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 Subject :Getting Started.. 2012-03-16- 05:10:42 
ve3tsa
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Joined: 2012-03-01- 14:55:45
Posts: 12
Location: Owen Sound, On
 
Getting Started

The goal on my end it to introduce mesh to the hams in our area by presenting a “show and tell” at our next meeting. To this end I will need to get both of my newly installed routers communication (I see they are communicating but have not done anything with the configuration other than the default) and be able to demonstrate some useful application to the group. Our group is probably not much different from yours, mostly older guys but they do know something of packet and other digital modes but they know nothing about routers and mesh other than what I have told them. We are also interested in ARES and are always looking for ways to improve emergency preparedness.

So having two setups available I would like to be able to send a simple message back and forth over the mesh and any other neat thing I would not be aware of. My research has introduced me with irc and tunneling, mail servers and apache but my knowledge isn’t great, but I didn’t know anything about compiling with linux a month ago either.

From a new users perspective, your website does a good job of getting the firmware onto the router, but after that we newbies need more help. At least a standard “quick start” to get us going so we can present it to others. Obviously, one ham with a mesh node serves no useful purpose, we need the others to make it work.

I intend to do my part, I will make a new page on our website to explain it to the locals. I have some APRS info there now ...  www.gbarc.ca

Tom VE3TSA/VA3TS
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 Subject :Re:Getting Started.. 2012-03-20- 15:19:17 
ve3tsa
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Joined: 2012-03-01- 14:55:45
Posts: 12
Location: Owen Sound, On
 

Doesn't anyone have any comments or suggestions? I am looking for some help to demonstarte this to our group, what did you do when you started out?  Sorry but I'm not a computer networking guy so there are lots I don't know. Any information/links would be appreciated ....  73

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 Subject :Re:Getting Started.. 2012-03-20- 17:23:13 
KD5MFW
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Joined: 2010-01-18- 23:02:11
Posts: 104
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Do a Google search for "Wireless Networking in the developing World" and download the free book. Read through it and it will help with microwave information as well as handy networking information. All applies to ham mesh networking. For the software, use the firmware and related documentation on the hsmm-mesh.org web site. The book is a great help. -Glenn KD5MFW
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 Subject :Re:Re:Getting Started.. 2012-03-22- 04:20:07 
kc2ugv
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Joined: 2012-03-22- 08:28:17
Posts: 9
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A lot of this project entails a bit of "self-starting", I can see.  Ham radio, being a tiny sub-segment of the population, containing an even tinier sub-segment interested.


However, what exactly are you looking for help with?  Configuration?  Network design?  Antenna set up?




[ve3tsa 2012-03-20- 15:19:17]:

Doesn't anyone have any comments or suggestions? I am looking for some help to demonstarte this to our group, what did you do when you started out?  Sorry but I'm not a computer networking guy so there are lots I don't know. Any information/links would be appreciated ....  73


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 Subject :Re:Getting Started.. 2012-03-26- 10:00:39 
ve3tsa
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Joined: 2012-03-01- 14:55:45
Posts: 12
Location: Owen Sound, On
 
I put what I was/am trying to do as the first post in this thread. I'm not sure how I could elaborate more. I have been reading over the info from Glenn.
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 Subject :Re:Re:Getting Started.. 2012-03-27- 01:03:33 
kc2ugv
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Joined: 2012-03-22- 08:28:17
Posts: 9
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I understand your goal, but what I don't see is what specifically do you need assistance with?


* Initial Set up?

* Server configuration for various applications?

* Network design?

etc etc



[ve3tsa 2012-03-26- 10:00:39]:

I put what I was/am trying to do as the first post in this thread. I'm not sure how I could elaborate more. I have been reading over the info from Glenn.

