Bob, just finished up the code changes for the larger dish LHG-5HPnD-XL. Will be submitted today and in the nightly build tomorrow. The ERP on this device is the same as the RocketDish/Rocket for 1/3 the price. Although, it probably does not have ISO shielding available for tower sites.
Joe, I can assume that as support for these Mikrotik devices is rolled into the nightly build, the Supported Platform Matrix is updated accordingly, right?
All, there are still a few Mikrotik LHG models we have not seen and are expected to take a few minor code updates to get working with AREDN firmware. If you are considering purchasing any of the following models, please coordinate with me to obtain an image to validate. (We assume these models will be very similar to what we have already seen...)
RBLHG-2nD
RBLHG-2nD-XL
RBLHG-5HPnD
...always recommend if newly purchasing, to go with 3GHz or 5GHz and 64Mb RAM devices -- more channel options and lower noise than 2GHz.
The QRT5 looks to be a pretty hot device. A full watt (30 dBm) of transmit power and 24 dBi antenna. Not bad for a compact, relatively innocuous, easily pointed (10° beamwidth), panel.
I use them at work a lot. Best thing is a better mount than the single U bolt. Also, it's not programmed in the AREDN code, but the signal meter on the back is quite handy. I use a couple on our city command post along with a tripod to backhaul stuff, and the meter makes it so "anyone" can point it. They also look less goofy than a round dish!
The following models are definitely doable--supported by OpenWRT. If anyone procures one of these (or sends me one), I'll prepare an image for it to test.
Bob, If you acquire an RBLHG-2nd-XL, I'll put together an image for it to try. I'm expecting very minor definitions for the model # and it to be nearly identical to the 5GHz XL. But we won't know for sure until looking at it.
Orv,
I've taken these all apart (I bought a couple of each of these 3 devices), and the LDF-2, LHG-2nD, and LHG-2nD-XL all have the same board inside.
The differences between the LHG-2nD and LHG-2nD-XL are just a larger plastic/mesh dish. The LDF-2 is identical to the LHG-2nD series board except the ground tab is desoldered and the Ethernet connector is moved to a header-pin area - but functionally identical.
So Joe has been super busy, but once he slays one of the the LDF-2/LHG-2nD series boards we will have 3 new devices for doing point to point AREDN connection.
In my region, we desperately need PtP on 2.4GHz band. We have plenty of options on the 5GHz band, but not a lot of options for PtP on 2.4, except PowerBeam PBE-M2-400 (NanoBridge M2's just don't have the range), but those are much more expensive than the LDF-2 and LHG-2nD devices.
To recap, here are the 3 devices that use the same board, therefore should use the same .bin file:
MikroTik LDF-2 (RBLDF-2nD)
MikroTik LHG-2 (RBLHG-2nD)
MikroTik LHG-2XL (RBLHG-2nD-XL)
FYI, to my dismay there is no LHG-2HP (High Power) option like there is in the 5GHz band. I hope MikroTik releases an HP version someday soon.
I forgot to include photos of the LDF-2/LHG-2 boards
1. The first photo is of the LDF-2 from the top where it shows the Ethernet connector and the reset button on a tiny daughter board on top of the LHG-2nD board header. Notice that the LDF-2 board also still has "RBLHG-2nD" printed on it.
2. The second photo is the side veiw of the LDF-2
3. The 3rd photo is of the LHG-2nD board that I pulled from my LHG-2nD-XL. Notice that it has the Ethernet connector and reset button in the normal position. Also it has a grounding tab soldered in the appropriate pads.
The 2.4GHz versions of the LDF/LHG are all the same board with the same power levels, which at 28dBm is pretty good. What I didn't show on the backside of the board is the built-in 10dBi panel antenna which is normally oriented toward the reflective dish. See how cool these things are?
KM6FQ, this is next on my list. The LDF2 and LHG2 flavors of devices all have the same or similar motherboard. The .elf images aren't booting and needs to be debugged. Just finishing up on another feature and turning to this...
Joe, please send me the specs on the serial port so that I can play with my LHG-2nD-XL. I have troubleshot ubnt rockets, bullets, and nanostations using their serial ports and would like to give the Mikrotik a try.
Thank you
Dave
If you can capture the console output after attempting to flash with the nightly mikrotik-rb-nor-flash-16M image file, that is the next step.
