Yes, this is not in the VoIP section... for a reason. I located a stand-alone device that would reach all my goals: specifically where the listener of the audio need not install any hardware or driver on their end... the audio would sound on their computers built in speakers... using a browser to access. This is a self contained device, needs no connection to a computer/server to deliver streaming audio over mesh.
https://www.lpsystems.eu/products/boards/ethernet-broadcaster?showall=1
I found this Ethernet Broadcaster board, built in Europe; and it was easy to order for USA delivery.
..
right out of the box this board acted as a FTP file server on Mesh. All that was required was a USB memory device to be plugged into the devices USB port, and then access the boards mesh IP address using "ftp" . I wasn't expecting this, but it was cool !
For streaming audio, you need to make one setting change in the boards config menu. You can use either the audio-in jack on the board, or configure the Ethernet Broadcaster to play a pre-recorded MP3 file stored on your USB attached memory device. To listen in, simply type in the boards mesh IP address, followed by ":8080" and the audio should be heard on your computers speakers. example:
10.123.456.789:8080
Tested this with Chrome and Firefox browsers; IE worked on about half the computers tried.
I have more details on my web site:
http://www.tim-yvonne.com/ham/mesh/stream
(number 2 on that list).
I wish I was more IT capable, as I imagine I haven't explored all this boards capabilities.
if you haven't seen the VoIP version of my audio streaming experiment, read here:
https://www.aredn.org/content/inexpensive-audio-streaming
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inexpensive live audio streaming
Sat, 03/03/2018 - 21:38
#1
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inexpensive live audio streaming
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While a bit expensive, it is conveniently plug-and-play, which saves many folks a lot of grief.
It should be possible to replicate this functionality with a much less expensive Raspberry Pi. Is there anyone who who would assemble and make available a RaspPi image that just acts as an FTP server on bootup?
if you're wanting FTP solely, I've used this device on Mesh for almost 3 years now:
but all it does is FTP; I was wanting to stream audio this time and had to find another device. This NAS 2.0 works FTP on mesh out-of-the-box as well;standalone device. I was buying them new for about $38. I have a web page on it:
http://www.tim-yvonne.com/ham/mesh/nas/
The 2.0 version is no longer in production, I see them on eBay occasionally. I have no experience with any of their newer versions.
Also the rules do have some exemptions against the broadcasts prohibition such as the information is of interest to Amateur Radio Operators (this is why calling CQ is allowed which is strictly speaking a broadcast)
"isn't broadcasting illegal on ham freqs?"
depends.
There is specific mention about NWS broadcasts and ham radio. You can rebroadcast NWS during times of warnings - where public safety is concerned. But this covers automatic rebroadcasting. In our area we have 3 repeaters (2m, 220, 440) that have NWS radios attached and they automatically retransmit NWS broadcasts when warnings are issued (via SAME code). The transmissions last 90 seconds, then the weather radio resets (no more rebroadcasting)... waiting for the next warning to be issued.
but rebroadcasting NWS (or other types of services) on a 24/7 basis are not allowed.
For my mesh streaming experiments... the NWS is not rebroadcast 24/7; only when a fellow meshie requests it.
for other streaming applications, you could feed a ham radios audio onto a mesh stream... so meshies could hear a net or whatever There's a lot of possibilities... nice to know that hardware exists (and that there are devices that work stand-alone, for those less savvy with IT).