I've not said much about it, but I've been dabbling with AREDN for awhile now and am getting to the point where I see a lot of value in this service and am starting to pursue it. As with anything, it takes time, effort and money to build something, which I'm always doing anyway. After playing with Packet and VARA, I see a need for faster communications that can be portable, set up quickly and can move different types of data. AREDN, or the Amateur Radio Emergency Data Network, is a system where a lot of different off the shelf equipment can be converted and used for amateur radio communications. Amateur radio has allotments in many of the "data bands" like 900 MHz, 2.4, 3.2, and 5.8 GHz bands, alongside with equipment that Wireless Internet Providers (WISP) use. The allotments can give us access to some additional frequencies at higher power. Of course, there are some "downsides" like line-of-sight issues or no encryption allowed on Part 97 devices, but those issues are minimal and can be overcome. At this point, I have decided to jump in with both feet and support the proliferation of AREDN nodes across Arkansas. There are a few of them out there already, so other hams are investigating and building into this truly excellent tool in the EmComm toolbox. I hope I can help further push this, and build some reliable and solid nodes in areas I have access to and create viable mesh networks for EmComm. With many years of ISP experience in my background, this became obvious to me early on as something I could do, but also want to do.
On the AREDN website, here are some of the things we can do as hams using this type of service:
Examples of what has been and can be deployed across these networks are:Â
Computer Aided Dispatch (Responder management)
Incident response and mapping solutions
Static and video imagery of evolving situations.
Real-time communications and systems (including email, document delivery and organization)
Winlink message networks
Asset management and monitoring (Repeater control, solar power management, etc.)
So what? Well, this isn't for everyone but it's not terribly difficult to spin up a basic node and be ready. As meshes get built out, you'll then be in position to connect to a mesh and send information, documents, videos, files, coordinate, and otherwise communicate with basic equipment. We live in a digital age, and we should be able to provide digital assets to the agencies that we serve, including ourselves.
Likewise, I have up and running Arkansas' first Supernode. This Supernode can connect meshes across different areas so they are able to communicate with each other. It can- and does- use the public Internet for some of this in normal times, but as meshes build out, the Supernode can become valuable in that fact also that it can connect local meshes. The Arkansas Supernode currently connects out of state to the east and the west, with more connections as needed. Hams with mesh systems in Arkansas will be welcome to use the Supernode to connect them should they see fit, and we'll build a tunnel to you as needed! These tunnels can allow AREDN nodes to connect to other AREDN nodes, both in and out of Arkansas.
We all worry about a "grid down" situation and we're all going to save the world with our handy-talkies. Yeah, no. Not all emergencies lose internet and power, so having tools in your box to be able to respond to any situation at any time just makes sense. Even better, let's say there is some sort of situation somewhere where there actually is no power, no internet, no nothing. A group of hams can bring in some nodes, provide connectivity to the stricken area, backhaul data out of the stricken area to a "functioning" one, and then mesh out from there. We can literally bring internet and intranet access into an area using mesh, backhaul and Supernodes. Sounds kinda valuable, no? As hams, we do have many methods of communications using radio such as HF, repeaters, packet/VARA, so now we have this also. There is a plethora of data on the Interwebz about hams using AREDN systems to provide video streams to public safety agencies, situational awareness reports, documents and so on from emergency areas. I'm on board with this and am starting to do my part to see this service is available to hams as needed. I am, without a doubt, still learning myself. I will post information on my AREDN page as I expand my meshes, equipment arrives, and how I did it. Ham radio is a journey, not a destination so I'm headed out from the rest stop to the big digital highway ahead. Come along if you want!

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