EARS February 2, 2026 Newsletter

AREDN – Network Growth and a Major Change

Well, it has been a while, but we have been busy with the network. There have been changes at many levels, but the most significant has been the routing protocol used on AREDN networks.

The original protocol, OLSR (Optimized Link State Routing), was designed for mobile ad hoc networks. When AREDN first came about, OLSR was selected and worked quite well while the mesh was small. As the network grew, however, OLSR began to show limitations—it simply was not designed to scale to networks of this size.

A new solution was needed, and the protocol that ultimately won out was BABEL. From Wikipedia:

The Babel Protocol is a robust, loop-avoiding distance-vector routing protocol designed for both wired and wireless networks, including mesh networks, supporting IPv4 and IPv6.

BABEL is now being used to replace OLSR and resolve the issues caused by OLSR’s inability to handle the size AREDN has grown into.

Why the Change Matters: Real-World Examples

As an example, we operate cameras located around the state. In the past, we would occasionally see tearing and loss of video. Below is a screenshot from one of the camera servers.

Screenshot of camera server showing video tearing

Prior to the move to BABEL, some cameras experienced tearing and intermittent video loss. Once the backbone was converted to BABEL, those issues disappeared.

Another example is VoIP. The MeshPhone network previously struggled with audio quality and dropouts. Since the transition to BABEL, VoIP calls—as well as DMR repeater links and AllStar nodes transiting the mesh—have been stable, with no dropouts or other artifacts that we now know were caused by the limitations of the old protocol.

Expanding Services on the Mesh

In addition to cameras, we have seen weather stations come online, and we now have three PBXs covering the state. Cities across Oklahoma are building mesh networks and putting them to work. For example, below are images captured by cameras in Duncan, Oklahoma.

Fire seen from Duncan-area camera on 300-foot tower

This fire was captured from a camera mounted on a 300-foot tower north of Duncan, OK. The fire itself was located on Fort Sill, at least 28 miles away.

This image shows a structure fire just south of the county EOC.

Larger view of the same structure fire

As the incident progressed, the fire grew even larger.

Here is another fire, viewed from the Duncan City EOC.

Fire viewed from the Duncan City EOC

Fire images courtesy of KD5TDK.

All of these feeds were viewable by anyone on the AREDN mesh using a computer or smartphone.

There are many other services on the mesh, including weather stations.

W5RLW tower site weather station – South Edmond Node Site

This is the weather station located at the W5RLW tower site, also known as the South Edmond Node Site.

Stephens County EOC weather station

This is the Stephens County EOC weather station. There are more weather stations on the mesh, but we need more.

We also have repeaters using the network to link into repeater systems. One example is the Oklahoma City North DMR repeater. This link runs entirely over AREDN and is only two hops to the access point into the public network. The long-term goal is to have the back end of these repeaters linked to a local master on the mesh. That way, if the public network goes down, in-state repeaters can continue to function.

We also host a Ham Dashboard, courtesy of WD5G.

Ham Dashboard screenshot

AREDN as Infrastructure

There are many services already running, with more on the way. AREDN is a bit like the water and sewer pipes in a building—they operate in the background, quietly doing what needs to be done. Our goal is to make AREDN that same kind of infrastructure for the amateur radio community. We should not have to depend on non-amateur back-end links to connect our devices. We should own not only the building, but the pipes that serve it.

To achieve that, we need to continue building out our infrastructure. We have some good locations to start with in Edmond, but we need to do better. We need to be able to offer a reliable, high-speed data network for our EmComm groups. When they are not using it, we should be using it ourselves—and continually improving it.

The backbones are coming together. The next step is adding sector antennas for end users to connect. The next page shows a view of the Central Oklahoma mesh.

Coverage Maps and Network Topology

Below are coverage maps. KI5VMF wrote the code and runs the server for our network. The first map shows the Oklahoma City metro area.

Central Oklahoma mesh overview map

The green lines represent 5 GHz RF links, while the dotted brown lines are tunnels. Our goal is to move users off tunnels and onto RF links.

The blue dotted lines show connections to the OK Supernode, which facilitates connections to other meshes.

The next map zooms in on our immediate area.

Edmond-area mesh map

The node just off Edmond Road and west of downtown Edmond is located on the granary. We need to install sector antennas there and build additional node sites. Edmond will likely become the jump-off point for a link north to Guthrie.

