Building a local Meshtastic network

Several Rusk County Amateur Radio Club members are expanding their capabilities by embracing Meshtastic, an open-source, decentralized communication system. Meshtastic uses LoRa radios to create a mesh network, allowing long-range, off-grid communication for text messaging and data sharing without relying on cellular or internet infrastructure. Best of all, you don't need a ham license to use them although if you have a license, you can use higher power levels.

During a recent club presentation, Keith Ballow (KN5G) explained the key features of Meshtastic. The system runs on ESP32 development boards, among other, which can utilize Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, and operates on the LoRa (Long Range) protocol. This robust, low-bandwidth technology has become widely adopted, even being integrated into Amazon’s "Sidewalk" devices. Meshtastic nodes are self-healing and self-developing, making them ideal for building resilient communication networks in areas without reliable infrastructure.

Keith, David and Nathan recently tested a few local nodes, successfully communicating with their homes node from various points around the county, reaching distances of up to 1.88 miles. Keith and David we able to reach closer to 8 miles with higher nodes and larger antennas. The nodes operate at 900 MHz, a band available for unlicensed use. As mentioned earlier, licensed ham operators can unlock higher power levels on this band by disabling encryption.

Meshtastic networks can even connect to the internet, with only one user needing access to extend connectivity across the entire mesh. The technology supports encrypted communication, but for ham operators, the system will automatically turn off encryption to comply with regulations.

For more information about Meshtastic and how to join the local efforts, visit Meshtastic.org or reach out to the Rusk County Amateur Radio Club. You can also learn about the current efforts to keep the 900 MHz band open for amateur use at ARRL.org.

Club elects new 2025 officers

The Rusk County Amateur Radio Club is excited to announce the election of its new slate of officers for the 2025 term. The election took place during the club’s business meeting last week, immediately following the Storm Spotter class at the Rusk County OEM building. These dedicated individuals will officially take office on January 1, 2025, leading the club in promoting amateur radio, education, and public safety.

2025 Officers:

• President: Keith Ballow, KN5G
• Vice-President: Bob Tomlinson, KJ5CF
• Secretary: Nathan Chilton, N5NDC
• Treasurer: Karen Haverstock, KI5GPO

Keith, a past President of the club, will return to the role of President, bringing his experience and leadership. Bob is stepping into the role of Vice-President for the first time as a club officer. Karen, also a past President, will transition to the role of Treasurer, while Nathan continues his valuable service this time as Secretary.

During 2023 and 2024, David Chenault, W5CWT, served as President, Keith as Vice-President, Karen as Secretary, and Nathan as Treasurer. Club appreciates their past leadership and looks forward to an exciting year ahead under the new leadership. 

Storm-spotter class a success!

The Rusk County Amateur Radio Club recently attended a successful storm spotting class at the Rusk County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) building. Taught by Chris Nuttall, a meteorologist from the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Shreveport, the class was well attended by both radio club members and local residents. Participants learned essential skills for identifying and reporting severe weather, such as thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hail, all of which are crucial for ensuring public safety.

Skywarn class at the Rusk County OEM, October, 2024

Amateur radio operators, or “hams,” play a critical role in storm spotting across Rusk County and beyond. Equipped with their unique communication skills and resources, ham operators act as the eyes and ears of the National Weather Service during severe weather events. By providing real-time, on-the-ground reports from the field, they help the NWS issue timely warnings that can save lives and minimize property damage.

Skywarn, the NWS program for storm spotting, is a volunteer-based effort that trains individuals, including ham radio operators, to recognize and report specific severe weather phenomena. The data gathered by spotters aids meteorologists in issuing and updating weather warnings. Those interested in becoming storm spotters can receive training in areas such as understanding weather patterns, safety during severe events, and how to submit reports. For more information about the Skywarn program and upcoming training sessions, visit the NWS Shreveport Skywarn Information Page.

The club extends its thanks to Chris for sharing his expertise and to the Rusk County OEM for hosting and providing the venue. We encourage anyone interested in learning more about amateur radio’s role in public safety and storm spotting to attend our next meeting or reach out through our website.