created the fictional "DMR 1" Satellite Name 

The term DMR stands for Digital Mobile Radio, which is a widely popular land-based digital protocol used by radio enthusiasts and businesses across South Africa. 

• Terrestrial, Not Space: Amateur radio operators in SA heavily utilize the South Africa DMR Repeater Network. This network relies on ground-based repeater towers, not dedicated South African "DMR satellites." 

• Conflation with Commercial Satellites: You may be thinking of commercial mobile satellite services or push-to-talk satellite radios that interface with DMR-style dispatch systems on the ground. 

Future South African Space Missions

If you are wondering about the next major government-backed leap into orbit, the Department of Science and Innovation has active plans: 

• National Communication Satellite: The government has been exploring multi-billion-rand plans to acquire or launch a dedicated communications satellite to bridge the digital divide and reduce reliance on international space entities.  However this look like a very "far in the future" project with many logistical and financial issues to first solve.

• Deep Space Ground Tracking: While not a satellite itself, South Africa broke ground on a massive, state-of-the-art Deep-Space Ground Station in Matjiesfontein (Karoo), built in partnership with NASA to track future lunar missions. 

Sadly you cannot work DMR (Digital Mobile Radio) directly through orbiting amateur radio satellites.  Hopefully by means of innovation in technology my thought on building such is satellite is not far fetched and will not forever just be a thought.  In South Africa building such a satellite will be problematic but that is a topic for another time.

Let's see why this can or cannot currently be implemented.  

You can absolutely build a physical DMR repeater and launch it into orbit on a satellite. However, doing so introduces a severe physics and timing challenge that standard DMR protocols are not designed to handle. 

The core issue is the speed of light and the Doppler effect.

The Timing Problem (TDMA Breakdown)

DMR relies on TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access). It divides a single frequency channel into two distinct time slots (Slot 1 and Slot 2). 

• The Rule: Each radio must transmit in an incredibly precise window—exactly 30 milliseconds long.

• The Margin: The standard protocol only accounts for standard terrestrial distances, leaving a guard timing buffer of about 1.25 milliseconds to handle propagation delay. 

When a satellite is orbiting overhead (even a Low Earth Orbit, or LEO satellite at ~500 km), the distance from the ground station to the spacecraft changes continuously and rapidly. Because the radio waves must travel hundreds of kilometers to space and back, the propagation delay exceeds that 1.25 ms guard window.

Consequently, your radio's packet arrives late, shifts out of its slot, and bleeds into the adjacent time slot. This completely breaks the synchronization, causing the repeater's onboard computer to reject the handshake. 

The Frequency Problem (Doppler Shift)

DMR uses 4FSK digital modulation. It relies on precisely mapping four distinct, narrow frequency shifts to represent binary data. 

Because a LEO satellite travels at roughly 27,000 km/h, the frequency shifts dramatically as it approaches and moves away from you. This Doppler shift warps the digital signal. While a human ear can decode an uncorrected analog FM signal through a bit of static, a digital DMR modem will see the warped 4FSK signal as corrupted gibberish and refuse to decode it. 

How to Make a Space-DMR Repeater Work

If an amateur radio group or space agency wanted to make a true DMR satellite work, they would have to implement one of two workarounds:

1. Modify the Radio Firmware (Software Solution)
   The ground station's DMR radio would need custom firmware capable of predicting the satellite's exact orbit. The radio would then have to continuously alter its timing (transmit early or late to hit the slot perfectly) and automatically adjust its frequency to cancel out the Doppler shift in real-time. 

2. Put the Spacecraft in a Geostationary Orbit (Hardware Solution)
   If you put the DMR repeater on a geostationary satellite (35,786 km above Earth), the satellite remains stationary relative to the ground. This eliminates the Doppler shift entirely. While the time delay would be much larger, it would be constant, allowing engineers to build custom terrestrial radios with a massive, fixed timing buffer specifically for space. 

Consolation Prize 

There is currently a "consolation prize" on how you can use your DMR Radio to connect to satellites indirectly.

You can use your DMR radio to connect to satellites indirectly by talking through an MMDVM hotspot (or a local digital repeater) connected to the internet. From there, your signal is routed to space through a commercial geostationary satellite (such as QO-100) using an up/down converter, a dish, and an SDR (Software Defined Radio). 

Unlikely that a dedicated amateur satellite named "Oscar - DMR 1" will be built in South Africa

It is highly unlikely that a dedicated amateur satellite named "Oscar - DMR 1" will be built specifically for standard DMR voice communications in South Africa. While amateur radio organizations like AMSAT constantly develop new spacecraft, standard commercial DMR protocol is fundamentally incompatible with the physics of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites.

The Geostationary Exception, there is hope!! 

The only way a true DMR transponder could work in space is on a Geostationary (GEO) satellite like QO-100. Because GEO satellites remain completely stationary relative to the Earth's surface, there is zero Doppler shift or changing propagation delay. While there is no official "Oscar - DMR 1" payload planned, experimental digital voice links are routinely tested via GEO transponders using specialized ground stations.  More on this in a future article once I put on my "out of the box" and "innovation" hat.

Was this article a waste of time?  NO definitely not.  I now have more questions than answers that I will be looking into.

ED. This article was compiled by ZS1I with the assistance of AI.