Joe AE6XE
From: "Elans L. [MikroTik Support]" <support@mikrotik.com>
Date: January 30, 2019 at 2:50:25 AM CST
Subject: Re: [Ticket#2019013022003318] LDF2 Serial Console pinouts?
Hello,
We officially do not support OpenWRT, so we can't comment about functionality.
UART is on J8, pin 6,7 (see attachment). By default it is disabled in RouterOS.
I had some code changes that will be needed, and not in the nightly build yet. However, this log tells me where to look and another change is needed. Let me soak in and review the code. I'll need to make a new image for this.
LDF 2 now working on the bench, thanks to the info km6fq provided. Dave, I'll get an image, hopefully tomorrow, for you to test on the LHG 2 XL. These devices all have the some motherboard, so should follow suit.
Bob, just finished up the code changes for the larger dish LHG-5HPnD-XL. Will be submitted today and in the nightly build tomorrow. The ERP on this device is the same as the RocketDish/Rocket for 1/3 the price. Although, it probably does not have ISO shielding available for tower sites.
Joe AE6XE
Joe, I can assume that as support for these Mikrotik devices is rolled into the nightly build, the Supported Platform Matrix is updated accordingly, right?
Orv W6BI
Yes, support matrix has been updated.
Joe AE6XE
All, there are still a few Mikrotik LHG models we have not seen and are expected to take a few minor code updates to get working with AREDN firmware. If you are considering purchasing any of the following models, please coordinate with me to obtain an image to validate. (We assume these models will be very similar to what we have already seen...)
RBLHG-2nD
RBLHG-2nD-XL
RBLHG-5HPnD
...always recommend if newly purchasing, to go with 3GHz or 5GHz and 64Mb RAM devices -- more channel options and lower noise than 2GHz.
Joe AE6XE
Do you think it might be possible to support the QRT5?
Many thanks,
julie /ac0wn
QRT5 looks promising as it is a AR93xx chipset.
The QRT5 looks to be a pretty hot device. A full watt (30 dBm) of transmit power and 24 dBi antenna. Not bad for a compact, relatively innocuous, easily pointed (10° beamwidth), panel.
Andre, K6AH
I use them at work a lot. Best thing is a better mount than the single U bolt. Also, it's not programmed in the AREDN code, but the signal meter on the back is quite handy. I use a couple on our city command post along with a tripod to backhaul stuff, and the meter makes it so "anyone" can point it. They also look less goofy than a round dish!
Ian
The following models are definitely doable--supported by OpenWRT. If anyone procures one of these (or sends me one), I'll prepare an image for it to test.
RB911G-5HPnD
RB911G-2HPnD
RB911-2Hn
RB911-5Hn
Joe AE6XE
I am looking at this dish from Amazon. Is the firmware available in the nightly builds section.
Thanks
I am considering purchasing this. Will it be supported?
Thanks!
Bob W8ERD
Bob, If you acquire an RBLHG-2nd-XL, I'll put together an image for it to try. I'm expecting very minor definitions for the model # and it to be nearly identical to the 5GHz XL. But we won't know for sure until looking at it.
Joe AE6XE
Thanks Joe. I have ordered the node.
Bob W8ERD
I received a dish, but it is the non-XL model, so it will have to be exchanged. From Neobits.
It has arrived and I put it together. It looks wonderful. So light that it could easily be put atop a tall portable mast.
Now what?
Bob W8ERD
bob, I'll need to put together an image for you to test. probably this weekend...
Joe AE6XE
test images
Bob, try these images and follow the Mikrotik load procedures:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1gpKc7p-NZ-iviAPwBiO97hE6WB4oEoGR...
This link will be time limited and in the future should be in the nightly biuld.
Joe AE6XE
Did this ever get rolled into the nightly build? I have a user with a specific use case who'd like to use it.
Orv W6BI
Orv,
I've taken these all apart (I bought a couple of each of these 3 devices), and the LDF-2, LHG-2nD, and LHG-2nD-XL all have the same board inside.
The differences between the LHG-2nD and LHG-2nD-XL are just a larger plastic/mesh dish. The LDF-2 is identical to the LHG-2nD series board except the ground tab is desoldered and the Ethernet connector is moved to a header-pin area - but functionally identical.
