AREDN MESH Comes to Hawaii

In 2020, more than 80 AREDN MESH nodes were deployed in Hawaii.  As done
on the mainland, Amateurs connect their stations via a private Amateur
Radio network. Here’s a link to the current Hawaii network,

https://tinyurl.com/y56ox3wu

The AREDN MESH network is self-configuring.  A node added to the network
broadcasts its identity to all the other nodes.  Installation is truly
well designed and easy to use.  The ability to deploy go kits with AREDN
MESH radios that are added dynamically makes it one more digital tool to
pass traffic.

Mastering the technology allows us to build networks around our islands.
We can be less dependent on access to high places.  Hawaii AREDN MESH
is not an Internet ISP.  We can ring our islands with many short hops
that provide multiple paths from one node to another.

The basic component needed for a short hop is the AREDN MESH router, a
MikroTik hAP.  The term hAP stands for home Access Point.  It is really
just an Internet home router that has been “flashed” to operate in
the Amateur Radio private network.  As Amateur Radio equipment goes, it
is inexpensive.  About $50 on Amazon!

With a hAP connected via Internet, Amateurs can begin learning about the
Hawaii network.  The next step is to add a microwave link to become more
independent of Internet.   A pair of MikroTik SXT 5.8 GHz radios can be
added to access a “sector node” in his area or interconnect two
Amateur’s stations via microwave.  One of these can be had for about
$70.

The IEEE recently hosted a ZOOM meeting that brought a lot of
information to Hawaii Amateurs.  Stephen Minakami (NH6XL) setup the
meeting.  We are fortunate that he was able to arrange a member of the
AREDN MESH organization, Orv Beach (W6BI), who gave a great overview of
mainland networks and the hardware and software components building the
network.  Here is a YouTube link to Orv’s talk,

https://youtu.be/qVM4W_I8mx0

Following his talk, Gessie Alpuro (WH6AV) gave an overview of AREDN MESH
in Hawaii.  As of now AllStar repeaters and seventeen Hawaii gateways
are already connected via Hawaii AREDN MESH.  It is amazing how well
developed the network has become.

One of Gessie’s focus has been interconnecting AllStar and Winlink
gateways on the Big Island.  hAP, SXT and point to point hardware has
been donated to BIARC members to get the network started.  He is working
with Oahu as well as with his own island.  Jim Pilgram (NH6HI) is
driving the progress on Kauai.  This is truly an all-Hawaii project.

Here is a link to Gessie’s YouTube,

https://youtu.be/U2_oHUJ2Nn4.

Hawaii ARES now supports Winlink and AREDN MESH use in its exercises.
Previously Clem Jung (KH7HO) made arrangements with the Hawaii Amateur
Radio Emergency Digital Radio Network, Inc. (HEARDn.org) a 501C3
corporation, to provide audio adapters and VARA software licenses at a
reduced cost to interested Amateurs.  He now also has HEARDn support for
AREDN MESH components.

If interested in adding digital modes to your Amateur Radio station,
contact Clem to see how ARES can help Amateurs interested in either of
these digital technologies.

——————————————————————–
ARRL Pacific Section
Section Manager: Joseph Speroni, AH0A
ah0a@arrl.org
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