The Boondock Echo is an internet-backed recording and playback device for two-way radios. It can denoise, transcribe, translate, and use keyword notifications to email users the audio and transcription of important messages. Multiple Boondock Echos can be used to monitor multiple radio frequencies or create a repeater network that is easy to manage and deploy.

Use Cases

• Outdoor & Off-Grid: Ideal for maintaining communication in remote terrains, ensuring connectivity where traditional systems fall short.
• Emergency Services: With real-time transcription, Boondock Echo streamlines monitoring local communications, which is vital for emergency response.
• Amateur Radio Operators: Enhance your radio experience with features like callsign-triggered notifications and time-shifted recording.

Features & Specifications

• Connect to almost any radio via a TRRS audio jack that conforms to the Digi-Rig standard
• Record audio from a connected radio
• Transmit audio through a connected radio
• Access all recordings on the cloud
• Control Boondock Echo from the cloud, like volume, recording, restart, etc.
• Transmit audio from cloud to radio; using a recorder, or uploading an audio file
• Automated transcription of the recordings on cloud
• Auto-enhance audio recording quality using AI technology
• Create schedules to turn recording on/off
• Set triggers for recordings - e.g., notify when "Fire" is said on the radio
• Manage multiple stations on the cloud as presets for radio
• Link multiple Boondock devices to form a dockpack, and monitor audio from multiple sources in one place
• Play audio on the Boondock device, using built-in controls on device, or from cloud
• Long-term archival of audio received on a radio frequency
• Mark audio messages as favorites for later review

Extended Recording Capacity

A RAM-based circular audio buffer ensures uninterrupted recording of all audio that leaves your radio. Captured audio is stored on a preinstalled 32 GB microSD card that can hold up to 260 hours of .WAV file audio. If you use the device to record a continuous audio stream (100% duty cycle), that’s almost 11 days of audio! For many use cases (four hours of audio per day, or ~17% duty cycle) that is over two months of on-device recording before older audio files are overwritten.

You Choose: Standalone or Networked Operation

Boondock Echo is designed to be internet-backed but not reliant. You can use it as a completely standalone device without any connectivity other than to your radio. In standalone mode, you will have access to basic functions like recording .WAV files to an internal microSD card and playing those files back. You can also connect it via Wi-Fi to access online services of your own or those hosted by a third party. We offer an optional, subscription-based online service specifically for use with Boondock Echo for more advanced features like denoising, transcription, translation, and keyword notification emails.

Comparisons

Online Services

Boondock Echo will record and playback without a subscription. But for advanced features such as email notifications, SMS notifications, IFTTT integration, and more, you’ll need a subscription or you will have to set up your own server. All Boondock Echo purchases include one month of Advanced User priveledges at BoondockEcho.com. Advanced and Power users do not need multiple licenses. Multiple docks can be used by one user under the Advanced User and Power User licenses. Subscriptions will be available for purchase at https://BoondockEcho.com once manufacturing is complete.

* Fair usage policy applies. After the limit, transcriptions are done on low priority.
** Fair usage policy applies. After the limit, old audio is automatically deleted.
*** Additional long-term storage can be purchased for audio storage.
**** Smart alerts are AI-driven alerts, like crime, health emergencies, severe weather, etc.

We use a queue-based transcription system that allows up to 7-simultaneous transcriptions per server. There are currently three entry-points in the queue for each server: High-Priority, Low-Priority, and Manual-Transcription. Depending on the subscription level you choose, once you exhaust your high-priority queue entry usage, you’ll be automatically moved to low-priority queue usage (transcriptions might be delayed), and after that manual-only transcriptions. Once we see real-user usage, we reserve the right to adjust minutes per day of transcription usage to maintain server stability. Note: Dead-air, breaking-squelch, etc., when detected by our system, will not count against your transcription counts.

Of course, it’s also possible to set up your own noncommercial server without paying us for a subscription. But be warned, it takes several days of waiting for API licenses from various entities to setup all the SMS, email, IFTTT, etc. integrations and about 20 hours to set up an AWS installation for 1-10 users at 50% duty cycle, which will end up costing $300 to $400 per month for server rental and transcription requests through OpenAI’s Whisper. We expect these costs to decrease as we improve performance and streamline the installation processes. If you are a commercial entity and wish to run your server, please get in touch with us and we can work with your IT department to establish a server that fits your security needs.

Support & Documentation

Boondock Echo is open source! Embracing the spirit of open source, we invite users and developers to explore and contribute to Boondock Echo’s software and hardware, fostering a community of innovation and collaboration. Additionally, you can run your own transcription/action server and avoid subscription fees altogether. The Boondock Echo GitHub repositories contain all hardware, firmware, and software files. Explore the Boondock Echo documentation for guides and instructions. Join the Boondock Technologies Discord community for discussions and assistance.

Manufacturing Plan

After fabrication and assembly, we plan on testing every Boondock Echo to ensure a top-quality final product. We’ve already produced several working prototypes, the first of which only worked with the Baofeng UV-5R radios. A later 20-unit beta test run demonstrated use of Boondock Echo with a much wider range of radios.

Fulfillment & Logistics

After production, Boondock Echo will be shipped to Crowd Supply’s fulfillment partner, Mouser Electronics, which will deliver to backers worldwide. Additional information about Crowd Supply’s fulfillment service can be found in the Ordering, Paying, and Shipping section of their guide.

Risks & Challenges

While acknowledging the inherent risks in manufacturing and distribution, such as silicon shortages and quality control, we have robust tracking and mitigation strategies to ensure smooth project execution. We have two electronics engineers on staff who are experienced board designers with a long history of getting projects over the finish line. Problems will arise, and we will deal with them.

Warning

Users must have appropriate radio licensing in their country to transmit with the Boondock Echo. U.S. users should familiarize themselves with FCC Title 47, Chapter 1, Subchapter D, Part 97, §97.025 and §97.201.