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
Notes
This is Alpha code. While it seems to work fine in limited testing, YMMV...
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