The node just west of 33rd and Broadway is the W5RLW tower site, also known as the Edmond South Node Stack. It has been an excellent test site and is fully off-grid, powered by solar. It also functions as the link down to the OKC North DMR repeater. We are fortunate to have a loop via AD5JK and a link to my home site, which currently hosts both the KI5VMF tunnel server and the Supernode server.

Solar power system screen – Edmond South site

In Edmond, we are well positioned to build a very strong network, but more work remains.

Here is a map of Duncan, Oklahoma. Both the county EOC and the city EOC are connected, along with the hospital. The next step there is adding sector antennas so users can connect without relying on tunnels.

Duncan, OK mesh map

The northernmost site is the tower where the Fort Sill fire image was captured.

Statewide and Beyond

The next map shows a full view of Oklahoma. While we have made progress, there is still much to do. Some stations are currently offline but are expected to return.

Statewide Oklahoma mesh map

Here you can see node sites scattered across the state.

Below is a view of North America. You can isolate individual nodes by band or type by clicking the legend.

North America supernode network map

This view highlights the Supernode network—specialized nodes that allow users on our mesh to connect with users in places like New Zealand or Dallas, Texas, without flooding the local mesh with distant call signs.

If you would like to explore the maps and coverage in more detail, visit: https://oklahoma-supernode.aredn.mcswain.cloud/meshmap/#

I also hope to provide public access to the camera server in the near future, so those feeds can be viewed via the public network as well.

The Bigger Picture

AREDN truly is like the water pipes in a building. It provides connectivity between services using the same protocols and tools as today’s internet, but over RF instead of wires. The goal is to replace wired links with RF wherever possible. The sooner we do that, the better prepared we will be for public network failures.

For those who say that digital amateur radio is not really amateur radio because it transits the internet, this is the answer. Much of the connectivity we need is local.

Wouldn’t it be great to have all of your internet-connected amateur radio tools linked entirely over an amateur radio network?

That is our goal: to provide the RF “pipes” that allow amateur radio devices to exchange data over amateur networks rather than the public internet.

One solution for long-haul links is Starlink. While it is commercial, it has the advantage that if each Supernode uses Starlink, the path between Supernodes runs over Starlink rather than terrestrial networks, which have many potential failure points.

That said, we should also continue working to link neighboring meshes over RF whenever possible. One or two ARDC grants would likely be enough to connect most of the larger towns in the state. We know that low-cost equipment can cover impressive distances with clear line of sight. For example, the link from OKC to Norman is nearly 19 miles and runs reliably using two antennas that cost about $70 each.

This is not an expensive project—but it is a foundational one. It keeps your other networked gear online when the internet goes down.

Chuck, KP4DJT


Severe Weather Spotter Training – 2026

This year’s severe weather spotter training will be held at the National Weather Service in Norman on Thursday, March 26, at 6:30 PM. We rotate the location every other year between Edmond and Norman.

National Weather Service Office
120 David L Boren Blvd
Norman, OK 73072
Room #1313

If you are unable to attend this session, there are several other trainings offered around the state. This training is free and open to the public.

All ARES members are strongly encouraged to attend one of these NWS spotter training sessions.
Severe weather spotting and accurate reporting are critical components of our mission during weather events. This training helps ensure we remain qualified, informed, and ready to support emergency management and the National Weather Service when activated.

If you plan to participate in severe weather operations this season, please make every effort to attend at least one session.

