Differences

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--- howto:aredn [2021/07/04 15:37] – [VE7TOP - VA7FI / Nanaimo - Sunshine Coast 5.8GHz P2P Connection] va7fi
+++ howto:aredn [2021/11/08 22:51] – va7fi
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 ====== AREDN ======
-  * [[https://www.arednmesh.org | AREDN]] is a project aimed at using wifi devices to create a computer network independent of the internet.  Since hams have access to sections of the 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz bands that regular wifi devices don't, those channels are quieter and longer distances can be achieved with better antennas.
+  * [[https://www.arednmesh.org | AREDN]] is a project aimed at using wifi devices flashed with an open firmware to create a computer network independent of the internet.  Since hams have access to sections of the [[https://www.rac.ca/2300-mhz-13-cm-page/|2.4 GHz]] and [[https://www.rac.ca/microwave-bands-page/ |5.8 GHz]] bands that regular wifi devices don't, those channels are quieter and longer distances can be achieved with directional antennas.
-  * [[http://www.ve7na.ca/aredn/ |NARA]] on the island is leading the way in creating this network in our area, and a few people on the Coast have started experimenting with some of the equipment.
+  * [[http://www.ve7na.ca/aredn/ |NARA]] on the Vancouver Island is leading the way in creating this network in our area, and a few people on the Coast and the mainland have started experimenting with some of the equipment.
-  * [[https://groups.io/g/Mid-Island-AREDN-Mesh-Network/topics |This message board]] is very active with local hams and what they're working on.
+  * [[https://groups.io/g/Mid-Island-AREDN-Mesh-Network/topics |This message board]] is very active with local hams and is the best place to ask questions.
   * [[http://usercontent.arednmesh.org/K/5/K5DLQ/livemap2.html#8/49.223/-123.764 |This map]] shows the nodes that are live in the area.
+  * [[https://link.ui.com/# |This site]] is useful to model line of sight, including the [[wp>Fresnel_zone |Fresnel zone]].
 ===== Getting Started =====
-The easiest way to get started is to get a Microtik hAP AC Lite TC.  Once flashed with the AREDN firmware, the device will use the 5.8GHz band as a regular wifi for your computer to connect to, and the 2.4GHz band is used to mesh with other devices within range.  Realistically, the hAP is useful to tunnel to others on the network via the internet to get started.  To add RF links, an outdoor device will need to be added.  See the [[https://www.arednmesh.org/content/supported-platform-matrix |support matrix]] for more information.
+The easiest way to get started is to get a [[https://mikrotik.com/product/RB952Ui-5ac2nD-TC|Microtik hAP AC Lite TC]]. One can be purchased from [[https://solimedia.net/product/hap-ac-lite-tower/ |Solimedia]] (for less than $90 with tax and shipping), or [[https://store.mikrotikcanada.ca/wireless-for-home-and-office/56-hap-ac-lite-tc.html|Mikrotic Canada]].
+Once flashed with the [[https://www.arednmesh.org/content/current-software|AREDN firmware]], the hAP will use the 5.8 GHz band as regular wifi for your computer to connect to, and the 2.4 GHz band can be used to mesh with other hAPs nearby.  Realistically, the hAP is not useful to make long distance links since it would require an external antenna.  But it is useful to [[./aredn/tunnelling|tunnel to others]] on the network via the internet to get started with the system.
+===== RF Links =====
+Once you're connected into the AREDN network over the internet, the next step is to add an RF link.  For that, a second device can be placed outside and connected back to the hAP via CAT5e.  For this, you can use:
+  * A [[https://www.pc-canada.com/item/ROCKETM5.html |Ubiquiti Rocket M5 radio]] with a [[https://www.pc-canada.com/p/go/go.asp?SearchString=ubiquiti+sector+antenna|sector antenna]], or a [[https://www.pc-canada.com/p/go/go.asp?SearchString=ubiquiti+dish|dish antenna]],
+  * An integrated [[https://store.mikrotikcanada.ca/search?controller=search&s=LHG+HP%2FXL |MikroTik dish and radio]],
+  * A [[https://www.amazon.com/MikroTik-Wireless-Satellite-Antennas-RBLDF-5nD-US/dp/B072LQMD7N/|MikroTik LDF]] with a [[./aredn/va7fi |repurposed dish]],
+  * ...
