Category: Packet

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W3ND-7 BBS, NetROM, and Packet Node Now Live on Blue Mountain

As of August 2, 2025, the W3ND-7 BBS, NetROM, and packet node is up and running on Blue Mountain—marking a major advancement in amateur radio digital communications across Central Pennsylvania. Operating on 145.01 and 145.03 MHz, the system offers broad coverage, reaching well into southcentral Pennsylvania. Plans are to add VARA FM to the system by the end of the year.

This milestone was made possible through the hard work of the Central Pennsylvania Repeater Association and their generous support in providing access to their Blue Mountain site. The system is now fully functional and performing reliably.

Work is underway to establish RF pathways, with Internet connectivity expected to come online over the next four weeks via traditional Internet access, AREDN, and APMRnet (44NET). Stay tuned for more updates as the network continues to grow and evolve!

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Welcome Jay W7SDA to the AREDN network!!

A few days ago, I was contacted by Jay W7SDA about getting a tunnel to N3FUD-Main. I set up a tunnel for him to start exploring the AREDN mesh. 24 hours later, I created a Supernode tunnel for him as he set up a base network in Highland, Maryland, just west of Washington D.C and just east of Nick, KC3VNC.

Together with Ray, N3HYM, I’m hoping that they can get western Maryland set up with an AREDN RF network and possibly expand the packet network.

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W3ND-7 Packet BBS is back on the air!

I’m happy to announce that the W3ND-7 packet BBS is back on the air!

Well, sort of.   The BBS is back online. I have to configure the radios and soundcard interface, and then it will be ready for installation.  The BBS is running BPQ on a Windows platform; Windows was chosen as the OS as the possibility of a VaraFM port may be added in the future.

The original intent was to install it at Reesers Summit. However, due to some site changes, the BBS will probably be installed at the Central Pennsylvania Repeaters Association (CPRA) Blue Mountain site next year. Additionally, the possibility of a digipeater on 145.03 MHz at Reesers Summit is being investigated; the W3HZU-7 digipeater covers 145.01 MHz for York County.

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Packet and AREDN and Disasters, Oh My!

So much to share, so little time….

About two weeks ago, my main server and weather bots server were hit with a ransomware attack. The main server was cleaned and reimaged, and the hard drive array was scrubbed. The weather bot server was left offline, as the social media server it fed was taken offline.

The packet BBS was reimaged eight weeks ago, so it is in good shape, with new connections through the AREDN and AMPR networks. The main server was reattached to the AREDN network but isn’t offering much in the way of services other than the N3FUD webpage and the fileserver. I’ll get the DAPnet app back online as soon as I rewrite it.

Which brings me to the next topic: backups. I’d been a bit sloppy in backing up hard drives and websites and didn’t have good copies for the main server. That will be fixed this week when I build out the backup application and find a place to store it offsite.

And on the hitlist…. one hurricane that wrecked the hell out of five states, and three more running around the Atlantic Ocean like it’s a playground. Damage from Helene is really bringing out the need for ham radio, as most, if not all, of the infrastructure in the areas she hit got shredded.

It’s not over. Hurricane Milton is spooling up in the Caribbean and is expecting to become a Category 3 hurricane before coming ashore in central Florida, running through Orlando, and clipping Tampa Bay again.