[Alexandria Radio Club Reflector] AREDN Nodes in Arlington and Alexandria

[Ed Colonna]

Greetings ARC Members,

I have recently become interested in the AREDN Mesh network.  I have successfully set up two small nodes using two Ubiquiti Bullet M2s.  I've been able to get MeshChat to work and I have attached a Raspberry Pi running RasPBX.  I have a VOIP phone at each node.

Most recently I have been exploring implementation of an email server on a Raspberry Pi. Nodes could then use an email client to send and receive to/from each other. I've tried installing Winlink Express (formerly RMS Express) and Citadel/UX.  I've looked at half a dozen others.  The issue with these are they all seem very complicated and include a gateway to the internet and all the issues that brings.  And, I have not been able to get them working.  

What I would like to do is implement a small closed group of maybe 10 nodes max that can send and receive comms over the mesh.  My vision is just what AREDN is intended for: The ability to quickly stand up small off-the-grid nodes to provide purpose oriented comms (Chat, VOIP, and Email) for a small, closed group.  

Questions:

1. Is there a simple, easily installed, easily configured email server for the Raspberry Pi?
2. Does anyone else in the club share this interest and want to collaborate? (I have not been able to connect to the club node at the hospital.) 

Many thanks,

Ed, K4ESC