HSMMMesh
So as I stated, HSMM-Mesh is my current field of interest.
Status:
- Current primary node (KC2SDS-101) is a WRT-54GS with hamchat as a service. It's next home is in a portable go-box/digital workstation including a Raspberry Pi, a UV-5R HT, a USB GPS puck, USB Hub, USB sound dongle, a KF5INZ EasyDigi board, and some misc support stuff like a 12v-5v 6 amp converter, 12v SLA batteries, a charger, inverter, power strip, antennas, adapters, cables, and maybe there'll be some room for snacks. The Raspberry Pi can run as it's own mesh node, tho I have it's wifi adapter configured as an access point and connect to it via laptop to run xastir.
Some Reasons:
- Ham-friendly price (CHEAP!!!) Used Linksys WRT-54G routers are under $50, often less. When the code gets ported to Ubiquiti's Bullet ( http://ubnt.com/bullet ), the price doesn't change much, but the capabilities will be amazing.
- Mesh networking is an area where amateur radio can do ground-breaking research into technologies that can trickle-down to average people and cause paradigm shifts in communications.
- Two Words - Antenna Design
- One Acronym - EMCOMMS
- I'll admit to loving the idea of technologies that can supplant wireless telecom corporations.
- This is an opportunity to bring new people into amateur radio with exciting experimental technology at an affordable price.
- Echolink, IRLP, and D-Star users will be able to take pride in their 100% FCC Part 97 RF usage.
Research:
- OLSR http://olsr.org/ is the current mesh protocol being used for HSMM-Mesh. We can help test and improve OLSR, optimize it for amateur radio, investigate and develop other protocols, and generally collect performance data.
- What are we supposed to do with all this bandwidth, and what client software do we use? There are so many alternatives, but it should be cross-platform. Some wifi hardware has enough RAM to be able to store some tiny apps, or PBBS-like servers with chat rooms.
- Imagine a CW keyer with LCD display, antenna, ethernet, CW key, and power connectors. Stick a Bullet and some arduino goodness in a box, add a display and a few buttons and we've got a portable HSMM CW rig! Imagine using a CW key for terminal input! Sounds a little steampunk!
- The Austin and Dallas HSMM groups have wireless cams for some of their nodes, and that reminds me of SSTV and ATV. With the bandwidth we have to work with, we can do SSTV, ATV, ADV, and D-ATV without much of the expense. Client software may be an issue, or current software could be modified to work over the network.
- Remote rig control over HSMM is so hamsexy!
