KD0TLS: metro APRS update January '22

 It's been another active month, with a few gateways fading out and returning. On the whole, though, we ended the month of January in the same place as we did when we started. The Robbinsdale K0YTH-13 digipeater continues its nocturnal struggle, only coming on-air for about 30 minutes a day at 3 AM. The Shakopee digipeater KF0ZH has seen an uptick in traffic over the latter part of the month, and the K0LAV-8 digipeater near White Bear Lake has seen its coverage footprint move more eastward than it has been in the past. 

K0LAV-8 direct coverage 1/22

 As always, you can click on these maps to enlarge them.

 The KF0ZH digi has expanded its coverage much more to the north, but I think its notable that it isn't hearing the big W0PZT-1 gateway in Medina. It does have a strong hold on the K1LEO-10 gateway in Rockford, though. This is yet another alternate path for messaging to/from the metro, and the RX-only gateway AE0RF-10 on the Shakopee end makes this route even sweeter.

KF0ZH direct coverage 1/22

 It's also interesting that the new N0KGK digipeater in Burnsville hasn't expanded its coverage more to the south as time goes by. It has less competition in that direction. 

N0KGK direct coverage 10/21

N0KGK direct coverage 1/22

Let's look at the numbers:

• The W0PZT-1 gateway in Medina makes its usual strong showing with 33k packets handled this month, from 133 stations. Also showing direct coverage out to Paynesville and St. Cloud, up to North Branch and east past Baldwin, WI. 
• The core metro gateway W0YC-5 had 20.7k packets gated from 112 stations. Direct coverage up to Forest Lake and Andover, down past Red Wing, and east to Roberts, WI.
• The west-metro TX gateway K0GV-10 handled 5.5k packets from 48 stations. It also maintained its solid hold of the Green Isle KC0QNA-1 and White Bear Lake K0LAV-8 digipeaters.
• N0KFB-1, the TX gateway in Mounds View, had a good month with 27.6k packets from 95 stations. 1.7k of those packets were from the Isanti KE0CRR-10 digipeater. Still has a solid hold on the Green Isle and Big Lake digipeaters. For its continuous service record, it was designated an official coverage radius of 43 miles.
• Over in West St. Paul, the N0ALE-10 TX gateway handled 17.9k packets from 30 stations. Because of its continuous service, the station has moved up to a connection with one of the prime (non-rotating) APRS hub servers, and designated an official coverage radius of 6 miles.
• N0HOY-10, the Arden Hills digipeater, has handled 16.7k packets from 97 stations, and has also earned an official coverage radius of 62 miles for its continuous service. 
• RX-only gateway N9MEC in Apple Valley gated an incredible 84.2k packets from 32 stations. It also has been moved to a prime server and designated a 25-mile coverage radius for its continuous service.
• RX-only gateway K0JDD-1 in Woodbury has also been designated an official coverage radius of 56 miles for its continuous service, but will have to wait a while for its server status upgrade. About 3.7k packets gated from 74 stations.
• The Shakopee digipeater KF0ZH has been designated a 6-mile coverage radius for its continuous service. It handled 2.2k packets from 48 stations this month.

 As you can see, we have a very good network in the metro. The only thing we're missing is a satellite gateway.