So Joe has been super busy, but once he slays one of the the LDF-2/LHG-2nD series boards we will have 3 new devices for doing point to point AREDN connection.
In my region, we desperately need PtP on 2.4GHz band. We have plenty of options on the 5GHz band, but not a lot of options for PtP on 2.4, except PowerBeam PBE-M2-400 (NanoBridge M2's just don't have the range), but those are much more expensive than the LDF-2 and LHG-2nD devices.
To recap, here are the 3 devices that use the same board, therefore should use the same .bin file:
MikroTik LDF-2 (RBLDF-2nD)
MikroTik LHG-2 (RBLHG-2nD)
MikroTik LHG-2XL (RBLHG-2nD-XL)
FYI, to my dismay there is no LHG-2HP (High Power) option like there is in the 5GHz band. I hope MikroTik releases an HP version someday soon.
-Damon (K9CQB)
+1!
I forgot to include photos of the LDF-2/LHG-2 boards
1. The first photo is of the LDF-2 from the top where it shows the Ethernet connector and the reset button on a tiny daughter board on top of the LHG-2nD board header. Notice that the LDF-2 board also still has "RBLHG-2nD" printed on it.
2. The second photo is the side veiw of the LDF-2
3. The 3rd photo is of the LHG-2nD board that I pulled from my LHG-2nD-XL. Notice that it has the Ethernet connector and reset button in the normal position. Also it has a grounding tab soldered in the appropriate pads.
The 2.4GHz versions of the LDF/LHG are all the same board with the same power levels, which at 28dBm is pretty good. What I didn't show on the backside of the board is the built-in 10dBi panel antenna which is normally oriented toward the reflective dish. See how cool these things are?
yep. #395
http://downloads.arednmesh.org/snapshots/trunk/CHANGELOG.md
Darryl, #395 is for the RBLHG-5nD; I'm looking for the RBLHG-2nD (the 2 GHz version).
I've got the LHG 2 and LDF 2's in queue. Just haven't found the time yet. On travel from home these next 2 weeks...
oh. my bad. nothing yet for the 2Ghz version that I see.
I now own a MikroTik RBLHG-2nD-XL. Please provide an image to try out.
https://github.com/aredn/aredn_ar71xx/issues/332
KM6FQ, this is next on my list. The LDF2 and LHG2 flavors of devices all have the same or similar motherboard. The .elf images aren't booting and needs to be debugged. Just finishing up on another feature and turning to this...
Joe AE6XE
Joe, please send me the specs on the serial port so that I can play with my LHG-2nD-XL. I have troubleshot ubnt rockets, bullets, and nanostations using their serial ports and would like to give the Mikrotik a try.
Thank you
Dave
[corrected pin layout]
Dave, the pin-out layout is:
J8
If you can capture the console output after attempting to flash with the nightly mikrotik-rb-nor-flash-16M image file, that is the next step.
Joe AE6XE
From: "Elans L. [MikroTik Support]" <support@mikrotik.com>
Date: January 30, 2019 at 2:50:25 AM CST
Subject: Re: [Ticket#2019013022003318] LDF2 Serial Console pinouts?
Hello,
We officially do not support OpenWRT, so we can't comment about functionality.
UART is on J8, pin 6,7 (see attachment). By default it is disabled in RouterOS.
Best regards,
Elans L.
To clairfy, both the LDF 2 and LHG 2 devices have the exact same motherboard. The MB is labeled "LHG" in both.
Joe, Attached is the boot log from my LHG-2nD-XL. The elf image used was aredn-960-d8f9320-mikrotik-vmlinux-initramfs.elf
I had some code changes that will be needed, and not in the nightly build yet. However, this log tells me where to look and another change is needed. Let me soak in and review the code. I'll need to make a new image for this.
Joe AE6XE
LDF 2nD test images
Early access can be found here (must use the .elf from here):
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1O5ip532ZhG9Nn9UGV7ytOCb9r0ry77oc...
Joe AE6XE
LDF 2 now working on the bench, thanks to the info km6fq provided. Dave, I'll get an image, hopefully tomorrow, for you to test on the LHG 2 XL. These devices all have the some motherboard, so should follow suit.
Joe AE6XE
see this forum post:
https://www.arednmesh.org/content/looking-lhg2-devices-test-images