At the Dayton Hamvention this year, a number of GL-USB150 units were observed.
It was found that the Node on a Stick was able to work with several Smartphones. Not only did the smartphones find the node, several interesting uses were found to work: VoIP and Video. On my phone, a Motorola MAXX2 running Android 7.1.1, I was able to make direct ip calls using the USB150 device as well as to stream video to a laptop using the IP Webcam app on the smartphone. Unfortunately, the USB150 takes a lot of power, so the battery on the phone did not last long.
In addition, today I was able to use the USB150 on my wife's iPod touch I was able to access the Node by using an Apple "Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter", model A1619 which we got from Walmart. As noted above, the USB150 takes a lot of power. In the case of the iPod touch, it would not operate at all directly from the iPod. The iPod charger had to be plugged into the adapter for the USB150 to power up.
Based on this success, I'm sure other smartphones will be found to work also. And, other phones will be found not to work also.
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Smartphones and the GL-USB150
Tue, 05/21/2019 - 22:55
#1
N2MH
Smartphones and the GL-USB150
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Standard UBNT MESH nodes use around 2.8 Watts or so @ 24 volts.
This device seems to be averaging around 0.862W (5.02V @ 0.17A) with peaks around 1.077W regardless of power setting 1dm - 20dm makes no difference. UBNT devices also show no change in power draw for varying power output selections.
I use the OTG adapter that came with my Galaxy S7 to plug in the AR150usb. In my apartment, I have to be fairly close to another node. - say 10 - 15 feet.
When the AR150usb is plugged into the Galaxy S7 I can watch the battery charge level decrease. About 1% every 2 minutes or so.
Even so, still pretty neat. Thanks to all those involved in putting out the AREDN fw for this device. Good time to make a donation.
R/ Don, KM4DC
If mesh, please explain how the smart phone connected. This sounds like a terrific device.
Bob W8ERD
So how then does a smart phone running wifi software on the usual channels talk to or thru the device?
Bob W8ERD
Joe AE6XE
The wireless capability of the cell phone is not used at all. In fact it would be better if you turned it off, to reduce battery drain.
Then on my iphone I would use the firewire to usb adapter cable mentioned earlier in this discussion, to make a hardwired
connection from the iphone to the usb. So then any software I run in the iphone that will use a USB connection comes out on the mesh
wireless connection.
I saw a cable advertised that will do the connection, but also has a mini battery charging connector on it.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Tirux-Lightning-USB-Camera-Adapter-Reader-Lig...
Would that work? That would enable us to use one of the small usb chargers on the market, and obtain long battery life.
Bob W8ERD
Joe AE6XE
As of tonight I have USB150’s functioning on the Mesh with the Hewlet Packard Stream7 Windows 8.1 Tablet,
the Acer Iconia W3 Windows 8.1 tablet and two Motorola Nexus 6 Android Smart Phones . I have an ArHp running
with Internet access enabled and tunnels enabled . So far I’m able to access the tunnels .
I’ve not yet tried to configure a tunnel on the USB150.
So far I’m seeing very low power consumption with battery levels still at 82% after 2 1/2 hours of operation. The Iconia is
especially nice because it has a separate power/charging connector so it can be powered and operated 24/7.
Stan - WB8QJZ
I am using a Google Pixel 2 connected to the USB-150 and works well as long as there is a connection to it from my local nodes.
Denis
Joe AE6XE
Joe and it does work with the laptop connected to the Hotspot however when I connect it to the Pixel cellphone direct and if it works, it's only long enough to connect to the server but disconnects quickly. The client and server both show connected but no access to the network once the 2nd led goes out. The Pixel is also running with the Hotspot powered on.
When in the reach of a node it works fine on -2 and of course no hotspot needed.
One other note, I did switch the Microrouter USB150 to channel 1 with 20MHz Width but I'm not sure if I need to do that.
Thank you, Joe
Denis KD1HA
Joe AE6XE
Sorry if I wasn't clear, the bottom line is the cell will not connect to the USB-150 and that is connected to the cell itself. RF is off on the USB-150 and the WiFi is off on the cell. I can't get to the WAN client. The "Hotspot" is the cell's hotspot and is on. The only screenshot I could give you would be "This site can't be reached" I have used the http://localnode.local.mesh localnode:8080 the node name and so on.
It does work with the laptop -> USB port -> USB150 -> wifi -> hotspot or home network -> internet.
It will work with cell -> USB port -> USB150 wifi -> hotspot or home network -> internet but will disconnect seconds after. Other times it may not connect at all.
It does work in when in range of the ARDEN network and cell -> USB port -> USB150 -> wifi -> RF "on" BUT it will only connect to itself though another node.
Hopefully I made more sense here.
Denis
Also, check the access point in use. What subnet or IP addresses is it giving out? If 10.x.x.x, then would need to change to 192.168.x.x or other. This would conflict with mesh network addresses.
Joe AE6XE
Yes, "The "Hotspot" is the cell's hotspot"? Cell->USB->USB150->wifi->same-Cell-hotspot? It does connect to the server for anywhere 15 to 45 seconds but disconnects, just about enough time to see the ARDEN network. I will take a look at the settings for the AP and report back.
An individual with cell camera could be sent out to investigate a scene away from a directly connected ARDEN supported EOC using just the cell and the USB-150, clean and neat!
Denis KD1HA
Update: The Hotspot address is 192.168.43.156
Joe AE6XE
{post moved to a new topic)
- Don - AA7AU
No change Joe, it could be the Pixel phone if someone else can try and report back...
Update:
I have the GL-USB150 connected directly to the Pixel Smartphone and I have the Pixel hotspot on and using the configured tunnel in the USB150. It does connect to my network and I can use the Pixel camera with a software app (I'm using Presence) but oddly I cannot connect to the mesh status pages in the USB150 itself once the box is checked and rebooted.
Joe's suggestion to check the "Prevent LAN devices from accessing WAN" in the Basic setup page did make the connection but prevents access to any of the mesh node pages after checking the above box. Therefor you must enter the access point or hotspot information and check the box before connecting to the hotspot, save the changes and the required reboot in the basic setup page.
Again this applies to the Pixel smartphone (Android) as it is the only one tested but it did work very well using the Pixel's camera and the Gl-USB150.
It is now possible to send an individual with cellphone camera out to investigate a scene away from a directly connected ARDEN supported EOC using just the cell and the USB-150, clean and neat!
Denis KD1HA