looking for LHG2 devices to test images

26 posts / 0 new

Sat, 06/22/2019 - 02:33

AE6XE

I am looking for early testing of images for LHG-2nD and LHG-2nD-XL devices. The LDF2-2nD has an LHG-2nD motherboard, so your LHG should be identical. I have the LDF2-2nD and have success in testing these images. I suspect all 3 devices are the same motherboard. The images are available here (must use this .elf, and not one from a nightly build):

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1TcZi28LoSyhogow0ACgO7QRrasytJD0x...

Assuming this boots, please feedback if the channel options are correct (shows channel number and freq). Also, what is the max power option available to select?

Joe AE6XE

Sat, 06/22/2019 - 10:46

ke7xo

works here...

Joe,
loaded the files to my RBLHG-2nD-XL using Windows
max power is 25dBm... channels and frequencies are showing
thanks....
Richard ke7xo

Sat, 06/22/2019 - 23:08

(Reply to #2) #3

AE6XE

Richard, Sorry should have

Richard, Sorry should have mentioned earlier. Can you please attached the support data download, link at bottom of Administration page. I want to look though all the details to cover all the bases before committing the code.

Joe AE6XE

Sun, 06/23/2019 - 08:41

(Reply to #3) #4

ke7xo

file attacheded...

if I did this right...

Richard ke7xo

Support File Attachments:

support data

Sat, 06/22/2019 - 23:09

AE6XE

Anyone have the "LHG 2nD" to

Anyone have the "LHG 2nD" to give these images a try?

Sun, 06/23/2019 - 14:04

(Reply to #5) #6

AB4YY

Yes, I just got one (LHG XL 2

Yes, I just got one (LHG XL 2) going for W3IF. It seems to be working fine and loaded okay once I got past the usual "operator errors". :)

I plan to put it on a mast at my QTH for more test before turning it over to him.

Thanks Joe!
- Mike ab4yy

Sun, 06/23/2019 - 14:19

(Reply to #6) #7

K6AH

Support Data file

Mike, if you could post the Support Data file for this device that would be great.

Sun, 06/23/2019 - 14:42

AB4YY

Rgr. I am attaching it here.

Rgr. I am attaching it here.
Thanks AREDN Team!
- Mike

Support File Attachments:

LHG XL 2 SUPPORT DATA

Tue, 06/25/2019 - 18:02

K9CQB

I have all 3 devices. When I return to the states I'll try all 3

I'm traveling right now, but When I return in a week or so I will try all three (LDF-2, LHG-2, and LHG-2XL) and post the support data.

-Damon K9CQB

Tue, 06/25/2019 - 22:56

(Reply to #9) #10

AE6XE

Damon, Thanks. I do have

Damon, Thanks. I do have the LDF2 and LHG-2nD-XL results and support download data, so these are good. Since the LDF2 has the same motherboard as the LHG-2nD, the code is just now checked in and part of the build tonight to make available. Please do confirm the LHG-2nD when able.

Joe AE6XE

Wed, 06/26/2019 - 19:52

(Reply to #10) #11

K9CQB

Thanks Joe. When I return I shall confirm the RBLHG-2nD as well

I should be home in less than a week. I'll load the RBLHG-2nD (non XL version) and make sure it works.

-Damon K9CQB

Thu, 08/08/2019 - 17:44

(Reply to #11) #12

K9CQB

I've had LDF-2, LHG-2nD, and LHG-2nD-XL running no issues.

Joe,
I want to let the group know that I've had Nightly 1022 flashed on an LDF-2, an LHG-2nD, and a few LHG-2nD-XL with no real issues for over 2 weeks. I had no issues flashing them and still no issues running them.
Jus t a quick reminder - they are all basically the same board.
I will probably replace my future 2.4GHz PtP links with the LHG-2nD-XL or the LDF-2 on a 30-39" offset dish. I have been using the Ubiquiti PowerBeam M2 (PBE-M2-400) so far because it has 28dBm radio, it's MIMO, and has a decent 18dBi dish. But now that we have the LDF-2/LHG-2 series up and running, they will likely out perform the Ubiquiti PowerBeam M2. And the LHG is lighter and easier to install.

