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 Subject :Hamilton.. 2013-08-29- 02:17:42 
VE3RTJ
Member
Joined: 2013-08-19- 07:21:12
Posts: 49
Location: Hamilton, Canada FN03

Hello from Steeltown. Is Hamilton still called that these days?

I've got two nodes operational, am still trying to source WRT54's to build more, but I don't have a clean line of site anywhere. In fact, I'd need a 60' tower to clear ground level in the direction of the greater GTA. I'm on the south side of town, on the wrong side of a limestone ridge on which Rymal Road is built. Hasn't bothered me for HF, in fact with a vertical it's helped.

So I'm greatly interested in tunneling, and will start playing with that once I get comfortable with the BBHN software. In the meantime, I'm scrounging through the junkbox looking for network gizmos to connect to the mesh. Got some cameras, some IP based radio interfaces, stuff.

The RAC annual meeting is at the Ancaster hamfest this year, in October. Is anyone considering setting up a demo mesh on site, or maybe some workshops? Seems the tech could use some better optics, before it fades into obscurity and all the WRT54's get shredded. Would this be a good opportunity? I've got two nodes I can bring...

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73 de Ron P. email: (callsign) *at* gmail.com
 Subject :Re:Hamilton.. 2013-09-15- 05:40:41 
VE3RRD
Member
Joined: 2013-06-19- 16:54:27
Posts: 44
Location: Barrie, Ontario
 
Toronto source for routers: http://www.techsourcecanada.ca/store/index.php They sell the WRT54G-RG which is a version made for Rogers (it is the same as the WRT54G-TM made for T-Mobile in the U.S.) This router appears to be the same as a WRT54GS and you can install the GS version of bbhn v1.0.0. For latest prices go to their website and search for the wrt54g-rg, at the moment they are selling for $12.99 (new in original box). The store I have gotten them from is at 1150 Sheppard Ave. West. The bbhn v1.0.0 upgrade instructions for the WRT54G-RG can be found at: http://www.old.barriearc.com/Files/WRT54G-RG%20upgrade%20instructions.pdf which also provides a link to a zip file containing all needed files for the upgrade. 73
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AL - VE3RRD
http://barrie-wax-group.dyndns.org
 Subject :Re:Hamilton.. 2013-09-15- 06:00:59 
VE3RTJ
Member
Joined: 2013-08-19- 07:21:12
Posts: 49
Location: Hamilton, Canada FN03

Woohoo! Thanks, Al, ordered 4. Hope their mail order is reliable, I've never dealt with them before. I've got 1 GS and really like the extra memory.

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73 de Ron P. email: (callsign) *at* gmail.com
 Subject :Re:Hamilton.. 2013-09-15- 06:51:12 
VE3RRD
Member
Joined: 2013-06-19- 16:54:27
Posts: 44
Location: Barrie, Ontario
 

Just noticed that the link I gave was for installing the old software, should be: http://www.old.barriearc.com/Files/WRT54G-RG%20Broadband-Hamnet%20v1.0.0%20instructions.pdf for installing the new bbhn v1.0.0 on a WRT54G-RG. 73

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Last Edited On: 2013-11-11- 02:54:13 By VE3RRD for the Reason
AL - VE3RRD
http://barrie-wax-group.dyndns.org
 Subject :Re:Hamilton.. 2013-09-29- 13:00:42 
VE3MIC
Member
Joined: 2013-08-03- 14:08:50
Posts: 3
Location: Grid FN04
I think that tunneling is likely the only way we will see the MESH network expand in this area.
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 Subject :Test node operational near downtown Hamilton.. 2014-05-12- 02:32:54 
VE3RTJ
Member
Joined: 2013-08-19- 07:21:12
Posts: 49
Location: Hamilton, Canada FN03

I have a WRT54-GS node operational on a rooftop near Rebecca and Ferguson in Hamilton. The noise level in the area is horrendous, so the node's in the middle of the roof, cutting out most of the ground level residential clutter. Height above ground is about 60'. Clear line of sight is difficult due to the taller buildings in the area, but there are several good lines from the escarpment. There are also several clear lines across the bay to Burlington, and I'd love some feedback if those lines work out.

Currently the active antenna is a 15db omni. There's a 24db mesh parabolic, in horizontal orientation, but it's gain was actually causing some grief. It's currently pointed at Sam Lawrence Park, link length about 2 km. Sometime in the next week or so, I'll turn it around and re-activate it towards Burlington.

I've had success linking with a stock WRT54 at Sam Lawrence park, with LQ better than 60%. The path between the two sites passes between two high-rise apartments, which are in the fresnel zone, and that causes some interesting affects. For example, from above, I can't tell the difference between horizontal and vertical polarization at the lower site, and there is very little difference in performance between the omni and the dish.

