Before you set up a mesh node at a fixed location, consider getting a free copy of inSSIDer wi-fi survey software that will work on a windows PC with a wi-fi adapter.  It will show you what else is on the air there.

A Google search for inSSIDer will find the down-load location for you.  It is informative and fun to watch.   -KD5MFW

If you really feel a RF amp is needed for your link, you might consider using a Hawking hi-gain hsb2 wifi signal booster.  It runs off of 12 VDC.  It is a bi-directional amp - both tx and rx and it auto switches as needed.  There are a variety of similar RF amps available.  Be sure you are real clear on what it is you want to do before choosing one.  With good directional antennas we regularly link 10 miles at will with NO RF amps using the WRT54G.  One of the biggest fears of the weak signal hams is for the HSMM hams putting a bunch of RF amps on the air when they may not be needed, and raising the noise floor for all.  The system can be used many ways, try to get by with as little power as you can and still hold the link.  KD5MFW

VERY good info.  I read about the 5vdc and I plan to make a supply out of a LM2576 regulator and a few other components as a regular 7805 will not handle the amperage with any extra overhead.

Test of Linksys WSB24 (1/4 Watt)

The signal booster appears to be two independent, non switched, amplifiers.

* Receive preamp output overloads and outputs spurs at –20 dBm input.

Left rear is transmit, Right rear is Receive.

Caution: The unit is powered with 5 volts. Twelve volts will blow unit.

I ran some sites through http://cs9splat.ecok.edu and I'm confused by the results. Splat reported the results at the bottom of this post.

The comment there were no obstructions to the LOS path seemed to indicate that a connection was possible with the previously entered heights but the second comment seems to say that height needs to be increased to 132 to clear the first fresnel zone. Then the last comment seems to say that only 62 feet is needed to clear the fresnel zone. Obviously, I don't understand what to make of this. Can someone please explain what this means? I can't tell if attempting this link is a realistic effort.

Thanks,

Mark KV4I

No obstructions to LOS path due to terrain were detected by SPLAT!

Antenna at HHMCDB must be raised to at least 132.00 feet AGL
to clear the first Fresnel zone.

Antenna at HHMCDB must be raised to at least 62.00 feet AGL
to clear 600f the first Fresnel zone.

I have several nodes that are now setup and taking to each other ( as indicated by being able to access the web interfaces of each of the nodes across the network).

I need help in how to set up PCs (both Windows and Linux) to access and exchange files and forms between the PCs connected on the mesh networks (typical field application).

I also would like to access an IP camera attached to the network (Airlink101 SkyIPCam 250W).

A basic start from scratch assumming nothing set of instructions would be appreciated.

I would like to setup a demonstration using this and share this with the Atlanta-HSMM-MESH group.

Thanks in advance for your help.

73,
Jerome
WD4CWG

The Manatee Amateur Radio Club just started building one.

Anyone in or around the Sarasota Florida area willing to start up a HSMM-Mesh group? Looking at starting to setup a few nodes, anyone else want to come on board? Lets gets it rolling. Also willing to meet somewhere in town to discuss getting it going.

Eric...KD4MZM...

email me at my call at arrl.net

The Linksys signal booster mentioned does boost the signal a bit, but as it comes out of the booster, one antenna is TX only and the other is RX only.    A quick search with Google of the model number will bring up a diagram showing the basics of what are in the box.

Unless your specific configuration can make good use of different TX and RX antennas, this booster could be more trouble than it is worth.  No diversity mode with this unit.

-Glenn, KD5MFW

I'm curios about this as well.  I have a Linksys WSB 824 amp.  Will the firmware max be enough to drive this amp or will it overdrive it?

I had planned to do a 24db mesh on one side and a omni antenna on the other.  Hoping the omni will

help out locally and the dish will be the hop to the next one east towards Atlanta.

Thanks!

Ronny

K4RJJ

Linksys WSB 824 Wireless Signal Booster

Are these really any good and can they be tweaked to perform better on the

TX as well as the RX side?  I just bought one and when it gets here I'll try to do some

tests but I wonder how others have used these?  If you turn off diversity does it up the power on one side or is this just a brick amp?

I had hoped to place this in a weather tight case on the new club tower with a WRT54GL and one or two antennas.

Anything on these would help.  Thanks!

Ronny

K4RJJ

It took me most of the day to locate a free peer to peer video chat program that didn't require a server or Internet access. I was looking for something that would allow one PC user to video chat with another PC user over a closed network using an IP address or computer name for routing. I used to do this with Netmeeting years ago but Netmeeting isn't compatible with my Windows 7 64 bit PC.

I finally found FocusPhone at http://focusmedia.ru/prod_phone_en.htm It looks promising. Is anyone using any other free peer to peer Video chat software that they can recommend?

73 Mark KV4I

Hello, wanted to take the time to introduce myself. Name here is Dave, been reading the site for about a week now, today I was able to get the first node up and running at the QTH and have plans to get a couple more up as well.

I am planning on having a node in the vehicle for mobile operations, I will also so some testing with VOIP by using open source software, with downloads of the clients hosted on a server. I am in the process of building some antenna's and hope to have many more updates as it progresses.

Thank You for the hard work everyone is doing on the development side.

Dave