SXT Lite 5

30 posts / 0 new

Sun, 02/03/2019 - 00:54

K6AH

SXT Lite 5

Just picked up a MikroTik SXT 5NDR2 (or SXT Lite 5 for short) https://mikrotik.com/product/RBSXT5nDr2 This thing is small! 27dBm and a 16dBi dish that fits in your hand. Perfect for stealth installations. I've asked Joe to have a look at it. Hopefully we'll get support for it.

Andre, K6AH

MODERATOR: edited link

Sun, 02/03/2019 - 15:33

AA7AU

I want one!

Thanks. I love it - I want one! (or several) Hope Joe can make it work.

- Don - AA7AU

Sun, 02/03/2019 - 16:59

w6bi

Info

Same gain as an NSM5 (but it's a third the size of a Nanostation), and looks like horizontal and vertical beamwidths are about 30 degrees. Makes sense with such a small dish. Amazon sells them for $68. Or you can get a 20-pack for $1039 :-D

Orv W6BI

Thu, 06/06/2019 - 08:10

W4DCE

SXT series

Any progress on the SXT? ...and could the SXTsq Lite2 reasonably be supported? The price, size, and shape are appealing especially in 2Ghz situations.

Thanks to everyone for working on the development team.

Thu, 06/06/2019 - 18:44

(Reply to #4) #5

AE6XE

I have both an SXT G-2HnD and

I have both an SXT G-2HnD and 5nDr2 (lite5) in hand. Looking at the LHG/LDF 2 devices first, then these. Finishing up on WAN wifi client now -- is out and about being tested -- looking good.

Joe AE6XE

Fri, 06/07/2019 - 09:26

(Reply to #5) #6

W4DCE

I have both an SXT G-2HnD and

Excellent! Thanks for the update and great work Joe!

Fri, 07/19/2019 - 16:06

(Reply to #6) #7

pa0non

Which .bin can i use

Thus the SXT (2.4 GHz) will work with AREDN. Which .bin do i need. The SXT has the same processor as the LHG.

73's, Jan de PA0NON

Fri, 07/19/2019 - 17:21

(Reply to #7) #8

AE6XE

I'll be looking at the SXT

I'll be looking at the SXT devices in the next week. Haven't looked at which image this takes, guessing the same as the LDF/LHG devices.

Joe AE6XE

Sun, 08/04/2019 - 17:10

(Reply to #8) #9

AE6XE

different SXT hardware revisions -- SXT lite 2

It turns out the SXT lite 2 I have "SXTG 2HnD" is the original version 1 of the hardware with 128Mb NAND flash. The hardware version with OpenWrt existing support is RBSXT2nDr3, or version 3 with NOR Flash. If anyone has this newer version in hand, and willing to work though the process to get it working, let me know. Next step is to load the .elf from the nightly build and send me a support data download from admin page. This device takes the rb-nor-flash-16M-sysupgrade.bin firmware image.

Sat, 05/08/2021 - 10:26

(Reply to #9) #10

N3KAL

Follow-up?

Joe,
I have the SXTsq versions of these in both 2.4 & 5.8. They are working fine. The question I have is on the model listed in your post (RBSXTG-2HnD) is a different model. From the specs on Mikrotik, the chipsets seem to be similar as the SXTsq series and I was wondering if you had any success with these models (RBSXTG-2HnD & RBSXTG-5HPnD-SAr2)? They list higher output and might be useful.
So, just wondering if you looked at them further or perhaps even if the existing AREDN firmware might load?
Any thoughts are welcome!
Thanks,
Rob

Sat, 05/08/2021 - 12:32

(Reply to #10) #11

nc8q

RBSXTG-5HPnD-SAr2 or RBSXTG-5HPacD-SAr2 ?

