Category Archives: ÄRTEN™

ÄRTEN™ – (Amateur Radio Training Experiment Network)
A pilot community engagement learning opportunity in the 1-10GHz Super High Frequency (SHF) ham bands at the intersection of amateur radio + mesh network technology. Sponsored by the ARRL Foundation Club Grant Program.

ÄRTEN™ at Microwave Update 2023

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NCRC’s own K1YBE presented “ÄRTEN™ Project – New England MESH Networking” at the Microwave Update 2023 and 46th Eastern VHF/UHF Conference held April 14 & 15, 2023 held in Windsor, Connecticut.  The conference was sponsored by the North East Weak Signal Group and ARRL.

There were many presentations about Ham experimentation and antenna build techniques up to 122 GHz as well as simpler practical advice on TV station interference.   You can get a flavor for all to this at

K1YBE presents…

…to a good size audience.

Along with his presentation, K1YBE set up and demonstrated connected  ÄRTEN™ nodes.

Chris Cox, NØUK and his ham XYL from Minnesota. She is interested in setting up a STEM activity based on ÄRTEN™.

Several interested parties have since contacted us about sharing the ÄRTEN™ concept.  We have been scheduled to provide the presentation by Zoom on June 19th to the West Carleton Amateur Radio Club in Ontario.  In the past, this club was very active with ham mesh, but interest has waned.  We hope to fix that.

Skip Youngberg, K1NKR made a request for ÄRTEN™ participation in this year’s HamXposition held in Marlborough, MA and he specifically requested our participation on Saturday, August 26th.   Since this is a local ham convention that some in NCRC attend,  we can include you in a demonstration we are concocting.  Early planning stages for now…

For some perspective on size, consider if you will, a 2.4 GHz (12 cm band) Yagi antenna on a table…

…and 144 MHz (2m band) & 440 MHz (70cm band) Yagi antennas in the parking lot!!

Conference attendees well represented the eastern seaboard amateur radio community.

Photos credits KC1LYG.

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What the heck is that: ÄRTEN™ Workshops Continue …

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The ÄRTEN™ project held it’s fifth bi-weekly workshop on April 3, 2023 at FabNewport.  Project members and students from Pull It Apart! – FabNewport joined in a “What the heck is that?” gameshow to identify electronics gear stored in the hamshack closet at All Saints STEAM Academy.  SPOILER ALERT – from left to right the team identified an antenna rotator controller, a signal generator, a Heathkit® power supply and its matching amateur radio transceiver the venerable HW-101.

Glowing with gameshow success, project members then attempted to integrate an Ethernet-enabled CO2/Temperature/Humidity sensor from TEMCO Controls with a notebook controller.  Unfortunately, the aura of invincibility wore off and attempts to communicate with the device were unsuccessful; no habla IEEE 802.3!   Stay tuned.

MESHing Around: ÄRTEN™ Workshops Continue

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The ÄRTEN™ project demonstrated a five (5) node MESH network at the March 20, 2023 FabNewport workshop.  The network consisted of: a range-extended GL.iNet AR150-Ext node (on tripod); a regular GL.iNet AR150-Ext; two GL.iNet AR300M16-Ext; and a Microtik SXTSQ Lite 2.  In addition, K1YBE demonstrated collecting CO2 measurements with two Vaisala GMP343 probes.

ÄRTEN™ Project goals were reviewed and consensus reached on a way forward using an Ethernet-enabled CO2 sensor.  A lively discussion on environmental monitoring in general and CO2 monitoring in specific ensued.

Details on the all aforementioned equipment can be found here.

ARRL Foundation Club Grant sponsored ÄRTEN™ microwave/mesh networking workshops continue at FabNewport on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month at 3:00pm.

Contact K1YBE for more info.

NCRC March Meeting

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NCRC’s March Meeting will return to a hybrid in-person and Zoom meeting from 7:00pm to 8:30pm on Monday, March 13.  A ZOOM invitation will be sent out later this weekend.  In-person will be at St. Barnabas Parish Hall, 1697 East Main Rd. at Fairview Lane, Portsmouth RI – Doors open 6:30pm.  Minutes and Business Meeting slides will be posted as available.

A special presentation entitled ÄRTEN™ | NCRC’s ARRL Foundation Club Microwave Grant will given by lead engineer Paul Fredette, K1YBE. Slide deck is available here.

ÄRTEN™ (Amateur Radio Training Experiment Network) is a pilot community engagement learning opportunity in the 1-10GHz Super High Frequency (SHF) ham bands at the intersection of amateur radio + mesh network technology. Learn more about the opportunities unleashed by this $8K grant and how to get involved this year. (Hybrid)