ARS W9PCi - Central Point, Oregon

 145.330 / 444.100
146.620 / 444.200
147.060 / 147.240 / 444.300
IRLP Nodes 7700 / 3414 / 3383
Echolink Node 385956

Digital

NRVRG provides support for CERTS and ARES groups throughout Southern Oregon.

NRVRG currently offers EchoIRLP nodes, Wires-X rooms and will be implementing OPENSPOT connectivity offering cross-connection to most of the digital modes available to include DMR, D-STAR, System Fusion (C4FM), P25, POCSAG, APRS messaging and other modes.  See OPENSPOT 3 to learn more.

C4FM IRMS

NRVRG 147.060 C4FM digital repeater.  Note:  Please use your call sign on initial key-up even though call signs are transmitted digitally.   Other links will follow as the IMRS network develops. This repeater operates in AMS Mode - Both conventional FM and digital C4FM are capable on this repeater.  AMS Mode will automatically switch to FM or C4FM depending on signals received; Transmitter will be set to mode of received signal.

AREDN

CPmesh Network Documents - Read me 1st

CPMesh Policy & Guidlines - (PDF) Latest Revision 4/27/2022 **NEW**

Official Members List - (Excel File) Latest Revision 4/2/2022 **NEW**

Background

The "CPMesh" network is growing!  Several new "node" stations are appearing on the "Meshmap" diagram (see mapping below).  With the addition of new radios on the system, we request that node owners contact the Network Administrators (KL7VK or W9PCI) preferably before, or soon after, they put their stations on the network.  Network Administrators will look at the "path(s)" a new node will use for best entry to the network; some locations may show poor or "low" throughput as indicated by the "costs" of the link shown on mapping.  A "cost" of <2.5 is preferred but we've experienced that links can perform well with even higher values.

Mesh networks perform best when there is a good "backbone" with link costs < 1.7 and links to the best access to a backbone radio.  Multiple paths with poor performance are problematic and will not produce good network communications.  We encourage "hams" to do what they do best... Experiment and learn how to improve entry into the "CPMesh" network.  This generally will include choosing the right radio, antenna type, height and "pointing" their radio for the best path.  If possible, avoid pointing in a direction which will pass through nearby obstacles such as trees, buildings or land masses. 

These radios work best when there is "line-of-sight" to the next "hop" into the network because of the frequency and power levels of the radios; especially "near field" obstructions should be avoided.  Also, if a node location has multiple radios, attention must be made to ensure good physical separation of radio antennas; experimentation options are available.

Rogue Valley AREDN Net

The 2m repeater on 145.330-T123 is proposed to be used to for a Rogue Valley AREDN informal "net".  We may link other repeaters to provide coverage to areas difficult to reach using this "North Valley" repeater located on Blackwell.  Those interested can contact KL7VK or W9PCI - click on call to email.

The purpose of the net is to provide information related to the "CPMesh" network such as:

  • Network Administration & Policies

  • Emergency Communications

  • New Nodes

  • Network Performance

  • Advertised Node Services

2m SSB on 144.200(USB) is also active with information on the Rogue Valley AREDN network.  We encourage those with 2m SSB capability to participate in impromptu discussions which can occur daily.

Mapping

NRVRG supports the AREDN network with an extensive group of nodes throughout the Rogue Valley; launch the new service on the CPMesh network - "W9PCI-meshmap"

Map as of 4/18/2022 - New Node in Jo County - KB7RNM 2.4 Rig
Map as of 3/31/2022 - New Backbone link to Josephine County from Blackwell now links Rogue Valley with JoCo.
Map as of 6/25/2021
Map as of 12/8/2021
Map as of 12/30/2021
Node List as of December 10, 2021

IP Cams

There are numerous IP cameras on CPMesh network and AREDN networks statewide and beyond.  Some have no passwords, some liste a username/password and others are private.

