Well thanks for pointing that out. I still wont answere to it! :P

Using the path profile you sent and looking at the City of Austin Restrictions, I think a 35ish foot tower would work. I just need to check power lines and a couple of other details.

Links:

http://www.ctdxcc.org/localregs/austin.shtml

http://www.heywhatsthat.com/profiler-0904.html

Shan, you DO know that the KF5-One-Horned-Unicorn will still follow you the rest of your days, right? :-P

If you go to http://www.qrz.com/db/w9red and then click DETAIL tab, and look down under OTHER CALLSIGNS.......

:-)

Welcome to the group.

Now you just need to get a node outside where you can hit others/vice versa. Maybe I will loan you one of my dishes (and push up pole) to test with, and see who you can hit. Oh wait, you can borrow it AFTER KF5MFL tests with it. I promised him first ( a month or so ago :-)  )

73

KTF

  Howdy guys just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Shan and I have a new addiction. :P Luckily it has not cost me too much so far, but if K5KTF and KF5MFL keep pushing me, that may change. As for the call-sign, I am a Texan born and raised, but there was no options ending in Red for this region, so I chose one that did. My online identity is usually Mr.Red, so I am kind of partial to it! :D

I currently have 2 mesh nodes up and running, although I can not currently connect to anyone else. Right now I have the generic 7dbi antenna attached and it is sitting in my upstairs bedroom near 183 and 35 in North Austin. I hope to improve on that in the near future. The one is already modified for USB, but I have yet to do anything with that portion. I also have two more Linksys units to build nodes out of, but I haven’t gotten around to it yet.

I just got my license in Feb of this year so I am still a complete noob. As time and money allows, that will change. :D

VERY interesting thread.

https://forum.openwrt.org/viewtopic.php?pid=11712

I tried DMZ and ports, no go. So I backed off and just want to start by linking two computers together via two mesh nodes. I can see both mesh nodes from both computers, (Ie; access the set up screens of the two nodes in any direction, BUT can not connect the two computers together?

I was able to add the access point to a mesh node, have that node rj-45 connected to my laptop and then use another computer to connect via the mesh/wifi access point, that lets me connect the two computers together.

This is what I want to end up with;

Mesh node hardwired to computer one. Mesh node and access point together farther away, so many can access the Webmail server I have on computer one, via this stand alone Mesh access point, that sees the MESH node at computer one.

This stuff is really hard to explain in a forum, sigh.  Thanks

-----------------Update..

Did manage to get 2 mesh nodes to connect 2 computers. You were right, It was DMZ, I set them both up for 1 DMZ. Now I can access the WebMail server on the other computer. Also Internet is being passed OK.

But still can't get a mesh access point to at the far end to allow me to connect through the mesh network.  So close.............

---------

And final update, got it...................

I put mesh nodes back to NAT and just made sure IP of each other computer was entered as a DMZ.

Both are 172.27.0.5 Set each to reserve those IP's

Changed MESH node IP to 172.27.0.25

2 computers and 2 mesh nodes, (one with attached mesh node access point).

Configured and working the winlink webmail server laptop as wi-fi from 1/2 block away with stock antennas. Sending internet with no issues.

So thus ends this saga, fun stuff.

Mike, adios

Hi Mike,

With what you have provided, sounds like a port-forwarding issue.

Are you trying to reach the PC that is hanging off the AP wifi?

I would double check the port forward settings (or DMZ) on the node that is attached to the PC you are trying to get to.

Jim

K5KTF

I have two MESH nodes configured and two computers talking to each other over this network.

I then took a MESH/AP, (stand alone), and have the same thing with a MESH wi-fi AP. Both computers wireless at this point, MESH nodes out of line.

Now I take the MESH/AP, (piggy back), to one of the MESH nodes via RJ-45, so that I can place the AP some distance from my primary computer, (MESH node direct connect), and have access to the other computer via wi-fi. One computer is direct connect to a MESH node, other access via the wi-fi AP/MESH node remote package.

My problem is while the MESH AP sees the two mesh nodes and I can access the control panels. I can not access the other computer via the MESH wi-fi. I have read several of the forum postings and docs, but no success.

Any info would be helpful.

Thanks............

Great job, Tom! 

The reason there arent any other nodes on the map up your way is no one from north of the border (except the gent over in Anchorage) has given me their coordinates yet. There may be other maple leaf meshers, but I just havent heard from them yet.

If you email the Lat/Lon direct to me (off forum @ jim@k5ktf.com, prefer XX.xxxxx/XX.xxxxx format) with the node name(s), etc, Ill be sure to plug them in and get your spot on the map.