Additional 2026 NWS Norman Spotter Training Opportunities

LocationDay / DateTimeVenue / Format
Stillwater, OKThu, Feb 56:30 PMStillwater Community Center – Winfrey Houston Theatre
Wichita Falls, TXSat, Feb 79:00 AMMultipurpose Event Center – Room 1
Seminole, OKMon, Feb 96:30 PMSeminole State College, Haney Center Lecture Hall
Holdenville, OKTue, Feb 106:30 PMHoldenville High School Seminar Center
Madill, OKMon, Feb 236:30 PMMarshall County Expo Center
Webinar 1Tue, Feb 246:30 PMOnline (GoToWebinar)
Hollis, OKThu, Feb 266:30 PMCivic Center
Vernon, TXMon, Mar 26:30 PMWilbarger County Auditorium
Webinar 2Tue, Mar 36:30 PMOnline (GoToWebinar)
Watonga, OKMon, Mar 96:30 PMC & A Emergency Response Center
Fairview, OKTue, Mar 106:00 PMNorthwest Technology Center
Webinar 3Tue, Mar 106:30 PMOnline (GoToWebinar)
Arnett, OKMon, Mar 236:30 PMArnett Fire Dept.
Blackwell, OKTue, Mar 246:30 PMKay Room
Norman, OKThu, Mar 266:30 PMNational Weather Center – Room 1313
Pauls Valley, OKSat, Mar 2810:00 AMGarvin County Community Center
Duncan, OKMon, Mar 306:30 PMCounty Fair Grounds, Prairie Room
Cheyenne, OKTue, Mar 316:30 PMRoger Mills County Fairbarn
Advanced WebinarWed, Apr 16:30 PMOnline (GoToWebinar)

A complete and up-to-date schedule is available at: https://www.weather.gov/oun/spottertalk

Training Resources

Editor’s Note:
Clay, WA6LBU, and Steven, N5ZQ, are planning to attend the training in Stillwater on Thursday, February 5. We each have a few seats available in our county vehicles. If you would like to attend that training and would like a ride to save gas, please reach out.

Ben, KJ5IEB


EARS Monthly Training & Mentoring Session – February 10th at 6:00 PM

The Edmond Amateur Radio Society (EARS) hosts a monthly Training and Elmer Session before each board meeting. Whether you’re a new ham or a seasoned operator, these sessions provide valuable information and a chance to grow your skills.

📅 Date: Tuesday, February 10th
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM
📍 Location: Edmond Fire Station 5 – 5300 E Covell Rd

February Topic: AREDN
Presenter: Chuck, KP4DJT

We look forward to seeing you there!

John, N5RET
help@k5eok.org


EARS February Board Meeting – February 10th at 7:00 PM

The Edmond Amateur Radio Society (EARS) holds its monthly board meeting on the second Tuesday of each month. Our next meeting will be Tuesday, February 10th at 7:00 PM at Edmond Fire Station 5, located at 5300 E. Covell Rd, just east of I-35.

The meeting will be held in the training building, located down the hill near the tower. The blue pin on the map below marks the exact location.

If you have any trouble finding us, just call on the repeater and we’ll be happy to guide you in.

All are welcome—we hope to see you there!

Steven, N5ZQ


EARS Club Dinners

EARS has a long-standing tradition of holding a club dinner on the third Thursday of even-numbered months. The June dinner is held on the Saturday of Field Day, and our December gathering is our annual Christmas Dinner.

Our next EARS dinner is scheduled for Thursday, February 19th at 6:30 PM. The location has not yet been selected. If you have a suggestion for a restaurant that can accommodate 20–30 people, please let us know.

We are also looking for 2–3 volunteers to form a committee to help with scheduling and planning these dinners throughout the year. If you’re willing to assist, please contact Clay (WA6LBU) or Steven (N5ZQ). Your help would be greatly appreciated and will help keep this fun club tradition going.

We hope to see many of you at the February dinner!

Steven, N5ZQ


Community Preparedness Fair – February 21, 2026

Community members are invited to attend a Preparedness Fair on Saturday, February 21, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 15700 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Edmond, OK 73013.

This free, educational event will feature hands-on exhibits, emergency vehicles, and expert speakers focused on building community readiness and resilience before emergencies occur.

Attendees can explore booths and displays from the American Red CrossEdmond Emergency Managementfood storage specialists, and amateur radio operators, along with fire, EMSA, and police emergency vehicles.

Featured presentations include:

  • Water Purification and Private Well Safety – Dr. Jeff Sadler, Oklahoma State University
  • Emergency Preparedness and Communications – Ben Curry, Director of Emergency Communications and Emergency Management, City of Edmond
  • Public Health Preparedness and Community Resiliency – Julia Reynolds, Oklahoma City–County Health Department
  • Gardening for Resilience and Sustainability – David Hillock, OSU Extension Specialist and Consumer Horticulturist
  • Disaster Response and Volunteer Coordination – Fred Morice, VOAD

This event is open to the public, with no product sales or commercial promotion of any kind. The Preparedness Fair is designed to help individuals and families gain practical knowledge, build confidence, and take proactive steps toward being ready for emergencies.


