[K3CAL] Broadband Ham Net BBHN (formerly hsmm-mesh)

[Karl Long]

I was going to send this to my list of people who said they were interested. I am sending it to the reflectors for two reasons: 1. There may be others in CARA, or ARES who would like to participate.2. I have misplaced my list. For anyone not familiar with what is called Broadband Ham Net (BBHN), formerly called High Speed Multi-media Mesh (HSMM-Mesh), it is a network of wireless network routers that automatically self configure into a network that can do anything that can be done on the Internet, provided that the apporpriate servers are available on the network. Uses include video (Skype-like or IP camera), voice (VOIP), web pages, file transfer,  email, and many others. I plan to go to the Montgomery Amateur Radio Club (http://www.marcclub.org/) meeting at 7:30 pm Wednesday March 5, in Rockville.  There will be a presentation on using BBHN in Montgomery County. If anyone else would like to go, we might be able to work out a carpool. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The primary resource for information about BBHN is at the Website www.broadband-hamnet.org.

If you have not done so already, I recommend that you register with them.  Use your call sign and a password that you create.  Logging in will give you access to all the forums and the node map.
 
>From the home page, select Supported Hardware, then download the pdf file at the link "Hardware guide to print." Once you have acquired a supported router, go to the home page and select Software Download. .  Download the bbhn-1.0.0 file for your router to your computer.  Note that bbhn-1.0.0-wrt54g.bin is used for both the Linksys WRT54G and GL. bbhn-1.0.0-wrt54gs.bin is used for the WRT54GS.
 
Before you attempt to install the firmware updates to the router, go back and read everything on the home page. Pay particular attention to the link "how our firmware works." Print out the upgrade instruction, or have another computer available that is connected to the internet.  Once you start the upgrade, you will not have internet access from the computer connected to the node.

When you have a node up and configured, follow the instructions at the top of the node map to get you node(s) added to the map. YOu have to register to see the node map.
 
While I will see your node on the map , please also let me know about your nodes.  I will ask for more details below.
 
Wander around on the forums.  There is some good user experience info there. Beware, as with all discussions about amateur radio, there is some stuff that just ain't so.  If you have any questions about them, ask me.  I am not an expert on all things, but I have actually looked at part 97, unlike many who claim to know what the rules say. 
 
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I would like to know some things about what you have and what you know.  Please respond directly to me (instead of everyone).  I will make the information available to everyone else after I have collected it.  Please provide an update when things change. 
 
Do you currently have (or have on order):
 
1. BBHN nodes up and configured. If so, what are the node names?
(I have three nodes; KG1L-100, KG1L-101 and KG1L-102. All are currently in my basement and talk to each other.)
 
2. Linksys WRT54G, GS, or GL wireless routers with version numbers on the supported hardware list, but not configured as nodes.

3. IP camera(s).
 
4. Laptop, Raspberry PI, or portable (embedded) computer that can host servers (web, mail, ip phone, other).
 
5. Experience setting up and running servers. 
 
6. Experience with mcrowave propagation. 
 
7. 13cm (2.4GHz) external antennas with RP-TNC connectors.
(I have built two which do not currently have RP-TNC connectors; one 10 element collinear (omni) http://www.nodomainname.co.uk/Omnicolinear/2-4collinear.htm and one directional waveguide antenna (tin can) http://www.turnpoint.net/wireless/cantennahowto.html).
 
8. Experience with setting up VPN tunnelling.
 
I do not expect that we have everything listed above.  Some things we will have to learn.  There are other people who can help.
 
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My short term goal is to put together a demo for CARA and Calvert ARES, to show how BBHN works and why it is worth pursuing.  The demo would show the self-configuring, network infrastructure, as well as the applications running on the network to support amateur radio and event/emergency communtications. I hope to encourage more interest (and action) in BBHN.
 
My long term goals are to:
 
1. Develop a collection of portable nodes and servers that can be deployed in support of parades and other special events. 
 
2. Develop a "permanent" BBHN network covering strategic portions of Calvert County. 
 

73 de KG1L Karl LongOwings, MD karl_g_long at hotmail.com
 



 		 	   		  
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