Send messages, files and structured traffic over amateur radio without an Internet connection or central server.
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Guardian is the Windows and Linux station console and the common mailbox for this ecosystem. It manages radio links, routing and delivery. The connected projects let you work with that same station from a Guard Mesh touch device or use supported Quansheng and Baofeng handhelds as integrated radios. You can also operate Guardian with other compatible transceivers.
| Project | What it does | Where to start |
|---|---|---|
| Guardian | Windows and Linux application for direct and store-and-forward messages, attachments, emergency forms and radio network operations. | Releases |
| GUARD-MESH | Guardian-focused fork of WadaMesh for supported MeshCore touch devices. Its Guardian BLE app can show PC station information and compose messages for Guardian's Outbox. | Repository and device list · Guardian BLE app |
| Guardian K5FW | Firmware and K5 Manager binary releases for the Quansheng UV-K5 V1 (DP32G030). | Firmware and Manager releases |
| Guardian K61FW | Firmware releases for the Baofeng UV-K61. Separate images target the FD6818 and FD6818B hardware variants. | Firmware releases and compatibility notes |
- At the PC: compose, receive and track messages in Guardian, using a compatible HF, VHF or UHF radio.
- With a handheld: use Guardian K5FW or K61FW on the supported radio for a dedicated AIOC/UART control path into the same Guardian station.
- From a Guard Mesh touch device: view Guardian's live status and messages over BLE, browse contacts and submit a text message to Guardian's Outbox. Guardian then sends it using its configured radio path.
- Across two radios: attach an optional second radio to one Guardian mailbox and forward traffic between radio paths.
The handheld firmwares are optional. Guardian also supports Hamlib, serial PTT and operator-controlled no-CAT setups. Check the exact radio and chip variant before flashing any firmware. Each firmware release repository provides its own compatibility notes.
GUARD-MESH device
status, contacts and messages
⇅ BLE
Guardian on Windows / Linux
mailbox · routing · radio control
⇅ audio / CAT / AIOC
HF, VHF or UHF transceiver
⇅ RF
another Guardian station or relay
Guard Mesh is a local Bluetooth companion to the PC application. A message composed on a supported Guard Mesh device is queued in Guardian's normal Outbox; Guardian applies its usual radio delivery rules. The Guard Mesh project also has its own MeshCore radio functions. Connecting the two does not make their radio networks interchangeable or create an automatic gateway between them.
Open Tools → Production LAB to run two isolated Guardian stations on one PC, compare SC-FTN, VARA and ARDOP, and watch live measurements. The LAB uses this release's production runtime and control protocols. It also provides a local HTTP API and CLI for repeatable campaigns. See the LAB setup, measurement and maintenance guide (Czech).
- Direct messaging: address text and attachments to another station by callsign.
- Store-and-forward: keep messages locally and relay them through other Guardian stations when a direct path is unavailable.
- Routing and discovery: use manual routes, shared topology, heard stations and bounded assisted multi-hop discovery.
- Delivery visibility: follow Outbox, Transit and Sent state, acknowledgements and radio activity.
- Structured traffic: compose ICS-213, ICS-214, IARU emergency and SITREP messages.
- Network operations: view heard stations and routes on an operational map, send short network alerts and inspect logs.
- Two radios: optionally run independent radio, audio, modem and PTT paths against one shared mailbox, including forwarding between them.
Guardian keeps messages, attachments, routes and station settings locally. The core message path runs over radio. Internet access is used only for optional downloads, updates and map data.
| Payload path | Role |
|---|---|
| VARA FM / VARA HF | Established FM and HF payload options. VARA is separately licensed third-party software and is not bundled with Guardian. |
| Guardian SC-FTN | Guardian's own sound-card payload modem, negotiated per hop with a compatible peer. VARA remains available as a fallback where configured. |
| Guardian ARDOP 500 Hz | Experimental narrow-band payload option bundled as a native library. Both stations must select a compatible mode and configure suitable SSB radio settings. |
Short ARDOS control transmissions coordinate stations and transfers. Depending on the selected mode, Guardian uses AFSK 1200, MFSK-16 or narrow ARDOP control frames. A calling channel and a separate working channel can be configured; CAT-controlled radios can change frequency automatically, while other radios use an operator-confirmed workflow.
