HAMnet Amateur Radio Network
2023-10-18
Intent: To establish a network of amateur radio stations across Canada (and beyond) to serve as a back-up communications capability in the event of an SHTF scenario (such as Internet outage, blackout, etc.). The network will consist of two layers – the Local Radio Network (LRN)* and the Inter-Local Radio Network (IRN)*. In addition we will pursue a more robust solution for the future (mesh network, parallel internet, etc). Consideration will also be given to integration with other networks, including CB.
Courses of Action:
Requirements:
Next Steps / In Progress:
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Current State:
There are currently 30 people on the email list, made up of both Hams and Newbies.
The Hams have established a connection schedule and have been able to make the following connections on air:
Other communities currently or potentially involved include
Some groups have already developed Local Networks and are in a position to help others that are new to this area.
A lot of the interest in radio is coming from prepper groups
There is the potential of a private antenna network being added to the mix.
A connection has been made with someone familiar with both the trucking community and CBs
The LRN Toolkit is in development.
The need for an IRN Toolkit has been identified and is being pursued, most notably radio packages.
*An LRN is a group/cell/pod (or TACnet) of mostly non-radio people (ie non-licensed) with inexpensive handheld radios that are within walking or cycling distance of each other and centred around a licensed Ham operator.
*The IRN consists of the network of connections between independent Ham operators particularly ones connected to an LRN
In addition, the idea is for each LRN to have someone who can connect with other LRNs to create the Inter-Local Radio Network (IRN) with reach across the country and around the world (eventually). He/she will have a more robust radio setup and be an experienced and licensed operator. (More info on being a part of the IRN will be available in a separate Toolkit.)
Courses of Action:
- determine extent of interest and capacity of Freedom Movement at Large (FML) and beyond
- survey
- survey
- develop Toolkits for both layers of Network (LRN and IRN)
- hardware configurations
- protocols
- etc
- recruit organizations and individuals (notably Licensed Hams) to join network (ongoing)
- establish and maintain radio contacts between licensed Hams for IRN
- recruit organizations and individuals to join network
- develop an on-boarding protocol
- develop and test an emergency protocol for SHTF (Code Word ‘Banana’)
- pursue integration with the CB/trucker network
Requirements:
- Volunteers / Hams
Next Steps / In Progress:
- maintain Action Plan
- maintain Security Protocol
- develop LRN Toolkit (in progress)
- develop IRN Toolkit (in progress)
- pursue IRN Connections (in progress)
- recruit new members (ongoing)
- pursue Antenna Network
- pursue future network (T3)
- discuss draft emergency schedule (HS) (Code Word ‘Banana’)
-------------------
Current State:
There are currently 30 people on the email list, made up of both Hams and Newbies.
The Hams have established a connection schedule and have been able to make the following connections on air:
- Lakefield / Cobourg / Sharon / Cambridge / Fort Qu’appelle SK
Other communities currently or potentially involved include
- Scarborough / Calgary / Edmonton / Victoria / MB? / Roseneath / Trent Hills / Windsor-Essex / Oxford-Norfolk / Muskoka
Some groups have already developed Local Networks and are in a position to help others that are new to this area.
A lot of the interest in radio is coming from prepper groups
There is the potential of a private antenna network being added to the mix.
A connection has been made with someone familiar with both the trucking community and CBs
The LRN Toolkit is in development.
The need for an IRN Toolkit has been identified and is being pursued, most notably radio packages.
*An LRN is a group/cell/pod (or TACnet) of mostly non-radio people (ie non-licensed) with inexpensive handheld radios that are within walking or cycling distance of each other and centred around a licensed Ham operator.
*The IRN consists of the network of connections between independent Ham operators particularly ones connected to an LRN
In addition, the idea is for each LRN to have someone who can connect with other LRNs to create the Inter-Local Radio Network (IRN) with reach across the country and around the world (eventually). He/she will have a more robust radio setup and be an experienced and licensed operator. (More info on being a part of the IRN will be available in a separate Toolkit.)