Empowering Emergency Communications through New Packet Radio and Go Box Deployment in Thailand
Published on September 19, 2024 by Watchara Amasiri
Project Overview
We are excited to provide an update on our groundbreaking project, Empowering Emergency Communications: New Packet Radio and Go Box Deployment in Thailand. Supported by a generous grant from the Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC), this initiative focuses on enhancing Thailand's disaster preparedness and communication capabilities using New Packet Radio (NPR) technology.
Our project aims to deploy 50 portable "Go Box" communication units, equipped with NPR technology, and train 500 amateur radio operators across Thailand. These trained operators will be key in ensuring reliable communication during disaster situations, where traditional infrastructure may fail. This project aligns with our mission to leverage cutting-edge technology to improve disaster management efforts in Thailand.
Recent Activities and Progress
- Project Kickoff and Planning
- The project officially began with the formation of a dedicated team at Thammasat University's Faculty of Engineering. Key roles and responsibilities have been assigned, and detailed planning for the project is well underway.
- Initial coordination meetings have been held with key stakeholders, including local disaster management agencies and volunteer radio associations.
- Procurement of Equipment
- We have successfully completed the procurement of New Packet Radio equipment and components for the first set of "Go Box" units. The team is now assembling the first batch of these portable communication kits, which will be tested soon to ensure they are fully operational and ready for deployment.
- Development of Training Programs
- Our technical and training teams are in the process of developing a comprehensive training curriculum that will equip 500 amateur radio operators with the skills to use NPR technology effectively during emergencies.
- A pilot training session will be conducted in the coming months with our lead trainers, who will then deliver regional training sessions across Thailand.
- Upcoming Milestones
- In the next quarter, we will begin training sessions for amateur radio operators, starting with northern and northeastern regions of Thailand. Each session will provide hands-on experience with NPR technology and Go Box deployment.
- We are also preparing for national-level disaster response exercises, including participation in Cobra Gold 2025, a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief demonstration. This will be a key opportunity to test and refine the deployment of NPR technology in real-world scenarios.
Impact and Goals
Through the successful deployment of New Packet Radio technology and the creation of a nationwide network of trained amateur radio operators, we aim to significantly enhance disaster communication resilience across Thailand. This project will improve coordination during disaster responses and ensure that vital communication channels remain open in times of crisis.
Stay Connected
For more information on our project and to stay updated on our progress, please visit our project page at https://npr.vra.or.th.
We are grateful for the support of ARDC and all our partners, and we look forward to sharing more exciting developments as the project continues!