WaveNode Bridge Setup

Use the WaveNode Bridge to connect a WaveNode WN-2d power and SWR meter to Map-panion.

The bridge runs locally and exposes a lightweight HTTP API that Map-panion polls to display forward power, reflected power, peak hold, raw counts, and per-meter configuration.

This bridge is optional and only required if you want to use the WaveNode panel in Map-panion.

What you need

Map-panion installed or running

A WaveNode WN-2d

The WaveNode Bridge files or WaveNodeBridge.exe

A Windows PC

The WaveNode software running

A local network connection if Map-panion and the bridge are on different devices

WaveNode’s official software is Windows-only, so the current WaveNode Bridge workflow is designed for Windows systems.

What the WaveNode Bridge Does

The WaveNode Bridge connects a WaveNode WN-2d to Map-panion through a small local web service.

Map-panion can read

Forward power
Reflected power
Peak hold values
Raw counts
Calibration scaling
Per-meter configuration

Map-panion polls the bridge at a configurable interval, with 500 ms as the recommended default.

Quick Start

  1. Download or build WaveNodeBridge.exe
  2. Place WaveNodeBridge.exe in its own folder
  3. Make sure the wwwroot folder is beside WaveNodeBridge.exe
  4. Optionally place a config.json file beside the EXE
  5. Start WaveNodeBridge.exe
  6. Confirm the bridge responds at: http://localhost:8787/api/wavenode/status
  1. Open the calibration page in your browser at: http://localhost:8787/
  1. In Map-panion, open the WaveNode panel settings and enter the bridge URL

If http://localhost:8787/ returns a 404, confirm that the wwwroot folder and index.html are present beside WaveNodeBridge.exe.

If the status endpoint responds, the bridge is running correctly even if you have not done any calibration.

Calibration is optional. Most users can start with the default bridge setup first.

Default Bridge URL

Use the WaveNode Bridge URL that matches where the bridge is running.

Same computer
http://localhost:8787

From another device on your LAN
http://192.168.x.x:8787

If Map-panion is running on another computer, use the local IP address of the PC running the WaveNode Bridge.

Enter the Bridge Settings in Map-panion

In Map-panion, open the WaveNode Panel Settings and enter the bridge information.

Typical settings

Bridge URL: http://<PC-IP>:8787

Poll interval: 500 ms

The default recommended poll interval is 500 ms. Lower values give faster updates, while higher values reduce CPU and network activity.

Optional files and folder layout

The WaveNode Bridge can use an optional config.json file placed in the same folder as the EXE.

If no config.json is provided, the bridge uses its default values.

Example optional config

{
“port”: 8787,
“captureMs”: 2000
}

For the calibration page to work, the wwwroot folder also needs to be present beside WaveNodeBridge.exe.

Recommended folder layout

WaveNode\
WaveNodeBridge.exe
config.json
wavenode-calibration.json
wwwroot\
index.html

You can then create a shortcut and
place it on youtr desktop or location of your choice.

config.json is optional. The wwwroot folder is required if you want to use the browser-based calibration page at http://localhost:8787/.

Build the EXE (Optional)

If you are not using a prebuilt EXE, you can build the bridge from source using the included PowerShell script.

Requirements

Windows 10 or newer

.NET 8 SDK installed

From inside the wavenode-bridge folder, run: 

				
					cd wavenode-bridge
.\scripts\build-exe.ps1

If PowerShell blocks the script, you may need to allow local scripts for your user account. 

				
					Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope CurrentUser -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned

Then run the build script again.

Build Output

If you build the bridge from source, the EXE will be created in:

src/WaveNodeBridge/bin/Release/net8.0/win-x64/publish/

The generated file will be:
WaveNodeBridge.exe

Copy that EXE anywhere you want to run it from.

Run the Bridge

Once the EXE is ready, start the bridge by double-clicking it or launching it from PowerShell.

.\WaveNodeBridge.exe

The bridge should start on:
http://localhost:8787

The first time you run the EXE, Windows may prompt for firewall access. Allow Private Networks.

Verify the Bridge Is Running

Before trying to use the bridge from Map-panion, confirm that it is responding.

  1. Start WaveNodeBridge.exe
  2. Open your browser
  3. Visit: http://localhost:8787
    Confirm the page or service responds

If the local page responds, the bridge is running and Map-panion should be able to poll it using the correct bridge URL.

API Endpoints

The bridge exposes local REST endpoints that Map-panion and the calibration tools use.

http://<PC-IP>:8787/api/wavenode/status

This endpoint returns forward power, reflected power, peak values, raw counts, and meter configuration.

