VA4WAN: Manitoba’s Amateur Radio Data Network

VA4WAN is the high-speed data network built and operated by the Radio Amateurs of Manitoba (RAM). It ties RAM’s repeater sites together over our own amateur radio links, so the repeater network keeps talking even when the commercial internet doesn’t.

Our Own Network, Not the Public Internet

Most linked repeater systems rely on a regular internet connection at each site. RAM takes a different approach. Of the RAM-owned repeaters linked into our AllStar network, all but two reach it without relying on a commercial internet connection. Their traffic travels over RAM’s own radio links, most of them through VA4WAN, back to our core equipment.

This matters most when things go wrong. If a commercial internet provider has an outage, these repeaters stay linked to each other, which is exactly when a reliable repeater network is needed most.

The same goes for keeping the network running. Several members of the technical crew are connected to VA4WAN directly from their home stations, so the network can still be monitored and administered during an outage. We don’t depend on remoting in over a commercial ISP to manage our own infrastructure.

How It Works

VA4WAN is made up of point-to-point microwave links on the amateur bands between rooftop and tower sites.

Point-to-point microwave links at one of RAM's rooftop sites.

In Winnipeg, the network reaches sites in neighbourhoods including St. James, Osborne Village, St. Vital, Inkster, St. Boniface, and Transcona. Outside the city, VA4WAN reaches Selkirk, Milner Ridge, and Pinawa. From there, UHF radio links carry the network even further, bringing in repeaters as far away as Falcon Lake, all without using the public internet. The technical crew continues to add new links and sites as the network grows.

The two remaining sites use a local internet connection provided by a sponsor. Each tunnels its traffic back into RAM’s network, so it still behaves as part of our network.

VA4WAN is allocated its own address space from AMPRNet, the IP network set aside for amateur radio, and is reachable from the wider internet where it needs to be.

Our Data Centre

At the heart of VA4WAN is RAM’s point of presence in a commercial data centre in Winnipeg. It houses commercial-grade server and routing infrastructure, connected by fiber within the rack, and has a direct connection to MBIX, the Manitoba Internet Exchange, for multiple paths to local internet providers.

RAM is very thankful to LES.NET for sponsoring our colocation space, MBIX connectivity, and internet transit. Their support makes VA4WAN possible.

What Runs on VA4WAN

• AllStarLink: carries the audio and control traffic that links RAM’s repeaters together. See AllStarLink Explained for more.
• APRS: connects RAM’s APRS iGates to APRS-IS, for both traditional APRS on VHF and LoRa APRS on UHF.
• EchoLink proxy: hosted in our data centre for EchoLink users who need one.
• Internet service: VA4WAN is the internet provider for the Winnipeg Senior Citizens Radio Club (VE4WSC), supplying high-speed internet access to the clubhouse and all of its activities. VA4WAN also provides internet connectivity for the digital repeaters of the Winnipeg Digital Repeater Group (VE4WDR).
• Club website hosting: websites for other Manitoba amateur radio clubs, including the Winnipeg Senior Citizens Radio Club and the Winnipeg Digital Repeater Group.
• Telephone PBX: RAM runs its own telephone system.
• Remote site management: lets the technical crew monitor, configure, and power cycle equipment without driving out to the site.
• Club administration: file servers, documentation, and other tools that keep RAM running behind the scenes.

Built by Volunteers

All VA4WAN infrastructure is built and maintained by RAM’s volunteer technical crew. The crew also provides hardware, configuration, and ongoing support to help other amateur radio groups in Manitoba get connected.

Interested in helping out, or in connecting your club’s repeater? Email tech@ramb.ca.