Mesa County ARES Forums - Recent Topics

Updates On The System

Chip Ferron — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 23:17:05 +0000

From Bill KØDZ:

Yesterday Chip, Steve, Henry, and I placed a Meshtastic node on the church that will operate 24/7, providing connectivity for club and MCARES activities, as well as relaying traffic across the valley.

Steve has Meshtastic running 24/7 in Clifton, and I have it running in Fruita.

We plan to get the Meshtastic node at Black Ridge configured as a router (Meshtastic repeater) in the next few days. Previous tests show the coverage area to be Whitewater to Fruita, and possibly much larger.

If you're curious about Meshtastic but aren't ready to buy hardware yet, that's okay! The Meshtastic App for Iphone and Android is free, and it allows you to connect to anyone's hardware.

We will be planning a Meshtastic "clinic" soon and encourage you to come and connect to our existing hardware so that you can experience Meshtastic for yourself.

If you are attending Hamcon, look for the APRS vs Meshtastic talk. We may all learn something new!

Special thanks to Steve KE0BPD for building the W0RRZ-FCC node for the club site!

Introduction

Chip Ferron — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 23:14:34 +0000

From Bill KØDZ:

What is Meshtastic?

It’s an App that uses LORA radios and GPS to send text messages, position reports, telemetry, environmental data, and can send and receive remote-control commands, all without using the internet. The Meshtastic app allows users to see positions of other users on the map if their GPS is activated.

Meshtastic uses the UHF and 900Mhz Ham bands (same as Industrial Scientific Medical (ISM) bands).

Meshtastic is available primarily for Android and IOS, with Windows and Linux apps also available.

Why should I care?

Do you need to text friends while on a camping/hiking/hunting trip when cell coverage is lacking?
Do you need to see the positions of people, assets, vehicles, resources, such as during an Emcomm or SAR event?
Do you need to get remote sensor data, or to activate a remote-control device such as rebooting a repeater controller?
Do you want to communicate with other Meshtastic users at events, such as Hamvention, Quartzfest, etc?
Do you want to learn something new, or like to play radio?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, watch the videos below, and scroll down for Meshtastic hardware:

Get Started With Meshtastic FAST!

Meshtastic Redeemed! Hamvention After Action Report - YouTube

My Love Hate Relationship: SenseCAP Card Tracker T1000-E (The guy in the video does a pretty good job, but he doesn’t realize that you shouldn’t put an antenna next to his car keys!)

Do a search for the many more Meshtastic videos on YouTube. Hardware innovation is rapid, so I recommend videos no older than 1 year.

Hardware Vendors:

Seeed Studio Meshtastic-compatible Products, From Meshtastic Dev Kit to Meshtastic Device to Meshtastic Solution, Seeed Has the Whole Product Series. ßClick the link and then click on 'Devices' (unless you want to build your own devices! Steve KE0BPD has built several devices from parts.)

Meshtastic, LoRa, IoT & WiFi Solutions from RAKwireless & ALFA Network – Rokland

muzi ᴡᴏʀᴋꜱ

Meshtastic devices are also available on Amazon. But be careful! Make sure that any device you buy has the Meshtastic firmware pre-loaded. I have had good luck with the T1000e, Seeed Solar Node, and the Wimesh Pocket. I’m sure many other great devices are out there.

VarAC Code of Behavior

John Fuller — Thu, 15 Sep 2022 14:50:42 +0000

VarAC is not just a software. VarAC is a vibrant community with a code of behavior.

Here are the VarAC dos and don'ts.

If we all respect them, we will all have a joyful experience.

❌ The Don't: Don't jam the Calling Frequency (CF). Don't hold it for more then a few minutes or more then necessary.

✅ The Do: Started a QSO on the CF? It's OK, but QSY as soon as possible. You have QSY UP/Down buttons or a free-form QSY button where you can select your desired QSY frequency.

❌ The Don't: Don't use the PING feature for DXCC/Grid hunting. This will jam the CF, and besides, upcoming versions will limit the SNR exchange during PINGS so it will be useless for DXCC.

