{{wiki:ulari_vhf7w_duo2_01.jpg?200 |ULARI VHF7W Duo2 PCB}}**ULARI** stands for **"Ultimate Linux Amateur Radio Interface"** and it is intended to be a set of devices which utilize Linux-enabled microprocessor modules to serve in the field of amateur radio and related use.

During several years of device development at my [[http://microsat.com.pl|Microsat]] company I realised that the weakest part of my products was a closed-source software. Writing every part of code by yourself and from the scratch, is complicated and very time-consuming. Also managing the source code and working on firmware updates are much harder now when I have two children consuming most of my CPU time, while my mind is still single-core :).

And on the other hand with Linux-based Open Source software we can do a lot of things by using and sharing work with others. With some operating system knowledge we can make use of many external devices like 3G/LTE modems, different USB dongles, and hardware and software interfaces of any kind. Possibilities are endless with a lot of work already done by Open Source enthusiasts and one single-board-computer can be used for many different tasks with only a software modification.

**[Update 15 May 2021]**
"**ULARI Transceiver VHF 7W**" and "**ULARI Radio Interface**" devices were discontinued because the manufacturer of Linux-based boards for these devices (NanoPi Duo modules) stopped manufacturing them without any earlier notice. These products were replaced by [[hardware_vhf7w_duo2|ULARI Transceiver VHF7W Duo2]] and [[hardware_eco_ri|ULARI ECO Radio Interface]] respectively.

[[http://microsat.com.pl/product_info.php?products_id=181|ULARI Transceiver VHF 7W Duo2]] is a direct replacement for discontinued ULARI Transceiver VHF 7W. Improvements over the previous version include a Linux module with better supported Wifi chip, revised heatsink fastening, and laser-cut screening cap for low-pass filter.

[[http://microsat.com.pl/product_info.php?products_id=180|ULARI ECO Radio Interface]] is an attept to find a relatively cheap Linux-based solution for APRS using an external radio station connected in the same way (and with the same cables) as my well-known WX3in1 line of products.

<del>ULARI Radio Interface</del> is my first Linux-based design, and it is my attempt to utilize Open Source in a fully functional product.

<del>ULARI Transceiver VHF 7W</del> is a more advanced design containing 136-174 MHz VHF receiver and transmitter, 7 Watt hybrid RF amplifier, and a 7-pole lowpass filter. The RF part is similar to this known from my APRS Voyager, but this time it is improved and covers the whole 136-174 MHz and thus it can be used for a lot more tasks than APRS.

Mateusz **SQ3PLX**, MICROSAT