Universal Data Radio is a full featured radio designed for home , mobile, or hilltop use. It is a VHF/UHF radio capable of AFSK or FSK. This radio is still in relatively early design phase, but take a look at the features that are already part of the design.

RF:

• Can be built for any legal frequency between 50MHz and 500MHz. This means that it will be usable by Red Cross, CAP, MARS, and Public Service agencies. Outside of the Amateur Service, you will need to provide proof of your legal ability to operate on the specified frequencies.
• Output power from 2W to 25W with special attention to maintaining efficiency at the highest possible level. This means longer unattended battery life or smaller batteries.
• Full output protection against high-SWR.
• PIN diode T/R switching (half-duplex only) means no relay failures.
• Temperature compensated crystal oscillator (TXCO) for stable operation over the full temperature range. Accuracy is expected to be within 5ppm over temperature.
• A high intercept receive mixer for minimum intermod at "RF-dense" sites.
• Good receive low-noise AGC amplifier for the best weak AND strong signal operation.
• Half-duplex or full-duplex. Full-duplex can be cross-band.
• Separate transmit and receive oscillators provide test signal source for receiver (except for full-duplex cross-band versions).
• Variety of AFSK baud rates from 300 to 2400. FSK at 9600 or 19200 is also available. Non-standard baud rates and tones can be accommodated in software. MSK is available where legal. Deviation and equalization are settable through the terminal port.
• CWID is available for those services or locations that require it. Other ID's can be provided.
• Other signaling such as paging may be accommodated.
• Will meet FCC signal quality and emission requirements.
• db-linear signal strength accessible by firmware.
• Semi-custom frequency. Standard amateur frequency bands are quick-turn. Other frequencies are done to order. Frequency can be locked in or can be settable by terminal or can be settable (from a preset list) by DIP-switches.
• In Amateur Service, channel spacing is 2.5KHz; custom spacing can be provided for other services.

Electronic:

• USB port for easy connection to modern computers. USB port takes its power from the USB host so that there is no power penalty.
• Multi-function serial port capable of working with NEMA GPS receivers or hard-wire node-stacking in the "NET/ROM" style or as a conventional RS232 terminal port.
• Very few adjustments. Only a voltmeter is required.
• Built-in high-quality real-time clock providing good long-term time-keeping.
• Other features include dual microprocessors (Atmel Mega88 and Mega128). The Mega88 implements a KISS modem including much of the transmitter and receiver control, modulation and demodulation, and KISS-appropriate protocol management. The Mega128 carries out networking and terminal functions, manages power, interfaces to memory needed for node tables and such, and interfaces to the real-time clock. The Mega128 also controls the frequency of the receive and transmit PLLs and drives the Mega88 KISS modem.

Power: A variety of power options are available or can be user-enabled,

• Standard power is 12-14V nomininal; less than 100ma receive, up to 6A transmit, depending on power setting.
• Low DC power is 12-14V nominal with a local (small) 12V battery to provide peak current. Supply current is 500ma or less, depending on power setting and transmit rate. Power CAN be provided by a "wall-wart".
• Vehicle power from 8V to 36V; mobile load-dump capability to 60V is provided.
• Backup power uses a small local battery in conjunction with one of the previous power modes. The backup battery will take over for a limited time if the primary power fails. The backup battery recharges though the radio.
• Solar power charges batteries from a solar panel. Backup option is not available with the solar option.
• In vehicle versions, the battery backup input can be used as a vehicle status input to allow changes in APRS beacon rates or message content.
• Battery charging options provide for a variety of user-selectable battery chemistries.

Mechanical:

• Designed for direct weather exposure from -40C to +60C.
• Will be designed to meet IP65.
• Will meet stringent vibration, shock, and drop standards.
• The unit is constructed as a multi-board stack. Any testpoints "hidden" on a lower board will be made available on the top board. No adjustments are present on the lower board.

Software/Firmware:

• Open software gives maximum flexibility. It is expected that software will be available to allow the unit to function as an APRS Tracker (with full receive capability), an APRS WideN-N digi, a KaNode, a KNet node, a TheNet node, a generic KISS tnc, or a full-function TNC2-compatible TNC. Code is implemented in gcc-c. Specified code is loaded into the radio before the radio is shipped.
• Non-ax.25 protocols can be supported. With sufficient documentation, ORE can do the code modification.
• All software is field upgradable through either the USB port or the Serial Port.
• A built-in terminal interface allows parameter setting and status readout using a generic terminal program.
• Software for both processors is field-upgradable via USB or Serial Port. Upgrade software is expected to run on Windows, MacOS, and linux.
• Fully compatible with "PacketScape" using any modern operating system; see the KA7EHK section of this website for more information.

Environmental:

• All components and materials will meet RoHS standards.
• WEE (recycling) requirements will be met in the EU and in other areas where possible.
• Manufacture will be under a "stewardship" program to insure that people who build the radio and its sub-assemblies are paid fairly and work in safe conditions, to insure that environmental concerns are addressed before they become a problem, and to insure that quality meets the highest standards.

Final Product:

• To be available fully-built or as a kit with all surface mount components installed. "Heath-Kit" quality assembly instructions are provided. Non-amateur versions are available ONLY factory-built.
• Expected to be available as a package including radio, battery, solar panel, and antenna with mounting hardware for all components on the antenna mast (and tools) in a carrying pack. This will provide a self-contained human-transportable packet station for emergencies, temporary hilltop node or digipeater, event station, and so forth.

If you want more details, please contact ORE by e-mail.

Thanks for stopping by.

James Wagner, Chief Engineer, Oregon Research Electronics

Updated October, 2007