✅ The Do: Use PING only as tool to check propagation.

❌ The Don't: Don't use 2300Hz BW on the VarAC CF or on any of the slots.

✅ The Do: Use Only 500Hz on VarAC CF and slots to avoid QRM-ing nearby VarAC QSOs. Use 2300Hz only outside of the slot frequencies.

❌ The Don't: Don't QSY to a frequency without checking if it is free.

✅The Do: VarAC provides you with Sniffers. Right-click on the QSY Up/Down buttons will temporarily QSY to the destination frequency (without keying your PTT) so you can listen before QSY-ing. Same goes for calling CQs: Use the CQ slot sniffer.

❌ The Don't: Don't try to send large files over HF. And if the link is slow - don't send files at all. It will never end. And PLEASE don't send files over the CF.

✅The Do: Send files up to 5-10K in high speed and no more than 1-2K in low speed and always on non CF frequencies.

Thank you for cooperating!
Now turn on your RIG, launch VarAC, and let's chat!!

73, Irad 4Z1AC and the VarAC team.

Using different Radios with Vara Chat

John Fuller — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 17:25:52 +0000

I was able to setup Vara Chat (VarAC) on my radio laptop with my FT-891 to make Vara HF contacts. I has been working really well and I am enjoying the mode.

I know Bill (K0DZ), Steve (KE0BPD) and others have been working on and using Vara FM for local digital chat communications. As well as working on digipeaters for longer distance (local) communications.

I was going to setup my laptop to also do Vara FM but I was concerned about deleting my radio settings on VarAC for the FT-891, since it is working, to setup a different radio. Bill (K0DZ) pointed out that all of the files needed for VARA are stored in the C:\VARA folder on your computer. So you can duplicate that folder for each setup you have.

I wanted to use the same laptop for my FT-891/Digirig setup and the IC-7300.

To do this, you need to make another copy of the VARA folder and give it another name. So I created a new folder, C:\VARA-7300. Then I copied everything in the C:\VARA folder to the C:\VARA-7300 folder.

On my desktop I added Shortcut icons.
One labeled "VarAC FT-891" that points to C:\VARA\VarAC\VarAC.exe
A second one labeled "VarAC IC-7300" that points to C:\VARA-IC7300\VarAC\VarAC.exe

Now when I start the program from one of those icons, I can change the sound card settings and CAT control settings to match the radio being used.

A great way to support multiple multiple radio setups for VarAC, VARA Chat.

73, John, WJ0NF

N2KNK WestCo Repeater System

John Fuller — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 15:43:48 +0000

Below is a Google Maps link to the repeater system that Keri Varela maintains in Mesa County and surrounding areas.

Locations and frequencies of all sites on The N2KNK WestCo Repeater system.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1sz_w_MgS3pf8UvyeDJrecR9GnmO3m5Y&ll=38.709314734686984%2C-108.27399765233966&z=9

RF Link established between Black Ridge and AD0XC

Steve Delaloye — Sat, 06 Aug 2022 21:31:35 +0000

The link has been up and running for almost two weeks. I am monitoring the link using the tools built into the AREDN firmware.

At times the link is degraded. Sometimes I see that packets are degraded and this requires that those packets to be retransmitted. When this happens throughput suffers.

Optimization of the alignment between dishes is the next step.

MESA County ARES VOIP Directory

John Fuller — Tue, 12 Jul 2022 15:27:16 +0000

PBX Phone Extension Directory - July 28th 2024 - (PDF version attached)

1000-Steve-KE0BPD (Call First)
1001-Fox Mulder (Test Station)
1002-Bill K0DZ (Call First)
1003-First Christian Church (Future)
1004-Brad-AK0BC
1005-John-WJ0NF
1006-Forrest-AD0XC (Work)
1007-Forrest-AD0XC (Home)
1008-Stoney-W0MWM
1009-Bill-K0DZ (Linphone)
1010-Steve-KE0BPD (Linphone)
1011-Chip-N0WKR
1012-Black Ridge (W0RRZ Repeater Hut)
1013-Steve-KI0KY
1015-Keri-N2KNK
1016-Matt-KF0CAN (Linphone)
1017-Bill Tillery (Linphone)
1018-Bill Tillery (Linphone)
1019- David Wilkinson-KF0LWX
1020 - Craig Hammes - KF0GDD
1021 - Bill Bear - KC0QXX
1023 - MCARES 1023 - WJ0NF

