====== New Packet Radio 3.0 ======
This page covers supporting information for users of New Packet Radio (NPR) 3.0 - the latest revision of the original F4HDK-invented New Packet Radio modem developed and released by Steffen D05DSH and Localino in 2025/26
===== NPR 3.0: Quick Start =====
By default, NPR 3.0 firmware is configured in Client mode, To establish a link, a Client and Master is required. Quick start setup for both is covered below.
All configuration is via the Ethernet port using **telnet**, or, via UART. Default configuration is **192.168.0.0/24**, the NPR IP is **192.168.0.253** and DHCP range starts at **192.168.0.65**
==== Initial Setup ====
- Connect an antenna or dummy load
- Power the device using 13.8V DC
- Connect a DHCP enabled PC to the Ethernet port
- Open a **terminal** and telnet to **192.168.0.253**
OR
- Connect UART @ 961200 baud to the TX, RX and GND pins
For Windows 10, [[https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07XRF152K|Example UART]] used with these [[https://zadig.akeo.ie/|these]] drivers, then connected using [[https://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/latest.html|Putty]]
Note: If you lose IP access for any reason, you can always access NPR via UART
==== Client Setup ====
- At the **ready>** prompt, type **display config**
- Note the **modulation** and **frequency** settings, these must match the Master
==== Master Setup ====
When in Master mode, DHCP on the NPR Ethernet port is disabled. Follow these steps reconfigure NPR and require a local static IP is setup.
- At the **ready>** prompt, type **display config**
- Note the **modem_IP**, **netmask** and **IP_begin**
- Type commands:
* **set is_master yes**
* **save**
* **reboot**
- On the connected PC or network, set a manual IP within the subnet and avoiding DHCP range starting with **IP_begin**, e.g. **192.168.0.20**
- Validate connectivity by re-opening the telnet connection to **192.168.0.253**
==== Establishing and Validating and RF Connection ====
- When in RF range, NPR should connect. The CONN light will be Green on the Client and TX and RX lights flashing
- On the Server, see who is connected by running **who**
- On the Client, see connected information by running **status**
- Assuming the PC connected to the Master has an IP of 192.168.0.20 and PC connected to the Client has a DHCP assigned address of 192.168.0.65, both devices should be able to ping
==== Additional Points to Note ====
- Be really careful if changing the IP configuration - set the config, check it, check it again, log it, then save and reboot
- Set your NIC MTU to 750 to achieve reliable and consistent performance
- You always telnet to the modem_IP, which counter-intuitively does not have to be unique on the network. In the default configuration, you would use 192.168.0.253 on all modems when connecting via telnet
On windows you can set MTU in an admin command prompt with ''netsh interface ipv4 show interfaces'' to get the interface name, and ''netsh interface ipv4 set subinterface "Ethernet 3" mtu=750 store=persistent'' to set it.
On linux MTU can be set temporarily with ''sudo ip link set dev eth0 mtu 750'', to persist after reboot depends on how you manage network settings (systemd, /etc/network/interfaces, NetworkManager etc.), but for example with NetworkManager you can do something like:
sudo nmcli connection show
sudo nmcli connection modify "Wired connection 1" 802-3-ethernet.mtu 750
sudo nmcli connection show "Wired connection 1" | grep mtu # verify
===== NPR 3.0: Upgrading Firmware =====
==== Prereqs ====
Flashing the firmware in NPR 3.0 requires:
- A Windows PC
- Installation of the {{ :packet:stm32_vcp_driver.zip |}} drivers
- A Micro-USB cable
- The new firmware (with .nfw extension)
- The pynpr.exe program
==== Upgrade Process ====
- Disconnect the power supply
- Connect the Micro-USB Cable
- Run the upgrade using either:
* pynpr fwflash -s COM_PORT path/to/nfw.nfw
* pynpr fwflash -s auto path/to/nfw.nfw
==== Dec 2025 Firmware ====
NPR Commands
Date: 2025-12-11
Editor: do5dsh
starting from FW: localino-npr_fw25121101_hw240719
localino-npr_fw25121101 default configures 70cm band.
Download: {{:packet:localino-npr_fw25121101_hw240719.nfw.zip|fw25121101}} and UNZIP before upgrading
Changes:
--------
- fixed LBT mode
- added runtime band selection
- added RSSI threshold monitoring
- TX_test mode for a maximum duration 3s
Commands:
---------
set the RF band
set band 33/70/200 for 33cm (23cm version, 70cm or 200cm)
set LBT
set lbt_enabled yes/no
configure LBT threshold
set lbt_rssi_threshold -40 ... -105
Read out RSSI threshold of current noise floor
lbt_stats
TX_test mode
TX_test number_of_seconds (1..3). you need to disable the radio beforehand with "radio off".
===== Original NPR - Background Material, Detailed Configuration Guides and Protocol Spec =====
[[https://hackaday.io/project/164092-npr-new-packet-radio|Original NPR Hackaday Page]]
[[https://hackaday.io/project/164092/files|Original NPR Source Files and Docs - Master]]
Unable to link to the Master docs using a URL - copied locally for ease of access
{{ :packet:npr70_introduction_en_v3.6.pdf |}}
{{ :packet:npr_advanced_guide_v2.16.pdf |}}
{{ :packet:npr_specification_v2.0.pdf |}}
===== NPR 3.0: Rear Pinouts =====
Connector 1
^ Pinout ^ Description ^
^ RX | RS232 RX, 921600 Baud |
^ TX | RS232 TX, 921600 Baud |
^ 12V0 | 12V Out|
^ 5V0 | 5V Out |
^ 3V3 | 3.3V Out |
^ - | Not Used |
^ GND | Ground |
^ PE1 | STM32 GPIO |
^ GND | Ground |
^ PE0 | STM32 GPIO |
^ PB7 | STM32 GPIO |
^ PD7 | STM32 GPIO |
Connector 2
^ Pinout ^ Description ^
^ 3V3 | 3.3V Out |
^ CLK | STM32 GPIO |
^ DIO | STM32 GPIO |
^ GND | Ground |
^ RST | STM32 GPIO |