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 Subject :VirtualWalkieTalkie - andro iX.. 2013-11-11- 04:02:16 
AC0LV
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Joined: 2013-10-19- 10:52:49
Posts: 9
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Has anyone looked into the android app listed in the subject?

Info can be found here.  Might this be an easy way to get voice connectivity over a mesh using smartphones connected to the mesh through WAPs vs going the VOIP route?

Bill AC0LV
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 Subject :Re:VirtualWalkieTalkie - andro iX.. 2013-11-11- 06:46:08 
AC0LV
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Joined: 2013-10-19- 10:52:49
Posts: 9
Location: 
So I did a little more experimenting and this app appears to work just fine for voice communication over a Hamnet mesh. Here is what I tried. My mesh includes two nodes. Each node has an additional Linksys router (non-mesh compatible) that is set up as an access point and it connected lan-lan to the mesh node. My mesh does not have an internet connection. I then used two android devices to login to each of the WAPs. On one of the android devices I made note of the IP address assigned by the mesh node, started the WalkieTalkie server and set the Host (found in the app Options setting) to 127.0.0.1 and applied the changes. On the other android device I set the Host = the IP address assigned to the first android device by the mesh. I set the channel to 1 on both devices. Using the PTT button on the app I can communicate between the two android devices. Of course you are limited to the range of the WAP the android device is connected to but this would be no different than using a VOIP softphone or a hardwired IP phone. More network savvy types could probably get a cleaner solution using the provided Java server, a dynamic DNS provider and port forwarding to setup a static named server for users. If someone can figure that out and post how to do the setups it might make for a good application note. Bill AC0LV
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 Subject :Re:VirtualWalkieTalkie - andro iX.. 2013-11-16- 15:14:56 
kg5us
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Joined: 2013-10-01- 20:50:29
Posts: 4
Location: San Antonio, TX
I think this is would be very important thing for the mesh to offer in the immediate aftermath of a major disaster, when cellphones and landlines are down. I think it's a killer app if non-ham responders are encouraged to have the WalkieTalkie software pre-loaded into their smartphones. I suspect that it would create a huge demand for hams to set up meshes with hotspots distributed over the disaster area because it allows non-hams to directly make us of the mesh. All responders need to do is get within range of a hotspot, and they can then direct-dial any other responder who is within range of any other hotspot. I would think that the Operations section would keep the hams in the Logistics section busy adding links to the mesh so that they could more easily communicate with personnel everywhere in the response area. Automobile-based, mobile hotspots could accompany teams on missions to provide communications capability among team members even when the automobile is temporarily disconnected from the general mesh. Allowing non-ham responders to use their personal smartphones to communicate sounds like a big win to me. Great idea! - Ned, KG5US
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