I am about to place an order with ISP Supplies Canada for Mikrotik routers to be setup as AREDN nodes.  I currently have seven club members interested.  If you haven't done so already, please let me know by the end of the day (Friday) if you would like me to add you to the order.

For clarification; "you do not require an AREDN Router Node to use Hamshack Hotline" if that is your only goal.  The AREDN router allows you to access the KPG PBX as well as other ARDEN Nodes, but you can still setup Hamshack Hotline on a separate line on your phone if you like. The phones Randy supplied are capable of up to 4 lines.  Users from Hamshack Hotline can still connect to you through the KPG PBS and you can call out to Hamshack Hotline users.

73 Harmen VE3EMA

At last night's meeting, Clay and I did an AREDN node demo using VOIP phones.  Due to the unusually long Club Business portion of the meeting, the presentation and demo was very rushed and also for the benefit of anyone who could not make it to the meeting, this email will hopefully give a better explanation. 

AREDN stands for Amateur Radio Emergency Digital Network.  The following definition comes from the official website; https://www.arednmesh.org

• An Amateur Radio Emergency Data Network (AREDN™) is a high speed data network built with Amateur Radio Operators and Emergency Communications Infrastructure in mind.
• AREDN™ is self-configuring and self-healing. Where possible, AREDN™ will establish connections with as many other AREDN™ compatible devices (nodes) as possible and form a redundant mesh like network.
• AREDN™ nodes automatically finds the “most reliable” nodes (greatest chance of success on packet delivery) to attempt delivery of the packets sent across the network. One need not know the exact path to get to the destination, only to know what the destination is.
• AREDN™ uses commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware originally intended to be used for unlicensed WIFI and re-purposes it to fits the needs of Amateur Radio Operators.  By using such common gear we are able to benefit from affordable pricing and easy availability of reliable communications gear.
• By itself AREDN™ is only a networking technology - it provides the basis to move traffic around. It can be thought of as similar to a radio or a repeater, where the infrastructure is an AREDN™ node and the content that flows across it is one that the local users decide.
• Networks built on top of AREDN™ are IP based, very similar to but not dependent upon, the Internet and operating under the rules for Amateur Radio operators. Well-used publicly documented protocols (IPv4) are utilized to provide the greatest flexibility to local implementers of these high speed networks.

This is a good video of AREDN; https://youtu.be/fkl5Nbnz24Y

PARC Demonstration

At the meeting, Clay and I had two AREDN nodes (compatible wireless router reconfigured with AREDN firmware) connected to each other.  We also attached a VOIP (Voice Over IP) internet phones to each node that where able to connect to each other over the AREDN network we created in the classroom.  Clay's node was also connected to the internet and to the Kawartha Packet Group Tunnel and PBX (Private Branch Exchange).  A PBX is what is needed for VOIP phones to talk to each other.  HamShack Hotline is a PBX specifically for the Amateur Radio Community.   The Tunnel allows you to see other AREDN Nodes around the world through the internet using a web browser.

This a link to a SuperNode Map that you can zoom in or out as well click on the each node for detailed information; https://arednmap.xojs.org/#8.84/44.2705/-78.8493

Once we have an AREDN network established within Peterborough County, the KPG PBX will provide VOIP service without the need for internet so long as you are able to connect to the AREDN network via wireless

Fleming College and AREDN in Peterborough County

PARC along with KPG are working with a group of Fleming Students as a "Fleming Applied Project" on linking all of PARC repeaters using  5.9 GHz wireless technologies similar to how VE3PBO and VE3BUY are now linked.  This project also includes adding AREDN nodes at repeater sites and creating a membership page for our website. This membership page will allow PARC members to create a PARC membership profile, make membership payments and check your membership status.  We are also adding a "Make a Donation to PARC" option. 

Mikrotik RB952Ui-5ac2nD-TC hAP AC Lite

If you are interested in experimenting with AREDN, Clay and I have been offered a "Club bulk" discount price from ISP Supplies Canada for Mikrotik RB952Ui-5ac2nD-TC hAP AC Lite routers https://www.ispsupplies.ca/MikroTik-RouterBOARD-RB952Ui-5ac2nD-TC .  The price is $85 each which includes tax and shipping.  Clay and I will also install the AREDN Firmware and set it up ready for you to plug in your VOIP phone.  You will just need to plug it into you home router for internet access.  If you haven't received a VOIP phone yet, there are still used CISCO phones available that Randy purchased and free to club members.  Note: These routers do not have the range to connect to the ARDEN RF network without external antennas. That would require a router mounted with some height depending on the distance to the next node you are connecting to such as for example; https://www.store.mikrotikcanada.ca/wireless-systems/201-lhg-xl-hp5-us-4752224003744.html?SubmitCurrency=1&id_currency=1&utm_campaign=shopping&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=20491464910&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAxaCvBhBaEiwAvsLmWK-vJnP295w-aQqh-j99cBxi18kazko02OVG6aw6hgKbJFgskMYcNBoC_5wQAvD_BwE

Please let me know if you wish Clay or I to order you a Mikrotik RB952Ui-5ac2nD-TC hAP AC Lite router.

73 Harmen, VE3EMA/VA3OU