Digital
WARSF is committed to support CERTS and ARES
groups throughout Southwest Florida.
DIGITAL Technologies
Information
Digital technologies have evolved considerably over the past few
years. If you enjoy reading, here are some articles of
interest to Amateur Radio Digital enthusiasts.
DV4Server
This is from the 35th ARRL an TAPR Digital Communications Conference
presented by AG0X - Uli Altvater & DG1HT - Torsten Schulze. Be
sure to visit some of the links in these PDF documents for detailed
information. I hope to include more current information as
available regarding DV4Server, DV4mini and rPi info. Currently
the DV4mini is unavailable and the DV4Server may be temporarily
unavailable; however, the concept lives on.
** To be updated **
OPENSPOT
WARSF plans to implement SharkRF 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 to learn more.
IRLP & Echolink
WARSF plans to implement IRLP and/or EchoIRLP connectivity
on a repeater. Both of these are older digital technologies
but remain useful forms of communications using radio RF and the
Internet. EchoIRLP is an add-on to the Echolink technology
that joins IRLP and Echolink. See
IRLP or
Echolink to
learn more.
______________________________End
of W9PCI Florida____________________________________________
OREGON ( Archived)
The information below pertains to when my QTH was located in
Southern Oregon.
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:
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!
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.
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**
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
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