BroadBand HamNet (BBHN)
BroadBand HamNet (BBHN) is a self-configuring mesh network that operates using standard off-the-shelf WiFi devices that have been loaded with custom firmware. Due to higher power output, these devices are operated in Amateur Radio Bands (typically Channel 1 of the 2.4 GHz Band).
I have a total of four nodes that can be deployed. WB4SON-AP1, WB4SON-AP2, and WB4SON-AP3 are based on Linksys WRT54GS router hardware (two version 2.0 and one version 1.0). WB4SON-AP4 is based on a Ubiquity airGripM2HP.
Rhode Island (and SEMA) has a BBHN website: http://bbhn-ri.com/
The best national resource for BBHN information is: http://www.broadband-hamnet.org/
Instructions on installing FW into Linksys devices can be found here: http://www.broadband-hamnet.org/images/stories/hsmmmesh-step-by-step.pdf
Instructions on installing FW into a Ubiquity device can be found here: http://ubnt.hsmm-mesh.org/products/BBHN/wiki/HowTo/FlashUbiquiti
RI Coverage is spotty at the moment, but new nodes should be joining in the Newport and Tiverton area soon. You can check out the latest map at: http://www.broadband-hamnet.org/googlemapped-mesh-nodes.html
Hi Bob, I have tried to email you with no response so I will give it a try here. Please check your gmail in reference to BBHN with myself and Bruce W1BAW and Willis KB1JFG or contact me via the attached email address.
Hey Denis — I’ve been getting messages from you regarding OSECA but nothing concerning BBHN (unless I’ve overlooked it). I’ve replied via GMAIL but haven’t heard back. I wonder if my address (WB4SON@gmail.com) is getting tossed in your spam?
73, Bob, WB4SON
UPDATE: A Middletown node is now on the air. It’s a Ubiquiti M2 Nanostation atop All Saints STEAM Academy (915 W Main Rd, Middletown), callsign N1ASA, it’s 20 ft above the ground, pointing west where it has a clear view to the West Bay. It is connected internally to a Netgear GS108E VLAN switch. Currently there’s a RaspberryPi 3 connected. The node is linked via VPN tunnel to KD1HA.
UPDATE: A Newport node is now on the air. It’s a Ubiquiti Bullet with omni-directional antenna at 30 ft above the ground, at the base of the Pell Bridge, where it has a clear view to the west and north west. It is connected internally to a Netgear GS108E VLAN switch. Currently there’s a VOIP phone connected. The node is linked via VPN tunnel to KD1HA.
We now have a node in Providence on a high rise aprox 175ft and working on a tunnel back to KD1HA and VoIP server. W9GYR also is working to provide that tunnel.