Guardian can control many radios through Hamlib / rigctld. It also supports serial RTS/DTR PTT and the dedicated Guardian K5FW/K61FW AIOC/UART paths. Named radio profiles make it easier to switch station hardware.
With a paired device running a compatible Guard Mesh build, Guardian can share live station and transfer status over Bluetooth LE. The BLE v2 interface also supports contacts, message lists, plain-text reading and submitting a new message to Guardian's Outbox. BLE v3 in Guardian 1.1.25 adds detailed two-radio state, selected-radio operating controls, display alerts in both directions and durable event recovery. Station control requires permission for the paired device on the PC. Alerts are displayed locally; automatic forwarding into MeshCore/LoRa or Guardian RF is disabled. Attachments are not transferred through this interface. Pairing is under Settings → Station settings → Guard Mesh.
After the first connection, Guardian remembers the device and reconnects automatically if it goes out of range, Bluetooth is temporarily unavailable, or Guardian restarts. It keeps trying in the background while Guardian is running, including when Settings is closed. Disconnect / cancel stops the attempts and forgets the device. Reconnection scans only for the Guard Mesh BLE service and does not take over other Bluetooth devices.
The features available on a device depend on its firmware and Guardian BLE app version. See the GUARD-MESH project and the BLE v3 API reference and firmware packet examples for details. v1/v2 remain supported; device firmware is developed separately.
- Download the latest Guardian installer or portable ZIP.
- Open Operation → Station readiness and enter your callsign.
- Configure the radio, PTT and RX/TX audio devices.
- Choose and configure a payload modem. Install VARA separately if you select VARA FM or HF.
- Connect the radio, start the control channel and compose a message.
The Windows package includes Python and the required Python libraries. Station readiness can help install a verified portable Hamlib package and can download a reviewed VARA installer only after operator confirmation. Starting Guardian does not key the transmitter or start RF audio automatically.
Current Windows builds are not Authenticode signed, so Windows may show an Unknown publisher or SmartScreen warning. Download from this repository's Releases page and verify the supplied SHA-256 checksums when needed.
Python 3.11 or later is required:
git clone https://github.com/bubakbubak500/ARDOS-Guardian.git
cd ARDOS-Guardian
.\setup.ps1
.\run.ps1To build the standalone Windows application, run .\build.ps1. The output is dist\Guardian\Guardian.exe.
On Linux x64, install Python development dependencies with python3 -m pip install -e '.[dev]', then run python3 guardian_launch.py. bash build_linux.sh --help lists system prerequisites; bash build_linux.sh runs tests and builds a portable archive with bundled Python, SC-FTN and native ARDOP. BLE uses BlueZ/D-Bus. Hamlib and VARA are external dependencies. The 1.1.25 Linux archive requires glibc 2.36 or newer and the system libraries listed in its README-Linux.txt. ARDOS CZ credentials require an unlocked desktop Secret Service provider such as GNOME Keyring. Linux updates verify the archive and offer manual extraction instructions.
Guardian includes features at different stages of verification. Direct VARA messaging and several radio-control workflows have been tested on air or on hardware. Assisted multi-hop discovery, SC-FTN and ARDOP have software validation, with physical-radio verification varying by feature and release. Read the engineering status and release notes before relying on a specific workflow.
- Product scope and safety boundaries
- Engineering and field-verification record
- Multi-hop discovery
- Guard Mesh BLE interface v3
- Security policy
- GitHub releases
Guardian is intended for licensed amateur-radio operators, experiments and emergency-communications exercises. It is not a certified public-safety or life-safety system. Operators remain responsible for permitted frequencies, bandwidth, power, identification, third-party traffic and local regulations. Keep another communication option available where immediate safety depends on delivery.
Field reports are welcome in GitHub Issues. Include the Guardian version, radio and interface, modem, frequency, PTT setup and a relevant diagnostic export where possible.
Messages when the network isn't there.
From HAMs to HAMs · OK7PS / OK2IPW / OK6LZ / OK2MTV