Hello, I am just getting started with AREDN. I am not really great at the networking management aspect. I want to set up two "portable" nodes. I attend a couple of multi-day walk events each each year, normally in an vehicle escort role. We want to experiment with using the nodes as an alternate form of communication using wifi calling (like linphone) and chat. I want to provide a chat service, an open source email, file sharing, and voip, and wireless. One consideration is that some participants will not have licenses. Later on I'd like to put either ATAK, EmComMap, Any help would be appreciated.
What I am struggling with.
- How to get the wireless to work. Should I use 5 GHz radio on the HAP ac lite (mesh would be on 2.4 Ghz? If to then I need to run POE through a switch to power both the Mikrotik SXTsq 5 ac and the Mikrotick SXTsq Lite2 for 2.4 Ghz for the mesh , correct?
Equipment
Mikrotik HAP AC Lite X 2 with AREDN installed
Mikrotik HAP ac3 X1 unconfigured
Mikrotik SXTsq 5 ac X 2 with AREDN installed 5 Ghz
Mikrotick SXTsq Lite2 X 2 with AREDN installed 2.4 Ghz
Rpi4 with Hamlib loaded.
Large Outdoor Electrical box
Talentcell 12V 6AH 5A discharge Battery
Planned
20V 8AH Battery packs X 2
power cables
What I am struggling with.
- How to get the wireless to work. Should I use 5 GHz radio on the HAP ac lite (mesh would be on 2.4 Ghz? If to then I need to run POE through a switch to power both the Mikrotik SXTsq 5 ac and the Mikrotick SXTsq Lite2 for 2.4 Ghz for the mesh , correct?
Equipment
Mikrotik HAP AC Lite X 2 with AREDN installed
Mikrotik HAP ac3 X1 unconfigured
Mikrotik SXTsq 5 ac X 2 with AREDN installed 5 Ghz
Mikrotick SXTsq Lite2 X 2 with AREDN installed 2.4 Ghz
Rpi4 with Hamlib loaded.
Large Outdoor Electrical box
Talentcell 12V 6AH 5A discharge Battery
Planned
20V 8AH Battery packs X 2
power cables
'I want to set up two "portable" nodes.'
If the 2 AREDN devices' antennas have 'line-of-sight' between them and => 20 dB snr,
this may be practical. In your scenario I have doubts that this is practical.
However, I continue...
'normally in an vehicle escort role.'
AREDN protocol (because it is Wi-Fi) will not perform well in mobile service.
However, I continue...
'communication using wifi calling (like linphone) and chat.'
I use 'linphone' on my mobile phone when connected to my local AREDN
Network as my local AREDN Network has a PuBlic eXchange server.
I do not know how to use linphone otherwise.
For 'chat', if akin to 'MeshChat' you will need a computer...perhaps a
Raspberry Pi as you mention later in your post or a laptop.
I am unfamiliar with using 'chat' without a computer, keyboard, and monitor.
(Ubiquitous laptop perhaps?)
'I want to provide a chat service, an open source email, file sharing, and voip, and wireless."
I have no clue how to provide 'open source email' service with an AREDN network.
As far as I know, to provide 'file sharing' you will need computers,
at least one to provide the service and at least another one to send or receive a file.
Perhaps 'Teamtalk' or MeshChat on a Raspberry Pi would suffice.
(https://bearware.dk/?page_id=353)
'I attend a couple of multi-day walk events each each year,'
'One consideration is that some participants will not have licenses.'
Okay, so some of the transmissions may contain '3rd Party Traffic'.
Silly me, when you started with:
'I want to set up two "portable" nodes.'
I assumed that we were limiting the discussion to communication between
2 licensed Amateur Radio Operators.
I will continue as though only licensed Amateur Operators will be
operating Amateur Radio transmitters.
I have no knowledge of 'ATAK' nor 'EmComMap'.
'What I am struggling with.
- How to get the wireless to work. Should I use'
I recommend that you use the manufacturer's firmware on the hAPs.
'I need to run POE...for the mesh , correct?'
Yes, just like at home, you will to run POE to the (non-hAP) AREDN capable devices mentioned.
I do not understand 'for the mesh'. ?
I have no clue why you mention 'Hamlib'. ?
73, Chuck