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 Subject :Re:Getting Started.. 2012-03-27- 05:59:27 
ve3tsa
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Joined: 2012-03-01- 14:55:45
Posts: 12
Location: Owen Sound, On
 
"Ham radio, being a tiny sub-segment of the population, containing an even tinier sub-segment interested." Maybe there is a reason the interest is not there. If hams can't get started, and asking for help seems to just generate more questions, then I might as well put aprs on the routers and move on ... 73
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 Subject :Re:Getting Started.. 2012-03-29- 12:35:11 
NT5LA
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Joined: 2012-03-09- 17:24:37
Posts: 26
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Hi Tom, The first thing I did was to set up a IRC server. IRC is Internet Relay Chat. you can then open up a chat room and any node connected to a computer can join the Chat. I used this in my Demonstration to show the guys around here how it works. I found all the information on this website and the VI editor website @ http://www.cs.colostate.edu/helpdocs/vi.html. The IRC client that worked good for me was XChat also a free download. This was a fun project and showed how all the nodes could communicate across the mesh. Hope this helps some Andrew NT5LA
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 Subject :Re:Getting Started.. 2012-03-29- 14:38:51 
W5LMM
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Joined: 2012-02-13- 18:18:04
Posts: 126
Location: Albuquerque, NM
 
Andrew, Does the IRC server run on the Node?? That would be great!
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 Subject :Re:Getting Started.. 2012-03-29- 14:43:39 
NT5LA
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Joined: 2012-03-09- 17:24:37
Posts: 26
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yes it does. "http://hsmm-mesh.org/applications-for-the-mesh/118-internet-relay-chat-irc.html"
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 Subject :Re:Getting Started.. 2012-03-29- 19:41:35 
W5LMM
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Joined: 2012-02-13- 18:18:04
Posts: 126
Location: Albuquerque, NM
 

Thanks!  Now that IS awesome!   It should be a standard option that could be put on one node of a mesh.

Great way for general messaging/chat and file transfer.


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 Subject :Re:Getting Started.. 2012-03-30- 00:45:36 
NT5LA
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Joined: 2012-03-09- 17:24:37
Posts: 26
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I agree, One thing that I do want to work on soon is to get the server put on to all my nodes and have them work together in case one node goes down the next server node can pick right up and carry on.
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 Subject :Re:Getting Started.. 2012-04-01- 05:51:38 
ve3tsa
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Joined: 2012-03-01- 14:55:45
Posts: 12
Location: Owen Sound, On
 
Thanks for the help Andrew, I'll give this a try ..73 Tom
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 Subject :Re:Getting Started.. 2012-04-01- 07:10:07 
NT5LA
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Joined: 2012-03-09- 17:24:37
Posts: 26
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I had trouble finding the file that the article talks about, But I finally did find it email me if you can't find it. astephens0@Comcast.net
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 Subject :Re:Getting Started.. 2012-05-15- 07:44:45 
KU8L
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Joined: 2012-05-14- 17:57:26
Posts: 4
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I am also just getting started here.  It seems this would be a effective way to run a remote controlled station where the remote site otherwise doesn't have access to the i-net.


My first direction is for a dedicated link for a video monitor of a RV in storage facility 2 miles away.


Also would be perfect for long range nest cameras or other wildlife monitoring devices.


I should have a main i-net connected node up at height in a couple of weeks here in EN82.


Curt

KU8L

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 Subject :Re:Getting Started.. 2012-05-15- 07:47:44 
KU8L
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Joined: 2012-05-14- 17:57:26
Posts: 4
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I am also just getting started here.  It seems this would be a effective way to run a remote controlled station where the remote site otherwise doesn't have access to the i-net.


My first direction is for a dedicated link for a video monitor of a RV in storage facility 2 miles away.


Also would be perfect for long range nest cameras or other wildlife monitoring devices.


I should have a main i-net connected node up at height in a couple of weeks here in EN82.


Curt

KU8L

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 Subject :Re:Getting Started.. 2012-06-30- 12:25:35 
w8iss
Member
Joined: 2012-01-17- 07:29:35
Posts: 42
Location: Lincoln Park, MI - EN82jg
Hello Curtis and group. First off, got a 54g ver 2 the other day and promptly uploaded the firmware and then proceeded to mess it up. Set it up as a meshAP instead of a meshnode. Got that fixed this morning after finding another posting in the forum :) Curtis, how far are you along on your end of the project? By qrz.com, I am only 12 air miles from you which does NOT mean we can link unless conditions are more than perfect. It would be interesting if I could drive up that way and see if my node will connect with yours. James W8ISS
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