Calibration endpoint

http://<PC-IP>:8787/api/wavenode/calibration

This endpoint is used by the calibration page to capture raw values, save scaling factors, reset calibration, and manage per-meter calibration state.

Visible Meters

In Map-panion, each WaveNode meter should explicitly define its sensor model.

HF-1

UHF-1

Unknown / Custom

Important note
Each visible meter should be assigned the correct sensor model. If a meter is not configured correctly, Map-panion may show it as Unknown.

Calibration

The goal of calibration is to make Map-panion match the WaveNode front panel display as closely as possible.

Calibration is optional.

The WaveNode Bridge tracks the same values that the WaveNode software sees, so most users can use the bridge without doing any additional calibration.

Calibration is only needed if you want to fine-tune how Map-panion displays meter values for your station, sensors, or operating preferences.

Where to find the calibration page

The calibration page is included as:
wwwroot/index.html

The wwwroot folder needs to be present beside WaveNodeBridge.exe so the bridge can serve the calibration page correctly.

When the bridge is running, open the calibration page in your browser at:
http://localhost:8787/

If http://localhost:8787/ returns a 404, confirm that the wwwroot folder and index.html are present beside WaveNodeBridge.exe.

When calibration may be helpful

You want Map-panion readings to more closely match your preferred display values

You are using a custom or unusual sensor setup

You want to fine-tune scaling for a specific meter

You are testing or comparing readings across setups

Recommended procedure

Use FM or AM carrier into a dummy load

Use no audio modulation

Use short key-down bursts, around 2 seconds

Allow cooling between steps

If http://localhost:8787/ returns a 404, confirm that the wwwroot folder and index.html are present beside WaveNodeBridge.exe.

Basic calibration steps

  1. Start WaveNodeBridge.exe
  2. Open the calibration page at http://localhost:8787/
  3. Choose the meter you want to adjust
  4. Enter safe minimum and maximum panel watt values
  5. Click Create Steps
  6. Adjust the transmitter until the WaveNode panel is near the target
  7. Enter the panel reading
  8. Click Capture
  9. Repeat for all points
  10. Click Save Scale

If you want to start over for a single meter, use Reset Calibration (this meter).

For most users, calibration is optional. Start with the default bridge setup first, then calibrate only if you want additional fine-tuning.

Portable Version Note

If you are using the portable version of Map-panion, the config.json file needs to live beside the portable .exe.

After you save the WaveNode bridge settings, Map-panion writes them to config.json. If that file is not already there, it will be created after saving.

After saving, restart Map-panion so the new settings are loaded.

For portable installs, keep the app in its own folder so the .exe and config.json stay together.

Optional Startup Shortcut

If you want the WaveNode Bridge to start automatically, you can create a shortcut to WaveNodeBridge.exe and place it in your Windows Startup folder.

  1. Right-click WaveNodeBridge.exe
  2. Create a shortcut
  3. Move the shortcut to your Desktop if desired
  4. Press Win + R
  5. Type: shell:startup
  1. Place the shortcut in that folder

This is an easy way to have the bridge start automatically when Windows starts.

Troubleshooting

Panel shows “Unknown”

Confirm the sensor model is selected

Set the meter to HF-1, UHF-1, or the correct custom type

No data appears

Confirm the WaveNode software is running
Confirm the bridge EXE is running
Confirm the bridge URL and port are correct
Check Windows firewall settings

Calibration capture is disabled

Confirm you are within the capture tolerance range

Confirm the meter is actively producing usable data

Map-panion does not connect

Confirm the Bridge URL is correct

Confirm the bridge is responding at http://localhost:8787

Restart Map-panion after saving the bridge settings

Settings do not stick after restart

Confirm Map-panion is saving its config correctly
Portable users should keep the app in its own folder
Confirm that config.json is beside the portable .exe
Save the settings, then restart Map-panion

Quick Summary

The WaveNode Bridge connects a WaveNode WN-2d to Map-panion through a lightweight local web service.

Place or build WaveNodeBridge.exe
Keep the wwwroot folder beside the EXE if you want to use the calibration page
Start the bridge
Confirm the bridge responds at http://localhost:8787/api/wavenode/status
Open the calibration page at http://localhost:8787/ if needed
Enter the correct Bridge URL in Map-panion
Use 500 ms polling as the recommended starting point
Calibrate only if you want additional fine-tuning
Keep portable config.json beside the portable .exe

For most users, calibration is optional. The bridge already tracks the same values the WaveNode software sees.