HamShield for Arduino

HamShield for Arduino (VHF/UHF transceiver)

Turn your Arduino into a powerful radio transceiver!

HamShield lets your Arduino talk to far away people and things using powerful amateur radio bands! Best of all, the hardware and software is open source!

With the power of Arduino, you can use the HamShield to build and invent amazing things in minutes!

Here are some examples, right out of our sketch toolbox:
Packet Radio
Long range mesh networks
Emergency communication networks
High altitude ballooning
Talk to repeaters
Tracking devices (APRS)
Interface the HamShield to your computer!
Beacons
Weather stations
Repeaters
Remote controlled robots
Automated satellite tracking and reception
Weather satellites
Scanning police, fire, business, FRS, GMRS, and MURS frequencies
Logging and recording radio traffic
Touchscreen handhelds
Bulletin board systems
New inventions!

HamShield for Arduino

HamShield for Arduino

The HamShield Team

Morgan Redfield (KG7OGM) is our lead electrical engineer. He has worked on many embedded hardware applications and is active in the Arduino hardware community. He received his MsEE from the University of Washington in 2013 and teaches robotics and electronics to high school students in his spare time.

Casey Halverson (KC7IBT) is an Information Technology professional and Amateur Radio operator. He earned his license when he was 14 years old. After working years with Arduino hardware, he dreamed of one day combining the rapid prototyping capabilities of the Arduino environment with Amateur Radio. Casey is also a Chrome developer, bringing the first Arduino IDE and programmer to the Chromebook (Chromeduino). His hobbies also include software development and electronic design.

Nigel Vander Houwen (K7NVH) is an Information Technology professional, and an extra class amateur radio operator. He studied Earth and Space Sciences at the University of Washington, and spends his hobby time working on interesting electronic projects, including specialty radio telemetry devices used for high altitude balloons and high power rocketry. A drive for knowledge pushes Nigel to create new things, and explore new places in the beautiful Pacific Northwest he calls home.
Questions

Q. Where will HamShield be manufactured?

A. In the United States. We have a contract manufacturer lined up to build HamShields in Seattle, Washington. We will also be purchasing most of our components from a well known distributor in the USA as well. Our main radio SoC is sourced from China.

Q. What if I want more than 250mW?

A. If you need more power, connect HamShield to a linear amplifier! While there are many products available for purchase online, we are looking for a partner who can help make this purchase process more streamlined. More information and options will be available when the survey is sent out after the project is funded.

Q. Does this work on any other bands, such as GMRS, FRS and MURS?

A. Yes, technically, the HamShield can transmit and receive on any frequency within its 3 band range. In the United States, these bands typically require a special equipment authorization and have certain emission restrictions.The library only allows transmission on amateur radio bands, unless the lock out is specifically disabled for a lab setting (using the .dangerMode() method). Please check with your regulatory agency and do not transmit on any frequency that you are not licensed for. You are always free to receive any of the supported frequencies with the HamShield.