My buddy finally agreed to mount one of my AREDN nodes on his Tethered Drones to create an instant tower. We chose a NanoStation M5 because channel 180 doesn't interfere at all with the other equipment he uses on the 'flying tower' and we also wanted to link into other equipment on the drone, like a web camera or a thermal/night imager (if we wanted to spot fires or rescue people).
The NanoStation is also very light for all of the power and directionality you can get out of it. The drone has the ability to point the NanoStation in a certain direction so we can make a far link if necessary. What is even cooler is that my buddy has a ground station with the other NanoStation M5 that can aim the ground-mounted AREDN node directly at the panel regardless of direction and altitude based on SNR. Although it's really amazing, you don't really need it it for AREDN - but it's 100% necessary for other applications. The NanoStation is mounted to the drone upside down to ensure the MIMO panel antenna clears the props/body of the aircraft.
This 'drone-tower' goes up 300-400 feet, but can go much higher if one has the appropriate waivers.
This is one of his smaller versions and it deploys out of the drunk of a car and can use the vehicle's power to run in indefinitely.
See photos posted in my reply as I can never get them attached on my first post.
The NanoStation is also very light for all of the power and directionality you can get out of it. The drone has the ability to point the NanoStation in a certain direction so we can make a far link if necessary. What is even cooler is that my buddy has a ground station with the other NanoStation M5 that can aim the ground-mounted AREDN node directly at the panel regardless of direction and altitude based on SNR. Although it's really amazing, you don't really need it it for AREDN - but it's 100% necessary for other applications. The NanoStation is mounted to the drone upside down to ensure the MIMO panel antenna clears the props/body of the aircraft.
This 'drone-tower' goes up 300-400 feet, but can go much higher if one has the appropriate waivers.
This is one of his smaller versions and it deploys out of the drunk of a car and can use the vehicle's power to run in indefinitely.
See photos posted in my reply as I can never get them attached on my first post.
The drone flies in rain or snow with few issues. If there is bad thunderstorms, hurricane, or hail I'm sure he has to bring it down until the weather passes. A lot of that can be automated.
If we were to fly my NanoStation in the rain I would recommend putting Kapton tape over the top to keep the rain out of the Ethernet ports.
-Damon K9CQB
Joe AE6XE
I'll try that. I'm just super OCD about putting the antenna as far away from the noise of the prop-motors and whatever is emanating from the aircraft. We should do an iperfSpeed test with them oriented each way.
-Damon K9CQB
Bob W8ERD
The drone is from Equinox Innovative Systems and is designed to be a flying antenna mast for telecommunications companies. But some of my military buddies or rumored to use it for other things. It would also be great for local fire or law enforcement to set up an LP/OP or antenna mast for persistent missions.
Website:
https://www.equinoxinnovativesystems.com/
My buddy's email is: rmorser@equinoxcomms.com
-Damon K9CQB
I have seen descriptions of other commercial drones, but his sounds way ahead of them.
A tethered drone would be great for mesh node.
If we hams could manage to have them, we could do wonders for public service activities.
Bob W8ERD
-Damon K9CQB
Let me know if you need any help. I'm standing by to help you with flashing or with connecting to the NoVa-Mesh.
This drone test was done near Annapolis, MD. I know it's a but north of you, but we're growing interest out there as well.
BTW, I have your RB952Ui-5ac2nD (hAP-ac-lite). Just let me know how to get it to you. It does not have external antennas, but it's not hard to modify the board to accept them.
-Damon K9CQB