Hi Richard!

To access HamWAN, you will need a nearly-perfect line of sight to one of the nodes. If you get on your roof with a pair of binoculars, can you see where one of the nodes is? If so, you're good to go. If there's a tree or house in the way, it's likely not going to work, but there is some tolerance so your mileage may vary depending on what's in the way. If its a good line of sight, then your next step would be getting a dish for the frequency. For example, I am using the MikroTik XL HP5, and there's a good list on the website for other similar hardware. You'll need the international edition to use HamWAN frequencies.

HamWAN is actually accessible just with a Technician license. If you want to get into similar modes in the HF bands, which do require a General license, then look up Winlink, VARA HF, JS8, and other digital modes down there. You'll need a dipole, inverted vee, or similar antenna for the 20, 40, or 80-meter bands where those are really popular of course. Let us know how it goes!

Congrats on the license upgrade!

Jesse
KJ7YLS


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-------- Original Message --------
On Nov 19, 2021, 1:26 PM, Richard Halley < rhalley@fastmail.com> wrote:

Hi There,

I am currently researching how best to use my recently gained General license.  I live at 7510 Sunset Dr, Blaine WA (actually in Birch bay) and your coverage map looks encouraging.  I have easy access to my roof (Widow's Walk) on my 3-story house so can get some height for Ae installation.

I am also about to join PNWDigital.net as I have a DRM Anytone D578.  I am part a patriot/ham group in the Sedro Wooley/Mount Vernon area and we are looking at ways to keep in touch by radio and gain internet access in an emergency.   This all looks promising to me.

Regards

Richard, KK7BPM