Pi Pico Recreates The Heathkit Pocket Packet

A hobbyist known as [btech] built the Pocket Pico, a modern recreation of the Heathkit HK-21 Pocket Packet terminal node controller for amateur packet radio, using a Raspberry Pi Pico. The device runs a Z80 processor emulator to execute the original HK-21 firmware unchanged, while the Pico's own processing handles modulation and demodulation of Bell 202 audio tones at 1200 baud, eliminating the need for a dedicated modem chip. Because it runs the same firmware, it's compatible with existing packet radio software, supports APRS and AX.25 Level 2, and includes a built-in Personal Bulletin Board System.

Source: https://hackaday.com/2026/09/25/pi-pico-recreates-the-heathkit-pocket-packet. 8 Sync News only summarizes and links out; content copyright belongs to the authors and original sources.