I"ve had much better success with a Nanostation. Link Quality with the NS is better than 80% both ways. It seems to get through the noise a lot better, despite it's greater sensitivity. Doing a 'wifi scan' from Sam Lawrence park, I was picking up 3 pages of AP's, more than a few operating on chan. 1.

The results I'm getting are consistent with the modelling I did using RadioMobile, with the exception of the effects caused by the buildings on either side of my path. The program generalizes built-up areas, and can't predict link viability for specific constructions. Good 'ol direct viewing with a pair of binoculars still works best.

If you're up on the Hamilton escarpment with a yagi, please give this a try, and leave a message on the built-in Hamchat message board. Please feel free to E-mail me with specific questions, or to schedule a test across a couple of nodes.

- ve3rtj (at) gmail.com

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73 de Ron P. email: (callsign) *at* gmail.com
 Subject :Re:Hamilton.. 2014-07-08- 02:59:33 
VA3MFD
Member
Joined: 2014-07-07- 21:10:26
Posts: 15
Location
Hi VE3RTJ Just building my wrt54g collection now and have one functional so far. I'm in Burlington do you happen to have your node pointed this way now? is it running SSID version 2 now? I wouldn't mind doing a bit of testing around Burlington to see if we can connect. Thanks VA3MFD
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 Subject :Re:Hamilton.. 2014-07-08- 03:45:21 
VE3RTJ
Member
Joined: 2013-08-19- 07:21:12
Posts: 49
Location: Hamilton, Canada FN03

Hi! The node is on the roof of a building near King William and Mary streets, about 60 feet high. It has a dish pointed almost due east, and a 15db omni. Both are vertical polarity.

I've run link models using Radio Mobile Online, and it tells me a link from LaSalle Park is possible. I've been able to establish a weak link from the Bridgeview parking lot, across from the golf course near Hwy. 6 and Plains rd, using a 12db yagi.

I'd love to hear how you make out. If you can, try a link from the top of Kern's road. There's a parking area about halfway up to Hwy. 5 that has a great view of dowtown Hamilton. Send me a screen shot of the Mesh Status page, we can call it a QSL card. If you get a good link (>50% LQ) don't forget to sign the Hamchat 'guest book'.

The longest link I've established is a little over 10km to the Devil's Punchbowl in Stoney Creek. The downtown node's site is problematic; a lot of building clutter, and a -75dbm noise floor.

The node is running V1.0 and won't be upgraded until I take it down in a few weeks.

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Last Edited On: 2014-07-08- 04:16:24 By VE3RTJ for the Reason
73 de Ron P. email: (callsign) *at* gmail.com
 Subject :Re:Hamilton.. 2014-07-08- 07:48:55 
VA3MFD
Member
Joined: 2014-07-07- 21:10:26
Posts: 15
Location

I will try those out and see what I can do, Im still stock with antennas right now though so it might be impossible until i get my hands on a yagi or the likes, just looking for a good source to buy from.

