I have been asked to set up a mesh network for a public service event in Chicago. I am new to AREDN (just flashed my first AirRouter 2 days ago) but have set up a BBHN mesh in my other home in Kerrville, TX. What do I need to consider in this urban environment to make it work? The nodes will be about 1.5 miles apart on 2-4 lane straight, flat, tree lined city streets with 4 to 20+ story buildings on either side. There is a railroad overpass at one point. Should I try to go up and over or maybe just set up a tunnel to the command post for the mesh beyond the overpass? Nodes would be mounted on telescoping masts or perhaps street light posts if allowed. I am thinking of 3-6 nodes total as this will be more of a demo for future events. Looking for recommendations on equipment and answers for all the other questions I don't even know to ask.
Jerry
w5mig
Jerry
w5mig
Jerry,
Check out this forum post: http://www.aredn.org/content/event-support-and-liability-video-evidence
Similar environment with congested city metropolitan area, deploying links down streets with ~100' trees all around. The key to making it work with high data throughput and low latency, was daisy chaining the RF links from node to node on different channels. If all the mesh nodes are on the same channel, the throughput will slow to a crawl if they all can hear each other. Look to use 5ghz above ch 165 or 3Ghz, it is clear sailing as no one else is using this frequency space (5Ghz is in use by ISM, but these devices are explicitly not for telecommunication purposes).
We used poles on opposite sides of the street for the RF line of sight.
Joe AE6XE
Following your link to the Orange Section Newsletter was most helpful. Looks like I'm going to have some fun.
Thanks,
Jerry
w5mig