SXT SA5 (AKA SXTG-5HPnD-SAr2):
Wireless specifications
Details
Wireless 5 GHz Max data rate 300 Mbit/s
Wireless 5 GHz number of chains 2
Wireless 5 GHz standards 802.11a/n
Antenna gain dBi for 5 GHz 14
Wireless 5 GHz chip model AR9344
Wireless 5 GHz generation Wi-Fi 4

SXT 2 (AKA SXTG-2HnD): Wireless specifications
Details
Wireless 2.4 GHz Max data rate 300 Mbit/s
Wireless 2.4 GHz number of chains 2
Wireless 2.4 GHz standards 802.11b/g/n
Antenna gain dBi for 2.4 GHz 10
Wireless 2.4 GHz chip model AR9344
Wireless 2.4 GHz generation Wi-Fi 4

-----
SXTsq 5 and 5HP (which is supported):
Wireless specifications
Details
Wireless 5 GHz Max data rate    300 Mbit/s
Wireless 5 GHz number of chains    2
Wireless 5 GHz standards    802.11a/n
Antenna gain dBi for 5 GHz    16
Wireless 5 GHz chip model    AR9344
Wireless 5 GHz generation    Wi-Fi 4
-----
I am unsure if the ethernet switches in the SXTG are the same as the SXTsq.

Chuck

Sun, 08/04/2019 - 17:21

#12

AE6XE

getting the SXT lite 5 working

It appears the SXT 5nD I have has flash memory issues -- boots with numerous NAND flash memory errors and can't attach. If you have the openwrt supported version "RBSXT5nDr2", or version 2 and willing to give a try to get it working, let me know. Note, I see this version on the white sticker on top of the RJ45 connector (pulled the case apart). The motherboard label only says "RouterBOARD SXT 5nD".

Sun, 08/04/2019 - 17:26

#13

AE6XE

getting the SXT lite 5 working

Thu, 01/28/2021 - 19:50

(Reply to #13) #14

LU4EOU

lite 5

Hello Joe.
I have a MikroTik SXT Lite5 SXT5nDr2 (white internal label) old/rounded style, I made some installation attempts and I can't load the . BIN and boot. I charge the . ELF and no problem (attached support file) and then I tried to change board_name from SSH does not see the message "bad Gateway" loads the . BIN and never boots, takes ip 192.168.88.1 and delivers to PC 192.168.88.254. Any ideas or is it totally unsupported?
If you want, I can do some tests to tell me.
Thanks a lot
Mario LU4EOU

Image Attachments:

Support File Attachments:

supportdata-NOCALL-202101280956.tgz

Thu, 01/28/2021 - 20:17

(Reply to #14) #15

AE6XE

Mario, are you able to:

Mario, are you able to:

1) boot the device with the .elf to RAM
2) scp the .bin file to /tmp on the node
3) run the command "sysupgrade -n <the .bin file path>" on the node.

Then see what error message is showing. This device should be known to the .bin images as rb-sxt5n, and I'd expect the firmware to flash. We do need a change to the AREDN firmware so basic setup recognizes this device string, "MicroTik RouterBOARD SXT Lite5". Openwrt already recognizes this device, so not sure why the .bin is not loading. But looks like first occurrence with AREDN and we need one additional change.

joe AE6XE

Thu, 01/28/2021 - 23:22

(Reply to #15) #16

LU4EOU

Thanks Joe.

Thanks Joe.
I hope I did well.

Test 1- using NB aredn-84-99305c5-ar71xx-mikrotik-rb-nor-flash-16M-sysupgrade.bin

Test 2- using the latest stable sysupgrade version.bin

The result was the same:

-------------------------------------------------------------
Device rb-sxt5n not supported by this image

Supported devices: rb-750-r2 rb-750up-r2 rb-750p-pbr2 rb-911-2hn rb-911-5hn rb-931-2nd rb-941-2nd rb-951ui-2nd rb-952ui-5ac2nd rb-962uigs-5hact2hnt rb-lhg-5nd rb-lhg-5hpnd rb-lhg-5hpnd-xl rb-ldf-5nd rb-map-2nd rb-mapl-2nd rb-wap-2nd rb-wapr-2nd rb-sxt-2nd-r3

Invalid sysupgrade file.

