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Welcome, this site is about New Packet Radio, hosted on New Packet Radio
It is served entirely over a New Packet Radio (NPR) link on 70cms, accessed using an Internet Gateway
March 2026 Progress Update
NPR 3.0 Build Complete and OARC Field Tests in Progress

NPR 3.0 Engineering

  • All 26 x OARC NPR 3.0 units are now in the UK: 7 x 2m, 15 x 70cms, and 4 x 23cms
  • Latest firmware released, including fixes for known issues with the original firmware, bug fixes and improvements. Testing in progress
  • NPR 3.0 available to purchase via Localino
  • Source hardware and firmware available - contact Steffen D05DSH for more info

OARC Field Tests and Rollout

  • OARC field tests restarting early April
  • Final batch of NPR 3.0 units being posted
  • 3 x 70cms units currently unallocated - enquire via OARC Discord

*** New Packet Radio 3.0 ***

We're delighted to announce that a partnership between the Online Amateur Radio Community (OARC), Localino (design and manufacturer of NPR-H), with support, input and consultancy from the NPR inventor F4HDK, has secured ARDC funding to develop NPR 3.0.

The project will design, build, test and deploy the next generation of NPR hardware and firmware, focusing on these outcomes:

Support for 2m, 70cms and 23cms We will deliver hardware and firmware for the 2m and 23cms bands, adding to support for 70cms and unlocking new possibilities and use cases for NPR on VHF and UHF

Deliver Listen Before Transmit / Polite Spectrum Access Building support for listen before transmit, meeting the UK licensing requirements on 70cms due to our secondary user status

Engineering a new modular hardware design with ugpraded capabilities Design and build upgraded New Packet Radio hardware, including:
  • Moving to a modular hardware design to better support the expanded frequency
  • Ensuring the spectral purity of the RF outputs, address concerns raised with V1 hardware
  • Upgraded Microprocessor
  • Further improvements identified during the engineering phase

Seeding Usage in the UK and Ireland Upon completion, NPR 3.0 units will be avaiable for usage in the UK, building activity hubs and creating interest, innovation and feedback.

As we progress through the project, we will be sharing our progress via a blog on this site. Notifications of updates will be shared via the OARC Discord channels, plus you can leave your email address and we'll notify you directly.

In the meantime, please take a look around the site for more NPR background, history and some live interactions. Your feedback, questions and/or support would be most welcome - please keep in touch