The serial port(s) pinout is posted online, and a google search should find it easily (google "WRT54G Srial pinout"). Its a standard .10 pitch 2x5 IDC header layout. Just need to plug the 2x5 IDC black header onto it, OR, like I do, and solder directly. The header makes it convenient if you have to take the covers off/board out.

BUT...

To hook to a standard PC serial port, you will need whats called a Level Shifter.

PC serial works at about 12VDC, whereas the WRT's serials are 3.3/3.5, so you need to have a level shifter in between

Also, COM1 is, by default, the console output, so if you only need 1 port, connect to COM2's pins and make things a bit easier.

KTF

One important consideration is that the high gain antennas have narrow angles in the signal patterns.   2.4 GHz antennas even more so than VHF or lower frequencies.

Depending on how it's mounted, you may have problems with torsional vibrations.  i.e. the antenna turns in a right left pattern in the wind.  It sometimes helps to have some separate guys on the end of the antenna itself in a V pattern in order to keep it from twisting in the wind.

Jim,

That was a simple explanation and worked perfectly. I am a mesh noobie but was able to hook my laptop to one router, the internet to a second and remotely connect to the second and make the changes to the WAN port. After the reboot I had internet!

Now I just need to figure out how to access the serial port on my router. I have a few more people interested in the mesh and grand plans on how to implement it locally.

tnx agn,

Jim

WA2RJP

I am preparing to use mesh nodes to support communications at an event held in a remote location in Utah's west desert. The nodes will be several miles apart, so high gain antennas will be a necessity. Has anyone figured out a good, inexpensive, portable way to mount antennas and nodes? I have experimented with mounting an antenna and node near the end of an 8' piece of 1 1/4" PVC pipe. This works reasonably well, but I'm concerned that it will be difficult to secure the guy lines needed to hold it up in the very sandy soil out in the desert. It would work better if I didn't have the weight of the router at the top of the pipe along with the antenna, but otherwise I have to use a longer feed line and deal with the losses that introduces. I'd be interested in solutions any of you have come up with, or even hearing about things you have tried that didn't work so I can learn from your experience.

Thanks,

Brad / N7EGO

Technically it is possible to run a VPN on HSM-MESH(tm).  We can help with technical questions. 

Only someone empowered to interpret and enforce the FCC rules could offer a definitive answer.  So people offering opinions with no legal standing, is of limited value.  Therefore we limit such discussions.  Please see  the message regarding legal issues on the home page of this web site.

Thanks for your cooperation.

-Glenn

KD5MFW

I have seen several references to VPN's on HSMM both here and elsewhere.  My question is, while it is technically feasible, and even with the right background trivial, is it strictly legal with our HAM licenses?  I was under the impression we were not able to encrypt communications, and I don't know how you get any more encrypted than on a VPN.

Any thoughts?

I ordered a grid last night. Now I need a good omni...any good ideas? I just got an email from the shipper. Out of stuck. They hope to ship within 30 days.

(Edited)

Mike, were you ever able to make this function on the same node?  It seems your experience implies n+1 nodes are needed, which is important to know in advance.

Mesh is great but not so easy for non-IT administrators to actually use for all the subtleties and assumed knowledge the layman lacks.

I know there are 2 serial ports in the WRT54G router. If I do the mod to bring one out of the router how do I access it? Does the mesh firmware have a way to do it already or do I need to add something to it? My idea is to use the mesh to access a repeater controller and possibly a port on a packet node. I am a linux noob but willing to learn.

tnx,

Jim

I searched a war-driving database for HSMM-MESH and imported the results here.  I just put the location and last date it was seen by somebody uploading to the database.  I'm sure it's nowhere near complete but it surprised me how many nodes were spotted.  I imported the data to google drive and shared the data set with maps.  You can view the results here: https://www.google.com/fusiontables/DataSource?docid=185e7xGGp3Nx94sbtrFmKrmdoE1hrmbC2tm9rgFY

I uploaded a picture from the map the link generates.

Attachments
 HSMM-MESH.jpg [71 KB] ::

There is definitely a buzz in Phoenix about HSMM-MESH.  Several new HSMM-MESH nodes are now operational with many more planned.  A concentrated effort is underway to begin connecting the nodes.

Anyone interested in getting involved in the Phoenix metropolitan area can tune to 442.70 MHz, PL 77, repeater at South Mountain where John (AC7PH) can be found or to 146.520s MHz simplex where Woody (K7CQX) and Brent (N7SKV) often monitor.

KG7ANL

Keep in mind that the WRT-54G version 1 only takes 5 volts and will be damaged by 12 V.

I vaguely remember someone saying that the 12 V versions of the router would take a fairly wide voltage range, including more than 12 V.

This page seems to indicate 4-16 V supply is OK, but there's such a wide range of hardware for the 54G series that I wouldn't take that as true for all models without further verification.