Bridges

Bridges provide a mechanism to copy traffic to and from the Crow AREDN network to other networks. They allow AREDN nodes to appear on these network as if they were native nodes, and enable communication between these platforms.

Crow does not bridge traffic between bridges; that is, it does not copy traffic between Meshtastic, MeshCore, and APRS. Crow can talk to each of these networks individually, but it does not allow them to talk to each other.

Supported Bridges

We currently support three bridges:

• Meshtastic
• MeshCore
• APRS

It is only necessary to add one bridge of each type to an AREDN network to enable all Crow nodes to talk to those networks. One per Crow instance is not required.

Encryption

AREDN, as an amateur radio network, is an unencrypted network, and Crow only passes unencrypted traffic over it. Meshtastic and MeshCore are encrypted networks. So when traffic moves from these networks to AREDN it must be unencrypted. Similarly, when AREDN traffic passes to Meshtastic or MeshCore, the traffic must be encrypted. These transformations happen in the Bridges.

APRS is inherently unencrypted public amateur-radio traffic, so no encryption transformation is needed — but all standard amateur radio regulations and identification requirements apply.

It is important to remember that, while Crow might give the illusion of encrypted and secure traffic when viewed from a Meshtastic or MeshCore device, messages on the AREDN network are always in the clear.