Amateur Radio Operator
THe W3ND BPQ32 Node is coming along nicely. The next steps are to get the radios programmed, connect them, and make sure they work. Once that’s done, I need to talk to the site manager to get the node installed on Blue Mountain north of Harrisburg. It should have good coverage there.
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.
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.