My outdoor weatherproof node is finally finished! I have a 16db gain directional and a 8.5db omni on a 21 foot pole in the back yard and its ready for action.

If anyone else in the SF South Bay Area sets up a node with directional antennas let me know and we can try aiming our nodes at each other.

Here are a few photos of my node as I assembled it and after it went up the pole.

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I only use RM Online now. I have about 30+ Central Texas sites saved in my account, almost as many links, and it seems somewhat accurate.

2310 is the best freq to use in the online version (close enough for our work). He blocks the Wifi Chicken Band (2.4) on purpose.

Its a bit of a task to run checks on paths, you have to setup each site, then go in and create the link between 2 sites.

But what IS cool is, you can export your sites to a CSV file for others to import, and if you go into MULTIPLE LINKS, highlight all the links you have created (click the 1st, shift-click the last), then it will draw out a nice map of all the sites and links. It will have lines between sites that you can click on to get the individual cross-section picture of that link.But if you see you want a link between 2 sites that you havent made a link for, then you have to go do it manually (when Im seriously playing with it, Ill have 3 browser windows open, each on a different segment of the site, to make it more efficient)

KTF

KC8UD,

Hey it looks like you and I are only about 7miles from each other, Across the Pax. Refuge.  I would think we should be able to have our networks talk to each other. 

Email me direct KB3LZV at Gmail.com and we can work on it.   

Murray

Check your Java/Javascript settings in your browser.

The map is working. In fact I added your node earlier... :-)

KTF

Well you inadvertently stumbled into the recently released project.

The airGrid unit by Ubiquiti is an antenna and radio built into one package.

If you are just looking for an antenna for the WRT54 than it would not be the right fit and you should look for an antenna only unit. You should not have much trouble locating antennas as this band has lots of equipment available. Most antennas are roughly the same depending on what you are looking for.

If you are looking for an all in one unit that can be set outside, with no feed line losses and no need to build a weatherproof enclosure for the radio than that is when Ubiquiti gear is more useful.

...but, I'm new and learning. 

I've got several GL routers set up and working - like 14 of them...all communicating on the broadband network.  Now its time to purchase a high gain antenna for experimentation with a neighboring ham.  I'm about to order the Ubiquiti Airmax Grid 2.4 Ghz, 20 dbi, antenna for starters.

Now, looking at this antenna it appears that you plug the Cat5 cable directly into the antenna.  Here's the "dumb" question - does this cat5 cable plug into my GL router at one of the two antennas on the back or what? 

Also, the specs on the antenna says its an "antenna and radio".  If I have GL router, isn't THAT the radio?  So maybe this antenna isn't what I need. 

I can not appear to get the Googlemapped Mesh Nodes to work.   Anyone else having this problem?

Haven't decided what to do with encrypted protocols yet - but I did read up on the package that disables them.  If the map is correct I'm the second node in my state (MN) and the only within 68 miles.  So nothing to connect to yet. A few other local hams and I are trying to string up something that works. 

I may need to figure out how to set up an internet tunnel just to have some activity.

I'm forwarding through all ports but 80 right now.  

I know some other locals (still probably not local enough to connect to) are using openwrt directly. 

We'll see.

KC0LQL

Sounds like you are doing it right 

Assuming your computer does get an new IP address after it has been flashed to BBHN (interface status should show an ip in 192.168.1.x )  it sounds like your not getting dns info in dhcp.  Some computers have settings that prevent picking up of an IP address.

try: http://192.168.1.1:8080 instead of http://localnode:8080 

HSMM-Mesh with Raspberry Pi.

I followed the directions from http://kb9mwr.blogspot.com/2013/08/hsmm-mesh-on-raspberry-pi.html to install HSMM-Mesh on my Raspberry Pi.

 It appears to work but I can't see either of my other two nodes on Linksys Routers.

 On my main Linksys the setings are as follows:

 Node Name: W4RS-01

Type: Mesh Node

 WIFI

Proto: static

IP: 10.197.235.151

Mask: 255.0.0.0

SSID: BroadbandHamnet-v1

Adhoc

1

LAN

Lanmode: 5 host direct

IP: 10.47.92.185

Mask: 255.255.255.248

DHCP (ticked)

Start: 186

End: 190

WAN

DHCP

DNS1: 8.8.8.8

DNS2: 8.8.4.4

On the Raspberry PI:

WIFI

Proto: static

IP: 10.198.98.8

Netmask: 255.0.0.0

SSID: BroadbandHamnet-v1(changed to be the same as the Linksys

Adhoc

1

LAN

mode: 5 host dmz

IP: 10.51.16.65

Mask: 255.255.255.248

DHCP (ticked)

Start: 66

End: 70

WAN

Proto: DHCP

DNS1: 8.8.8.8

DNS2: 8.8.4.4

i am using an ALFA awus036nh USB WiFi antenna.

 What am I missing to get this device to show/connect to the other 2 or my routers and the other HSMM routers in the neighborhood?  (there are 5 total)

Thanks

Dick

I recently acquired an Andrews Parabolic Grid 24dBi 2.4Ghz antenna, used.  The reflector place on the end of the feed horn was slightly bent out of shape (almost flat).  Does anyone have one of these, or, know what the proper angle that this needs to be bend to?

Thanks,

K5DLQ - Darryl, Magnolia, TX

I actually made my adapters myself by cutting apart the little stock antennas that come with the linksys routers and soldering the proper N-type connectors to coax cable built into the little stock antennas. It took a bit of work but seems to work fine. The other option is Amazon, Ebay, or some other online retailer. 

If you happen to find a place that carries them locally please post on here where you found them.

Thanks!

Thanks I'll have to try one of those. Frys didn't pan out. They only have tnc to N,  but I need reverse tnc,  which is...  Backwards.   Yesh...    I'll call tomorrow.  I'm going to guess Ham Radio outlet will be the best bet. 

If you can't find the right connectors at frys you might try one of these stores in the area: 

HSC Electronic Supply

3500 Ryder St

Santa Clara

WeirdStuff Warehouse

384 W Caribbean Dr.

Sunnyvale

Ham Radio Outlet

510 Lawrence Expy. Unit 102

Sunnyvale