 73

Jim

K5KTF

Today Ii flashed a wrt54gs with mesh and am setting out to configure it and get it working. I have a second wrt54gs to do the same with and set up a small network here in my shack. The idea being is to get familiar enough with it so i can present it at our next club meeting. Several I have talked to are interested but there is nothing like a demonstration. So perhaps I am the first mesh node in Canada, I had a look at the google map on this site and I didn't see any other Canadian nodes. Our club website is www.gbarc.ca and we are always glad to have others drop by. It wasn't too long ago a group of us were reminiscing about the good old days of packet, easy 2 way contacts. We had since moveed on the aprs but the old Kam sitting on the shelf was always a reminder of it. Then I discovered mesh.... this sounds like packet on steroids. So we are excited to try this out and get it going, thanks for the efforts put forth by those who wrote the software. I'll let you know how we make out. (Likely be back to ask a few questions  hi)

73  Tom ve3tsa / va3ts

I bought a USR 5461 device to pair with an existing WRT54GL to begin my testing with HSMM-MESH. I looked on the software download page, saw the USR 5461 model, and off to ebay I went to procure one. I didn't do enough research on the model after seeing it on the software download page, and it seems to me this device, and all versions of USR 5461 have only 2MB flash, and cannot run HSMM-MESH. Below are my findings, and what I have done, attempting to get the firmware loaded.

1. Used USR web interface to upload the 2.8mb firmware image, router reaches approx 70%, firmware upgrade fails.

2. Downloaded DD-WRT Micro_Generic, snatched first 28 bytes of USR firmware file, dropped it into the beginning of the DD-WRT generic bin file. Uploaded via USR web interface. Router now running DD-WRT. Checked flash size in DD-WRT (to see if maybe router has a 4mb flash, but is artificially limited by USR firmware), shows 2mb, of course, HSMM-MESH firmware upload fails.

3. Opened up router to inspect flash chip, it is an MX brand 29lv160cbtc-70g 2mb flash. The SOC has no embedded flash, and there are no other flash chips in it, so this router has 2mb flash. The firmware image for HSMM-MESH is 2.8mb. 

After extensive research last night and today, I have determined that USR never made a 5461 model router (5461/5461A) with 4mb flash, so this router has never been, nor will it ever be capable of running HSMM-MESH. 

Am I missing something stupid or obvious, or do we actually have a build for a device that can never run it? Has anyone else tried this router with HSMM-MESH? I can't be the first!

Hi Brad,

From what I have seen of the implementation, there is nothing inherent in the firmware changes that would re-class it from a part 15 to part 97. If you increase power, use antennas with sufficient gain, or go outside of the normal part 15 authorized spectrum, then you would want to consider it a part 97 device. If there are no overt changes that re-classify the device, then it appears you are free to simply assert that it is being operated as Part 97 if you so choose.

Some people claim that an HSMM-MESH node is classified as a repeater. I do not believe this to be the case since it does not meet the repeater definition of retransmitting on a different "channel". In my opinion, HSMM-MESH more closely fits the definition of a message forwarding system as described in Part 97.219. In fact, this is a preferable classification for HSMM-MESH purposes for the purposes of carrying third party traffic while in automatic control.

An important consideration is that the part 97 rules forbids an amateur station from retransmitting the signals from a non-amateur radio station [see 97.113(a)(5)(c)]. This could mean that if you are participating in a mesh with a station that is re-purposed to part 97, then the other ham NEEDS your node to be a part 97 device. This could also apply if your node is attached to your own Amateur Radio station in some way to retransmit signals message.

With all of that being said, it could be argued that these type of part 15 devices participating in a true part 97 network is not an issue since it is simply common, transparent infrastructure and they do not rise to the definition of a "radio station". Consider the case of an amateur using a Bluetooth, part 15 device, with his HT - I doubt the FCC would have any stomach for issuing a citation under part 97.113.

Also be aware that if you are operating as a Part 97 device and are retransmitting messages from other stations (as in an HSMM-MESH configuration) then you are required to authenticate the other station if you do not want to be held liable for the content of the messages you are forwarding [see 97.219(d)(1)]. The rules provide no guidance for the "authenticate" requirements but one could assume the presence of a valid call sign ID should reasonably suffice.

I am curious what others think. I hope you generate a lively thread.

- Glenn DJ0IQ and W0IQ

On the hsmm-mesh.org home page, there is a picture of a setup on a tripod.  The URL of the pictures is:

http://www.hsmm-mesh.org/images/Images1/portable_node_1.jpg

Where was this tripod found?  It looks like a great tripod for this type of setup, but I can't seem to find it anywhere.  Granted, I haven't searched very hard as I figured someone could provide the answer quickly in the forums.

Thanks,

AC7BR

At a minimum, the it should be explained in the FAQ and documentation that HSMM-MESH does not use encryption.  I too was confused by the CQ article and thought that HSMM-MESH used encryption.  This is the first time I have found anything to the contrary.

Thanks,

AC7BR