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Mikrotik SXT 5 High Power now in nightly build

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AE6XE
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Mikrotik SXT 5 High Power now in nightly build

The Mikrotik SXTsq 5HPnD is now in the nightly build (overnight).  Also called "SXTsq 5 Higher Power".  This handy little device reuses the LHG 5HPnD motherboard with a ~4" square panel antenna.   Careful to not confuse with some of the older SXT 5 lite devices which are circular flat panel packaging (and not currently defined in the AREDN firmware).  

* 28dBm max power
* 64MB RAM
* 16MB NOR Flash
* suggest pricing $49
* 16dBi gain panel 

Joe AE6XE

 

AE6XE
AE6XE's picture
pics of SXTsq 5 High Power
Here's the pics.
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AA7AU
AA7AU's picture
Very tempting ...

Here's more info on the device: https://mikrotik.com/product/sxtsq_5_high_power

Looking forward to [hopefully] positive feedback, enough to push me over the edge for my next purchase. Will be interesting to see what the max reasonable AREDN LOS distance truly is with this unit.

Thanks Joe!

- Don - AA7AU

edited to add: wonder what the H and V beamwidths are for this unit, couldn't seem to find on spec sheet.
2nd edit: Amazon link removed, didn't seem to be correct subspecies of model - was "lite" not HP; hopefully someone can find a good link or two

K6AH
K6AH's picture
I'm going to guess...

I'm going to guess a throughout of 6-10 Mbps at 12 miles if a similar device is used on the far-end.

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AE6XE
AE6XE's picture
High and Low Power versions
High and Low Power versions

Do be cautious to purchase the desired model.   Just like the LHG models, there are High Power (28dBm) and low power (25dBm) models.  The current code submitted is for the High Power model.   A couple of changes are necessary for the low power model, just need one of us to have in hand to try an image out.  This should be a slam dunk to test out the low power model. 

Note, I did not open up the case to inspect the hardware motherboard.  Rather, the FCC ID cert # is "LHG5HPnD" on the external label.

Joe AE6XE
K9CQB
K9CQB's picture
Watch what you buy - they all look the same.
Joe,
I just received a MikroTik SXTsq Lite5 (AKA: RBSXTsq5nD), even though I swear on a stack of bibles that I ordered the RBSXTsq 5HPnD. I bought it used from somebody who thought that it was 'the other' RBSXTsp5??nD.
I'm bringing this up on the forum because the double-confusing naming conventions, where both the models' nomenclature and model 'nicknames' are confusing. I know my MikroTik gear pretty well and most of the people I buy my stuff from also know their gear. I almost feel like when I buy the next SXTsq5HPnD I have to include in the comments "Please make sure this is not the MikroTik SXTsq Lite5 (AKA: RBSXTsq5nD). Please make sure this device is the RBSXTsq 5HPnD - the High Power version." 
If I send you this MikroTik SXTsq Lite5 can you use it? I'd rather do that than send it back.

-Damon K9CQB
AE6XE
AE6XE's picture
Damon,  check the FCC sticker
Damon,  check the FCC sticker on the device, what does it say?   If it is LHG something, then I can send you an image to try.  You should be able to load the nightly build .elf and download the support data.  This will tell me what I need to know to create an image.

Joe AE6XE
K9CQB
K9CQB's picture
It says FCC ID: TV7LHG5NDM
Joe,
It does say FCC ID: TV7LHG5NDM. I
t is the SXTsq Lite5 (aka: RBSXTsq5nD-US).

-Damon K9CQB


 
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AE6XE
AE6XE's picture
Damon, can you confirm the
Damon, can you confirm the board id or model string on this device -- loading the .elf ?  I need to confirm I code in the correct string to detect this device.

Joe AE6XE
K9CQB
K9CQB's picture
So you want me to load my SXT Lite w/the 1101 elf file?
Joe,
Are you asking me to load the "aredn-1101-ad0caaf-mikrotik-vmlinux-initramfs.elf" file onto my SXTsq-5 Lite and read what model string it reports?
I'll also be flashing my SXTsq-5 High Power at the same time, so I can do a side-by-side comparison.

-Damon K9CQB
K9CQB
K9CQB's picture
I tried to flash my RBSXTsq5nD (SXTsq Lite5). Looks do-able.
Joe,
I flashed the nightly 1101 .elf file onto the Lite5 and it worked perfectly. There just isn't a build available for it in the "aredn-1101-ad0caaf-mikrotik-rb-nor-flash-16M-sysupgrade.bin" file so the "Bad Gateway" message came up after I tried installing it.
Here is the support data from the .elf load of the Lite5 (see attached).

-Damon K9CQB
 
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Support File Attachments: 
AE6XE
AE6XE's picture
This is the expected response
This is the expected response.   I have to add some code to map the model string to an internal board_id.  Then sysupgrade will recognizant the .bin file and write to flash.   should be able to get to tonight or for sure tomorrow. 

Joe AE6XE
K9CQB
K9CQB's picture
Good news, even though the Lite5 is weak sauce ;-)
Joe,
That is really awesome of you. I think it's great that you're doing this. Mostly for people who accidentally buy/receive the Lite5 when they meant to get the High Power. After all, who would ever buy a nearly identical device with half the power (25dBm vs. 28dBm) just to save $8.
(sorry that was meant to be satirical humor)
Both of these devices are so small. They are great for keeping in a go-box for hitting a 5GHz node within 8-12km. 
Thank you, Joe.

