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In every description I've found of WIDEn-N, the capital N is described as the "hop count" / "ttl" (comparable to internet packets). But the lower case n I've never found defined.

Looks like "higher number means wider reach", but what does that mean for who digipeats it, how often, and how widely?

Thomas
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1 Answers1

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Ultimately, it's just a name, but you're right, the convention is 2 is "bigger" than 1. Let me explain.

WIDE2 stations tend to cover a wide area and often have Internet connections to send the reports along. WIDE1 stations usually cover a smaller area fill in the gaps between WIDE2s (there can be lots more of them.) They typically pass the packets along to a WIDE2.

A reporting station will have a routing path. A path for a fixed station will typically be WIDE2-2 because it will usually be within reach of a WIDE2. Passing its packet to a WIDE1 would just add useless traffic.

Mobile stations may not be so lucky to reach a WIDE2, but could likely reach one of the WIDE1s. With a path of WIDE1,WIDE2, the mobile stands a much better chance of having his packet passed along.

As for "who digipeats it", any station configured to handle WIDE2 packets will repeat it. Usually the community at large will agree on which stations are the WIDE2s so you don't have a channel full of them. "How often" is a configuration setting, and "How far" depends on its RF reach and whether the station is connected to the Internet.

Duston
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  • So if a digipeater lives high on a hill, with great reach and with high power, the operator will naturally set it up as a WIDE2, whereas a more modern setup would more accurately set it up as a WIDE1? – Thomas Apr 02 '20 at 20:34
  • @Thomas no, WIDE2 is correct in that case. WIDE1s are "collectors", their goal is to hear low powered local packets on the first hop and get them to a WIDE2, but not repeat what a WIDE2 already repeated. – hobbs - KC2G Apr 03 '20 at 00:00
  • WIDE1s are known as "fill-in" digis, in that the fill in the gaps between WIDE2s. – Duston Apr 03 '20 at 18:47
  • Typo, I meant "modest", not "modern". – Thomas Apr 04 '20 at 16:31
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    @Thomas ah. Then yes. Actually a wide-coverage digi will generally accept WIDE2 and WIDE1... you don't want to penalize a mobile station for using a friendly path by failing to repeat it if the only digipeater that hears it is a WIDE2 :) – hobbs - KC2G Apr 06 '20 at 02:45