AN INTRODUCTION TO: BROADBAND-HAMNET HSMM-MESH HAM-MESH, A WIRELESS NETWORK FOR HAMS. Presented by Mark Kesauer, N7KKQ

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1 AN INTRODUCTION TO: BROADBAND-HAMNET HSMM-MESH HAM-MESH, A WIRELESS NETWORK FOR HAMS Presented by Mark Kesauer, N7KKQ

2 What will be Discussed: Discussion will be mostly non-technical and from a Ham related viewpoint (end user) using inexpensive equipment/firmware. What exactly is Ham-Mesh? Understanding the 2.4G WiFi Frequency domain. Normal WiFi vs. Ham-Mesh - differences. How to increase the useable range. In an Emergency. How can Ham-Mesh help. Benefits and Applications. Live Demo showing a typical application. Honorable Mention DD-WRT.

3 What is Ham-Mesh: A medium-range, wireless computer network for Amateur Radio Operators. WiFi for Hams. Uses the 2.4Ghz ISM Band. (Microwave.) It was developed by Amateurs in Austin, TX. Operates on the same frequencies/equipment, but is independent of normal WiFi. As a Mesh, it is self-connecting and self-healing. Create your own independent wireless Internet, or it can be connected to the regular Internet. Mostly runs on 12VDC.

4 WiFi Characteristics: Numerous bands. 2.4, 3.6 and 5GHz most popular. It s Microwave - Line-of-Sight operation. Properties act similar to light. Doesn t travel through solid objects. Tends to reflect and bounce around. Use of diversity antennas popular (2 or more).

WiFi Frequency Facts: Part of the 12cm ISM band 2400-2500Mhz. It s a crowded band especially in urban areas.

5 WiFi Frequency Facts: Part of the 12cm ISM band Mhz. It s a crowded band especially in urban areas. WiFi operates on 14, overlapping channels. Channels are not used in North America. Regular consumer WiFi operates under IEEE b/g/n and is limited to 100mw (20dBm).

Ham-Mesh Operational Facts: We overlap on WiFi channels 1-6 - keeping within our 13cm band allotment (2300 2450Mhz).

6 Ham-Mesh Operational Facts: We overlap on WiFi channels keeping within our 13cm band allotment ( Mhz). As secondary, we must share with WiFi, Bluetooth and other unlicensed services. However, as Hams, we re allowed more modes and a lot more power! *Note: Your microwave oven is on 2450Mhz so as Hams, be mindful of causing harmful interference. (It s a joke You can laugh!)

7 Other Differences - Ham-Mesh And Regular WiFi: Regular WiFi commonly uses an AP (Access Point). It is the host and users connect as clients. This is referred to as a STAR configuration. There is a commercial mesh, but slow to adopt. When the AP drops out, everyone loses connection. Practical limit to number of users with an AP.

8 Typical WiFi STAR Topology:

9 Ham-Mesh vs. Regular WiFi: With Mesh, all units are repeaters and nodes. When a Mesh unit drops, traffic is re-routed so connections remain. When a mesh unit is added, it s automatically included in the network routing. So the more you have, the more robust a network. Greater number of distributed users. Ham mesh is a network, not an application. Use the network as you would the internet.

10 Typical Ham-Mesh Topology:

11 Austin, TX Mesh Network Map.

12 Phoenix Mesh Network.

13 Recommended Equipment, And Firmware Required: LinkSys WRT54G most common wireless router. $5 - $10 at Goodwill, Savers, ebay, etc. Versions and GS models preferred. Look for version label on bottom (in small print). Runs on 12V (except Ver. 1.0 which is 5V). Easy to load firmware. Requires a computer with Ethernet. Free download. Just follow directions. Go to: Ver. 2.0 Ver. 1.0

14 Firmware setup: (Opening screen when you first get into Ham-Mesh. Note the addresses, memory and S/N ratios.)

15 Firmware setup: (Mesh status will display other nearby mesh units. Note K7ARC-hm6 in blue and link quality - LQ.)

16 Firmware setup: (Basic setup is where you enter a callsign and Password. You can also select antenna function and Power output. Note the addresses.)

