Another project in the works is with the AREDN (amateur radio mesh network). I hope to establish AREDN nodes in South Central Pennsylvania and continue its expansion into the rest of Pennsylvania with the help of the folks in the southeastern part of the Commonwealth who have successfully deployed an AREDN network in their area, and the Central Pennsylvania Repeater Association, which has deployed a point-to-point microwave network to link some of their sites by RF. Through the established network, I am linking the BPQ node to other nodes, providing other services usable to hams deployed through ARES, RACES, and the Pennsylvania Auxillary Communications Service.
The original plan was to establish an AREDN node at Reesers Summit. With the change of ownership of the site, the plan was changed to establish a node on Blue Mountain north of Harrisburg. The antennas are mounted about 25 feet above ground level (for the moment) and provide a decent footprint to the south of the site.
Looking ahead, a second node is being explored for Wagoneers Gap, which would extend coverage into Carlisle and Mount Holly Springs. Other clubs are also considering establishing nodes, including a potential site at Pigeon Hill (Penn-Mar) in York County, with additional locations currently under discussion.
Coordination between the existing Part 15 microwave network and the AREDN network will be needed so to minimize interference with each other.
After the 5GHz network is up, research into 2.4 GHz nodes will be done to see if it is feasible to establish them.
LINKS
- W3ICK, Hanover, PA
- K3CLM, Philipsburg, PA
- KN9U, Butler, PA
- W3CCB, Corry, PA
- N3HYM, Frederick, MD
- KC3VNC, Silver Spring, MD
- KQ4JAV, Ashburn, VA
- KM4GC, Leesburg, VA
- NA2T, Stuebenville, OH