----------------------------------------------------
Tomorrow I try again

Fri, 01/29/2021 - 18:29

(Reply to #16) #17

AE6XE

hmmm... your device is "rb

hmmm... your device is "rb-sxt5n" and not showing in the list the image knows about. Let me look at the souce code (again) and scratch my head for a moment. It sure looks like it should be there already.

Sun, 01/31/2021 - 00:07

#18

AE6XE

Ok, so we need to use a

Ok, so we need to use a different .bin image. This device on the openwrt 19.07.x release uses this image:

reference: https://openwrt.org/toh/hwdata/mikrotik/mikrotik_rbsxt5ndr2_sxt_lite_5
Image to use is: the mikrotik nand large image http://downloads.arednmesh.org/snapshots/trunk/targets/ar71xx/mikrotik/a...

There will still be another change, assuming this flashes and loads. I don't expect you'll see the right channel #s in basic setup.

Joe AE6XE

Sun, 01/31/2021 - 16:57

(Reply to #18) #19

LU4EOU

loaded .bin

I was able to load the NB aredn-84-99305c5-ar71xx-mikrotik-nand-large-sysupgrade.bin and I boot smoothly, I set any channel and from another node of the network I only see it with the option "wifi scan" but it is not added to the mesh, we move forward but one more step is missing.

Thank you so much for your support

Also the message "UNTESTED HARDWARE"

attached the last Support file.
Mario

Support File Attachments:

supportdata-LU6EEG-SXT-202101191417.tgz

Mon, 02/01/2021 - 00:25

(Reply to #19) #20

AE6XE

Let's ignore the configured

Let's ignore the Hardware Unsupported message for now. It appears to be configured and operating on ch 177 @ 10MHz channel width. (Although, the config file is for ch 165? Maybe it was not rebooted after saving this setting.) Please test and put this node and another known working node on ch 149 @ 10MHz channel width? Do they link? If so, test increasing the channels from 165+ to see if they continue to link. This is a test to see if there is a hardware filter chopping up functionality above unlicensed wifi allocation. Or possibly no links are possible on any channel?

Joe AE6XE

Tue, 03/09/2021 - 10:01

(Reply to #20) #21

G0SRG

same problem with no RF mesh

Hi Steve here G4EKM. I also have a couple of SXT Lite5 SXT5nDr2. I have been following the thread and loaded the nand-large-sysupgrade.bin. It loads but there is no RF mesh being seen on other devices or this device. Done a wifi scan on both nothing seen. Tried channel 165 and also lower channels. Thought it was the device but load openwrt and wifi is present. I have also noticed that if I switch of the rf mesh, save, reboot and then go to switch on again, there are no channels being displayed. support file attached.
cheers
Steve G4EKM

Support File Attachments:

supportdata-G4EKM-SXT1-202005161919.tgz

Sun, 01/31/2021 - 17:04

#22

k1ky

SxT 2nD r2

Hopefully the device is similar enough to the SxT 2nD r2? I have one of those sitting here on my desk anxiously awaiting support. I believe we have access to a bunch of these units that were removed from service at a nearby municipal system.

Tue, 03/09/2021 - 21:38

#23

AE6XE

Steve, the data file shows

Steve, the data file shows the node is on channel 83, which is outside the unlicensed 5GHz channels. Give a test on ch 149 or 5745 to see if this will connect to another node. Be sure all nodes are the same 149/5745 freq, 10MHz (or 20MHz) channel width, and SSID in use "NEDNET".

Also, change the channel width to 20MHz and do a wifi scan or better, capture another support dump and attach. I'm assuming there is a home wifi or other signals in the area, we want to see if the wifi scan will show the radio is receiving these.

I'm not seeing any red flags or errors in the data so far to explain why it isn't connecting to other nodes.