+See the [[https://www.arednmesh.org/content/supported-platform-matrix |support matrix]] and the [[https://www.arednmesh.org/content/device-selection-chart |device selection spreadsheet]] for more information.
 ===== Services =====
-Now that you're connected to the network, here are some services that are worth looking into:
+When connected to the AREDN network, individuals can run different services on individual servers like the Raspberry Pi.  Note that these services are only visible to a given AREDN network and are **not** accessible to the wider internet.  A few examples we have running right now are:
-  * VE7ODG's [[http://kt-arednsrv.local.mesh:8065 |Mattermost]] service for chat.  See [[https://groups.io/g/Mid-Island-AREDN-Mesh-Network/message/704 |here]] to sign up.  You can also use a phone app instead of the web interface as long as your phone is connected to the AREDN network.
+  * [[./aredn/meshchat|Mesh Chat]]
-  * The Island's [[https://groups.io/g/Mid-Island-AREDN-Mesh-Network/topic/phone_directory/81423119 |VOIP phone network]]
+  * [[./aredn/voip |A VOIP phone network]]
-  * VE7LSE's [[https://groups.io/g/Mid-Island-AREDN-Mesh-Network/message/579 |Winlink gateway]].
+  * VE7LSE's [[./aredn/winlink |Winlink Gateway]]
-{{  winlinkarden01.png  }}
+  * [[http://n2mh-web.local.mesh/meshmap/map_display.php#8/49.418/-123.698 |N2MH map]] with links between nodes,((Here's a copy of the live map from Nov 5.  The purple lines are Internet tunnel connections and the green lines are 5.8 GHz connections.  {{  ./aredn/aredn_map.png?600  }}))
-{{  winlinkarden02.png  }}
   * and more ...
-===== VE7TOP - VA7FI / Nanaimo - Sunshine Coast 5.8GHz P2P Connection =====
+===== Individual Setups =====
+  * [[./aredn/ve7lse|Devan (VE7LSE)]]
-On July 4, 2021, Chris (VE7TOP) and Patrick (VA7FI) made a success connection between Nanaimo and Roberts Creek on the Sunshine Coast on 5.860 GHz (Ch. 172).
+  * [[./aredn/ve7dnr|Devan (VE7DNR)]]
+  * [[./aredn/va7fi|Patrick (VA7FI)]]
-==== VA7FI's Setup ====
-I installed a [[https://www.amazon.com/MikroTik-Wireless-Satellite-Antennas-RBLDF-5nD-US/dp/B072LQMD7N|Mikrotik LDF-5]] (not the ''ac'' model) on a used TELUS satellite TV dish.
-  * The first task was to mount the LDF-5 to the dish roughly where the old receiver was.  Unfortunately, the arm and my mounting bracket were both bit too short:
-{{:howto:aredn:tooshort.gif}}
-{{:howto:aredn:1original.png?400}}
-{{:howto:aredn:2tooshort.png?400}}
-  * So I bolted a second arm on top of the first to raise it and move it a bit further away:
-{{:howto:aredn:good.gif}}
-{{:howto:aredn:3good.png?400}}
-{{:howto:aredn:1original.png?400}}
-  * Initially, I mounted it on a post that had a 45° angle thinking it needed to point down, but after testing it, I had to readjust it back up so next time it'll go on a vertical post.
-{{:howto:aredn:ready1.png?410|}}
-{{:howto:aredn:ready2.png?400|}}
-{{:howto:aredn:ready3.png}}
-  * For the field test, I went to a clearing near my place at 49.45465, -123.64199:
+===== Misc to Sort =====
-<html>
+  * [[https://groups.io/g/Mid-Island-AREDN-Mesh-Network/topic/encryption_over_ham_radio/81263865 |Encryption]]
-<iframe width="800" height="350" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="https://www.openstreetmap.org/export/embed.html?bbox=-123.64459455013277%2C49.453751927155174%2C-123.64072680473329%2C49.45554780343158&amp;layer=mapnik" style="border: 1px solid black"></iframe><br/><small><a href="https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=18/49.45465/-123.64266">View Larger Map</a></small></html>
+  * [[https://groups.io/g/Mid-Island-AREDN-Mesh-Network/topic/new_packet_radio_npr/86643045 |NPR]]
-{{:howto:aredn:setup.png}}
+  * .
-{{:howto:aredn:view.png}}