Pierce-Link is a high-speed amateur emergency data network for Pierce County.
The AREDN-over-Internet lab network is the first step in making Pierce-Link a reality. The lab is a shared resource that enables Pierce-Link working groups to develop and test prototypes.
The goal of the working groups is to demonstrate working prototypes to Pierce County DEM and other agencies in January 2027. Planned demonstrations include: streaming video distribution; VoIP applications; and CAD for managing volunteer personnel and resources, and collecting damage assessment information during a disaster.
Admin screen for W7GTM-node001 on the Pierce-Link lab network
The AREDN-over-Internet network includes routers connected to the public internet via secure tunnels to the amateur radio 44Net, BGP peering relationships to route IP traffic to and from the internet, and an AREDN tunnel server that working groups use to access the lab network.
Realtime monitoring of WireGuard tunnels carrying network traffic and BGP routing between Pierce-Link and the internet
Current working groups include:
- AREDN-over-Internet | a tunnel test-bed so we can build and play before an RF backbone is complete
- Go-Kit Architecture | a portable kit with power, GHz radios, antenna, laptop, and satellite comms
- Streaming Video | Live video streaming and redistribution to EOC and incident managers
- VoIP Telephone | phone-style calling across the amateur network
- Computer Aided Dispatch | A simple shared incident view: deployed teams, locations, damage reports, and status.
The lab infrastructure also includes three laptops configured as a ProxMox data center cluster and Windows 11 PC with Docker. These servers enable the team to stand-up things like web servers, VoIP call control, CAD systems, video transcoding and distribution systems, just about anything you can imagine.
The working groups have already demonstrated the ability to carry DMR radio traffic over Pierce-Link, make peer-to-peer Winlink connections, and access the CAD system over the network. The number of Pierce-Link-related projects is expected to grow as the team learns what’s possible and as new contributors join the team.
Try it for yourself!
Full access to the lab network requires a router flashed with AREDN firmware, but you can test reachability by pinging two IP addresses: 44.27.60.65 and 44.27.60.66 – Detailed information about AREDN can be found at Amateur Radio Emergency Data Network
If you want to learn more about Pierce-Link and how to get involved, contact Grant Miller, W7GTM, at ADEC2@piercecountyares.net.
Look out for status updates and mini-demos during upcoming ARES monthly meetings.