I love the LHG-2 devices, but I'm most excited about the LDF-2 for 2 reasons:
1. We have many folks who needed a 2.4GHz directional node to hit a centralized 2.4GHz panel or omni usually located up on a tower or building - but they live in an HOA-restricted area. Now they can use a regular DirecTV or DishTV offset dish to make their link.
2. If used stand-alone, the LDF-2 feedhorn is a 2x2 MIMO 28dBm radio with a 8dBi MIMO (Hpol/Vpol) panel antenna mounted directly on it. When you unscrew the cable collar, you basically have a tiny directional node about 3"x3" that would fit in your shirt pocket. That's equal to my beloved Ubiquiti NanoStation M2 (XW) - except (and this is the biggest 'except') you have only one Ethernet port.

I also want to whine a little bit about the fact that MikroTik hasn't released an HP (high power) version of these yet like they have with their 5GHz stuff. I hope they put one out soon that does 30dBm or more.

-Damon K9CQB

Thu, 07/11/2019 - 12:04

#13

AC8YE

LHG 2 XL operational

I'm a retired embedded software engineer and the designated software helper for Bob,W8ERD. Using his RBLHG-2nD-XL I've confirmed it is operational after flashing the nightly build firmware using a RPi 3+ running Raspbian Linux as a host, then using a Win 7 laptop as host. The support file is attached. Larry AC8YE

Support File Attachments:

supportdata-W8ERD-LHG-2nD-XL-201901301300.tgz

Thu, 07/11/2019 - 13:59

(Reply to #13) #14

K5DLQ

Awesome! Thanks Larry.

Tue, 07/23/2019 - 12:31

#15

K6CCC

I have a LHG-2nD-XL arriving

I have a LHG-2nD-XL arriving today. Has this made it into the nightly build or do I need to use the.elf from the first post of this thread?

Thu, 07/25/2019 - 14:16

(Reply to #15) #16

K6CCC

Gotta use the version above

Well, I answered my own question. My LHG-2nD-XL arrived yesterday and I tried several times using nightly build 1022. It would not work. This morning I tried again using the two firmware files at the top of this thread and it worked right the first time. The node is up and talking to my hAP portable (about a 6 foot path). Everything seems to be working.

Fri, 07/26/2019 - 20:49

#17

km6fq

LHG-2nD-XL firmware load worked

Hi Joe,
Sorry to take so long to get back to you on the experimental firmware load but I injured my hand and thought I had broken the board. I was just the board holder shorting out the board. Not damage apparently but I was chasing my tail for a week.

File Attachment:

putty-log-LHQ2load-072610.1.txt

Fri, 07/26/2019 - 21:01

#18

km6fq

LHG-2nD-XL firmware load worked

Oops I am not allowed to attach two files. Here is the second one where the load worked. The first file was not successful and the only difference was I forgot to uncheck the "save configuration". Both files are putty logs for the entire load process though site specific configuration.
The two files used were:
aredn-ae6xe-lhg2-3324ce8-mikrotik-vmlinux-initramfs.elf
aredn-ae6xe-lhg2-3324ce8-mikrotik-rb-nor-flash-16M-sysupgrade.bin

Warming: the very nice 5-star Aven 17010 board holder has anodized aluminum board holder blocks and can short out the LHG-2nD-XL board.

Many thanks

Dave

File Attachment:

putty-log-LHQ2load-072610.2.txt

Fri, 07/26/2019 - 22:38

#19

AE6XE

Thanks for all that

Thanks for all that contributed and tested. I think we can no consider this closed and the LHG devices working.