IP Power Switches

This is a device that node owners use to control power to various equipment at the node location.  For example, if you want to "power cycle" a device plugged into the IP Power Switch, you access the GUI for the switch and select options to power cycle, turn ON & OFF.  Being able to shutdown a piece of equipment from the AREDN network can be very useful.

rPi Projects

Rogue Valley Oregon "Meshmap"

A "Rogue Valley" custom AREDN network map for SSID "CPMesh" is now available on the mesh network as an advertised service on the W9PCI Roxy backbone - "W9PCI-meshmap".  This map server runs on a rPi-4 and may be used to diagram a current map of "CPMesh" nodes.  Try it out!

Rogue Valley Oregon "Mesh Info" **NEW**

Scott (KI7ONK) has written an exhaustive data collection application which is available on the "CPMesh" network. Scott has it listed as an advertised service on his node (KI7ONK-NSM2-1) as "Mesh Info".  Documentation of what data is collected and how it is presented will follow - TBD.  The application collects node data, places it in a "Round Robin Database" and presents it in both graphical (charts) and tabular (CSV) formats in "daily", "weekly", "monthly" and "yearly" collections.  Try it out!

**NEW** Video by Bob (N7RBP) on how he used Scott's "Mesh Info" app on the "CPMesh" Rogue Valley Mesh Network to evaluate his node installation performance.  To find "Mesh Info" app on "CPMesh" network, search for KI7ONK on Oregon state-wide AREDN network - click on "Mesh Info" advertised service. 

SkyAware

SkyAware (an rPi-piaware project) is now available on "CPMesh" network as a service to obtain a map of the Medford airport (MFR) that shows nearby aircraft activity.  Users may zoom in / out to > 200 miles. This may be used to monitor Mercy Flights medical and other local pilots supporting "Search & Rescue" flights in our region.

SkAware Map as of 1/11/2022

SkAware Map as of 1/14/2022

These maps were produced from V7.1 of the SkyAware piware app running on the "CPMesh" network.  It was a foggy morning and this commercial airline was "unable" to land at MFR due to company "minimums" when landing in fog.  It made several "hold" maneuvers (see yellow & green tracks) before it tried to land only to "abort" and go-around.  After a few more minutes of waiting in a "holding" pattern, the pilot decided to divert to it's alternate airport  - Boise, Id.

AREDN Links & Info

There are a great many documents on the AREDN website and we encourage everyone to review what is available on their site.  This information is "on-going" so please visit often to learn about recent changes and updates.

  • Link to the AREDN Website - Best top level source for information

  • Link to QST article - AREDN - A High-Speed Data Network by Andre Hansen, K6AH

  • Great QST PDF - Using AREDN Software to Create a Ham Radio IP Network  by Orv Beach, W6BI

  • Firmware Initial Install Checklists - Click Here  -  A "must read" for firmware installs.

    • Special instructions for newer Mikrotik HAPacl Router - Click Here

  • Ethernet Port Usage - Click Here  - A good document explaining VLan assignments used by AREDN.

  • AREDN Powerpoint presentation by KL7VK - CPMesh Network

  • AREDN "Beginners Guide" - Good information on AREDN and photos of configurations of various radios used; nice explaination of how the network VLANs work. Click Here

  • Linq Quality Manager (LQM) released in "nightly build" as of June 2022 - Experimental code to "optimize" mesh network routing based on node metrics.  More informaiton on ARDEN site Documents - searth for Link Quality Manager (LQM) - click here for link. **NEW**

  • Great YouTube presentaton on new AREDN Firmware 3.2.2.6 and following "nightly builds" - click here for link. **NEW**

  • IPERF feature is now included with the new AREDN Firmware 3.2.2.6 and "nightly builds".  The URL for running in a browser is:

    • http://<client_node_name>/cgi-bin/iperf?server=<server_node_name>&protocol=<tcp|udp>


      Note: the protocol used with AREDN network is “tcp” so it’s not necessary to add this to the end of the url:


      http://<client_node_name>/cgi-bin/iperf?server=<server_node_name>

      • Note:  Copy and paste the above url in your browser and change the client and server node name to nodes you want to run IPERF on.

