GoKawiilRhizomatica's HERMES radio brings faster, encrypted data links to off-grid communities
Rhizomatica, a Philadelphia-based nonprofit founded by Peter Bloom, has open-sourced HERMES, a digital shortwave radio system paired with its Mercury modem, to help connect remote and indigenous communities in places like Bangladesh, Brazil, and Ecuador. The system uses the ionosphere to bounce signals across 400 to 600 kilometers using just 20 watts of power, letting users send files such as photos, emails, and voice memos over high-frequency radio.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
Traditional shortwave radios transmit data at only a few hundred bits per second and lack modern encryption, limiting their usefulness for anything beyond basic voice communication. By enabling file transfer and stronger security over the same low-infrastructure HF band, HERMES could give isolated populations meaningful digital connectivity without relying on costly satellite systems or terrestrial networks.
- HERMES is an open-source shortwave radio system built by nonprofit Rhizomatica for remote and off-grid communities.
- It pairs with the Mercury modem to send files like photos, emails, and voice memos over HF radio using minimal power.
- The system relies on the ionosphere to relay signals 400–600 km, offering connectivity without terrestrial or satellite infrastructure.
Xiegu G90 HF Amateur Radio Transceiver — For readers intrigued by HERMES and shortwave communication in remote areas, the Xiegu G90 is a compact, portable HF transceiver that lets hobbyists and preppers experiment with long-range radio connectivity similar in spirit to what's described in the article. It's a great entry point into HF radio for those wanting to explore off-grid communication technology.
See Xiegu G90 HF Amateur Radio Transceiver on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: spectrum.ieee.org — Margo Anderson, 2026-09-21
Published there as: “This Digital Radio Gets Messages to the World’s Remotest Locations”
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