Mon, 08/05/2019 - 20:01

(Reply to #19) #20

km6fq

test image for a RBLHG-2nD-XL

I see that nightly builds are active again.
My RBLHG-2nD-X has been running fine for a week. Would you please create another custom build for my RBLHG-2nD-XL.

Thank you

Dave

Mon, 08/05/2019 - 20:14

(Reply to #20) #21

AE6XE

Dave, The RBLHG-2nD-XL

Dave, The RBLHG-2nD-XL model is working in the nightly build. Others have posted success and data downloads from this device earlier in this thread. If not already, install the current nightly build image on this device.

Mon, 08/05/2019 - 20:56

(Reply to #21) #22

km6fq

test image for a RBLHG-2nD-XL

Thanks Joe,
I am now aware of the README file on the nightly builds page.
The upload was successful but the time to return to normal was longer than expected and there were more reboots than expected. I think i counted four. I put my pbm5 on auto mesh status and the LHG2 gone then displayed I think four times. The other interesting observation was the wifi scan found only one node but the chart page lists four nodes.
Minutes later the wifi scan is working and showing 3 to 5 nodes. Weird???

Thank you again

Dave

Mon, 08/05/2019 - 22:02

(Reply to #22) #23

AE6XE

on the wifi scan...

on the wifi scan... Currently the scan is an 'active' scan meaning a management frame is transmitted on channels asking for other devices to reply. This is part of the 802.11n specification how this works. What we see is multiple wifi scans need to be run to see the full list of nearby devices. There is an enhance request to change this to 'passive' scan, so that a password is not required (diverging into another subject here...) and a non-admin of the node doesn't trigger emissions. I've not found much difference between active and passive scans on the end results, it still takes 2 or 3 scans to make sure you see everything.

Joe AE6XE

Fri, 01/08/2021 - 18:32

#24

KE0RSX

Issues with installing this

I'm trying to flash an LHG2 right now, and it's not taking the elf file from the snapshot downloads.I've tried using Tiny PXE Server and setting my IP Address to 192.168.0.100 and 192.168.88.100. Hold the reset button in for 15 seconds (per the instructions from MikroTik to force it into NETINSTALL mode). It doesn't try to get an IP Address from my server, nor does it upload the rb.elf file.

What am I doing wrong? I was going to get Joe's files, but they aren't coming up.

Have a great day. :)
Patrick.

Fri, 01/08/2021 - 23:06

(Reply to #24) #25

nc8q

Issues with installing this

Hi, Patrick:
What are you installing? RouterOS or AREDN firmwhere?
If RouterOS, then it makes sense to mention "(per the instructions from MikroTik".

Else, if you are installing AREDN, then I recommend you follow these instructions:
https://arednmesh.readthedocs.io/en/latest/arednGettingStarted/installing_firmware.html#mikrotik-first-install-process
Please mention which Mikrotik model and which AREDN firmware is in play.
I hope this helps,
Chuck

Mon, 01/11/2021 - 16:01

(Reply to #25) #26

KE0RSX

It worked later...

So, before I go any further, I want to clarify this. I had been trying the instructions from the AREDN Mesh Documents, but it wasn't working. So, I went to MikroTik's site and looked for information on how to reset the LHG 2 XL. That's what I started following above to install the AREDN firmware.

Things that I learned... First, the more expensive equipment shouldn't be harder to flash than the cheapo TP-Link stuff (but that's a gripe for another day).

Second, when you press the reset button and power it on, the "timer" for these starts when it starts flashing all of the lights--not at power on like other devices. I ended up following the AREDN Docs and holding the reset button in for about 20 to 30 seconds after the lights started flashing before I noticed the TFTP:DoRead message was up.

Third, and it may have just been a fluke, but you have to use the reset button on the device. I couldn't get it to work using the remote reset button on the PoE Adapter. Although I may not have been holding it in long enough.

Anyhow, I got it to work right after seeing your post. Now, to get Larry's unbricked (WA0VUS's post right below mine). His is a different issue.

Thank you for your help. :)
Patrick.

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