Wi-Fi network for natural disasters – MyBroadband - https://mybroadband.co.za/news/wireless/305186-wi-fi-network-for-natural-disasters.html
In response to the article I wrote the following comment:
Firstly I would like to congratulate the young computer nerds on their achievement. We need to think out of the box especially when our lives are being threatened by natural disasters. In the Southern Cape we started the AREDN Mossel Bay Mesh Network in late 2016. We successfully used the Mesh Network for emergency communications during the 2017 Knysna Fires and 2018 George Fires when the Internet, Landlines and Cellphones were down. This Mesh Network has proved its worth and are being extended to other areas of the Southern Cape. We are using mainly Ubiquity equipment with AREDN third party open source firmware on the nodes. We currently run the following services on the network: Emergency Coms Room, Emergency JOC Room, Citadel Email Server and Client, Mossel Bay Mesh Web Site, FTP File Server, General Chat Room, TeamTalk 5 Server and Client, Zello Linked Room and various other services. We are currently linked to a Mesh Networks in Secunda, South Africa, New Zealand and the Netherlands. Further Tunnels will be installed if necessary. As a fast and effective network it has proved itself in real life threatening situations and fire disasters where all other forms of communications failed. This medium is currently the best way to communicate with people and entire communities and can make the difference between life and death. The Southern Cape, in South Africa is ready for any eventuality!!