17 Firmware setup: (Here is where other network devices are added. Note the camera address on port 8282 below.)

How to Increase the Range: (Normal WiFi range

18 How to Increase the Range: (Normal WiFi range is about 300ft - Line of Sight). So how do we get reliable communications across a wider area? Increase height and/or reorient unit. Use directional antennas. Yagi, helical, dish, etc. (Think of Lantern vs. Flashlight Analogy.)

19 How to Increase the Range: (Normal WiFi range is about 300ft - Line of Sight). So how do we get reliable communications across a wider area? Increase height and/or reorient unit. Use directional antennas. Yagi, helical, dish, etc. Increase the power - add an Amplifier

20 How to Increase the Range: (Normal WiFi range is about 300ft - Line of Sight). Increase height and/or reorient unit. Use directional antennas. Yagi, helical, dish, etc. Increase power output add amplifier. Use hardline or low-loss coax to minimize loss. Use horizontal polarization (vs. regular WiFi vertical), for a ~20dB reduction in interference. Place wireless device at antenna and use POE (Power Over Ethernet - for min coax length). Or, use all of the above

21 How to Increase the Range Another idea Use a WiFi Repeater: N7KKQ s WiFi Repeater- Use distant WiFi to share locally.

22 How to Increase the Range WiFi Repeater Diagram Part 1: Place WiFi unit at dish antenna and use POE (Power Over Ethernet) for short coax length.

23 How to Increase the Range WiFi Repeater Diagram Part 2: There are 4, twisted-pairs in a CAT-5 cable. Only 2-pairs are used for 10/100-T Ethernet. So we can run power up the other 2-pair. (POE)

24 Weather-proofing a WRT54G: So how do we protect a mesh unit that is obviously, not meant for the outside? Use an upside-down, PVC plastic bucket w/lid. Solder a short 1 ¼ dia. TV mast to guy-wire flange plate. Mount to lid with a 3/8 plywood stiffener using screws. Add 1 holes for cables and air flow. Place WRT unit inside and run CAT-5 cable. Insert 10 tapered TV mast end into short pipe. For more distance, mount dish to mast and run coax up to mesh unit.

25 Weather-proofing a WRT54G: (Only use a white PVC bucket.) (DO NOT paint bucket it will block the RF!)

26 In an Emergency Such as a power grid-down, PSTN off-line (phone/internet) scenario: Ham-Mesh does not need internet to function. Most mesh equipment runs on common +12VDC. Every mesh unit is remotely configurable. Transfer files and run programs between nodes. Voice, Fax, and text messaging. IP Cameras w/live video/audio. Can aid non-ham, EMT/EOC/FEMA personnel. And, there is more

27 Other Applications: Use analog telephones (POTS) with IP adapter and a SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) Server. Contest logging to one Computer. (Field Day?) (N1MM, N3FJP, etc.) WinLink, APRS, and Packet. Numerous VoIP (Voice over IP) applications. HF Rig Control. (Ham Radio Deluxe, etc.) Weather: Live Radar, WX Sensors, Spotter Reports (Skywarn). Live Video Feeds (ATV, news, etc.)

28 Live Demo - Maybe

29 Example of how to use Ham-Mesh Between distant, separated areas:

30 Example Application: Winlink

31 Honorable Mention: DD-WRT. Another firmware application. Also loads onto Linksys WRT54G wireless routers and other manufacturers, and is free. Unlike Ham-mesh, it s difficult to load firmware. Has numerous advantages over stock units: The Swiss-Army Knife of Wireless Router Firmware. Sort of a router on Steroids Excellent Repeater Bridge. (wireless to wireless/wired) Adjustable power output. (stock 71mw 200+mw) Antenna selectable. (disable diversity function)

32 DD-WRT Example Application:

33 Example of how to use DD-WRT For Networked Field Day Logging:

34 Misc. Info: More info at: ARRL: (Search for Ham-Mesh) Phoenix Ham-Mesh U of A Ham-Mesh Pima County OEM For DD-WRT: For WiFi analog phones: QUESTIONS? Thanks and 73.

Broadband Hamnet What is it?

Broadband-Hamnet formerly HSMM-Mesh Broadband Hamnet What is it? Broadband-Hamnet is a high speed, self discovering, fault tolerant, self configuring ham network/wireless computer network that can run