Volunteers Needed: Stockyards City St. Patrick’s Day Parade – March 14, 2026

The Stockyards City St. Patrick’s Day Parade is coming up on Saturday, March 14, 2026, and we’re looking for volunteers to help with event communications.

All volunteers should plan to arrive by 7:45 AM, and we expect to wrap up around 11:00 AM.

This is a fun parade and a great opportunity to get involved with a community event. No experience is necessary—if you’re new, we’ll pair you with a more experienced volunteer who can help guide you.

If you’re able to participate, please sign up using the form at: https://k5eok.org/st-patricks-day-parade/

If you have any questions, feel free to email us at parades@k5eok.org.

Thank you for supporting the Stockyards City St. Patrick’s Day Parade—we hope to see you there!

Andrew, KF5YEP


Get On the Air! EARS Spring Technician License Class Starts March 4

Are you—or someone you know—curious about amateur (“ham”) radio? Want to learn how to communicate using radios, build new technical skills, and join a fun, welcoming community? The Edmond Amateur Radio Society (EARS) is excited to offer its Spring Technician License Class, the perfect first step into the world of amateur radio.

This entry-level course prepares students for the FCC Technician Class license exam, the first of three amateur radio licenses. Earning this license gives you access to popular VHF and UHF bands used for local communications, repeaters, emergency support, and digital modes.

Class Details

  • Starts: Wednesday, March 4
  • Time: 6:30–8:30 PM (Wednesdays)
  • Format: Weekly Zoom sessions with live instruction
  • Cost: Free! (Students provide their own textbook)
  • Textbook: Gordon West Technician Class License Prep (2022–2026 edition)

The class is taught online via Zoom, and no Zoom account is required. Registered students will receive the meeting link and password by email. Sessions are also recorded and made available to students, making it easy to review material or catch up if you miss a week.

Why Take the Class?

While self-study is possible, this class offers the advantage of experienced instructors, live Q&A, and encouragement from fellow students working toward the same goal. It’s a supportive, low-pressure way to learn and a great introduction to the amateur radio community.

After the course, students are encouraged to take the FCC Technician exam. Local Volunteer Examiner (VE) test sessions are typically held monthly (a small exam fee applies).

Help Spread the Word!

If you know someone who might be interested in amateur radio—friends, family members, coworkers, students, or neighbors—please invite them to sign up for the class. No prior radio experience is needed.

A printable flyer that can be shared or distributed is linked below

For full details and registration information, visit the EARS Technician License Class page or email class@k5eok.org.

Let’s grow amateur radio together—one new operator at a time!

Harvey, W0HGJ


Emergency Management Communications Drill Recap – January 19

The January 19 emergency management communications drill demonstrated strong participation and solid capabilities across multiple bands. A total of 39 check-ins were logged on 2 meters (2m) and 13 check-ins on HF using the 40-meter band, making 2m the most-used and highest-performing check-in method during the exercise. Notably, three to four agencies successfully checked in on 2m, which was an excellent opportunity to test and confirm interagency communications on that band. Overall, the drill highlighted the reliability of 2m communications and the value of continued coordination and practice across agencies.

Steven, N5ZQ


Lakes on the Air — New References Added in Oklahoma!

If you’re an amateur radio operator who loves getting out on the air from scenic locations, you’ve probably enjoyed Parks On The Air (POTA). Now there’s another great way to combine portable operations with nature — Lakes on the Air (LLOTA)

LLOTA — short for Lagos y Lagunas en el Aire — is a nature-focused “On The Air” program that encourages activations from lakes, lagoons, reservoirs, and other waterside locations. Like POTA, it gives hams a reason to set up portable stations outdoors and make contacts while enjoying beautiful natural settings. 

The official LLOTA website at https://llota.app/ offers an interactive map of validated water references, a live cluster of current activations, and tools for tracking your achievements

New LLOTA References Approved — Get Ready to Activate!

Recently I submitted a request to add two Oklahoma lakes to the LLOTA list — and great news: both have been approved!