*97 to listen to Voice Mail

PBX-Extensions-20240728.pdf

June 6th 2022 Winlink Summary

John Fuller — Thu, 09 Jun 2022 15:13:17 +0000

Howdy Everyone:

Our first Winlink form test was a success. Thank you to everyone that participated.

Highlights:

Randy, KD0NSP, reported that he was headed for the State Line. Might be legal trouble. Hope to see him again soon. - ICS214A Received
Chip, N0WKR, reported going to church before heading to the Montrose Tailgate Party. Assuming he asked for forgiveness before he bought a bunch of new toys. Good Job. - ICS214A Received
Henry, KB0SNI, reported that he flew to California for Dinner! I think I need a better job..... - ICS214A received
Craig, KF0GDD, reported a nice list of accomplishments: walking dogs, yard work, workout time, regular work and more. I'm going to have to up my daily productivity to keep up! - ICS214A received.

I know some people are working on their setup for HF, which is good. However, participating using Telnet, via the Internet, is just as good. Getting practice on using the Winlink software and becoming familiar with the ICS forms is a major part of the whole process.

While I am planning on doing the bi-weekly practice sessions, you will find we sending short messages on other related topics that don't necessary require a reply. FYI

John Fuller - WJ0NF
ARES - Region 9 District 4 - AEC - Technology

Ethernet Switching in the Field

John Fuller — Wed, 01 Jun 2022 22:26:53 +0000

Ran across this switch on Amazon. I will probably get one to play with.

The key features:

12-48v input via a wire block - so easily connected to a 12 volt battery
1GB Ethernet - not 100MB like some of the other models
Works in -40 to 167° F
DIN Rail Mounts for putting it in some kind of go box

Once I have one and try it out, I will follow up with another post.

John Fuller - WJ0NF
ARES - Region 9 District 4 - AEC

Winlink Practice Group - McCAW - Mesa County Colorado ARES Winlink

John Fuller — Sun, 29 May 2022 23:25:29 +0000

We are starting a practice group that will exchange Winlink messages 2 or more times each month.

Purpose:

Verify that your Winlink setup is still working properly
Keep your software up-to-date
Help you get familiarized with how Winlink functions
Gives you exposure to the built-in Winlink forms
- What forms area available
- What the forms are used for
- How to fill out each form
Keeps the software, menus and procedures fresh in your mind
Keeps your skills up for when they are really needed

For the time being, I will try to spearhead this subgroup and send out Winlink messages not only on a scheduled time frame but also randomly as new topics or ideas pop up.

Here is how it works.

If you want to participate, please send your Name, Call Sign and your personal email address to me (see below), asking to be added to Winlink Notifications. Not your Winlink email address. I will use that personal email address, in the beginning, to notify you when I am sending out Winlink messages. Once we have a routine established, I will only send emails to that address when there are changes to our plans or special events.
On the 1st and 3rd Friday/Saturday of the month, I will send out a Winlink email to all participates with instructions on what to reply with. I request that all responses be made by 2000 hours MST the following Monday. This will give you all weekend and Monday, 48 - 72 hours, to reply.
The email will be asking for specific information, either as an email response or as an email with a specific Form attached.
Each time Winlink is used, I plan to make a post here of all the Call Signs that responded. That way you know your message was received.
You can respond via a Winlink Telnet Session or an HF Session. I would suggest that you switch between HF and Telnet so that you are familiar with both processes.

If you run into any issues, please post your questions in this Forum or bring them to the next ARES meeting so that everyone can help.

Everyone is welcome. You do not have to be a member of Mesa County ARES to participate.

Thank you,

John Fuller - WJ0NF
ARES - Region 9 District 4 - AEC