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Hello, just getting started in York!

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Sun, 01/31/2021 - 10:33
#1
2E0CRV
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Hello, just getting started in York!

I just joined up today and will be setting up a small network to work out how this all works, and it's clear I have a very steep learning curve ahead of me! My longer term aim is to develop a worthwhile system covering the city of York, but that of course will depend on being able to sell the value of the system to my fellow hams! I currently provide a city wide APRS service and WiresX access. Right now I'm waiting on Mr Amazon to deliver a big box of goodies so I can get started...

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Sun, 01/31/2021 - 19:23
G0SRG
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Hello from Sunderland
Hi We have just started a group in Sunderland called NEDNET. Our website nednet.org.uk. We are experimenting with 5ghz devices.
73's
Steve G4EKM
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Mon, 02/01/2021 - 04:00
(Reply to #2)
2E0CRV
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NEDNET

Hi Steve, good luck with NEDNET! I'll keep an eye on the website to watch progress. My initial goal is simply to get a handle on how it all works and do some very basic experimentation. 

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Mon, 02/08/2021 - 12:40
2E0CRV
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Small steps

Without too much frustration I managed to flash the AREDN software onto a Ubiquity Rocket M5, and despite some blizzard conditions I hoisted it into a low level test position. It's not running any services or anything yet, but it is at least up and working on 5Ghz, but now I need to take a close look at setting it up properly.

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Tue, 02/09/2021 - 09:39
2E0CRV
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Mesh Chat
I've got as far as adding Mesh Chat to the node, which seems to be working, and is probably the simplest service of all to add. I have changed the channel to 165. I now need to set up a mobile / portable unit so I can start a bit of testing.

I think I also need to try and work out how to get the node communicating with the www, but that looks quite complicated! 
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Wed, 02/10/2021 - 10:03
2E0CRV
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Progress

Now then, I've made some progress. I have set up a portable node that I can use to check the operation of the one at home. It's reassuring that they talk with each other, and the mesh chat software appears to be working just fine. Now I can hopefully get somewhere.

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Sat, 02/13/2021 - 13:43
2E0CRV
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Just about ready to test

My 2 node set up is now running Mesh Chat and Citadel email server, so it's just about ready for me to engage in some testing outside of the home environment. I am still trying to get used to port forwarding, but by utilising the secondary port on my nanoststion M5 node, installation was simplified enough for me to get the email server working on a Raspberry Pi 3b+. Now I've kind of got it all connected up it urgently needs tidying up!
 

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Sun, 02/14/2021 - 14:25
2E0CRV
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Internet connection

After getting the network switch configured properly yesterday getting an internet connection set up was as simple as plugging in an ethernet cable. At least it looks that way. Now I suppose I need to work out what to do with it.

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Thu, 02/18/2021 - 12:01
2E0CRV
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Progress

No added functionality, but I have started migrating the test system into a tidier format, and I've also started putting feelers out to see if there are any hams locally who might be interested in joining in to eventually provide a York wide system.

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Thu, 02/18/2021 - 12:40
(Reply to #9)
LU4EOU
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Very good work you are doing
Very good work you are doing alone, congratulations, I started in the same way. Mario, LU4EOU
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Thu, 02/18/2021 - 12:48
2E0CRV
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Thank you Mario
Mario

Thank you for your kind words of encouragement yes

Simon
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Sat, 02/20/2021 - 14:03
2E0CRV
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Headless Raspberry Pi

The Citadel email server on my node runs via a Raspberry pi, which runs headless. Today I made up a temporary shutdown switch which works a treat. A more permanent version will follow when I have time.

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Sun, 02/21/2021 - 12:44
2E0CRV
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Now this is really cool. I’ve

Now this is really cool. I’ve added telephones to my developmental mesh network, and they work perfectly. I shall be doing some range testing in the coming weeks. At the moment they work by direct ip dialling, but sometime soon I will see if I can add a PBX system using a Raspberry pi as the server. This is already a telephone, email and instant messaging system that is completely independent of the internet or any other local infrastructure. It really makes the closet prepper in me smile.

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Mon, 02/22/2021 - 10:21
2E0CRV
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Getting ready to test portable
Today I set up a portable / mobile node so I can investigate the coverage of my base station in my local area. Nothing fancy, but it will be fun to get out and see what the coverage is like.
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Tue, 03/02/2021 - 05:13
G0SRG
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New activity
Hi just up here in the NE England, Sunderland. We have set up a group called NEDNET.org.uk also on FB. We are doing a similar thing, currently using tunnels due to lockdown, but big plans and also some services on our system. Maybe tunnel together? Btw whereabouts in York? None lockdown mode I visit Clifton Moor a lot with my caravan
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Tue, 03/02/2021 - 05:23
(Reply to #15)
G0SRG
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Pbx
Also we have a pbx set up using RPI and freepbx. I have tested it with linking PBX’s together and it works great. Maybe have a chat so we can link the systems.
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Wed, 03/03/2021 - 09:02
(Reply to #16)
2E0CRV
2E0CRV's picture
pbx etc
Lovely to hear from you, it sounds as if you have made real progress with your net. Yes it would be good to have a chat at some point. I have my fledgling net connected to the internet, and the basic system works ok running Mesh Chat and Citadel Email server, I am presently trying to get pbx running on a pi 4, but although the phones communicate with the pbx server and will connect to each other I am still not succeeding at getting audio through them, no doubt I will stumble across the answer eventually. In the mean time the phones work perfectly in direct ip dial mode. I am in Huntington, only about a mile as the crow flies from Clifton Moor. Linking the systems sounds really interesting, but I probably need to iron out a few glitches first.
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Wed, 03/03/2021 - 09:40
(Reply to #17)
G0SRG
G0SRG's picture
no audio
we are using freepbx/asterisk on a rpi 3. No audio usually is the codec support for the phones. Make sure you are using the correct ones and put the codec order correct on the asterisks sip setting page - see attached image. You should also see it failing in the asterisks logs - defaults to ulaw which cicso phones dont like. BTW, i sent a FB request to you for a bit more direct talk.
73's Steve (G4EKM) - G0SRG is my Sunderland Raynet Group callsign for AREDN
.
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Wed, 03/03/2021 - 10:00
2E0CRV
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Thank you
Hi Steve, many thanks for the suggestion re codecs, I will get onto it as soon as I get a few minutes.

I'll check FB now.

Simon
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