  • US-0132 — Lake Hefner
    This urban Oklahoma City reservoir is popular for boating, fishing, sailing, and recreation, with miles of shoreline and trails to enjoy. 
  • US-0133 — Bell Cow Lake
    Located near Chandler, Oklahoma, Bell Cow offers four recreation areas with boating, fishing, camping, picnicking, and more — a great spot for a portable HF or VHF activation. 

These new references mean more opportunities for local activations, and the chance to log something fresh for both LLOTA and, in many cases, POTA or other on-the-air programs at the same time. 

Why You Should Get Involved

If you enjoy POTA activations, you’ll likely find LLOTA a fun and rewarding complement:

  • More places to explore — Lakes often offer different terrain and antenna setups compared to parks. 
  • Double-dipping opportunities — Some parks border lakes, letting you qualify for both POTA and LLOTA on a single outing. 
  • Community engagement — Join a growing group of operators who are sharing spots, contacts, and tips from waterside activations. 

I encourage all interested operators to sign up on the LLOTA site and explore more lakes that can be added to the program. With every new reference, we expand our activation horizon and bring more of our ham community into these great outdoor experiences!

Happy activating — and 73!

Richard, KJ5GVQ


Edmond Siren Test – Saturday, February 7th

The next monthly Edmond Outdoor Warning Siren Test is scheduled for Saturday, February 7th.

If you’ve been assigned a siren but are unavailable in February, please let Clay (WA6LBU) know as soon as possible.

We are also looking for a few more volunteers to adopt a siren. If you’re able to help or would like to be added to the siren monitoring list, please reach out!

📧 Contact Clay at: sirens@k5eok.org

Thank you for supporting this important community service!


Next EARS VE Test Session – Saturday, February 7th at 9:00 AM

The Edmond Amateur Radio Society will hold its next VE Test Session on Saturday, February 7th at 9:00 AM.

If you—or someone you know—plans to test, please visit the License Testing page and complete the sign-up form. This helps the VE team prepare to accommodate all participants efficiently.

Questions?
Contact Ralph Turner, N5AMR
📧 Email: Raltur47@gmail.com
📞 Phone: (573) 999-4748

We look forward to seeing new and upgrading hams there!


Oklahoma QSO Party: Celebrate Amateur Radio on the Airwaves!

Each spring, amateur radio operators across the nation tune their rigs and antennas to join one of the Midwest’s most popular state operating events — the Oklahoma QSO Party (OKQP). This annual event brings hams together for a weekend of friendly competition, collaboration, and fun radio traffic from the heartland.

What It Is

The Oklahoma QSO Party is a state QSO party — an operating event where stations inside Oklahoma and around the world make as many contacts (“QSOs”) as possible over a designated weekend. While anyone can participate, the party especially highlights Oklahoma county activity and gives operators a chance to connect with hams from every corner of the Sooner State.

Held each March, the event runs approximately 31 hours, beginning Saturday afternoon and continuing through Sunday evening. This extended schedule allows operators to take advantage of varying band conditions and operating styles across the weekend.

How It Works

Participants may operate in several categories, including fixed, mobile, and multi-operator classes. Contacts may be made using CW, phone (SSB), or digital modes on the HF bands from 80 meters through 6 meters.

During the contest:

  • Oklahoma stations exchange an RST signal report and their county.
  • Non-Oklahoma stations exchange an RST report along with their state, province, or country.

Points are awarded for each valid QSO, with different point values depending on mode and band. Multipliers include Oklahoma counties, U.S. states and Canadian provinces, and DXCC entities. Bonus points are available for accomplishments such as mobile operation and activating multiple counties.

Why It Matters

The Oklahoma QSO Party is more than just a contest — it’s an opportunity to:

  • Put all 77 Oklahoma counties on the air
  • Improve operating and contesting skills
  • Help participants work toward awards like Worked All States (WAS)
  • Encourage mobile and portable operations, often activating rare or hard-to-work counties

For many operators, OKQP is also a social tradition — a chance to test new equipment, enjoy HF operating after winter, and reconnect with familiar callsigns year after year.

How to Join In

The Oklahoma QSO Party is open to all licensed amateur radio operators, whether located in Oklahoma or anywhere else in the world. Full rules, operating details, and log submission instructions are available on the official OKQP website maintained by K5CM.

Mark your calendar, get on the air, and be part of one of Oklahoma’s favorite amateur radio events!

