Broadband-Hamnet™ Forum :: Ontario Canada
Welcome Guest   [Register]  [Login]
 Subject :Toronto / York Region Introduction.. 2012-10-10- 23:41:35 
VE3FAX
Member
Joined: 2012-10-03- 02:27:36
Posts: 6
Location: York Region (Toronto) Ontario
 

The Toronto, Ontario Forum welcomes you! 

Members and friends of the York Region Amateur Radio Club (YRARC) are building a HSMM-mesh for the northern Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The project commenced Oct 2012.

This mesh will be used primarily as an emergency communication backup system for EMCOM / ARES Regional government-support agencies. It may also be used for casual linking and testing by node owners.

 

If You Are Thinking of Building a Mesh- READ THIS FIRST:

 *Although mesh nodes communicate over Wi-Fi frequencies, they only talk to other mesh nodes on the wireless port.


*You can NOT use Wi-Fi to connect to a mesh node from your computer, netbook, smart phone or other wireless device. 


 For the YRARC website please visit: WWW.YRARC.ORG

There is also a Yahoo Groups forum used by the friends and members of YRARC.

Please visit at: groups.yahoo.com/group/yrarc/ 

Much of the HSMM-mesh discussion was happening on the Yahoo Group but will hopefully migrate to this Forum.

Those interested in discussing other Toronto Area mesh-cells are invited to post right here!


The HSMM-mesh provides an excellent introduction to microwave antennas, sighting and propagation.  It's a good introduction to Wi-Fi software, hardware set-up . It's best if used with an "off-grid" power supply, requires little current and is YOUR opportunity to participate in EMCOM /ARES  support. 

YRARC mesh nodes are being installed from the north end of City of Toronto (Steels Ave) to Northern York Region (Georgina). East from Markham and West to Allisiston Ontario. This will obviously change with time and will be mapped and displayed here.

Hope to see you on  Forum and On The Air!

73 es GL

Greg White VA3VFO

VE3FAX mesh FN04gf

IP Logged
Last Edited On: 2012-11-10- 04:54:44 By VE3FAX for the Reason Revise YRARC web address
DC to Daylight. Most active on HF, 6&2 metres and Meteor Scatter, WSJT, WSPR.

Actively working on HSMM a set-up for FN04gf and FN04fc.

For more info see VE3VFO and VE3FAX at QRZ.COM

73 de Greg
 Subject :Re:Toronto / York Region Introduction.. 2012-10-18- 02:41:10 
VA3EAM
Member
Joined: 2012-10-18- 06:39:28
Posts: 5
Location: FN03nw, Oshawa, Ontario
Hi Greg. Name is Eric and callsign is VA3EAM. Wondering if you guys would be interested in continuing the MESH to the east to include Durham Region. I am in Oshawa.
IP Logged
Email address is va3eam@gmail.com
 Subject :Re:Toronto / York Region Introduction.. 2012-11-05- 16:20:35 
va3mgn
Member
Joined: 2012-09-14- 21:35:51
Posts: 2
Location

Greg,

Just one update to your excellent overview of MSMM-MESH operations in our area:  The URL for the York Region Amateur Radio Club has been changed to www.yrarc.org.

73,


Matt, VA3MGN
Member, YRARC / EmComm

IP Logged
 Subject :Re:Toronto / York Region Introduction.. 2012-11-06- 00:07:11 
VA3EAM
Member
Joined: 2012-10-18- 06:39:28
Posts: 5
Location: FN03nw, Oshawa, Ontario
Hi Matt. Saw your setup at the Hamfest on Saturday. Well done! Just wondering where did you get the POE adapters? I meant to ask you when we where talking. Thanks for sharing. Eric, VA3EAM.
IP Logged
Email address is va3eam@gmail.com
 Subject :Re:Toronto / York Region Introduction.. 2012-11-10- 04:28:55 
VE3FAX
Member
Joined: 2012-10-03- 02:27:36
Posts: 6
Location: York Region (Toronto) Ontario
 
Thanks for your info Eric. Glad you were able to attend our Hamfest, see the demo and talk to the guys! Looking forward to working with you ! Be sure to keep all updated on this group. 73 Greg W VA3VFO
IP Logged
DC to Daylight. Most active on HF, 6&2 metres and Meteor Scatter, WSJT, WSPR.

Actively working on HSMM a set-up for FN04gf and FN04fc.

