Introducing an AREDN Chat client

Meshchat has been the go-to chat client for most users of AREDN networks. But because AREDN is a communications network software, and the core team has been reluctant to move into apps, support of Meshchat has been hit-and miss.

So the AREDN team has decided to step up to the plate with an AREDN-supported chat client, called Raven. It has a nice set of features:

• Realtime text messaging.

• Runs on any AREDN-supported hardware that's running current AREDN software (but see recommendations in the wiki).

• Can communicate with other Raven clients via AREDN.

• Can communicate between AREDN meshes via Supernodes

• Supports talking on a Meshtastic network (requires additional hardware)

• Supports talking on a Meshcore network (required additional hardware, and integration is very involved. Documentation will eventually be provided).

• Supports multiple channels per node.

• Supports sharing images.

• Supports sharing Winlink forms.

Not compatible with MeshChat (it is not possible - sorry)

Information on prerequisites, installing and configuring Raven can be found at https://github.com/kn6plv/Raven/wiki

The Raven package will auto-update once per day if needed, at least while under development.

If you've encountered what may be an issue, open an Incident on the Raven GitHub Instance: https://github.com/kn6plv/Raven/issues

Enjoy!

Orv W6BI

For the AREDN Core Team