Steven, N5ZQ


Did you know?

There is a real Patron Saint of Amateur Radio. Saint Maximilian Kolbe (1894–1941), canonized by Pope Saint John Paul II in 1982, was a Martyr of Charity who gave his life at Auschwitz. He is the patron saint of amateur radio operators and is the only canonized Catholic saint known to have held an amateur radio license—call sign SP3RN.


Why Space Weather Matters for Radio Operators

Space (solar) weather plays a significant role in radio communication. While its most noticeable effects are often seen on HF bands, solar activity can also impact VHFUHF, and even higher frequencies under certain conditions.

Understanding space weather helps us better predict band conditions, plan operations, and troubleshoot unusual signal behavior.

Below is a recommended video from a trusted YouTube channel that shares updates on solar activity and space weather about every two weeks. The presenter breaks down complex topics in a way that’s easy to follow and incredibly informative.

📺 Watch the latest space weather report

If you haven’t already, I encourage you to follow her channel. It’s a valuable resource for amateur radio operators at all levels!


Upcoming Contests

Here are a few upcoming HF contests to keep an ear out for! These events offer a great opportunity to sharpen your operating skills, test your equipment, and connect with hams across the country—and the world.

For a more comprehensive list, check out the ARRL Contest Corral in QST Magazine, available as a downloadable PDF from the ARRL website.

You can also find up-to-date contest schedules and detailed information at:
contestcalendar.com

Vermont QSO Party0000Z, Feb 7 to 2400Z, Feb 8
Minnesota QSO Party1400Z-2400Z, Feb 7
British Columbia QSO Party1600Z, Feb 7 to 0359Z, Feb 8 and 1600Z-2359Z, Feb 8
North American Sprint, CW0000Z-0359Z, Feb 8
ARRL School Club Roundup1300Z, Feb 9 to 2359Z, Feb 13
ARRL Inter. DX Contest, CW0000Z, Feb 21 to 2400Z, Feb 22
CQ 160-Meter Contest, SSB2200Z, Feb 27 to 2200Z, Mar 1
South Carolina QSO Party1500Z, Feb 28 to 0159Z, Mar 1
North American QSO Party, RTTY1800Z, Feb 28 to 0559Z, Mar 1
North Carolina QSO Party1500Z, Mar 1 to 0100Z, Mar 2
ARRL Inter. DX Contest, SSB0000Z, Mar 7 to 2400Z, Mar 8
Oklahoma QSO Party1500Z, Mar 14 to 0200Z, Mar 15 and 1500Z-2200Z, Mar 15

Web Links

Here are a few links to other websites that may be of interest.


Upcoming Events

  • EARS Information Net – Every Monday at 8pm
  • Route 66 10m Net on 28.390 – Every Monday Following the Information Net
  • EARS Breakfast – Every Saturday at approximately 6:30am at Around The Corner, 11 S. Broadway, Edmond
  • EARS Breakfast Net – Every Saturday at 7am on 147.135 and 443.425
  • Spring Technician License Class – Wednesdays Starting on March 4, 2026
  • Skywarn Training in Stillwater – Thursday, February 5th at 6:30pm
  • EARS Licensing Testing – Saturday, February 7th – Sign Up on License Testing page
  • Edmond Siren Test – Saturday, February 7th at 11:30am – Send email to sirens@k5eok.org
  • February Mentoring Session and Training – Tuesday, February 10th at 6pm at Edmond Fire Station 5, 5300 E Covell
  • February Membership and Board Meeting – Tuesday, February 10th at 7pm at Edmond Fire Station 5, 5300 E Covell
  • February EARS Dinner – Thursday, February 19th at 6:30pm – Location TBD
  • Community Preparedness Fair – Saturday, February 21st from 10am to 1pm – See announcement above for details
  • Stockyard’s City St. Patrick’s Day Parade – Saturday, March 14th – Sign up on the Parade Page
  • Oklahoma QSO Party – March 14-15, 2026 – See announcement above for details
  • Skywarn Training in Norman – Thursday, March 26th at 6:30pm

We’d love to feature your original content! If you’ve written—or would like to write—an article, we’d be happy to include it in an upcoming issue of the EARS newsletter.

Steven Christy, N5ZQ
n5zq@n5zq.us

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