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Table of Contents
AREDN
- AREDN is a project aimed at using wifi devices to create a computer network independent of the internet. Since hams have access to sections of the 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz bands that regular wifi devices don't, those channels are quieter and longer distances can be achieved with better antennas.
- NARA on the island is leading the way in creating this network in our area, and a few people on the Coast have started experimenting with some of the equipment.
- This message board is very active with local hams and what they're working on.
- This map shows the nodes that are live in the area.
- This site is useful to model line of sight, including the Fresnel zone.
Getting Started
The easiest way to get started is to get a Microtik hAP AC Lite TC. Once flashed with the AREDN firmware, the device will use the 5.8GHz band as regular wifi for your computer to connect to, and the 2.4GHz band will be used to mesh with other devices within range. Realistically, the hAP is not useful to make long distance links since it would require an external antenna. But it is useful to tunnel to others on the network via the internet to get started with the system. To add RF links, an outdoor device can be connected to the hAP later. See the support matrix for more information.
Services
Once on the AREDN network, individuals can run different services on small servers like the Raspberry Pi. Note that these services are only visible to a given AREDN network and are not connected to the wider internet. A few examples we have running right now are:
- The Island's VOIP phone network
- VE7LSE's Winlink gateway.1)
- and more ...
Connection Between Nanaimo and the Sunshine Coast
On July 4, 2021, Chris (VE7TOP) and Patrick (VA7FI) made a successful connection on 5.860 GHz (Ch. 172) between Nanaimo (49.227263, -123.975836) and Roberts Creek (49.45465, -123.64199): a distance of 35 km.
VA7FI's Setup
Patrick installed a Mikrotik LDF-5 (the n
model, not the ac
model) on a used TELUS satellite TV dish.
- Here's Patrick's setup and the view from the dish. The red circle marks the spot where Chris is. The log periodic was for VHF communications between Chris and Patrick to perform the adjustments.
These two tests show that it is possible to establish a connection between Nanaimo and the Sunshine Coast. The 120° sector antenna might be pushing it a little bit, but a 45° sector antenna would be enough to cover Gibsons through Sechelt and would offer an additional 6dB of gain over the 120° sector antenna.