-Damon K9CQB
K9CQB
K9CQB's picture
It worked. The SXTsq Lite5 is working great.
Joe,
Thanks for those files you sent. I loaded my SXTsq Lite5 yesterday and got it working almost immediately. 
When I get back on Monday from traveling, I'll send you the support files from loading it.
It did pop up with a 10.0.0.0 WiFi address and 10.0.0.1 LAN address, so I restarted my laptop, used a different browser and reloaded the .bin file (with the 'keep settings' un-checked) to flash a new load. Then it worked perfectly.

-Damon K9CQB

 
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K9CQB
K9CQB's picture
Here's my SXTsqLite5 support files. It works perfectly so far.
Joe,
Here are my support files. 
1st from the .elf load (NOCALL).
2nd from my loaded and configured node.

-Damon K9CQB

 
K7SDW
SXTsqLite5 help needed

All good, thanks Joe and Damond for the files to use

K9CQB
K9CQB's picture
Will the 2.4GHz version work w/LHG2 firmware?
Joe, 
It appears this RBSXTsq5HPnD hardware is just the LHG5HPnD hardware and then is the ​RBSXTsq5nD (Lite version) just the LDF-5/LHG5 hardware?
If this is the case isn't the RBSXTsq2nD just the LDF-2 that goes to 30dBm? I can see the RBSXTsq2nD at 30dBm and 10dBi panel antenna being a great little 2.4GHz node.
All of these little SXTsq panel nodes are the size of my hand (6"x6"x1.5") - just tiny. They would be great for HOA's and Go-Boxes.

-Damon K9CQB
AE6XE
AE6XE's picture
Give a big hand to...
And a big hand to Steve KC0EUW for purchasing the 1st SXTsq that was used to test out the first changes.    Steve is also the heavy lifter and sweat behind the AREDN Read-the-docs Documentation.

Joe AE6XE
K9CQB
K9CQB's picture
My SXTsq5HPnD is awesome!!! Thank you.

This MikroTik SXTsq5HP is an amazing device. It's really tiny and powerful. It's basically like a smaller, more powerful Ubiquiti NanoStation M5... except it lacks the second Ethernet connector (which is why I love the NanoStation so much). It fits in the palm of my hand and can be mounted to anything.
Just make sure you get the HP version, not the Lite version (I tried flashing my Lite5 and ugh... that will be a different post).

-Damon K9CQB
 

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nc8q
nc8q's picture
This MikroTik SXTsq5HP is really tiny.

"This MikroTik SXTsq5HP is an amazing device. It's really tiny".

Thank you to Steve KC0EUW, Damon, and Joe for this pioneering work.

I kept watching Baltic Networks' pre-order @ $41.75.
Now in Stock. I bought 2. :-)

Chuck

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AB7PA
It was all Joe
I'm sure Damon would agree with me...  it was all Joe!  smiley
K9CQB
K9CQB's picture
Joe is amazing.
I know it wasn't me. I'm just a Guinea pig. Joe even got the SXTsq Lite5 working.

-Damon K9CQB
K9CQB
K9CQB's picture
SXTsq Lite2 is not Lite at all 30dBM with a 10dBi panel
Thank you, Joe. Once again, you are amazing!!!
The 2.4GHz version of this tiny panel is now up and running. Even though it is called SXTsq Lite2 (RBSXTsq2nD) it has 30dBm of power and 2x2MIMO 10dBi panel antenna.
I'll post more later on a different post.

-Damon K9CQB
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W5AGM
POE Requirements
If I'm reading the specs correctly, this unit is powered in a similar manner as the Ubiquiti passive 24v equipment so I would need to convert voltage if using a POE+ switch.  Correct?

Thanks,
Keith - W5AGM
 
nc8q
nc8q's picture
POE+ switch

Maybe not.
I just tested my RBSXTsg5HPnD with the included POE injector.
I plugged in the injector backwards...the male RJ-45 into the device.
The device did not power up.
It appears that there is no pass through voltage using the included POE injector.
Only the female socket serves power.
If using a POE+ switch, you must use the included POE injector.

I hope this helps.
Chuck

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K7SDW
SXTsq Lite5-STX
Joe
I guess I should have posted this separate from the 2G squares, so here is the question again:
The firmware I flashed to get them going is AE6XE-develpo-ad0caaffor both SXTsq Lite5 ID: RBSXTsq5nD -US. Will the future nightly builds include this model, and  will it be listed in the device table separately?  I did not want to reflash a nightly build update base upon the high power unit being listed, so I did not download and re-flash until I hear from you.
Thanks
Greg



 
AE6XE
AE6XE's picture
Greg,  yes the SXTsq-5nD (max
Greg,  yes the SXTsq-5nD (max 25dBm) and SXTsq-5HPnD (max 28dBm) are both in the nightly build.  (We need to update the web site support matrix, thanks for the reminder.) 

Joe AE6XE
K7SDW
SXTsq-5nD
Thanks, I will check the nightly build and try it out on one of mine

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