I’m happy to report that the Oregon HamWAN program has received an

ARDC grant of $88,000 to expand its digital communications network. The

project aims to enhance amateur radio digital and emergency

communications capabilities between Portland and Salem, Oregon.

The nonprofit plans to expand its digital communications network by

deploying 12 network backbone distribution sites between the two cities.

Eventually, the sites will connect to the Puget Sound Data Ring, which

currently extends from Seattle to Vancouver, Washington. The network

would allow emergency management personnel to communicate in the event

of a disaster, such as a major earthquake, that disrupts

telecommunications systems. In such cases, amateur radio operators will

be able to quickly set up network nodes where they are needed to provide

emergency communication via the Oregon HamWAN digital network.

ARDC is a California-based private foundation that supports innovative

amateur radio projects. The foundation makes grants for projects and

organizations that follow amateur radio’s practice and tradition of

technical experimentation in both amateur radio and digital

communication science.