       

Mesh Radio Manufacture Information

MikroTik Documents

SXTsq Radios

Specifications

Installation Help

Ubiquiti Documents - TBD

M5-400-ISO-US Radios

Specifications

Installation Help

Mesh Network Radios

Here is a partial list of AREDN radios we have serving the Rogue Valley's "CPMesh" Network:

MikroTik

SXTsq-2nD - Newer  2.4Ghz Series
SXTsq-5nDHP - Newer 5GHz Series
RB952UI-5ac2nD - Newer 5Ghz Series
RBLDF-5nD-S - Newer 5Ghz Series radio for (Direct / Dish TV Dish)

Ubiquiti

PBE-M5-400ISO Newer 5Ghz Series radio (“Backbone” Links)
Rocket M2 (XW) - Current Series used with Ubiquiti Networks AM-2G15-120 AirMAX 2.4 Ghz 2x2 MIMO Sector Antenna
airMAX NanoStation M2 (XW) - Older series 2.4Ghz CPE Featuring a panel antenna and dual-polarity. (Possible EOL soon)

GLiNet

GL-USB150 – Newer 2.4Ghz “Microrouter” (Used for mobile testing w/Android Phone or PC) 

NOTE: The MikroTik 2.4Ghz & 5GHz radios are the latest AREDN supported radios in our system.  The Ubiquiti 5Ghz radio is the latest addition for our “Backbone” links to Roxy, Baldy, Blackwell and Fielder.  The USB150 from GLiNet is a handy radio for use with a cell phone or laptop at sites for testing.  These small USB “Microrouters” can also support using a laptop or cell phone near any of the “CPMesh” hotspots during an emergency; they have limited distance capabilities from AREDN mesh network radios.

There are a handful of older Ubiquiti radios and include the Bullet, Bullet(XW), NanoStation(XM & XW), PowerBeam and Rocket (XM & XW).  Some of these radios are reaching “End-of-Life” and may no longer be supported by AREDN; See the AREDN site for their “Supported Platform Matrix”.

 

Links to radio manufacturers used in the AREDN networks:  (www.mikrotik.com) - (www.ubnt.com) - (www.gl-inet.com)

CPMesh Node Installations & Photos

Email a description of your AREDN installation, any special "solar" or other backup power & photos to w9pci.

Backbone & Special Sites

Baldy

KTVL Building / Tower  - Photo1

Blackwell

COBI Building / Tower

Roxy (N5EG)

QTH

Roxy (KC7HEX)

QTH

Roxy (W9PCi)

Photos of initial installation

  • Mixed

  • Mixed 5 Ghz & 2.4 Ghz  Radios - Photo

  • Typical MirkoTik hAP - Photo

  • LDF5 radio for mounting on DISH or DIRECT TV dish arm - Photos 1 - 2

  • MikroTik Power Beam M5 400ISO HP 5 Ghz Dish - Photos 1 - 2

CP Police Department

Police Station / Rooftop

Fielder

WA7YSM Building / Tower

Photos

  • MikroTik Power Beam M5 400ISO HP 5 Ghz Dish

Hwy 99

Central Point Solar Site - 5 Ghz link radio to Blackwell and 2.4 Ghz radio with "omni" antenna.

Member Projects

KL7VK

Kirby's AREDN Solar System - PDF with description and photos here.

LoRa / LoRaWAN Signal Repeater Project - Photos 1 - 2 - 3 - 4

K7DWE

Dennis's AREDN Solar System - Photos 1 - 2 - 3

N7RBP

Bob's Solar System - PDF with description and photos here - Photos 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9.

KD6UIH

Bob's Solar System - PDF with description and photos here.

 

Want to join the network?  Contact KL7VK - Kirby or W9PCI - Arlen