For more info see VE3VFO and VE3FAX at QRZ.COM

73 de Greg
 Subject :Re:Toronto / York Region Introduction.. 2012-11-10- 04:29:46 
VE3FAX
Member
Joined: 2012-10-03- 02:27:36
Posts: 6
Location: York Region (Toronto) Ontario
 
Thanks for your info Eric. Glad you were able to attend our Hamfest, see the demo and talk to the guys! Looking forward to working with you ! Be sure to keep all updated on this group. 73 Greg W VA3VFO
IP Logged
DC to Daylight. Most active on HF, 6&2 metres and Meteor Scatter, WSJT, WSPR.

Actively working on HSMM a set-up for FN04gf and FN04fc.

For more info see VE3VFO and VE3FAX at QRZ.COM

73 de Greg
 Subject :Re:Toronto / York Region Introduction.. 2012-11-10- 04:31:05 
VE3FAX
Member
Joined: 2012-10-03- 02:27:36
Posts: 6
Location: York Region (Toronto) Ontario
 


IP Logged
Last Edited On: 2012-11-10- 04:36:33 By VE3FAX for the Reason
DC to Daylight. Most active on HF, 6&2 metres and Meteor Scatter, WSJT, WSPR.

Actively working on HSMM a set-up for FN04gf and FN04fc.

For more info see VE3VFO and VE3FAX at QRZ.COM

73 de Greg
 Subject :Re:Toronto / York Region Introduction.. 2012-12-10- 00:25:26 
va3srv
Member
Joined: 2012-10-30- 14:19:01
Posts: 9
Location

Hi Eric,  one of the fella's in the club got the hold of those POE breakout adaptors and was doing a bulk buy for club members.
I'm actually in need of a few and am going to see if he can order some for me let me know if you are still in need.


As an FYI, we have 8-10 stations on the air at the moment, but due to blockage (terrain/condo/etc) we do not have many links.

Here's a map of the stations and you can see a cluster that are nicely located to each other and should have no problem linking at low SNR's, but this mapping software doesn't take in to account the man-made blockages. 

(I should note that these guys have bought the gear and some are in the air and some are planned)

I am keeping this map up to date on our club bulletin board (www.yrarc.org ) but have encourage members to get on this sites google map api.


Cheers

Steve

VA3SRV



Attachments
 YRARC_MESH_121310.PNG [722 KB] :: York Region MESH Node status as of Dec. 10, 2012
IP Logged
 Subject :Re:Toronto / York Region Introduction.. 2013-04-15- 01:17:44 
va3idl
Member
Joined: 2013-04-14- 07:22:02
Posts: 23
Location

Greg, Matt, Steve,

There is a substantial interest in this project at the Mississauga club http://marc.on.ca now and we are looking to make a pilot installation for the Field Day.

We were wondering if it is possible for a few of us to come to one of your club meetings or meet you elsewhere and have a longer discussion on the subject, share the experience and ideas. Would it be possible to meet with you around mid- or early-May?

Thank you,

Anthony

VA3IDL

IP Logged
Last Edited On: 2013-04-15- 01:27:59 By va3idl for the Reason
 Subject :Re:Toronto / York Region Introduction.. 2013-04-15- 09:15:37 
va3srv
Member
Joined: 2012-10-30- 14:19:01
Posts: 9
Location
Hi Anthony, I think that sounds like a great idea. We are trying to set up a Demo for the York Region Emergency Preparedness day May 4th at the York Region HQ in Newmarket. We'll be attempting to deploy a small area Mesh and that could be an opportunity to check things out. Drop me a line on the side and we can coordinate more: va3srv@geee-mail.com (edit appropriately! ;) Cheers Steve VA3SRV
IP Logged
 Subject :Re:Toronto / York Region Introduction.. 2013-04-30- 02:34:55 
VA7WPN
Member
Joined: 2013-04-29- 12:21:43
Posts: 60
Location: BC, Canada
 

I am VERY much watching this. I Myself have been tinkering with HSMM-MESH for the last few months, and would like to see just what all we can get it to do...

Internet Linking?

Asterisk Linking?

Actual TX/RX accross the imediate mesh (Within say 10 node Jumps??)

