Direbox

Off-grid, mesh network messaging without limits.

Buy Now Documentation Learn More

Getting Started

Step 1

Choose your Direbox

Buy a prebuilt Direbox, build a kit, or flash Direbox to an SD card to turn your Raspberry Pi into an off-grid mesh router.

Step 2

Connect a Radio

Plug in any radio of your choice to Direbox through a sound interface like digirig.

Step 3

Chat Off-Grid

Pair your smartphone or computer to the Direbox hotspot and start chatting!

Buy Now

Text without Internet

Direbox enables you to send direct messages or group chats totally offline.

Save messages on your own device without Big Tech cloud services stealing your data. Run your own decentralized communications infrastructure without middlemen or monthly fees.

Bypass censorship and be prepared for communications outages.

Buy Now

Beautiful, modern interface

Access your Direbox instance from desktop or mobile with a modern and responsive front-end.

Don't get locked into proprietary apps or hardware - Direbox can be accessed from any device and installed as a PWA (Progressive Web App) on Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux devices!

The era of user-friendly EMCOMM has arrived.

View PWA

Full encryption suite

Privacy is a right.

That's why Direbox comes with AES message encryption built in.

Effortlessly share your encryption key with contacts via text or QR code to chat privately. Use strong encryption for direct messages or group chats. Easily change keys on the fly to guard your autonomy.

View Encryption Docs

Powered by APRS™

Tap into the power of the ubiquitous, battle-hardened Automatic Packet Reporting System protocol to send decentralized messages and position reports.

Use the massive APRS node network on 144.39MHz to communicate long distances or stand up your own private repeater network on another frequency of your choice.

Direbox is fully backwards-compatible with existing APRS digipeaters and radios.

See Protocol

Any frequency, no power limits

Direbox is not limited to a set frequency range or capped power output.

Emergency communications should not be hamstrung by weak power output, range, or limited frequencies. Direbox is fully capable of running on common amateur VHF/UHF frequencies, GMRS, MURS, commercial, and emergency service bands.

Simply connect any radio of your choice and start messaging!

Compatible Radios

Frictionless setup

Setup is as easy as plugging in your radio.

Manage all your settings from a seamless user interface. Update your Direbox software over-the-air or flash new images without additional drivers.

Configuration files and overly technical setup are a thing of the past.

Quickstart Guide

Built for builders

Direbox is more than just a single product.

It's a suite of hardware and software tools for anyone who wants to build their own!

Since Direbox is powered by Raspberry Pi, millions of existing Pi users can transform their hardware with Direbox expansion boards, prebuilt Direbox images, or both.

For the adventurous hacker, Direbox can even be installed on x86 machines for free. (Linux CLI and Python knowledge required)

Shop Kits
Buy Now

Tech Specs

Single Board Computer

  • Raspberry Pi Zero 2W
  • 1GHz quad-core 64-bit Arm Cortex-A53 CPU
  • 512MB SDRAM

Display

  • SSD1306 OLED
  • 128x64 px resolution
  • 0.96" diagonal size
  • Dual button interface
  • I2C serial control

Battery

  • 3000mAh LiPo
  • Up to 15 hours continuous runtime
  • 500mA charge controller
  • MicroUSB charging port

Wireless I/O

  • 2.4GHz 802.11 b/g/n wireless LAN
  • Bluetooth 4.2, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), onboard antenna

Body

  • PLA+
  • 3D printed

Accessory interface

  • MicroUSB OTG
  • MicroUSB to USB-C cable included
  • Exposed GPIO pin for custom PTT

Follow Direbox

Get updates on Direbox sent straight to your inbox.

No spam. Important stuff only.