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 Subject :Re:Hamilton.. 2014-07-08- 08:25:08 
VE3RTJ
Member
Joined: 2013-08-19- 07:21:12
Posts: 49
Location: Hamilton, Canada FN03
Basics sells the TP-Link line of wifi stuff on their website. They have yagis, grills and omnis. I bought my grill (dish) and omni from them, had them delivered to the nearest store for pickup. $50 each. Radioworld sells a MFJ yagi I've been trying. Works reasonably well for $40, and has a 1/4" nut so I can put it on a camera tripod. Finally, you can make a 'cantenna' for about $20 of Home Depot parts and a bulkhead N connector. You'll also need a couple of RP-TNC to N pigtails. I got mine from E-Bay for about $7 each. Have fun.
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73 de Ron P. email: (callsign) *at* gmail.com
 Subject :Re:Hamilton.. 2014-09-02- 06:01:45 
VE3SKH
Member
Joined: 2014-04-23- 10:13:07
Posts: 5
Location
Hello VA3MFD I see you are in Burlington. I am as well and have been looking for someone to do some testing with. I have a small HSMM setup in my house plus a mobile router I can set up in my car. All stock antennas right now, but hoping to change that soon. What is your QTH? I'm north around Dundas and Appleby.
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 Subject :Re:Hamilton.. 2014-11-21- 08:02:40 
VA3MFD
Member
Joined: 2014-07-07- 21:10:26
Posts: 15
Location
Hi VE3SKH I think we are in a all but perfect spot for testing, if your house is the same spot that has your current node showing on the Googlemapped Mesh node page you would be one or two streets north of me, I can probably see your place from my top floor, HAHAHAHA! I wonder if stock WRT54G's could work through the houses? Talk Soon Shawn
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 Subject :Re:Hamilton.. 2014-11-21- 09:39:27 
VE3CWU
Member
Joined: 2014-07-28- 08:37:55
Posts: 20
Location: Mississauga
Hello Shawn and Ron, Myself and Anthony VA3IDL have had a lot of luck in Mississauga and Brampton this year. We have set up great backbone network of 3 sites, one at VE3MIS/R with 3 nodes there, a second at VE3MIS-station with another 3 nodes, and a third backbone site which is in Brampton at VE3PRC/R. These 3 sites are all talking to each other. To further that we have 2 residential sites in Brampton, one linked to ve3mis-station and the other linked to ve3prc/r. My home QTH is also connected to ve3prc/r. Just 2 weeks ago we helped ve3oak set up their backbone site at ve3oak/r at Trafalgar road just north of the QEW and this site is linked to ve3mis/r - a 14km route. If you wanted to test your mobile ( as I did very often this summer!) you could get near ve3oak and check it out. Our next faze is to hopefully bring in Burlington, Hamilton and the Niagara Region to complete the "Golden Horseshoe Mesh". I hope we can get more dialogue going soon good luck and keep meshing! 73, Bob VE3CWU
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ve3cwu at rac.ca
 Subject :Re:Hamilton.. 2014-11-21- 10:41:03 
VA3MFD
Member
Joined: 2014-07-07- 21:10:26
Posts: 15
Location
Hi Bob Appreciate the info I will take my stock node out for a drive in the coming days to see what I can find. Do we know which version of the firmware all of these nodes are running? Shawn
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 Subject :Re:Hamilton.. 2014-11-21- 10:48:21 
VE3CWU
Member
Joined: 2014-07-28- 08:37:55
Posts: 20
Location: Mississauga
Hi Shawn, all of these nodes are running BBHN-3.0.0 ( the 20-v3) beta versions. I expect we will try to update them over the next little while to the current V3.0.0 that was released. So, bottom line, be sure you have some version of V3. 73. Bob
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ve3cwu at rac.ca
 Subject :Re:Hamilton.. 2014-11-22- 14:51:29 
VA3MFD
Member
Joined: 2014-07-07- 21:10:26
Posts: 15
Location
Hi Bob Sounds great I will get out as soon as I can to test my mobile setup. I will also start bothering my fellow Burlington HAM's to see if we can extend the Link further. Maybe into Burlington and possibly further. Talk Soon Shawn
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 Subject :Re:Hamilton.. 2014-11-23- 14:32:16 
VA3MFD
Member
Joined: 2014-07-07- 21:10:26
Posts: 15
Location
HI Bob Would this Peel Halton network happen to have a PBX on it? Thanks Shawn
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 Subject :Re:Hamilton.. 2014-11-25- 02:39:45 
VE3RTJ
Member
Joined: 2013-08-19- 07:21:12
Posts: 49
Location: Hamilton, Canada FN03

Hi, Folks;

The Hamilton Amateur Radio Club is working on putting a hub on our repeater site on the escarpment. If we beat the snow, this site will basically be an evaluation site, with 4 Nanostations aimed in the four cardinal directions. The site is near the intersection of Fennel and upper Gage, at a height above ground of about 75 meters.

If the evaluatiion goes well, we'll upgrade in the spring to a sectored broadcast node bridged to a point to point backbone.

The modelling I've done with Radio Mobile indicates there should be a viable link from this site to the Burlington repeater site at Kerns' Rd. and Dundas St. (is it still there?) Further east to Oakville or Mississauga may be possible with dual dishes and diversity.

We're also going to be running some workshops during the winter, a couple of Thursdays a month, to build up some user skills in using nodes. Anyone is welcome, watch our web site for announcements:

http://www.hamiltonarc.ca

 

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73 de Ron P. email: (callsign) *at* gmail.com
 Subject :Re:Hamilton.. 2014-11-25- 03:11:58 
VA3MFD
Member
Joined: 2014-07-07- 21:10:26
Posts: 15
Location
Hi Ron This sounds great I am a member of the Burlington club so let me see if I can't talk the membership into getting a link between hamilton and oakville set up. The Burlington repeaters are located NW corner of Dundas and Brant street. I do not know of anything at Kerns rd that's a ways west of the actual site. Shawn
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 Subject :Re:Hamilton.. 2014-11-25- 04:25:45 
VE3RTJ
Member
Joined: 2013-08-19- 07:21:12
Posts: 49
Location: Hamilton, Canada FN03
Thanks, Shawn, I'll update my modeling info. We hope to have something up before Christmas, weather permitting. It'll be a V3 system.
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73 de Ron P. email: (callsign) *at* gmail.com
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