IP Logged
 Subject :Re:Toronto / York Region Introduction.. 2013-05-04- 14:15:36 
va3srv
Member
Joined: 2012-10-30- 14:19:01
Posts: 9
Location
Hi John, we've talked once or twice on the .350 machine. We managed to put together a practical deployment of some mesh gear and applications for the York Region Emergency Preparedness Fair (at York HQ in Newmarket). We had some IP cameras and some Raspberry Pi's (w/USB cams and other stuff) and we were able to make links around and do a couple of double hops. I believe all, or most, of our Mesh routers had external high gain antennas. One had a "refurbished" satellite dish and we also had a amplifier on another....speeds were fairly good considering the streaming we were doing. We did have a java-based chat client running, but I've played a bit with D-Rats (DStar type software that will run over IP and let you exchange files, chat and do email as well as display on a map (kinda need internet to fill in that data though). So long as a mesh router was able to see another, you were always able to link to them, even if they weren't your direct neighbor....exactly how it's supposed to work. It was good to see in practice! I believe there is an asterisk version for the Raspberry Pi...but there's also LinPhone (linux phone voip) that I'd like to test. Ultimately, line of site is the single limiting factor. A few of us are going to try for some long distance shots....but I'm in the bottom of Bradford (I really do mean the bottom!), so I don't expect anyone to link to. You are more than welcome to join in the conversation. You can head over to the YRARC.org website and find the special interests page, or join the YRARC yahoo group (need to be a paid member for that one). I'm hoping either this forum will be a good place to exchange info, or perhaps another medium.... My email is my call @ gmail.com Cheers Steve VA3SRV
IP Logged
 Subject :Re:Toronto / York Region Introduction.. 2013-05-08- 02:51:18 
VA7WPN
Member
Joined: 2013-04-29- 12:21:43
Posts: 60
Location: BC, Canada
 
Im on the .350 machine all the time, well... Between 0430-0700 and again at 1500-1700 Monday to Friday, and some weekends. So you have a pretty good chance of hitting me there.
IP Logged
 Subject :Re:Re:Toronto / York Region Introduction.. 2013-07-01- 04:33:22 
VE3FAX
Member
Joined: 2012-10-03- 02:27:36
Posts: 6
Location: York Region (Toronto) Ontario
 


Hi Eric,

Just checking to confirm you have been speaking to our MESH guys by email and in person. ( I think we met at the  past York Region Public Safty Day)

If not, let me know via email. 

To update, we have equipped our Emcomm Trailer with a Mesh node and have demonstrated data/video linking at the York Region Public Safty Awaness Event.

Some members have a Working MESH, however distance seems to be too far between  current users. Additional Gain antennae and RF power options are being investigated. 

73 

Greg VA3VFO



[VA3EAM 2012-10-18- 02:410]:

Hi Greg. Name is Eric and callsign is VA3EAM. Wondering if you guys would be interested in continuing the MESH to the east to include Durham Region. I am in Oshawa.

IP Logged
DC to Daylight. Most active on HF, 6&2 metres and Meteor Scatter, WSJT, WSPR.

Actively working on HSMM a set-up for FN04gf and FN04fc.

For more info see VE3VFO and VE3FAX at QRZ.COM

73 de Greg
 Subject :Re:Toronto / York Region Introduction.. 2014-02-15- 09:26:49 
ve3ebc
Member
Joined: 2014-02-10- 23:51:01
Posts: 4
Location
Hello all. Just up loaded the firmware to the router so there will be a mesh node at Pape and Danforth area in the GTA. Looking outside...it might not go up 'till spring. HI HI
IP Logged
 Subject :Re:Toronto / York Region Introduction.. 2014-05-11- 16:52:33 
VA3IGD
Member
Joined: 2014-01-16- 19:27:19
Posts: 2
Location: Thorold, Ontario
 
Check with Rod, ve3soy, for updates from niagara, etc..
IP Logged
 Subject :Re:Toronto / York Region Introduction.. 2014-11-07- 05:53:51 
VA3GMT
Member
Joined: 2014-11-01- 15:50:53
Posts: 1
Location

Hi,

I'm VA3GMT, I'd like to connect to the mesh, I noticed that close by there are VA3DCY and VE3SHA. I'm at Hwy48 and 16th ave.

 Could you please tell me if I could connect to any of those (still operational ? )

What settings do I need ? IP address ?

I have a WRT54GS ver3, I already upgraded the soft.


Thanks a lot,

VA3GMT - Felix

IP Logged
 Subject :Re:Re:Toronto / York Region Introduction.. 2014-11-07- 08:22:18 
va3srv
Member
Joined: 2012-10-30- 14:19:01
Posts: 9
Location



Hi Matt,

the member support never materialized with the YRARC group, though we do still use Mesh in our Emergency Prepardness.

I believe the two folks you reference had/have mesh gear, but don't know if they're still online...or what firmware they're running  

contact me offline and I'll put you in touch.

i can do the propagation path checks too.


va3srv



[VA3GMT 2014-11-07- 05:53:51]:

Hi,

I'm VA3GMT, I'd like to connect to the mesh, I noticed that close by there are VA3DCY and VE3SHA. I'm at Hwy48 and 16th ave.

 Could you please tell me if I could connect to any of those (still operational ? )

What settings do I need ? IP address ?

I have a WRT54GS ver3, I already upgraded the soft.


Thanks a lot,

VA3GMT - Felix


IP Logged
Page # 


Powered by ccBoard


SPONSORED AD: