Dear supporters, contributors, and fellow community members,
It’s been a while since our last update — and for good reason. Over the past months, Thailand was struck by an unexpected earthquake, which led to the collapse of a building in Bangkok. During this critical time, members of our team were called into emergency operations to assist in disaster communications under the coordination of Thammasat University and the Volunteer Radio Association (HS1AB). Our NPR GoBox project was temporarily redirected toward real-world emergency response.
This intense and sobering experience underscored why this project exists — and made us even more determined to ensure that our GoBox units are truly field-ready for crisis deployments.
✅ Major GoBox Design Milestone Reached
We are thrilled to share that we have completed a major milestone in the development of the New Packet Radio (NPR) GoBox! We are now in the final refinement phase — just a few final touches remain before public release and documentation.
In previous prototypes, all communication equipment — including the NPR modem, WiFi access point, LTE router, and RF amplifier — were mounted inside a single rugged case. While highly durable, the complete unit was extremely heavy, making it impractical for field operators to carry across rough terrain. Many volunteers reported hand pain after prolonged use.
🧰 New Hardware Layout: Rolling Tool Boxes (IP65 Waterproof)
We’ve now transitioned to a modular setup using rolling toolboxes — the kind used by field technicians — with IP65 waterproofing, which allows:
🔋 Battery and power systems stored in a rolling base unit
📡 NPR modem and radio components stored in a separate top case
🧩 Easier repairs, replacements, and load-balancing for transportation
💦 Enhanced outdoor deployment even under rain or high humidity
This shift improves both portability and modularity while maintaining ruggedness. It also ensures that individual components can be deployed or replaced as needed — a key factor in disaster zones where flexibility is essential.
🔋 Power Resilience: New Off-Grid Capabilities
Based on real-world deployment challenges, we have also integrated off-grid power support. This includes backup batteries, optional solar charging interfaces, and internal power distribution suitable for NPR, LTE, and WiFi operations. In many remote areas of Thailand, especially during wildfire or earthquake relief missions, no grid power is available, making this a critical feature.
Once our final internal tests are completed, we will publish detailed field reports and technical schematics here on Open Collective for public review and collaborative improvement.
📅 Upcoming Trainings and Events
We are moving forward with the next phase of training and community deployment, including: July 2025
Field training workshops in:
Sattahip District, Chonburi Province
Ratchaburi Province
Real-world practice with NPR GoBox and deployment scenarios
August 2025
Bangkok RadioFest 2025 @ Zeer Rangsit
National training event with amateur radio operators and civil defense volunteers
Exhibitions, technical showcases, and live GoBox demonstrations
🙏 Thank You — For Your Support in Crisis and Beyond
We would like to express our deepest gratitude to everyone who supported us during the earthquake relief effort. Your encouragement gave us strength during the most difficult days.
To our Open Collective community — thank you for standing with us. Every message and signal of support reminds us that we’re not working alone.
We look forward to publishing our comprehensive post-deployment field report, sharing how GoBox helped and what’s next for this community-driven emergency communications effort.
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