Joe AE6XE

Wed, 03/10/2021 - 09:22

(Reply to #23) #24

G0SRG

20mhz ok

Hi Joe, big learning curve here. Set channel to 149 and 20Mhz and I can see and connect with other nodes. Works also on 135 and 165.
Now the interesting thing. Changing the node to 10Mhz or 5Mhz and nothing is seen on this and other nodes, so at the moment the SXT only work on 20Mhz with this firmware. I have attached the support files for 5/10/20 bandwidths.
We are using a 10mhz bandwidth on our NEDNET mesh since 135 and 165 fall within the UK allocation. It would be great if these could work on these bandwidths,
Cheers
Steve G4EKM

Support File Attachments:

5mhz

20mhz works

10mhz

Wed, 03/10/2021 - 10:08

(Reply to #24) #25

nc8q

10Mhz or 5Mhz and nothing is seen

"Now the interesting thing.
Changing the node to 10Mhz or 5Mhz and nothing is seen on this and other nodes,
so at the moment the SXT only work on 20Mhz with this firmware."

Uh, yes and no.
Yes, the Wi-Fi-Scan at 5/10 MHz bandwidth found no other devices on the same bandwidth.
In 5 MHz bandwidth, a 'Wi-Fi Scan' searches only for other 5 GHz bandwidth devices.
In 10 MHz bandwidth, a 'Wi-Fi Scan' searches only for other 10 GHz bandwidth devices.
In 20 MHz bandwidth, a 'Wi-Fi Scan' searches only for other 20 GHz bandwidth devices.

Had there been another Wi-Fi device on 10/5 MHz bandwidth, the Wi-Fi Scan may have have found it and,
if the SNR was good enough and if it was AREDN compatible, it might/could/would link/work.

I hope this helps,
Chuck

Wed, 03/10/2021 - 11:08

(Reply to #25) #26

G0SRG

5/10mhz

Hi Chuck
the test node which is a Rocket was checked for the sxt on 5/10/20 wifi scan and mesh status. only appears on the 20mhz . Ditto foir the SXT to Rocket with the same freq and bandwidths set at both ends.
thanks
Steve G4EKM

Wed, 03/10/2021 - 11:49

(Reply to #26) #27

nc8q

same freq and bandwidths set at both ends.

Hi, Steve:

Oh, my!
I have mixed and matched Ubiquiti and Mikrotik on 5 GHz 10/20 BWs
and Ubiquiti loco M2 with GL-iNet devices on 2.4 GHz at 10/20 BWs.
No problems.
I have never used a Rocket.
I don't recommend 5 MHz bandwidth.

Chuck

Sat, 03/13/2021 - 03:30

(Reply to #27) #28

G0SRG

Not going to use 5Mhz

Hi Chuck, the 5mhz bandwidth was just to test all options on the Lite5. We are not going to be using that. In the UK our band plans only allow 10mhz bandwidth which is why the 20mhz bandwidth, which is the only on that seems to work with this device, is no good.I just hope the gurus are able to fix the 10mhz problem as these as good descrete unit.
73's
Steve

Sat, 04/03/2021 - 13:02

#29

G0SRG

SXT Lite5 further testing

Hi Joe
I have been doing more tests with these units. As I mentioned before they only seem to work on 20MHZ. Well I have done tests with a number of devices. Rocket M5, Mikrotik RB911 and 2x SXT Lite5.
All talk on 20mhz mesh and all seen on WIFI scan
On 10Mhz Rocket and RB911 see each other on wifi and mesh but NO SXT Lite5
On 10Mhz the 2x SXT Lite5 see each other on wifi and mesh but NO Rocket or RB911
So there is definitely a problem with the aredn-3.20.3.1-ar71xx-mikrotik-nand-large-sysupgrade.bin and the SXT

I attached the debug file and also the test results screenshot
thanks
Steve G4EKM

Image Attachments:

Support File Attachments:

supportdata-G4EKM-SXT1-202005180209.tgz

Thu, 06/03/2021 - 16:41

#30

G0SRG

Poking the post

Just posting to make this active again as we still have a problem on 10mhz bandwidth. Any help would be appreciated

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