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+---- Thread: Internet via HF Radio (/showthread.php?tid=1245)
Internet via HF Radio - VA3KOT John - 2024-07-09
The RWS project allows anyone using an HF radio and a computer to access the internet from anywhere if needed, either because of an emergency or if you simply go somewhere that doesn't have internet.
The current implementation of the server uses the VARA modem, which is free, though the uncapped speed version costs $70. (But, if you call CQ and a server with a licensed copy of VARA answers, there won't be any restrictions, and vice versa for any unlicensed server hosters)
The server has a lot of built-in commands which allow you to:
View a website (either in plain text or raw HTML)
Perform a quick search
Get the weather forecast for a given city + state
Download a given URL (download is encoded into base64 to allow download through text, instructions for how to decode are given alongside the download)
View and create threads and comments in the community section of the GitHub of the project
Print server info, logs, and global active servers
I've read Part 97 of the FCC and I've made sure my server is fully legal.
My end goal for the project is to have hundreds or thousands of servers hosted around the world, which would allow coverage for almost everyone on Earth.
The server and instructions for how to host your own are listed at the GitHub:
https://github.com/Glitch31415/rws
To connect to a server, make sure you have VARA and VarAC installed. Once those are installed and working correctly, go to 14.110 MHz USB and call CQ. (Both 500 Hz and 2300 Hz bandwidths are supported.) Wait for at least 2 minutes. If a server has heard you, it will call back and try to connect with you. The list of commands and other instructions are sent once you're connected.
I need testers and server hosters to properly see if the server will work correctly in the real world! If you aren't using your radio at the moment, and if you have a computer connected to the radio, you can get the server running in 10 minutes and just let it sit in the background, waiting for a connection, with no further hassle needed.
If you want an external helper for dealing with the downloads and base64, KC3VPB has created a helper that can decode base64 automatically and save it to a file.
https://github.com/Caleb-J773/rws-tools-release/releases
For more info or if you need help, email me:
jpradiophone@gmail.com
RWS Discord invite link:
https://discord.gg/muYEBCjqsM
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